Stoic

Stoic, 15x30, Oil on Canvas, NFS

 It's been a while since I've done a figure or portrait. But sometimes something comes along that inspires me to jump out of my comfort zone. This man was one of those somethings. 

The setting: last March at the Wester Art Week in Great Falls, MT. I had my booth set up in the Four Seasons Arena with the Legends West Art Show and all was going well. I look up, and from down the aisle came from a man dressed in full minuteman costume (which was my best guess). I couldn't NOT look at him. It wasn't like a Halloween costume. It didn't look like make up or a wig. It looked like he stepped out of the past. 

This guy had a certain strength/determination that was good fodder for a painting.  What an opportunity.  So Husband took his picture with his permission, the man meandered down the aisle and I finished the show. 

 I percolated on this subject (pre painting) and decided my soldier represents a "keeps to himself" kind of guy. The guy who "keeps on keeping on" without fancy medals or ceremonies. I decided he was dignified and of historic significance. I created a little backstory for him.  Sketchy and historically incorrect, I'm sure but it suited my purpose.  Which was my concept.

Resilient people set a good example for us.  They're role models. They inspire us to do better.  Be better.  We see them on TV, read about them in magazines (yes I still read print material), and of course come across them on social media, i.e. FB.  We watch videos and it gets in our heads and we aspire to be better, like them.  All good stuff.  

What if a painting could start conversations about the unconventional heroes in our lives? The husband who gets up and goes to work every day to provide for his family. The single mom who works full time and still has healthy, grounded kids. The artist who goes into her studio day after day telling stories with her brush. LOL!

Can a painting prompt us to acknowledge the strength and grace of those around us? Do people even acknowledge that there ARE other people around us anymore?  Weird times, today.  Stop the selfies.  Ask someone how their day's going. Ask them what's new.  Find out something you didn't know about them.  Because if you don't ask, they probably wont tell you.  Because those quiet hero types don't focus on themselves.  

Remember:

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain

We need strong men. 

And women.  

Inspiration~ Where it all starts

 

Silence, 24x36, oil on canvas

I hung this piece at a show in August.  It seemed to get a lot of attention.  People were often mesmerized and would stand in front of it just looking for several minutes.  At that point, I SHOULD have asked some key questions such as "What does it make you feel?" or "How does this resonate with you?".  I like those questions because it helps me understand how my art touches my "fans".  Completely authentic questions.  Not salesy because I actually want to know the answers.  WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK/FEEL WHEN THEY CONNECT WITH MY ART?  

I dont remember asking because I myself was mesmerized by people being mesmerized my something I did.  How DID that happen?  Have I done it before?  More importantly, can I do it again?  

Yes and yes.  My experience has been that when I get an idea, sit on it for a while, percolate, brew and finally set the canvas up to start the piece, it takes on a life of it's own.  Not that I dont see that from time to time with a spontaneous piece.  But something that I've been sitting on for a bit will somehow already be so inspired that by the time I get to painting, the idea, the concept, the motivation, the feelings all just pour out.  No guessing or "I wonder what would happen if I..." or "I think I'll try this....".  

For this piece, I saw a skull painting at a show I was in.  It was in a booth almost across from mine so I looked at it for most of 4 days.  It was a very western piece as I recall.  I believe it was just the skull and painted brilliantly.  And for whatever reason, I thought, "I think I'd like to try painting a skull".  Which is kind of weird since I'm mostly a floral painter.  

That's where the percolating comes in.  How do I, a floral painter, incorporate a skull?  How can florals and a skull come together to convey this feeling I have.  What feeling is that?  What flowers do I use... and so on.

My son let me use his Mule Deer skull and I knew it had to be white tulips.  I KNEW IT.    It also became clear to me the background had to be light and atmospheric.  Not dark, chiaroscuro and heavy.  This was going to be a quiet setting.  Reflective.  But beautiful.  The actual composition came together in the studio once I was able to find the tulips.  But it didn't take long.  I already knew it would be horizontal.  I could feel it by that time.  

I was inspired by another artists artwork.  That happens all the time for me.  That's why I go to Scottsdale a few times a year.  Something sticks and I cant shake it.  I get cravings, if you will.  Like chocolate, I will seek it out until the craving is settled.  

I currently have an inspiration, not skull related, brewing.  It's been there for a couple of months but I've had a few obligations to attend to.  A few items to clear before I indulge.  And now Christmas is just a few days away.  But that didnt stop me from doing a couple of "studies". :

These little button doll pieces sold but they will play a role in my next piece.  I cant remember what was the original inspiration for this idea I have but it's in my head and there is no way to stop the train once it's started down the tracks.  

It's Time To Rotate Your Artwork For A Grown-UP Christmas

Curiously Strong 

Every year.  Off goes the landscape, up goes the candy canes.  Down goes the family photo, up goes the Christmas tree quilt wall hanging.  And then the chaos and (dare I say) mess of tree, ornaments, fake snow, gingerbread house, lights, yada, yada, yada.  Dont forget the baking. My gosh, the baking.  

Actually, that's mostly in the past.  And it was fun until it wasnt.  That's when I started thinning out the decor opting for a more... "grown up" version of Christmas.  After all, the kids are adults now with their own kids so, it's their time to "enjoy" the clutter.  

Of course I enjoyed it when the kids were little.  Christmas decorations were the least of my chaos back then.  But now I appreciate a quieter backdrop.

So now, I pull out one of my Christmas paintings, like the one above, and replace my warmer, sunny landscape with a cooler, Christmassy still life.  It stays up through January along with a few other moderately "grown up"decorations.  Then I rotate it back into the cycle and pull out a February landscape.  Preferably one with snow.  My dining area will get a larger painting, most likely a white hydrangea with Christmas ornaments.  Something larger, cool and crisp that feels in harmony with the 20 degree mornings.  

I recommend rotating your artwork at least seasonally - maybe even monthly!  It's one of the quickest and least messy change of decor for me.  My little 8"x8" paintings are easily shifted out of their table top easel and replaced with a new piece. Larger pieces have a cool, dry spot for storage downstairs until they are rotated back onto a wall.  

I honestly dont know why more people dont do that. Or maybe they do.  Do you?  

~ I have a few Christmas paintings available for purchase on my website Here .  ~

Festive Roses

 Festive Roses

My Grandma was a woman of many talents.  Even as a youngster I was aware of that.  Besides growing her own fruit and veggies, canning and preserving, home cooking from scratch, she also quilted, crocheted and tatted.  And I'm sure there were many other things she did, and did well. My mother did none of those things and had no interest, ergo, I was intrigued.  

Like most families in my grandparents community they had a modest home with modest décor. It was kept clean and orderly and felt exceedingly welcoming.  I was always amazed by their non stop drop in visitors.  Every day people would stop by just to say hi, have a cup of coffee and talk about the Euchre game coming up or just played or just catch up on who's doing what (i.e. gossip 😉 ).  My grandparents were loved by all.  Grandpa was the Shelby County Sheriff for a couple of terms and introduced me to a jail cell - just for kicks.  Grandma cooked for the prisoners during his stint as sheriff.  

It struck me a walk back in time.  Quieter, simpler, pre-hamburger helper, harvest gold and avocado green.  They had tatted arm rests and head rests on their furniture. They had what they needed and not much more but they were far from poor. Just content.  CONTENT.  People were different there and there were so few of them in this sleepy, friendly little neighborhood.  You just wanted to sit on the front porch, smell the air and watch the fireflies.  

That's Flat Rock, Indiana.  Or was.  It's changed considerably since then.  They tore down Tilly's house and build others.  Even the brick school house that schooled grades K-12 was torn down.  It's a bit more crowded now but still had a warm neighborly feel.  Probably because you could walk from one end to the other in about 5 minutes.  At least that's how I remember it.  But memories can be funny that way.  

But I digress.  My Grandma taught me about a thousand solitaire games (I imagine now that was to keep me entertained while she did what she did) and to tat.  Sadly I've forgotten both. But I now have many of her hand tatted handkerchiefs.  Passed to mom when Grandma died and passed to me when Mom died.  I cant pull them out without going down memory lane.  And why not?  It's a great place to spend a little time.  Grandma is gone but not forgotten.  She left her influence with me (did I say that right?) .  I strive to be more like her.  

When you see a tatted handkerchief in one of my paintings it's Grandmas.  If my painting emits a sense of calm, reflective, maybe even heirloomy quality, it's because my Grandma left her mark on me.  She inspires me to be a better person even now, 30 years after her death.  Wow.  

Up Coming Show

 

Christmas Balls

I've done a few shows.  I know the ropes.  At least I know it kinda sorta.  Things happen from time to time so it's important to be flexible or have a plan B or be able to fake a plan B.  Especially when you have to travel out of state for a show and cant just jaunt home for whatever.  But my shows have always been in a populated area, near a grocery store and or box store so I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what COULD happen (anymore).  

That said, I have a show coming in November that I haven't exhibited in before.  Or even attended.  This breaks my number one rule.  I'm relying entirely on other artists advice as to how this show is expected to go. 

First of all, I wouldn't normally even consider a show like this one.  It's a Holiday Food & Gift Fair.  Food & Gift.  Whaaa?  I've learned to stay away from crafty fairs as my artwork is a little higher priced than what you usually find at a craft fair.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE craft fairs and spend my money there because I LOVE handmade crafts.  But I've had people look at my prices and roll their eyes and wander off at these venues where as at FINE ART events my artwork and prices usually fit in.  

But I have artist friends who say it's been a good show for them and they recommended I give it a try.  With one caveat.  Bring your small stuff.  My small stuff?  You mean all those little pieces that sold at the last show?  All of them THAT SOLD?  

Good news, bad news.  My littles went like hot cakes at my last show which left me with nothing for this show.  Or almost nothing.  So I got to painting.  And I like painting my littles.  They are my "instant gratification" pieces, or so I'd like to believe.  Maybe not so instant... maybe more like a day or so depending on this, that and the other.  But gratifying.  

Christmas Balls, above, is not a little.  Nor was it instant.  But I love this piece and it will be coming with me to the show in November unless someone scoops it up off my website before then.  I would not complain about that.  

Anyway, the show is The Holiday Gift & Food Fair  at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion, Kitsap County Fairground, 1200 NW Fairgrounds Rd, Bremerton, WA  98311.

FRI NOV 17 - 10am to 6pm

SAT NOV 18 - 10am to 6pm

SUN NOV 19 - 10am to 5pm 

Maybe I'll see you there.  With all my littles and a few bigs.  

Season Finale

 

Season Finale, 12x24, Oil on Canvas, See it HERE

Indeed, once I've shaken all the spiders off and given them a long drink of water, these expressive blooms create a sanctuary space.  I love my butterfly bush.  Fast growing, full of long, massive blooms all summer.  And it makes for long lasting bouquets.

But shake those spiders off.  ALL the spiders.  

Oh my gosh.  How many times have I been painting and out of the corner of my eye I see a tiny, light, almost translucent spider slowly drop from the bouquet to the table top.  Gaaah!  Arachnophobe! 

That said, I'm learning to inspect and do a little housecleaning with them and then deal with the little invaders as they come. Because they will come.  It's inevitable it appears.  The little buggers are good hiders.

But fortunately, the painting doesnt come with spiders.  It's guaranteed spider free.  Spider free, murkey water free, and no dropped petal mess.   :)

Soulful Pansies

Pansy Study, 8x8, Oil on Canvas, $125 

Available On Etsy Here

Soulful: adjective  of or expressive of deep feeling or emotion: soulful eyes.

Indeed, that is my objective - To put deep feeling and emotion into a painting. Or at the very least inspire such feelings and emotions.  

It's not always easy, and it's not always deep, dramatic and brooding.  Sometimes I shoot for light hearted and whimsey.  But todays post is a pansy painting that sits in the shadows with just a spot of light.  Brooding may be going to far.  Or not.  You see what you see.  You feel what you feel.  

Some people only see pansies.  In that case, I may have worked too hard. :)   I assure you, you are not wrong!  They are indeed pansies.  But artwork is intended to provoke and inspire so if all you see is the literal interpretation than I've missed the boat here.  Or you have.  Look again.  Maybe there is more to it that first appearances.  

Christmas Balls

 

Christmas Balls, 16x12, Oil on Canvas, $995

It's grey, wet and cloudy.  Always seems to be either misting or light rain.  Forty degrees feels like twenty. But... It's Christmas Time!  And that always inspires a Christmassy painting.

As usual, I aim for quiet, tranquil pieces.  But this time of year I also paint cold, bitter cold, brrrry, pieces.  Mostly because that's what's going on.  My studio is pretty small with a wall heater and a space heater which keeps it pretty cozy but outside, lets face it, COLD.  

Every year I take key paintings in my dining room and family room, down and replace them with a Christmas piece as part of my Christmas Decorating.  I don't do a lot of decorating anymore.  I keep it pretty simple which amounts to less and less each year.  

My parents got to the point where they would bring in a single branch that had been broken off from a wind storm and hang a single spent cartridge..  Saying this is their CARTIRDGE IN A BARE TREE.  That might be going too far.  But I kind of get it.  

I still hang a garland with lights across my kitchen beam and we put up our traditional fake tree (with lights, a ribbon and a few pinecones and fake birds).  The powder room gets a small wire tree for the counter, along with a little stained glass church and Christmas foaming soap from Michaels.   I make Muddy Buddies and Spiced Chai Coffee - decaf of course.  But with the kids grown and moved away, Husband and I enjoy more quiet time and that equals less chaos which equals less Christmas decor in my world.  

I like quiet.  Not noise free but chaos free.  Or at least controlled chaos.  Grandkids are kind of the latter.  Kind of.  

Anyway, this piece was selected by the Cole Gallery for their Christmas display so that's where you will find it for now.  It's framed in a classic dark wood frame and for sale for $995. 

Slow down and enjoy the holidays! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So your still shopping?

Curiously Strong, Oil on Canvas, 14x18

Are you racing to finish your gift list and wrap and bake and watch all those classic shows?

I cant bake for you or watch your favorite Christmas specials but I may have an idea for your last minute gifts.

IF you have a local gallery you will fine MANY one of a kinds and unique items for your special someones - in stock and ready to wrap. (So much fun!!)

My local gallery has items such as:

• Handmade Crocheted Items
• Pottery
• Quilted items
• Applique
• Glass Art
• Fused Glass
• Stained Glass
• Paintings of course..
• Jewelry
• Photography
• Carved Wood
• Mosaic

ORIGINAL ART equals an ORIGINAL GIFT (that's how I got hooked on Etsy).

Now, I, on the other hand am DONE with my shopping (yay!) but I havent even started my holiday baking/meal planning (boo). So leave you with that - my gift to YOU - a brainstorming, last minute, idea list of gift giving options that are likely down the road. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

Making Sausage.. ?

I was recently asked if I labored my strokes or in fact, painted quickly and left each stroke as it falls off the brush.

It' might surprise you to know I usually start with a relatively tight painting, putting it all in place where I want it, finding my darks and lights, my strongest color and my muted tones.

That's when I reassess my painting and let my brush fly!  Sometimes I smoosh through edges until they disappear entirely and bring back the areas I want strong.  

It's a back and forth, smooshing and repainting until I'm happy with the result.

Do I labor over brush strokes?  Mostly no, sometimes, yes. 
But when you're in the zone, it's a labor of love. 


What is NOT a labor of love, at least at this point, is my photography of my artwork...  😠👎 
Getting those nasty sparkles and glares out is a constant issue with my chiaroscuro pieces.  I'm going to be experimenting with a new product next week to see if I can produce a better image.  Until then, it remains "a work in progress".  The finished painting and image of said painting will be displayed when that experiment succeeds!   😏
via GIPHY