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Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Friday, April 04, 2008
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Celebrate!
Final paper is done! It ended up differently than I thought, I did it on kachina dolls of the Hopi's. I thought I would focus on individual dolls and their meanings, but I ended up focusing on the stylistic changes of them over time. I just started writing and all of my information was so interesting, that I had five pages written before I could get into individual dolls. Her instructions stated that she would stop reading after 5 pages.
So that's all I wrote...
Now, maybe I can get back to painting
So that's all I wrote...
Now, maybe I can get back to painting
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
tired
so very
I am finishing up a bear of a paper. It will end up over 15 pages, 12 pt type, double-spaced, times new roman. Subject? Adolescence. It involved three observations, one formal and two informal. Plus reading lots and lots of journal articles. I started about two weeks ago, because somewhere in my education I learned not to procrastinate. Now in my real life I procrastinate all the time, but in school life I start early and divide things up into manageable tasks, and work on some part of it every day. The paper is a paragraph or two away from being done, then tomorrow will be spent on editing, and Saturday I turn the darn thing in. Saturday night much rejoicing will commence. Then after a brief reprieve on Sunday, I will begin my last paper I have to write for the semester. Subject? Kachinas. A silly little flip of a paper, only needing to be 3 - 5 pages.
But I am tired. I was infected with a cold/flu thing last Wednesday, and have been achy, sore throaty, runny nosey and sleepy sleepy.
I want to paint, but find myself with no energy, physically or mentally. I just want to watch Celebrity Apprentice and go to bed. Is that wrong?
Perhaps tomorrow...
I am finishing up a bear of a paper. It will end up over 15 pages, 12 pt type, double-spaced, times new roman. Subject? Adolescence. It involved three observations, one formal and two informal. Plus reading lots and lots of journal articles. I started about two weeks ago, because somewhere in my education I learned not to procrastinate. Now in my real life I procrastinate all the time, but in school life I start early and divide things up into manageable tasks, and work on some part of it every day. The paper is a paragraph or two away from being done, then tomorrow will be spent on editing, and Saturday I turn the darn thing in. Saturday night much rejoicing will commence. Then after a brief reprieve on Sunday, I will begin my last paper I have to write for the semester. Subject? Kachinas. A silly little flip of a paper, only needing to be 3 - 5 pages.
But I am tired. I was infected with a cold/flu thing last Wednesday, and have been achy, sore throaty, runny nosey and sleepy sleepy.
I want to paint, but find myself with no energy, physically or mentally. I just want to watch Celebrity Apprentice and go to bed. Is that wrong?
Perhaps tomorrow...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
under water
I live in the midwest, Missouri to be exact. If you haven't heard, were currently being flooded. I live on high ground, but about 2 - 3 miles from my house, is not.
That ribbon of highway is the one I usually travel, I44, somehow it is still open. The cross is 141, which I take constantly as well, and as you can see, it is indeed closed.
This picture was taken yesterday. The water is supposed to rise until it peaks sometime tonight.
That ribbon of highway is the one I usually travel, I44, somehow it is still open. The cross is 141, which I take constantly as well, and as you can see, it is indeed closed.
This picture was taken yesterday. The water is supposed to rise until it peaks sometime tonight.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Pomo
Theres a group of Native Americans that existed in the California area, known for their extroadinary basket making skills. These baskets were so finely made that they actually cooked in them. Pottery and ceramics were not widely used. To cook in them they would fill them with water then take some stones from the fire and add them to the basket. The heat from the rocks would boil/steam the water and whatever food they added. Pretty clever.
The Pomo were so skilled that they would purposly skip a space of their design so it wouldn't be perfect, as only God can create something perfect.
Eventually the women, who were the weavers of these fine baskets, started having contests. First, who could make the largest basket. That eventually gave way to who could make the smallest. The picture below is the only one I could find on google. I actually have seen a slide of smaller baskets, so small that several could fit on a dime. These baskets are just as carefully made as a full size one, as the design woven in, had to fufill certain requirements.
The Pomo were so skilled that they would purposly skip a space of their design so it wouldn't be perfect, as only God can create something perfect.
Eventually the women, who were the weavers of these fine baskets, started having contests. First, who could make the largest basket. That eventually gave way to who could make the smallest. The picture below is the only one I could find on google. I actually have seen a slide of smaller baskets, so small that several could fit on a dime. These baskets are just as carefully made as a full size one, as the design woven in, had to fufill certain requirements.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
lady in waiting
I have two more paintings done, but you can't see them yet.
Such is the life of an oil painter.
I get to wait, and wait
and wait
for my paintings to dry.
sigh
I have tried out the water-soluble oil paints, and am thrilled with the results.
Basically the same properties of regular oil, but none of the toxicity. I can happily paint away in my poorly venalted studio with no ill-effects. However now that spring is coming I can open the window.
The funny thing about my "new" oils is that they take even LONGER to dry than regular oils. I bought some medium to mix with the paint to help speed the drying, so we'll see if that helps at all.
But soon I'll have my new stuff up, I'm thinking of adding them right to my etsy because the one lonely painting I had there is now sold.
Such is the life of an oil painter.
I get to wait, and wait
and wait
for my paintings to dry.
sigh
I have tried out the water-soluble oil paints, and am thrilled with the results.
Basically the same properties of regular oil, but none of the toxicity. I can happily paint away in my poorly venalted studio with no ill-effects. However now that spring is coming I can open the window.
The funny thing about my "new" oils is that they take even LONGER to dry than regular oils. I bought some medium to mix with the paint to help speed the drying, so we'll see if that helps at all.
But soon I'll have my new stuff up, I'm thinking of adding them right to my etsy because the one lonely painting I had there is now sold.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
oil vs acrylic
I've noticed in a lot of the art I like, particularly my fellow blogger, ebay artists, and etsy artists, very very few will incorporate oils. I wonder why this is. Is the the intimidation factor? Not being familiar with them? The ease of acrylics? The speed of acrylics?
I have worked primarily with acrylics the last 3 years, and recently in the last 6 months or so, have begun exploring oils.
Wow
Where have you been all my life. They are so beautiful.
lush
sensitive
bold
ethereal
forgiving
I've begun doing backgrounds and underpaintings with acrylic because I can get a lot built up very quickly.
But when it's time to paint, I get out the oils.
Yes, there are problems with them.
The clean-up
The odors.
I think I'm a bit delirious right now because I've been painting in my basement studio, with the windows closed, because were in the middle of a small snowstorm, and my turpenoid jar open.
That's the part I really don't like, the fumes.
But everything else I either deal with or Love Love Love
I work sporadically. I walk away from the painting alot. I can always pick back up at most any time and continue.
Just wondering what others thought...
I have worked primarily with acrylics the last 3 years, and recently in the last 6 months or so, have begun exploring oils.
Wow
Where have you been all my life. They are so beautiful.
lush
sensitive
bold
ethereal
forgiving
I've begun doing backgrounds and underpaintings with acrylic because I can get a lot built up very quickly.
But when it's time to paint, I get out the oils.
Yes, there are problems with them.
The clean-up
The odors.
I think I'm a bit delirious right now because I've been painting in my basement studio, with the windows closed, because were in the middle of a small snowstorm, and my turpenoid jar open.
That's the part I really don't like, the fumes.
But everything else I either deal with or Love Love Love
I work sporadically. I walk away from the painting alot. I can always pick back up at most any time and continue.
Just wondering what others thought...
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Why I love my husband Reason #236
My husband is fond of saying, "I love my stupid little life"
and I love him for saying it.
and I love him for saying it.
Friday, February 22, 2008
if: multiple
multiple layers
multiple stars
multiple styles
multiple multiples
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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
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