living my art

Wildlife

2010-07-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

We met our next door neighbors, Fran and Jack; and they confirmed that the previous owner fed and watered the deer. I thought they seemed very unafraid. Anyway, I was taking some recycling out to the back porch and this little lady stood staring at me, no more than 20' away. I walked around the back porch, etc., and she just waited, staring at me.

So,OK, I can take a hint. I got a saucer from a flower pot and filled it with bird seed, the only reasonable thing I had. Sure enough, as soon as I put it down and went back up the steps, she walked calmly over and began to eat.

On the list of things to do: buy a deer block and set up some water in the back area too.

Scottie got bird feeders out today. We're getting there.

The move from hell!

2010-07-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

The absolute ease of the sale of our home (with thanks for that to Team Diana) was more than counter-balanced by the everything-that-can-go-wrong-will aspect of the move itself. The mover, who had moved us into our Three Rivers home, arrived only to decide that while he had made it down our steep gravel drive with a loaded truck, he didn't think he could go UP that way. This necessitated a last minute rental of a small U-haul to do transfer loads up to the movers truck and the 26' truck we had rented. There was a delay of a full day. That was OK, 'cuz at the last minute the appraiser at the new house (and apparently they now hold much more power than they used to) decided a railing at the top of a spiral stair case THAT WILL BE TORN OUT nonetheless had to be re-done before closing could proceed. So, the loading/driving finished on Thursday.

Might I say that we have waaaaay too much stuff? This is in the packed up stage:

Upon arrival in Grass Valley with 2 26-foot trucks, the mover looked at our steep, but at least paved, driveway and didn't think he could get down it in the full sized truck. Sure enough, it caused him to high center, and I had to go rent yet another small truck. The 3 guys doing the moving had to once again do transfer load after transfer load, finishing at 11:55 p.m., with the U-Haul still to be returned. Just to do this required that all the boxes be unloaded into the one downstairs room, meaning I was going to need help getting everything up to the main level. This was after my 5 hour drive with 2 dogs and 2 cats - with my old cat being sick much of the way, a lovely smell in a small car. Since I'd left home at 4:15, that's AM, it was way too dark to stop and clean out her carrier without risking her running off. I had to drive over an hour with the mess until it got light enough to clean. By the time I stopped, let's just say that poor Lucy was a mess. Thankfully I'd brought cleaning supplies and was able to do a minimal clean up. Yuk.

Meanwhile, back in Three Rivers, Scott's truck, which was to have been done Tuesday in time for our projected Wednesday move - wasn't. He was stuck in an empty house, truly, literally empty. The promises on the truck kept being not met and he was left behind when the critters and I left on Thursday. He was still there on Friday when I got a call on my cell - I'm just getting up from the horrible drive and move in - from the folks who were to clean our house in 3R (and who clean for friends of ours) saying it was too far up Mineral King - 1/2 mile - and they wouldn't do it! We were left with a dirty, empty house there, Scottie still didn't have his truck, and the mover who moved us to GV was coming back there on Saturday or Sunday with the belongings of the people who bought the house. After a bunch of phone calls to friends and the cleaning people who work for friends, there was no one who could come that day. Scottie ended up calling a professional service who charged about four times what we would have spent with the original people. So much for dependability.

On Saturday Scottie's truck was "done" at least per a phone call from the mechanic, and Judy drove him to Visalia (MANY thanks to Judy!); only the truck wasn't done! Back to 3R. New folks' stuff to arrive Sunday 8 AM. Yikes!!! At about 6 o'clock that night the mechanic called back to say the truck was now really ready and Judy, ever the good friend, drove Scottie to Visalia again. He had to come back to 3R, load up garbage in the truck and deal with all that, load all the stuff like guns and propane, etc., that the movers wouldn't take, sleep on the floor and get out of there at dawn for his 5 hour drive.

I did what I could on Friday, and had found a guy who was willing to come on Saturday to help move boxes, etc. He turned out to be a gem! All the boxes - roughly 300 - got put where they go, and he even moved all Scott's tools, etc., into the storage under the house. After the week Scottie had been through I didn't want him to arrive only to have to get out of the truck and start moving things! So, much progress was made on that day. The new dishwasher got installed. Sears called to ask if I still wanted the new fridge that had arrived with a dent - I think not, so that's being installed this week. The phone people who I'd been trying to line up before we moved finally came today & we have both cable internet and cable phone. I'd say we are at least 85% moved in with the kitchen and all the parts that need to function done. The current stack of boxes, not including those unloaded downstairs and outside:

Oh we have to have an outlet changed in the laundry room, needing an electrician. Darn. Fortunately the realtor here has come up with someone for us, and that guy arrives today. Also due in today is someone to look at a couple of old pieces of furniture, family pieces, that need some repair. Not the movers fault, these were pieces that were fragile and needing repair prior to the move; it's just prompted me to get it done.

Buck has run off 3 times before I could finally get the electric collars working properly again. Through him we've met a nice neighbor who has a certified habitat yard, something I want to do also. Cocoa has been really good. She's needy as always and sticks close to one or the other of us.
They have declared the spot at the top of the stairs that lead down to Scottie's office their spot to lie around and guard. They have a view out the big windows to the front, and if you turn the other way there are big windows and a sliding door off the dining room:

Lucy Cat seems to have recovered from the shock of moving. She's entered the stage of dropping huge clumps of hair, something she does every time she is stressed. After spending two days shut in a small room to give her time to adapt, she's now exploring the house, here checking out the dining room. Both my super-sized table and the big ol' chest from New Mexico fit!!

Ellie rolls with the punches. Among Ellie's favorite spots so far is the living room where I need to get an area rug to cover an extension cord and ground the furniture in the big room and some sort of sun control for the windows. As a temporary measure I've put a cover on the small worm-wood table that I don't want to ruin:

When Scottie did finally get here on Sunday, all the animals greeted him very enthusiastically. In their own way, I think they were convinced I'd taken them and all our "stuff", which is way too much, and left Scottie!

The one downstairs room has been dubbed The Boo Room for my Sweet Babboo, aka Scott. He's getting it set up with desk, books, computer, tv, bikes, his own private bath, even a day bed. I may never see him upstairs. Oh - he did his first ride here last evening, long, hilly, and just what he loves.

So we are in, and the first visitor is due to arrive in little over a week. We'll be ready.

Although I've always loved to move, longed for new places and new vistas, I think I've had it. This move may be the Universe telling me it's time to stay put. Plan your visits! I'm not going anywhere for a while.

Grass Valley

2010-06-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

Sold the house here and will be moving to Grass Valley - to THIS house:

The front entry is reached by multi-level entry decks that lead to double doors. I call it "stuck in the 70's" 'cuz it doesn't seem to have been updated since then.

Living room has a big fireplace and huge windows. This is only about half of the room. At the other end sliders open to an elevated deck.

On the opposite side of the fireplace wall is the dining room. The little nook to the side of the FP is about 6' long, giving an idea of the massive size of the whole thing.

Kitchen very much needs updating, but the cabinets are in good shape. I think I can oil the cabinets and change the hardware and be OK. New appliances will have to happen.

The other side of the entry has a small den that I'll make into a library. Yeah!!!!

Three big bedrooms, 3 baths, a bedroom converted to a laundry/hobby room, nearly an acre. Yep. I can live here.

The Artful Garden

2010-03-28T06:46:00.001-07:00

Spring weather and the recouping from Studio Tour have found me wanting to be outside rather than in the studio. Sooooo.......

I've been wanting an herb garden right outside my kitchen door, but the layout of our house and parking don't give me a nice sunny spot. There is, however, a spot on the porch outside the kitchen door that gets nice sun.

Two old galvanized tubs with holes drilled in their bottoms + one small galvanized planter + potting soil + plants = a handy and movable herb garden. When the weather turns cold months from now, I can take each pot separately into my greenhouse for herbs over the winter. How cool is that?

For those who follow my art here, not to worry. Heat will soon have me outside only for very brief early AM hours, then in the studio for lots of work.

Moody

2010-03-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

I wanted to paint this for Studio Tour but all the cleaning and framing and prep for Studio Tour took me away from the act of painting.

Anyway, I must be fascinated with Eagles' Nest these days as I keep taking photos of it. This is drawn from a photo taken after one of our wonderful overnight storms. It's pastel on sanded paper.

I know, I know, I said I was into my mixed media stuff; but this just needed to be a pastel to catch the drifty, dreamy, moody sky.

I finished it this morning after getting some sad family news yesterday evening & it may have taken on a bit more of that quality than I originally intended. There is, however, the dawn, the sunlight breaking through. Seems that's always there if I'm willing to look.

A style of my own

2010-03-22T07:03:00.001-07:00

Every time I've moved geographically - and boy, I've done that a lot - it affects my art. This move, 5 years ago, is finally settling in. When we came to Three Rivers we lived in about 800 square feet of dilapidated cabin while we were building our house. With 2 big dogs and 2 cats, well, I couldn't find space to paint that didn't involve pet hair. And, with the process of building, I couldn't find creative energy.

Then, we moved into the house. We had barren soil around us from new construction, and much of my energy went into getting the outside in some sort of shape. That, of course, will be a lifetime process; but it's at an acceptable level now. And, that has allowed my creative energies to finally move into the realm of my art in a more dramatic way.

All this leads up to what I'm doing now:

This triptych represents Eagles' Nest peak, which I can see from the east window of my studio. What I've done is start with three 16 x 20 inch canvases. Each of those has about 8 different papers adhered with matte medium - rice paper, various tissue papers, etc. They are scrunched, one of those technical terms I love, and twisted and mounded, to give texture in places I want. Of course, the papers have a character of their own, and I have only partial control of the texture results. I like that. I want my paintings to tell me what they want to be.

After lots of paper application and drying, I can begin to paint. That's when the textures start to come alive. This one is all acrylic; some also have watercolor and/or pastel. So, it's paint, let dry, paint, let dry, and on and on. Finally comes the application of a varnish so the piece can hang without glass. I've chosen a gloss varnish because I like how it highlights the texture.

As a postscript, I'm so glad Studio Tour is over! It's utterly exhausting for me and takes my energy away from my creativity and puts it on the eternal "will it sell" - which I don't like. I'm happier making my art and letting it be appreciated or not. So there.

Harump!

2010-02-23T16:01:00.000-08:00

Isn't that the noise cartoonists used to use to signify indignation, etc.? Well, here's me going HARUMP!

I really like working with a painting, having it indicate to me where it wants to go - - but, this one has become really opinionated! And, I'm not too happy about it all!

Anyway, I've added quite a bit more paint, still acrylic, but thinned out some now. The parts that insisted on being fallen trees look suspiciously like shadows of standing trees. So, I'll be needing to work on that. And, I simply can't catch in a photograph how the different papers and paints play together. The piece does look much better in person than when photo'd, something to do with how some of the papers reflect. More work to do.

When I'm taking a break from that particular frustration, I turn to what I'm calling "the little guys" - a series of 4 x 6 pastels in museum type matting but w/o frames. For reasons unknown to me they all want to be organic. These two, an extreme close up of leaf veining, and a sprig of manzanita are joined by one depicting lichen on a chunk of granite. Lots of greens running around in my brain. Hmmmm. . . could that mean lots of money on its way? Could be!

Changes in Edges

2010-02-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

One of the things I like about mixed media, especially working with mixed papers, is that it reminds me to allow the painting to have a say in where it wants to go. In watercolor, surprisingly, I can be too controlled.

Anyway, I went in to this painting and added quite a bit of heavy bodied acrylic on top of the various papers. Then I stepped back and looked at it. . . .

Well, I lost too much of the effect I wanted from the paper. And those scrunchy areas that I had in mind to be brush seemed to want to be roots. And, when you get to know the Sequoias you learn that some must die in order that others may live (hmmm, kinda like humanity) and that fallen trees always exist in an undisturbed areas of Sequoias.

So, I went back with more paper on top of the paint. I added some golden browns for the fallen trees and part of the tree trunks. The center tree reminded me that older Sequoias nearly always have long, long trunks with the branches toward the top. The really ancient ones have only a top knot.

We'll see where this takes me tomorrow!

Another Edge happenin'

2010-02-20T12:18:00.000-08:00

OK, I started yesterday with a bunch of tissue paper and rice paper adhered to a canvas. I'll be going for Edge of the Trees (thinking of the big Sequoias near us). So, blue papers, green papers, tree shapes, a bit of cloud. And then some drying time. . . .

I'm not ready for paint yet. So, I went in and added more paper, crumbled shapes for brush, spikey shapes for grasses, highlights and lowlights on trees, etc. A bit of darkening areas of sky. All still with paper.

Once this dries, I'll be ready for paint. I don't think I want any watercolor in this one. I'm going for a heavier look so I'll probably use undiluted acrylics. Of course, I change my mind all the time, so who knows. . . . Check back later.

Finished Edge of the Lake

2010-02-15T08:00:00.001-08:00

OK, I just couldn't help myself. I did go in with just a few touches of pastel - can you find them?
I love how the purity of pastel adds a touch of brightness here and there.

So, it's time to move on. Maybe Edge of the Forest will be next. . . .

And Then. . . .

2010-02-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

Today found me adding acrylic on top of the watercolor on top of the mixed papers. I'm liking the way it's shaping up. Now, I need to let it sit, let both the image and my mind gel, before I decide about adding pastels too.
See ya later.

Continuing. . . .

2010-02-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

Today I've been adding in watercolors and a tiny bit of gesso. It's always interesting how the different papers take the watercolor - some absorb a lot, some don't; with some the base color really shows through, in others not so much.
Tomorrow will probably be acrylics. With their heavier body and more dense color, I'll be able to refine areas I'm not happy with - especially the three canoes pulled up on their sides. They look way too flat. Once the acrylic goes on and has time to dry and allow me to see what the colors really plan to do I'll know if I want to add some pastels. I like the look of pastel as a finishing touch 'cuz their colors are so pure. We'll see. Still a work in progress.

Work in Progress

2010-02-11T18:24:00.001-08:00

I'm working on a new mixed media piece done with the type of process that I used for Splish. So far I've put down layers upon layers of tissue papers to create shapes and textures. Tomorrow I'll go in with paint to refine shapes, etc.

This will be Edge of the Lake. Yet to come:
Edge of the Forest
Edge of the Storm
Fountain's Edge
Petal's Edge
Edge of the Road
And. . . various other edges.

Edge of Dawn

2010-02-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

Living where I do, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, I wake up to beautiful sunrises. My studio window looks up toward peaks and a bit of a bowl shape. When the sun comes up behind the peaks some areas glow while others remain in deep shadow; big old oaks, naked of their leaves for winter, take on a ghostly look with branches appearing silver; distances are confused; and the sky has a brief moment of appearing to have been painted. Then, blink, it's gone, and the light eases toward daylight.

Edge of Sunset

2010-01-31T17:30:00.000-08:00

You might ask, "why edges?" Aaaahhh. The answer lies in the complexity. In the middle of the river, at its greatest depth, well, it's water, flowing, moving, powerful, yes, but still water. Where the river touches the shore they join in a dance. Where exactly does the river end and the shore begin? In the heart of the forest, at least a deep forest, it's trees, but at its edge lives smaller brush, more wildflowers. And the animals, oh they love the edges. They can dart out to eat and rush back in for shelter. Or sit at the tip of a tree, the raptors that is, and watch who dares dart out thinking they will eat only to become their lunch. Yes, edges are more complex.

And, there is more challenge, danger even, at the edges. Birth. Death. Standing at the edge of an airplane door with parachute strapped on. Living at the edge of a failing marriage - to stay, to leave, what about the kids, the debt. Yes, the edges hold the challenge. And in the risk, the danger, the complexity, I find my growth. Like the outer ring of a tree. That is where the life force is.

I know of course that there is a time and place for middles. Days I need peace, stability, comfort. But not all my days. For some, I choose edges.

So, the latest in the Edgy series is Edge of Sunset. You know the ones. Those rare times that day doesn't just melt into night but goes down in flames. A brief time, especially at the shore or in the desert, when it's hard to tell where sky, land, water end, where the edges really are. And, is it real? Did I really see this, that brief glimpse of red and pink and purple melting into a haze of colors; or did I only dream it. Perhaps it came at the edge of sleep and wakefulness. Still, it is an Edge.

Ocean's Edge

2010-01-29T18:21:00.001-08:00

OK, folks, I couldn't get this photo really right. In person, the blending of colors from sea to foam to mist to clouds to cliffs, well all of it, is much more subtle.

Anyway, this is the second in the series about edginess and edges. No, they won't all be water scenes. There are things like Edge of Darkness in the works. But, please feel free to offer any ideas for edges you'd like to see.

Feelin' Edgy

2010-01-28T09:55:00.001-08:00

It's almost time for the bi-annual Studio Tour, and as always, I'm very late in getting prepared. So, my theme for the year will be "Feelin' Edgy". I'm doing a series of small pastels that I can afford to offer at a reasonable price. This first is River's Edge. I've got several more edges in mind or in process, but feel free to leave a comment with your suggestion of edges I might try. I'm also working on a larger mixed media piece, also with an edge theme, that will be my major offering for the Tour.

If you aren't familiar with this event, check out http://www.threeriversartstudiotour.com. It's a not to be missed happening!

I'm baaaaack

2010-01-25T18:32:00.000-08:00

OK, if been missing in action on the blogging world, but I'm back.

Just started a new painting & I'll put a pic up tomorrow.

Another birthday, another painting

2009-12-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

My son's birthday is December 20th. Since I can never get a read on what he'd really like - and that I can afford - I decided to paint him a dream. I know he has a boat and spends a great deal of time on a lake outside Atlanta. I've never seen either boat or lake. But, my dream is of this time of year, a storm brewing over the lake, white-caps showing, and the green of the southern pines for a backdrop. Now, I know his lake may look nothing like this. But my dream of his lake does.

Once again it's mixed media. Hidden within this piece is a ton of paper, tiny scraps of white, black, yellow, several shades of green, a lot of blues, some reds and purples and wines. And on top of all that paper is acrylic paint. Not as much as you might think. All that's left to do is varnish once I'm certain it's thoroughly dry. Then it's off to Atlanta. Maybe I need to put in a Starbucks card just in case he hates the painting!

It's Done!

2009-11-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

After a rest period I went in and added a bunch of shadows, did a bit more refining, and decided to add an acrylic varnish over all to give it a wet look. Now, given that I've used some pastels in this piece, that was tricky. Rather than "mixed media", I could almost say "kitchen sink"! This has ended up with:
* heavy watercolor paper
* layers of tissue paper and rice paper
* acrylic on top of that
* some pastel
* just a touch of charcoal
* adding a bit more paper
* more acrylic
* varnish over all
I guess I could try to throw in some ink somewhere, but I think I've done enough!

I've been calling this piece Splish, but in reality I'm going to ask my daughter to name it. Her birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year, and I can say I'm truly thankful she is my daughter. Fortunately, she never thinks to look at my blog unless I remind her, so she hasn't seen this in process.

Today I pick up some packaging supplies and tomorrow it gets shipped! Wish I could be there to sing happy birthday when she opens it!!

Day Two working on Splish

2009-11-14T08:03:00.001-08:00

Quite a bit more acrylic and now some pastels have been added to the top of the mixed papers. I toned down the vivid yellow and the bright apple green, both the original paper colors. I also did a very small amount of refining of shapes. Part of what I like about this is how the paper pieces have determined the posture of the people - some are walking, some bend into the wind, etc. - and I didn't want to spoil that.

In looking at this piece from across the room I decided the "hole" in the middle was sucking the life out of it, so I went back and added another paper shape to fill that space, then went through the refining process with that guy.

Streaks of rain and shadowy puddles have been added with paint and/or pastel. I need to let this one sit a day or two and decide how much more it needs - or doesn't! One of my biggest problems artistically is knowing when I'm done. Often that last touch or flourish will ruin a piece for me. So, this one will sit and gel a bit now. Check back on Monday!

Working on a mixed media piece

2009-11-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

Follow along as I work on this new mixed media piece. My daughter requested something like this for her birthday. She had a specific theme in mind for the image and she wanted the heavy texture similar to oil applied with a palette knife. I don't do oil, but I've been doing more and more acrylic and recently started experimenting with collage and with pastel. So, my challenge became how to give my "little girl" something in line with what she wants and still with my style and material choices:

I started with heavy, 300 lb., watercolor paper and layered on quite a bit of tissue paper. Big pieces, small pieces, several colors, many squished (a technical term) then spread back out to be deliberately wrinkly. A final layer of an aqua tissue paper went on top of the other layers except for the people and umbrellas. Both the black paper and some of the white have bits of glitter embedded, this chosen for the sense of rain drops.

I've started adding acrylic paint on top of the paper. It will get lots more acrylic and possibly some pastel before it's done. I'l post again in a day or two to see where we are by then.

Learning to "paint" with collage

2009-11-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

Meet Marjorie! She's 97 years old, maybe 77 pounds dripping wet, and obviously THE person for whom the phrase "cute as a bug" was invented. She's also a regionally well-known and respected artist specializing in collage. She continues to create her own art and still gives the occasional workshop. Pretty amazing.

I was lucky to have the opportunity to participate in Marjorie's most recent workshop. She and a couple of volunteers drug a massive amount of supplies 45 minutes or so from Visalia to Three Rivers. Marjorie and her late husband lived here, and I think she has a very soft spot for this little community. So, a group of us gathered at a local gallery as part of the 1st Saturday event for November and began to learn to create a collage.

Marjorie speaks of "Reckless Abandon" and "Careful Planning" as the two approaches to this process. I'm not your basic careful planner, and I was in need of therapy anyway, so I began a meditative (though surprisingly fast) application of paper to board to create a painting.

OK, it'd no masterpiece, but I had great fun, and I feel more prepared to do this again. And, the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery in Visalia wants to have a show of the works created at Marjorie's workshop and/or as a result thereof.

Given that the local Student Art Show (featuring the work created during the 4 weeks of October that I "taught" at the grammar school) was also a part of 1st Saturday I was more than a little busy. Friday found me very involved in hanging the student show as well as doing some of the set up for the workshop. After the workshop my uncomplaining husband showed up with our old truck to load and deliver the tables, chairs, etc., back to folks who loaned them for the event. The last of that got done today. Oh, and along the way I managed to grab a few photos so I can put together another article for our weekly paper. That's WAY too much for me at one time, but the way this particular cookie almost "crumbled".

The Art-ful Life

2009-11-05T06:44:00.000-08:00

My practice of art is like anything else in life, waxing and waning, productive and not, adventurous and cautious - well, I'm not often cautious. Lately I've been caught up in my own busy-ness. I have no one to blame, really not even myself; it's just one of those times. The one bit of let's be sure what we're doing here revolves around ego - mine. Back when I still worked a real job, it was very possible for me to confuse being busy with being important, necessary, productive or whatever. So, when I find myself looking at the calendar and seeing that my next free day is ten days away, I need to be certain of why I'm scheduling myself so heavily.

And, I've done that. I've looked at every single thing I've put on the calendar between now and November 14 (and just try to schedule anything for me then) and asked myself if I truly choose to be doing it. Once I own that the answer is "yes" for each and every workshop, parent-sitting, and all the other stuff, I am certain I'm not playing either Ms. Important or Ms. Victim - no one is making me do these things. While there are differing reasons behind say a school art show to be hung and the sitting with a neighbor's father so she can have time off, the reasons aren't what's important. That would be the choice. The mere fact that each thing on my presently ridiculous calendar is my choice.

So, as I sit looking at my worktable where the painting I finished a couple of weeks ago still sits on the easel, it's OK. I understand that this is simply me being a participant in life. And, I often find that after a break from my art I return with renewed vigor. Again, like capital L - Life. Exercise, then rest. Eat, then digest. Wake, then sleep. I wouldn't want my practice of art to become production line in nature; so these times of withdrawal from the worktable are not just acceptable but likely necessary.

The whole thing is another of Life's little balancing acts: Not enough discipline and I'll never get any painting done; too much discipline and I'll become stale. So, today I go off to fulfill the choice I placed on this square on the calendar, and I'm content to be doing it.

Portrait of a little girl

2009-10-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

When I participated in the 1st Saturday event in October, I set up my stuff and painted at the local garden center. This little girl arrived with her mama, not for the art, but to look at plants. I was simply captivated by her chubby cheeks under the big sun-bonnet and asked mama if I could take a couple of pics with my phone. I always wonder if I'll be suspected of being some kind of weirdo when I do that, but the mom was quite cheerful about my request.

None too surprisingly, my little model was shy. The actual photo has her looking down and more serious in expression & holding onto mom's pants. I did get to see a very sweet smile appear when I wasn't trying to get a photo. So, I decided to paint her looking up and holding some lavender. The painting started out bigger with a lavender field going on to the right, but after it was done, I wanted the emphasis to be simply on the child so I cut the painting down to this view.

This is done in watercolor on watercolor paper. I've been doing a bit of mixed media lately, but I wanted to keep the softness and watery look of pure watercolor for this one.

Wonder why I like so much to paint little kids when they are so hard to capture? Not enough shading gives a flat painting; too much and the child suddenly looks like a little old man/woman. I always did like a challenge.

Art with kids

2009-10-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

These are some of the students at our local grade school.

I've been working once a week on an art project with the kids. They've been doing a watercolor underpainting, and this week and next they'll be adding "stuff" on top for a mixed media work.

Then, we'll have a kids art show at a local gallery in conjunction with a day that Senior Bazaar goes on and there is lots of traffic in the area.

Working with the kiddos has been great fun. I've always felt that for me to try to be a teacher would likely result with me in jail for murder, or at least mayhem. Maybe my tolerance level has increased a bit with age. Anyway, it's been super fun.

My own art has been somewhat set aside for the time though, and I'm longing to get back to it. I actually have a day "off" today (I'm not sure "off" from what since I'm retired but my schedule is full) so maybe I'll paint.

Cliff Walk

2009-09-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

I just finished this small (9 x 11) pastel. It's on sanded paper, unframed, and priced at $65.

My brain keeps shouting at me "I don't want to be a landscape artist!" But, every time I pick up pastels that's where we seem to go.

I've learned that some media lend themselves to certain types of paintings. Can't imagine having done Lines and Circles and Squares in all pastel. I liked doing it as mixed media. By the same token, too much mixed media in this would lose something. . . . maybe the feel of the water.

So, switches from watercolor to acrylic to pastel gives me more space within my head or heart or soul to try different approaches. Hmmm. Now there's a thought. Maybe I'll settle on a single image or idea and do it separately in those three media. Could be fun.

Lines and Circles and Squares, Oh My!

2009-09-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

Fun, really fun! I've been just playing with abstraction and with mixed media at the same time. This kinda took on a life of its own and became almost the everything but the kitchen sink painting.

It's on an 18 x 24 " sheet of watercolor paper and started with watercolor paints and a very limited pallette. I kept adding layers over layers and kinda looking at the painting and asking "ok, where do you want to go now?" When it seemed that had gone on long enough I switched to acrylics and hid some things beneath tape to keep the watercolor. Then I added in some silver gouache and some shiny gel medium. (By the way, those areas are not as shiny as the appear in the photo - that flash thing you know.)

Thought I was done. Then the painting seemed to yell at me - "you may be done, woman, but I'm not!" So, back to work with some pastels. Now we're done, both of us. Or, maybe I'm just worn out.

Mixed Media Madness

2009-08-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the featured painting above. Flow is a combination of watercolor, acrylic and pastel on watercolor paper.
I love it when a painting takes on a mind of its own and goes somewhere I hadn't planned! This one was going to be much more realistic as a river scene. I even planned a raft of people shooting the rapids. But, when it got going, the painting Gods took over and the whole thing went a different direction.
I really like playing with layering different media together. This painting started out very "soft" with a first layer or two of watercolor. It was. . . OK. . . but not special; and I'd had mixed media in mind anyway. So, on to the acrylics, then the pastel, some fixative for safety and some more acrylic, then a final bit of pastel. None of it "planned". Yep, it's fun.

More playing with pastels

2009-08-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

So, effort # 1 at a landscape. This is when I learned that I need loads and loads of colors. I simply don't have enough shades of orange to make the California poppies look right. I tried and tried using oranges, reds and yellows, but mixing didn't work. Darn. This one will either get re-worked when I get more pastels, or it will get tossed.

Then I moved on to # 2 in what I guess I could call the meadows series. Still wishing I had more pastels, and I'll be ordering some soon; but the purples, etc., weren't as bad as the oranges. Indian Paintbrush is one of my very favorite wildflowers. Throw in the lupine, and it's very colorful!

Working in Pastel

2009-08-22T07:47:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to work with pastels, a totally new medium for me. I had to cancel a trip to Creede, CO the first weekend in September for a 3 day workshop with my good friend, Jan Thompson. She is an amazing pastel artist. So, I subbed in a little 3 hour session close to home. Didn't really learn a lot other than what kind of pastels and what kind of paper. OK. So, it's back to being "self taught" for the moment.

My first effort was with a subject that I've worked to death in other media - old barns. I love their character and history. I'm not wild about the result - maybe a B- on this effort - but I learned a lot. I'm debating whether to offer it for sale really inexpensively - maybe $35 - and see what happens.

My next effort was a total flop. Then I decided to play with putting other media on top in the "nothing to lose" vein. I added acrylics first. Now, that is a challenge! Adding a wet medium on top of pastel is a trick requiring lots and lots of brush rinsing as the brush picks up the pastel beneath. Charcoal went on top of that in places. Funny thing is, I rather like the effect! The paint brought a sheen to the painting, and the charcoal added some dark definition.

I have two more to put up here, maybe this afternoon. Both are meadow scenes with wildflowers. I'm not a landscape painter and don't want to be one, but it is an easy practice in learning pastels - lots of colors, lots of depth to work within.

I've never understood calling pastels "painting" - it seems like drawing to me - but it has opened a new dimension for me. I don't see myself becoming a pastel artist; however, using it as part of mixed media very much appeals to me. I told Scottie a day or so ago that we need to get the windshield on the Scion replaced - there is a big crack - and that I want the old glass. He replied something like, "of course you do," and gave me a very strange look. The thing is, there is a mixed media piece stuck in my brain that cries out for sparkly safety glass.

On that topic, am I the only one that gets stuff like that stuck in their brain? It's like having a bit of an old song that won't go away swirling around in your head. I'm guessing it happens to all creative types. It will drive me nuts until I DO IT. Keep watching this space.

Failure - Of the good kind.

2009-08-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Failure. My latest painting that is. And, ya know what, that's OK with me. I've been in a frame of mind to experiment with taking my art in different direction(s). That leads to some wonderful successes, and some spectacular failures; and without the failures I'd be certain I wasn't really taking any chances or achieving any growth. So, I'm pleased with my latest failure. And, I know where I want to go with it now, at least for it's next "trial".

Another piece of breaking news: I just bought a painting! Aranga Firstman's Sector 33.3_19.7. I absolutely love it and can't wait to frame it and hang it. I know exactly where it's going. You can see it at: http://arangafirstman.wordpress.com which is Aranga's blog. Aranga does the type of work that just draws me in. This piece is deceptively simple; way more complex the longer I look at it. So, thanks my friend!

Summer Lightning

2009-07-29T18:49:00.001-07:00

New Painting
Summer Lightning

This one was great FUN to do! It has 2 Fibonacci Series hidden beneath the top. There are two series of circles, one very light, one medium light, running diagonally; then very dark underpainting in the areas not covered by the circles. All of this was done before any of the top painting - Oh, I did mask the lightning itself. Over the top went all the rest of the layers upon layers of watercolor. (I love using watercolor in a manner that looks not so much like watercolor.) And, I allowed the paint to determine where "trees" would be, where "rock" would be, etc. Well, I had a general idea of where stuff should end up and put the colors there, but the paint decided how to flow, where to pool, etc. At times the whole thing was so wet the paper was buckling and looking pretty iffy. But, it would dry flat, and suddenly there would be trees or rock or fire.

And, I like the "feel" of this one. I love lightning and storms, especially how they feel so powerful. Quite cool, huh? It's 12 x 16, watercolor on paper, unframed. $250

The Weather Series - Painting HEAT

2009-07-25T15:19:00.001-07:00

Unlike a storm scene as portrayed in the featured painting, Foothill Storm, HEAT never feels expansive to me. Perhaps like the various desert dwellers of the world, I feel the need to seek shelter from the sun and the heat it carries. (Did you know that in most countries where desert heat and lack of water typifies their landscape darkness and shadow are not metaphors for evil, etc., but rather for shelter?)

I digress. I've struggled with how to convey a sense of heat in a painting. My brain was stuck on "scene", and I just couldn't come up with one that worked for me. Finally, I put it out of my mind; and as usual, that gave the Muse of the Universe room to work. We've had at least two weeks of terrible, horrible, awful heat, giving me the feel of what I've been searching to find. Then, my ongoing health issues were caused to flare by the unremitting heat, causing me to stay in and find time to paint. Then, while sorting through old photos of New Mexico to show a friend, I stumbled upon some I'd taken of cattle including a massive bull resting alone. I already had a photo from here with the long shadows cast by an off-stage old oak. All of this caused me to pull my vision in for a more close up view, giving me the image I wanted:

I've also been playing a bit with underpainting that is unrelated to the scene itself. I elected to do a Fibonacci series of bands of shades of browns running top to bottom and left to right. The bands don't show in the final painting, yet they somehow give some extra dimension and depth to the watercolor. I stuck with a very limited palette to maintain the washed-out feel that summer brings to our part of the world.

So, he's called Resting in Shadow. At 12 X 16 inches, not a large painting. Watercolor on paper. Priced at $200.

Hard at work!

2009-07-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

I've been very, very busy getting shops up and running on Etsy, 1000markets, Imagekind, and Cafepress. Each has a focus, and I have work left to do on all.
Etsy has many handmade items. I'm not sure how well original art sells there.
1000markets is a great place for original art. Let's hope buyers find me!
Imagekind is a great place to buy prints, framed or not.
And, Cafepress is really good for "stuff" - t-shirts, cards, etc. - and only has the beginnings of a Fiona shop so far.

Check out "other places you'll find me" to the right for each!

The other side of me

2009-07-04T07:18:00.001-07:00

Aside from Art with a capital A I like to do fun things. Sometimes it's garden art; sometimes it's something recycled; and sometimes it's Fiona.

I've done a series of Fiona's Fairy Filosofy full of little sayings from the uplifting to the silly; and, if I can ever master Cafepress, she will soon appear in all her glory in a "store".

Fiona appeared about a year and a half ago from nowhere. I think I was going through a bit of depression and she popped up from my unconscious or the universe or a god of one form or another to remind me that life can be easy if I let it. Once she made her appearance, I couldn't turn her off! She continues to send me little blurbs to be turned into cartoons - an art form I've never, ever had an interest in!

Once I have Fiona's store up and running, I plan to work on her counterpart. He doesn't have a name yet, and I'm open to suggestion on that; but he will have sarcastic little sayings like "it's always darkest right before it turns pitch black." That, by the way, is courtesy of my husband who tends to supply me with all the sarcasm one could want! And, what to do with all that - paint it of course!

Pondering, pondering. . . .

2009-06-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

This photo, taken out my kitchen window (and, yes, I know it needs to be washed) shows maybe a third of the quail who visited our yard yesterday evening. They like to come in for a drink out of the little fountain before disappearing for the night.

So, do I paint this despite having "finished" the quail series? Do I paint it as a single, or as the start of another series? But, what about the weather series that I'm in the middle of? Too many things that call out to be painted & not enough time (or talent) to paint them all!

And this is my new wreath. After a gift of a big bunch of lavender from a friend I went out to my own garden today for cuttings of rosemary, oregano, majorum, dill & probably a couple of things I've forgotten. A few years ago my patient husband took up the challenge of making a form for me to use in making the type of wreaths that are not built on a pre-made base. It works.

So, did I hang it in the kitchen? No, silly, it's in the master bath where it's nice to have a sense of perfume in the air. And, it looks marvy against the very pale sage walls that appear white in the photo. Enough lavender blooms, just the tiny, tiny tips, fell off in the process to fill a good sized clam shell & sit by my bed. Mmmmmmm.

So, still pondering, when will I get to the living room and dining room rugs that I just bought a carpet shampooer for? Not today.

Inspiration

2009-06-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

Dormant grasses the color of ripe wheat; deep shadows cast by ancient oaks; moss on rocks turned brown; buckeye trees shedding their leaves - it's summer in the foothills of the Sierra.

Next in the weather series will be HEAT. I think I'll take a drive up to Mineral King (by the way, did you see the mention in Sunset magazine of this local wonder?) and take a few more photos.

Capturing the feel of Foothill Storm was an interesting challenge; capturing HEAT will be at least as tough. Perhaps having grown up on a farm and lived the effects of weather - hail destroying a wheat crop, too much rain flooding out a field, too little rain leaving no crop - is why I've always had the fascination with weather.

And, isn't inspiration a funny thing? We take it where we find it. For some it's in beautiful flowers; for others in music or dance. Mine often is pulled from good ol' Mom Nature. Yep, Mom, not Mother. We're close enough to be pretty casual with each other.

Painting Weather

2009-06-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

Ya know, painting weather is rather like trying to paint a mood. It ain't easy!

There are times that the clouds and the peaks are hard to differentiate! Clouds and mist and rain seem to float over the peaks, making it impossible to tell where one begins and the other ends. Rain moves over the mountains and foothills, and one can see it fall in sheets when seen from a distance. The whole feeling is moody and yet powerful and almost sensual.

And, working with acrylic on watercolor paper is a fun challenge. I limited myself to primary colors plus a tad of white and a smaller tad of black, lots of water, some matte medium and some gesso - along with the occasional song and a prayer. One of the really nice things about working with acrylic in a watercolor style is that it is so much easier to layer. The first layers don't rub off or get too wet when new color is added on top.

I'm not sure if I'm next going to do a snow scene or a scene of the hot, arid summers. Gotta think about it.

Frustration!!

2009-06-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

Working on the painting of stormy weather is proving very, very frustrating. I have in my head a clear vision of what I want on the paper, but what's coming off the brush and onto the paper is nothing like that! It seems that my vision outstrips my ability. So, practice, practice, practice. And, like a spoiled brat, my "inner child" (who I often threaten to put up for adoption) wants to simply grab finger paints and start slinging!

Thoughts for a new painting

2009-06-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

Clouds over the Sierra

We've had the strangest weather for June in the Sierra Nevada foothills! We had 3/4 inch of rain at our house between midnight and about 10 AM, and all day there have been heavy looking big gray clouds over the peaks.

It's got me thinking about painting weather. Mountain weather, foothill weather, strange weather, just weather.

Art and Nature and a bit of Joy

2009-05-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Do you see art here? One of the funnel web spiders, and I don't know enough to say which, has created a lovely web leading to his/her in-ground tunnel. These amazingly intricate webs manage to be both delicate and strong at the same time. Saw this while out walking dogs.

And, our little friend Hunter the Weimaraner (yep, I had to look up the spelling) racing to greet us. Hunter is pure joy and energy. He's a part of our morning routine too. Don't you wish you knew a human happy enough at seeing you to become airborne racing to meet you?

I have to water again today; and that 2 or 3 hour task done out in the heat usually zaps me to the point that I can't paint. I'm hoping to finish early.

Off to the Printer!

2009-05-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

Here's The Covey. I'd "finished" it last week, then decided to do one last thing - and ruined it! So, a re-do, ta-da!

That's been often the story of not just my painting, but even my life. That one last thing makes me late, is the one thing I shouldn't have said, is the final bite that makes me feel sick, etc., etc., etc.

Wonder if I'll ever learn that lesson? Hasn't happened so far and I'm - - let's just say mature in years!

The Quail painting series

2009-05-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

OK, I've decided to quail series is to have very simple names for each painting.

The first is The Guardian

Second is The Pair

Third, that would be this one, is The Flight

And, I'm sketching out # 4 which will be The Covey.

As soon as it is done, I need to get them off to the printer to have note cards made, then put the originals on my web site - www.artbyeddie.net - and offer the originals for sale.

It's funny; whenever I get rolling on a series, the paintings come quickly. And, when I'm stuck, well, I'm just stuck.

2009-05-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Quail painting # 2 - I'm not sure yet what I'm calling it. Nesting would be easy but boring. Hmmm. . . . I think of the male as really strutting his stuff, but I haven't come up with a good title in that vein.

And, I need to get more watercolor paper when we're in town tomorrow. So, maybe I'll keep going on quail until it's out of my system.

Two more are generally in my brain, but not yet on paper. They'll get there.

Quazy for Quail

2009-04-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

OK, I know I shouldn't put up a picture of an unfinished painting, but I can't resist. I love quail! Love them, you hear! So, I'm doing a series of quail paintings, probably 4, and will have note cards made.

This one is called The Watcher. I've got the next number sketched out. It's going to be a close up of two quail, male and female, with the male in his breeding plumage and looking like he's strutting his stuff.

Sometimes one can't fight where their head is, and right now, I just can't get mine out of the way enough to work in abstract. So a quail series it is.

And, in another area of creative endeavor, I just made a vegetarian paella for dinner. My husband found the recipe in a bicycle magazine of all places! It's got a bunch of ingredients, takes many steps, uses several pans, took a full hour, and is totally worth the effort!

Out of my mind

2009-04-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

I so much want to work in an abstract way, and I want to paint feelings rather than things. But, I've only managed that semi-successfully a couple of times. Usually when I start out to do that, my mind gets in the way and I end up forcing what that busy body wants me to see.

I'm giving thought to painting when I'm exhausted, painting in the dark, painting with my eyes closed, etc., etc., etc., as a way of breaking out of the control of my mind. Of course, it's my mind that has come up with those ideas. Hmmmmm.

Does it have to be Art with a capital A?

2009-04-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

When people talk about ART it often takes on the feel of awe - think Michelangelo, think stuffy museums - and the eyes of many glaze over as they quickly lose interest. It doesn't have to be like that! If one can let go of the idea of making a mess, or worse yet making a "mistake", art can have a small A and enter all aspects of living.

For example, these candle holders are made from old water valves found for a quarter each at a garage sale. My husband cleaned them up, attached them to a board and affixed a nail to the handle portion of each. Viola! Love, love, love the idea of fire and water combined.

And this plant rooter, marble holder gizmo - a technical term if ever there was one - was created from parts of a broken chandelier. One of my oldest and dearest friends sent the chandelier for use in our home as we were building. It broke in transit, and we had to get another. But a few rescued pieces combined into this creation, and yes, it is waterproof!

This piece could be called Rock Around the Clock or possibly Doing Hard Time. In the area where we lived in New Mexico this type of red rock naturally breaks into thin slices. The splotches are lichen. After getting my husband to drill them for me, I created several clocks that were used as Christmas gifts that year.

And this little piece is a wreath made of succulents - easy to do, hard to kill, and just plain fun. It's now blooming. The two old wooden wheels were purchased at a junk store.

The thing is that giving my imagination free reign now and then takes me to interesting places and comes up with pieces of small-A art that can grace my life in unexpected ways. This in turn can jump-start the creative process to get me back painting! It's all connected.

Living the Artistic Life

2009-04-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have a painting stuck in my brain that is about ready to start pouring forth, but first I have to put my studio back together. A family visit with more people here that would fit in the guest room turned the studio into a kids' room for the duration.

I seem to be stuck, mired even, in a place of too many ideas rushing through my head. There are several outdoor or garden art projects in there, and of course the gardening itself to be done. There is the book that needs work before sending off to one or more agents. And, there is a new painting idea.

That other life, the one with laundry and bathing dogs and cooking and cleaning, keeps intruding.

If you are so inclined, check out my web site at www.artbyeddie.net. Click here.