Venus 460' Celsius

Six views 5"x8" measuring as a whole 15"x15", acrylic, collage, glazing. I began this piece with glazes of yellow to gold as representational of the Venus sulphuric soup atmosphere. I got myself stuck with days of timid applications of color when what I needed to do was make some bold approaches. Finally spent yesterday with applications of color, collage, ripping, gluing and marking until I had two bottles of used brushes to clean and very tired. Venus land temperatures are very high so I have these numbered views created before the (hypothetical) camera would dissolve in the heat. For the fun of playing "Where's Waldo", you might look for the last 'bug' about to be turned to funerary ash as we all know the bugs are the last to go! Stepping back from this piece I can't help but be okay with the final out come....it was a hard journey with so much adding and subtracting but now I rather like it!

Silent Alcove

This piece began with my admiration of this vase in the center. I couldn't help admire such a beautiful shape, the calligraphy and the still strong color. The name of the artisan is forgotten as his hands and eyes...all turned to dust but yet this vase remains. The citadel,for me, must have places of silence, maybe secret spaces....alcoves, tiled walls, and silk fabrics.
20"x20" Rives BFK, acrylic, stencils, collage, fabric, silk and lace, graphite and glazes.

Beginning, Starting, Developing

I had my last of the 4 birthday critiques with local artist Lisa. From the beginning we hit it off and as I've said before her critique style has been good thought provoking questions and interesting proposals. I had been complaining recently of great beginnings and the losses in the process of returning, reworking and finishing a piece. She understands my need to begin with a strong narrative and the frustrations about losing the 'light'. She challenged me to ONLY begin my work. One after another, yet another, each time one session in the studio...not going back, not clarifying or redeveloping intuitively or in a planned way.The photo reflects four pieces on paper that I've begun...some work more refined than others given how much studio time that one particular day. In some ways the pressure is off...In other ways there is desire to go back in and complete the story?! I'll attempt a few more and then give her a call...I'll need a 5th critique!

Altogether: Collage/Assemblage

I slipped into the gallery and took these photos this afternoon.

The opening is on Saturday and it will be overflowing with people, live music, food and wine. I was pleased to hear there were over 350 entries and only 90 were accepted. I had two accepted (my

two are the 1st and the 6th photo)so I was very pleased. Florie's piece is the second one with the red pony. Wonderful assemblages...plenty of imagination and workmanship. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

Pablo went with me today and we

went out for another lunch. We had planned to visit our new Whole Foods but it won't open for five more days, we ate at a small delicious bakery/bistro...fun date for us.

My World in the the letter C

I asked Jeane of ARTIT for a letter and before she had a chance to send it to me...I knew it would be a C. It's a funny family thing... the women in my family always get the best parking spots, always know who is calling before we answer the phone, little stuff like that, it's rather fun. I enjoyed thinking of c words, wonderful, sexy c words as well as some that just slide over your tongue, some that make you smile. Here is my very short list of c words:

Bad : cruel, critical, curt,cringe, crazy, contempt.

Good: collage, cosmetics,curiosity,

courage, crazy, conscious, creative, color, cloud, chocolate.

If you would like me to give you a letter, just ask!

Talked with Florie about her guest appearance and all the wonderful comments she has received and she said she would go online and read them all. Thank you. I will report back later this week on her reaction! She has a card line that is in specialty stores and has spent a good deal of her time preparing and participating in the county Art Studio Tour. Next month we have been juried into a "Collage & Assemblage" show and I will take my camera to the opening!

I had a great weekend...the rest I needed. Saturday, I spent the afternoon having an in the house "spa" day. Sunday, quiet, reading...pure peace. Out to dinner last night with a little champagne...perfect weekend.