Wits' End Studio

The long and winding road

2011-08-11T05:56:00.000-05:00

8x6 oil and cold wax on a plank

~~~

Since the time my mother passed away, I've had urges to go visit places.

To the place where I grew up, to where my grandmother grew up.

I'm not really sure why.

I drove out to the place where I grew up, with my childhood friend

that I recently reconnected with on fb--after years of not seeing each other

or knew where each other were. Thank you fb!

Anyway, we drove to the "small town".

The winding road we lived on was the same...

the curves, the hills, the twists, the turns.

But the surroundings changed.

I don't know what it was that I was looking for exactly,

or what I was expecting to find.

Did I expect to see myself as a girl jumping rope,

swimming in the river, riding my bike, or climbing trees?

The roads used to be gravel-sprayed with oil on top.

I remember having to scrub my feet before I went to bed

because I refused to wear shoes.

Some of the roads were just gravel, there used to be one road

that was a set of tire tracks with a ribbon of grass in between.

There were little rickety abandoned buildings--all gone now.

All the roads are paved,

most of the summer cottages are now big year round houses.

A part of me felt sad because there was nothing for me to hang on to.

The beach where the neighborhood kids hung out was gone.

My favorite climbing tree gone, in fact the woods where we used to play-gone.

Everything changed.

What they say is true, you can't go back.

When you search for some tangible part of your past, it's not there.

Someone bought the old rickety shack or the summer cottage and tore it down.

I realized that sometimes you have to let go of what you left behind,

to make room for someone else's dreams.

I have closure now. Maybe that's what I was after all along.

MAM-Art is good for the soul

2011-08-06T09:36:00.003-05:00

I took myself on an artists date to the Milwaukee Art Museum.

It had been a long time since stepping through those doors

and taking in all that amazing work that lies within.

The first piece you encounter is a sarcophagus,

waxed in yellow ochre, red (ocher too?), turquoise,black and white.

Decorated with designs and hieroglyphics and gold.

Surely it was made for someone important.

~~~

Oh my, Cy Twombly

Standing before this giant canvas, taking in the underlying scribblings

painted in uneven brush strokes, paint thinned that ran down the canvas.

This life size girl is made of plaster. (I love me some plaster.)

She is at once creepy and fantastic.

Part of an installation with a door, fluorescent light and venetian blinds.
by George Segal

Robert Motherwell--What more can you say?

Striking!

Anslem Kiefer's oil on canvas. Gorgeous. Highly textured areas

some not so much, canvas peeking through. Brilliant use of darks and lights.

~~~

German Expressionism

Oskar Kokoschka

I enjoy this portrait, layer upon layer-underlying colors show through.

Georges Braque-Seated Nude.

I could look at this painting for hours.

I love these colors--green next to pink, green on top of lavender

Calm areas, bright areas, repetition of diagonal lines.....love.

Alberto Giacometti-Still life with 2 plaster heads.

Double take.....

Would you look at that line work? Swoon-absolutely a favorite.

~~~

I went around a corner and there were 2 Diebenkorns....double swoon!

Richard Diebenkorn---Ocean Park 68 (I think)

I love how he divides his space and his amazing use of color.

A close-up of Serge Poliakoff's "Flowers"

Scrumptious texture!

Gabriele Munter

Black outlined forms filled in with rich color.

I was delighted to see how many artists painted on cardboard.

oil on cardboard, gouache on cardboard, acrylic on cardboard.

If it's good enough for the likes of Gabriele Munter....

well what can you say about that?

This was painted in 1909!

~~~

Took myself out to lunch at the Cafe Calatrava.

Was seated at the prow of the restaurant--great table!

As I ate North African Hummus with kalamata olives, feta, cukes and tomatoes

along with a glass of Sav blanc,

there was an air show going on!

Planes doing stunts!

Hitting thrusters (?) and making a lot of sound!

....as the Denis Sullivan sailed by......

The day was what I really needed.

I felt my spirits were lifted and left there totally inspired.

I did go back to the Bradley wing to look at all the expressionists again-

couldn't help myself.

Thank you Mrs. Harry Lynde (Peg) Bradley (1894-1978) for being a visionary.

She had 600 paintings in her collection....can you imagine?

She started collecting art in the 60's and donated the lot to the

Milwaukee Art Museum in 1970 along with a million dollars to build a wing.

Milwaukee is so fortunate to have such an awesome art museum.

And the Bries Soliel ain't too shabby neither.

Have a wonderful, creative weekend!

Thanks for stopping by.

p.s. What I can't figure out is why some oil paintings were framed under glass.
Anyone know why?

Plaster bowls

2011-07-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

Plaster bowl 8.5"

plaster, encaustic, acrylic

Paster bowl 8.5"

Plaster, tar, encaustic

Plaster Bowl 8.5"

Plaster, soot, encaustic, acrylic

~~~

Getting in some good studio time,

despite the fact that I have been to 3 out of 6

dental appointments.

Don't really feel like doing much after that.

I carry tension in my jaw...it's caused a few problems :(

Working on bowls this week.

There is something mesmerizing about forming the plaster,

getting my hands into it and shaping it.

Then applying layers of encaustic.

Plaster and encaustic and wonderful partners.

~~~~~

...Do you love this world?

Do you cherish your humble and silky life? ....

excerpt from Peonies by Mary Oliver

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful weekend!

Middle of July already?!

2011-07-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

3 wips--a triptych each on 12 x 12 cradled panels

cold wax and oil

Can't tell you how many layers of paint are on these.

Bizaar combinations that felt right at the time.

See them peaking through?

Found an excellent paint scraper at home depot,

I like it because you can push and pull it,

It plows through many layers at once with little effort.

Not sure where they will go next......

....but enjoying where they are now.....

Detail of a 24 x 16 wip

orange, several reds, the white you see is marble dust & cold wax

Love its translucency

Lots of potential for marble dust.

Hand built plaster bowl 14"

yes, another wip.....

Indian red is sooo rich isn't it? More marble dust and cold wax.

Scratching through to the plaster.

Though this looks like a woodcut, it's actually carved plaster on board.

For Stephanie & Judy's class

Continuing on with my bowl series--2d & 3d

Finally finished something!

July 1st, I saw one bleeding heart on the bush in my yard.

Only one.

How odd for any to be blooming at this time.

I felt like it was just for me,

my heart is aching from the loss of my mother.

~~~~~

My aunt Karen drove 2 1/2 hours just to take me out for a belated birthday lunch.

We went to Watt's Tea Room.

It was just delightful.

Oogled the beautiful china and crystal in their store.

Strolled a bit downtown.

Just lovely.

She's the best!

~~~

Thanks for stopping by!

Goodbye Mama

2011-06-13T19:02:00.000-05:00

June 12, 1926 - June 10, 2011

I miss you Mama.

Cold Wax and Oil Workshop with Rebecca Crowell

2011-06-04T10:11:00.000-05:00

I'm still reeling from the workshop I took from Rebecca Crowell mid May.

There were 6 students, we worked long and hard. I'm not sure if any of us were well versed in oils, but we learned quick (HA!).

Cold wax (Gamblin Cold Wax Medium or Dorland's Wax medium)

added to oils makes a luscious combination.

Oils on their own are slick, but with the addition of cold wax, become wonderfully buttery. It's really like nothing I've ever worked with before.

You can create fabulous textures.

I worked on 12 x 12 panels by Ampersand.

Gessobord and Claybord.

Two completely different surfaces. Cold wax and oil seemed to dry much faster on the Claybord, but when scraping through layers tended to go right to the white Claybord surface.

The Gessobord dried slower, but held the cold wax and oil allowing scraping without going down to the white surface.

We spent hours working on techniques Rebecca has perfected over the years.

It was bliss.

I got frustrated at one point on this one and took it outside in the rain and plopped it face down on the gravel driveway and stomped on it-repeatedly.

Some nice texture turned up.

These are well on their way, but not finished....you know how that can change!

8x10

Rebecca gave us a sheet of Multimedia artboard

to experiment on. I really, really like it.

It's prepped and ready to go. It holds cold wax/oil nicely,

allows you to scrape back.

Since getting back home, I've been rearranging my studio.....again.

I cleared a space so that I can hang my panels on the wall

to work on them and be able to stand back and assess as I go along.

There are 4 panels in progress.

~~~~~

The next plan of attack is to make plaster bowls and experiment putting

cold wax/oil on them.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have great week making art!

More plaster....another bowl

2011-05-27T13:25:00.000-05:00

Plaster, walnut ink, sumi ink, watercolor, graphite and encaustic medium

4 1/2 inches

Making bowls has become almost meditative for me.

The process of getting my hands in the plaster

and getting lost forming the bowl, is really is a pleasurable experience.

Once they are dry, then staining, painting, rubbing, sanding & etc. begins.

Lastly, they are coated with encaustic medium.

A bowl that is waiting in the wings

will be the first of many experiments with cold wax and oils.

I can't wait to get started........

A very full Saturday

2011-04-17T20:45:00.000-05:00

Plaster, shed snake skin, walnut ink, encaustic medium

11 1/2 inches

There has been so much on my mind that even in art making

I can't concentrate.

This piece is the result of a happy accident.

There is a hanger on the back of the bowl

which I completely spaced out as I glued the snake skin.

I had intended a different orientation.

Crap. Time to walk away for a while.

Grabbed the walnut ink and started dripping the ink

starting at the lip of the bowl.

It started running in different directions following the crevices.

Crap. Time to walk away for a while.

Decided to connect some of the drips.

The shapes that formed repeated the snake skin.

Slathered a couple of layers of encaustic medium over everything.

I like it.

Yesterday Paul and I celebrated out 23rd anniversary.

Where does the time go?!

We drove to Door County to drop off art work.

First stop was The Dovetail Gallery in Egg Harbor.

Had a nice visit with Kathy and looked at what other artists dropped off.

Kathy carves egg shells with a Dremmel, they are fabulous!

Time for lunch, so we stopped and ate at The Chef's Hat

It's a favorite place.

Then, all the way up to Gill's Rock and Charlene's Gallery Ten.

Kate & Sarah were there to check in all the art

in between manning the coffee house.

Time for a pick me up...a nice strong roomy americano.

We decided it was time to head for home.

When we got back to Milwaukee

Paul wanted to go to Le Reve for our anniversary dinner.

It was lovely, champagne, brie crostini, mussels and a prosciutto salad.

A glass of port and creme brulee.

~~~~

Today we continued packing mom's apartment

getting ready for the movers to come early tomorrow.

There is a lot to do, we're making progress.

Right foot, left foot, breathe.

Time to get some sleep.

Good night!

Plaster bowl

2011-04-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

plaster, charcoal, dirt, pastel, graphite, sumi, watercolor, encaustic medium

8 inches across, hangs on wall

I didn't realize until I saw it posted, that the sumi mark is in the shape of a bowl.

I think the red mark is a bittersweet tear.

~~~~~~~

The bowl is a good metaphor for life, no?

My bowl is full, too full, heaping full, spilling over full.

There are brief periods when the storm subsides and I catch my breath.

right foot, left foot, breathe.

lather, rinse, repeat.

Mom will be released from rehab soon.

There are still some things that hinge on other things.

Day by day, things are falling into place.

One day at a time, right?

Thanks for stopping by!

Finding time for art

2011-03-27T20:35:00.000-05:00

cold wax & oil on wood ~ 12x12

I don't know much about cold wax medium or oils,

but the idea of working with cold wax intrigued me

especially living in a cold climate where ventilation

for encaustics is an issue.

I've been puttering away at this painting

working on it off and on for many months.

Very happy to have finished it yesterday.

I've been trying a different approach to making art.

Much of what I had been doing required poems and quotations.

Interpreting the words with design elements, line-form-texture etc.

I've switched to journaling my thoughts and feelings

and expressing those with cold wax & oil.

This is a different animal than acrylics.

You need a bit of patience with oils as they take time to dry.

In May I'm taking a class with Rebecca Crowell.
Sure to have my many questions answered.
I've got a triptych in the works.
More on those later....
~~~~~
My mom continues to improve.
Even her voice sounds strong.
We're still working on finding assisted living for her.
One day at a time....

Thanks for stopping by!

Life is a bowl ...

2011-03-18T10:13:00.000-05:00

Bowl #2

gouache and encaustic medium on plaster 5x7

This piece was inspired by two stories.

"This is a giant block

of whatever is most difficult

for you to carry

and trust me on this,

you'll carry it more times

thank you can count

until you decide that's exactly

what you want to do most

and then it won't weigh

a thing anymore"

from The Story People

"...each day a monk goes out

with his empty bowl in his hands.

Whatever is placed in the bowl

will be his nourishment for the day."

Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender

~~~~~

These two stories have been rolling

around and around in thoughts that are

deep and scattered.

I've been resisting difficult situations.

Easier to try to run and hide

than to (wo)man up and face them...head on.

Denial runs within a deep vein.

Taking on my mother's burden

has been at once painful and tender.

My bowl is full to the brim (enough, I cry)

with work, visits, seeking help, searching for assisted living,

calls to nurses, doctors, social workers...on and on..

I think about how difficult this is to carry,

I come to the realization

that this is exactly what I want to do most.

~~~~~

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.

My mom has turned a corner, she's doing much better.

She'll be leaving the ICU behind soon.

Sweet relief.

She's got a lot of work to do ahead.

Her will has become strong.

Grateful daughter am I.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mama

2011-03-12T18:33:00.000-06:00

Charcoal on pastel paper

What a month it has been. On Feb. 8th, there was a fire in the apartment 2 doors down from my mother's. She was hurrying to put on a robe to evacuate when she fell, hit her head and knocked herself out. She had bleeding on the brain and broke 3 bones in her wrist (dom. hand). Thank God she didn't need surgery. I have been scurrying around trying to get her into assisted living, fill out paper work for aid and attendance benefits, keep up with her doctors, spend time with her, and I was advised to set up a burial trust for her. Sobering thought. Exhaustion has draped it's cloak over me and I can do nothing but surrender. I - am - tired.
The other night I got a call that she was having trouble breathing...off to the ER, now she has pneumonia. An 84 year lady with one lung has pneumonia. I visited her today, she is so confused she doesn't know where she is. She told me she wants to die. She doesn't want to live, this is no way to live. My eyes filled up with tears. I didn't want her to see me cry, but maybe I should have.
She has given up, there is just no fight left in her. She's ready to go. I cried all the way home.

~~~~~

The drawing was done in 1996.

The photo I used was taken

when she was in the sanitarium

after having a lung removed from TB.

She was only 19.

I covered the paper with charcoal

erased a grid

placed a grid printed on a transparency over the photo

and went at it.

grid by grid, erasing and drawing,

I love the sound of charcoal on paper.

It was her Christmas present.

Snow, snow and more snow

2011-02-02T19:55:00.000-06:00

5am....look at this!

My driveway is under there....somewhere

I tried to look out the side door...

guess this is why the door didn't open.

The snowblower wouldn't start,

Paul had to shovel

Holy mackerel it's deep.

The street was finally plowed out late afternoon,

not that we were going anywhere ;)
Temps are supposed to drop....here comes the deep freeze!

Cool what the wind does in the snow.

Hope you are all safe and warm!

Reorganizing for the new year

2011-01-08T14:38:00.000-06:00

Look....a floor, how about that?! It was starting to get a bit dangerous in there again. You know how it is right? Mixed media....boxes and bags full of this n' that. Decided it was high time to pick up and reorganize before I hurt myself tripping over some treasure.

I cleared out a corner to make a quiet place read. I'm thinking about this chair in brown. When my mother-in-law passed away, I was given her brass reading lamp.

Paul rescued this sink from going into a dumpster on a job site.

He didn't want me making a mess in the bathroom sink, so he had this put in.

This is an old lawyer's bookcase, it has glass doors that flip up and push in.

It holds paint, mediums and etc.!

Nice to have like things in one place.

So now the studio is ready

Time to get to work!

Thanks for visiting, have a nice weekend!

New Year's Eve

2010-12-31T14:22:00.000-06:00

Not sure where the past month has gone, I've been neglecting the blog.

I think what happened was I'm still healing after the knee replacement.

Just getting through the work day was a challenge

day by day my knee is gaining strength

and stamina is returning.
~~~~~

The ornaments above are what I gave to all my co-workers.

I used 300 lb watercolor paper

drew the zentangles with a pigma micron pen

shaded with graphite

and the most fun part was

encasing them in encaustic medium.

Too fun!

Then I fashioned a wire hanger

and added a red bead....they needed a little color.

I'm always a little hesitant to give art as gifts.

Everyone liked them--that made me happy.

This is the finished journal page.

I continued the checkerboard across the page,

and tried my make my self portrait appear

as if it's emerging from the checkerboard.
Everyday was one step,
my mantra was "just do the next thing".
Everything took so much longer than I was used to.
Showers, getting dressing, going up and down stairs.
S l o w m o t i o n
But everyday brought more strength
little by little, increment by increment.
That's a great metaphor for life isn't it?
I'm not sure about you,
but I like to look back at the year that's past.
There's a lot of life in those days-weeks-months.
Bittersweet. Joy. Pain. Happy. Grief.
Now we look onto a clean slate,
a brand new year stretched out before us.
I don't want to make any more failed resolutions.
I want to go into this next year
f e a r l e s s.
That calls for a new mantra
What if?
What next?
What happens if?
YES.
We tend to look at things/circumstances/art projects,
afraid to take that next step,
the one that could very well make all the difference.
I'm tired of waiting for something to happen.
I want to take risks and make them happen.

Thanks for visiting!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Journal page

2010-11-21T09:06:00.000-06:00

Since I haven't been able to spend time in my studio

I thought I'd share a journal page that I've been working on

for a couple of weeks.

This is for an online class with Juliana Coles--Field Notes, a book of reminders.

Juliana had asked me a couple of times to continue to work on the page,

and take it further.

Going outside (for the assignment) was out of the question.

There is enough right in front of you, to teach you something.

My days are/were filled with medication, exercises, Dr. appts., PT appts.,

For the first 2 weeks, I needed to use a walker.

One day my eyes welled with tears, my thoughts were

swirling with the idea that with the walker I can walk, I am liberated,

without the walker, I can't walk, I am humbled.

The checkerboard represents taking things one day at a time.

We can't rush healing. It happens when it's ready on its own schedule.

It was good to journal my feelings of this experience.

I drew my self portrait on the prescription info sheet,

the med bottle on an an exercise sheet from PT.

~~~~~

I see the Dr. on Tues, hoping he will let me drive and go back to work on Wed.

The walker is in the basement (!), using a crutch now.

Off all meds!

Things are moving along nicely.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts,

and thank you so much for visiting!

Knee Update....

2010-11-08T15:54:00.000-06:00

Post surgery is going very, very well. Everyday I am getting stronger.

Grateful for that.

This is a CPM machine (continuous passive motion).

I have to spend several hours a day with my leg on here.

It slowly bends and straightens my knee.

The degree of bend can be adjusted, so everyday I bump it up a little.

I also spend much of the day wrapped in a Polar Cooler.

The cooler is filled with ice and water, there is a pump that circulates the cold water through the knee cuff and keeps the swelling down.

Here are my marching orders from Claudia, my physical therapist.

She's wonderful and great to work with.

We often see smiling faces, pregnant bellies & etc. on blogs.

We don't often see peoples scars, but this is where many of us are at.

This is life for me right now, it really doesn't look that bad, does it?

Not even 2 weeks from surgery.

If it weren't for joint replacement, I would be in bad shape at age 51.

This really is not short of miraculous.

(I really didn't mean to gross you out ;)

Most of all, I miss my girls. They are being boarded at the shelter for a while longer. Paul is doing a great job taking care of me, but the girls on top of that is a little to much right now. Perhaps I can persuade him by telling him how much they will help me heal just by being here. What do you think?

Thanks for visiting!!

Today's the day!

2010-10-26T06:23:00.000-05:00

I've been neglecting the blog,

getting ready for today.

Today I get a new knee.

Am I excited.....yes I am!

It will be wonderful to be on the other side of surgery,

and on the mend.

Please keep me in your prayers!!

~~~~~

Haven't spend much time painting,

though those paintings have again changed

dramatically.

I look forward to getting back at them.

I have enjoyed trying the "what ifs"

++what about adding this color

using that brush

scraping

scrubbing

and covering it all up again++

having some successes

mostly not so much.

I'll keep going back

and at some point

they will be done!

Thanks for visiting!!

Squeak Carnwath

2010-10-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

Squeak's work is so interesting to me, layer upon layer. I get very inspired watching artists work and hearing their thought process. Enjoy!

4 paintings update

2010-10-05T21:57:00.000-05:00

I decided to paint the 4 paintings at once

then take them apart so they'd look like 1 large painting.

I like it so far, blending paint right on the painting

gives nice variance of color....

but there's something missing.

I looked at it from from each angle

and found two figures.

I blocked those in and started working on the background.

I like what is taking shape.

The figure on the left seems sad with her head down.

Is she unhappy with her relationship?

Did he give her the wrong answer when she asked if

her jeans made her but look big?

Doesn't he want to go to the opera?

....just received bad news?

I'll keep going and see what happens.

Here is a closeup of the figure.

On top of the paint I smeared (or is it schmeared?),

a tar like patch---it has threads of fiberglass in it.

The texture is very cool.

Who knows what's next?!

Thanks for visiting!

4 paintings (in process) and a knee

2010-09-25T10:33:00.000-05:00

These have changed quite a bit since last time, haven't they?

I felt uneasy about where I was going with the compositions

so I went at with paint and gloved hand.

(not sure of the toxicity of the paints)

I really like mixing the paints right on the paper,

there are really nice color variations

and texture is starting to build.

Still not sure where these are going to go,

but the important thing is to keep working at it.

And respond to what is happening with the paint.

~~~~~

Other news, I had an MRI on my knee (the "good" one),

it turns out that I need a total knee replacement.

Geez, I just had a partial knee replacement last year-on the left.

The doc said the right is worse than the left was!

I suppose from all the compensating over the years......

It's always something!

Surgery is set for Oct 26th.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Missing you Pop

2010-09-20T12:13:00.000-05:00

Already it's been a year.

So many times I reach for the phone,

then realize you're gone.

I love you Pop.

Continuing on.....

2010-09-19T19:49:00.000-05:00

The paintings in the previous post photos

were making me quite nuts.

Every time I looked at them

I felt so uneasy,

not sure where to go from there.

Decided it was time to write down

what it was that was causing the angst.

They were chaotic,

they needed some direction.

They needed serious blocking out of areas.

Mixed up some gray from black & white gesso.

Gesso makes nice matte grays.

Went in with a brush

and tried to negative paint

the design compositions the painting seemed to call for.

Bottom right: cruciform

Bottom left: cantilever

Top left: golden rectangle

Top right: man in trench coat wearing fedora ;p

I feel better about these now.

There are areas of rest where the paint isn't demanding attention.

I have to tell you that this not knowing

where the painting wants to go

is very unsettling.

I have many-many paintings that I have abandoned

because they got to a point

where I didn't know what to do

and I was afraid of taking risks.

So in a stack they sit

patiently waiting for me to grow a backbone

and throw caution to the wind.

So my friend,

this is todays offering-

tomorrow is another day, and I have lots of paint.

Thank you for stopping by!

Mistakes

2010-09-17T16:36:00.000-05:00

It's been a bit of a busy week,

wasn't able to work on these

as much as I would have liked.

....anyway, I added a different red, magenta, blue and yellow.

Where will these go from here?

Their journey continues....

~~~~~~~

On Monday I am going in for an MRI on my "good" knee.

It has been swollen for a couple of months.

The doc drained fluid from it 3 weeks ago

and it's swollen again.

Bummer.

It's always something.....

Thanks for stopping by!

Journey of 4 paintings

2010-09-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

WELCOME!

Come along with me,

to watch the unfolding

of 4 paintings.

Their journey begins.....

Every time I look at a blank canvas, board or paper,

there is a bit of angst.

This quote has me thinking differently.

"I begin a painting with a series of mistakes."

Robert Motherwell

Easy peasy.

Mistakes....no problem.

4- 11x10 300# cold press watercolor papers.

So that I wouldn't have to look at that white paper

I started making marks with a charcoal stick.

Next I took red-orange acrylic paint

and spread it on with a plastic card

no thinking allowed...quickly get it on there.

That's it for today.

You might be wondering why I'm working on 4 paintings.

Because working one painting can get precious,
fear to move beyond your comfort zone.

If there are several going at once
you are more apt to take risks,
push it, try the absurd, the impossible.

When their journey is done,

there will either be 1 decent painting

or a series.

Look what I found at Michaels!

How cool is this?!

"Freaky Halloween Fabric"

It comes in natural, black and green.

Isn't that big open weave fabulous?

Great texture don't you think?

Methinks this will be incorporated

into these paintings.

Stay tuned, there's much more to come.

or better yet,

consider joining me.

Post your blog here

and we can watch each others progress.

Whadaya say?

September 11, 2010

2010-09-11T06:41:00.000-05:00

9/11

will

not

forget

God Bless America

A new painting and.........

2010-09-03T10:32:00.000-05:00

acrylic, gouache, encaustic medium on cardboard 5x7

It's been quiet here recently.

For a few weeks in July and August,

I was able to take time off of work,

my purpose was to concentrate on art.

An art sabbatical.

Felt the need to set some rules for myself.

...be quiet

...no tv

...limit internet (I failed at this one)

....journal

I got up early.....very early....crazy early

while it was dark

still

and quiet.

And began to listen.

and journaled.

It took time to get past the day to day

goings on,

petty irritations and,

to do lists.

There would be one sentence

that stood out from the others.

I took that sentence and followed that thread.

And kept on writing.

There were days that I sobbed.

I felt paralyzed by the angst,

legs as lead,

the sting of raw emotion.

It was then that I would go into the studio.

and worked on getting those emotions out

onto canvas, paper and board,

with paint, paper, ink, and wax.

The journal had become my most powerful tool.

Weeks later, I still rise crazy early.

The early morning solitude

has now become a routine

as journaling has.

I'm feeling much more connected with myself.

Thank you for visiting!

Birthday

2010-08-22T17:03:00.000-05:00

Today, Pop would've been 83

I'm miss you Pop.

Marcus McAllister-Being an artist is Paris

2010-08-18T21:20:00.000-05:00

....the common thread is the journal

I'm so inspired

Marcus McAllister-The Dreamed Journal

2010-08-15T16:58:00.000-05:00

In just 10 minutes you

will be inspired to keep a journal.

Marcus' art is wonderful,

wait till you see his journals.

Oh my.....

I have no idea why the videos are being cut off at the right edge...any thoughts?

Pieces of Harry

2010-08-09T14:32:00.000-05:00

This is an extraordinary video.....

His comments seem to describe

my struggles

when making art

to a T or is it tee?

Pear #23

2010-08-07T13:25:00.000-05:00

Acrylic, sumi on 5x7 canvas board

been doing lots of thinkin',
wrestling with emotions,
shoulda, coulda, wouldas,
slugging through panic attacks,
learning how to breathe,
trying to get unstuck,
listing pros and cons,
fighting negatives with positives,
seeing small victories,
bandaging skinned knees,
picking myself up,
twirling through the storms,
finding rainbows,
taking naps,
reading poetry,
writing a little,
drinking iced tea,
listening to cicadas
watching pampas grass in breeze,
expressing in art,
conquering defeat with gesso,
trying again......

How about you?

Grief and art

2010-06-26T21:31:00.000-05:00

I've had an emotional week

there were several times

that I felt overwhelming sadness

missing my Dad.

I was out of sorts all week.

Grief, I know, is a process

there will be days of sadness

and days of a full heart,

grateful that he was my Dad.

I have to feel the feelings

let the tears fall.....

~~~~~

This isn't yet finished

thought I would share it in progress.

This several layers of cardboard.

The surface treatment is an experiment.

I painted the entire surface black

after it had dried thoroughly

I painted the entire surface again

with Elmer's School Glue

then immediately painted over the glue

with acrylic craft paint.

(don't over work it,

brush on the glue

going over the surface just once)

Let it dry,

and it cracks.

How cool is that?

It needs a bit more work,

that's for another day.

Have a nice weekend!

Pear #22

2010-06-22T05:12:00.000-05:00

Mixed media on 5x7 canvas board

Super easy background.

Have you ever tried

those patina kits?

This is the iron kit.

You paint the surface you want to patina

in this case with the iron paint.

After it has dried

apply step two

the rusting solution

That's it.

Next I drew in a horizon line

and added asphaltum glaze (Golden)

The paper for the pear was made

by gluing all sorts of odds n ends

onto paper using gel medium

......a seal, alphabet pasta, metal bits

window screen

Then apply gold leaf sizing--I used Wondasize.

Let dry till it's tacky.

Lay a aluminum leaf over the sizing.

Glaze with asphaltum.

Every day I stare off into this pond.

Some days deer are at waters edge.

Most days I see this fellow...

A Great Blue Heron

He wades along the shore

catching fish

Or stand stoicly

for hours.

The pond has gotten deeper

as we have gotten a lot of rain lately

and a beaver has moved in upstream

When the workday is hectic

I take a little break

and get lost in the pond.

Thanks for stopping by!

Fathers Day

2010-06-20T07:43:00.000-05:00

This is the first Fathers Day without you.

I would give anything

to hug you

and tell you

how much I love you.

Oh Pop

how I miss you.

Where "art" thou?

2010-06-19T16:16:00.000-05:00

Clearly my priorities are not straight. I spent all last weekend cleaning. My messy house had been neglected. It really does feel good to have done that. Now I can get on with art making......

Working on a few commission pieces.

These two are about 3 1/2" square.

These are for 2 of Kathy's close friends--birthdays

This one is 10 1/2" square.

Kathy's mother passed away recently,

she asked me to do this poem

along with sweetpeas

for her.

A cardboard piece I started in Katie's class at Valley Ridge.

It's got a ways to go.

I like it so far......

an update on the stains I'm making....

Periodically I need to take the copper bits out of the jar

let them dry and oxidize

and put them back in the jar.

The turquoise color is quite beautiful.

The other jar with the steel wool pad-

it's completely dissolved

murky, crusty, rusty vinegar.

It's turning out great.

They both will be fun to experiment with.

~~~~~

Last but not least....

Today is my 51st birthday.

Paul and I went out to dinner last night.

Tonite were going over to Marci's for dinner

(she is a fabulous cook!)

nottomention

a coupla cocktails.

Tomorrow is going to be a tough day

as it will be the first Father's Day

with my Dad.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great weekend.

Pear #21

2010-06-01T20:58:00.000-05:00

Paul and I drove up to my Dad's last weekend.

I miss him so much.

I wrote him a note and left it there.

We're going through his belonging

slowly.

My Aunt had a rummage sale

we took some things over.

We were looking at pictures

that I found

from when my Dad was in the army.

Auntie Karen told stories

the photos came alive.

I loved listening.....

~~~

At one point

I pulled out a piece of cardboard

and painted a pear.

I think this just might be my favorite....

gesso, gouache on cardboard 5x7

I enjoy painting with gouache,

building layers

painting

dabbing

scrubbing

Doesn't this look like a wall

you'd find somewhere

in Europe

a small village

an old house

plaster falling off the wall

exposing the wood lath.

a layer of beeswax on the top-

it gives the painting a richness

Thanks for visiting

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T15:09:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day 2010

Thank you Veterans

for the sacrifices

you made

to serve and protect

America.

Thank you for freedom.

We will never forget

what you have done.

God Bless You

A weekend with Katie Kendrick

2010-05-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

As I left for work one morning,

and saw these beauties.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Esmerelda the praying mantis is there for the photo op...

~~~

I left work a little early to drive out to

Valley Ridge Art Studio

Katie Kendrick taught

"Untold Tales- A Big & Tall Book".

It was indeed a Big & Tall book.

Absolutely gorgeous-

highly textured-

thick with pages

full of collage and paint.

Be still my beating heart.....

Here Katie demonstrates the steps in putting the cover together,

creating the surface by

gouging,

texturizing,

painting,

sanding,

painting,

sanding,

glazing....

Katie shows us how she paints her book pages

these are only the beginning stages....

She uses all different weights of papers

it only adds to the interest.

~~~~~~~

I was pretty wound up when I got to the farm where I was staying.

I baked a sweet potato, sauteed some kale in olive oil dressed it with a little balsamic vinegar, a few walnuts and dried cranberries, a dolop of goat cheese on the potato. Accompanied by a glass of wine--maybe 2.

~~~~~

I thought I took scads of pictures...but it wasn't so.

This is how my cover turned out.

I'm really happy with it.

Especially with the layer of encaustic medium over the top.

It is indeed, big & tall...

....and a close-up

Love the wax.

Katie is a most generous teacher,

sharing so many very cool techniques.

I will never look at cardboard the same way.

It seems that so many artists (I was one of them)

got on this "acid free" bandwagon.

Looking around-there are a good many artists

that repurpose anything & everything.

Gluing rusty this to weathered that.

Acid free?--notsomuch

I have seen drawings done by Georgia O'Keefe

drawn on whatever support was available.

Years and years later--they still look great.

I think the aging of the material

is part the of art.

My perception about cardboard has changed.

It's been overlooked and shunned

because of lignin and acids.

Encase it in acrylic and/or wax,

I think we've got a winner.

Cardboard is readily available

and

it's FREE!

Thank you Katie,

for opening my eyes to cardboard

a very versatile support.

Scenes from Door County

2010-05-06T22:04:00.000-05:00

Charlene's Gallery Ten - Gills Rock

This is where my pear series is hanging out

(oooo bad pun)

hopefully they will find their way to good homes.

I love the way the girls arranged them.

This hall is near the front entry way.

On the second floor of the gallery

my larger copper pieces grouped together.

The past few years I've taken to making clocks.

Fun and useful.

Do you remember this quote?

It's an old nursery rhyme....

You have probably heard it if you've watched

"Singing in the Rain"

Copper is so hard to photograph,

it looks really cool in person.

One of my favorite bible verses

The Bible in 50 Words

I thought it would fun to try to illustrate the text.

Paul is combing the shoreline for agates.
He a bit of a rockhound...

This is the Green Bay side of Door County.
It's just beautiful here.

We found a sweet Inn to stay at.

The tourist season doesn't begin until this coming weekend.

We were fortunate to have missed the crowds.

Many of the shops and eateries weren't open yet.

It was wonderfully quiet!

Perfect for a getaway.

Evidence of spring.....

the uncurling of ferns

Paul and I were trying to figure out what these were.

They are tulip leaves.

Neither of us had ever seen markings like these on tulips.

Who knew?

Paul and I went for a loooong walk one morning.

Isn't this a cool cedar tree?

The gnarls make fabulous shapes.

A grand Victorian house on the top of a hill.

Leaded glass....the whole bit.

Lilly of the Valley just getting ready to open.

oh, that fragrance!

Those few days were over all too soon.

Though I feel refreshed

I would have loved to stay longer.

We didn't have time to go to the park.

Penninsula State Park has terrific hiking and biking trails.

So much to do and so little time...

Always leave something for next time, right?

Pear #19 and a bit of weird science

2010-04-30T15:58:00.000-05:00

Plaster, burlap, photocopied image, charcoal, pastels, shellac, beeswax

5x7

~~~

This one was a bit more involved

I asked myself "what if" quite often.

I started out by pouring some plaster onto a piece of burlap.

Let it dry thoroughly.

Next I cracked the plaster.

Then several coats of beeswax were applied.

I tried a photocopy transfer

but it was too textured for it to work.

Sigh~

Rubbed some charcoal powder over the pear

with my finger.

Went out side with shellac, and a torch.

The transfer and charcoal pretty much disappeared.

Sigh~

Then I used a razor blade to scrape off

the toner and charcoal.

Cut out a photocopy of my drawing of a pear.

Used more beeswax to adhere it to the surface.

Used more pastels

and called it done.

The razor blade chattered and created a wonderful texture.

I love how this turned out.

I really like the cracks

the texture of the razor blade

and how the shellac burnt away.

The whole process was a pleasure.

~~~

Now for a little bit of weird science....

As I was googling something,

something else got my attention.

Someone made "stains"

from steel wool and copper.

So in one jar I've got a steel wool pad

soaking in vinegar for a rust stain.

In the other jar bits of copper

even some pennies---though I don't know if they are copper.

The copper will produce a turquoise stain.

There is an odd sort of film in the steel wool jar,

must be from oil (?)

I understand it will take at least 10 days

for something to happen.

I'll let you know when something does.

Thanks for visiting, have a nice weekend!

pear #18 ....and part of the process?

2010-04-25T18:17:00.000-05:00

Casein, pastel & beeswax on paper

5x7

I started by brushing casein onto paper.

It becomes waterproof in 24 hours.

I then drew the pear and painted with those

buttery Pan Pastels

final step--dip in beeswax.

A few years ago, my Dad gave me

his electric frying pan.

It's a nice size for dipping papers.

~~~

We'll soon be dropping art off at a couple of galleries

in Door County.

While I should be working

I'm really distracted.

Clutter is closing in.

That 6 foot work table

is down to 12 square inches of workspace.

Does that happen to you?

I start looking around the room

walking requires tippy toes into

empty spaces--which there aren't many.

Time to stop and pick up.

I don't want to trip and conk my head on something.

Then I start sorting through things

which can wait

but I can't help myself.

I have oodles of 3-ring binders with

notes, printouts, magazine articles, newspaper clippings

you get the picture.

Some of these things haven't seen

the light of day since they were hole punched

long ago.

I start flipping through--tossing (recycling)

hours were spent pitching & tossing....

when I should be working.

I decided that it "part of my process".

How about that?

No beatings this time.

Now I have a clear head and room

to let things percolate.

Do you have a similar process?

Pear #17

2010-04-22T21:33:00.000-05:00

"Cop-pear"

Copper foil 5x7

One of my very favorite techniques

is repousse; embossing.

The amount of pressure applied with a tool

(here I used a metal ball tool- it's double ended)

to the copper--front or back

leaves either very subtle marks

or deep dimensional textures.

Sometimes I glue small shapes on the piece.

I use liver of sulfur to patinate the copper.

Then I buff it with steel wool.

Copper is a bit hard to photograph

but then again,

you know I have issues with cameras ;)

~~~

Spending time writing in my journal

is helping me sort out the

tangles.

It's a good friend

it listens

it doesn't judge me

and it brings moments of clarity.

Pear #16

2010-04-20T18:51:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on wood 6x6

I strayed from the 5x7 canvases.

Sometimes you just need a little change.

Acrylic gel medium

slathered onto a hand cut stencil of a pear

and also through punchinello.

Painted with acrylics as well.

I like working on wood.

I think I bought a bundle of scrap

from Home Depot....cheap-cheap-cheap.

Perfect for these little paintings.

~~~

I had a good visit with my friend and PT, Jill.

She's one of those very logical people that you can't get enough of.

I wish I were that way.

I'm far too impulsive.

I'm in hip deep before I even give something a second thought.

I also have a tiny problem with perfectionism.

Are you that way too?

I beat myself up lot

call myself terrible names.

I wouldn't want to be a friend

to someone who treats me the way I do.

Journaling....I've neglected journaling for a few weeks now.

I can think clearer when I write things down

and hash them out on paper.

Tonite seems like a good night for a cup of tea

and my journal.

Thank you for visiting.....

Pear #15

2010-04-17T17:54:00.000-05:00

Can you guess what this is?

Watercolor on canvas board 5x7

Do you need a hint?

I think you got it.....

O-pear-a

I can't believe how long it took to do this.

When I first got the idea,

I cracked myself up

thinking about the stainless steel cone-bra,

the helmet and horns,

the braids,

the Mimi blue eyeshadow.

This was a lot harder to do than I thought.

Which medium to use?

A while back, Carla Sonheim posted a technique

that I thought would work.

I really enjoy her paintings,

so I thought I'd give it a try.

I had a blast....but I'm sooo ready to move on.

~~~~~

Am I glad tax season is over....whew!

Work gets a little (okay--a lot) crazy during this time.

Since I'm the receptionist

the phones are the tiniest bit busy.

When I get home from work---I'm wiped out.

I've been trying to work on some art

when I get home,

just to unwind a bit.

You know what?

It works wonders.

I missed showing them to you

the daffodils

thick and lush

looking like a choir,

all facing the same way,

as though they are fixed on a Director.

A Host of Golden Daffodils

on the way to the office

It's something I look forward to every Spring!

They are fading now,

it's a reminder

to stop and smell the roses.

What do you see everyday

that fills you full of wonder

if you would only stop

and soak it in?

Pear #14 and the girls

2010-04-08T22:20:00.000-05:00

Take two (snap)

interference gold dry brushed on Niddegan

The pear was drawn with Sumi ink

Can you see the shimmer of the interference gold paint?

Have you tried Pan Pastels?

(by now you have figured out that I am

an art supplies slut enthusiast)

They blend beautifully

the set came with a few spongey applicators.

Then a coat of beeswax.

This time the shimmer shows through.

This is what I had in mind.

Close-up of the dry brush shimmer

Last weekend we took the girls
up to my Dad's house with us.

They loved running around exploring everything.

We're still sorting through Dad's belongings.

Little by little.

Friends of one of the neighbors

stopped by to look at the house.

They loved it

but......

they have to sell their house first.

Hopefully it will sell soon.

It's just not the same going there.

I'm so ready to let it go......

Thank you for visiting.

Have a great weekend!

Pear #13

2010-03-30T21:51:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on canvas board 5x7

This is a monochromatic painting.

One color~

Green gold mixed with titanium white

micaceous iron oxide

acrylic glazing liquid

neocolor II watercolor crayons

interference green

matte gel

and payne's gray.

Lots of blending and dabbing and scrubbing~

quite a few layers~

it has nice depth and texture.

I think it turned out pretty well.

Color!

2010-03-28T21:00:00.000-05:00

So for the past week and a half

I've been playing with color

making a color library.

I'm taking a workshop.

This is probably the best workshop
on color that I've ever taken.
Each color in my stash
mixed with a medium or color
swatches of color
rows and rows
and
2 color wheels
organic and inorganic pigments.
great tools.
It was wonderful-almost therapeutic
mixing and painting
watching
learning
what happens
when this is mixed with that?

more pears on the way......!!!

Pear #12

2010-03-23T20:42:00.000-05:00

Pen & Ink on paper 5x7

I drew this with my non dominant left hand.

I love the quality of line,

so much more interesting

than perfectly straight lines.

I really enjoy doodling

you lose yourself

totally immersed in a place

where time has no meaning

hours pass

and there you are

still doodling......

Some of my symbology

has come from doodling

not thinking about it

or planning it

but

letting it

immerge

on it own.

Pear #11

2010-03-22T01:46:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on canvas board 5x7

I decided to abstract the pear

by taking it

to its very basic geometric shapes.

I also thought primary colors

would be fitting for this experiment.

Pyrrole red, Cobalt Blue and Hansa Yellow

Pear #10

2010-03-20T08:20:00.000-05:00

Sumi ink, gum arabic, acrylic paint on Arches Textwove 5x7

Sink art

Start with a piece of Arches Textwove

(a very forgiving paper, takes abuse)

make random marks with gum arabic

let dry completely

repeat with sumi ink

let dry just a couple of minutes

run paper under water

scrub away gum arabic with your finger

The sumi ink does something wonderful

it marbles

right there on your paper!

I tore a piece of the sink art paper

long with a piece of black paper

staggered them to make it look like

the pear is shadowed

a splash of red were added for a bit of punch

the stem and leaves were cut out

using a scissors

mounted on canvas board.

I like the contrast of black and white

with just a smidge of red

cool n'est pas?

We had a glorious week,

temps in the 60's

the dingy snow piles

melted away

along with my cares

Last night

oh no! It snowed!

Temps back just below 30

arggh!

It's easy to get spoiled, isn't it?

Pear #9

2010-03-17T21:46:00.000-05:00

Casein and wire on canvas board 5x7

Casein painted background,

dries to a velvety finish.

16 gauge annealed steel wire

fashioned into a pear.

Sewn to the board.

I really like it's simplicity.

~~~

There are signs of Spring...

I saw a Robin yesterday,

daffodils are peeking through,

piles of snow are melting,

60 degrees today,

ice on the pond is disappearing.

I so look forward to this time,

bright green sprigs,

signs of new life.

Renewal!

Do you feel a change in your energy levels?

Is it the amount of light,

the smells,

the new growth?

Whatever it is,

Welcome Spring !

Pear #8

2010-03-16T05:55:00.000-05:00

Acrylic and collage on canvas board 5x7

I started out by painting several small sheets

in varous shades of green gold.

After they were dry, I tore them into smaller

pieces and collaged them onto a larger

sheet of light weight paper.

Drew a pear shape~

painted around the shape

with purple--

the top part was tinted with white,

then dry brushed with purple straight from the tube.

The bottom was painted from the tube,

dry brushed with the tint.

I don't think I am particularly good at color,

so giving myself permission to play

and use color combinations

that I would probably not use.

Here I am using

complimentary colors~

directly across from each other

on the color wheel.

~~~

I sometimes feel so stuck in my head~

as in not moving forward.

I started reading an interesting book-

"Loving What Is" by Byron Katie.

"The Work" is asking yourself

4 questions.

Just after reading the intro

and the 1st chapter

I can begin to challenge

some of the thoughts

I keep grinding away at,

that wake me up

in the middle of the night,

that keep me stuck.

Albert Einstein said,

"Insanity is doing the same things

over and over

expecting different results".

I create so many miseries

between my two ears.

Too many assumptions,

partial truths,

skewed emotions,

fears,

and overwhelmedness

keep me from living

how I want to live.

Today I start Spring Cleaning,

armed with my journal

and pen.

I set out to capture

the negative nellies

that intend to stake their claim.

Get them out on paper,

and challenge them

one

one.

Pear #7

2010-03-14T12:57:00.000-05:00

As I have been thinking of various media

to express different ideas

of creating the single theme of pears.....

My mind wandered~

way off left

of center.

Suddenly,

without warning

bizzare ideas

began

dance

head.

I invite you

to meet

The Grim Rea-pear

Acrylic on Canvas board 5x7

This week has been bittersweet.

I sold my Dad's truck.

While it needed to be done,

I felt a sadness sweep over me.

That's the last time I'd hear the brakes squeak.

I was losing another piece of him.

I had to remind myself that it is just stuff.

Pear #6

2010-03-11T05:42:00.000-06:00

Mixed media on canvas board 5x7

This painting started as a piece of Black Arches Cover Stock.

I drew a pear and several abstract marks with sumi ink,

then let it dry.

Next, Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White was added in the same way.

Gouache was painted in, with a bit of walnut ink.

Bits of drywall patching tape-cut in teeny shapes used as a stencil,

interference gold dry brushed over the tape, then the tape is removed.

The top pear is au natural,

the bottom pear has a coat of encaustic medium

on the surface.

This is by far a favorite technique,

see here, here & here.

la poire #5

2010-03-09T14:02:00.000-06:00

aka: ~~flop~~ experiment

Mixed media on canvas board 5x7

This piece began by dry brushing interference gold,

then a drawing with sumi ink

on Nideggan paper...love that paper.

Pastels were rubbed into the paper.

Next, I schmeared a layer of

my super secret acrylic beeswax.

Actually, it's an adapted recipe

from several recipes I found in both

Patti Brady and Nancy Reyner's books.

When the "wax" dried,

the dry brushing was....gone.

It does have nice texture going for it.

Back to the drawing board!

Pear 4

2010-03-07T19:41:00.000-06:00

Acrylic on canvas board 5x7

It's hard to tell from the picture

I started painting using the grisaille technique.

The underpainting is shades of gray,

then glazed with color.

The pear was glazed with green gold,

the upper background with cobalt,

the table with quin. crimson.

I've spent the weekend busily working away in the studio.

Some of my ideas are not working well,

but it's okay---I'm learning a lot.

I'll post a flop soon.....stay tuned ;)

Pear 3

2010-03-04T08:26:00.000-06:00

Shiva Paintstiks on 5x7 Canvas Board

My photography stinks,

the painting is not this dark.

....anyway, the paintstiks are great to work with.

Peel off the skin that forms on the paintstik,

then rub and blend.

They dry very quickly, in 24 hrs.

I started out with just a couple of colors,

now it has turned to madness ;)

Pear 2

2010-03-03T10:53:00.000-06:00

Second in the pear series.....

oh, how I wish I had more time to work on these!

I am enjoying working with the same subject,

finding different media in which to work them out.

Several in the works, all at various stages.

Acrylic on canvas board, 5x7

A journal for Peggy's birthday

2010-03-02T11:23:00.000-06:00

This journal is the result of LK Ludwig's

Printed Patterend Painted Journal Class.

This journal has raw canvas covers,

the "tapes" are micro suede,

the pages are cardstock that Peggy and I found at Tuesday Morning,

a whole ream of Crane's cardstock for $10.

It's beautiful stuff to work with....

takes the paint beautifully.

If you want to take an amazing online class,

and want to work from the comfort of your own studio, this is it!

LK shares scads of techniques,

ways to put your personality

into your own journal.

Sorta figured it out.....

2010-02-27T16:24:00.000-06:00

I think I've figured out what happened, I didn't have a glass of wine at the ready! I live just getting by with technology. I'm okay with that, living a perfectly "normal" life, but must confess my occational meltdown when things aren't working like they always have!

The other day I was scrubbing my kitchen floor and this overwhelming sense of the need to let go of trying so hard at being a full-time artist. Second guessing what people will buy, yada yada. So, right there in the middle of the floor, with a tear in my eye, I let it go. I felt relief! Like the proverbial great weight being lifted. A little later in the day, a project popped into my head. Do a series of mixed media paintings all with the pear as the subject. How many different ways can one depict a pear? We'll see. A full page of ideas are jotted down and I'm sure more will surface as I work. There is a goodly stack of 5x7 canvas boards at the ready. Here is my first Eventually they will all migrate to Charlene's Gallery Ten in Door County.

Oil Pastel

Oh, to be twelve...

2010-02-22T09:11:00.000-06:00

I can't post from home. When I click on the "new post" button, it won't load...blank screen. If I were twelve, I'd know what to do...but I'm not and I don't. Any ideas what I can do?

Cool surprise!

2010-02-11T15:40:00.000-06:00

Holy mackerel, in July of '08, I submitted 2 sets of jewelry to

Belle Armoire Jewelry.....

one was returned :(

I thought the shed snakeskin on copper was slick,

I'll show you, you can let me know what you think.

The other set sat in limbo, I heard nothing....not a peep.

This magazine arrived in the mail one day....

hmmm....I didn't order it.

Flipping through it, waaaaaaaay in the back,

there they are!

Repurposed champagne hoods.

Now I am waiting for my "hoodies" to be returned safely home ;)

This n' that

2010-02-09T04:18:00.000-06:00

Finally....finished a bit of homework from a couple of weeks ago.

I struggled with this portrait...

so many times I wanted to give up...

but kept going....

working through the awkward stages....

She has piercing blue eyes,

it appears that she is waiting,

for something or someone.

This is my first try using oil paintstks.

Shiva paintstiks are buttery and blend very well.

Used my fingers to blend, tried a blending stump

but it just wasn't working that well...

back to using fingers.

%%%%%%%

We are expecting 9-16 inches of snow in the next few days.

It started snowing last night, very fine snow.

There isn't much out there this morning.

We'll see what next day or two brings.

%%%%%%%%

Mom continues to gain strength, even her voice

sounds stronger.

One day at a time, right?!

Still no word on how long she'll be in rehab.

Thank you friends, for your thoughts and prayers.

So, whadaya think?

2010-01-29T05:22:00.000-06:00

The magnets finnnnnally came and I finished making the cover for my Miche purse.

I think it turned out pretty darned cool!

Must order more magnets to finish the other two.

I can see where this could become an addiction.

GREAT NEWS!!!

My mom is doing well....thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Her docs spent a long time tweaking her meds

and how she gets them,

how much oxygen she gets.

Today she goes into a rehab facility

to get her strength back

before she can go home.

She has been through a lot.

It's a good thing she's feisty!!

Storm......

2010-01-25T04:46:00.000-06:00

an assignment from Misty's class

pencil on white paper

Here's Misty (but not the one who gave me the assignment ;)
she makes me laugh out loud-wonderful companion.
Margeaux was napping, no picture of her this time

I went over to my mom's apartment, one of her neighbor's has this posted on their door.

This made me stop dead in my tracks.

How much of my life was been wasted because I wait.....

I wait for one thing to pass, then another,

when all the while, I could be learning to dance in the rain.

Lately my journaling time has been very revealing,

digging deeper,

feeling the feelings,

letting things percolate,

and toss like they're in a tumbler,

it one of the best habits that I've started.

A week ago Friday, my Mom was feeling well and went to the ER.

From there she went to the ICU--she's been there ever since.

She's not responding as quickly as she did in the past.

I honestly thought I was going to lose her.

I can't imagine how terrifying it would be to not be able to breathe.

Concentrating on each breath, focusing on inhaling

to let the oxygen flowing from the mask in.

She's so frail,

I think today they'll be moving her out of ICU.

At some point, she'll be going to a rehab facility

to get her strength back.

I'm so scared.....what happens next time she can't breathe?

I've been spending as much with her as I can.

She hasn't been talking that much,

she stares off into that far away place.

maybe she's learning to dance in the rain......

Pencil

2010-01-17T10:35:00.001-06:00

An assignment for Misty's online class.

Next assignment is to draw a face.

I haven't used pencil in ages....

I have forgotten what a great tool it is.

The sound of it scratching on paper....

how well it blends and lifts.

Journal page

2010-01-15T06:36:00.000-06:00

mid-jan 2010

2010-01-14T04:23:00.000-06:00

Where did the first half of the month go already? Earlier this week we had gray skies. The lack of sun has made me want to curl up and hide. Yesterday was a glorious day and of course, forgot my camera. I felt so good to go outside at lunch and feel the warmth of the sun on my face. It even got warm enough for some of the snow to melt. I never tire of looking at this pond. During the day, I spin my chair, look at the pond and catch my breath. ahhhhh......

LK Ludwig's online journaling class is a great time of play. It's a blast spending time readying pages to be bound into a journal. LK is sharing a lot of techniques, some of which I've not tried before, gelatine printing for one......

I've been working on making my own stamps. Some of these are made of cardboard, some out of foam. As I work, I see the shapes that are cut and glued as symbols. I don't know what they mean.....yet, but as I use them in my work they will show me. The beginnings of my own symbology.

.....yet another contemplative girl~~~she's got a lot on her mind and a heavy heart

a printing plate started as a piece of foam from a to-go container, lines drawn in with a pen

I'm giving myself an assignment for the weekend.....I'll fill you in later......

Face painting

2009-12-27T10:16:00.000-06:00

Revisiting this face....I had glued an image of a face on a background.....decided it was time to go ahead a attack it. A good start I think. Here I am using burnt umber and white paint. It's interesting to see it up on a computer as opposed to lying on a table.

This poor girl has a bulky neck, doesn't she? I'll be able to slim it down a bit when I go back and put in the background. Attempting to mix skin tone shades here.

White paint and brown ink....a good start. I really like to work on a few things at once. It's good to put paintings aside and go back later. Things that I thought were working....aren't. I learning to hang in there with face painting.....keep going....keep blending....don't give up. They aren't where I think they should be, so I'll keep working on them......

A Very Merry Christmas to You!

2009-12-25T07:34:00.000-06:00

It's a rainy Christmas morning here in Milwaukee. It started to rain yesterday afternoon. If this were snow.....we'd be buried! The temperatures are supposed to drop and then snow. I don't like ice, I'm afraid we're really in for it. We cancelled our Christmas plans. Paul and I both have the nasty, creeping crud that's going around. No need to spread it around. Rest, that's what we'll do. Watch sappy Christmas movies in our jammies.

My favorite Christmas Carol--it always brings me to tears....

the REAL reason for Christmas.

Purse covers

2009-12-17T05:17:00.000-06:00

Have you seen those very cool purses...Miche Bags?

I love the concept, being able to leave all your stuff in one purse--and able to change the shell. How cool is that?

I got the idea to make my own shells.

Out came canvas...some raw, some primed and went at it.

These were a blast to paint.

Truth be told,

I was doing these instead of homework for Misty's class....

which I will get to....eventually;)

The shells are attached to the purse with magnets.

now if my Dick Blick order would just get here.......

I bought a very awesome wood block for fabric printing.

One thing I did learn is that a mouse under the canvas

would make a better image.

I do like the broken look of the stamp though.

I'll show you how they turn out....keep your fingers crossed;0

a matter of perspective

2009-12-08T11:27:00.000-06:00

I started this painting (homework for Misty's class) in an easel, didn't finish it in one sitting...so I pulled if off of the easel and worked flat on a table. I was a bit surprised at how different the perspective was between lying flat and upright in an easel. It's a good idea to step away from your work every now and then to check on the perspective, shapes, colors, etc., even turning your work upside down. The next painting I do (which may very well be right on top of this one), I will take my own advise......need more practice. ;p