This is a work in progress. I am exploring work with acrylic ink and alcohol. To this point, this piece has maybe 20 or 30 layers. There will be quite a few more.
Art is So Healing
sketchbook
“Making art is like giving a gift: evidence of your spirit and that you are here.”
Different Colors, Shapes and Way Different Canvas
This is a work-in-progress. The round canvas was a gift and I have been looking at it for months wondering how I was going to work with it. This is what the muse encouraged.
Making Changes
It has been so brutally hot here this summer, so I have moved my studio from upstairs to the basement. It is much brighter and larger…not to mention cooler. I am enjoying it and hope to have a few things to show you soon.
Weathering The Storm
This is the latest painting to come out of my studio. It is 36″ x 24″ in acrylic. It shows a change from what I have done most recently, don’t you think? Do you see any human shapes in this piece? There is an ongoing debate about that around here. Some say “yes, there are one, two or three people there”, while others say “absolutely no people appear!”
Looking at Life Sideways
It has been far too long since my last post, and it has been far, far too long away from my studio. For the last six to eight months my art and creativity has been basically put on hold. I have had a couple of times where I grabbed a moment, however those were far too few to really get me in the swing of things again. I am grateful to you all for your patience with me.
Sometimes we just have to take life and twist it around a bit, learn some things then allow it all to unfold so we can grow and become better people than we have been before. I think that is what has happened with me and maybe it will be reflected in the work I do and the life I lead from here on out. I know I am not sharing anything new or anything each of you have not dealt with in your own lives. When I can stop, take the time to hold the past in my hands and heart and evaluate all which has happened I can see the power and be grateful for the experiences. When I am in the middle of the mess, however, I can see little good in what life is handing me. I am sure you have been there, too. I am chalking it up to process.
“I did not lead my life. it led me.” Henri Matisse
I like the way Henri thinks and sure hope life leads me fully back into my own creativity and all that encompasses. I look forward to spending more time with you all.
Taking Art to the Street and Promoting Peace
This is an image of an installation in Brazil of artist, JR. Tomorrow, 2 March at 5:00 pm Pacific Time, JR will reveal his wish to change the world. He has been given this year’s TED prize and will receive help in making his wish come true. You can learn more about JR on the TED site and sign up to learn how to watch JR’s talk live tomorrow.
If you do not know about TED, I so encourage you to explore this site further. You might become hooked! Also, this image was provided by TED and the artist.
Reminders and Gratitudes
You have seen this small triptych before and possibly know it is in the McIver collection in New Zealand. I am showing it to you again to day because once again this small, but incredibly creative and vibrant country has been hit by a powerful earthquake near Christchurch. Unlike the last large one, which hit about 5 months ago, this quake has taken lives and many people are not accounted for. My heart breaks for these wonderful people. Lesley McIver tells me her family is all well, but her country people are devastated. I hope you will join me in remembering these people in your meditations and prayers today and into the future.
I am working hard to get back to blogging these days. I have a new painting to show you soon and others to come, so I am filled with gratitude to tell you I have been in the studio doing a bit of work. All of you working artists know how great that feels after a time of diligent left brained activity. I want to thank you all for your patience and your support through these last few months. While there is a lot going on here, I feel as though I can move forward with some positive work and hopefully get back to your blogs soon.
Please, do not forget our friends in New Zealand as you move through your lives.
Seeking Wise Artist’s Advice
Happy 2011 everyone! Some of my day-to-day challenges from 2010 have spilled over a bit into 2011, however I am working each day to bounce back into my work here. Thank you all for your patience (past and future) and know I will be making some blog rounds in the near future.
So when life hands you opportunities which push your art aside for a bit, what do you do to get yourself immersed in your work again? I have talked about that before, a lot, on this blog, however I often wonder how other artist get themselves back on track. Are you a person who craves routine, or are you like me and balk at a rote life? Sometimes I think I would find some of this easier if I truly needed routine to move me through my days, however I find that kind of living to be unsettling. Mainly, I think I need to give myself an art project! I am the queen of slow, you know.
At any rate, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the subject of re-immersion into work. What is your wise advice? I do have a few bits of excitement up my sleeve I will be sharing with you as 2011 unfolds. I hope you have some wonderful plans, too.