"Hanging Some StarsTonight"

What's on my walls? Another image from the archives of Blue Sky Dreaming. 61/2"x71/2" acrylic, silver, fabric and thread collage and graphite. The title is "Hanging Some Stars Tonight" a line from a Laurie Anderson song. I was seriously listening to her in the 90's and this particular song was about hanging stars of Marlyn Monroe, Kennedy and others of our time. As I had recently become a widow, I created this mixed media piece thinking of the deep meaning. I painted the silver ladder and because I am afraid of heights I attached silver ropes. Metaphorically I hung my husband's star and when I pass this little piece even to this day , I can't help but smile. For me, in this case, art heals and sweetens life.

I don't consider my self high maintenance but I barely manage two maybe three days a week in the studio and the rest of my days are spent on lifes little chores. This week, pedicure, hair cut, produce, groceries, car wash, lawyer appointment and ongoing exercise class...oh yes, laundry,. cooking, fun with Pablo, coffee dates and I'm retired! Not all the work flows...sometimes it takes days, weeks to connect with a piece and bring it to the real world. So because my ongoing work isn't ready, I will fill-in with my older work or hopefully something interesting. I like the blogging and staying connected so expect me here but just not always with new work!

Post to 4-24 Unknown Outcome

Still acrylic on Rives BFK paper, still measures 18" x 18". I am reporting a couple more approaches of several hours and I feel it is done. The columns speak to me in many ways and several of the spirals were made with a rugged stamping process. There was writing on the bottom, light colors, stripes but the bottom of the piece is dark now, the writing covered and it seems to anchor the columns...I like it. I thought of the artist Hundertwasser through out so you might say this is my ode to him and his dedication to the natural line and shapes.

This week has been the start of my new studio hours ...mon., wed., fri., several hours each day. Tuesday and Thursday I push all my obligations...laundry, shopping, banking, and swimming or movies and although it makes two full days, it allows empty hours for work. I am serious about building new work for a website.

Lately I have been feeling like an artistic dinosaur....I was on a site recently site.booksmartstudio.com/blog/ viewing a show called ALTERNATIVE DIGITAL PRINTING EXHIBITIONS by selected artists. I didn't have a clue on how most of the work was completed. I just know I loved several pieces in the show. One especially by Deena Haynes (friend)... her piece is a digital image heat pressed on metal!!! Beautiful! Drop by the site just for a look...some lovely pieces. As for being a dinosaur, well, I just don't have these skills but I so admire the art...the question I ask myself, do I continue with my skills for my vision or do I take on new more modern skills for my visions? I will compromise and read a book titled "Digital Art Studio"...we shall see?!

This Saturday we are going on an Architectural Home Tour. We will review a map and travel to each home. The money for the map goes to support Habitat for Humanity so it's a good cause and I get to do what I love...check out other people's homes!! Have a good weekend!

Summertime!

I'm loving this summer but can't help but notice the calendar...July 17th already!!
The canvas to the right is part of a four part series on personal time...time issues I've written about over the years. It is difficult to read the collaged words:
On this dark sky night
Relinquishing Living Promises
I placed the words as to be falling, a letting go. These words came from writing about my marriage vows...I was a widow and clearly having difficulty accepting that the vows had ended.
On a different note...I bought a metal rolling cart with drawers and I've been organizing my small art supplies, pencils, ink, charcoal etc.... what a great feeling of accomplishment! I can't believe how I hold on to unnecessary things, just junk! I come by this problem from both my parents. When I was cleaning out their house, I found such stuff! There were unimportant receipts way back to the time of my birth! The house never looked bad but underneath and in the closets were boxes and files of PAPER! I have found moving as a great way to clear out the unwanted collections or in this case buying a really great looking cart!

Winter Spring and Summer

This piece "Silver Ladder" is one of two works inspired by my writing and reading about Labyrinths, meditation trails and images from antiquity. The fabric collage and stitching are almost obscured by layers and layers of oil pastel and joint compound. The silver leaf is a shiny contrast to shades of dull pink, red and yellow. In low light this piece has a glow that I really like.
Great weekend...cool , a little too cool for me but not cool enough to keep the tourists away. The pull of the Boardwalk and beaches too great to discourage weekenders or day trippers. Monday, Deena and I worked on the exchange of my summer clothes from winter and chose items for Goodwill or for consignment...almost done and I'm already feeling lighter! We also had a great day just being together and catching up!
I looked over my schedule for the week and Thursday is my only full day for studio work...not good. I must stay serious about setting more time aside for work...it's impossible to develop if I'm always in a start and stop position. As I've gotten older I'm plain weak and stupid after 7pm. I love my studio...right in the center of the house just like in my heart...materials, journals...love them all.