Walking with Ruth

20"x20" Rives BFK, acrylic,paint stained fabric collage, cardboard, watercolor crayon and wax thread. A pattern has been emerging, a composition that I'm sinking into and will explore. The square shape represents (to me) the table top (helicopter view), in a grid, fragments, mosaic of memories in the grand collective. The four (legs) in the Byzantine view finder which also appeals to me. This particular piece has a quote from the Book of Ruth, a story I find beautiful and universal and ongoing in my art making.

One of my goals for this winter's hibernation was to get my website up and running with a link here on the blog. The site still begs me for tweaking but if you would click on my name M.Lehrer-Plansky in the sidebar, you might visit and look about. It feels so good to cross off a goal ... now forty + days until Spring... my really big studio goal!

"Keeping to the Middle Road"

20"x20" Rives BFK, collage, acrylic, molding paste, graphite and stencils.
Slow pace here in the studio....winter sunshine a pleasant break in rainy weather. A return to my treasured compass image.

Fresh Eyes

This piece has shrunk from 20"x20" to 16"x16" and the former had two windows but the finished piece alas, has none. The title stays the same "Fields of Boaz". acrylic, waxed thread, tissue paper collage and light molding paste. It has been quite a journey...somewhere in this paper is embedded the first page of the Book of Ruth (in Norwegian) ...I was getting dizzy from all the changes but thank goodness Rives BFK is strong stuff and it has reached it's end point for me.

I was complaining to friend Deena several weeks ago that I needed a critique...fresh eyes, support, collaboration, feedback...my work was feeling slow. Actually I was feeling as though I was working in slow motion and I was longing to get out of my own way. Dear friend and wonderful person that she is... listened! For my birthday I received 4 critique sessions with a well respected artist here in Santa Cruz!! It was conditional on the grounds that we hit it off on our first meeting. Lisa came over yesterday and we placed the work on the floor for a good view. I am so pleased...first we did hit it off and second she gave me her fresh look, asked great questions, interesting reactions in a clear and respectful manner. I wrote down a list of new "takes" on my work, new clarity on my direction. I've had solid critiques at the university long ago and this was so appreciated. Along with new energy, I'll be planning on re-connecting with so called completed work and I have new plans to expand into my ongoing goal of producing forty new pieces. Always hard for me to go back into work but it is necessary as Pablo is doing re-writes on his first draft, I will re-enter older work... willing to accept a more alive completion. Tell me about your critique experiences? Have you found them helpful? after completing art courses...not expecting a pass or fail but just better understanding...supportive?

Mandala Update: While all this excitement with the critique has been going on, the mandala has been moving slowly. Base coat on and a strong desire to add layers. The number 8 (my personal favorite) and squaring the circle is also a strong pull so I'll give it a go!

Neptune's View

This one goes way back to the late 80's. The first time I remember combining my photos with my papers to create a scene or story. I took this photo of Neptune sculpture in Austria and placed him as the center view...I was trying to make art from vacation photo choices. It measures 5"x6", acrylic, photo, painted tissue paper and assorted colored papers.

Saturday Pablo and I put on a carport sale with 30 of our neighbors in our large complex. We hired a security man for traffic control and a few neighbors elected to hand out maps and direct for parking. Our clubhouse members dragged out the BBQ, bake sale items and drinks were available for a price. We had over twenty signs up, Craig's list and balloons. It was misty throughout the day but we got a good crowd...300 cars. OMG it was so much work to gather our crap, price it and bargain and then clean up! At the end of the day the Salvation Army truck came by and picked up what was left. We made about $200 ...the HARD WAY!! As for us...our last carport sale!

With a click here and a click there I have screwed up this computer...I have a call into computer guy. It never fails to happen and so I will be in limited circulation for a few days.
On a different note, today is my birthday! I am amazed and grateful I have had 66 years of living...living through storms and calm but still grateful! Out to dinner tonight and a new camera too!

Going Waaaay Back!

All the way back to the late 80's! 12"x8" acrylic, gold paint, collage and graphite on paper. At that time I had recently returned from an extended family vacation in Austria and I was enamored with the images of Gustav Klimt. Room after room of his work and all the glittering gold. This piece spoke of my interest in ancient dreamlike settings with the addition of gold. I had never used gold before and I'm sure it was inspired by Klimt. Klimt was not the only great artist that impressed me on that trip...wonderful contemporary artists as well but Klimt was my connection to gold!

The Holiday is moving along. This evening we return to the beach with bags of stale bread. Gathering at the waters edge with prayers and song, we will all toss our bread crumbs into the moving waters...a ritual to begin the forgiving process as this act is a metaphor for releasing our sins of the year...being clearly washed away. It's quite a sight when the birds arrive, the children running, dogs barking and the bread tossing. Enjoy your week and thank you again for all the lovely good wishes!

Photographing "Home"

"Home" measures 21"x 30" framed, acrylic, collage, graphite. At one time this was a part of a canvas at least 48" wide...part of a triptych. It was my habit to get out my box cutter and begin cutting away what I liked and separating it from what wasn't working especially when the composition was beyond repair. So by moving bits around and collaging again, this piece "Home" was created...it hangs next to my computer and greets me every morning... it's a favorite of mine. I've been spending time today photographing this piece and other earlier work to include in my portfolio.

This weekend Pablo is helping me research the spiritual, mystical significance of the number 40. I've committed to painting a total of 40 pieces...a number that appears and reappears in biblical history. "40 years of wandering in the desert" and "40 days and nights of rain" to name a few. So far we have found this reference: "It is the product of 5 and 8, and points to the action of grace (5), leading to and ending in revival and renewal (8)." I like that very much and will also look to the Kabbalah for more information. For me, it adds another deeper dimension to the work...a spiritual connection.

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!

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!

Deliverance 1

This is my first effort with my compass collagraph collage. Rives BFK, measures 16" x 16", acrylic, compass stamp, collage and oil pastel. I was having so much fun and then I noticed the piece was getting dark and then too dark for me. I went into rescue mode with a scrubbing of Phthalo blue and white and I think it now has an underwater feel or maybe an outer space motif. I have decided to stop and start on two smaller pieces for tomorrows agenda, using more of the collagraphs. Click on image to see more detail.

Pablo is out of town for a few days and I'm really putting in the studio time. I'm eating light...even have some take-out planned for later in the week.

There is this wonderful cafe called the Dharma and they have an American saute that is sensational...so fresh. What is your favorite take-out dish? Our Whole Foods has some scrumptious deli dishes...it's amazing what is out there and fully prepared!

Yosemite, Yosemite of my Dreams

My first memory of Yosemite was at age 6 standing on a western style wooden porch at the old Yosemite Lodge. Every summer after that one we (mother, sister, father and myself)camped in the month of August. Memories of the river, beach, evening "firefall" and later as a young girl, flirting with boys at the bridge and evening dances at Camp Curry. My parents continued to camp for many years after I left home, taking grandchildren and showing them the beauty of the valley. Later I returned as a wife and mom and recently Pablo and I spent the day as tourists with a long lunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Whenever I begin a visualization it starts with me in Yosemite...I believe the Yosemite Valley holds my heart and waits for my return. Do you have a place in nature that holds your heart?

The piece measures 10"x10" on canvas, photo transfer collage, plaster, screening and acrylic...the sides are painted black for a finished look.