TBT on Friday!

Way back to the 80"s on this piece. monotype, collage and soft pastel measures approx. 24"x24" and sold at a show in Sacramento. Today is actually the last day of the last months of the Roy G Biv Day and click on these two sites for more beautiful examples of color...  Jennifer  or Julie  
It has been great to participate in these photo searches and seeing all the other photos of the chosen color as well as to discover new artists!

"Wings of Home"

38"x38" acrylic, collage and soft pastel. 'Wings of Home' is the last in my series about wings and meditation. So each are related in color and or shapes to a butterfly from my color plate book. These markings are from a butterfly from South America. I approached this many different ways and each time had to begin again. The center area is rich with texture from all the changes. I added polka dot trim as I find butterflies sometimes fanciful.( Here in Santa Cruz we are the winter home for the Monarch butterfly and it is a special treat to find them by the thousands clinging to a tree in some special viewing areas. ) I also added a coat of brown glaze before I added the pastel...it seems to give a muted ancient look as Home to me is a state of mind. I used a thick layer of soft pastel and loved the pure color application but it took hours to clean up all the excess powder in the studio. I'm taking a break from my love- hate connection to pastel and will return later to these beautiful colors.

Last night I took Pablo to a traditional pea soup and pancake dinner at Viking Hall here in town. They served two kinds of pea soup (yellow and green) brown bread, red potatoes and mustard with pancakes, lingonberry and creme for dessert!!! My father and grandparents immigrated to this country from Norway so I was familiar with the culture. Good food, friendly people and three accordion players playing the old songs! Pablo had a good time...had an interesting conversation with a young fellow from Sweden about his country...I enjoyed the pancakes!!

As Soft As Colored Snow

'Grace' 38"x38" paper, soft pastel, acrylic, cloth collage, photo and magazine collage. I struggled with this composition and color markings. ..made some changes and additions. Old rule- 'never paint an arrow leading out of the picture frame'...well, I have 9 so maybe with so many the rule is cancelled? ha I did need to stop several times and review what Grace meant to me...journal writing produced this short piece :

In dark hours
Moving by me, a strange ticking
Of a heavenly clock
Grace was given to my perfect soul
With a nod from these wings
Softly soaring.

Finally I have reached a place to stop and be done for now.

I'm excited about the opening ceremonies tonight at the Olympics. I've been promised they won't be an over the top show but rather smaller more creative and emotional. I will turn my mute button on so I won't be distracted by sports announcers interpreting the event. Should be wonderful!

Happy Valentine's Day...I know, I know it's become a Hallmark holiday but it does give some an excuse or opportunity for expressing affection. Pablo and I are taking each other to the book store and treating one another to a book of our choice. A movie is in the mix and so far we have whittled it down to four.... negotiations continue.

Pastel addition to 'Wings'

Almost impossible to post without a photo, so this is a section of the 'wing' that I've been working on. Actually I've been adding the pastel and at the same time resolving shapes and composition. This is a BIG surface and I'm committed to two more. Somehow I have a feeling at the end of these three I will have just begun...isn't that the way it works? While I've been working the word Mercy has been strong for me...the dictionary gave several definitions "relief of suffering' and 'kindness beyond expectation' are two that have touched me the most.

Like everyone, I've been troubled by photos of Haiti. I'm not sure if I've done much good but I have donated to Doctors Without Borders as I see the needs right now to be greatest in helping the injured.

Last night I watched some of the Golden Globe award show. The girlie girl part of me finds it difficult to miss a red carpet with beautiful designed dresses. I wasn't disappointed although I was disappointed in the severe swept back hairstyles. The big moment for me was seeing Jeff Bridges accept his award. I've been on his blog (no I'm not a stalker!ha)to check out his take on the filming of Crazy Heart. I so like his down to earth play and humor!

Soft Pastel Rediscovered!

As I was arranging and rearranging my studio I came upon my pastel collection...no surprise they exist but a reminder how I want to do a series using them on some large paper I have been saving. I received these as an inheritance from a dear artist friend and I look forward to using them with hope of her magic attached. This got me to thinking of my artist list...it is a long list with materials and techniques and visions and series I have yet to explore or revisit. So much to do! Are these familiar feelings? I actually wrote a list of this past years accomplishments to ease the pressure on my very small full brain. Personal accomplishment: 1. revisited collagraph in the compass series. 2. 2nd visit to oasis series as my rest and recuperation. 3. Used limited materials and added 7 directions meditation to my art making. 4. Rediscovered sewing on cloth and paper in my Human/Divine series. 5. Ongoing self portrait/muse imagery. Most of this work shows in sets on my flickr site. I know there are more things I have touched on this past year but that seemed to ease my angst about "Paint Bucket Lists". I'm getting older and I have so much I love, so many things to express in so many ways that I sometimes get overwhelmed. Tell me about your "Paint Bucket Lists" ?

Wednesday's Wall Art Tour

"Untitled" 14" x 24" framed mono type, by Stanley Rieck. I met Stanley in drawing and printmaking classes at the local college way back in the 80's. He was in his early twenties and art was his passion. He was completely immersed in the study of artists and in his own art making. He loved sharing what he had learned and working next to him was quite an experience...a mixture of passion and amazing messiness, especially in printmaking class! We decided on an art exchange and I chose this Liberty mono type, he had created in honor of the Ellis Island re-opening celebration in New York. I have always loved this piece, the raw beauty of the ink and the childlike imagery and loose pastel application. I moved away in the 90's and I have often wondered about Stanley, he had many complications in his life and I wonder if he was able to continue with his art. I have this piece hanging near the dining room and it is very much a part of my life. click to enlarge.

Today, Pablo and I have our tax appointment! He has been up half the night putting things in order. We will definitely take ourselves out to lunch...this preparation has been painful for both of us as I sorted and collected most of yesterday.

Maybe I can get over to the gallery for some photos of the show!

"Southwest Wall"

Entering the first oasis for me...placing the water jugs and walls with dark windows...a less than friendly stop but necessary when moving in the unknown wilderness. Metaphorically through my wilderness of regaining my health...an uncharted area for me.
I started to do series with personal meaning years ago. I find a subject that draws me into research, historical, geographical as well as attracting my strong tie with myth, story and spiritual imagery. One series awhile ago had me visiting Venus...love myth, planet info, also visited Mars...planet colors, textures, war God, endings and forgiveness. All this loaded into a few paintings...for me it's a rich experience. My best hope is the viewer of my work be fully engaged in their own story!
"Southwest Wall" measures 17"x17" and is on a foam core base. Photo and cloth collage, acrylic, joint compound, potato print and soft pastel.
Speaking of oasis...Pablo and I are setting off to travel about 50miles north along the coast to a small town, Half Moon Bay where we will take a few days to eat well, read, sleep and enjoy the scenery. We expect rain so that will make the trip even cozier. We will return in time to vote!