the story of chromosome X

So very much can happen in a months' time! And how amazing it can be!

'The Story of Chromosome X'  36x36 | Vintage Ephemera, Graphite, Acrylic, Ink, Colored Pencils, Pastels, Gold Leaf

Unexpectedly, and a bit last minute, I decided to submit a painting to Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center's 10th Annual juried exhibition "X". SBDAC invited the artists to interpret the symbol X to honor their 10th anniversary season for the month of June.

Once committed, I still had to figure out my interpretation of the symbol X.

I stared at my blank canvas for a couple weeks waiting for it to speak to me. Nothing. Then more nothing. It continued to stare at me and still nothing. I only knew my daughter would be the subject. But how on earth does that interpret the symbol X?

And then...one day, out of the blue, like an explosion or the excitement of Christmas morning, Chromosome X was born! Of course I had to double check and look up Chromosome X and Chromosome Y to 'just make sure which was which'......just in case I didn't pay close enough attention in Middle School Biology. LOL. Whew! It was all good! I was on the right track.

....and so it began. I didn't know anything at that point other than using my beautiful daughter as my muse and using an element of all the techniques and mediums I am forever drawn to.

The painting was essentially intuitive. I had no real plan. No sketches. No idea. I didn't see the final piece in my head. I let the painting tell me the story. The Story of Chromosome X. The beginning when God created woman. The love songs. The definition. The beauty of a woman.

I loved every part of this painting adventure including receiving the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center's Choice Award! Such an honor! And surprise! I overheard and was told such amazing compliments and "WOW's" from the Center and the public and fellow artists. I am honored.

It filled my heart & soul and affirmed once again, the path I am on as an artist!!

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 10th Annual Juried Exhibition 'X' Choice Award 2018

let's catch up...

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.

Vintage Bible Page, Pen & Ink, Prismacolor Colored Pencils (approx 5"x7.5"), Incomplete

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!

the plans God has for me...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Vintage Bible Page, Pen & Ink, Prismacolor Colored Pencils (approx 5"x7.5")
- Sold -

 It is amazing how your life can change so quickly. So unexpected. The last several years have been such a long road of twists and turns for me, my family, my career, my art...and then out of the blue, or so it seems, it all changes. Something that changes your entire professional future which in turn changes all the rest! This road has felt bumpy and unpaved just too many times. A road that truly didn't feel like it was leading anywhere...and then you turn a corner and you stand before an amazing field of fantastic! and everywhere I turn is filled with even more fantastic! But God already knew. He knew the plans He had for me. He had already prepared this road for my life long before I even knew the road existed.

One more reminder in my life to TRUST HIM!!!

let the children come

 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Vintage Bible Page, Pen & Ink, Prismacolor Colored Pencils (approx 5"x7.5")

A recent commissioned piece. I really love the way the words peak through the leaves and flowers. I have numerous other pages and will be posting those very soon.

God's bounty in nature

Such an abundance of beauty we are all surrounded by....our glorious Nature! A gift given to us by God. To love. To appreciate. To take care of.   "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" Genesis 2:15

Almost daily, when I am sitting in my studio, I can look out of my window and watch the numerous birds frolicking within the trees and grass, singing songs that I am certain are meant for me only. What a blessing to have these beautiful birds...bluebirds, cardinals, finches, woodpeckers and more...stop by to visit my back yard. Meanwhile, gorgeous butterflies and dragonflies fill the air. How can you not be inspired by it all?

Vintage Bible Page, Pen & Ink, Prismacolor Colored Pencils (approx 5"x7.5")

the Lord is my rock!

The Lord is my Rock....and Thank God that He is!! Everyday my relationship with the Lord grows and in that, I grow as well. As a mother, a friend, an artist, a person. I have learned patience, forgiveness, compassion, faith and so, so much more. I am Blessed.

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge..." Psalms18:2

Vintage Bible Page, Pen & Ink, Prismacolor Colored Pencils (approx 5"x7.5")

I have been creating artwork on vintage book pages for a very long time now and have recently been adding to the collection, almost daily. I have always been in love with old or vintage books and papers and years ago when I came upon a few vintage books that were falling apart with missing pages, I knew I was going to bring them back to life using my artwork. Using vintage book pages is nothing new in the art world these days, but you will often find them used with something printed on top of them, versus an original piece of artwork. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to create something that was unique, original, beautiful, accessible, and affordable. On the creating end, I could take a limited amount of supplies with me (like I often do with ACEO's) so I could work on them almost anywhere. Working on the Bible pages have especially been rewarding for me lately, allowing me to spend even more time in the Word. It's a win-win!
Blessings to you!

Art On Vintage Bible Pages

Yes, believe it or not....I'm back, all in the same night! WooHoo! Don't expect this to happen again for sure. Many who know me, know I love books, old books especially. There is something very exciting and mysterious to me about a book. The paper, the binding, the story that lay between the pages. Older books are often so beautiful in its text styles and covers, which is what inspired me recently to use pages from vintage books for my art.

I was originally inspired by a vintage bible I have that is falling apart, with torn pages, etc. It wasn't able to serve its original purpose, but hopefully I could help the pages stay alive (my apologies for the not-so-great photos.) Several of these were 'test pages' of sorts because I wasn't really sure how different medium would take to the pages, especially with the fragile nature of the paper.
I was surprised though. Even watercolors worked well. I also used acrylics, ink and colored pencils. Then I thought perhaps I could create a further message within the text of that page so there were random words within the page or art that I left open, so together it created a message. I'm going to have to scan these and get better images so I can use for prints.
I'm going to continue to work on this concept and see what transpires and I'll post more when done. I really think it's unique and could be quite beautiful.
There is even more to post, but I am just going to have to wait until later. I still have much to finish so I need to get busy with that too. Until we meet again, Blessings to you.