Last Song on Yupo

11"x11" Yupo, acrylic, collage and ink. Another favorite Dylan lyric, "Trying to get to Heaven before they close the door!" This lyric has many personal heart connections and some dry humor as well. The door is the thin Styrofoam plate I've used for prints...so it ends it's usefulness as a plate here. I plan on framing them with black painted wood frames...floating them instead of matting. This is actually the 9Th in 10 efforts I proposed. The tenth was just a major flop. It had some great elements, the connection to a favorite lyric didn't translate and so "I quit". I think it's important to quit on occasion....good for mental health! ha The quality of being able to wipe off or rub off color was a plus and a minus with this plastic paper. When I work again on this paper, I will be sure to use different materials to see what happens. I have a couple of canvases in various sizes and I intend to start without intention...to follow what shows up and enjoy no direction as a perfect direction!

On a personal note, Pablo is home from his Nevada trip. He was forewarned about my hair cut and color and he kept the yells down to just first sightings? ha Actually he has adjusted well and is only unhappy about the buzzed hair in the back...really short...little too short for me as well.
Enjoy your week!

Lyrics by Dylan

Sorry about the glare. 11"x11" yupo, acrylic, ink, stencil and collage. A favorite line in a Bob Dylan song "It's not dark yet but it's getting there" rings true to my fascination and love of dusk. In ancient times twilight was perceived beginning at the sighting of the first three stars in the sky. The anticipation of nightfall is intriguing to me...the in between of day and night....again, threshold. It brings up memories, and longings for me. In this piece I added stars cut out of a thin piece of lino and then stars cut away in another piece of lino. I have two more in this series and two more lyrics from favorite songs have come up for me as inner conversation.

On a personal note, Pablo is in Las Vegas researching for his book (life is good!) and I have been home re-inventing my appearance. I'm tired of coloring my hair so I had the hairdresser pull out the remaining color...I'm now mostly white with a touch of blond...my hairstyle is buzzed in the back and bangs and side sweep in the front...a relaxed 'Rihana' style. ! I also am about five shades darker as I used a self-tanning product. I miss Pablo but I have also taken this time for cooking all my favorites...eggplant, Mediterranean dishes that he isn't crazy about. I have two more days of free time so I might just rearrange some furniture?Someone will have some adjusting to do on homecoming! ha

Letters and Numbers 5, 6 & 7

This one of three 11"x11" yupo, acrylic, collage and ink. I copied this Q&A from an article in a Parabola magazine on the subject of Threshold. Here I've used my personal form of markings...the divide bars and lines and numbers, all ways I connect with the passing of time and moving across thresholds.


This piece 11"x11", yupo, acrylic, collage and ink. Looking closely on the left side is the title to one of my favorite fables "Running Between Two Suns". I have been wanting to use this piece of plaid suiting for years and here I finally did. Again the markings, thresholds between two worlds.


This one 11"x11" yupo, acrylic, collage and ink. The conversation was strongly about words, letters markings. The left side has a collage copy of a fragment from Einstein's notes and the other side has a fence drawn by me in colored inks with my left hand as well as my own letters and numbers and marks. A combination of the complex and the simple in lines.

Probably over explained all my markings, thoughts, meditations and such....everyone has their own reactions to art. Mainly I wanted to share my process of ongoing conversations from within which guide my art making. I'm down to my last three of Yupo paper. It has been interesting and I will add yupo to my studio as an alternative to paper, canvas, foam core or panels. Actually I'm thinking of returning to boxes this summer...no end to studio fun!!

Conversations from Within

A couple of examples of my continuing quest with Yupo. I'm working my way through my Yupo tablet. I've cut these down to 11"x11" and "conversations from within" is my guiding statement. Typically I've written some topics to these conversations and then it all changes...the writing, the dreams, meditations and beginning imagery truly determines the direction. I'm dancing a dance and after all these years, I'm finally understanding that it's impossible for me to always lead the way...give and take...! Jo of MYSTORY asked me if I had planned any printmaking on this Yupo. The gate looking image is a relief print using a very thin piece of foam core and the one that resembles an odd looking village is a fragment from a very old lino cut. I have plans to add collage, acrylic and inks so I'm beginning to make marks on these two.

My youngest son has plans to visit this week...hopefully we will have good weather, eat well and maybe shopping too. I hope he will help me rearrange stuff in my storage shed...an ongoing project and perfect for dry sunny days.

Yupo: TIME

8"x8", Yupo paper, acrylic, collage and ink. I placed this mosaic to better see the progress of this adventure in Yupo. What did I learn? This paper can handle lightweight fabric and paper collage. Glazing worked well or at least I'll try it again.
Below is the 'conversation' that I wrote as I began this piece and referred to as I painted. I'm looking forward to creating nine more and I have topics to consider from 'forgiveness' to' choices' to 'belonging'...nine in total!

I have also finished my last of the three large pastel pieces having to do with wings and my long standing meditation. I had a place in mind to hang these three...a lovely restaurant with smooth concrete walls. I was willing to approach the owner with my photos and I planned on special framing. Alas, the restaurant has closed...sign of the times. So now I will photograph and then carefully store them in a safe place unframed until I see a place that will work.

TIME

In space
Where cares are few
In light
Where all is seen
In circles
Where movement is guaranteed
Counting what has been
Counting on what will be
Black marks making secret wishes
Is there time?
Time enough for me?

Subtle Changes

Art making is going rather slowly this week. 8"x8" acrylic, collage, ink on yupo. I've been adding layers of thinned down glazes and waiting for each layer to dry. I've recently been inspired by reacquainting myself with a loved favorite, artist Hannelore Baron....(thanks to a recent layers post by Donna) I've decided to cut 9 more yupo papers into 8" squares using limited materials and explore very simple collage and abstract forms to express personal conversations...as in an image journal. I have a love for secrets, code and archaeological digs so these little collages will be a fun way to explore... does that make sense?

Wonderful News! Roxanne of River Garden Studio has just published a lovely book "Song of the River". Drop over and see a great preview and an opportunity for a GIVEAWAY!

Two Ghosts , Lyn has awarded me an award "Beautiful Blogger" and I accept with gusto! According to the terms and agreements, I need to pass this award on and make a list of seven things you might not know about me?! While I'm doing that (could take me awhile) drop by and visit Lyn....she has posted her latest writing from the Tuesday writing prompts of Magpie Tales

Yupo: My new playmate!

I've been intrigued by artists talking about Yupo...Artit and Colormusing are two I can remember. I bought this Yupo tablet- 10 sheets 11x14...100% polypropylene? suitable for all watercolor techniques. This piece is the beginning of my exploration..I cut it to 8"x8",cheesecloth collage and acrylic glaze and red ink...I plan on adding crayons and more inks and more acrylic. I like a new material...expand my universe!

Valentine Update: I bought Pablo two paperback books pertaining to his writing project and he bought me : "Rethinking Acrylic". It has great information on uses of Golden gels and pastes. It shows artists using these products in new and interesting ways...I'm delighted. We had planned on going to the movies but the sun came out and warmed up close to 70' so we ran over to the beach and had a great time. The waves were high and fun to watch, we also people watched, a shirtless guy was on the sand playing his drums, we read our books, napped and by sunset, packed it up and came home....perfect afternoon!

Yesterday I spent $135 to buy myself back to health on this computer....I was attacked by a virus that absolutely took over....offering me a fix for only $ 49.95...the trick is they take the money and leave you with the remains of your computer. I didn't click but they had already created chaos. Our computer guy is terrific and managed a clean bill of health in an hour and half!

I've begun my last of the three "Wings" soft pastel works. This one is beginning with reds, blacks, browns and white....challenge! Photos soon!