Summer Shows

Well, the spring and summer shows are over--and to tell the truth, it is a relief.  I only did two shows this summer, but they were big shows.  I never feel fully prepared for them.  I guess that is human nature--always wanting more than you have.  I did have more pieces than I have had in my previous shows though.  I was off work for over a month.............a whole, glorious month.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  I got to spend more time in the studio than I have in a long time.  At one point, I was getting out about 7 pieces a week.  I thought that was pretty darn good.  I went back to work about 2 weeks ago, and haven't made it to the studio since then.  My husband and I have made big progress in getting the barn finished and when that is done, my studio will expand.  I can't wait!  These are a few of the pieces that I finished on my time off.  My son has spoken for the skull piece, so I haven't really tried to sell that--it freaks some people out and some people love it.  I have had alot of positive feedback from my last two shows--gave out all of my business cards.  Hopefully, my website will be up and running soon.  Maybe then I can begin to really build up the business aspect of my art.  I am thinking that I will take custom orders for my angels.  I think that will open me up to a whole new group of people.  I am excited about that.  My goal is to have a fully loaded site before my next show.  The weather here has been brutal, all of my time is spent watering flowers and vegetables.  I have a nice sized gourd patch but am having a hard time keeping it going.  Last night when I was watering a young bird followed me all over the yard, almost landing on me more than several times.  It would let me walk right up to it within several feet and when I moved to a  different location and watered, she would follow me.  I put a bowl of water out for her and sprayed her with the hose.  I think she really enjoyed it. Just down the steps of my porch I have a water tub filled up with water and the toads come by every evening and go swimming.  There used to be just one, but last night there were two--they seem to revel in the coolness of the water--just float.  Lucky toads!! At least there is a spot for them to get cool.  Out here on the site, the conditions are brutal.  100+/- every day.  I look forward to the fall months. My favorite time of year.

Lynn and Me at Grand Cane (I am on the Left)

It has been awhile since I have written in the blog--vacation has come and gone and I have to say "we got a lot done".  We worked on the barn for a solid 2 weeks, we didn't get it done but we made one heck of a dent.  I did go back to work for a week to finish up a project, but now am home for 2 more glorious weeks.  Hubby is at work these next two weeks, so this will be time spent building up inventory for the next two shows.  Hopefully they will be good shows.  One is the Fleur de Lis  and the other will be at the Melrose Plantation --both of these shows are in Natchitoches, La.  Just did a show in Grand Cane La.  It went pretty good--Grand Cane is a very small community. It is one of my favorite shows though.  I have been doing spring gardening all week--getting out early and playing in the dirt.  There is something relaxing about it--the smell of the earth, getting my hands nice and dirty (just can't seem to keep my gloves on).  I feel like I have gotten alot accomplished this week though.  I start every day with a daily chore --a chore that needs to be done, but has been long neglected.  Todays chore is clipping doggie nails and brushing.  How fun--can't wait !!  It has been a productive week in the studio also.  So many ideas have built up during my two week hiatus.  I have six projects in the works, all at different degrees of completion.  A few are nearly done and just need the  finishing touches.  It seems like when I am in the studio, time just flies.  It is amazing.  When I am at work time goes by at a crawl, in the studio I pick up the brush and it is time to start supper--or that is how it feels anyway.  So, for the next few weeks, I will be hanging out in the loft trying to turn out enough pieces to carry me through the next 2 shows.  Happy Creating.

"Vacations so close that I can smell it--and I like the way it smells" Stole that line from my son, Pau.

Today's the last day at work for two weeks--------------yippee!!! Jumping up and down and clapping.  I am so ready for it too.  I like my job--most of the time, but I LOVE my time off more.  There are so many things that I want to do and so little time to do them.  If I could ONLY dig into all of the little containers that I have in my studio--wipe the cobwebs from the top, explore the depths of the rubbermaid house and find out what's really in them--who knows what could be produced--the possibilities are endless,  There are a multitude of projects, just waiting to be thought of, fabricated and displayed. This vacation I will not have alot of time to explore the depths of the containers because we are going to be building a barn--but after the barn is built I can expand.  My studio can go from total chaos to liveable once again.  I will have more space.  I have been  thinking about how I want to arrange it.  As you know, from my last blog, my studio size is going to double.  What I want to do is create a work space in what now houses the horses hay.  I want a table that I can work on and have all of my tools in one place.  My drills, hammers, saws, vices, anvils, etc. can all be easily accessible.  That will make a world of difference.  Imagine--needing something and it being right there.  Ahhh......sounds like a dream.  I also want a bin for all of my rusty metal parts that I use in my assemblages.  When I am working on a piece, I can go digging through a bin of beautifully rusted treasures.  Then of course I will have all of the other over flow from my working studio in there.  Maybe I will be able to find my sewing machine again.I may be able to use it without climbing OVER the back of the chair because I can't get to it from the sides.  You know, I have been accused of being a hoarder (lovingly of course)by my husband and son.  But, in my defense I do use the stuff that I find on my daily hunts. I read somewhere that "if you use the stuff for your art--you're not a hoarder" :)  I live by that quote and I am going to stand behind it--use it for my shield.

I can see clearly now...............I went this past Friday and got contact lenses.  I have been fighting with glasses for years.  They are NEVER where you thought you left them, and you never have them handy when you want to read something.  So, after much contemplation I went to the eye doctor and got contacts.  I can say that the reason that I held off so long is because I just didn't know how they would do on a dusty construction site.  I guess time will tell with that one.  Well, my first trial was trying to get the little buggers in my eyes.  I had Lewis on one side of me and the Doctor on the other side of me, both giving instructions on how I should proceed.  How to angle my head, how to hold my finger, how to hold my eye.......whew, the pressure was intense.  Finally, I got the right eye in and attempted to work on the Left eye. Got that one right in--or so I thought, after an examination it was determined that I had lost that one somewhere...off to the well-lighted room again to look for the lost contact.  We finally found it and got that one in relatively easy.  I had a time Sat. morning, but finally got them in and out okay--or so I thought.  Sunday when I went to put my contact in my right eye, I felt something hard laying on the counter.  I picked it up and it was the shriveled remains of the contact that I took out the night before--I missed the solution container and it lay on the counter and dried out all night.  I thought that it was a goner but to my surprise after a couple of dunks in the solution it came back to life and I put it in--easier than the day before.  Seems like every day it gets easier to put them in and it is fantastic not having to wear glasses.  I should have done this a long time ago.I can actually look at the computer, read a magazine or dial the cell phone without having to look for my glasses first. 

On a lighter note, I did get up to my studio for a little while this weekend and got out a few pieces that had been waiting for the finishing details.  The alligator clips on the backs, signatures, isolation coats..........just those kinda things.  I did finish my "Don't Overlook Possibilities" piece  that is pictured on the top.  All in all, it was a good weekend.   The weather was awesome and it was peaceful--love tranquility.

Good Days Coming

Well--it is official.  My vacation will begin on March 26th.  I have so much planned--where do I begin. I know that Lewis, my husband and I, are going to begin building a barn.  When that is done the shed that houses my studio, tack room and feed room will be turned into my studio--that will double the amount of space that I have--Oh yes, it is much needed. My space is very confined right now--no wiggle room.  So, for a couple of weeks I will be out of the studio working on the barn, but hope to be in not long after that cleaning and sorting and making my life easier.  I am really excited about this and can't wait to start.  That will be our vacation this year-- a "stay cation".  Maybe we can sneak away for a day or two and find a flea market or antique store--that is one of my passions--searching for hidden treasures.  I usually look for things to incorporate into my art, but sometimes I will find an old rusty thing that isn't good for anything really--it just speaks to me.  What was it's life behind the rusty patina--what kind of history did it make, whose hands held onto it and are those hands still with us today.  I love old things and the mystery that surrounds them.  I fill my world with art-ifacts of the past--things that you would find in my grandmothers house or my grandfathers barn.  They make art that is timeless--that speaks of a different time, and a rebirth in being incorporated into a piece that hopefully, will stand the test of time just like it has.

Art Show

I attended a reception last night that the SRAC held  for their latest art contest.  The art on view was phenomenal.  There were so many genre's of art, with each having it's own special merits.  The jurors of this contest have quite a feat ahead of them-How do  you pick just one as being the best when they all have their own unique qualities.  There were portraits, figures, abstracts, sculptures and mosaics and the list goes on and on.  I had no idea that North West La. had so much talent.  I could have wandered around the walls of that building for hours, dissecting each piece individually--taking in every every detail--an Artist's dream.  I scanned the room, trying to pick out the artist's in the crowd, most were easily identified.  Not just because of the way that they dressed.  It was more than that.  There was an exuberance  about them-- an air that they projected.  I sat for awhile at a table and watched the people meander around the room, looking at the art.  Some spent long minutes gazing into the pictures- really looking into them, trying to find the story behind them, others strolled by without stopping.  I guess each of us appreciates art in our own unique way, we all express it differently.  How much does our background and our experiences lend to our art?  Do our daily, mundane jobs effect the quality of our work--sapping the creativity out of our core  or does it enhance it?  Does the bleakness from everyday life actually make us appreciate the opportunity to create something.  Something that may not actually serve any purpose except to create.  You can't eat it our use it really.  It is just something to hang on the wall. I don't see it that way though.  I see it as a chance to energize myself--to wash the cobwebs away from a part of my brain that I haven't been able to use all week because I have been working.  Walking into my studio revives me--the smell of paint and paste makes me want to dive in and get "painters fingers".  For now, I may only be able to get into my studio once a week but the time that I spend in there effects me every day. 

Regeneration

Yesterday turned out to be another one of those rainy days--no worries though.  I left work early, at noon, and went home.  I didn't do anything earth shattering or even notable.  I sat on the couch with my hubby and my dogs and watched Jane Eyre.  I love the classic movies--they nearly always have a happy ending.  Wish that life was so predictable, that everything would fall neatly in place and you always ended up with the handsome Knight in Shining Armor.  It felt nice, sitting in the middle of the day, and watching a movie.  I rarely do that.  But, I guess, now and again, we all need a little respite, a retreat--to be locked away from the rest of the world to regenerate and refocus.

Pulling It Together

There have been several pieces that I have been working on lately that I just could not seem to pull together.  I would pick them up, play with them, arrange objects on them--shuffle, twist and turn.  NO matter what I did to the pieces, they just did not seem to make that connection.  In short, I had no inspiration, no vision for the pieces.  I would pick them up in the in-between time, while waiting for other pieces to dry and still--no luck.  Finally this weekend, they came together.  They finally began to mesh.  I knew just what I wanted to do with them.  I worked feverishly on them--afraid that if I put them down, afraid that  I would lose that long sought after vision of cohesion.  I drilled, and glued, and painted, and tacked and then finally (drum roll please)they were done--or at least, one of them were, and the other one is laying on my table, waiting for the layers of texture and glue to dry.  Am I the only one who looks at a piece that is in progress and think to myself that there are just no ideas left--the well has gone dry.  My creativity has withered and died.............I guess (or at least hope) that I am not the only one who looks at certain pieces and just cannot seem to move past them- for months they lay there, they get shuffled, manipulated and collect dust.  Just waiting for the moment that the light comes on and says "hey--this is what that piece needs".   I guess that we all have artist block sometimes.  I have a sketch pad that I keep with me, or try to keep with me, all the time.  I have found that if I jot down ideas and sketch the piece out--I can complete the piece much easier.  I also know that if I have my goodies in sight-my stash of found items, i.e. rusty hinges, bolts, washers, thing-a-ma-jigs- that the assemblage process moves along much more freely.  I am going to be in the process of enlarging my studio in the near future.  One of the items on my wish list is a large bin that I can put all of my found objects in.  Kind of like the one in the hardware store that holds an assortment of small tools and supplies.  Well, this one would hold an assortment of excavated treasure.  Items that have been unearthed and saved from the salvage yard to be used (I hope) in a piece of art.

Spring--Almost

As I have mentioned in my previous blogs January and February are grueling months and they get me down--but these past few weeks have been different-We have had two glorious weeks of warmth and sunshine and that does wonders for the Artist in me.  I have been in my studio for the past two weekends (work full time and have so many "kids" that there isn't time during the week") I have had an incredible surge in my desire to create.  Something about being able to leave the door open and let the fresh air and sunshine in that really inspires the soul.  I have gotten word about an art contest that they are having in the Shreveport area, and am going to sign up for it.  I know that there are many talented artist is the area and competition will be tough, but worth while.  I have been lining up my spring/summer shows and have decided that about 1 a month is good.  More than that is too tough to get ready for.I have so many ideas and so little time to get them out but that is okay.  Better to have ideas and no time, than to have time and no ideas--artist block sucks and I have had my share of it this winter.  I have been craving thick, juicy tomatoes and fresh vegetables from the garden.  Not the hot house variety but the fresh-picked succulent delights that we grow.  We planted potatoes and cabbage this past Saturday.  There was a warm breeze blowing and as I placed the potatoes in the ground, I could smell the earthy scent from the  fresh plowed ground--it made me yearn for the spring months.  I am fortunate to live in the southern states, our winters are not nearly as brutal as our Northern counterparts and not nearly as long. Today, the sun is shining and it is   supposed to reach near 70 degrees--beautiful weather and I could be home in the studio, it would be perfect. 





Yesterday was a cold, gray and bleak day, one of many that we have had in the last several weeks.  It was the kind of day that you would love to be able to stay in, pull down the shades and forget about the world outside.  I don't like the winter months--Jan. and Feb. are real downers.  Gray, cold days--with very little sun. I am not a GRAY person.  I don't even like the color gray.  Not in paint, not in floors, not in furniture and definitely not in days.   Don't get me wrong--I am not a summer person either. In Maryland the summers were not so brutal and I reveled in the feeling of cool morning air and the sunny afternoons.  It was a different kind of summer than the summers that they have here.  The summer months in La. are long, hot and brutal.    I love the spring months and the fall months, all the way up to Christmas.  But January and February has a way of gettin' me down.  I spent the day in my Studio Sunday and it helped me tremendously.  It wasn't as fruitful as I would have liked it to have been but opening the door and inhaling the smell of paint and paste was like aromatherapy. It relaxes me and makes me forget about the deluge outside of my door.  I experimented with some of wash recipes that Michael DeMeng gave in his on-line class and was very happy with the results.  His use of colors and texture is incredible.  I am working on four pieces right now-all in different stages of progression. From mixed-media to Assemblage, I bounced from project to project while waiting for paint, glue or texturing to dry.  On the way home from work yesterday, Lewis suggested that we go and have Sushi for supper.  Sushi? Yessssssssss.  My all-time favorite, could eat every day food.  We went to this little place called the Avocado and got "The Love Boat".  It was AWESOME.  And, afterwards--Baskin Robbins for Chocolate Overload.  Did I mention that one of my goals this year was to lose weight?  Okay, well, the Chocolate Overload WAS reduced sugar (but the waffle cone was dipped in chocolate--maybe that was lowfat too :)

I am so excited.  There are so many ideas for pieces just waiting to be made.  I signed up for the Michael DeMeng online class.  He is the greatest at Salvage Art--his use of color and form are awesome.  This class is about color washes.  I have ordered the supplies that I need and am ready to paint.  I have 4 projects started at the moment.  Last Saturday I had a burst of creative energy.  Maybe because it has been so long since I have been able to get to the studio and really do anything substantial--but I didn't want to quit.  Not while I had the "MoJo" going.  Lewis got me a Cricut Cutter for Christmas and I have been having a blast with it.  It is the greatest little machine.  Don't know how I made it without one.

365 Days

The old year has closed out and new one has opened. Like a blank journal with 365 fresh, white pages--waiting to be written.  Fresh, linen paper, clean and new for us to begin our journey.  That is how I am going to look at this new year dawning.  It is mine to do with as I wish.  Sure, there are some things that I cannot change, but there are so many things that I can change.  So many dreams left to pursue, so many pieces left to paint.  I have decided, as my New Years Resolution--no, I am not going to call it a resolution because they always get broken--I am going to call it my Goal.  My goal for the new year is to develop a web site and really push getting my pieces out, call a few galleries, do a few shows and find an outlet for my Art.  What do I have to lose??  Sure, there is rejection, every chance that you take and every call that you make has a risk of rejection--but I am a big girl, I can take it.  When my son was little and I would talk to him about his future, I would tell him to pursue that one thing that he really loved.  As Michelle Wright sings "You only get one time around" --you can't go back and change the path that you have taken, but it is never too late to alter your course.  As you get older and looks start to fade, you dig for something deeper than looks to validate your existence and if you are lucky you find that "one thing" that you really love to do. Your priorities change with age also.  The children are grown and you find that you have a little time again.  Time to do the things that you gave up so many years ago because something had to give. A sacrifice had to be made so that you could squeeze every minute that you could out of 24 hours and take care of your job, your home and your family.  When the "crunch" begins to subside and you can breathe again--that is when you can really dig deep and find out what it is that you really WANT to do. What I really want to do is create--to take a thought and make it tangible, create art based on my life experiences, from places that I have been, things that I have seen and moments that I have lived. My wish to you for the New Year is that you find the ONE THING that you love and pursue it--whether it be art, travel, yoga or sky diving and GO FOR IT!!!

A New Start

When the fall/winter shows came to an end--and leading up to the final shows, I had an overwhelming feeling that I needed to gain control of the world around me.  In saying this I mean "my little world".  I had been putting off the deep cleaning and sorting, trying to get ready for the last shows of the year.  I kept telling myself "Soon, soon you will be able to dig into this stuff and declutter.  Declutter and dust and putaway.  It was becoming larger-than-life, bothering me more everyday--becoming foremost in my thoughts.  Well, the last show was Dec. 11 and with only one piece left to complete (Christmas Present for my brother-in-law-the armadillo pictured above).  I dug in.  Starting in my bathroom and working forward through the house with one thing on my mind. I had to get this mess under control.  So, after 3 weekends of working in the house I feel like I have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.  My painted pony collection gleams and all of the other nick nacks sparkle.  Makes me wonder why I collect all of this stuff.  Way too much baggage, especially when it's dusting time. The christmas tree has been taken down and packed away for another year.  It always makes me a little sad.  I love Christmas more than any other time of the year.  January and February are so blue and depressing.  But in saying this, I know that spring is on the way.  A new beginning.  A fresh start for a new year full of hope.  I have many new projects forming in my head-and a clean studio to begin them.  I hope all who reads this has a Safe and Happy New Year--  peace for today and hope for tomorrow. F.

Time to Reflect

Another year has come, and just about gone.  It has been a great year and a busy year.  I feel like I accomplished much of what I set out to do.  I had been thinking for  a long time that I needed to find a way to get my art out into the world.  I took the first step and went to my first show last April.  It wasn't a sell out show, but I was well received and had great feed back.  I guess my biggest fear in getting out there was that people would laugh at or not understand my work. I sold one of my biggest pieces (and as Lynn, my best friend said, weirdest pieces) before the show even began and could have sold another if I had it.  But, it gave the encouragement that I needed to attend future shows, it validated my work, and it made me believe that, maybe, as an artist, my work was OK. If I am not able to get into my studio and create for long periods of time, I get restless.  It is what I love to do.  I love to walk into the room and smell paint and paste.  I usually have several projects working at one time.  I try to straighten up a bit between projects, because I know that when I am in the middle of one, nothing else matters.  The piece that I am working on takes all of my attention and housekeeping falls by the wayside.  I have tried in this past year to become a little more organized, but have failed miserably in that department.  Organization does not come easy for me and neither does tidiness.  I would love to have the perfect studio, everything in its correct bin and labeled for easy retrieval but it is not me. Time and space to do not allow me that luxury.  You see, I am a pack rat.  I collect things. I find small treasures when I walk down the street,  and on the job site it is a veritable treasure trove--everywhere I go, I find little trinkets, excavate small cast away items and vow that one day, I will use them in a piece.  And, many times I do.  I never know when or where they will be used, only that they will be.  And, this is what takes up my space.  So many treasures, all waiting to be used in just the perfect piece. Reclaimed and repurposed-a small piece of a larger picture.  So, for now, I will work among my treasures and be thankful and grateful that I have found something that I love to do and that I have a husband, unselfish enough, to grant me the patience and time to pursue it.

Coming Into the New Year

Well, the New Year is upon us--once again.  Time for another New Year's Resolution. There is always the standard "Going on a diet", and "Exercise More Regularly"  pledge. I was thinking that maybe I need a new and improved resolution.  I haven't thought of it yet--when I do, I will let you know.  Blue day--looks like it will rain most of the day.  I love the rain, but I like to be home when it's raining.  And, I like to have "Big John" in the house--not outside in the mud.  I know that you are probably wondering "Who is Big John"?  He is my Great Pyrenees.  Big, white and fluffy.  Except when it is raining.  Then, he is Big and Muddy.  I think that his coat is a magnet for dirt.  He is not the easiest dog to bathe,either.  He doesn't like to get in the tub and has to be lifted into it-fighting it all the way. But, he is a big, lovable (and stubborn) dog.

Christmas Blue's

Well, Christmas is over :(.  Always sorry to see it go.  I look so forward to the holiday's.  From October through December.  I love the cool crisp colors of fall--with the cooler mornings and shorter days, through Thanksgiving all the way 'til Christmas.  I am most partial to Christmas, though.  It may be memories from my childhood, or even from when my kids were small.  The festivities, the togetherness, the old Christmas movies and the music. I love it all and am always a little sad to see it go.  January and February are such "blue" months, but I have plenty on my "to do" list to catch up on.  I have until the spring.  Then the flurry of getting ready for the shows seems to overshadow all other things.  So, this January and February will be my catch up time-time to clean, and build and to rebuild.  Time to plow and to sow. 

Holiday Weekend

I had an awesome and productive Thanksgiving Day Weekend--got done so much!  I have a show next weekend and there were so many items that I wanted to get completed for it.  I actually only came up one painting shy of my goal--which was pretty lofty.  I finished painting a cradle that I had been working on and off of  for about 6 mos. I painted little lambs on either side and it turned out nicely.  I also have been looking for ways to incorporate my angels into other pieces of work.  I printed pictures of them that fit into microscope slides and also onto dominoes.  I finished about 30 domino necklaces that were soldered and about the same amount of microscope slides.  I also wanted to finish a few paintings, and I did.  One angel, I call the Angel of the Garden and also 2 dress Form Paintings.  All in all--I feel like I did pretty good.  We are supposed to have awesome weather next weekend and I am hoping for the best.  Only 2 more shows lined up for this year and I can take a breather and catch up on all the things around the house that I have been pushing back on.  I am ready for the holidays--even though this year neither of my boys will be home with me--no physically- but they will be here in my heart.  Hope everyone that reads this had a great Thanksgiving.

Back Again

Back Again

Time

If I had more time--oh the things that I could create.  But, if I had more time I would probably not have any money (work = money).  I did find time to go to my studio for a couple of minutes.  I am creating "Angel Dominos".  They are small scale reproductions of paintings that I have done.  I am trying to find more outlets for my art work.  Cards, necklaces............what else?  The last show that I did was rather disappointing but I will not give up.  Maybe one day, when the economy climbs outta the ditch, things will look up.  Right now, the term "Starving Artist" is hitting the nail right on the head.

Sunshine at last

The sun is finally shining and it has turned out to be a beautiful evening. 

Thought for the day......

Well,  Another rainy, cold day--just my kind of weather.  Makes me wish that I could stay in today and watch an old movie under a thick quilt--but, alas--not possible.  Work is calling.  Not too busy of a day.  No one wants to get out in the rain.  Went to the long awaited Jazz Fest last weekend but it did not live up to my expectations.  Guess that is what you can expect out of a Jazz Fest.  Everyone wanted to listen to the music and drink beer and eat.  Art was not on the "Plate". Next show--Nach. Chrismtas Show--Dec. 4.  Hopefully, that show will be a little better.  I have 3 projects on the table waiting to be completed.  There has to be an outlet--somewhere.