Marcia Bauerle

Threshold

2012-01-28T22:50:00.000-07:00

This painting will be included with the show in the Focus Room at the Noyes Gallery in Lincoln through the month of February. In preparing work to take east, I was stymied by titling this piece. Last night I was down to "Doorway", but not satisfied. Today, listening to American Public Media's Being, I heard an interview with John O'Donohue, an Irish poet, philosopher, and Catholic priest. One of his books, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, is reviewed at Amazon by Kerry Walters, who quotes the introduction:

In our overly busy culture, he writes, we frequently race over the "crucial thresholds in our life" without pausing to take note of their significance. We no longer have "rituals to protect, encourage, and guide us as we cross over into the unknown" (p. xiv). A blessing is precisely one of those protecting, encouraging, and guiding rituals. It memorializes our transitions, connects us with a wider community (since none of us really ever travels alone), and strives to "present a minimal psychic portrait of the geography of change it names" (ibid).

I am struck by this spiritual use of the term "threshold"...so much more descriptive and less cliche than "doorway to the future". This painting is one of my simplest collages. The background is created using Citrisolv to alter the printed images on clay based magazine papers and create the ethereal pathways and bubble formations. Black marker highlights some of the shapes. The large rectangle and cross-hatched lines are from my favorite tissue, painted with black gesso and dry brushed with copper acrylic. The texture of this tissue suggests tree roots, or blood vessels. Serendipitous results of the experimental techniques used here could be symbolic of "crossing over into the unknown"...to a changing geography.

It brings to mind a friend who is in treatment for cancer. A month ago, she was afraid of the unknown, but now, 4 weeks into treatment, is realizing a wider community of others who are experiencing the same things, and others who are there to help her. We should have created a blessing ceremony or party to recognize the threshold she had to cross as she started into this chapter of her life. It's never too late to start a ritual.

1-2-3 Grace

2012-01-05T23:32:00.001-07:00

I have a new piece of art that has been accepted into the juried show at the West Nebraska Art Center in Scottsbluff! The First Friday opening is January 6th, 2012, from 5-7 at 106 E. 18th Street. This beatiful gallery, in the old post office building, is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 to 5, and weekends 1 to 5. It should be a good show.

This piece, 1-2-3 Grace, started as three separate, related postcard collages. They were exciting to me individually, but really meant more as a tryptich. So, for this contest, I decided to connect them into a single piece. The three frames were actually screwed and bolted together, with the hardware showing and, with the help of my friend Sue, beautiful glass beads were strung between the screws.

The first image has the words, The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you. The second image says "Grace" in two different places. The third has music from the hymn, Grace Greater Than Our Sin.

Open Studio Art Show and Sale

2011-12-12T22:21:00.001-07:00

OPEN STUDIO

ART SHOW

Sunday, December 18, 2011
1-4pm
500 W. 15^th Street
Imperial, NE
308-882-8814 (cell)
308-882-5643 (home)
marciabauerle.com

Over 40 pieces of original art: postcard series,non-objective, sunflowers, landscapes, as well as note cards, prints, doodle boxes,painted boxes. Plus, you can enjoy my 12 foot Christmas Tree and multiple African animal mounts!

The three pieces shown here are my latest postcard works. They could be hung as a tryptic, but are each framed and sold separately. They are each 6" x 4" and framed in 10" x 8" deep gallery black frames. There's a discount if you want all three! The top one (GraceI ) says, "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." The second one (Grace II )has the word "Grace" in two places. The third (Grace III )has a line of music from the hymn Grace Greater Than Our Sin. All three mixed media collages utilize hand painted papers, cardstock, plastic netting, marker, graphite, and acrylic paint.

Noyes Art Gallery/smArtist Career Blog

2011-12-01T23:56:00.001-07:00

This mixed media painting is featured in the Imperial United Methodist Advent Devotional. It's made with an unusual technique. Citrasolv, a cleaning solution, is poured on printed images, altering the ink on the page and creating the unusual backgrounds. More citrisolv is used to wipe out the facial features, and acrylic paint defines the details.

In February, I will have art in the Focus Galleryof the Noyes Art Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska. Hope you can get there. It’s aco-op gallery on 9^th Street, and a lot of my artist friends havework there. First Fridays they are openuntil 9pm. Otherwise, it’s 10-5Monday-Saturday, with metered parking right out front.

I was notified today that I will be Friday’s FeaturedsmARTist on the smARTist Career Blog! Thanks to Arianne Goodwin—an awesome art-career coach. Almost a year ago, my mother helped me win asession with the smARTist Telesummit. I’vedone a lot of art since then. It’s timeto review the goals and get ready for 2012!

Many thanks to all who have encouraged and supported myart. Bless you this Holiday Season.

HOPE

2011-10-28T19:45:00.000-06:00

Hope is the latest collage. This was created for use in the Imperial United Methodist Church Advent Devotional which should be printed and ready for distribution by next week! It is a great little booklet with one page daily devotions for Thanksgiving through Christmas written by members of the local church. In addition, our pastor wrote descriptions of each of the 5 candles on the traditional advent wreath, and four church members created nine original works of art for this publication.

The first candle of the advent season is to remind us of the HOPE of the coming of a savior as prophesied in the book of Isaiah. My collage includes some hand-painted tissues, Citrasolv papers, rice papers, cardstock, acrylic paint, part of some jewelry from the collection of Margaret Uden (a dear friend taken last month by invasive cancer), and some musical notations from the hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

2011-10-01T15:12:00.000-06:00

My art and the Cancer Therapy Artist's Mandalas will still be at the Meadowlark Gallery in Grant this weekend! The gallery requested an extended showing to provide a backdrop for the opening of a pottery show by a Kansas man with ties to people in Grant. So, get on over there! It is open 6-8 Fridays and Saturdays, and will also be hosting an open house on Sunday, October 2nd, 12-3

Meadowlark Gallery

2011-09-22T02:48:00.000-06:00

This is the last weekend for the show at the Meadowlark Gallery in Grant, Nebraska. The gallery is open Friday and Saturday 6-8pm. On one wall, there are 24 framed mandalas colored by cancer survivors and family members. Another wall has sunflower and non-objective art. In another area, you can see 10 of my postcard sized collage paintings. It's a great little venue...sure hope you can get there! And, thanks to all of you who have stopped in already this month. It's been surprising to those Grant people to have so many visitors from Imperial!

Safari Sunflower

2011-09-09T14:37:00.000-06:00

Safari Sunflower

Safari Sunflower #2 happened because a friend saw Safari Sunflower on my website and challenged me to paint another similar, only larger and with different colors. That first painting had been a response to my love of sunflowers, my husband’s love of hunting wild animals, and our recent attendance at the Safari Club International convention. Part of the challenge in #2 was to limit the cost and weight of such a large painting. Using canvas on a partial masonite mat addressed both issues, as did eliminating glass. However, no glass, required less texture because of concerns with dust control.

My paintings don’t usually start with a particular end in mind, and it was difficult for me to get past the big white canvas! I took it outside and poured on thinned acrylic. Then I used a palette knife to apply Liquitex light texture medium into the basic design. The flexible canvas required a more forgiving texture than the plaster used on the masonite of Safari Sunflower #1. The next step was to paint a base color over the texture of giraffe spots and sunflower, collage in some paper with printed zebra skin designs, and sketch in some possible swirly tendrils. At this point, the poured background became very distracting. Using a brush between the textured places and bouncing a sponge across the open spaces, I softened the background and created a wave of blue behind the sunflower. This color became a bit of a problem as it was too close in value to the brown of the giraffe spots. The spots have many layers of different colors of acrylic put on in an antiquing stain fashion—paint on, wipe off ...lots of rubbing and polishing. Each color addition changed the balance of other colors in the painting and required multiple adjustments. Notice how the flower center changed from reddish to blue-black...shadows and highlights had to change, too!

The horizontal stripes are mostly covered with a wonderful red-iron-oxide, hand-painted paper, and further outlined in another of my favorite painted papers made with black gesso on tissue, and wiped with metallic copper paint.

A couple different rice papers were added in the upper left and lower right with a wash of quinacridone gold to highlight the texture. Copper mesh is glued and wired onto the flower center and copper wire is actually sewn in a whipstitch along the top line from the left and trailing into the mesh. This hardly shows, but will be great with good lighting. Oil pastels and metallic copper acrylic in a liner brush are used to highlight and outline different areas. A pencil is used to create a grid in the flower center, extending to all sides.

Safari Sunflower #2

The “mat” is painted on masonite and attached with screws from the back into the wooden stretcher bars. Pencil lines and sponged wave are extended onto the mat. The masonite is larger than the dimensions inside the frame rabbet, allowing the painting to be screwed into the frame and the rabbet to create a shadowbox effect at the depth of the canvas.

This painting can be seen in the September/October issue of Nebraska Life Magazine (p.110) and at the Meadowlark Gallery in Grant, NE through the month of September, every Friday & Saturday 6-8. On Sunday, September 11th, I will be there from 11-3.

Sunset at Memorial Stadium

2011-09-01T14:23:00.000-06:00

This piece of illustration board had “a pour” of pink, teal, and gold (watered down acrylic) and was waiting patiently for direction. Cue the window salesmen, hopefully knocking on our door, leaving estimates and advertising magnets after hail damage. One magnet was a very useful schedule of the Cornhusker’s football season, but I really didn’t want all the advertising and photo taking up fridge real estate. So, it was chopped off. The remains were on my painting table when I set out to tackle the next postcard collage. The colors of the pour jumped out at me as they echoed the colors of the magnet photo. I sliced the magnet and peeled off the photo strips...can you see the upper press box of the stadium? Also, notice the shadowy silhouette of the Nebraska State Capitol inspired by graphics on UNL admissions papers from my son’s impending flight from the nest. Once the jewel-toned image became all about Lincoln, it couldn’t exist without some red, so the corrugated strip from an old American Girl doll box was included—even split and sliced to underline the stadium images. I really never know what the end result will be when I start painting, but it is a joy to realize the influence of a higher power.

This little gem and 29 of my other paintings can be seen at the Meadowlark Gallery in Grant, Nebraska throughout the month of September. Gallery hours are 6-8 every Friday and Saturday, and there will be an open house on Sunday, September 11th. Also in this show will be over 30 pieces of art created by Imperial's Cancer Survivor's Art Therapy class. It's a great show! Hope you can get there to see it!

Market Volatility

2011-08-09T21:25:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was stressful for lots of people. The stock markets were at their lowest in several years. To escape the gloom and doom around our house, I went to my studio to paint. This postcard collage was started a couple months ago and had failed to find a direction. The antique coin (a gel transfer from a magazine advertisement), the yellow stamping on the left, the green on the right, the cruciform dark lines were there, and I suddenly knew the next step was to include a historical line graph of the Dow Jones Industrial Average!

I printed one from the internet onto tracing paper. But when I tried to apply it, the ink smeared. So, the next one I put on upside down and backwards! Alphabet stickers spelled out the news of the day..."up, down, DJIA" (with the D and J also upside down and backwards). Today, the graph was enhanced with acrylic paint along the highs and lows, the lettering softened with some rice papers, stenciled circles and some extra yellow put on with markers. Market Volatility will be shown in the postcard collection at the Meadowlark Gallery during the month of September.

Show Up!

2011-07-26T12:25:00.001-06:00

A big series of "postcard" collages has me excited and making art every day. I Have Decided is the latest. Inspired by a person who loves God, water, and music, this image includes the melody and words to the hymn, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus". The song is not related to this person, but is there because I played it for church two weeks ago! It was stuck in my mind and sitting in front of me. The black circular edge on the left is there because of experimenting with cardstock to use for framing the mandalas from our cancer therapy class for the September show in the Meadowlark Gallery. The scraps were sitting on my worktable and it was the first application to this collage. The "bubbles" on the right half of the image make me smile. The last addition to the image, those little circles were started to symbolize this person and her family. Then more circles were added for extended family and friends, which turned into floating bubbles and became notes on the musical staff lines. Many of the papers used here were painted nearly five years ago. Also included are some rice papers and a lightbulb wrapper, pieces of which have been used in other paintings from over ten years ago! This creative process never ceases to amaze me...the evolving and layering of thoughts, scraps, papers, and history into a balanced and pleasing work of art. There is a magical, wondrous, awesome power in charge. The more I show up to do the work, the greater the power. And, that thought can be applied to every relationship and task in life. Show up. Be there.

What nobody tells you about creative work...

2011-07-26T11:34:00.000-06:00

What nobody tells you about creative work...

Art in the Most Unlikely Place

2011-06-10T23:37:00.000-06:00


Nancy's train station at Sedgewick.

Judy's princess bird

Shirley's beaded shell

Sheila's horses with medium still not dry

Wow. What a great day in Lewellen, Nebraska! We had 4 fabulous women come together to play with collage in a 3 hour workshop. Thanks to Sheila, Shirley, Judy, and Nancy for sharing your afternoon with me. ELEVEN paintings were created (4 shown here), and lots of information exchanged in the comforting atmosphere of The Most Unlikely Place (bistro and gallery). Cynthia is amazing as the hostess/waitress/owner of this wonderful place. Try the beautiful fruit water...the salads and sandwiches are delicious and healthy! The Ash Hollow Festival is happening there next weekend. It's a great time to visit and see work by their new guest artist, Cindi Egging. Thanks MUP for hosting my art, and my student's art in your gallery for the last 2 months.

Send One Blessed E-Mail to Whoever You're Thinking Of

2011-06-01T00:20:00.000-06:00

Thank you Patti Digh for sharing this wonderful poem. And thanks to TED for content that matters.

Opening at The Most Unlikely Place--GWR Band

2011-04-04T21:52:00.000-06:00

Saturday was an awesome evening at The Most Unlikely Place in Lewellen, Nebraska. The left photo shows some of my art on the south wall. Notice the cornice. They have painted wonderful words all around the large room in a shadow style that looks like carved stone! The other photo shows the George William Ray Band warming up in the music area at the east end of the gallery/cafe. They were wonderful...a top-notch performance after spending all day in the sun and winning medals at the Ogallala track meet. Thanks guys! The place was full for the evening, with lots of people traveling over 80 miles for this artist reception/concert/gourmet meal. I am humbled and grateful.

2011-04-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

Here, on the left is the latest postcard collage, titled Moonlight Sonata. The music in it is a gel transfer from a line in Beethoven's fourteenth Sonata. I am amazed at how beautifully this turned out. It sat for several weeks in the confusing, unfinished state shown on the right. I couldn't decide what to do next...that's the miracle of art...and especially of collage...it appears and evolves. I wonder how and why I make the brushstrokes and additions of ephemera that I do. There is definitely a Spirit leading the process. Patience and flexibility are essential.

Make your reservations (308-778-9557) at The Most Unlikely Place for dinner Saturday night. If you can't make dinner, the George WIlliam Ray Band will play from 6:30-8:30. You will love this great venue for art, music, food and fun. Moonlight Sonata will be a part of my show there through the month of April. They are open 8-2 Wednesday-Saturday.

The Vote is In! On to Lewellen...

2011-03-28T14:51:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all of you who voted on what I'd enter in the postcard contest with the National Collage Society. I was amazed at the response. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of #4 Tropicalfleur. This painting is in the mail to the gallery at Kent State University. The other five collages are framed and ready for the exhibit at The Most Unlikely Place. It's going to be fun on Saturday night, April 2nd! Come to Lewellen, Nebraska for good art, good food, good music! Call 308-778-9557 for reservations if you are wanting to eat...dinner served from 5-7, George William Ray Band from 6:30-8:30.

Update: Artist Reception in Lewellen April 2nd

2011-03-25T20:32:00.001-06:00

Fast planning happening here. I told you last week my art will be in Lewellen, NE for the month of April. Today, we decided the artist reception at The Most Unlikely Place will be NEXT SATURDAY! They will serve an evening dinner that night. AND, besides seeing me there, you will have the privilege of hearing the awesome sounds of the George William Ray Band!!! This group includes three of the greatest boys in the world...my son, Lucas and two of his best friends, Tyler and Paul. Check out the MUP website HERE...its a great day trip for breakfast or lunch Wed-Sat if you can't make it on the 2nd.

Thanks for voting on the postcard collages...one is way ahead of the others! But I can't tell you which collage will be going to the NCS competition until Monday. The collage here is one of the six you can view on my website, where I'm asking viewers to help me decide which to enter. It's title: A Rose Is. The rose image is a gel transfer. It includes hand-painted papers and Zentangle-type doodling. There's still time to vote. Be sure to let me know which one you think I should enter...either on the contact the artist link there, in a comment here, at my email, or on facebook. You will be able to see the five pieces that don't enter the competition at the Most Unlikely Place!

Your Vote Will Determine My Entry

2011-03-24T21:26:00.000-06:00

I've added a new page to my website, so you can let me know which of six postcard size collages I should enter into this year's National Collage Society show. It has to be in the mail by March 26th, so hop on over to my site, HERE, and get me a message about your choice!

The five that don't go to the NCS show will be included in the show at The Most Unlikely Place in Lewellen, NE starting March 31st and running through the month of April. Make plans to see them in person, and enjoy a very special coffee break or meal!

Last Show, Next Show, Miles, and Memories

2011-03-16T00:39:00.003-06:00

Just had to share a couple more photos from the Nebraska Governor's Residence. You can see how the space is used for a variety of meetings with a completely different table configuration when I took these photos compared to those I posted the week before. The show came down last Friday. It was such an honor to have my art in this space and a pleasure to work with the Residence Staff.

The next showing of my art will be during the month of April at The Most Unlikely Place, a wonderfully fun art gallery, espresso bar, and luncheon cafe in Lewellen, Nebraska! Tentative plans call for a reception on April 23rd...the Saturday afternoon before Easter...possibly with live music! This wonderful space is owned by three sibling artists: Dennis and Rex Miller, and Jean Jensen. I have painted with Dennis at the Autumn Art Workshop at the 4-H Camp near Halsey. The cafe is open Wednesday-Saturday, with special menus that change every week! They have parties once a month and host classes in art, dance and music. Sure hope you can make it to Lewellen. You will be amazed.

Lots of miles were covered last weekend. After the trip across the state to Lincoln, I drove to south-central Kansas to paint a bathroom for my mother. The extreme winter got the best of some pipes, which flooded their guest house, requiring new drywall and a restoration service.

I ran into a couple of high school friends while I was there. It was fun to have my art along in the car to show Arlene, an active artist, who was in Richard VanSickle's art class with me--was that 38 years ago? (Yow!) I found a trace of Mr. VanSickle on Google...teaching on the potter's wheel at Wichita Pottery. I still have the large acrylic painting I did as a senior in high school--an impressionistic attempt to copy a painting I loved that hung in our high school library! I ran from the basement art room up the stairs to the third floor library many times as I tried to capture the composition...no digital cameras to help out! After all the moves, it has a small hole in one spot, and is a bit warped, but is in pretty good shape.

Governor's Residence

2011-03-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

I am so honored to be showing my artwork in the Nebraska Governor's Residence Exhibition Program this month. The show was hung on February 8th, and will be there until the afternoon of March 11th. My daughter toured the Residence today and sent these photos. The colors in the drapes coordinate so well with six of my sunflower paintings on the north wall! On the South wall, along with a fireplace and two china cabinets, the photo shows eight of my non-objective paintings. The show includes a total of 18 works.

This program, sponsored by the Nebraska Arts Council, awards exhibition space to 10 Nebraska artists each year. I am grateful for all the efforts of Arts Council and Governor's Residence staff that have made this opportunity possible. If you can get to Lincoln before the 11th, try to get in and see it. The Residence is open to the public on Thursdays 1-4 and at other times by appointment when it doesn't interfere with meetings scheduled in the room. Call 402-471-3466 for more information on tours.

What's the best part of your day?

2011-02-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

My daughter is starting a nanny job and called to ask how I worded the question that always annoyed her to pieces every day when she came home from school. "What was the best part of your day?" It works because I always require an answer...not, "I don't know", or "nothing". Even on a terrible day, there is always one thing better than something else and for which we can be grateful, even though the scale may be low. Their answers provide insight that helps my relationship with my children. It's good to know that she values that attitude after so many years of frustration. It's also good to ask myself this question for a check on my own attitude of gratitude.

Last night's Oscars show was the best part of my Sunday. I loved sharing it with my son, and a major part of the world! It's fun joining in the comeraderie of the acting community, laughing with 94-year-old Kirk Douglas presenting Best Supporting Actress, rooting for the movies we've seen, hearing great music (we loved the closing medly). I adore the dresses. One of my favorites was Cate Blanchett's architectural creation from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. The Washington Post put her in the worst dressed category. The Today Show said that men hated it and women loved this dress. I thought it was extremely creative design, although not terribly flattering...and I would not have included the strange yellow at the shoulders! But, I can see it inspiring some paintings.... The colors of the stage set and lighting were amazing...lots of quinacridone gold! I loved Christian Bale saying, “[Thanks to] my wonderful wife and our little girl, who’s taught me so much more than I’ll ever be able to teach her.” Isn't that the essence of what it means to be a parent?

It's sort of the same with teaching art classes. My students teach me so much more than I'll ever be able to teach them. They make me want to be a better artist, a better person, and to be more purposeful in using the time in my days. Last week we created some 4 x 6 inch "postcard" collages inspired by the National Collage Society postcard contest held every year. Small, quick, and inexpensive, it's a great format that lowers the intimidation level, making it easy to get started. Here is one of my students' results...all the beading is reminiscent of Cate's dress! More student work will be posted soon.

Synapses

2011-01-31T23:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I found free painting videos on the website for Jerry's Artarama, and could hardly wait to get to my studio to try a diptych in context, a la Joe DiGiorgio. He talks about 4 basic elements of abstract works: line, color, shape, and texture. Joe's Black Bag video shows him using only 8 supplies, including equipment...so just a couple of colors were utilized. The Liquitex purple jumped right out of my paint box, and of course I had to use my favorite: Golden's Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold. I tried some Gesso, copper wire, and buttons for texture. As this painting evolved I was intrigued, but frustrated that the purple was just something I "never" use (although the collaged tissue paper was painted a couple of years ago!) Then, in the smARTist conference I've been involved with, a speaker talked about keeping your body of work cohesive by using the same color palette even when working in diverse mediums or genres. After a while with that thought, I realized my diptych needed some Cobalt Teal to bring it in line with my other works. Now it doesn't seem quite so separate from the other paintings on my gallery wall. It's definitely a different genre from my last post with the watercolor/collage sunflowers, but the palettes are closer. Thank you Jerry's!

Connect / Out of the Box

2011-01-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

last week

Sunflowers Out of the Box

It's been an amazing week with so much creative inspiration and seren-dipitous activity. First, as I showed you before, I am taking the free online Recycled Journal Pages class with Pam Carriker. Her idea of using photo copied images from your old paintings jumped me into salvaging an old painting. I actually put that improved painting into a frame, but had forgotten to sign it, so I took it all out again and while signing, decided to do some Zentangle doodling in the squares...something else I've been experimenting with after reading blogs from other Journal-istas. This also led to outlining the flowers with the brown marker, which gave definition and depth to the flowers. (Click on the image to see it larger.) You may disagree, but I think Sunflowers Out of the Box is much better than it was last week!

Then, also from exploring other artist's blogs, I found a great one called 37 Days, by Patti Digh, from North Carolina, who has a new book, Life is a Verb. The next day, I saw on Facebook that she was doing a workshop in Nebraska! I commented on it, and the day after that I got a message from the local organizer telling me of another workshop in March! The world gets smaller...

Then, on Tuesday, I read an email from Ariane Goodwin, who was giving a free registration for smARTist Telesummit 2011, to the artist who comes up with the longest qualified list of phrases referring to art, artistic endeavors, or creativity – but were used in a more every day sort of way. My mother helped me, and we won! (Thanks Mom, and Ariane!) So, I'm also spending the next few weeks immersed in information from fabulous artists and business coaches. This is already influencing the way I'm painting and thinking of what's next....

And, since I'm going to visit my daughter in North Carolina in February, I wanted to include an art class with the trip. I found Joe DiGiorgio, teaching a class at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh, and signed up.... I've already finished a painting inspired by one of his online videos. Can't wait to connect with more artists!

I've come up with my focus word for the year: Connect...with artists, buyers, family, self.

2011 is definitely off to a great art-focused start. It's only three weeks until the Governor's Mansion show goes up. Yikes! Time to connect with my lists and PR folder.

Crossing Over

2011-01-10T21:55:00.000-07:00

This painting is titled Crossing Over...originally because of the color and texture "crossing over" a line and blending together. Then, I realized the circular glow on the right could be seen as the tunnel of light described in near death experiences...as in "crossing over" into the other world! That seemed, at first, a bit too cliche, but it has grown on me. The intense color and heavy texture make me smile. This painting was one of the first I did using Behr Interior Texture Paint, as suggested in an ANAC workshop at Halsey. It sat for nearly three years with the eerie blue blending in the top, and including the circle which was mostly ivory. I just couldn't decide what to do with it, but I knew it was an interesting start to something. Where it is now golden on the bottom part, was originally ivory with some blue and brown stain wiped over it to show the texture. So, in the last couple of months I have added a lot of color, and a lot of oriental papers, as well as adjusted the composition by cutting 6" off the top side, and 4 " off the left side. It is in a wide black frame with no glass, and can be seen for the next month at The Color Box in Imperial. Then, it will be in the Governor's Mansion show in Lincoln February 10-March 11.

Inspiration for the New Year

2011-01-05T01:24:00.000-07:00

I'm in an online workshop with Pam Carriker, whose blog I've been following for about a year. She is doing amazing things with her art marketing, creating lots of art, and showing amazing improvement in her techniques. The free workshop is a series of videos on recycling Journal Pages. It is sponsored by Strathmore, and by the way all the art supply websites are back-ordering their journals, it must be a good deal for the company! It is inspiring and fun to share with over 900 other artists involved. I think you can still join this group if you're interested.

This week we were to add a few papers and images to a journal page. A new video is posted each of 4 weeks, adding to the journal page each time. I think most of the "students" are anxious to get on with it! This photo shows what I've done so far. I was inspired by the words a friend posted on Facebook after her father died. More of her words will be added later. It includes some previously painted tissue papers, scrap-booking leftovers, an old watercolor pencil portrait, and pieces from photocopies of an old painting. This photo copying of my own work was a great idea. I even grabbed an inadequate, old watercolor painting of sunflowers and added 17 pieces cut from photocopies of other sunflower paintings for a much improved painting. This one may still be evolving, but it's good to be inspired.

Guests Put an End to Procrastination

2010-12-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

A year ago, I was so excited about my new 12 foot tall Christmas tree that I told my friends at the Ogallala Art Society they should plan to have the December 2010 meeting at my house so they could see my tree...and so they could appreciate how far I travel for the meetings with them! It is 56 miles north to Ogallala, and some of them live 15 miles north of there. Well, last month I started dreading my commitment. The "studio" they wanted to see was far from being a "studio." I could barely walk in the door to the guest room/place where the paint supplies are stored. I still needed to get that big tree up and decorate for Christmas. It was a twisted sort of relief when my son got the flu on the night before they were supposed to arrive. I actually was sort of prepared at that time, but rescheduling for a week later was a blessing that allowed for a much cleaner house and that makes me happy. Maybe it's because it doesn't happen often for me, but I just love the feeling of a clean house!

In the last 6 weeks, things have gotten done around here that should have been done 15 years ago! My husband laid new flooring over the old peeling linoleum in the hall bath. Drywall damage was repaired and painted, 45 year old carpet was hauled out of the basement and to the dump, and the remaining floor has been painted. I even finished painting the concrete block wall in my "studio" which had been only partially painted for at least 8 years! A swiveling stool I ordered for the studio is now usable after sitting in a box for two years. In the last few months, the focus I had worked toward with my art had been put aside too many times with other commitments, but now I am inspired to set some new goals and get back at it. I think the Art Society members left here a bit inspired, too.

It's time for resolutions, and theme words. Last year I decided on "willingness" in order to increase creative joy. The year before, I chose the word "perseverance," to help me focus on continued, patient effort. In the next week, besides altering 5 show choir dresses, wrapping and mailing Christmas gifts, accompanying the church concert, planning a college class for the spring semester, writing the church blog, and worrying about my son's scholarship applications, I hope to come up with the theme word for 2011. Any ideas? It'll be a big year. My Governor's Mansion Exhibit will be held February 9-March 11, and I will be showing in the Meadowlark Gallery with my Cancer Survivor Painters in September. I plan to take an online art journaling class in January, and get to the ANAC art camp at Halsey in September. Maybe since my house is clean, I will be able to just sit for a bit, basking in the glow of Christmas lights, and think. Then I can start painting!

clue

2010-11-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

hello

Golden Mean

2010-10-22T11:58:00.002-06:00

I'm teaching a basic painting class at the local community college this semester. A discussion of composition is part of this week's lesson. It always makes me think of Deon Bahr, a painting friend I met at the ANAC camp in Halsey a few years ago. The painting to the left is one he started at Halsey. Deon is an architect, and his geometric paintings and sculptures are often based on his fascination with the number Phi, known as the "Golden Mean," or the "Golden Number." At camp, Deon explained to us the basis of the "Phi-nomenon." I have a copy of the sketch he made in his graph paper notebook, showing the mathematical formation of the nautilus shell design. Check out his website.

I found another site, in my research for class, that has a great visual explanation for the nautilus concept on it's homepage. Check out this graphic.

Let's work on great compositions!

Cowboy Artistry

2010-09-14T00:41:00.000-06:00

Last Tuesday was a great day for an excursion into the Nebraska Sandhills, where one companion said she loved to watch the changing seasons. We joked that the fall color is so evident on all the trees.... (Actually, there are almost no trees in the Sandhills, but the grasses definitely change with the seasons.) Ten of us from The Art Society of Ogallala took a field trip to Arthur, a small cowboy town in ranch country, north of Ogallala. Arthur County claims one person per square mile from the 2000 Census, and Arthur is the only town in the county! The place is famous for the world's smallest courthouse, and the world's only church made from baled straw. A brochure lists 18 current businesses. We visited three.

We learned lots about leather working from Dennis Rose at Rose Saddlery, on the main street, "downtown". He has some amazing industrial sewing machines and demonstrated for us on a beaded horse breast collar, commissioned for a young cowboy's birthday. Dennis grew up in the Sandhills. He does beautiful leather tooling and has created 267 saddles, as well as lots of horse equipment, purses, and biker clothing during the last 33 years. He's designed a special saddle for handicapped riders with a high back support that folds to allow the rider to get into position. Lots of his equipment was creatively fabricated to fit his needs, like a saddle frame mounted on a barber stool to pump it higher for ease in construction.

On the north edge of town, past the log cabin built by Buffalo Bill and some partners, we were treated to a demonstration of the hatter's craft by Jim Marshall of Marshall Custom Hats. I didn't realize the best felt cowboy hats are made from 100% beaver hair. Varying amounts of rabbit hair are added at different price ranges. We saw an antique conformeter--a rare contraption used to measure the idiosyncrasies of old British heads. Custom hats really are made to fit different shapes and sizes of heads. Jim steams the felt, shaping it on wooden forms, and flange boards, presses with an ingenious Rhodes ironing machine, then actually sands the felt with sandpaper. The inside sweatbands are sewn in by hand, and more shaping is done with steam and skilled hands. In the last 10 years, Jim has created 1,059 special hats for rodeo queens, ranchers, cowboys, and even a birthday presentation hat for Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, who has the biggest head Jim has ever fit.

Fried onion chips, and a drink at The Bunkhouse Bar & Grill rounded out our field trip. This place also serves as the area's senior meal site! The food and atmosphere were great: a table of women playing cards, men coming in for a late afternoon beer...all eye-ing us "tourists." Hunting trophies and antiques adorn the walls. Pithy quotations and snapshots of the locals are everywhere. But, I'll have to go back for more than the food...my one bar photo came out too blurry to include here. Many apologies.

Thoughts on Procrastinating

2010-08-18T01:12:00.002-06:00

"Even with the best of intentions, inspiration still sometimes strikes at the most inopportune moments. It's impossible to always drop everything and act on it. I picture a great warehouse out in the cosmos full of great work that was never realized because the spark was not acted upon. It makes me a little sad to think that those "lost" great works are denied from this world forever."

This quote is from Clint Watson of Canvoo.com, in a blog post titled "Why Great Artists Should Procrastinate". I am in awe of his articulation of the feeling of the muse, the creating, and the expectations of the world. I should be getting some sleep, but this comment inspired me! I found it while reading art blogs instead of doing art!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Michelangelo%27s_Pieta_5450_cropncleaned_edit.jpg

I am reminded of things I've read about Michelangelo describing his art: "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it...I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." Think of this great artist working 500 years ago...and all the other artists--and writers over the centuries, who have struggled with following the inspiration or doing the stuff that needs to be done for living... hauling water from the well, finding and growing food, washing out cloth diapers, which had to be spun and woven to start with.... (Maybe those chores of living before modern conveniences explains some of why there are so few women artists known before the last century!) Anyway...that is a lot of "lost great works" out there in what must be a huge warehouse...an explanation for the Milky Way?

Clint's entry mentions an essay by Paul Graham on procrastination, where he says, "impressive people I know are all procrastinators...they put off working on small stuff to work on big stuff...small stuff is work that has zero chance of being mentioned in your obituary."

My bills aren't paid, the class I'm teaching is not prepared, the county fair takes off in full force in the morning, the laundry is piling up, I forgot to think about supper tonight while I researched ways to save on communication expenses, and all I want to do is paint! For now, I am satisfied with procrastinating on sleep for the creativity of just writing this blog. I can't procrastinate the fair in order to paint...we have two really big sheep, and an even bigger boy to prepare for tomorrow's show! So sometimes the difference in small stuff and big stuff has to be the timing of things beyond one's control.

Paul Graham thinks, "the way to 'solve' the problem of procrastination is to let delight pull you instead of making a to-do list push you. Work on an ambitious project you really enjoy, and sail as close to the wind as you can, and you'll leave the right things undone."

Our youngest graduates from high school this year...soon we won't have as many activities, allowing me to open up some space in the cosmic warehouse! Meanwhile, my current (and very long-term) ambitious project is being a great mother. When I let the delight of that calling pull me, I can leave some painting undone and still end up with a decent obituary. Thank you, Clint, for the thoughts.

A little escape from reality

2010-08-11T17:54:00.000-06:00

Ha! I was enjoying a friend's blog where she posts free images for use in altered books and collages. This image made me laugh and led me to wonder if the couple pictured here went through the same sorts of decisions, fun, frustrations, and stresses experienced in wedding planning of the 2010 variety. Where did they go from this point in their life? How many attended the wedding? Was it a wonderful party? Wouldn't a picnic in the woods seem appropriate? Did they ever see those wedding guests again? Was he a military officer? Did she have a career? Were they successful...healthy...happy? How many children did they have? Did the parents in the background worry about them? Did all those children gathered round them remember the event? Whose shoe is the little boy in front hiding? Did the dog act as ring bearer? Isn't it interesting to notice the distinct age groups shown?

Three weeks out from my first daughter's wedding, number two just off to college, and number three gone to football practice...life is returning to its somewhat normal routine. It gives me a chance to think again. I'm cleaning house, finishing a painting, reading a book (The Fiery Cross by Gabaldon), and may do some filing and sorting...better hurry, because the county fair is next week! That's always several days of intense distraction. We'll do the sheep show again, and have a booth with the aerial photography. The show choir sings and works concessions for the grandstand shows (Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Rodney Atkins). And school starts in two weeks! Isn't it fun to escape for a bit with this Victorian painting?

2010-08-04T16:18:00.000-06:00

I've been a bit out of the blogger mode, while preparing and recovering for my oldest daughter's wedding. My artistic (sewing) skills were in emergency demand when the dress returned from the alterations "expert", less than a week before the big day, in a lumpy mess: twisted boning, crooked hem, puckered neckline, bent backward side seams and zipper, buttons that floated away from the zipper with no hooks... gathered skirt pulled with double fullness at the sides I spent nearly all of 3+ days taking it all apart and putting it back together. Then we drove 7 hours to the groom's graduation from USAF pilot training, and 7 hours back just in time for the rehearsal! The photo shows the final fitting--at the church! It worked...hallelujah! She was fabulously beautiful and so happy. I'm amazed at how much time it takes to de-compress from all that! Check out her last 4 blog posts for a good laugh at the stressful situation: www.seemaikablog.blogspot.com.

Governor's Residence Exhibit February-March

2010-07-13T14:35:00.001-06:00

I just received word from The Nebraska Arts Council that my time slot for the Governor's Residence Exhibit will be February 9-March 11, 2011. Yea! This gives me time to complete a few more pieces and hopefully won't interfere with too many other family activities. Be sure to get to Lincoln during those dates to see the show and enjoy the beautiful building where our Governor lives. Regular tours are scheduled for Thursdays, but if that doesn't work for you, it's fairly easy to schedule a special visit. Check out the Residence web site. photo of residence: http://www.governorsresidence.ne.gov/images/mansion_main.jpg

Governor's Mansion!!

2010-07-02T22:30:00.003-06:00

I am honored and excited. I've just been notified that I am accepted to the Governor's Mansion Exhibition Program! This is an awesome program sponsored by the Nebraska Arts Council. They chose 10 artists for the coming year, each of which will have a month long, one-artist exhibition in the beautiful gallery/meeting room in the basement of the Governor's Mansion in Lincoln. The application process was interesting...totally online through a site called slideroom.com.

The painting shown on the left, Finding My Way, is only 6" x 4". Originally done for a "postcard" contest with the National Collage Society, it was one of five images included with my application to the Governor's show.

Quasquacentennial

2010-06-27T17:49:00.000-06:00

What a word! Our little town , Imperial, Nebraska, is celebrating 125 years of existence this year and the party is set for this weekend. There will be singing, water games, turtle races, fireworks, history displays at the county museum and the city library, cake decorating and pie eating contests, a quilt show, Miss Nebraska, carriage rides AND...and art show! We will have at least 15 local artists displaying work in the Catholic fellowship hall on Broadway, Saturday 9-5. A vote will be taken for the people's favorite choice of artwork. One of my works, shown at left, will be Brome Forest, which won an honorable mention award at the recent Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Convention Juried Competition. Come and enjoy!

First Day

2010-05-29T01:47:00.001-06:00

This painting really evolved...from plain beige, blue and white, to distracting blobs and bad angles, to this. It's on a gallery wrapped canvas with lots of texture and metallic paint. I struggled with covering over my favorite painted tissue in the lower left, but it was in the way--competing with the center of interest. Now, I like the way it peaks through the rice paper and added paint. As it was finally coming together, I had a strong gut feeling about the creation story...separating the dark from the light, the earth from the sea, the chaos to order, with a structured plan beneath it all. Actually, the first thing I did on this painting after plaster texture, was the gridwork in the upper right. I guess it felt like bringing order back to the chaos that had happened in between. However, based on her knowledge of previous paintings, my daughter was hoping the title meant there was an image from our many "first day of school" photos that had been hidden in the layers...maybe there is!

Orinoconile

2010-05-24T14:25:00.000-06:00

I'm on a roll...two new paintings! First, I want you to see this small one. Then, will try to get the other one up in a few days. This has lines of plaster, a gel transfer of a King Tut image, a piece of dried paint from my palette, and lots of interesting color. It is 12 x 9" on a gallery wrapped canvas. Our show choir concert was held the night before I finished this piece. They sang "Orinoco Flow," which seemed to go with the movement and color of the art (sail away, sail away, sail away...). But, Orinoco is a river in Venezuela! So, I've titled this "Orinoconile." That seems to allow some honor for the Egyptian king. This is available for $150.

Athens

2010-05-13T23:36:00.001-06:00

Art History 311: A Greek Odyssey. Dictionary.com says an odyssey is "a long series of wanderings or adventures, esp. when filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc." So, we have the study abroad opportunity for the middle child. Before it even began, the notables appeared with last week's riots in Athens over economic austerity measures imposed by the European Union in a bailout of the failing Greek economy. We didn't feel good about sending her alone, stand-by, to a mess...so I went along! It was only long enough to get her there, wander the Plaka, eat a meal, sleep and come home. But I feel so much better about the situation having eased her through the subway tricks, worked with the exchange rates, and seen the facilities. The riots were over-blown by 24-hour-news networks, but the country is still very unsettled and BBC news today notes a bomb explosion in the city.
I'm praying the biggest hardship of her trip is our financial sacrifice and her forced budgeting while she is there. It is an amazing place for understanding civilization, history, ancient art, and one's self. Blessings to the UNL study tour! On our way to Greece, we ran into a friend from when we lived in Germany--was that really 24 years ago? Great to see you, Rocky! "Hi" to Janet and the family. Fly safe.

Painting During Track Season

2010-05-03T23:34:00.000-06:00

Still trying to paint for at least an hour a day...but we're chasing the track and field events. It's been stranger than average track weather. Almost one whole day was spent in heavy rain with gusts to 30mph. Last week we had rain, sun, sleet (weird, tiny, square drops), and lots of wind. But my son is seeing some success, especially with the discus. And, my daughter ran her first half marathon yesterday. This photo shows it was a perfect day for a run in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school year is almost over...a wedding ahead, but with kids' camps and study abroad plans, I may get some time to paint and sell some work to pay for all those plans!

Seasons

2010-02-20T14:29:00.003-07:00

I was thrilled this week to present Rosanne with her painting, titled "Seasons" (shown right). Rosanne has futuristic and significance in her top five (Clifton Strengthsfinder). She even authored a book about using strengths in the classroom. She's been living with another painting of mine ("Resurrection", shown below) for a couple months, and wanted something similar, but larger. She also requested a piece of art that would speak to her spiritual connection with the seasons in nature.

This painting, as usual, had a significant evolution. However, inspired by Rosanne's confidence in my ability, and spurred by a previously scheduled trip to Omaha, the work happened more quickly than usual...almost obsessively! A little over three weeks of work with the painting...that's a record for me, and enough to get me into a habit of painting daily. I am inspired! We hung "Seasons" on Monday in Rosanne's beautiful office overlooking the Missouri River. The watery elements in the painting seemed right at home there.

"Seasons" started in a vertical orientation, with a Gothic arch on the left, a "lilly pad" of hand-painted tissue on the right, and lots of swirly plaster wall texture (I use Behr Interior Texture Paint from Home Depot). It changed to a horizontal orientation, lost the arch, added the cool tree with roots. (The tree is from a photo my son took of an osage orange tree, growing from a rock in southwest Nebraska. I printed it as an 8x10 black and white, then cut it out with an exacto knife.) It needed more, so plaster and bronze paint (Golden Fluid Acrylics) were added over most of the tree. When Rosanne sent a note expressing her anticipation of the "Four Seasons Artwork," I immediately knew how leaves should be added to the tree. Some leaves are collaged with painted tissue paper and some are painted with the Behr texture+acrylic paint. A late touch was the metallic marker line to separate the art from the frame. Finally, I added words unobtrusively, in turquoise, near the center: "There is a time for every purpose under heaven". It was a fun project. The best part was hearing and seeing the response from Rosanne and her friends. They found all kinds of symbols and ideas in the painting...some I hadn't even recognized! Knowing my work makes a difference in others lives is such a rewarding part of my life as an artist. Thank you, Rosanne!

Progress in the Painting Therapy Group

2010-01-28T23:00:00.001-07:00

Bruce is cranking out the boxes and inspiring us all! This is his second finished box with a great spiral effect. And, Stephanie has finished her first box in blue and silver. We had five painters today! They are amazing.

Pirate King

2010-01-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

There will be better photos, but I can't wait to show off this awesome costume. Chase County High School Choral Department presents Pirates of Penzance on January 25th and 26th. That's a Monday and Tuesday to work around all the sports events, and a reschedule from the original date last October when most of the cast had the flu! It's a funny spoof on the operetta format, with pirates who turn out to be from royalty trying to marry the many daughters of a major general. Tough music, but they are doing a great job. "Break a leg" cast members!

First finished product from Cancer Therapy

2010-01-19T12:10:00.002-07:00

Just a quick post while we're packing for the Safari Club convention! It's been busy here with lots of substitute teaching, sewing costumes for the school musical...not enough painting. The pirate king in Penzance will be awesome next week in his blue jacket with striped lining! For now, I want you to see the first finished box by Bruce in the Cancer Painting Therapy class. He is really taking off with this...inspiring me and the other students. Bruce will handle the class this week, while I'm "vacationing" with the wild African animals and super hunters in Nevada. I'm googling about art galleries in Reno right now...will definitely check out the Stremmel Gallery. It will be a great trip...if the weather allows us to even get there! Happy January!

Willingness

2009-12-19T11:59:00.001-07:00

WILLINGNESS is the focus word here for 2010. From smARTist Career Blog, an article by Barbara Bowen says, "in a state of willingness, your tensions loosen and your creative joy increases." That's what I want--increased creative JOY! What a magical, positive way to start a new year. I see the relatedness of intention, commitment, work ethic, business planning, giving, sharing, organizing, prioritizing.

After a stressful, end of semester week of substituting as a music teacher, I learned a lot about my willingness to commit to full time public school teaching! I am also reminded that knowledge of music, beyond just listening, is an incredible gift. It's like learning a foreign language, which adds so many layers of understanding, enjoyment, and connections. It is part of the collage of my life, and I am thankful that my parents were willing to put the time, money, and effort into piano lessons and school music activities. So, today, the painting to the right, titled "Merci" is my way of thanking the world for music! Maybe I should work on some paintings about music.... Resolve to know what is important, what makes you happy...and be willing to focus time where it belongs!

Merry Christmas. Wishing joy and blessings to all who visit here.

Barbara Bowen: Willingness to Resist

2009-12-19T09:17:00.001-07:00

Barbara Bowen: Willingness to Resist

Posted using ShareThis

What Can I Share?: FineArtViews Blog by Clint Watson

2009-12-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

What Can I Share?: FineArtViews Blog by Clint Watson

Jumpstart Christmas

2009-11-30T18:00:00.001-07:00

Wow, November just got away from me, and now it's time for Christmas! We enjoyed a big showchoir festival in Scottsbluff, and a trip to Lincoln to watch our son in the All-State Chorus. It was dad's day at the sorority, so we also got to a UNL basketball game and the UNL v. KSU football game (which means I went shopping!) I was subbing at the school a lot, and then hosted my family here for Thanksgiving. The school's one-act play (Something's Rotten in the State of Denmark--a spoof on Hamlet) took first place at the conference competition, and will go to District's this week. Oh yea, and the family has been hunting a lot. They got three deer in the first hour of the season. Corn harvest is late due to early snows, so the pheasants are just now being forced out. It's busy here.

My big art news for the last month is the painting class I've started for Cancer Survivors. We are meeting once a week (Thursdays at 10:00am). The hospital foundation has generously purchased supplies for us on a six month trial basis. I've had 3 students so far, and others are welcome whenever they can make it. Caregivers are also welcome as long as space is available. We are starting with an old standard for me: JoSonja Jansen's Slavic Round Design on papier mache boxes. Later, we may try watercolor or collage, but I've found that this project gives a great introduction to the acrylic medium and forces brush control, because of the amount of strokework, which also creates a very showy piece. And, there is so much there that people can't see any mistakes!

I also sold a painting and 5 doodleboxes this week. I'm working on a new website...up before Christmas! Trying to meet at least most of those goals I set last year. Have you been thinking about new goals for 2010? It's time! Happy December everyone!

Professional Development

2009-11-03T09:27:00.017-07:00

It's hard to justify time and money spent on something you love. It feels selfish, especially when you come from the motherly viewpoint of taking care of everyone else, as well as the little or no income position in the family. But, with the goal of becoming a "real" selling and producing artist, part of the journey must include "professional development" opportunities. At least identifying art workshops with that lofty heading, justifies the time and money!

After several plan changes involving school musical and football games rescheduled due to October snow storms and swine flu, family catching the bug, and auto repair delays, I was able to make it to a creativity and collage workshop with Nita Leland. It was organized and hosted last week by the Beatrice Art Guild.

Completion of a new sunflower painting (shown here), progress on a couple of other works, and journaling with creative prompts adds up to important professional development. Nita is a great colorist, with insight to the world of paint manufacturing and color wheel selection. However, the best part of this class for me was the chance to be with other painters and friends. They inspire me to persevere. My friends, Sandy Meyer and Susan Hart were there, as well as two artists from Columbus, Nebraska who remembered me from an art study tour in Chicago 12 years ago! Most of these ladies had been to other ANAC (Association of Nebraska Art Clubs) workshops at Halsey. We were a creative, supportive, and extremely talented group of Nebraska artists. Our capabilities surprised our eminent teacher!

Since Beatrice is 5 hours east of here, I took the opportunity to visit a high school classmate (thanks Connie!) as well as my girls in that end of the state...a little wedding stuff exploring with my wedding blogger, necessity shopping with my college student, art supply shopping, and of course...great eating. So now I am renewed, professionally developed??, and busy organizing my studio (Nita re-encouraged this, as does every success forum ever known!), planning a painting therapy class, framing art and headed to Guild meeting. Blessed renewal.

Labyrinth

2009-09-30T17:52:00.002-06:00

The idea of a labyrinth has intrigued me for quite a while. Labyrinths seem to keep popping up along my journey. Several years ago, after taking my teen-aged daughter to a concert, we walked the rock labyrinth at the Community Garden in Comstock, Nebraska. Years later, I stumbled upon a blog by Joannah L. Merriman, M.A., a holistic psychologist, counselor, and writer in Fort Collins, Colorado (lifeprintsjournal.com) She has a labyrinth on her property and encourages full moon serenity walks--the next one is this Sunday, October 4th at 7pm. I searched for more information about the circular meditations after discovering a classical labyrinth in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE. The Labyrinth Society (source of image above, with permission) lists 15 sites in Nebraska. I recently visited the 11 circuit medieval labyrinth outside the Methodist Church in North Platte, NE. There was no wind on that bright September day, and it was almost too warm. I was hungry, but energized after painting with a friend--the first watercolor I'd attempted in ages! I thought I'd just run through this labyrinth to see what it was like. But, even with the guy watching from his porch across the street, I got caught up in the process and amazed at the 1/4-1/2 circle balance. Rather than just absently following the path, I found myself analyzing the next move, wondering what those Christians of the Middle Ages thought about as they followed their path in the Chartres Cathedral, and actually feeling relaxed and refreshed as I came out of the center.

"At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are."

So, when that watercolor painting I'd started needed more depth and interest, I took out the old compass from my college design courses and executed some concentric circles--not really in the true labyrinth style, but with that feeling in mind... which led to painted-tissue-collaged lines and checkerboard patterns inspired from my recent exploration with Frank Lloyd Wrght's ideas on graph paper (see post from July 18). Sometimes my thought processes are pretty random, but I love the layers in this finished product. It's already framed (20"x16")! Now I'm ready to try more watercolor.

Persevering

2009-09-23T16:51:00.000-06:00

Last week I substituted in the high school English classroom. I was intrigued by a poster on the wall which reminded me of my goals as stated here last February. My journal entry from the poster is pictured here. So, I went back to review those goals. Here they are...and I've admitted where I stand, so far!

1) Post on this blog at least once a week. Well, maybe averaging about 10 days instead of 7.
2) Add 15 followers to blog. I think there may be 4 new followers since February. Please add your name to followers if you are not already there!
3) Add 100 to mailing list. I should have counted my list in February to legitimize this!...maybe 40.
4) Enter and get accepted to National Collage Society Show. Entered this contest 2 weeks ago...notifications are in November.
5) Sell $2000 of art--will need to MAKE MORE ART!, find venues, explore PayPal. I've sold only one painting in the last year. Surprisingly it was purchased over a year after it had been shown in our local medical clinic. Never underestimate exposure. I am researching a couple of online options, including Etsy. This part about MAKE MORE ART might be some of the problem...procrastination...I have at least three pieces awaiting appropriate framing. Daily art. Daily art. Daily art!
6) Renew website and make it an official .com thing. No progress here. I have researched some online website hosting, but more exploration is necessary before decisions can be made.
7) get tax number, instead of sharing husband's. Is it just an excuse when I say I don't need a tax number if I don't sell anything?
8) Submit for NE Arts Council Governor's Mansion Show. I was not prepared for the application deadline which was May 31st. Now it is on my calendar and I am working toward a cohesive series to use in an application. I'd like to have at least 4 more in a sunflower series, and I may include some aerial landscapes.
9) connect with other artists at least 5 days/week through Internet, guilds, classes. This is going pretty well... internet helps...I'm learning a lot, and I'm getting better about commenting on other's blogs. I am trying to attend the Ogallala Art Society meetings more regularly (that's not happening all the time, but Janette is good about calling to remind me!) I went to North Platte last week to paint with Sandy Meyer's cancer survivors class. It was VERY inspiring!
10) Give back to community without compromising sense of self-worth (limit donations of art, time, expertise or teaching to 4 worthy causes.) This one is coming along. So far I don't feel used. I'm working on starting a therapy painting class...more on that later.

Business?

2009-09-14T15:00:00.001-06:00

Back on track! During the last week I spent large parts of each day doing art. It's amazing all the roles an artist plays in creating a real business from the art...sort of reminds me of being a mother! Many art blogs speak to the importance of balancing time creating with time doing business...and doing the creating as more than a hobby...as in--even when you don't feel like it!

Today on Fine Art Views I was met with the following jump start questions (or guilt trip questions, depending on the mood!): "A business cannot succeed if a myriad of jobs remain neglected. Artists are no different. Do you take the time to balance your books? Do you regularly communicate with collectors, dealers, etc.? Do you keep your studio and office clean and organized? Do you set aside regular time to assess your art and business in relation to where you want to be? Do you spend enough time in the studio creating? Do you spend enough time with all the other necessary jobs?" So... it must be time for a business plan reality review, and a thorough cleaning...but, first I want to get some more creating done!

Framing, and finishing are on the agenda, including varnish on the doodlebox pictured here, done as a donation for the local cancer walk to be held October 3rd. The box includes words to the second verse of my favorite hymn: "Make me a channel of your peace. Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light. And where there's sadness, ever joy." I first heard this hymn in the funeral service for Princess Diana in 1997. The wording is from the prayer of St. Francis. My hope is that the box will be a blessing to whoever receives it as a doorprize at the event.

National Collage Society Juried Exhibit

2009-09-04T11:55:00.006-06:00

Cleaning out my inbox, I found a reminder to enter the National Collage Society 25th Annual Juried Exhibit. In all the busyness, I had not entered the date on my calendar and the deadline is TODAY! So, I set up a paypal account to take care of the fee, filled out the entry form, and attached my photos. The show will be displayed at Mason Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, Georgia from November 6, 2009 to December 31st, 2009. Cross your fingers and say some prayers that one of my two entries pictured here is accepted.

Our first football game will be played at the new home field tonight. As long as you are saying prayers, include the safety of all high school football players, and especially my son. This is a nerve wracking situation for mothers...all the benefits of competition, camaraderie, and leadership, with all the potential for injuries. Maybe the fabulous weather will ease the stress...and, here's to all the time and effort from coaches and players. (Thanks Danny!)

This week I was honored to be able to play the piano, and accompany my brother's singing for the first of two services in memory of my dear cousin, Susan. She fought a courageous battle with cancer, and leaves a grieving husband and two grown children.

Since the last blog post, I finished reading Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth. First published 20 years ago, it's now on Oprah's Book Club list. It's historical fiction (I know--wierd favorite genre!) about building cathedrals in the middle ages. I get sort of lost in the age...can you even imagine living without electricity, toilets, and cars (let alone cell phones!) all while designing and constructing massive stone cathedrals, fighting rogue lords, and playing the politics of the catholic church and the monarchy system?

Back to art...(!)...last week my father-in-law helped me cut some masonite for backing on two large paintings, and we cut channels into frame moulding allowing glass to be held away from the texture of the artwork. It is sort of an experimental framing style. I'll report on the details when I get it all put together. Does anyone out there have any great solutions to framing heavily textured collage works...short of the ready-made shadow-box options at art supply stores?

Bridal Blog, Surfing, 21 Excuses, Storying

2009-08-20T13:22:00.018-06:00

Challenge: I'll post if you post!

I'm feeling uninspired and inadequate as I try to keep up with my daughter's witty blogging and the need for making art. So many distractions, so many excuses:

1.on vacation (photo of me and daughter number two during surf lessons on Carpenteria Beach, California)
2.getting daughter number two to college, sorority rush, research professors, check tuition costs (yikes!), buy books, meet roommates
3.son's first day of school, football, computer fees, installing car stereo, listening to his favorite music, rearranging schedules
4."studio" too messy to paint
5.altering bridal blogger's bridesmaid attire--must be done now to be mailed in time for friend's wedding (seemaikablog.blogspot.com)
6.school needs me (will pay!) to do reading mastery testing
7.cousin dying of cancer--can't stop thinking of her
8.managing family health needs and prescriptions
9.weather too cold or too windy
10.want to finish framing stuff before starting something new
11.piles of laundry
12.blogs to read
13.facebook to catch up on
14.computer not working--desperately backing up files
15.county fair swallowed time, left stuff all over house (but allowed cousin's daughter and friend to visit for Little Big Town concert.)
16.bills to pay
17.reading(Pillars of the Earth, Fountainhead, Whatever it Takes)
18.need a nap!!!
19.what's for supper?
20.cleaning cupboards
21.walking dog

Blogging daughter reminded me that sometimes the blog can be about life -- how it happens and sometimes gets in the way of what you think is your purpose. It's all a part of the story. And STORY, in the end, is what it's all about. She also said, "People buy art anywhere. The only reason they'd buy yours is because it's great, or because it has a story. People buy art because of the art or the artist." (I think her tuition was well worth it and the journalism school bias is quite transparent!) So, I'm thinking of writing down all the thoughts and processes that go along with each of my paintings...sort of like the quilt story histories that have been encouraged for quilters...also reminds me of the folk art store I visited in Summerland, CA (Just Folk) where all the art is made more interesting by artist biographies posted throughout the store. This is sort of paradoxical, as folk art is defined by the fact that it is historically by untrained and anonymous artists! Seems that history academicians have changed not only attitudes, and values of quilts and other folk art, but created a blurring of definitions!

This blog is part of the storying that goes with my art. It makes a difference, and gives my art meaning. (However justified, writing about my paintings and posting to my blog only create more distractions from actually making art!)

Surfing and Gallery Show

2009-08-08T00:05:00.006-06:00

Just returned from a short trip to Santa Barbara, where daughter number two and I surfed...yes, these landlocked Nebraskans actually stood up on surf boards in the Pacific Ocean! (Thanks to Eric at A Frame Surf Shop.) It was a great visit with my cousin, his son, and nephew. We had fabulous food, new haircuts (Patricia Noel Studios in Summerland), cultural surprises (Native American funeral ceremony), pictures at the gates to Neverland, abelskiver and antiques in Solvang, El Presidente of Fiesta on our plane, a hike on the San Ysidro Trail. All this may inspire some art...just need time to study my photos and journal...maybe after school starts!

Daughter number one has jumped into the blogging world (seemaikablog.blogspot.com ) She's a great writer--enjoy.

The Art Society of Ogallala will be featured at the Meadowlark Gallery in Grant, NE during the month of August. I am a member of the Ogallala group and six of my paintings (including High Plains Aerial #2 shown above) are in the exhibit which is open Fridays and Saturdays 6-8pm.

Checking my Google Analytics today, I found several visits to my blog from Brazil! If you're still around, welcome, hello, glad to have you!

Inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's Liberty Magazine Covers

2009-07-18T22:22:00.005-06:00

About 12 years ago, I took a class through UNKearney with professor Ray Schultz. This was a tour of art museums, sculpture, and architecture in and around Chicago. One day we toured the Oak Park Home/Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as homes he designed in the area and the Unitarian Church he built. I wrote a research paper relating his religion with his artwork, and came to love his work. The series of covers he did for Liberty Magazine are some of my favorites. I had found some stationary with prints from one of these covers and recently pulled it out to use for invitations to a party. As I worked with this print, I felt compelled to dig out my graph paper and colored pencils to try similar geometric designs.

This week I am playing nurse for my daughter's recovery from wisdom teeth extraction. Between making mashed potatoes and jello and watching lots of movies and extreme makeover shows, I haven't been able to paint in the "studio." But, I have been able to sit on the couch and play with this FLW idea...it's a bit like coloring graph paper designs in grade school. I've tried to use only three colors, which adds to the challenge. It's been a joy trying to vary the design elements, create balance, and centers of interest(and spend time with my daughter!) But, it's making me want to get out the old stashes of fabric and make some quilts...Try it yourself!

Sunflower Painting Process

2009-07-07T23:05:00.006-06:00

Sometimes the creative process is flowing so well that it's hard to remember to take photos of the progression of a painting. But, I often look at a finished product and am amazed at how it changed from where it started. So, a concerted effort was made to capture the process with this painting...although I wish there were a few more shots of different stages! Here are four of the most distinctive stages, occurring over three and a half months...I have a lot of distractions!

This actually started with a "pour" of acrylic over gessoed masonite. The pour was not great, so the board sat around for at least 3 years. When we were in Reno for the Safari Club convention last January, I made a sketch of images around me at an auction. It included the silk daisy centerpiece with an American flag, giraffe and zebra prints, geometric ceiling tile, cowboy hats, and candles. That sketch was inspiration for this new addition to my sunflower series. It may be titled "Savannah Sunrise."
What do you think?

Plaster was used for texture, applied with a palette knife to form some background and the basic shapes of the animal skin spots and flower. Then, several layers of acrylic stain were put on and wiped off. The stripes popped out at me from the pour peaking through the background, so I painted them in more definitely. Metallic highlights happened after a friend viewed it and said she missed the metallic that is in a lot of my other paintings. I love the copper wire mesh, suggesting the seed placement in the flower. Both the mesh and the small petals (taken from a waxy, acrylic covered silk flower) were applied with 527 bond glue. A lot of shading and the white outlining was done with oil pastel. The painting is larger than usual for me at 24" x 36". Now my challenge is how to frame it!

New Painting--Merci

2009-06-05T20:28:00.005-06:00

Today I finished framing Merci. The title comes from the small piece of German chocolate wrapper that is included in the collage. The purple in this is unusual for me, but very fun. This one started as part of a large (maybe 18"x24") landscape--somewhat stylized view of Enders reservoir with a yucca in the foreground! It wasn't working that way for me, so I cut it off and this is the first of what happened with the leftovers. To frame it, I painted a piece of masonite with some white gesso and quinacridone for the just right "mat" color. That was just too much, and the frame I had seemed too big. So, I used grosgrain ribbon to echo the corrugated cardboard in the piece, and "drizzled" some metallic thread around it. Still, not satisfied, I found some great beads in my hoards of stuff that finished it off for me...adding them to both the painting and the matting.

Art Sales

2009-05-26T18:42:00.006-06:00

I sold a painting! High Plains Aerial #3 is now in the collection of newlyweds Beau & Mandi. It's one of my favorites. Now I'll get busy and do another aerial landscape to hang with #1 and #2. They look so much better as a tryptich! Beau actually grew up near where the photo for this painting was taken. I am thrilled to have them enjoy it.

It's been a busy month with graduation of number two child. Number one got engaged to a fabulous man. Number three is on his way to Africa with his Dad for a 10 day safari hunt. I am left to babysit the dog! Hopefully she will let me paint a bit too. Happy Summer!

Before and After

2009-05-06T10:30:00.006-06:00

Updating inventory, I came across this before picture (on the left) of the Ancient Sunflower painting (finished work in right photo). I wish I had taken a photo of it even before this. It started as an aerial view of circle irrigation...fields and roads, but something wasn't working for me. This painting has a lot of texture, with plaster built up on masonite. The top right sprinkler became a sunflower and still has lots of that texture surrounding it. Rice papers, and painted orange tissue papers were added, as well as many layers of acrylic "stain" (painted on, and wiped off). I thought you would enjoy seeing a little of how my works evolve. I like this painting more each day...it seems to glow, and that makes me smile!

Susan Hart's Walkway Gallery Show

2009-05-01T08:33:00.007-06:00

Was it already two weeks ago that I went to Kearney for Susan Hart's reception? It was a great day...guess I need to slow down, so I can reflect and share what is important. I know Susan from art camp at Halsey. The Association of Nebraska Art Clubs (ANAC) organizes an amazing painting fest every September at the state 4-H camp in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. Susan has been very successful in the last few years with her wonderful collages, mostly with painted tissues, using a lot of quinacridone gold, turquoisish colors, and her signature swirl motif. She has 22 paintings in a one-woman show currently in the Walkway Gallery of Kearney's Good Samaritan Hospital. One is shown on the left. (With permission from Sue Hart.) The reception was so nice--Lorie Line music was played live, the staff had even created very tasty cookies painted with frosting to match the artwork! My trip was so worth the effort. Not only because of getting to see Susan and her great art, but I ran into my UNK art professor, Larry Peterson, who told me about the third Thursday lecture at MONA which was happening later that night, and the Kearney Art Guild opening reception for their juried ANAC competition entries on display at Elements. I was able to take in all three events. I also met John Allen, CEO of the Kearney hospital, whose insightful photography graces the walls of that facility. Seeing his art helps explain why the hospital is so supportive and believes in the healing qualities of art. There are definitely some fine artistic spirits in Kearney. I am inspired.

Great Photo Display

2009-04-09T14:39:00.005-06:00

>Last week I was in Lincoln, Nebraska for the state FFA convention. All three kids were involved. I sponsored the local chapter, and was so proud. During a break in activities, number one daughter and I spent about half an hour at the Sheldon Art Museum on the University of Nebraska campus. I don't usually get very excited over photography displays, but part of the current exhibit, Evolving Eden: Three Photographic Perspectives, has stuck in my mind...partly because of the insightful commentary inherent in the photos, and I'm sure in part due to the appreciative response from my daughter, who's journalism degree gives her some expertise in the medium. The installation by Hans Eijkelboom, a Dutch photographer, is titled Paris-NewYork-Shanghai. It includes large-format cityscapes with the identifying quirks of each city and snapshot-style grids of their inhabitants to reveal how similar one city is to another today. It is a satirical commentary about the globalization of our interests, habits, fashions, and problems. The exhibit has been seen in Aperture Gallery in New York, and is available in book form. Check it out!

The Custom Prom Dress

2009-03-30T11:41:00.013-06:00

The prom dress was fabulous! Yes, I'm slacking on my goals...it's been 21 days without a blog post. No excuses. Just, some great pictures! ...only one concern: the boning in the top piece turns up in front when she sits...requiring a reminder to pop it back down when she returns to standing! I wonder if attatching the skirt directly instead of making it two pieces would prevent this...?? She looked and felt beautiful. And, more importantly for me, she really appreciates my creative, sewing skills. It was fun. The first song played at the prom was Taylor Swift's "Love Story"!!! Now it's on to graduation reception scrapbooking, track meeting, FFA conventioning and hopefully some collaging....

Distractions

2009-03-09T21:13:00.003-06:00

My senior has requested this dress for prom. It's from Taylor Swift's music video of Love Story, and I think it's on the cover of the album. So, I've been busy designing, beading and sewing. Prom is in two weeks, and I have a long way to go. It's fun and creative, but sure distracting me from painting and art goals. I'm also substitute teaching quite a bit and I'm doing the ELDA testing for our school's ELL program for the fourth year now. I took a short break tonight to catch up on some blogs and was excited to see the post on EmptyEasel.com about Google Analytics. I am all signed up, and anxious to see how many readers I actually have. Hopefully this will help me improve my posts, see some art sales, and make some interesting contacts...that's the plan! Let's keep on board with all this technology...thanks to Google for making it all free and easy. I feel so capable, but then can't figure out how to get our old desktop to connect to the wireless network...always more to learn! Happy persevering!

Web Hosting

2009-02-24T14:34:00.006-07:00

This week I almost jumped into a webhosting site to get myself going with a real website. I've been looking at inmotionhosting.com, and artspan.com. I emailed a techie friend for his opinion and he's suggested being part of some education and rural business grants that would provide free technological assistance, free server, domain and hosting for a year. Of course he wrote the grants and needs participants! I am trying to decide whether I'm ready to go ahead on my own, or wait for all the red tape and get the FREE assistance. It would probably mean at least a year wait while students are trained, participants screened, and paperwork completed. In a lot of areas, I'm currently more technology savvy than the students who would be helping me! But, my participation would help out the students, too.

Meanwhile, my weekly blogposting has fallen behind due to a big weekend trip to Kearney/Lincoln and a pretty nasty virus that has me dripping and moving slowly. I spent 3 hours in Lincoln's Hobby Lobby and got some really great frames in their 80% off clearance aisle. I worked on 2 miniature collages while in the hotel, watching PBS's birthday tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. They are not done, but showing potential...one is shown here (4"x 6"). My mother did the scherenschnitte for some Christmas packaging several years ago!

Free Notecards...Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-12T13:59:00.008-07:00

The morning has been spent reading several art blogs and being inspired by other artists. I've followed EmptyEasel.com for several months and enjoyed the interview with editor Dan Duhrkoop found in a link there. Yesterday's EE post mentioned an Austrailian artist who has some really great, intelligent discussions of art. I recommend his February 2nd post with pictures showing his portraiture method: http://paulwruiz.wordpress.com From all this information, I am encouraged to keep going (persevere) and to expand my online presence. As a part of that effort, I will send 3 blank notecards/envelopes printed with my artwork to anyone who comments on this blog post, then emails me with their snail-mail address (if your are sure I know your slow address, a comment is good enough!) . That's free!...no shipping and handling! Have a happy, happy Valentine's Day!

PERSEVERANCE- scary step toward goals

2009-02-06T11:39:00.008-07:00

Nearly a month ago, I talked about writing down goals. Now, after lots of procrastination and lack-of-commitment issues, I am ready to take the scary step of stating my art related goals here, and thus being held accountable to whomever reads this post (and to myself). So, with a nod to Christine Kane, I state my theme word for the year: PERSEVERANCE--the act of persevering; continued, patient effort. Last summer I found Therese May in Alyson Stanfield's Get Organized class. Therese writes a daily blog with quilt images and inspirations based on single words. Her post on perseverance states, "I never give up! I love being an artist and doing art, making things and sharing them with others. I work at marketing my art by asking for shows, applying for grants. I sell my art. I exhibit the work....I keep on keeping on."

And now for goals towards this theme:
1) Post on this blog at least once a week.
2) Add 15 followers to blog.
3) Add 100 to mailing list.
4) Enter and get accepted to National Collage Society Show.
5) Sell $2000 of art--will need to MAKE MORE ART!, find venues, explore PayPal.
6) Renew website and make it an official .com thing.
7) get tax number, instead of sharing husband's.
8) Submit for NE Arts Council Governor's Mansion Show.
9) connect with other artists at least 5 days/week through Internet, guilds, classes.
10) Give back to community without compromising sense of self-worth (limit donations of art, time, expertise or teaching to 4 worthy causes.)

There. I'm committed. Please encourage me to persevere!

Art on Safari

2009-01-26T10:33:00.008-07:00

My husband took me to Reno, NV last week for the Safari Club International Convention. Hey, I take my vacations when I can get them! I took a day of mineral bath/massage/margaritas with a couple of other wives while he and his buddies explored all the guns and hunt vendors. I did spend one day at the huge SCI expo and was pleased to find lots of art at this convention--jewelry, bronze sculptures, African animal art. Of course, there were lots of animal realism artists, but two of the less realistic SCI artists especially inspired me: Laurel Barbieri, and Kobus Moller. The photo in this post shows the large, booth of Kobus Moller. The display walls were held with an interesting grid of interlocking 2x6 boards and included great lighting. Mr. Moller was very congenial, and talked about his emotional/spiritual struggle between the passion and the pride in his work as it relates to his Christian beliefs on creativity and his gift as a painter.

Artist's Co-op Gallery Reception

2009-01-12T12:23:00.006-07:00

Here's my wonderful kids with me and another wonderful kid at the emerging artists reception yesterday. We had a really amazing time in Omaha. There was a great crowd for the gallery event, even in the cold weather. The middle photo shows a small view of the bright open gallery with one of my paintings (Evolving Promises) on the left. Thanks to all the members of the Artist's Co-op Gallery who made this emerging artists show possible. Megan Sanders was in charge of the event. The bottom photo shows Megan introducing me to the crowd in front of the hanging panel where one highlighted work from each of the eight emerging artists is featured. I met some wonderful people and came away with lots of ideas and motivation for making art. It is such and honor to be a part of this selected group of artists. The show is up until January 25th, with opportunity to vote for the winning emerging artist until then. GO VOTE!

New Year

2009-01-08T23:12:00.002-07:00

Are you setting goals for 2009? Alyson Stanfield at www.artbizblog.com is encouraging followers to set goals. I also get newsletters from Christine Kane, who is telling me to chose a theme word for the year. I've already found that it is important to write these things down. I thought about them 2 weeks ago, and now can't remember what they were! That's my goal for the next week: to set specific accomplishments and choose a theme and WRITE them down. The year is starting off well. I have my first gallery showing of the year in Omaha NOW! I won a medal at the miniature show in the North Platte Art & Gift Gallery. Both gallery shows have receptions this weekend that I will attend with my children. They are so proud and supportive. I also have 3 commissions to get going on. Meet me in Omaha on Sunday at the Artists Cooperative Gallery!

2008-12-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

WOW!!!! I am a finalist in the emerging ARTIST show at the Artist's Co-op Gallery in Omaha Nebraska!!! (my art on the postcard invitation is the one at top-right, titled Flying) I am SOOO excited...lots to do and need to take my work to Omaha on Sunday. This was a juried entry competition and these eight finalists will show through January 25th. There is a viewer's choice vote during the show, with the winner getting a summer membership to the co-op with gallery space. SO, get to Omaha, and vote for me!

2008-12-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

Just returned from the orthopaedic surgeon for a second opinion on daughter's shoulder. He will operate on Christmas Eve Day! This changes all kinds of plans, but best in the long run. I was up way too late last night getting ready for this 3 hour trip to the doctor, because on the way I was to drop off a miniature painting for a show at the Art & Gift Gallery in North Platte, and the painting was not framed yet. I was advised by daughter 1 that I should not do this for some unknown reason which she should be trusted about...? But, I am so excited about this painting, I wanted to share it. It is 4"x 6", with a bi-centennial postage stamp on it. I did some of this at the workshop in Longmont associated with the National Collage Society show. I love the colors and the mysterious feeling of looking into a tunnel or through the fog. The small format is fun and fast. And, the NCS has a postcard competition show in the spring.

Also, since we were on this long trip and the interstate goes right near my aunt's house, we stopped on the way home to let her approve or oppose the sunflower painting she'd asked for. She loved it...or grew to love it when I pointed out her grandchildren peeking from their obscure positions in the flower center. I still need the cousin approval, but I think she'll be thrilled. If not, I get to do another sunflower painting!

Finished Painting

2008-12-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

So, I worked on the sunflower painting until the wee hours of the morning and then more during the day. I think I'm done...better quit before it gets any busier. (I mean the painting, not the life!) I was originally calling it "Blue Bricks" but now it will be called "Heaven in a Wildflower" because I added some lines from a William Blake poem: "to see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand...". I learned a few things, mostly because of the watercolor paper (large circle lower right). I used to use watercolor paper a lot for collage, but it's been a while... (1) It was a challenge for me as it warped whenever I moistened it with another layer. I didn't adhere the upper left half of it to the canvas until almost the end, and of course that addition of medium from the back was almost disastrous. The paper showed a large lumpy ring of medium-my fault for trying to do it at 1am! I sort of got rid of it by ironing the canvas from the back! (had to be careful because the oil pastels on the petals wanted to iron off!) Then I camouflaged the leftover lumpiness with a layer of rice paper. (2)Also due to the paper...the marker I used for the lettering wanted to bleed when a layer of rice paper was added close to it. (3) I'd used a wax transfer on the watercolor paper in an earlier project. The wax was applied on a much wider area than the transfer, and when I wanted to do lettering in that space, the wax resisted the marker. I wanted something to finish the edge of the circle and found an old necklace in the right color! I sort of like the wooden seed beads here, but I wish I had done fewer through the center and not left them strung together. It may give me ideas for the next painting though. I'm pretty happy with it...hope it works for my cousin! Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas!

New Sunflower Painting

2008-12-12T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is my latest painting, still in progress. It was commissioned by my aunt as a gift for my cousin, another sunflower collector. (Collage on pre-stretched canvas.) The circle (from white to lower right corner is watercolor paper, petals are cardstock cutouts with oil pastel, blue bricks and other texture are plaster/acrylic. There are also a lot of print images, rice papers, and painted tissue. To make it personal and special, I've included altered images from photos of my cousin's children-they are hidden among the brownish collage line in the middle of the large sunflower. My plan is to write some wonderful words in the white area, probably in brown marker. I'm just working on inspiration while I decorate and clean for Christmas...praying that inspiration comes quickly...my aunt would love to have it for a holiday present. Should it be my own thoughts about sunflowers, a special quote, Bible verse, or genealogy listing? Meanwhile, I am channeling positive energy for the next two weeks: gift wrapping, school concerts, doctor appointments, possible shoulder surgery for my daughter, family coming here for Christmas, house cleaning, cooking, church accompanying, my son turning 16(!), so many varied desires to manage, so many worries of the world, and still, finding awe for the season's reason. Blessed Painting!

2008-12-06T09:18:00.001-07:00

Hello world,
This is my first post and one small step forward in my journey. I pray for positive energy and the focus required to make it work. I am inspired by Alyson Stanfield, Christine Kane, and Suzan Buckner. Due to their online encouragement, I have completed more art in the last year than ever before, I have completed 2 shows this fall, and connected with artist friends from ages past. I have attended 4 museum show events, and I can see myself as a real artist! I realize that to be a real artist in this world, requires an up to date online presence. So..."here we go!"