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.

Collagraph prints as collage

This photo includes both the plates and prints for my compass series. I'm using the compass as a metaphor for searching for my new direction in art making. I took an afternoon to create the plates using matt board as a base and adding "stuff" to create the compass with texture. After sealing the plate, I inked and printed using my old off set press with a crack in one of the wooden rollers and a big wrought iron turning wheel. I even overprinted with other plates for more texture. I used a thin paper that didn't require moisture and I used acrylic inks in just red & black . The blue compass was from rubber stamping on blue paint. I haven't printed in a long time, it was fun, it was focused and it was hard work and messy! Each print was a surprise with some disappointing and others interesting. I cut the circle shapes out and will use these in my next painting/collage. I'm sticking with my three days + studio days and I see a shift where I am moving from my center now and feeling stronger. I am a believer of taking first steps and the powers, the Universe, the muses step in with more strength and energy until it's a symphony of art making....my studio is humming again!

I hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day weekend, I don't know all that we are doing but I do know I'm making potato salad and maybe we will go to a barbecue or just stay at home and eat our potato salad! The weather here is morning fog and afternoon sun...I'll put out the flag!