Homebody

I love being at home: cooking, reading the paper, knitting, painting, maybe a board game (although truth be told i don't really have the patience for board games so I usually chop and cook while C plays with the kids).   But this autumn weekend we have lots of plans and being at home isn't on the list.  We have "Outdoor Movie Night" at the boy's school tonight, a couple of soccer games tomorrow and dinner with friends and then Sunday we head into the city for a ballgame (Cubs vs. Giants....GO CUBBIES!).  What are you up to this weekend?

Oh-and a special to thanks for all your kind words and inquiries on my last post..."Mistaken Identity" and "She Gets Me" have both found new homes which makes me happy and a bit sad at the same time.  Do you ever feel that way as you sell your work?  On that note I'll leave you with this tune....

A subtle shift...

                       "Mistaken Identity"                         "She Gets Me"

                                   9x12                                                   9x12

                                                               

Have you noticed a subtle shift in my work lately?  I spent a couple of hours painting yesterday with some great loud and quiet tunes playing in my studio and when it was time to stop painting,  I stood back and looked at these and thought....hmmm.  If you remember in my last post I showed the backgrounds for these and they appeared  light and sunny and now they feel a bit more earthy and somber.  I really like these two pieces but it's almost as if they painted themselves in a way (does that ever happen to you?).  They needed slightly deeper tones and textures than I normally use and although the two women I painted last week had a similar feel,  I definitely took these two pieces a bit farther...what do you think?  I have a third 9x12 piece in the works and two similar 3x5 blocks to share tomorrow.   

I am thankful for....

....this amazing little box of treasures which arrived on my doorstep Friday afternoon from Dana!  My dear blogging friend from across the ocean once again warmed my heart with these lovely housewarming surprises. The lavender filled sachets are part of her new fall line and can tell you that they are a perfect gift!  The sweet little aceo's and postcard were like icing on the cake and I highly recommend stopping into her etsy shop and having a look around at all her stitched, stamped and painted lovelies!

  

P.S.:   I prepped three 9x12 panels for a group of "Identity" paintings and I'm hoping to work on them a bit more and share them tomorrow (off to lunch duty now...see ya!)

(the mini-inspiration)

oops...it's a tomato not an apple.  Still aren't they awesome???

P.S. :  this is the cover of edible Marin & Wine Country  Summer 2009

tsk..tsk...

These boards aren't going to paint themselves now are they?  I know, I know I was supposed to prep them yesterday but then I got caught up in sharing my collaboration project, the farmer's market, soccer practice, and an unexpected visit from an out of town friend.  So my little studio friend here climbed up on this tower of maple panels to remind me that it's time to get busy!  I'm not sure how this model train figure made his way into the studio but I love him. I was smitten with  the new "Slow Food" poster I saw at the Gravenstein Apple festival a couple weeks ago  and so when I came upon this guy on the floor of the studio I decided to play finders keepers.  ( I can't find the link to the poster but it was two of these mini figures on top of a cut apple....i'll have to show you later).

Noticed: 

Public Bookstore (all nine kinds of pie) is a printed collection of art and verse being published by Eyebuzz Gallery in Tarrytown, NY.  I'm  thrilled to be a part of this first book and gallery show!  And today I was introduced on their eyeblog....thanks for your kind words Tara!!!!

Collaboration

I am so excited to share the results of my first ever collaboration!  The jaw-droppingly talented Cathy Cullis and I put our heads together (via snail mail) and agreed to a basic concept.  After that I created two similar encaustic pieces based on what we had sketched out.  I used newsprint under the tree trunks and in the clouds (which say creative objects and garden of earthly delights).  I used many layers of oil, beeswax and a bit of ground pigment and small steel tacks to get a layered look that would complement Cathy's work.  I then sent the paintings across the pond where Cathy worked some magic and voila!  I love Cathy's spoons and am amazed by variety of materials and textures she incorporates into her work (they are a treasure trove of beauty and detail).  The text on the spoons is from "Wuthereing Heights" and the sticks were all locally collected. Just fabulous...Cathy thank you so much for this great opportunity to work together.  

What do you think of this mixed media magic?

I Live Inside My Head.....

                                                        I Live Inside My Head

                                                                     3 x 5

                                  Contemplating Beauty (in Cassiopeia's light)

                                                              8 x 10

Monday again?  How are you? We had a fabulous weekend complete with a massive thunder and lightening storm Friday evening and some much needed rain on Sunday.  As you know overcast days with a bit of a chill are my favorite kind of day and are perfect for painting (or curling up with the Times and a glass of red).  The 1st piece  I'm sharing is another "house" painting similar to "Identity"  from last week.  These small paintings are a "study" for a group of 9 x 12 paintings I plan to do using this same idea and subject.  I planning to do one more 3 x 5 and then start prepping the larger boards this afternoon.  

The 2nd painting shown is similar to "Clarity" which was the last painting I completed before my move.  I've been thinking a lot lately about questions of beauty, identity, status, self knowledge and self-love.  From my new home you can see millions of stars almost every evening and the constellation are easy to spot.  Cassiopeia was a queen of unrivaled beauty whose boastful ways ending up leading to the downfall of her entire Kingdom. The constellation that bears her name contains two of the most luminous stars in the galaxy but there is a lesson to be learned from this "W" shaped constellation about humility and grace and the meaning of real beauty.  How do you define real beauty?