For the newest work, I focused on a darker palette. I am so fond of indigo lately. Especially juxtaposed to colors such as orange, red, magenta and deep ochres. Thinking of how the complexity of the universe includes us in it... that is a deep well from which to drink creativity.
Here is "Then we tilted". Approx 12"x18", watercolor, ink and pastel:
Detail pics and the original thumbnail:
I really enjoyed chipping away at this piece - thinking of the wonder of just existing here, with my family and all the unknown things that spiral around us. Have a great weekend.
Last several days, I've been sketching and experimenting with new colors and subjects. Nothing too concrete. And that is a fun thing to do:
Have a great weekend.
"Amidst". Watercolor, ink and pastel, approx. 12"x18":
The thought behind this painting is partly from the last post. We gather up what we remember from our pasts and there our minds wander, watching ourselves second-hand. We live in the present, in this experience right now. So alien, so familiar... all at the same time.
If only I could go back and pick up all the fallen puzzle pieces of me that have slipped out of a hole in my pocket into the gutter or along a forest hike or mid-way through an argument or around the corner from a gilato shop in Italy or on the boardwalk in San Diego or behind a pile of Legos or under the floor mat in a beat up, red Ford Fiesta with rebar instead of a stick shift or inside an old purse that still smells of amber and cinnamon... well, if I could find all those pieces, those thoughts, those experiences, those late night conversations and bits of me and put them together right now, I think I might have it made. But as it is, it doesn't seem my life will let me do that. I forget the nuances in the experiences as I move to the next one. This is how it is to age. Instead, I recall bits of my past life at the darndest times. Sometimes everything comes back in a flood and it overwhelms me with a sense that I have tripped into some magical state.
My subconscious assures me it won't let go of anything, but it is the waking life that yearns to recall everything on a whim.The following are little pieces of a larger painting which I decided I could not let go entirely to the dumpster. More puzzle pieces, if you will. Instead, they will become studies for other works:
Have a wonderful day, whatever you do.
"Wander". Watercolor, ink and pastel, approx 8"x10":
Some art updates... just poking around the studio and experimenting with new colors and layering. The following is a small experiment:
Rest of the weekend ahead of us looks grand up here in northern Arizona. We just finished visiting with grandparents and tomorrow looks like we might have some out-of-towners for picnic buddies. We love to lay in the grass under the sunshine on these spring days. This last winter really reminded me of how much I do love to have four seasons, especially on the days when the snow will not stop. I just thought ahead to days like we have now. The crocus leaves are long, the ladybugs are igniting the grass with their red flutters and food tastes best outdoors. The evening get warmer and warmer, and soon we will be able to drink beers out of doors and under the stars after the little ones are off to bed. Now I am off to follow my nose into the kitchen where my darling husband is making kettle-corn. Dang. He really knows my heart.
New piece, "Follow". Watercolor, ink and pastel, 12 "x 18".
Sketching, sketching along:
Have a great day!
These things dwell within and without and make me feel. This is a life.
I'm working slowly on the art of drawing and painting and it is interesting to see what comes out. Some recent work and sampling:
"Ever been", 18"x24", watercolor, ink and and pastel.
These are detail pics:
This piece is by far the most complex work I've attempted. Translating smaller sketches to a larger format is what I am learning. I tend to think in micro images, so it is exciting to stretch my mind and hand. I also need to do larger sketches! I hope not to lose the detail and intimacy in the process.
From life at large in our home:
Today's plans, loosely, maybe...
finish the papier mache fish who "blows away all the bad stuff with his pointy mouth" - a magic fish, lots and lots of laundry, story-reading, plant some herb seeds which my mother sent to us, thrift-shopping (old habits die hard) and chocolate. oh, and tea. and wine tonight with the hubby. I hope the bats start to fly in the evening soon because Jaz keeps hearing about them. Also, would love to crack a book, but, where is all my time? You tell me. I've been reading snippets of art history, a magazine article or two, but nothing more substantial or long-term.
Lastly, my husband and I watched a brilliant film based on Jon Krakauer's bestselling nonfiction book about the life of Chris McCandless, a 24-year college graduate who loses himself in the wilds of Alaska. He disavows the life he had in an upper class family because he views it as shallow and destructive. Cutting himself off from society, he searches for a purer, minimalistic existence based on his fervent existential beliefs. This is a beautiful, tragic and thought-provoking film directed by Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch.
Stray. It's been the word to describe a lot of life within our home. Our children are straying from the safety of the known as their curiosity leads them to new places, new discoveries, new behaviors. This is exciting to see as they stretch their limbs and gain confidence. This is frustrating as our three-and-a-half-year-old tries out the reigns of control in literally every area, every waking minute of the day. This kind of straying away from the safety net of his mother's and father's words will grow into confidence and self-awareness of what is kind, unkind, right, wrong, important, less important, etc. The two adults in the house sigh, shrug and do lots of deep breathing. As fierce as the discovery of independence is, so is Jaz' desire to pour out love and and kisses and hugs like a waterfall upon us all. A very thunderous waterfall. Heh.
Stray animals are flocking to our back yard and I am not sure why. A robin with a broken wing was discovered two days ago by the childrens' swingset. I tried to think of the best choice for this hurting creature. Do I bring him inside? Do I call animal control? Do I assist in his death (no, no, no), Do I create a box for him? In the end, I decided he was a wild creature and even in his discomfort, it would be best to allow him the dignity of what he knows in nature. I let him be. It was a beautiful day and our yard provided him with many insects and plump earthworms and warm sunshine in his last hours. Today, my husband discovered two kittens by our shed. Their mother, not far off, came to retrieve one of them, but alas, the other was left behind. We were informed by our neighbor that their is a woman down the road who is a self-designated caretaker of all stray animals. We bundled up the little, white, furry creature and walked to her home. But she was not there. So, today, we are caring for an additional, temporary member of our family.
I stray from what I know artistically, step back and analyze the damage/growth. There have been a lot of failed attempts, and I am prepared to post them today. If you are an aspiring artist like me, maybe it will help you to see someone else in the process and making mistakes. See tagged images below. I've had a lot of feedback and most of it has been very interesting. The direction the art seems to be taking is one of abstraction. The abstract and automatism is taking precedence over the characters. The human elements are many times melting or floating away into the background. If the characters are front and center, then they most likely serve the purpose of drawing the eye toward the abstract, cellular and scrawling lines. These are the pieces that speak the most to me. As always, it will go where it wants to go. It will help me stray away to a different place.
The following is in progress:
Here are the failed pieces:
Thank you to all of you who come by to visit my blog and for the kind and thoughtful comments your leave. It is a joy to talk back and forth with you.
I hope that whatever you are doing today, you have moments of magic and learning and happiness, or maybe even hours, days. Bye, guys.
Recent Comments
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my coffee-name is sally said:
Thank you. I dream in indigo these days... really not kidding. read more
on Particles and dropping off the edge of nowhere -
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kris said:
[this is good]Your artwork is absolutely beautiful. Love the style and colors. Gorgeous. read more
on Particles and dropping off the edge of nowhere
Kris, thank you for your kind words and for coming around. ;-) read more
on Particles and dropping off the edge of nowhere