- Published on
"Avifaunal Emissary" - acrylic on cradled wood panel, 14" x 11" x 1.5". Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
It was winged messenger week here in the studio, where stories of birds, photos of birds and visits from birds have been a constant theme. My front yard crow friend is enjoying his new bird spa and majestic, columnar perch. Hummingbirds flitter and tweet without fear as I water the plants. Feathers upon the path.
At the same time, I am reading The Dharma of the Princess Bride, a buddhist philosophy book using the famed fairy tale as a teaching tool. If you've followed this blog for a bit, you know I adore the movie, and could not resist this change to take something so dear to my heart and find a deeper side to it. And true enough, author Ethan Nichtern makes it happen.
In the chapter called "Mercenaries or Besties", Nichtern asks us this: "Given that most friendships begin by coincidence, how do you choose your friends?" And he goes on to stress that "each time we choose to cultivate a friendship with someone, we are making an important choice."
It was winged messenger week here in the studio, where stories of birds, photos of birds and visits from birds have been a constant theme. My front yard crow friend is enjoying his new bird spa and majestic, columnar perch. Hummingbirds flitter and tweet without fear as I water the plants. Feathers upon the path.
At the same time, I am reading The Dharma of the Princess Bride, a buddhist philosophy book using the famed fairy tale as a teaching tool. If you've followed this blog for a bit, you know I adore the movie, and could not resist this change to take something so dear to my heart and find a deeper side to it. And true enough, author Ethan Nichtern makes it happen.
In the chapter called "Mercenaries or Besties", Nichtern asks us this: "Given that most friendships begin by coincidence, how do you choose your friends?" And he goes on to stress that "each time we choose to cultivate a friendship with someone, we are making an important choice."
Avifaunal Emissary
Bird Spa
Nichtern has me thinking about how many times I have (or have not) actively chosen to cultivate a friendship, rather than just following coincidence and happenstance. Hmm.
He further explains that a mandala (sacred circle) is an artistic mapping of relationships in our lives, and could sort of be called a depiction of a personal ecosystem. Whoa. Ecosystems are sensitive both to the elements within them and to outside influences. Thinking of my sacred circle of friends as an ecosystem gave me a lightbulb moment.
It isn't easy to be choosy about our sacred circles. Especially if we grew up in an incubator without healthy boundaries (like I did). But in The Princess Bride we see that not every friend has good intentions, and Nichtern teaches that not every friendship is a healthy one. But how do you know? Here is his answer: "The difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship is not whether you love each other, it is whether you help each other wake up." Put that in your thinking cap.
In the meantime, enjoy this little clip of Vizzini, a notoriously ill-intentioned friend, engaging in a battle of wits.
In the meantime, enjoy this little clip of Vizzini, a notoriously ill-intentioned friend, engaging in a battle of wits.
- Published on
Pair, Pride and Quartet
"Pair, Pride and Quartet" - mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas, 24" x 48" x 1.5" Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
My son stood by himself in front of this canvas last week, wondering what the heck was going on. Weirdly fascinated, he kept staring and studying. I smiled broadly when he told me this - there no greater compliment to an artist creating something peculiar than to have a fascinated observer.
I credit (and blame) artist Mary Pohlmann for this odd and quirky piece. She introduced me to Bizarre Beautiful magazine, which I promptly subscribed to. The first issue arrived, and my jaw hit the floor - whoa. So odd. So elevated. So bizarre. And so beautiful.
Add to this weird recipe the portfolio growing from the "Ten Minute Monsters" exercise each week with my intern, and you have a formula for other worlds, pure imagination and a sense that Willy Wonka is lurking somewhere in the studio. (He is! He is!)
My heart found a home in this piece. I want to parachute with nincompoops and leap over mountains with dear-lions. There is magic here, and just over the ridge lies a path strewn with candy corn that will lead us on our next adventure. Let's grab hands and GO!
My son stood by himself in front of this canvas last week, wondering what the heck was going on. Weirdly fascinated, he kept staring and studying. I smiled broadly when he told me this - there no greater compliment to an artist creating something peculiar than to have a fascinated observer.
I credit (and blame) artist Mary Pohlmann for this odd and quirky piece. She introduced me to Bizarre Beautiful magazine, which I promptly subscribed to. The first issue arrived, and my jaw hit the floor - whoa. So odd. So elevated. So bizarre. And so beautiful.
Add to this weird recipe the portfolio growing from the "Ten Minute Monsters" exercise each week with my intern, and you have a formula for other worlds, pure imagination and a sense that Willy Wonka is lurking somewhere in the studio. (He is! He is!)
My heart found a home in this piece. I want to parachute with nincompoops and leap over mountains with dear-lions. There is magic here, and just over the ridge lies a path strewn with candy corn that will lead us on our next adventure. Let's grab hands and GO!
- Published on
Dear Lion
We have this argument in our house constantly.
"Patience is a virtue," he says. "Don't use that p-word in front of me," I reply. Anytime anyone on t.v. says something about patience, he looks at me and raises an eyebrow. If I see that eyebrow, I find an appropriate stream of sailor language to use in response.
It isn't that I don't see the value in patience. Not at all. It's just that I am not a patient person. I am a GET IT DONE kind of girl. Of course, the universe must think I need more of the p-word, too, because the last year has been one big screaming lecture on patience.
"Patience is a virtue," he says. "Don't use that p-word in front of me," I reply. Anytime anyone on t.v. says something about patience, he looks at me and raises an eyebrow. If I see that eyebrow, I find an appropriate stream of sailor language to use in response.
It isn't that I don't see the value in patience. Not at all. It's just that I am not a patient person. I am a GET IT DONE kind of girl. Of course, the universe must think I need more of the p-word, too, because the last year has been one big screaming lecture on patience.
The p-word has slopped over the edge of the bucket and into my studio, where painting now happens in increments of less than one hour at a time, and paintings of a certain size (i.e. larger than a cereal box) require an ice pack or two afterwards.
Which is why you get these little scribbles today, instead of a painting.
"Dear Lion" and "Nincompoops" are from the Ten Minute Monster exercises Fiona and I do each week. And these oddballs have made the cut and are joining a rather large, peculiar painting.
Nincompoops
And I would be working on said painting right now instead of writing this, except I already used up my hour for the afternoon. Sigh (and a bit of foot stomping). I am pretty sure there is a raised eyebrow going on in the other room.
- Published on
"Moth and Moon" - mixed media on repurposed plywood. NFS
This week in the studio there was a bit of meandering and off-road creating. A piece of plywood, a new moon, moths and a desire to do some visual journaling sent me down the rabbit hole and into symbolism and personal storytelling.
We go through so many phases, seasons and transformations in our humanness. Some of them are planned (like education and careers) while others are thrust upon us (illness, trauma, tragedy). Sometimes we make a choice to transform our lives or ourselves or one aspect of one of those. Those times, the on-purpose change journeys, are both terrifying and liberating. Like moths, we choose new forms to inhabit and new ways to navigate through the world - sometimes in the moonlight.
This week in the studio there was a bit of meandering and off-road creating. A piece of plywood, a new moon, moths and a desire to do some visual journaling sent me down the rabbit hole and into symbolism and personal storytelling.
We go through so many phases, seasons and transformations in our humanness. Some of them are planned (like education and careers) while others are thrust upon us (illness, trauma, tragedy). Sometimes we make a choice to transform our lives or ourselves or one aspect of one of those. Those times, the on-purpose change journeys, are both terrifying and liberating. Like moths, we choose new forms to inhabit and new ways to navigate through the world - sometimes in the moonlight.
Moth and Moon
Lately I've been excavating my own stories. Unearthing some gems, but mostly examining the bones of my beliefs and my own mythology. It is hard work, this digging. Like the pupa preparing to emerge from the cocoon, I struggle to break free of old patterns and rigid constructs which no longer serve me well. Sometimes these are deeply imbedded, ancestral patterns. Other times it is just a fondness for a second cup of coffee. That universe - always with the jokes.
Excavation (for me) is easier when visual aids are used. This piece allowed me to imagine new paths and patterns, and will serve as a reminder of the gems I've found along the way. And it is a powerful image all by itself on the wall.
Hmmmm, I wonder... is there still time for more coffee? :)
Excavation (for me) is easier when visual aids are used. This piece allowed me to imagine new paths and patterns, and will serve as a reminder of the gems I've found along the way. And it is a powerful image all by itself on the wall.
Hmmmm, I wonder... is there still time for more coffee? :)
- Published on
"Conversation With Many Moons" - acrylic on aluminum panel, 11" x 14". Ready to frame, or can be leaned against a wall upon a shelf. Available here and at Artfinder.
What have we HERE?
The first painting inspired by the "Ten Minute Monsters" exercise my intern and I recently developed. The sketch began as a vegetable shape with a head. And after that - ZOOM - off to space I went.
This is a return to aluminum panel, which I can't resist. The surface is difficult to build layers upon, but will develop delicious textures with the help of a spray bottle and some paper towels. And the back is shiny like a mirror - unexpected bling. :)
What have we HERE?
The first painting inspired by the "Ten Minute Monsters" exercise my intern and I recently developed. The sketch began as a vegetable shape with a head. And after that - ZOOM - off to space I went.
This is a return to aluminum panel, which I can't resist. The surface is difficult to build layers upon, but will develop delicious textures with the help of a spray bottle and some paper towels. And the back is shiny like a mirror - unexpected bling. :)
Conversation With Many Moons
We are just a couple days from June...a month which heralds the beginning of summer, Father's Day and Ron's 65th year-around-the-sun celebration. If you're in Portland this weekend and want to stop by to toast the old man, give me a shout. We will kick off his birthday month on Saturday. Let the wild rumpus begin!
- Published on
"I Love to go a-Wandering" - oil on cradled wood panel, 20" x 26" x 1". Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
A week of wandering and wonder has my brain BRIMMING with ideas. Sketch book madness over here. But I decided to warm up for the week with a more traditional approach to abstraction, just to get back into the groove.
In this exercise, I began with a photo (see below). What originally captured my attention here was the bright pink and green, so I knew my first order of business was to eliminate that. "WHAT?" You might be wondering. Yes, obscuring the obvious eye candy made me focus on light and shadow and shape.
Using the Notanizer app (thank you Pauline Agnew! I love this app!), I created a value photo and voila! Colors are gone, shapes are simplified.
A week of wandering and wonder has my brain BRIMMING with ideas. Sketch book madness over here. But I decided to warm up for the week with a more traditional approach to abstraction, just to get back into the groove.
In this exercise, I began with a photo (see below). What originally captured my attention here was the bright pink and green, so I knew my first order of business was to eliminate that. "WHAT?" You might be wondering. Yes, obscuring the obvious eye candy made me focus on light and shadow and shape.
Using the Notanizer app (thank you Pauline Agnew! I love this app!), I created a value photo and voila! Colors are gone, shapes are simplified.
I Love to go a-Wandering
One the Notan concept is roughly sketched onto the board, I discarded both photo and Notan to work more on shapes, movement and textures.
This is when artistic license steps in, and we use our intuition to change anything that isn't working. In this case, bringing more darks to the front (right side) and lightening the left.
This is when artistic license steps in, and we use our intuition to change anything that isn't working. In this case, bringing more darks to the front (right side) and lightening the left.
As I mulled over this process, I realized something about my own tastes. Though I am attracted to vibrant colors and contrast, what really soothes my spirit is more muted, subtle shades and shadows. Even in my own home, the vibrant interior vibe of my Florida house has softened into a misty, filtered Portland palette. Because everything here is softer. Maybe even me.
- Published on
I've declared a time out here at malarkey central.
What does that mean? A daily artist date, a studio reorganization and painting a Little Free Library for the front yard.
Artist dates are the invention of Julia Cameron. An inspirational adventure to recharge the muse, fill the coffers of ideas and create a play date mentality that deeply satisfies an overworked artist. Cameron recommends we take one weekly, and it is surprising how hard it is to make sure that happens on a regular basis. With the goal of one per day, this week is a fantastical feast of decadent overindulgence, and also a real challenge. But the muse is happier with each passing day. :)
Little Free Library work in progress
"Mysterious Others" by a local artist and whimsical spirit
An afternoon at the Kenton Street Fair lead me to meet the artist behind Mysterious Others, otherworldly and peculiar art which sometimes includes antlers (be still my wild child heart!) and also energetic crystals held by protective pixies and plant people. She inspired me to begin creating "Ten Minute Monsters" with my intern each week. I can't wait to bring some of them to life in the studio.
We've been in Portland nearly six months now, and it is already time to move things around in the studio. Chasing the perfect light, best use of space and also throwing darts at what will work best ergonomically for a post-surgical body. I have high hopes of getting it right one of these days.
We've been in Portland nearly six months now, and it is already time to move things around in the studio. Chasing the perfect light, best use of space and also throwing darts at what will work best ergonomically for a post-surgical body. I have high hopes of getting it right one of these days.
Ever since artist Carl Stoveland posted the "Barbar the Elephant" Little Free Library he painted a couple of years ago, I've been enchanted by the LFL's and longing to make one of my own. So this week's project is painting a modern architecture version of my own LFL and adding malarkey to it for our front yard. It is nearly done, and a stack of books is waiting to fill it to the brim.
The Little Free Library system is bountiful here in Portland, with one on nearly every street. Folks help themselves to books and then leave behind some they are finished with. I've watched our neighborhood's LFLs empty and refill all winter. The honor system works here in the land of neighborly neighbors. I am tickled to add copies of The Storyteller's Apprentice and Becoming SUNRISE to our whimsical library and spread the love here in our new city.
And for this afternoon's adventure - vegan cake. Yum!
The Little Free Library system is bountiful here in Portland, with one on nearly every street. Folks help themselves to books and then leave behind some they are finished with. I've watched our neighborhood's LFLs empty and refill all winter. The honor system works here in the land of neighborly neighbors. I am tickled to add copies of The Storyteller's Apprentice and Becoming SUNRISE to our whimsical library and spread the love here in our new city.
And for this afternoon's adventure - vegan cake. Yum!
A misty, zen morning at the Portland Japanese Garden
- Published on
"Adelaide" - mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas, 60" x 22". Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
There is a lot of witchy-ness here in Portland. A school for witchcraft, witchy night markets, consult-a-witch and even a guild just for witches. I haven't met a bad witch yet. Only the very, very good kind.
So when my son challenged me to paint a witch, I couldn't resist. Adelaide and her familiars have been hatching in the studio for about a month now. And even Pongo respects this lady, gently tip-toeing around her as he sniffs the paint rags for hidden treats. My intern insisted the witch required unfamiliar familiars....which definitely explains the mysterious toucan. Her large beast, however, is a known cookie thief and a demander of marshmallows. Secrets and symbols are lurking within her garb, but I am pretty sure Adelaide is also a very, very good witch.
I received a demand letter from the toucan for more witches. Hmmmmm.
There is a lot of witchy-ness here in Portland. A school for witchcraft, witchy night markets, consult-a-witch and even a guild just for witches. I haven't met a bad witch yet. Only the very, very good kind.
So when my son challenged me to paint a witch, I couldn't resist. Adelaide and her familiars have been hatching in the studio for about a month now. And even Pongo respects this lady, gently tip-toeing around her as he sniffs the paint rags for hidden treats. My intern insisted the witch required unfamiliar familiars....which definitely explains the mysterious toucan. Her large beast, however, is a known cookie thief and a demander of marshmallows. Secrets and symbols are lurking within her garb, but I am pretty sure Adelaide is also a very, very good witch.
I received a demand letter from the toucan for more witches. Hmmmmm.
Adelaide (and her creator)
Shadow Puppets
The personalized pricing revolution continues! This week's feature is "Shadow Puppets", a small abstract (12.5 x 11) with a big attitude.
I am working my way through all of the pieces online (nearly 100 in total) and converting them to revolutionary status. If there is a piece you have your eye on, let me know and I'll move it to the front of the line. :)
- Published on
"The Substance of Personhood" mixed media on Canson art board, 20" x 16". Ready to frame. Personalized pricing - options for every human - here.
The studio is simmering with a really, really big painting in progress.
My cranky spine doesn't like painting big, so progress is slow and steady (unlike my usual whirlwind) and I don't have a new piece to show you today.
But my brain has been noodling something lately. The need for change - to walk the walk I talk when I talk about art. And that is the idea of unlimited abundance. Enough in the world for you, for me, for that person over there and the one across the street.
For artists, this can be a struggle to embrace. But it is vital to our magic, our mojo, our muse - vital to really know we can create magic and create a life doing that. And that leads to the business of pricing art.
The studio is simmering with a really, really big painting in progress.
My cranky spine doesn't like painting big, so progress is slow and steady (unlike my usual whirlwind) and I don't have a new piece to show you today.
But my brain has been noodling something lately. The need for change - to walk the walk I talk when I talk about art. And that is the idea of unlimited abundance. Enough in the world for you, for me, for that person over there and the one across the street.
For artists, this can be a struggle to embrace. But it is vital to our magic, our mojo, our muse - vital to really know we can create magic and create a life doing that. And that leads to the business of pricing art.
The Substance of Personhood
Pricing art is, well, an art in itself. There are all kinds of formulas, recommendations and recipes for pricing. By the hour, by the square inch, by the clientele the venue attracts, by three times the frame cost, even by dartboard. Ultimately, the only price that matters (I argue in my public talks on the business of art) is the price a collector is willing to pay. And although art collecting can be an emotional experience where pursestrings miraculously open (being a collector myself, I have experienced this first hand! Falling head over heals for a painting or sculpture and whipping out the credit card), generally buying anything is first influenced by how much we can afford to spend.
Artists are meant to blaze creative trails in the things they create. So let's blaze a new trail today, shall we?
One painting at a time, I will begin offering personalized pricing. What the heck does that mean? It means collectors will pay shipping ($15 flat rate) plus their choice of prices, ranging from "I'm on a tight budget but I love art" all the way to "I can support the artist 100% - lucky me!", with some options in between. Just choose the painting, then choose the price. A bit radical, but this feels really, really good to my heart.
I'd love to know your thoughts - because your opinion is the only one that truly matters. :)
Artists are meant to blaze creative trails in the things they create. So let's blaze a new trail today, shall we?
One painting at a time, I will begin offering personalized pricing. What the heck does that mean? It means collectors will pay shipping ($15 flat rate) plus their choice of prices, ranging from "I'm on a tight budget but I love art" all the way to "I can support the artist 100% - lucky me!", with some options in between. Just choose the painting, then choose the price. A bit radical, but this feels really, really good to my heart.
I'd love to know your thoughts - because your opinion is the only one that truly matters. :)
Congratulations to Carol! You are the winner of last week's reader giveaway. A piece of original malarkey is on its way to you!
- Published on
"You Are Worthy (Bird)", "Be Kind to You (Giraffe)", "You Are Wise (Duck)" and "You Are Magic (Rabbit)", acrylic on panel, each 8" x 8". Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.
The noise level in the studio is MADDENING! So many critters with very loud opinions. But at least they are shouting positivity and encouragement!
This week has been particularly challenging for my inner muse. Too much reading/listening/watching the news has my edges feeling sharp and pokey. My spirit feels consternation and worry, sadness and despair. And this is AFTER efforts to avoid news. Eee gads. Imagine if I were diving in and absorbing it all. Whoa.
Some time ago, a dear friend gave me a copy of John O'Donohue's To Bless the Space Between Us. Sometimes I just open it up and see what inspiration and wisdom it holds for me. Today's was a doozy! Read on:
Some time ago, a dear friend gave me a copy of John O'Donohue's To Bless the Space Between Us. Sometimes I just open it up and see what inspiration and wisdom it holds for me. Today's was a doozy! Read on:
You Are Worthy (Bird)
Be Kind to You (Giraffe)
You Are Wise (Duck)
You Are Magic (Rabbit)
For Citizenship
In these times when anger
Is turned into anxiety
And someone has stolen
The horizons and mountains,
Our small emperors on parade
Never expect our indifference
To disturb their nakedness.
They keep their heads down
And their eyes gleam with reflection
From aluminum economic ground,
The media wraps everything
In a cellophane of sound,
And the ghost surface of the virtual
Overlays the breathing earth.
The industry of distraction
Makes us forget
That we live in a universe.
We have become converts
To the religion of stress
And its deity of progress;
That we may have courage
To turn aside from it all
And come to kneel down before the poor,
To discover what we must do,
How to turn anxiety
Back into anger,
How to find our way home.
John O'Donohue
"Converts to the religion of stress" - oh my! And this, written in 2007, is especially true even today.
And so I am wishing you a weekend of "turning aside from it all", as we celebrate mother's day and embrace spring, where everything is new again and we can perhaps "find our way home."
A reminder about the latest READER GIVEAWAY! Post a comment on this blog (or social media - tag me) about what YOU would/could/might do to express you inner WILD CREATIVE if you felt no rules at all! The winner will be announced next week, and will receive an original piece of malarkey. Because you, you and YOU are my favorite wild things. :)
