outdoor photo shoot

OOPS move the rock !!!

it is what it is

I seem to say this a lot, of late. What do I mean by that? I generally seem to respond that way when people want to rehash a situation that is long past and has no hope of changing. Why dwell on things that have no hope for change? I’m happy to address a project or situation that some action on my part, or others, might bring about a different more satisfactory outcome, but if not, why waste the time?

Black Paintings # 10
24"X36" heavyweight watercolor paper

 I am a problem solver by nature, I want to “fix things”. I generally find a great deal of satisfaction in figuring out what’s wrong and take steps to make it better. Particularly if I work it out, or get the necessary info to determine what needs to be done and can save myself money by doing it myself.  I seem to have pretty good instincts regarding what the problem might be, maybe being a single Mom and often having to resolve things myself has contributed to that. When I couldn’t fix it myself and had to call in a pro, I would hang around and watch what the solution was, and often served as the tool hander overerer. This gave me the opportunity to not only observe the fixing, but have a communication with the fixit person as to what had caused the failure. Presumably on the premise that the right info would furnish me with the necessary steps needed to avoid a repeat performance of same or similar failures.

When I was young and lived on the farm, my uncle Hank was very patient with his “city girl” niece and let me hang around him in the tool shed whenever he fixed or developed equipment needed on the farm.  When my Aunt Nada wanted me to churn the fresh cow’s milk into butter and I complained about the length of time it took to churn it with a hand crank, he figured out a way to attach it to a motor to speed up the job. My aunt didn’t approve of that, mainly because her real purpose for assigning me that task was not just to have fresh churned butter, but also to get me out from underfoot in the house. Or down from my bedroom where I liked to while away the hours with my nose in a book. I loved to read and got an award in 3rd grade for reading aloud. Also, comprehension has always been a facility I’ve happily embraced my entire life.

Watercolor and then some

EXPLOSION BELOW DECKS

Friday at the Plainfield Art League

Making this commitment was a good thing. It seems that if I put it on my calendar as a definite, not a maybe, I’ll do it. So far only a few people drop by each time, but we haven’t been there that long and it’s a pretty new shopping center. I would love to have lots of people pouring in to look at the exhibit and even buy a piece or two, but if not, it’s O.K. I have supplies with me so I can sit and work on my Art Journal, or elements for a new work. 
Here’s my portable supply box. This box was a purse that belonged to my Mother and has to be 20 years old. I’m so glad I kept it all these years.
 
Can you believe how much it holds?
 
I am amazed at how I had all these items and could just “fit them in”. How cool !!!

Noveldom Abatement

Noveldom is not over yet, but seems to be subsiding. Not sure yet if it’s the current story or the whisper from the studio. Last week sometime I visited the Cloth Paper Scissors on-line group, probably when I was working on that “Running with Scissors” entry, looking for inspiration. But I digress.
Today Judi Hurwitt wrote in her BLOG,“Energized and inspired by last week's interview with Sherrill Kahn and the peek we were given at her new work, Monday morning found me setting up the wet studio for some marathon fabric painting. I used to spend days and days doing this- mostly on paper and wood- and I have missed it a lot, lately.”
Hmmmm, I’m relating to that last line about missing the painting process. So I’ve  hauled out some of my collection of collage inspiration and put them next to my reading chair.

What might happen next?

Thematic Art

Yesterday I received an email from Laura Thoma, that she calls “a creative infusion”. Here is the content/creative challenge.
“Many people struggle when faced with the need to create for a specified theme.  This month's exercise is a fun way to practice and hone this skill.  First, write a list of commonly used phrases; for example, time is money.  Next, you're going to choose your theme by closing your eyes and pointing to a phrase on your list.  Then, ask yourself, "how many ways can I express this theme?"  Jot down a quick list of what comes to mind.  After that, set a doable goal to create 3 to 4 different expressions of this theme such as art pieces, speeches, or presentations.  Remember to stretch and strengthen your creative muscles by working in diverse mediums or with technologies that challenge you.  Get excited about learning!  The more you practice this exercise the more you will build your skills, challenge your brain and increase your confidence.  This process is a great way for artists to practice creating a cohesive body of work.  Solo Exhibition, anyone?” Laura Thoma.

Of course, I believe this was pointed directly at me!!! I have on more than one occasion, expressed my frustration regarding art exhibits/contests that require a specific theme. My personal artistic expression is rarely informed by such direction. I begin with color and develop the work in an intuitive, spontaneous manner. Mixed media collage being my primary method to develop my art work. Putting something on, taking something off, covering it all up, removing most, is the way I am accustomed to proceed, with the color continuing to lead the way.

Having given this topic much thought and consideration, I now realize it's not so much working with a theme that I have a problem with, BUT SOMEONE else's theme !!! This obviously, to me at least, is an EGO problem of not liking to be told what to do !! This behavior further manifests itself when I procrastinate over filling out forms, hate that, and filing my income taxes !!  Very insightful, yes?

Depth Charge

Depth Charge - Mixed Media on Paper 30 X 22

This piece will be on exhibit at The Plainfield Art League 1/16 - 3/10.

Inspiration

I read this in two days, lots of pictures and easy reading.

It inspired me to draw this.

Solarburst takes 2nd place

24 " x 32"

Acrylic & Oil

100% rag, 90lb rough, Watercolor Paper

A Little Comic Relief

 

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Repurpose, Redirection - Day 6

Here's one that's already a collage in process.

Repurpose,Redirection - Day 5

Acrylic on 100% rag, 90lb rough, watercolor paper

I've always liked these and I think they got set aside when I made the big move from my 3000 sq ft. studio/dwelling to 1300. That was so long ago, 9 years, that I don't even exactly remember the process I was experimenting with when I did these.

Now, I'm seeing them as a great beginning for a collage series.

I take so many different lighting shots that I can't simply count how many images there are. I think there are 12 or so actual pieces.

I'm thinking these would be good for some "try it and see if you like it" opportunities in Photoshop.

Repurpose, Redirection - Day 3

Way more stuff than I realized and this is without that huge cityscape piece I showed yesterday.

OK, now it's time to take photos of all the individual paintings on paper, I used the back of a quilt yesterday to test the spot for the photo session.

Today I hung a piece of teal mat board on the wall for a surround, hoping to use Photoshop to lasso the art piece out of the picture. I have my trusty Dummies book to study tonight and learn this trick. I'm not sure if that dark background doesn't confuse the auto-focus, might need to try something else tomorrow. Still have lots of paintings to photograph. This is a much bigger job than I had anticipated. Beginning to review priorities.