"Nightfall at the Citadel"

Before large cities and their grids that electrify the night there were nights with different views of the sky. Alive with colors opaque or as thin as smoke, planets and stars shining like precious colored stones. "Nightfall at the Citadel" surprised me as I had a very different beginning approach but as I collaged this, painted that, everything became walls and windows. To me, reflecting ethereal dreams or fading shadows.The silence of night, hardly a sound but an occasional angel song or faint footsteps on the staircase between many worlds...imagination runs wild in the dark  The fragrance sweet in the still night air. Rest at the Citadel would be imperative, the deafening silence, the comfort of silk and wool rugs and pillows. A perfect darkness and healing time for every tired bone. 20"x20" Rives BFK, collage, acrylic, graphite, glazes, molding paste.

Our neighborhood pool association is having a holiday BBQ and is taking the menu a step up....grilled salmon. We just refinished the concrete surrounding our pool and will be upgrading the bathrooms and showers in the adjoining cabana. With gas prices so high, I think my neighborhood pool will be my new staycation! I'm staying home and staying happy.  Have a great holiday!

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!

Perils of Clear Tar Gel

10"x10" panel, acrylic, 2 stencils. This is the last of my 'witness' series as well as my summer materials exploration. I can see wonderful uses for clear tar gel...one being the ability to pour a thin or thick line. I used my bent paper cup pouring on most everything. On this piece I used the tar gel in the stencil colored with red oxide denoting separation from my shadow birds. Also used ordinary acrylic for the other stencil of cream and yellow. I look into my trees and see shadows of birds living out their simple lives....I hear them much better than see them. Wrapping up these three, I used tar gel, acrylic encaustic and crackle paste...anyone of these will show up in later work.

I've closed up my oil painting studio on the deck and converted it to acrylic. For years I was an oil painter and for a few short weeks (only warm mornings) I tried to return and for me it was trying to step back into the same place in the river. I have acquired art making habits and acrylic offers me the best opportunity to create. I gave it a fair try and used new gels and driers but for now, it's back to acrylic. Starting new work using both inside and outside studios...possibly more abstract and leaning on my journal and ongoing meditations.

When I first moved to the beach as a widow, I ordered from Daniel Smith (art supplier), a huge stack of Rives BFK paper. I especially like it for printmaking and mixed media. In my dramatic moments I told myself when I'm done with the paper...I could easily be ready to die. I'm now on my second large order of Rives along with a 4 inch stack of assorted papers given to me from a friend's studio. I guess I'll stick around awhile longer! ha

Lunch With Karen

Actually I took this photo of the Boardwalk this morning. I'd forgotten my camera
Thursday when I met my niece Karen for lunch on the municipal wharf. She took off her lunch hour and drove over the crowded highway and summit...60 miles + so we could have our well needed time together...tasty salad, wine and chatting about family and our current events. Karen's daughter Lauren is getting married in July so we had plenty to discuss...her wedding will be wonderful and it's a big family event! I've loved Karen all her life and so grateful for her friendship.

Today I worked inside with acrylics...this one measures 21"x22" Rives BFK, collage, shells, subtraction prints and stencils. I have plans to add drawing and more color. I'm trying for the flat story surface...as a Tableau. These images are related to my writing of the first year when I moved to this beach town. I was alone, grateful and yet grieving as a widow. I didn't know anyone and signed up for a variety of classes as well as began a routine of walking on the beach... a way to feel connected to others and the community. Some days I just couldn't master the courage and the writing was helpful...I've kept a journal for years in good times and bad and the art usually begins from the words. A few lines written in 1995:

Morning mist, white foamed waves
Serious business this daylight
Walking for health sake
Walking to gather my souls flight
Fog enshrouds me with forgiveness and encouragement to hold on tight.

People and picnics
Walking the dog
Jumping the waves and even sunbathing
We are all here and in my own way a silent agreement to acknowledge this gift
With today's tears of gratitude

Movie Update: It finally happened...Pablo and I sat down to watch our "Goya's Ghosts" and within a few minutes we both knew we had rented this before...a few years ago but still??!
It was all vague and some parts completely forgotten. I enjoyed seeing
Goya's candle hat and they showed many of his prints but the rest of the movie was primarily a story of other characters and the tragedies of war in Spain...not enough Goya, not enough art for me...I can't recommend it.

Shred or not to Shred?

These arms and machinery belong to a local shredding spot. It is 20 cents per pound and plastic covers, metal spirals and a years worth of journal pages are fed into the teeth of this room size shredder. I have a small household shredder perfect for personal papers but dismantling journals with covers and spirals is a bigger project. Before I take them to the shredder, I glean the poems and important notes and the rest I consider personal blah, blah, blahs. A place where I work out thoughts about the art and everyday life...on any given page...could be a shopping list, a dream revisited or an opinion written out. My girlfriend asked her husband to burn her journals if she died first and he did keep his promise. I've been keeping a journal for over 30 years so it is a space problem as well. What is the general opinion...shred or not to shred journals?!

movie report: I was not disappointed with "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", beginning with great visual sights, costume and set design. Simple story and I'm sure I missed the English Monty Python humor but I was fine with the changes in actors replacing Ledger's role...seamless for me and, and Tom Waite was a perfect devil...being himself such a rare character it was wonderful to see and hear him deliver lines in such a perfect form...the devil!

Too cool for painting on the deck so it's acrylic in the studio today! Made headway on "3" probably because I stopped caring about outcome. Have a great week!

Three

My true love brought home to me: Three Ligonberry jars of jam, One jar of Raspberry jam and one jar of Gravlaxsas!! Can't exactly put this to music! ha Pablo was near an Ikea and ran in for these favorites of mine. The Gravlaxsas is a mustard sauce used on salmon and is wonderful.... the jams are wonderful too. Behind these jars of jam is "3" a 16"x16" canvas using again my old collagraph prints, molding paste and acrylic. I have been sanding, repainting, sanding. It's on purpose that it is in the background of this photo as I am about ready to place it on the unfinished work pile. All that sanding left me with a rather dull image. I'll leave it alone and come back to it with fresh eyes! It happens ever so often and this one just missed the mark.

I have plans to continue painting with acrylic in the studio but I have also decided to arrange an easel on the deck and paint with oils in the cool mornings this Spring and Summer. My pulmonary problems won't allow oils in the house so this is perfect timing to return to my first love...oils!

Tonight a quick dinner and a movie "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus". It didn't get great reviews but I loved Terry Gilliam's "Brazil" and I'll see anything with a devil played by Tom Waite?!!

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?

Altar For Miriam

24' x 36' canvas, acrylic and collage. Finished all but a coat of varnish. I haven't completely fallen in love with the piece but there are parts that are beloved. The paint rag circle, hand sewn to paper (15years ago), the little gold clock from the 'Mars Series' (10years ago), parts of the urn from the 'Sacred Vessel Series' (5years ago), hands, compass plate all from my favorite collage stack and the columns and altar table made themselves. Actually I have at least three boxes of collage material, fabric and trims, found items and old work remnants. The writing from the meditation has narrowed down to lines/titles/suggestions. This one simply being as" Altar For Miriam." The next one that intrigues me on my list is 'The Crown for the Child". A bit of a puzzle but I'll find the time, open my collage boxes and begin again. I do know I am drawn to fabric and the old collagraph plates. Remind me to tell you about my "Trip to Mars Series"! ha

Also need to stop art life and make a grocery list, go shopping and do a little pre-Thanksgiving baking. I am amazed at how many restaruants, grocery stores cook complete dinners to be ordered and picked up. Dinners with all the trimmings and perfect for one or more! We live such busy lives and not everyone likes the cooking part of these holidays...it seems to be a good idea! I am not roasting a whole turkey as we both like the white meat so I will pay a little more and order the turkey breast...everything else will be traditional.

Painting On and on & on

Same paper...I just keep painting on and on and on. More acrylic, collage and oil pastel. Actually I'm mostly satisfied with the color and all I need do is five or six different things and I just might finish this one! Silly me!

Tomorrow I will meet the contractor at the granite store and we will pick out our new counter top. We need to upgrade the kitchen so here we go....construction hell!! Actually I feel very confident and we are doing bare minimum...cabinet & drawer fronts, new sink, garbage disposal, dishwasher, stove top and counter top...! Wish me luck!

I was honored to be chosen for a "Stroke of the Brush Award" meme by Rosie over at ruminations, rambles, reflexions

I will post again tomorrow!

In the Year of the Wheel

It's a very simple calculation: Add your birthday month to your birthday day and add to the present year. Add those numbers from left to right and the total will tell you your Tarot Year Card. Mine is 10+25=35+2009=2044+2+4+4=10

This is the 10th card of the Tarot deck and this is the second time I've knowingly recorded and experienced my year using the Tarot card as a guide. I like the consideration of an ancient tool used to inform in a modern setting. The year 2000 was quite a year for me, low lows and wonderful highs.

This piece was created in the year 2000 and is mixed media collage, acrylic, pencil , stencil and wood stain on paper. It measures 21"x 21".

According to Mary K. Greer, "With The Wheel of Fortune as your Year Card, you have come to another turning point. From your past experience, you bring seeds for a new direction, but also burdens and obligations. The wheel is the equilibrium of contrary forces, irreversibly set in motion. All in all, this is a fortunate year, in which experience gained as the wheel turns now helps you focus on your new direction."

For me this year is just beginning...so far the lows have been related to stocks and appreciation on my home. Interestingly Pablo and I do not share the same birthday but we share our birthday day and month TOTALS which keep us in the experience of the same year card!

For all of you who share this year as their Wheel of Fortune Year...enjoy the ride!

Bits, Slivers and Slices

One of the good things and one of the bad things about painting on foam core is that you can cut it into any shape you would like. This was once a 10"x10" piece but after working and slicing off bits, it is down to 6"x6" and I have decided to quit. I can't remember all the materials: satin, paper, acrylic, ink stamps, ribbon and cheesecloth to name a few. Some materials were just cut off! Sorry about the tilted photo. I'm not complaining, I'm in the studio and working and experimenting and I know it's all leading me to new art .

Tomorrow is President Lincoln's birthday and I wanted to share these powerful remarks. Carl Sandburg spoke before Congress in 1959, on Lincoln's sesquicentennial: "Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on Earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect." Happy Birthday President Lincoln.

Blue Sky's Guest Artist

I thought it would be fun having a guest artist show and talk about her work and process. Please leave comments or questions for Florie and I will pass them on!

"Which Way To Go" canvas, acrylic measures "20 x 20".

The paintings in this series were inspired by a time of great transition in my life. I began my journey at Chincoteaque, the home of wild ponies. These ponies became the natural symbol to represent my thoughts and feelings at the time. Florie

I love this piece, the form, the drips, the ladder and that amazing darkness!

It's going to be a rainy weekend........ After deep cleaning the house on Saturday morning, I plan on curling up and reading and relaxing. It is so easy for me to always be in the "doing" of my life so I think I'm now getting a clear call to quiet down and enjoy the "being" of my days which will include, this stack of books, writing, napping and plenty of hot soup...enjoy your winter weekend!

A Quick Look Back

I thought I'd post one of the whole pieces from one of the last posting examples to show the other ways I combined cloth, papers, wire, stones and gold leafing. I placed them tightly together for the photo but they can be hung a variety of ways. Each canvas measures 4"x4". "Gold 9"

The new work will have some of the same materials and an addition of new things such as photo transfers and a few surprises. For the first time I am going to first work out some details in my sketchbook...I usually just begin and let what happens happen but this time I want to experiment and make a beginning plan. I know the materials, I know the theme or journey so the sketchbook will help me clarify.

Cynthia over at Oasis Writing Link has given me a great award and I will post all the details this weekend...again, thank you, Cynthia!

Fear Itself

So difficult to photograph this black box...I finally took it outside in the sunshine. This was my first box and it's made of cardboard, tape, acrylic black paint, collaged items include black feathers,assorted pieces of cloth. The inside is photo collage and painted sky and clouds. I am a great believer in looking inside for answers and realizing fear...dark fear of outside circumstances holds no solutions. I don't want to sound Pollyanna but holding to clear thoughts and not allowing fear to overcome is a way to go through situations. This box has been a sweet reminder of this philosophy. I will post one other box when the owner, Karen sends me a photo as she purchased it. I have no way of finding the owner of the last box, called prayer, it was silver leaf with wire. I would be interested in making more boxes someday but of course, very different in shape and vision.

We have been renting "Weeds" a series from Showtime. I like watching series and this one has some interesting characters...very quirky.

Also enjoying preparing hearty meals...last night was mushroom chili, tonight spaghetti squash with chicken sausage and I'm also going to try Willow's cabbage dish. I always add to these dishes a crusty bread or biscuits...love the bread part!

New work starting, can't let it be easy, always happiest with some angst. My working titles are: Restoration of the Soul or Angels Remarks or Mapping the Unknowable. This could be a bumpy ride!

Meditation 101

Meditation: constructed with foam core, tape, and gesso. acrylic, bamboo and photo collage. 11"x 5", interior black acrylic with quote written with gold ink: "Just remain in the center, watching and then forget that you are there." Lao Tzu. Also in the box, fragments of broken incense.

To fill in the holes about my move to this beach town alone: It was our dream to move to the beach after our youngest son moved out on his own. My husband of 26 years died suddenly at 51 and that is when I sold everything and moved here with a heart-full of "could haves" and "would haves" but with time and painting ,journaling, the grief was healed. When my mother became a widow, I moved her here at the beach and when she passed on, I then decided to meet, love, and marry again...enter Pablo! I was never really alone, as I had old friends, new friends, my studio and joined numerous study, book and art groups...it has all been good.

Inside the Walls

Back to the oasis and this time to the interior, the real rest recuperation. Represented by ancient markings, floor plans, secret windows, doorways with the palm tree views. Under it all crumbling tile flooring. This piece is on a foam core base, photo collage, acrylic, lace, joint compound and wire mesh. It measures 18"x18" and I like the mix. During this time of the oasis series, I have taken personal time to eat better, meditate, exercise and write. I've come to a peaceful place in my life...the past has it's place and the future doesn't seem so dark (not counting the times I look at my money situation) and I'm finding myself able to stay in the present for longer amounts of time..I've found a more manageable pace for my day. I've also been looking at what is next in art as I'm just about ready now to choose a new focus.

Weekend begins tonight...the weather is so warm and I've packed away all my light weight clothes? We are going to rent a few movies...last weekend we went to see the "Changeling" but left in the middle...upsetting asylum scenes that didn't sit well with us so if anyone has seen this movie...let me know how it ends. I just leave movies when they are too upsetting...I'm so visual that I can't shake the images.

Thank My Lucky Star!

Sacred Vessel Series

My neighbor and friend (she owns two of my pieces) called the other day to bring over a friend visiting from NY for a studio visit. We had a great time and Richard decided on these two prints. This one on the left is a gelatin print (yes, Knox gelatin) with pencil and acrylic paint and ink. It measures 18"x18" framed and the title is "Baptism of Dreams" The second one, on the right also measures 18"x18" framed and is a gelatin print. It's title is "Faith, Being & Necessity". It has collage, pencil and soft pastel. I shipped it off to him via UPS and he sent me a note to say all went well and he is very happy! I am so awful at marketing, I wish it all could be this easy.

Pablo is out of town and I'm working on new work...what a fine mess I've made...I will clean up late tomorrow. I'm also eating all the foods he doesn't like...eggplant, sundried tomatoes...I'm really putting on the feedbag...I have trouble with limits sometime!ha

A little explaining:" Making Monotypes "Using a Gelatin Plate by Nancy Marculewicz was a book that began this series. I have been a printmaker for years but was looking for a cleaner, less toxic way to make monotypes and the fun of using my cooking talents (boiling gelatin)with art making! The direction of the series Sacred Vessels came about after brain storming with my friend Deena in various coffee houses around town. It was extremely helpful having a direction when working with a short lived element such as gelatin. We worked together one evening making the plate and another evening printing our drawings of vessels. I can tell you, Pablo came home to a floor covered (drying time) in monotypes! We later developed these images at our own studios but it was great fun having one another for the basic production.

"Take Me Home"

Yet another muse painted when I needed her most...she was lighting my way to a new home. I was a sudden widow and everyone advised me against making the move to Santa Cruz, CA. Family, friends and financial guys, who predicted I'd become a bag lady. I placed a map of the Monterey Bay on top of my blue earth as my target. My Viking muse stands firm holding her lantern. Her braid is made of collaged satin ribbons and her lantern.... a strawberry basket! The piece measures "24 x 28", acrylic. To make a long story short, I did sell everything, I did move alone and not knowing a single person and I did find a home perfect for me. Courage seems to be the gift or maybe the gift of standing firm.