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"Knocked Off Our Hamster Wheels" - acrylic on cradled wood panel, 12" x 12" x .75". Ready to hang (sides are painted; back is pre-wired. No framing necessary!) Available here and at Artfinder.
This is the one silver lining of Covid. It knocks us all off our hamster wheels, of doing things in a particular way, and forces everyone to think of new ways of doing things. Which is actually, cognitively, quite good for you. In that sense, all our brains are forced to be more exercised than normal. Challenging your brain with novelty appears to provide cognitive protection. - NEUROSCIENTIST DAVID EAGLEMAN
Eagleman, in this interview with Elemental, suggests we really need these outrageous happenings in the world to exercise our brains. Maybe he's got a point, because the studio has been a wild rumpus lately as my imagination expands in unexpected directions. So, in a way, this novelty of a painting is intended to provide you cognitive protection, dear reader!
This is the one silver lining of Covid. It knocks us all off our hamster wheels, of doing things in a particular way, and forces everyone to think of new ways of doing things. Which is actually, cognitively, quite good for you. In that sense, all our brains are forced to be more exercised than normal. Challenging your brain with novelty appears to provide cognitive protection. - NEUROSCIENTIST DAVID EAGLEMAN
Eagleman, in this interview with Elemental, suggests we really need these outrageous happenings in the world to exercise our brains. Maybe he's got a point, because the studio has been a wild rumpus lately as my imagination expands in unexpected directions. So, in a way, this novelty of a painting is intended to provide you cognitive protection, dear reader!
Knocked Off Our Hamster Wheels
When I think of all the new ways of doing things we've all developed in the last six months or so, my mind is a bit gobsmacked. I mean, how many things CAN I have delivered instead of going to the store? And how many new paths have I walked to find the road less traveled and thus less populated with potential COVID carriers? What about how we have begun to utilize technology for socializing in a serious way? Or how we've developed NASA caliber questionnaires to determine if another human can come into our personal bubbles? And dating in a COVID world is a particular maze of brain challenge that I get lost in and meander through. Send cookies and tea.
I'm thinking we are all going to have the healthiest brains in the history of brains. And if I keep thinking like that, the art just might get even more peculiar as this pandemic rolls on. :)
I'm thinking we are all going to have the healthiest brains in the history of brains. And if I keep thinking like that, the art just might get even more peculiar as this pandemic rolls on. :)
About the art:: I have a small collection of work by local artist Christopher St. John. So if you spend a little time with his incredible ceramic pieces, you begin to imagine most animals with human-ish faces. And so this rabbit seems to have a whimsical girl trapped inside. Or a whimsical girl has been cursed (or blessed?) by a magician and turned into a hare. Either way, it's a lot of paint on a piece of wood panel.
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Goliath's Widow
"Goliath's Widow" - acrylic on cradled wood panel, 16 x 20 x .75. Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
Goliath is struck by the stone.
The stone turns into a bird.
The bird sings in her window.
Time is absurd. It flows backward.
It is married to the word.
This is the window of the giant's eyes.
This is the bird singing alone.
This is the river of forgetting.
This is the chosen stone.
This is Goliath's widow.
Struck by the stone he leaps
into the future. He lies
a monolith, a rune, light
from a distant nova. Not even a bone
remembers begetting him ever.
The song is a monotone.
She is the word and the window.
She is the stone and the bird.
She is the bed of the river.
All Time is Past Time by Ruth Stone
Goliath is struck by the stone.
The stone turns into a bird.
The bird sings in her window.
Time is absurd. It flows backward.
It is married to the word.
This is the window of the giant's eyes.
This is the bird singing alone.
This is the river of forgetting.
This is the chosen stone.
This is Goliath's widow.
Struck by the stone he leaps
into the future. He lies
a monolith, a rune, light
from a distant nova. Not even a bone
remembers begetting him ever.
The song is a monotone.
She is the word and the window.
She is the stone and the bird.
She is the bed of the river.
All Time is Past Time by Ruth Stone
A silver lining in a week of cloistering inside - a pile of books to explore. Seven at once? Why not. And within the stack a book of poetry by Ruth Stone. A poet I knew nothing of, and then discovered she went to the same university as my own dad. A woman who won the National Book Award at the age of 87, and who believed women came into their creative power at an advanced age. Oh - what an inspiration for me! And for each of you dear readers who may sometimes wonder how long you can keep doing that thing you love. Perhaps longer than you ever imagined.
In this video, Stone (nearly blind at the age of 93-94), recites her own work from memory.
In this video, Stone (nearly blind at the age of 93-94), recites her own work from memory.
About the art: this one was a journey, heavily influenced by the odd light of a sun straining through smoke-choked skies, painting in rooms with eerie glows and haze. Acrylic on wood panel which had been pre-gesso'd to an ultra smooth finish. The requisite 80 million layers are included in this piece.
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"Good Medicine", "I Need to Be Sweet, Too", "Big Heart and Iron Will", "Those Who Love Like Rain Soothe Every Fire" and "Beautiful and Possibly Unsuitable" - acrylic or mixed media on wood panel. All 8 x 10 or under and ready to hang. Available Sept 20-21 at Artistic Souls Gallery's All Small Auction.
It is said that souls intent on living
will reach deep into their wound and bring out the fire living there,
which out in the open turns to light.
It is said that those intent on making things better
will reach deep into their minds and bring out the fire there,
which out in the open turns to truth.
It is said that those who love like rain soothe every fire.
- MARK NEPO
It is said that souls intent on living
will reach deep into their wound and bring out the fire living there,
which out in the open turns to light.
It is said that those intent on making things better
will reach deep into their minds and bring out the fire there,
which out in the open turns to truth.
It is said that those who love like rain soothe every fire.
- MARK NEPO
Small Things Made With Great Love
It just made sense that a quote about rain soothing fire would pop into my world this week. And whenever it is Mark Nepo, well you know I listen extra closely.
So many of us are intent on living right now. Living through some of the most challenging times in our lives. Which, if you have a deep wound (or two or ten) from the past, may just trigger those buggers and have you dealing with more than one VERY BIG THING. But Nepo shines a light right on the silver lining there - when we bring out our inner fire it transforms into an ability to love like rain. A love based in the light and truth of vulnerability and openness. And I've been lucky enough to witness this recently - stellar souls reaching deep and bringing out the fire. I find myself awed, inspired and contemplating how to love like rain.
So many of us are intent on living right now. Living through some of the most challenging times in our lives. Which, if you have a deep wound (or two or ten) from the past, may just trigger those buggers and have you dealing with more than one VERY BIG THING. But Nepo shines a light right on the silver lining there - when we bring out our inner fire it transforms into an ability to love like rain. A love based in the light and truth of vulnerability and openness. And I've been lucky enough to witness this recently - stellar souls reaching deep and bringing out the fire. I find myself awed, inspired and contemplating how to love like rain.
About the art - Beginning with small wood panels gesso'd in black and using either myself or scribbled figures as models (whatever works during a pandemic, right?) and then building many layers of color with acrylic paint. Each one has a story and a message for the viewer. For more details, head over to Artistic Souls Gallery on Facebook, or drop a line to me via email. If you're new to Facebook auctions and would like more info on how to participate, let me know - we can swim those waters together. :)
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Be Soft
"Be Soft" - acrylic on cradled wood panel, 16" x 20" x .75". Ready to hang (sides are painted, back is pre-wired. No framing necessary). Available here and at Artfinder.
“Be soft.
Do not let the world make you hard.
Do not let pain make you hate.
Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.
Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place." - Kurt Vonnegut
What the world needs now is...ducks. Why? Because ducks like ponds. Ponds come from rain. Rain puts out fires. We have so many fires.
I'm not going to jump on the back of 2020 and hit it with a rubber mallet. I am going to go soft and let it roll off me - yep, like water off a duck.
“Be soft.
Do not let the world make you hard.
Do not let pain make you hate.
Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.
Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place." - Kurt Vonnegut
What the world needs now is...ducks. Why? Because ducks like ponds. Ponds come from rain. Rain puts out fires. We have so many fires.
I'm not going to jump on the back of 2020 and hit it with a rubber mallet. I am going to go soft and let it roll off me - yep, like water off a duck.
But truly, Vonnegut is saying something important here. Hanging on to softness, sweetness and a belief in something wonderful - maybe this is our primary purpose when the world is pushing us to become hardened and bitter and filled with hate. Even our own limbic systems (I think of them as a 3 year old chimpanzees who were somehow mistakenly left in charge of our human bodies) need the reassurance of softness and sweetness in our thoughts to keep us from becoming internally weary, inflamed, hyper-vigilant and over-producing cortisol in a steamy bath of stress hormones.
So today, let's be the ducks. Well maybe not THESE ducks. They look a little put out by the lack of rain.
So today, let's be the ducks. Well maybe not THESE ducks. They look a little put out by the lack of rain.
About the art- layers of acrylic paint (including florescent paint) over a rough sketch done with a Uni Posca Paint Pen. Infused with malarkey and a bit of sour grapes.
Want even MORE malarkey in your day? Head over the the ABOUT ME page for an interview with this shenanigator on The Left Brain Artist Podcast.
Wonder Mike drew the winner in the SUBSCRIBE giveaway - congratulations, Cass! An original painting is coming your way. Check your email in-box for details.
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"Something That Wasn't There Before" - mixed media on deep cradled aquabord, 22" x 30" x 2". Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before. - NEIL GAIMAN
Holy mackerel, this quote smacked me in the forehead like the flopping fish of joy! YES! I don't care if you made a pie, a painting, a pile of freshly folded clothing or a new friend at the library - the world seems brighter with that pie, wafting its amazing smell and giving you the satisfaction of having made something.
Wait - could we make the world better by making things?
Something That Wasn't There Before
Well, for sure! We could...make friends, make an effort, make a joyful noise, make hay while the sun is shining, make up after a disagreement, make love, make amends, make room, make the best of a bad day, make nice, make do, make an entrance, make believe...it seems that "making" is a powerful thing, and not just when baking a pie (though I do now truly want a slice).
Let's go make the world brighter today. And if you're making pie, well, you know who wants the first piece. :)
Let's go make the world brighter today. And if you're making pie, well, you know who wants the first piece. :)
Here's a little something that just might make your day! The shenanigans of artists Jacki Rosen and Jill Lefkowitz on YouTube! This episode is an interview with yours truly. There are hats, give-aways and a bit of conversation about the business of art. Take a peek!
About the art: beginning with water-based inks and creating a deeply pigmented underpainting, layers of acrylic paint and acrylic glaze mixes were added. Dry brushing alternating with a spray bottle and rubber wedge or squeegee. Paper towel painted sky. Gratitude to Mary Murphy of Dingle, Ireland for usage of her inspirational photographs to create this painting!
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Mary Don't You Weep
"Mary Don't You Weep" - acrylic on cradled wood panel, 12 x 12 x .75. Ready to hang (back has been pre-wired for hanging) Available here and at Artfinder.
Mama, don't you mourn, no
I got a bad, bad feeling your man ain't coming home, yeah
I guess you know me well
I don't like no snow
No winter
No cold
from "Mary Don't You Weep" by Prince
September. When things begin to change all around us. The finery of the spring and summer falls from trees and plants and shrubs, providing fodder for the compost that feeds the growth of future spring and summer. What happens now, as things fall to the ground, paves the way for what comes next. Everything is connected.
Mama, don't you mourn, no
I got a bad, bad feeling your man ain't coming home, yeah
I guess you know me well
I don't like no snow
No winter
No cold
from "Mary Don't You Weep" by Prince
September. When things begin to change all around us. The finery of the spring and summer falls from trees and plants and shrubs, providing fodder for the compost that feeds the growth of future spring and summer. What happens now, as things fall to the ground, paves the way for what comes next. Everything is connected.
I didn't set out to paint this sweet girl. Or to write this post. But she wanted to be painted and the music appeared to name her and the theme (which simmers, boils and burns all around us) is one which demands our attention as November approaches.
100% of the proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to Don't Shoot Portland, which serves local marginalized communities and organizes around anti-racist work and advocacy.
A visual history of the painting...
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"In Another World" - online auction event September 6-7 at Artistic Souls Gallery. Open to the public. Sign up by clicking on this link and joining the Facebook group.
The world of art has responded rapidly to the changing world of commerce. A slew of online auction groups have appeared, but, as with many other venues, only a handful are exquisitely, professionally curated and administrated. Luckily for me, I'm a new member of possibly the most positive, professional and hard-working group out there, Artistic Souls Gallery.
For the show opening September 6, member artists were asked to respond to the theme "In Another World." Which happens to perfectly match my daily state of being, dear reader! I decided with this challenge to venture into our inner world - the world of thought and feelings, where so many of us are dwelling non-stop in these times.
I was inspired by an essay written by Crystal Jackson on Medium, titled “In Case No One Told You How Strong You Are, This One’s For you”. Each of these pieces was birthed from the idea that you, (yes YOU) are both strong and soft, creating your world, growing yourself and responding brilliantly to what trickles in from the outside. You are magnificent!
The world of art has responded rapidly to the changing world of commerce. A slew of online auction groups have appeared, but, as with many other venues, only a handful are exquisitely, professionally curated and administrated. Luckily for me, I'm a new member of possibly the most positive, professional and hard-working group out there, Artistic Souls Gallery.
For the show opening September 6, member artists were asked to respond to the theme "In Another World." Which happens to perfectly match my daily state of being, dear reader! I decided with this challenge to venture into our inner world - the world of thought and feelings, where so many of us are dwelling non-stop in these times.
I was inspired by an essay written by Crystal Jackson on Medium, titled “In Case No One Told You How Strong You Are, This One’s For you”. Each of these pieces was birthed from the idea that you, (yes YOU) are both strong and soft, creating your world, growing yourself and responding brilliantly to what trickles in from the outside. You are magnificent!
The Soft Space in Our Hearts
Fierce and Fiercely Loving
Rising Up to Meet the Rain and Sun (Reserve Piece)
Blood and Bone and Skin and Beating Heart
Strong and Unbearably Soft (Magic Monday Only)
And here's a little something that is also in another world... be prepared to have the best day ever. Your joy pockets and laugh buckets should be full for the day after this one. :)
Thank you to Fiona Denihan for granting permission to share this brilliant work of um, well, comedic performance art!
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"A Lazy Day is Really Hard Work" and "Doing Nothing is Something", mixed media on cradled wood, each 8 x 11 x .75. Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
Try to spend a day doing nothing; we call that a lazy day. Although for many of us who are used to running around from this to that, a lazy day is actually very hard work! It's not so easy to just be. If you can be happy, relaxed and smiling when you're not doing something, you're quite strong. Doing nothing brings about quality of being, which is very important. So doing nothing is actually something. Please write that down and display it in your home: Doing nothing is something.
- THICH NHAT HANH, Your True Home
That crafty universe dropped this passage in my lap just as I finished having a very lazy day. Or, I thought it was lazy. But doing nothing is doing something, so maybe I was not lazy after all?
Try to spend a day doing nothing; we call that a lazy day. Although for many of us who are used to running around from this to that, a lazy day is actually very hard work! It's not so easy to just be. If you can be happy, relaxed and smiling when you're not doing something, you're quite strong. Doing nothing brings about quality of being, which is very important. So doing nothing is actually something. Please write that down and display it in your home: Doing nothing is something.
- THICH NHAT HANH, Your True Home
That crafty universe dropped this passage in my lap just as I finished having a very lazy day. Or, I thought it was lazy. But doing nothing is doing something, so maybe I was not lazy after all?
A Lazy Day is Really Hard Work
Doing Nothing is Something
Doing nothing is necessary, productive work. It can even be hard work, if you're used to being very busy, or if you feel guilty when you're enjoying a box of bonbons and pajamas and Netflix.
I wonder what would happen if we felt guilty for NOT being lazy? Hmmmmm. That's going to require a bit of thinking while doing nothing else. But wait! Thinking is doing something so....oh my. Now I've twisted my thoughts into a knot.
About the art - acrylic over an underpainting of leftover paint. Gelli-plate printed collage materials and oil pastels on top. Finished with a background layer of acrylic mixed with gesso. Liberally sprinkled with love and good mojo.
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Works in process...
Let's face it - I've become quite fond of the slow pace of a pandemic. Sleeping in. Pajamas all day. Nowhere to be except in the park with the dog. Reading on the porch. Watching crows (clouds, squirrels, cats, flowers in the breeze). Staying up too late and not worrying about it. Letting things go at whatever pace they wish. No hurry EVER.
But now and again a person has to attend to the things that need attending to. Which might cause a week to get very, very busy. And regular clothes to be worn, cars to be driven, errands to be run. As if things were back to "normal." Which felt amazing for a minute...until I thought HEY NOW, WHERE ARE MY PAJAMAS AND WHY AREN'T THEY ON MY BODY?
But now and again a person has to attend to the things that need attending to. Which might cause a week to get very, very busy. And regular clothes to be worn, cars to be driven, errands to be run. As if things were back to "normal." Which felt amazing for a minute...until I thought HEY NOW, WHERE ARE MY PAJAMAS AND WHY AREN'T THEY ON MY BODY?
I gave myself a little talking to and decided to take a play day. Restore the balance! You can, too. Bruno Mars says so. Are you going to argue with Bruno?
About the works in process: take a couple of wood panels and throw all your leftover paint on there. Scribble some quirky figures with a paint pen. Start adding color until their personalities begin to shimmer. Then take a day off and leave your dear readers on the edge of their seats until the next post. :)
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"Now Not Serving" - a triptych. Each 6" x 6", water-based ink and acrylic paint on aquabord panel. Available here.
Let negative thoughts come into your head but don’t serve them tea - comedian Joe List
I've been getting my "aha" moments in odd places lately. Likely you have, too, as our lives become weirdly wired to streaming and reading things we might never have known about in ordinary times. A new friend recommended several comedy videos recently, and I actually found myself jotting things down as I listened. I suppose comedy, like art, finds its best fodder in hard places - the things we might think, do or say that we probably wouldn't generally share with the world.
I've been getting my "aha" moments in odd places lately. Likely you have, too, as our lives become weirdly wired to streaming and reading things we might never have known about in ordinary times. A new friend recommended several comedy videos recently, and I actually found myself jotting things down as I listened. I suppose comedy, like art, finds its best fodder in hard places - the things we might think, do or say that we probably wouldn't generally share with the world.
This particular quote is a version of something I've heard a time or two...but the idea of not serving tea to the negative thoughts made me chuckle. I mean, that's what we do, right? We allow the negative thought in and then offer it enticement to stick around awhile and enjoy itself there, rolling around in our consciousness and eating all the sugar cubes. We are the perfect host or hostess for the thing that should actually receive a boot in the behind.
So this week, dear reader, let's post a NOW NOT SERVING sign in our minds whenever those pesky thoughts pop their heads up and ask for a cup of Earl Grey.
So this week, dear reader, let's post a NOW NOT SERVING sign in our minds whenever those pesky thoughts pop their heads up and ask for a cup of Earl Grey.
About the art - pausing from a marathon of portraiture to continue my quest for the fine line between abstraction and realism. In this case, pursuing seascapes which could nearly-not-be. The water-based inks are fickle but lovely on their own, and dreamy when mixed with a bit of titan buff acrylic paint.
