Like a Phoenix Rising

"Like a Phoenix Rising"

"Rebirth VI"


"Iris"

"Birch Trees"

Thought I would post a few new pics of finished paintings. Here's a few thoughts to go with the pics.

I just finished "Like a Phoenix Rising" today. I had put her aside since last October...I had tried to finish her before the fall art crawl, but it didn't happened. I hung her on the wall with a note saying "Work in Progress". Today I was ready to finish her. I pulled her off the wall and went to work. I finished work on the rising figure. I hesitated to post the photo, because it just doesn't feel like an "accurate" image. The figure was completed by adding the gold spiral design to her body. The design is so much more subtle than the photo suggests. I can't stand it when I can't get good photos. I guess that's something I'll be working on in 2009.

Phoenix is a work dear to my heart. She tells the story of a woman overcoming pain and misery to become a wiser, stronger woman. She is spirited, full of grace, and ready to take on life.

"Rebirth" is another painting that doesn't photograph well (o.k. I know it isn't the painting, it's the photographer...or could I blame the camera?). Really, she looks brilliant against the pink walls of my studio.

"Iris" may soon be hanging above my couch. Unless someone wants to buy her.

"Birch Trees" is still hanging in a coffee shop waiting for someone to buy her.

There you have it. On Monday the registration for the St. Paul Art Crawl is due. I think I will be entering "Iris" and "Birch Trees". No expectations.

Date Night

After a rough week at work, I wasn't up for doing much during my weekly "date night" with the hubby. Fortunately, he's as happy as I am with a simple dinner out followed by a leisurely visit to a bookstore.

Tonight I left with two treasures...the new issue of Cloth Paper Scissors and a special one-time edition of Somerset in Love. This is the kind of reading I do these days. I love spending a little time looking through these type of magazines while under the covers...especially on cold winter nights like we're experiencing right now.

I love valentines and I'm sure the Somerset special edition will stimulate my creativity for months long after February is past. And how could I not buy the Cloth Paper Scissors? Not only do I love the magazine, but fellow blogger Jodi Ohl of Sweet Repeats has one of her projects featured in it. How cool is that? (something I would like to do in 2009!) You can also find Jodi's work for sale in her Etsy shop. Check it out!

So I'm ready to call it a night...I have some reading to do!

An evening at the studio

I promised myself a trip to the studio tonight, so after a long day at work and a quick dinner, I headed on over. I wasn't sure what I would accomplish, because I came home so tired. But I decided it was worth pushing myself a little to see how it felt.

I started by working a little on my valentines in progress, but soon put those aside for another day. I prefer painting in natural light (which is part of why I don't spend much time at the studio in the evening).

So I started work on yet another project. A few weeks ago, just after Christmas, I bought a couple of blank journals. I picked them out with the intention of using them for a little art experimentation. I started the project by laying down a patchwork of paper.

That was it for tonight, but I'll continue working on the journal another day.

Back to the 9-5

Click on the picture to check out the Etsy listing!

It's been lovely having these last few weeks off. In the last few days I've really enjoyed the groove of heading over to the studio and doing some work. The past few days I've been holding my very own Valentine's painting party! It's been great fun. I also listed a few items on Etsy: the necklace above and packs of the cards I make that feature my artwork. Check it out!

Unfortunately, tomorrow I head back to the 9-5 gig. It will once again be a juggling act to find the time to get to the studio. I can come up with some grand scheme to get there every day, but I know that will not happen. I just have to promise myself to do the best I can. And I know I will, because I love it so.

I'll try to get pics up soon of my latest work. In the meantime, please check out the treasury I created on Etsy. A number of the Etsians I featured have just a few sales (like myself)...whenever I can feature beautiful work of newbies, I will...Believe me, I know how hard it is to get things going. So here's the link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=31048

A very good day!

It was a marvelously productive day...in so many ways. I headed over to the studio in the morning and worked on a number of pieces, including the piece above. I should be able to finish it tomorrow. This collage is on a 6x8 stretched canvas. It includes a vintage photo of my great-grandfather! I love how the whole thing came together...Yesterday I painted the canvas a sort of olive/sage green color...inspired by the paper I then laid down. I then added the image. Today I "aged" the look by adding a mix of burnt umber/green around the edges. I added the gold highlights around the paper and edge of the canvas.

I thought the birthday boy needed a birthday crown! Now I just plan to add the words "Time flies...when you're having fun". Once I have completed that I will take final pics...that will hopefully show the colors better! The background is more an antique green and the gold is much more subtle. Still, I had a great time creating this guy. I think he will be my first mixed media piece in my Etsy shop. What do you think?

Then I headed home to throw a roast and some root veggies (carrots, parsnips, and rutabega) in the oven to slow cook. While that was cooking, I went shopping...for new glasses! Picked out two pairs (there was a sale!)...can't wait to get them. My prescription will be quite a bit stronger...I might actually be able to read/bead without taking my glasses off (my current specs are hopeless). A quick stop at Joann's completed the trip.

Since dinner I've been working on uploading photos. Updated pics for some of my Etsy listings and finally listed a new item--a necklace I completed at least a month ago! I hope you'll stop by to check it out!

Beginning mixed-media work

I wanted to share these "works in progress". I am working with photos of WWI soldiers. I think these are "portraits" that were taken before these soldiers were sent overseas.

To me, these portraits speak volumes. They feel so powerful and when I "rescued" them (along with a huge box of vintage photos taken from my mother's house...they once belonged to a great aunt) I knew they were an art project in the making. Finally, I am starting to work with these photos.

First off, these photos of my work aren't the best pictures--I'm no photographer...and then after I snapped a few, my camera battery died...I'll take more as the work progresses...and these are works in their beginning stages. I am working on small canvases--6x8, 8x8, & 8x10.

My daughter just saw these photos and didn't like the red...looked too much like blood to her. I think that's just the affect of the photo, especially the close-up shots. Also there was another layer of the blue-grey color paint applied after these photos were taken, so the red has already been toned down. I was using the peeling paint technique and liked how it turned out.

I'm now at the point of applying finishing touches...I will be adding words definitely (but not exactly sure what words) and other artifacts?

I would welcome any comments/feedback. And by the way, I've been thrilled with all the recent comments. It's exciting to share my work with others. Thanks!

Finding my Muse

I went back to bed for a little bit this morning, but after the cat jumped over my head a few more times I decided it was time to get up and truly start the day. Over breakfast I checked in on some of the blogs I've been reading lately. I was reminded while reading Lynne Anderson's blog that sometimes we need to take a break and step back in order to "find" our muse.

That was the all reminder that I needed. First of all, I realize that I've been putting a little too much pressure on myself "to be" creative. Part of that comes from the fact that I've been a little more focused on goals since we're facing the start of a new year. I have a lot I want to accomplish in 2009! Secondly, since I'm on a break from my 9-5 job I wanted to spend a lot of time at the studio and get some painting done. As each day has passed, I've felt the time slip away...and haven't really felt I've "accomplished" much.

So I headed to the studio with a different attitude today. I thought about where I find my inspiration, how I recharge as an artist. Just spending time at the studio is like a retreat for me. It is my sanctuary. Whether I complete a painting or some other work, I nurture my creative self every time I step into the studio. It is my time for me. I put on some music (central to the creative process) and set to work.

Today, with a little VanMorrison playing, I pulled out four small canvases (11x14, 8x10, 8x8, and 6x8) and started painting. Basically I just laid down a base color of paint for some future collage work. I'm not really sure yet what I'm going to do...I was feeling inspired by some vintage-styled paper. And that's all the inspiration I needed to get started.

I'm not worried about what the final product will look like. Just mixing paint and using the brush to cover the canvas with paint...well, that is bliss for me. I am a painter at heart.

I can't wait to get back to the studio tomorrow.