my coffee-name is sally

studies, practice runs and throwing color around

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:56:00 -0700

After moving past illness, I am spreading my wings a little more this week. I've had lots and lots of ideas that sort of keep me awake at night. I remember when Gameboys first hit the scene and I was a teenager (you can guess my age now)... I played that darn Tetris game till I was seeing shapes in my sleep. Well, it is that way now, only it's splatters of paint, flecks of pastel and drops of ink that dance across my eyes. I'm not kidding. Maybe it is some sort of condition. Ha. After a hike a couple days ago, I am intrigued by some native colors/shapes I was privileged to observe. We'll see where they appear in sketch and paint.

Fort Valley hike

Here's some fun news. I AM going ahead with a show next month, Friday, August 1st, 2008. The show runs 5 pm - 9ish during the downtown ArtWalk in Flagstaff, AZ. I'll tell more details as the date gets closer. If you're around then, well, just pop on by. You can see my stuff in real life and nibble on goodies. I might make some home-made cookies, and I promise good wine. ;-) I have had thoughts about whether to frame my work, but alas, my budget isn't made of gold, so, I am opting for a nifty bohemian show, very eclectic. I will be generous and show lots of paintings, a collection of sketches and am even considering doing a very large india ink illustration to cover one wall. I had initially planned on a two-man show with my darling and uber-talented friend and artist, but she has been beckoned by another local gallery on the same night. So it is up in the air whether we hoof it together or not. Either way, it will be an interesting evening. I'll link to her gallery at a later date as she is still getting that all together.

What I have here is a collection of lots of ideas, study paintings and sneak peeks of a largish project I am working on:

Well, this is all for me... I hope that this finds you well and in good spirits. Have a beautiful day.
xo,
Sally ;-)

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In progress

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:58:01 -0700

Here are some snaps of things in progress. Coming along, but still need some endings....

in progress

I'll post some finished work soon.
Have a great day!

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Sorting it all out

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:13:55 -0700

The last three weeks have been a bit bumbling, and sort of painful too. My children and I were rather ill and I'm still recovering slowly. When one starts to get over an illness it is much like coming into a clearing from a dark forest. I look back and think, it was really dark in there. I hope to feel completely well in a week or so. Today at a yard sale, we came across a used topo-map holder. It is perfect for organizing my finished paintings in a safe place. The thing with storing pastels is that it is important to mount them on acid-free foam core, then cover with glassine and artist's tape. Then store FLAT. As you know, my studio is very small, so this rather large piece of storage now sits in the living room, but it doesn't look so bad at all. My most excellent, supportive and helpful hubby helped get it all situated.

Sorting them out

The other activity I have been doing is selecting the paintings which will be framed and shown at my two-man art show in August 2008. I was worried before that I would not have enough work to show, but suddenly I realized I have plenty. So that is a relief.

One of the best things about family life right now is watching these two small creatures grow, grow into themselves and grow with us all together. Not a moment is dull. That is for sure. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

xo,
Sally

play, play, play

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A glimpse

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:25:05 -0700

There are moments when one peers into the face of the future and it is so good and so fine and it completely makes clarity of what must be done right now. The past is a trickster and we have to reckon with it, tinkering around with it to pull out the good and relinquish that which hinders.

Cusp

This is titled "Cusp". It is watercolor with ink and pastel, 140 lb archival paper, 7″ x 10″.

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Light source

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:53:59 -0700

There are so many things that can go wrong in a fraction of a second. And when happiness tilts, is hope there? Sometimes it is our children, the ones we guard and cherish, who created an amazing, inverse reality: our little ones become our hope and our light. Who lights your way?

Beacon

This painting is titled "Beacon". It is watercolor with ink and pastel, 140 lb archival paper,

8 3/4″ x 14 1/2. You can also see it here.

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We have always been

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:05:16 -0700

We have, you know. And here we are now, all of us, in this space of time looking at each other through words on a screen, or in person when we hug, or passing others through the windows of our cars which are only illusory windows. Because we have always been and still are a part of each other... and we always will.

"We have always been", 9" x 14 1/2", watercolor with ink and pastel.

"We have always been"

Every little thing reminds of this thought today, almost like a mantra. The blossoms that push forward, the gentle breathing of my baby, the volcanic dust that swirls up with the wind, exposing calcified shells from another much older age in time....

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Stay

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:59:38 -0700

I've been in a whirlwind of activity the last two weeks. Things are not slowing down! It's an exciting time of life as my two little boys literally buzz around my feet, creating an imaginary world that didn't exist before they were here. Becoming a mother has these magical moments that can make you cry just because it is so sweet. Amidst it all there is is cooking, art, laundry, piano, toys everyyyyyyyywhere and as ever, dancing in the kitchen. This is a very happy chaos. I am happy to stay here, right here in these moments.

Painting is like "write what you know", the advice your professor gave you in college. That is what makes painting so wonderful, that it is not at all seperate from life. Like good cooking or sewing or the many other creative things we all do, it all comes from the heart and the spectrum of emotion this life brings.

I want to say a public thank you to Drawn, for featuring my artwork today:

"Follow"

Within the same pages of Drawn, you will find an incredible talent, Samuel Ribeyron, who resides in France, creating with his paintings what I can only describe as a world I would love to inhabit. Treat yourself and take a peek at his latest works. Delightful!

http://www.samuelribeyron.com/

Open the door to my make-shift studio, don't trip over the toys... here's what I'm working on:

New painting, "Stay", watercolor with ink and pastel, 9 7/8" x 14 1/2".

"Stay"

And other stuff....

in progress

sketches

And one more thing...

Have a wonderful day and enjoy the ones you love.

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Just suppose

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:23:15 -0700

The title of this post is a slant rhyme for a place I was published just today: Juxtapoz Art and Culture Magazine, online. I'm doing sloppy pirouettes and feeling giddy because this is a huge honor.

June08

If you haven't seen this magazine, check it out. There are astoundingly talented artists published in its colorful pages, both online and in paper, the likes of which I am honored to share company.

Also, I was happy to get linked by ROJO Magazine. This is a pure art magazine.That's right. No fillers. No junk. Just art. Mmmmmm. Happy. You can find it in fine book stores or galleries. Below you see a piece of Linn Olofsdotter's work which is linked at ROJO. An amazing artist!

Linn Olofsdotter

In the meantime, my email box fills up with queries, proposals and gracious comments. I'm not sure where this road leads, but this is exciting. Here's what's on the drawing board:

"Slow shatter"

This weekend, not as much painting was accomplished. And for good reason,

Happy Birthday, Lucas!
You are one year old.
I love you, little one.

my little guy

outside is nice in spring

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Stepping off the edge, now selling....

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:28:04 -0700

I am officially open for business.

Many of you have followed my art process from the beginning, inspiring and encouraging me every step of the way. And, amazingly, that was not so long ago (January). After several inquiries from you and others, as wells as gentle nudging from my husband, I am stepping out into the art world; several of my originals are for sale at my gallery, www.charmagnecoe.com. The modest prices range from $120 to $400.

Other news from the artistic part of life... I am still considering doing a two-man show in early August and am working toward that goal. Here are some previews of that work:

in progress

thumbnail sketches May '08

"Tether and air"

thumbnail sketches May '08

Thank you, VOX friends, for your graciousness and kind words always. Come along with me and let's see what else happens.

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Before we were here

nobody@vox.com(Charmagne Coe) — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:17:24 -0700

"Before we were here", approx 8"x10", watercolor, ink and pastel:

"Before we were here"

Here is a detail picture:

"Before we were here"

There is a question I asked as a child and now my children ask it of me...

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