The Four Corners of Strength

It is complete! and I am feeling happy. It is appropriate that this tribute to Love, Belief, Support and Friendship comes on the heels of what has been a very challenging year for me. I can't say that I'll be sorry to see 2010 go, but I will never forget it's lessons. And I will try to live my best life possible into 2011 and beyond, remembering the foundations that inner Strength is built upon. I feel incredibly blessed to have had people in my life, however permanent or transient they may be, to help me not only find my way, but also to shed light upon the questions, as well as the answers. In 2011, I  will pay more attention to my intuition. I will be kinder to myself and others. I will remember that it's important to smell the roses. I will work hard to be able to do what I really want to do, and earnestly attempt to stop doing that which does not serve me in my life. I will continue to take care of my body, and find better ways to strengthen my heart & soul. I will ask more questions, and listen longer. I will dance and play air guitar to all my awesome c.d.'s. I will make my house a colorful, comfortable and welcome home. I will start scrap-booking again. I will find a way to display my post card collection. I will research how to market my artwork, and how to publish my poetry. I will pray to stay connected to the creative source within me, and set aside time to cultivate that inner quietness so necessary for revelations and internal knowing. I will cast aside doubt & fear. I will not fall back into old habits. I will love wholeheartedly. I will trust in my power. I will make no compromises.

Now, I'll show each corner in detail, paying homage to each important anchor.

 

Love- "Your genuine affection is a catalyst, opening the door of possibility. Your light shines on all that is good & true- inside and outside of me. It rekindles courage in my heart, and helps me embrace life again. Thank you for sharing your love."

Belief- "Encouragement and humor are the gifts you so selflessly give. Your belief in me came like a thousand brilliant stars, illuminating the way, and allowed me to visualize beginning again."

Support- "You are my refuge and your constancy helps me rebuild my life. I feel secure in my decisions and can move forwrad, trusting myself once again. Your support reinforces all that I can do."

Friendship- "Validating my feelings and reminding me of hope, your winning attitude is mirrored in my soul. You help me find the truth through my emotions. In times of trouble and joy, you are always my ally. Your friendship is a blessing."

There's so many projects that I have in store for this coming year! I can't wait to share them here. I can't believe it has been a year since I launched coffee table blog. It has, if nothing else, been a wonderful tool to help me keep it real with myself, especially concerning all my creative endeavors. And for that alone, I can call it a success! 

Patience-Purpose-Energy....being open to Opportunity. This is my wish for 2011.

Merry Christmas Everyone, and a Joyful New year!

The Heart of it All

 

Despite the glare, you can get the idea. Still need to add Support and Friendship on the bottom and treasure chest illustration. Plus, words for each corner. Almost there. This week is supposed to be killer cold each night, and my new little space heater is not really  making a difference. So, gloves and hat it will be.

Some more

More on the 4X4 this past weekend. I'm getting happy people! Though the absolute freezing freaking COLD is deterring me from painting (because it's in the garage). I checked the weather site and it will continue to be this cold all week. Painting with gloves on is not the greatest, but I will have to do it I guess.

 So, I really like the way the wood grain is showing through now. It adds a texture to this piece that is unexpected, but I think because of it's size, it's ok- it kinda adds another dimension to it. What is annoying however, is hitting one of those ridges with the paint brush unexpectedly- and all of a sudden I've got a bump or a bulge that I wasn't ready for, and that needs correcting. The other REALLY annoying thing is how I cannot seem to position my photos on this blog the way that I want to!!!! Which is why you hafta scroll down to see the rest. I guess I get an "F" in the layout. But seriously, if you can help me out here, I'd really appreciate it!

These funky ladies are my favorites so far. They are definitely mermaid legends, rockin' in the under sea world, instinctively steering clear of  Captain Hook and his Jolly Rogers - but always on the lookout for Peter Pan.

The End is Near.....

of this year, which I can't believe. When I came back to post my progress on this painting, and saw that the last post was in OCTOBER! well time flies I guess, whether you're having fun or not. I want to get this painting done in the next few weeks. I'm hoping for a Christmas present to myself. The incorporation of words still haunts me - I still have concerns about the most effective technique -so, I have only just begun to get the theme words in the two upper  corners. In this first photo, I elected to get rid of the door, and instead created sky and a butterfly, and the first corner word "Love".

On the other side of Love lies Belief, and you can barely see the word painted in. Gotta get some highlights on the letters, but the actual color is perfect for the planet and outer-space scene. And oh yeah, the dolphins are a new addition too, though admittedly, it was not too fun painting them....maybe I just prefer painting mermaids.

I included this last one just to show the detail of shells in the sand. The trouble I'm encountering with a painting of this size is balancing my desire to get into the details of my objects, but also needing them to be big enough for the viewer to appreciate. Everything kinda melds together if there's too many small things on a big painting; especially if the small things are laden with detail, KWIM? But all of those elements ARE attractive to me- my goal is finding a way to incorporate them cohesively and aesthetically. I think this is why I'm dragging my feet on adding the words-But I will!

It's getting really cold too....so painting in the garage is becoming less and less attractive. And I certainly don't want this or any of my work out there when snow comes, so there's an incentive right there. The way it's been going the last few years, we'll probably get snow soon.

Big Love

This is the 4X4 wood panel. Lots of progress this weekend, but I'm not done yet.

The photo doesn't really show the metallic paint in the tree canopy, and a lot of the color nuances get shot out...gotta get better at the art photography...any tips?

Flowers for my lovely

A few flowers for my angel. I did use the distress ink underneath, before I painted her in, and also after the paint dried. The flowers are hand painted acrylic, straight up. And I used an iridescent white for the wings. I like that the background shows through them. Now for some face details...

It's Not Your Mother's Decoupage

Trying some new and interesting techniques on this one. I used distress ink on top of the entire tree canopy (my fingers look like I was just printed...) but the messiness was worth it. It's supposed to create an vintage look for photographs, but I read about using it on mixed media pieces. I think it gives the tree an aged look, but also adds to the textural feel of it overall. Also, cut papers and stamps of leaves to create a tree top that I really am happy with.

This is what I got, so far. The messenger figure is salvaged from a vintage birthday card, and I created my own paper cut-out hearts. The acorns are from a magazine photo - when I saw them, I immediately cut them out, as knew I would use them eventually in a mixed media piece -this was the perfect spot for them. I also drew the basic outline for my angel on the left, and am thinking about distressing the entire angel image with ink before I paint it in. A mermaid will be swooping in from the right from cresting waves, (you can faintly see her), but I have yet to insert that last image. The finishing touches will be the inspirational words throughout. They'll have to wait till last.

Phase Two: defining images...the support rocks, and waves and sand -done; tree of life almost done. I think I'll be inserting some more smaller circles, but use metallic paint...keep the Klimt feel going. And the tree trunk will be more stylized too. My art always feels much more 'successful' to me when it does not become too 'painter-ly'. Even though I love Renoir, I always relate much more to Klimt. Know what I mean?? Anyway, it's all about trees lately people! And words with art. It's going. It's a beginning.

Change Is Beginning

That is, something new and different starts when we start (something new and different). I also realized today, that change occurs when we all the real reasons for doing something outweigh all the real reasons for NOT doing something. Begin to Change = Change is Beginning.

4' X 4' with drawing......

Detail of 4' X 4' once I put the first color washings on. Very excited about this piece. Biggest I have ever attempted. It's fun! and my vision for the finished product are based on values that have been helping me through: the 4 corners of Strength - Love, Belief, Support and Friendship. I will keep posting till its done.

Much smaller, but just as fun. I really enjoy working in the collage style with cool scrap-booking papers. This one will combine many, and also use cut-outs from cards, magazines and printed photos. Throughout will be inspirational words, and there will  be hand painted elements too.

Keeping busy. Trying to create good, positive change; trying to work it all out, and express what's in my heart. Beginning.

Night Flight & Sea's Delight, or How the Mermaids found their way....

Soul sparkin' goodness completed, the finishing seal applied, these girls rock in the undersea-world, and have friends on the other side....(who do I think I am? Freakin' Ed Hardy??)

I received a message from my brother across the water,

He sat laughin' as he wrote the end's in sight.

So I said goodbye to all my friends

and I packed my hopes inside a matchbox

'cause I know it's time to fly.

I jumped a train that never stops,

So now somehow I'll know I never finished payin' for my ride.

Just n' someone pushed a gun into my hand

Tell me I'm the type of man to fight the fight that I'll require....

We are in the middle of a change in destination,

When the train stops all together we will smile.

Fly now baby...Get to fly, yeah.

Gentleness

I saw a deer in the same marsh as heron, at the reservoir. Deer teaches us to use the power of gentleness to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are trying to keep us from connecting with the Great Spirit. Like the dappling of fawn's coat, both the light and dark may be loved to create gentleness and safety for those who are seeking peace.

If deer has nudged it's way into your life, you are being asked to find the gentleness of spirit that heals all wounds. Stop pushing so hard to get others to change and love them as they are. Apply gentleness to your present situation and become like the summer breeze; warm and caring. This is the tool for solving the present dilemma you are facing. If you use it, you will connect with the sacred centering place inside yourself, and Great Spirit will guide you. Thanks Deer. Duly noted.

They Are Done!

I'm happy to say that despite in the mayhem in my world over the last few weeks, I did  manage to complete one painting, my Mermaids. A few  waves painted here, and a little glitter added there, and viola! This is one of my mixed media pieces that is complete, right down to it's sparkly finishing touches.

 

Of course, it is those very sparkly finishing touches, plus my lack of finesse with my camera that hinder you from really seeing some if the details, but hey, I'm sure you get the general idea. I'm thinking of a way to 'seal' the whole piece with out dulling over the glitter, and I'm thinking that my old friend modge podge will do it, as long as I take care to paint around the glitter areas. I thought of spraying too, with a fixative, but not sure how that would work out. Any ideas as to what kind of sealants work best for mixed media pieces?

progress and a new direction

I had been thinking that the skull motifs would really work in the girl and goat painting after my last post. I decided to add a few to the bottom before I put the skull lanterns in the background. We'll see where it goes.

 

 And flaming snake lady is making progress.

"Little Girl! Get away from that goat!...

...They are vile and dirty beasts that cannot be trusted. They eat lots of garbage and frequently enjoy regurgitating it too, and you sweet thing, do NOT belong in this scene."

That's what I'm thinking now, every time at look at this unfinished painting. I started it weeks ago, with the idea of combining mythical images of the goat god Pan, and a witch named Baba Yaga, with ordinary figures -namely a goat and a girl -in an effort to create a sort of visual commentary, and give life to some really cool stuff I've been reading. The symbolism of Pan represents overt sexuality, lusty playfulness, but trouble. Baba Yaga is a folklore witch that assists children on their journey through the woods, but only if they satisfy her demands. If they don't, she eats them. The girl represents innocence and curiosity, all too willing to befriend the goat, who's alter ego is Pan. The perspective of the mountainous background, copied from a once favorite photo, was lost in this, and the Pan figure just didn't gel...so, the mountains wound up flat, and Pan got painted out. Baba never made it in, but her skull lanterns (that will guide our girlie on her journey) might. Currently, the story is much more interesting to me than the actual painting, and I'm hoping to find a way to overcome the fact that the whole spirit with which I began this  - is gone.

Have you ever stopped a work because you weren't 'feeling' it anymore? Did you abandon it, or did you find a way to still get your initial intentions across?

Can you say gesso?

the flaming snake lady

About a month before Christmas, I went to Home Depot, and bought myself an 8X8 sheet of plywood. I then had the guy cut it into three pieces; two 2X2's and one 4X4. I then excitedly went and got myself a huge jug of gesso and, once home, covered all those boards with it. Viola! instant BIG painting surfaces. Buying canvas this large is very cost prohibitive, and I have been dreaming about putting some if my big ideas onto big spaces.
This one is a fave that I've had the idea for since spring of 2008. I got the idea primarily from a lyric, which, as it turns out,  I didn't hear quite right. (more on that in another post) No matter, because I like my version better, and the image just came to me.

Of course, I am encountering a myriad of problems...one - never painted this large, so it's difficult maneuvering myself around the piece as I'm painting (would help if I had a real easel...), two - the wood is not the most forgiving of grounds; paint skips, grain shows through, etc...but I've learned that I'll need to use more gesso and sand more vigilantly next time, and three - acrylic dries fast! even when you put additives in it. That creates all kinds of issues with blending colors, etc...More as it progresses, but here are some additional shots of flaming snake lady....(and that is not going to be the title of this piece...).

The color goddesses were present on Wednesday night when I did the initial color overlays...unfortunately, the camera gremlins will not allow me to get a shot with out the damned flash showing up in my photo!

This is an example of the wood grain showing through, and when I photographed this last night, it was annoying me. Now that it has had time to dry, I'm beginning to think that the grain may actually enhance the painting in some areas, like in these flames. 

So, I'm re-learning allot about painting in general and am excited to be painting this big. I'll keep on posting as the pieces progress. Have you ever created a work this large? What other issues are related to work this big?

same eyes, new visions

Did you ever see something in a way that you have never seen it before, and it’s like a lightbulb coming on in your head?  What you’re looking at could be something that you take for granted everyday, like an old candy dish, that, when moved out of the dark spot in one room & into a bright spot in another, suddenly looks shinier, more stylish, maybe even a different color? Or, it could be something you never tire of looking at, like watching your kids use their imagination while playing together, but suddenly you recognize things you never focused on before – like personality traits of future adults. I recently had the good fortune of ‘seeing’ old artwork in a new way, and then, resurrecting it. My eyes (and brain) were open that day.

 

I was inspired to make these volcanoes from old drawings I had found in a college-era sketch book of mine. Back in the day, a friend and I had some really cool and creative ideas about writing children’s books, and these paintings come from sketches associated with one of them called “Volcano Village”.  The top painting is acrylic paint on a 5"X7" canvas board, and the colored pencil drawing is a small 2 ½” by 3 ½” – ACEO size (art card editions and originals).

Not too long ago, I wouldn’t have reworked old sketches. I can just hear my internal censor now - saying things like…”it’s not authentic enough…..it’s cheating….been there, done that…” etc. But now I know that’s rubbish! Bringing back good ideas is always a good idea, especially since they originated from me in the first place. What do you think? Ever re-worked a creative endeavor? How different, or same, was it from what you originally started with?