day 11

I didn't post anything yesterday, but I did paint!

daily art - day 9

eclectic

new sculpture

for sale on etsy!

day 8 of art

7 stripes

6 days

this girl

day 5

4th day

wonder

Two posts in one day?

When I was in highschool I entered a competition at our local art museum. Actually our teacher was supposed to chose one student to represent out school. She chose me. What I remember from the event is we were instructed to find a piece of art, draw it, and write a short essay on what the piece meant to us. We had a few hours to complete the task. I chose a Mesoamerican god sculpture that kind of cracked me up. I drew him with dollar bills in his clenched fists and wrote about how he was the god of greed.

We (all the students) then ate a brown bag lunch while we waited for the panel to judge us.

I didn’t win anything that afternoon, but was given an interesting and lengthy written critique. The judge liked my drawing and rendering skills, but was actually taken with the essay. She offered that perhaps I should go into writing.

I laughed ruefully, as I had heard that before, and promptly put her advice out of my mind. Writing was easy. Art is hard.

As readers of this blog may notice, I resist the urge to blog verbally. I cringe when given papers to write at school. I can barely squeak out thank you notes after given gifts and am notorious for being delinquent on leaving feedback.

Writing takes up valuable time that could be better spent on art.

I wonder sometimes if I was/am ignoring my actual talent and choosing instead the thing I fight with, agonize over and obsess about.

Art hard.

But when it works, nothing gives me greater pleasure.

IF: Resolve - In two parts

I resolve to take better care of my body this year. This means exercise!

I ALSO am resolving to make 31 days of art this January. Wish me luck!

painting on ebay now

Two days and two paintings

Maybe this could become a trend?


Sold


Sold

while I was out...

I spent the afternoon making soap with my sister at her house.
My husband was at home taking care of the kids, and apparently spoiling them in ways I never dreamed of

glow

on ebay later tonight

December Issue

YAY!
The December issue of Lipstick Magazine is out with my new art
see see see

Harmony

for sale on etsy right now!

IF: Similar

Different yet similar...

IF: Balloon

I hope those arrows don't pop the balloons

IF: Opinon

"In my opinion..."

IF: Pretend

IF: Wise

a mother's wisdom

fall

Full Color Glossy

I'm in another magazine!
This lovely magazine "Lipstick" out of Birmingham AL contacted me a couple months ago to see if I would be interested in doing some illustrations for them.



Apparently they had seen the cover I did for "Underwired" in June.

http://www.underwiredmagazine.com/past-cover-art-mainmenu-38.html

I readily accepted and the issue just came out.



It makes me so happy to see my work in full color glossy

IF: Repair

Her home is in good repair

electricity

for sale on etsy

IF: Late

Her lunch date is late...
again

IF: Strings

The strings may not be readily apparent.
I dipped yarn in paint and dragged, rolled and speckled to create my background.
Can you see them now?

archon 32

Archon was in all estimations an unqualified success. I sold all five paintings I brought and got lots of good feedback. when I left on Sunday morning, I was in the running for best of show and best non-pro. Not sure where I placed, but it was an honor to have people vote for me regardless.

It was also wonderful to see all my friends that I never get to see.

It was a nice break to get two evenings away from my kids. I love them, but having time without worrying about does Lila have poop in her pants or talking to Paul about Jango Fett was refreshing.

Unfortunately, I was not the party animal I usually am. I couldn't make it past midnight either nights. And I would wake up at 7:45 am on the dot. I guess not having slept in a single morning in two years kind of conditions the body.

I'm already looking forward to next year, and have new ideas about how and what to show in the art show.

The next step is to look into juried art shows.

leaves

Many Colors

Oil Painting

Portrait with Crown

on Ebay now...

Wood Box Frame

12.5" x 9.5"

Mixed Media = Oil, Acrylic, vintage papers, charcoal

still life

my life has been anything but still, never enough time for all I would like to accomplish, but just enough time for what is important.

I've been "rendering" in my painting class, I felt like I needed to further my instruction in technique, especially in regards to color theory. The teacher has allowed this, and is encouraging even, gotta walk before you can run and all.

This is one I've been working on, I took it down on Wednesday, so unless I do more touch up at home I'm calling it done.



The piece of pottery is one of my coil pots from ceramics last semester.

Pink Leaves

IF: Routine

My most important routine,
my daily cup of coffee.

we three

I've had a happy little burst of inspiration this week.
I've been managing my to-do's, prioritizing and making studio time for myself every day.
It's amazing how a painting comes together. It may take me several days to finish a piece because large blocks of free time don't exist in my life right now, but I'm learning to appreciate working this way.
I gesso, then leave.
Collage some, let dry.
Cut out pieces at the kitchen table, glue later.
Slowly it comes together.

IF: Poof!

Now you see her, now you don't!

Now on ebay for a THREE DAY AUCTION

Bid early before she disappears...

enigma

and here she is

Lila

Lila is becoming such a little person. It's a gift to watch a child develop. She recently started giving hugs. Feeling her skinny little arms snake around my neck while she gives a squeeze, or even better, a deliberate pat, is pure bliss. She talks a bit, jabbers a lot, and has begun singing, really more of an off-tune warbling, but all I hear are angels.
Lila doesn't like to wear clothes, but after a week straight of finding her naked in a wet bed, we got smart. She now goes to sleep with a pull-up, panties, a onesie and pajama bottoms on. We've been dry for three days now.
Lila does like to draw. I feel like the father buying football jerseys for his newborn son, whenever I get out the crayons, but she truly enjoys it. I will buy a big sheet of posterboard, put it on the floor with crayons, and a couple days later have a masterpiece.


Forgive me if in a detail of her scribbles, I see the depth and precision of a Pollock

cruise control

I’m feeling better, my mouth is still a bit sore, but my spirits are higher.

I’ve almost sorted out many things that had been weighing on me, distracting me. I had Lila enrolled at two “preschools” because I’m crazy like that. I will be sending her to what was actually my first choice, only on Friday mornings. Then she can go to the home care on Mon, Wed afternoons, after staying home with me in the morning.

I spent one of my sick days applying for the new semester, requesting transcripts and other such paper finding missions. I love the internet. I was thinking about how much gas money I was saving each time I printed out a form, or hit submit.

This has been a fast and furious summer. I’m putting on the brakes for the next three weeks and will be savoring the moments.

ouch!

Monday morning I experienced the pleasure of having my wisdom teeth removed. I expected the after effects of soreness, being swollen, trouble eating, but my worst symptoms by far are dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue and just really being out of it. I'm sad this morning, because I expected to make a big leap in feeling better, but I woke up feeling kind of like I did yesterday. Blah. I went under general anesthesia for the procedure and I wonder if that is what is causing me to feel so yuck. So back to the couch for me.

IF: Sour

Yay! I have the painting completed in the week alloted



18.25" x 12.25" x 1" (with wood box frame)

View this painting on ebay click here

fierce

one of these days i'm going to have my illustration friday piece done during the week it applies too.

meantime

I was going to put a new painting up tonight on ebay, however I just realized I don't have a scan of it yet. It's a good thing I'm not in school this summer, because all the sun has turned my brain to mush. I took the painting up to office depot this morning to get it scanned, and after buying a self-inking stamp of my son's name to quiet him, and buying a super cool aaron chang tote bag (why office depot had them, I don't know, but it's not my fault. it's not like i was at the mall where one would be expect to be tempted) they politely informed me that their scanner was down. bah, that's the second time that has happened, and if they weren't so reasonable and friendly I would take my business elsewhere.

so in the meantime you can see the latest endeavor which was distracting me from painting, our updated hallway bath

summertime

somehow, since i've been out of school, I have even LESS free time.
I have been so busy with my kids, every day we are at the park, or swimming, or Paul will have a little day camp. I've been enjoying every minute of it. I usually paint during Lila's nap, but I'm still recovering a bit, and I'm tired and hot after our morning excursion, so will take a little rest too.

Home projects have eaten up a lot of my time as well. We painted our bedroom, a rich deep blue. Then we had contractors in to lay ceramic tile in our two bathrooms. That of course motivated us to strip wallpaper, paint and decorate those rooms. Lowe's and Target should give us own parking spots, for "customer of the month"

Things seem to be settling down though, so will have to make it a priority for a little me time each day.

I will do it myself

new mixed media painting = oil, acrylic, charcoal, pastel, vintage papers

Inspired by a troublesome week, but all is well now



wood box frame, dimensions are 15.25" x 12.25" x 1"

4th

...sold...

Mixed media = acrylic, gouache, pastel, charcoal, vintage papers, matte medium
dimensions are 12" x 9" wood box frame

Forever

Conversation with 4 year old son

Paul: I don’t want to marry Lila (sis) when I grow up.
Me: That’s fine Paul, no one said you had to marry Lila. You will choose who you want to marry some day.
Paul: I don’t want to marry ANYONE when I get big.
Me: Then don’t marry anyone, you don’t have to get married if you don’t want.
Paul: I don’t want to go to the ball and get married, I just want to live with you.
Me: You can stay with me for as long as you like.

I'm acutely aware of how fleeting this mommy love stage is, and believe me, I'm eating it up.

teatime

sold

I will be listing this painting on ebay later tonight. To purchase in advance, price is $200.00, just email or comment if your interested :)



Wood box frame, dimensions are 15.25" x 12.25"
Shipping is $10.00 in the usa
worldwide shipping is $18.00

Chesterfield Art Fair

Just a reminder to all creative types in the St. Louis area, today is the Chesterfield Art in the Park(ing) Lot

http://www.chesterfieldarts.org/2007ArtinthePark.htm

I'll be there with my kids taking in all the local talent

bff

my best girl of almost 20 years has finally left me.
she has threatened it many times, and i left her once for two years,
but now it's her turn.
may she have much fun, success, excellent lattes and glorious hikes in scenic seattle.
but if it doesn't work out, i just bought an espresso machine

i'm going to miss you more than i even know





beautiful erica, on the right

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My magazine cover is out!!!!

See it HERE

etsy shop updated!

lot's of new goodies,
check it out

South Side Iron Chef

Our town has a little event called South Side Iron Chef. Basically a few local talents join to cook in a dear friends backyard to the amusement of a peanut gallery. Last time they used fire pits, today they will be using George Foreman grills. During a round, two chefs will cook against each other, having one hour to complete a 3 or 4 dishes incorporating a secret (usually terrible) ingredient revealed at the event. Then a few lucky tasters and a table of judges (local restaurant critics) will get to sample all their dishes. At the last Iron Chef some of the secret ingredients where Wonder Bread and canned mock duck.

Not your typical Sunday afternoon bbq, but a great time for me and my family, and a lot of my friends I never get to see will be there.