Force of Nature: the progression of a painting

This is the first completed painting in a new series I've started this past month. The series is titled "Force of Nature: Womanspirit Revisited". This painting is a key part of the series and titled "Force of Nature". These paintings evolve out of my life experiences and work that I first explored some 15 years ago. I have the ideas for over a half dozen paintings in my head. Now the work is in transferring those ideas onto canvas using paint.

Here's the painting at the beginning. I start by blocking out the shape of the figure with paint.

Next the background color is laid down.

I continue to work on the painting, frequently stepping back and looking at the shape, colors...the middle stages are the hardest, the time when the doubts that I'm on the right path are the strongest...will this come together as the vision in my head?

It's getting there...but I'm still looking for the painting to express the energy, that "force of nature" I am searching for. I push past the doubts and keep painting.

Finally, it all comes together. She is a "Force of Nature". This powerful woman represents every woman (including myself) I know that has pushed past every obstacle that comes her way to reach her goal, to be her true self.

As women, I don't think we are always in touch with that powerful force inside us. We may not even realize it is there. Sometimes it only seems to kick in when something ugly and destructive comes our way. Mess with our kids, threaten our bodies or livelihood...and that "force of nature" becomes a true force to reckon with.

I have already started working on the next painting in this series. But I think this painting will always remain a favorite. I have also decided that this is the painting I am entering in the State Fair Fine Arts Competition. With any luck, I'll be able to share this "Force of Nature" with lots of folks visiting the fair.

Beadwork and other stuff

Well, I finally got some pics uploaded, so I thought I'd throw out there some pics of necklaces that I've recently completed. I enjoy working with the seed beeds, playing with color and beads of various sizes and shapes. I am also trying to bead necklaces of various lengths. Some days it is nice just to finish a project that has a beginning and end--and one that can usually be finished in an evening.

I'm feeling a little bummed tonight. I got a rejection letter from the art crawl's poster competition. In a way, I was bracing myself for rejection by trying to expect that outcome. Doesn't matter. Like any other artist (or person for that matter), I appreciate positive outside validation. It's nice to get that pat on the back that tells you that you're doing good work. It's hard too because I see so many of the same artists get selected every crawl that I wonder if it's just a "political" process or if my work is that far off the mark.

But it is what it is, and I'm not about to let it discourage me. In fact, I plan to keep submitting and even work harder at getting my work exhibited outside of my little studio.

It will happen!

A long month ends

It's been a long--very long month. First, I had a bout of salmonella--yup, the same salmonella that's part of the nationwide outbreak. It was some nasty stuff and pretty much knocked me out of commission for a few weeks. Then I had a family emergency to tend to...and well, there's not been a lot of time in the studio.

At the end of my salmonella bout, I managed to send an e-mail entry in to the poster competition for the fall art crawl. It wasn't really what I wanted to submit, but it was all I could pull together. (I should hear about their selection this week)

Finally, last week I was able to get back to the studio. I started work on a painting that I plan to submit to the State Fair Fine Arts competiton. In fact, I have the painting registered for the competition. It's a simple (and free) entry registration for the competition. Any Minnesota artist can enter one piece of artwork. You register the artwork online and then drop it off for the jury to review at the beginning of August. I'm not really expecting to be selected, but entering is something I've always wanted to do. Now that I know it's so easy to enter, I think I'll be trying every year.

I also have done some beading. I work in periodic bursts of creativity--4 necklaces in 3 days. And then life gets busy...

I will post some pics once I have them uploaded.

TGIF

Thank god for Fridays in the summer. Especially for Fridays in the summer when you work at Southside. I went to work this morning, had one client appointment (instead of the 3 scheduled...I guess clients aren't so keen either on home visits on a gorgeous summer Friday)...and after my one appointment, I was sitting at my my desk thinking of nothing but getting to my studio and painting. It's going to be a busy weekend (I'm helping my daughter move...for the 6th time in 6 years)--and there won't be a lot of time for the studio. Finally I said to myself, "Hell, this is why I'm supposed to be working at Southside (so I can use my generous time off to do artwork). Leave already!"

So I headed home and after a pit stop at the apartment I headed to the studio. I continued working on the canvas I started last week. The more I paint, the more I think about the other paintings I want to get started. When I took breaks from actual painting, I did some sketching for new paintings. I have plans for a Moroccan-inspired series of paintings. Morocco is the most exotic place I have always wanted to travel to. I love the architecture and colors there...at least what I've seen in pictures. I may never make it to Morocco, but there's no reason why I can't paint my Moroccan-inspired dreams.

I also have a "Power of Women" series I plan to re-visit (this series originated in the early '90s...I am looking for a different title. Suggestions?) and some collage pieces I want to get started on.

Having all these ideas in my head is a good thing...it will be even better to get these ideas out of my head and on canvas!

Moving forward

I was able to spend some time in the studio this weekend. Saturday I did some beading...finished 3 necklaces. Today I started a new painting. There are deadlines already approaching. In 3 weeks, entries for the poster competition are due. I have no clue yet what works I will be submitting for consideration. I'm hoping to finish some new works to submit. And then in mid-July registration is due for the Fine Arts competition for the State Fair. It's easy to register and open to all Minnesota artists, but each artist may submit only one work. I'm planning to register with no expectations, but I'll be honest and tell you that if somehow I was selected for that show, I would pee my pants.

And beyond that I am focused on creating more works for the fall art crawl and keeping my eyes open for any ther opportunities to exhibit my work.

Pics from the Art crawl

Welcome to my studio. I hung this painting and artist statement just outside the studio door.

Paintings in the entryway.

The "first wall" of paintings when you stepped into the studio.

Pictures from the interior of the studio.

Finally I've uploaded pics from the Art Crawl a month ago. I still have the paintings hung in the entryway. It's a cozy spot to work in and I'm enjoying hanging out in the studio, beading, painting and listening to music.

Bead Heaven

I'm in the midst of a beading frenzy. I'm a little obsessed with beads right now. I have bought beads on three separate occasions this past week. I have finished beading 2 necklaces and I'm working on the third.

Beading is satisfying on many different levels right now. I like having something creative to do that I can do while I'm watching t.v. or listening to music. It's nice to be able to complete a project in a few hours. And it seems to be feeding my creative juices as well. Looking at and selecting the colors of the beads and then putting together those beads to create a necklace...well, it energizes me. Color has a very big impact on my creativity...I love putting colors together...whether that be beads, paint, whatever.

So as I'm beading, I'm thinking about the necklace I'm creating, but I'm also thinking about the paintings I want to get going on. Colors are dancing in my head.

Soon I hope to see those colors dancing on canvas.