My husband is fond of saying, "I love my stupid little life"
and I love him for saying it.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
if: multiple
multiple layers
multiple stars
multiple styles
multiple multiples
View this painting for sale later tonight - $.99 starting bid! - click here
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
ash
This post is inspired by Illustration Friday and it has been something that has been on my mind.
The topic is multiple, and I am applying it to the multiple styles that I work/experiment in.
Is this a bad thing?
I'm sure on a sales perspective, probably. From what I have been told, art collectors want a strong, identifiable, consistent style from a particular artist. As you can see by browsing just a few pages of my archives, this does not describe my art.
I try.
I get an idea, and excitedly tell my husband, "I think I am really on to something this time." Then 5, 10, or 2 paintings later want to try something else. I do call up some of the old 'styles' for time to time, so maybe I'm working towards a stock of applications that can be called upon when needed.
I'm young.
I've only been painting for 3 years. Well officially, I've been creating my whole life, and have spent the majority of my life in some sort of art class. But as far as painting on a regular basis and offering the work for sale, it's not been THAT long, in the big picture.
I paint what excites me.
I suppose I could pick a style and say thats it. This is the way I am going to paint a face, a background, a dress... But I would be giving up possibility. I would be giving up the unknown. I would be sacrificing my growth as an artist, and suppressing my voice. Obviously, I can't do that.
Consistency
There are some things that are consistent in my art. I love faces, womens faces in particular. I love stylizing their faces. I like long necks and eyes. I like using ephemera in my collages. Vintage maps and dictionaries. I love the color blue.
I know I can't stop the changes, I guess I'm looking for some insight, how do other artists stick to one thing, or do they find themselves changing over time too?
I know for my personal journey, it is a good thing. Looking back at earlier work, I can see the positive growth from then and now.
This is a big painting for me, 11" x 29". I painted it with mostly oils on an old cabinet door. I love the rusty, distressed hinges. It adds so much visual interest. I wish I had more of these door, I only have three left.
On other fronts, I had to make an important decision regarding school. They changed my degree program, now offering a studio arts option. That was good news for me, as then all my "art classes" are fulfilled. Those are the most difficult to schedule, they are long, and usually in the middle of the day. So officially, I have only 10 classes left, then an intern semester and a student teaching semester. I was overcome with excitement, to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, I was thinking I could push myself and complete the 10 classes in a year, so would be ready to look for work in 2. Immediately, I began to fret, Lila is only 1 now, I would have to find some sort of full-time daycare for her while student teaching. If I did the 10 classes in a year I would be very busy, finding babysitters, driving all over, doing homework, I feared my kids would get the short end of the stick in this deal.
I decided in favor of taking the lesiurely route. It will take an additional year, but then I will be present for my kids, be able to continue with my personal art, invest a lot into the classes I am taking and all over be a more relaxed person :)
Yea! for stopping to smell the roses.
The topic is multiple, and I am applying it to the multiple styles that I work/experiment in.
Is this a bad thing?
I'm sure on a sales perspective, probably. From what I have been told, art collectors want a strong, identifiable, consistent style from a particular artist. As you can see by browsing just a few pages of my archives, this does not describe my art.
I try.
I get an idea, and excitedly tell my husband, "I think I am really on to something this time." Then 5, 10, or 2 paintings later want to try something else. I do call up some of the old 'styles' for time to time, so maybe I'm working towards a stock of applications that can be called upon when needed.
I'm young.
I've only been painting for 3 years. Well officially, I've been creating my whole life, and have spent the majority of my life in some sort of art class. But as far as painting on a regular basis and offering the work for sale, it's not been THAT long, in the big picture.
I paint what excites me.
I suppose I could pick a style and say thats it. This is the way I am going to paint a face, a background, a dress... But I would be giving up possibility. I would be giving up the unknown. I would be sacrificing my growth as an artist, and suppressing my voice. Obviously, I can't do that.
Consistency
There are some things that are consistent in my art. I love faces, womens faces in particular. I love stylizing their faces. I like long necks and eyes. I like using ephemera in my collages. Vintage maps and dictionaries. I love the color blue.
I know I can't stop the changes, I guess I'm looking for some insight, how do other artists stick to one thing, or do they find themselves changing over time too?
I know for my personal journey, it is a good thing. Looking back at earlier work, I can see the positive growth from then and now.
This is a big painting for me, 11" x 29". I painted it with mostly oils on an old cabinet door. I love the rusty, distressed hinges. It adds so much visual interest. I wish I had more of these door, I only have three left.
On other fronts, I had to make an important decision regarding school. They changed my degree program, now offering a studio arts option. That was good news for me, as then all my "art classes" are fulfilled. Those are the most difficult to schedule, they are long, and usually in the middle of the day. So officially, I have only 10 classes left, then an intern semester and a student teaching semester. I was overcome with excitement, to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, I was thinking I could push myself and complete the 10 classes in a year, so would be ready to look for work in 2. Immediately, I began to fret, Lila is only 1 now, I would have to find some sort of full-time daycare for her while student teaching. If I did the 10 classes in a year I would be very busy, finding babysitters, driving all over, doing homework, I feared my kids would get the short end of the stick in this deal.
I decided in favor of taking the lesiurely route. It will take an additional year, but then I will be present for my kids, be able to continue with my personal art, invest a lot into the classes I am taking and all over be a more relaxed person :)
Yea! for stopping to smell the roses.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Reparations
Has anyone thought about how all the Native American artifacts and art pieces came to be displayed in art museums and natural history museums all over the country?
Apparently, a lot of those objects have been stolen or cheated from the tribes in which they belong too. Many of those objects are sacred, and not meant to even be seen by us, only within the ceremonies for which they were created. Some of those objects were taken from graves. Objects meant to help the spirit in the afterlife. Tribes still exist from those looted plots, and they want those items returned and reburied.
Just as in Nazi Germany, where many Jewish homes were robbed of paintings and jewelry. Now those paintings and such are being returned to their rightful owners.
Is this any different?
Apparently, a lot of those objects have been stolen or cheated from the tribes in which they belong too. Many of those objects are sacred, and not meant to even be seen by us, only within the ceremonies for which they were created. Some of those objects were taken from graves. Objects meant to help the spirit in the afterlife. Tribes still exist from those looted plots, and they want those items returned and reburied.
Just as in Nazi Germany, where many Jewish homes were robbed of paintings and jewelry. Now those paintings and such are being returned to their rightful owners.
Is this any different?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
?
Anyone know how to take a song i have in itunes and get a url tag out of it?
I want to add a song to my blog.
Happy Tuesday! I have three days without school each week. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Sundays are so busy with family, cleaning, laundry, groceries, so it hardly counts. But I live for my Tuesdays and Fridays. It's just nice to be home, nowhere to go, kids underfoot... I try to do my homework in the morn, so I can enjoy the rest of the day. I may start a new painting today, I've been feeling 'big' lately, so maybe I'll get out a cabinet door.
I actually do have somewhere to go, but I'm glad to do it. To place my vote in the primary.
I want to add a song to my blog.
Happy Tuesday! I have three days without school each week. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Sundays are so busy with family, cleaning, laundry, groceries, so it hardly counts. But I live for my Tuesdays and Fridays. It's just nice to be home, nowhere to go, kids underfoot... I try to do my homework in the morn, so I can enjoy the rest of the day. I may start a new painting today, I've been feeling 'big' lately, so maybe I'll get out a cabinet door.
I actually do have somewhere to go, but I'm glad to do it. To place my vote in the primary.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
IF: Blanket
I've been using oils in my paintings lately. This one I used acrylics for the background, collaged old maps, and oils for the face, and blanket. I really like the dreamy blendy qualities, but it definitely takes more time.
View this painting for sale later tonight - $.99 starting bid! - click here
Sunday, January 27, 2008
You just made my day!
Thank you to Ursula Shaw and Lil Kim for the 'You make my day' awards!!!
As soon as I figure out all the html to link to others and display the award I will pass it on.
I've also been tagged by Rebecca, so here are 5 things you many not know about me...
1. I can make the real deal monster masks, plaster molds and latex and all. Quite involved and quite rewarding!
2. Right now I have fuschia toe nails with irridescent hearts and little gems.
3. I used to live in Manhattan and worked for a record label (Astralwerks)
4. I haven't met a craft I didn't like. I have the supplies and books on probably every type of artistic hobby a person can have. My latest was stained glass and I have yet to really finish something. I tell myself it will all come in handy when I'm an art teacher.
5. I love reality tv, the worse the better. Project Runway, of course, Real Housewives, yes, Rock of Love, give me more! It's my guilty pleasure :)
As soon as I figure out all the html to link to others and display the award I will pass it on.
I've also been tagged by Rebecca, so here are 5 things you many not know about me...
1. I can make the real deal monster masks, plaster molds and latex and all. Quite involved and quite rewarding!
2. Right now I have fuschia toe nails with irridescent hearts and little gems.
3. I used to live in Manhattan and worked for a record label (Astralwerks)
4. I haven't met a craft I didn't like. I have the supplies and books on probably every type of artistic hobby a person can have. My latest was stained glass and I have yet to really finish something. I tell myself it will all come in handy when I'm an art teacher.
5. I love reality tv, the worse the better. Project Runway, of course, Real Housewives, yes, Rock of Love, give me more! It's my guilty pleasure :)
Monday, January 21, 2008
One Down
15 Weeks to go...
The semester has started, 12 grueling hours. Taken in conjunction with the rest of my life, I'm going to be one busy lady. However, today, is a holiday.
I also am studying for my c-base so I can get into my level 2 teaching courses. Math, yuck.
One very exciting event in my life recently has been the discovery of Illustration Friday. This was my third week posting and all the support has been beyond my expectations.
Side note: My four year old boy just came up the stairs, looked at the paintings I had lined up on a table and said, "I like your beautiful fairies mama, can we marry them?" He's a sweetheart :)
Anyway, I can't believe all the comments and traffic I have received. It's so encouraging and I'm honored to have so many fabulous artists looking at and liking my work.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and those who took time to comment!!!
The semester has started, 12 grueling hours. Taken in conjunction with the rest of my life, I'm going to be one busy lady. However, today, is a holiday.
I also am studying for my c-base so I can get into my level 2 teaching courses. Math, yuck.
One very exciting event in my life recently has been the discovery of Illustration Friday. This was my third week posting and all the support has been beyond my expectations.
Side note: My four year old boy just came up the stairs, looked at the paintings I had lined up on a table and said, "I like your beautiful fairies mama, can we marry them?" He's a sweetheart :)
Anyway, I can't believe all the comments and traffic I have received. It's so encouraging and I'm honored to have so many fabulous artists looking at and liking my work.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and those who took time to comment!!!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
IF: Plain
plain for everyone to see...
View this painting for sale - $.99 starting bid! - click here
View my Etsy click here
Sunday, January 13, 2008
IF: Stitch
A rather literal interpretation, but sewing on collaged elements is a technique I’ve wanted to try so finally got the push I needed.
View this painting on Etsy for sale click here
View others for sale click here
Monday, January 07, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Thursday, January 03, 2008
art is my yoga
When I study art, reading through my glossy, full color collections of paintings, I am constantly confronted with my mortality.
It's almost like reading tombstones. Next to the slick reproductions are
Name
Born
Died
It's humbling, these works are vibrant, alive and the makers seemingly immortal.
But I know better.
I look up from the pages, into the next room where my son is playing, and I appreciate the moment. I am suddenly aware, of time, the present, and the passage of time.
Why I love art, Reason #1
It's almost like reading tombstones. Next to the slick reproductions are
Name
Born
Died
It's humbling, these works are vibrant, alive and the makers seemingly immortal.
But I know better.
I look up from the pages, into the next room where my son is playing, and I appreciate the moment. I am suddenly aware, of time, the present, and the passage of time.
Why I love art, Reason #1
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
eating resolutions
It’s that time of year again for resolutions. The last few years, it has always been the same, to eat a bit healthier. That has actually been an ongoing thing for many years. Slowly but surely, a healthier eating style has replaced the awful, junky, way of eating that dominated my 20’s.
Items that no longer occupy my cabinets are chips, sugary cereals, candy or Little Debbie snacks. The chips were easy to get rid of. I seriously can’t stop eating them if I have a bag, so I just make sure I don’t have them in the house. I replaced chips with other crunchy things like toasted pitas and hummus, or corn chips and guacamole, nuts, and crackers with cheese. Pretty easy, though possibly more expensive. Cereals have been replaced with waffles. We have whole-grain waffles for breakfast almost every morning. My son doesn’t even want a drop of syrup, just some smart-balance spread. I try to get him to eat a yogurt with it, but usually just manage a glass of milk. Lila likes eggs, but not Paul.
Now my eating dilemmas have to do with my son Paul. Four years old and never met a vegetable he liked. I just bought Jessica Seinfield’s Deceptively Delicious, but after trying a few recipes, don’t see this as a long-term solution. Though we discovered he will eat the mashed sweet potatoes I prepared and froze according to DD. I know many many people have trouble getting their preschoolers to eat healthy choices. The boy would eat pasta and cheese the rest of his life without complaint. Or fish sticks with ketchup.
It’s very disappointing after I have prepared a healthy, delicious meal and have him refuse it and ask for noodles. Yesterday I made a wonderful chicken pot pie with carrots and potatoes, but he would only take his “one bite” as is the rule in the house, he has to try everything, but we won’t force him to finish it. I asked him how it was as he is gulping his juice after his taste, and he tearfully tells me, “not good”. Meanwhile, the rest of the family is devouring it, in fact we finished off the whole thing by the end of the night. Paul had peanut-butter and jelly.
My husband and I love good food. I get excited about food, and eating, and even cooking when I’m not too stressed. In fact I have two new cookbooks on the way from amazon. I can’t eat fish sticks and macaroni and cheese for dinner every night. But I hate preparing one meal for us and another meal for Paul.
How have others survived this?
Items that no longer occupy my cabinets are chips, sugary cereals, candy or Little Debbie snacks. The chips were easy to get rid of. I seriously can’t stop eating them if I have a bag, so I just make sure I don’t have them in the house. I replaced chips with other crunchy things like toasted pitas and hummus, or corn chips and guacamole, nuts, and crackers with cheese. Pretty easy, though possibly more expensive. Cereals have been replaced with waffles. We have whole-grain waffles for breakfast almost every morning. My son doesn’t even want a drop of syrup, just some smart-balance spread. I try to get him to eat a yogurt with it, but usually just manage a glass of milk. Lila likes eggs, but not Paul.
Now my eating dilemmas have to do with my son Paul. Four years old and never met a vegetable he liked. I just bought Jessica Seinfield’s Deceptively Delicious, but after trying a few recipes, don’t see this as a long-term solution. Though we discovered he will eat the mashed sweet potatoes I prepared and froze according to DD. I know many many people have trouble getting their preschoolers to eat healthy choices. The boy would eat pasta and cheese the rest of his life without complaint. Or fish sticks with ketchup.
It’s very disappointing after I have prepared a healthy, delicious meal and have him refuse it and ask for noodles. Yesterday I made a wonderful chicken pot pie with carrots and potatoes, but he would only take his “one bite” as is the rule in the house, he has to try everything, but we won’t force him to finish it. I asked him how it was as he is gulping his juice after his taste, and he tearfully tells me, “not good”. Meanwhile, the rest of the family is devouring it, in fact we finished off the whole thing by the end of the night. Paul had peanut-butter and jelly.
My husband and I love good food. I get excited about food, and eating, and even cooking when I’m not too stressed. In fact I have two new cookbooks on the way from amazon. I can’t eat fish sticks and macaroni and cheese for dinner every night. But I hate preparing one meal for us and another meal for Paul.
How have others survived this?
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
cumulation
Hope everyone had joyous holidays! Mine was busy busy with family and friends, including a dear friend from Norway that came to visit. I miss her much.
I think my Lila and Paul had a good visit from Santa, but the tree looked quite barren. There was no gift orgy at our house, just a few, well chosen but much desired things. Namely and mainly...legos. Apparently you can never have enough of those. But who am I to argue? The boy is four and all he wants to do is build spaceships. Lila got a bouncy, rolly inchworm.
(Please note the gifts on the hearth as well before thinking of sending my deprived children anything :)
And last but not least, I actually had time to paint yesterday.
I think my Lila and Paul had a good visit from Santa, but the tree looked quite barren. There was no gift orgy at our house, just a few, well chosen but much desired things. Namely and mainly...legos. Apparently you can never have enough of those. But who am I to argue? The boy is four and all he wants to do is build spaceships. Lila got a bouncy, rolly inchworm.
(Please note the gifts on the hearth as well before thinking of sending my deprived children anything :)
And last but not least, I actually had time to paint yesterday.
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