"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire!" -Unknown
As I had a few weeks of health issues recently, I ended up with quite a bit of quiet time in my world. And it got very quiet around here. So very quiet!
It's funny really, when we beg for some 'quiet time' in our lives, to just be left alone for a little while, and then, all of a sudden when it arrives, you realize how precious your life is with all of the chaos and interruptions and friends and family. It was good though. It was.
It gave me a chance to have some serious heart to heart, uninterrupted conversations with God. It gave me opportunity to step back and just breathe and rest. And it gave me moments to clear my mind and allow inspiration to come forth like a firestorm. I came to realize I cannot just sequester these ideas and pursuits away, especially when fed by fear. There is no room for fear in my life!
I am so thankful for the quiet time and even more thankful for the chaos! I am definitely thankful for the chaos! And I love this sweet little forest creature born in the midst of it all. A strong and beautiful spirit owl filled with wisdom and intuition. And when his spirit guides you, you can see your true reality, all while offering guidance to explore your unknown and the magic of life.
“The bluebird carries the sky on his back” Henry David Thoreau
As many times as I try to use more subtle colors when I create, I often find myself these days drawn back to the vibrant color family of blue. It's ironic really because growing up, I hated blue! I mean really hated it. It's actually my birthstone, Sapphire, and I received a lot of gifts surrounded by the color blue or my birthstone. A lot! I thought it was dull and blah! I was jealous of my sister and her green Emerald! I mean, wow! LOL
Too funny because I wear a lot from the blue family, my home is decorated with a lot from the blue family, and I have created a LOT of artwork where blue and all of it's relatives are a big part. I am not sure what changed other than my love affair with earth. Whatever the reason, blues and greens and everything in between, make me smile!
I have always loved wood and all its characteristics. The different colors and tones, the growth rings and knots, the organic beauty of each and every piece. Probably because I have such a serious love affair with trees and mother nature as a whole! Swoon!!
Over the years I have been drawn to wood as my artistic canvas over and over again. Everything from building from it to wood burning to carving to painting on and even drawing on wood surfaces with colored pencils. It is an amazing surface to express your artistic talents! Recently, I committed to myself to using supplies (mainly so I wouldn't buy any more art supplies lol) and inspiration that already lives in my studio and in my life. I had a naked wood slice in my stack of studio supplies and well, the rest is history!! I was once again addicted to working on a wood canvas.
This time I wanted to try something different and incorporate watercolors or gouache and possibly ink as my medium. I wasn't quite sure how it would absorb or expand once water was introduced, and whether to 'prepare' the wood before or after or in-between stages, but I figured it out and now I can't stop. I have several pieces completed since finishing this Botanical and I'll post the other pieces here over the next few days. Botanical's have always been a favorite inspiration for me but, hint hint, owls have also found their way into this love affair I am having. I love all of the feedback and purchase requests I have already received on Instagram or Facebook so I think I will be lingering here in wood canvas world for a while.
A lot has been happening around here. School is out for Hannah and
Nathaniel, so our daily schedule has changed quite a bit. Trying to keep
those 2 busy is a job in itself! I've had some job changes so new doors
are opening and I am looking forward to all that lay ahead. In the midst
of it all, I've had a chance to play with some new pieces and pick up
my watercolors again. I always seem to forget how much I love
watercolors.
I've kept most of these pieces small (5x7) so that I could work on different styles and designs without committing to anything too large yet. I am still having such a hard time committing to just one medium or one style. I absolutely love, love, love them all! I couldn't even claim a favorite color if I tried. Do most artists go through this? It is so hard to market what I do with such a wide-ranged style. As a graphic designer I often have to produce a specific style according to the clients requests, so I am used to creating a different 'look' from one job to another. I guess that's where some of this comes from, but really, I have always been this way. Is it a curse or a blessing? I'll just keep creating what is in my heart and God will take care of the rest!
Time just goes by much too fast around here. I'm sure you're familiar. Kids, teaching, work, art projects, home projects....well, LIFE! Blog-time has suffered though I have to confess....I have really become quite enamored with Instagram and well, that's where I've been instead. Is that a bad thing? Feeling a little guilty for not being here, too. So let's catch up a little....
Hannah and Nathaniel in Miami visiting the Wynwood Walls
Hannah and Nathaniel are always keeping me on my toes. They are growing so fast and silly as ever. They are both Scouts and school keeps them extra busy, too. We've even worked in a few adventures in the midst of it all. Gotta slip in some fun to balance it all out!!
Big-Eyed Fish, Acrylic, 24" x 24"
On my end, in-between the teaching and work, I have been able to get some projects started and completed.....commission pieces and works for inventory. This little guy I started back in 2011, I think. 2011!! For some reason I never finished his eye and the poor guy just sat there year after year while other projects were started and completed. Crazy!! 2015 was the year to give him an eye...and so I did!! I like him. He's quirky and bright and colorful. Fun!!
String Art Elephant, Gift for Hannah
String art. What fun! I don't think I've done one of these since high school. My photos aren't great but the thread is metallic silver and the wood is stained the most iridescent plum color. Very pretty and best of all, Hannah loved it.
I've worked on lots of vintage bible and book pages and still need to photograph them all. Once I do, I will post those. This one I had started of Daniel in the Lions Den received so much attention and requests that it made me come to realize I really needed to consider prints for the bible pages. I didn't think it was something I was going to consider, but I am definitely rethinking that original idea. So much to think through when you are trying to develop your business.
So many more projects to show you, but will have to wait for another day. Until then...Blessings!
Exploring I have been. And I do love where this is taking me. Oh, the
colors! It's amazing how a color can change the way you feel. Can set a
mood. Love it!
This little guy makes me happy. Something about his face. His surroundings. The colors. I loved the process of building it all. I put the brush down, once again, and used my fingers mostly and all kinds of objects. It's not a new process for me, using lids from bottles or jars, bubble wrap, crumbled papers, tubes, old gift cards...anything I could find that would add dimension, depth, design. It is such a freeing process and I am especially enjoying this continued exploration. I am especially enjoying painting objects and characters of nature lately. I always have, really, but especially now. So peaceful. There is so much beauty to be found in nature. Can't wait to see what I find next.....
I was just reading through my posts and realized soooo much has occurred since I last posted here. Too much, really, to be able to catch everyone up completely. How about a quick overview...we moved (always so much work!), school started for the kids, participated in a little art show that I almost sold out of everything I brought (it was exhilarating!), sold every single wearable art handbag I talked about over the past several posts (They were a big hit! Getting ready to paint and sew up some more!), I started a fantastic job with Wine and Canvas where I get to teach groups of people to paint while we sip wine, eat, sing and just have the best of time (I love it!), and among other things, I found time to paint and create!!
'Elephant Majesty' Acrylic 20"x20"
I really loved working on this elephant. Well, I always love working on whatever I am working on at any given moment. It's like falling in love...over and over and over again. The mystery of the blank canvas. The excitement of the blank canvas. The first touch of paint to the surface. The textures. The colors. Explorations. Transformations. The growth. The comfort. The building of layers until something amazing transforms. It becomes you. How can I not want to experience that all the time, right?
This year I am trying to work differently than I have in the past. Working on getting out of my comfort zone. Loosen up. Paint from deep inside. I also want to take my work away from my studio. Go to the park. To the Slough. Change my surroundings. I know these things will take me places I don't even realize yet. For my elephant painting, I put the paint brush down through
most of it and my hands became my main instrument. I loosened
up and just 'experienced' the painting at a different level than I
have been used to. Get that type A personality out of the room and
experience the process, the birth of the elephant, the colors, the
layers. I didn't want to lose my style, my techniques. But I wanted to experience something new. I have had a lot of positive feedback and inquiries, so I guess I am heading in the right direction. It's exciting.
I have several more to post and I promise..I really, really promise....to post those over the next few days.
See you then....
Change is good! Right? Well, around here, everything seems to be changing lately, and at warp speed!
My beautiful Hannah just had her 12th birthday and I swear it was just yesterday when I brought her home from the hospital. I know I'll still be saying that when she's 22, but for now I am in utter shock that she is already 12. I am watching her become a young lady...scary and beautiful all at once.
And then there's Nathaniel, my little man! 6 going on 26! He's graduating from Kindergarten this week, and as it looks, will be heading to 2nd grade. I am really going to have to get a new pair of roller skates to keep up with these guys. I really didn't know I could love anyone so much! They are my life.
For Hannah's sleepover birthday party, I had purchased some air drying modeling clay that I thought would be fun for the girls (6 of them) to create some little sculptures, pendants, etc with the clay, and then paint them the second day. Well, let's just say that when you get six 12-year-old girls together for a sleepover, getting them to sit still for a 'project' is a bit hit-and-miss. I missed! No biggie, more for me. It's been a while since I had played with the clay and it didn't take long before I was HOOKED...again! I sculpted several little figures and the owl is the only one finished so far. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with him though. Thought I might turn him into a brooch or pendant, or some sort of mixed media piece, maybe. I have some 3.5"x3.5"canvas covered blocks I made a while back that might be fun to add the head and paint in the rest of the body on the canvas. Hmmmm. Many choices, but one thing for sure is...I LOVED making these. I LOVED working with the clay again. I so feel some changes happening.
This little painting I did last week. I have wanted to create a series of 'boudoir' pieces, of sorts, for a while now...like purses, shoes, lipstick, etc. I added the gold leaf which I think really makes it pop and interesting, too. I also have some fun ideas for the kitchen as well. So many ideas, 24 hours in a day....what's a girl to do?
And here is one more. A painting that I have been working on this past week that isn't finished yet. He is much bigger, 20"x20". The Bug-Eyed ACEO from my last post actually inspired this piece and I am considering some new ideas, so we'll just have to wait to see how it gets finished. I don't have the photos ready, but I have some pen and ink/watercolors to show you, too. It's been a busy, messy week and it really shows in my studio. My mind feels a little messy lately, too. Ultimately, I think I am headed for some CHANGE...but I will have to talk more about that next time. See you then......
It's time to do some catch up and there is quite a bit, so lets get started. Before anything else, I would like to take a moment and honor my good friend Christina Marie Coyle
who passed away February 18, 2011 at the young age of 44, from a long and courageous battle with Lymphoma Cancer. She was such a beautiful person and left behind her wonderful husband, Mike and beautiful 8 year old son, Danny. I can honestly say I was truly blessed to know her! I first met her when we were in our 20's, became immediate friends, had TONS of fun together and I was blessed to extend that relationship to her sister, Julie, whom lives in New York. Julie and I, through this horrible tragedy have been able to reconnect again and I am so thankful. Julie and I were very close for many years and I look forward to having her in my life again! We have come to realize the old saying IS true...Life IS too short and you just never know when someone you care about is gone. I do not want to ever regret not having the chance to let someone know how important they are to me. May God bless Mike and Danny and be with them during this most difficult time in their lives! My heart is broken but I know that she is with the Lord and at peace and no longer in pain.
After the emotional funeral, I was a mess and numb. I felt like I needed to stay busy so later that night, I decided to put some boxes in the attic. While I was on the ladder, the ladder gave way, shifted to the right and down I went. Trying to lessen my fall, I grabbed onto the door ledge with my right arm and came crashing down. Bruised from head to toe, I realized I had hurt my right arm pretty bad. No rotator cuff tear, but fluid, bursitis, tendonitis and in horrible pain for a month. I actually couldn't use my right arm at all until about 1 1/2 week ago! I had recieved some amazing prayer 2 Sundays ago at church and Monday morning, I was actually able to put on my clothes by myself for the first time since the accident. God is good! I continue to improve every day, and although not completely healed and still have some pain, God has provided me amazing strength and healing and I am grateful.
Somehow during all of this (and just prior) I have created many new works and many of these have sold. I am just loving every bit of it. It never gets old hearing that someone loves my work and better yet... purchases it...to be loved forever. It is an absolute honor. I was also recently blessed with numerous stories written about me by Tom Hall from the Examiner.com. You can read them here. The press has been wonderful and again, I am more than honored!! I just finished a small art show at the Verona in Naples, Florida this past weekend and it was so exciting. The positive feedback was almost overwhelming for me. My sales were excellent (even though I felt like I wasn't completely prepared due to the recent shoulder injury and my printers' print heads deciding to die out this past week) and looks like there will be an outrageous amount of commission work I can look forward to. My work (I brought a wide representation) appealed to those of ALL ages and many returned to my tables repeatedly. It was a wonderful feeling and I can't wait for the next show!
This coming Friday, I have been honored once again as the Featured Artist for Green-n-Groovy during the amazing Art Walk held in our Fort Myers River District downtown. Although I will be presenting works of all mediums and styles, I will be demonstrating the ACEO using Micron pen and the Zentangle techniques. There was so much interest during the art show from this past weekend for the ACEO card. Viewers were intrigued and curious. They enjoyed picking them up, being able to purchase affordable works of art, and just wanted to know more. I love that!
Along with my paintings and illustrations, I have also been working in textiles, too. Upcycling the shoes are a blast and they are definitely a statement piece! Have had several custom orders for them and am excited about creating an entire line of painted and fabric upcycled shoes.
The handbags are actually from upcycled upholstery fabric swatch books. I absolutely love the fabrics. They are full of texture, color, patterns...and matched with embellishments, leathers, suedes, etc...the purses become an artistic statement piece as well. They spark a lot of conversation and I love that I get to create all of this.
There is much to do still and I have numerous other photos to prepare for posting, as well. I am not certain whether I will complete this before Friday, but I will do my best!! I love where all of this is taking me and look forward to seeing what's around the bend.
Well, I am going to try to catch up a bit. There is so much to share, I am not certain where to start. One of the most exciting event is the solo trunk show (me) next week at an amazing boutique here in town. Barbara, the owner of Mirage Boutique, contacted me after coming across my work and the rest is history! Barbara and the store are amazing. I secretly coveted almost everything in the store! I had a few delays due to health and kids, but it's finally coming together and I am so excited!
It will be just in time for Valentines Day so I am really trying to create accordingly. Lots of hearts and feelings of love and dreams. I am also creating for Green-n-Groovy at the same time and this amazing art filled weekend downtown. Fort Myers Art Walk is tonight and then two days of the Southwest Florida Premier ArtFest Fort Myers which is an event not to be missed!
I also created the new logo for Green-n-Groovy and I have to say, I really love it. And it looks great on the glass doors. The store is amazing! So many great artists, many of them using organic or recycled/upcycled materials....and all of them groovy!
I did have time to do some little pieces, too (ACEO's). They are always fun to do and allows me to experiment without committing to a huge piece. I really enjoyed working with the collage and I know this style will creep into my art more and more.
There really is much more to show but it will just have to wait until next time. Blessings to all!
