It's taken awhile...

So interesting that my last blog spoke about painting majesty. Last Saturday I began this painting titled "A Road Less Traveled". It measures 24x48 and in fact in person it does a pretty good job of communicating the majesty of these incredible trees. At least that's what my artist's heart felt as I worked on it. It really was an exercise in worship of the Creator. A joy filled and very fulfilling experience. May we always approach the canvas with a sense of wonder and amazement. I believe it unlocks the creative process in a deeper and unique way. Today a friend commented that in fact I had to go down the road less traveled in order to be able to paint this piece. Guess that happens when we step up to a new level of operation; it feels strange and bit foreign. Eventually we adjust to the view and the new perspective...that is until it is time to step up again.

Inspiration

Here's the question. How do you paint majesty? Over the past week, I have witnessed amazing landscapes, terrain, and vistas. Desert, mountains, ocean coast, giant redwoods, rolling hills, and now vineyards rising on every hilltop. We have taken over 200 photos (thank goodness for digital cameras). I don't paint from a photograph usually so why the photos? To remember is the obvious answer and that is truth. But also to study. How do light and shadow work together to communicate to the eye the shape of a hill? Where do lines converge to give scale to these giants of creation? How do colors fade or brighten as the horizon fades or waves lap the sand?
Can't wait to get back to the studio and explore the possibilities.

From California

Greetings! I have been in California now for several days. As I woke this morning I realized that I wanted to share an experience of a couple of days ago. We were in Redding earlier in the week, surrounded by mountains and it was time to head west to the coast and the redwoods. No quick way to get there. One must traverse the mountains in order to get to the ocean. So we did. It was beautiful. So here's the thing. I have never been to that part of California but as we traveled from Redding to Trinidad I kept repeating "This is amazing! I've never been here, but I've painted it!" I've had others tell me that I have painted a place I've never been, but I've never experienced that for myself. The Creator whispered something in my ear, inspired me to paint, and brought to canvas something I've never seen with my eyes. As an abstract artist that's more understandable. That He would bring to my vision a specific place? All I can say is "Wow!"

Muti-Faceted

This morning I have been struck by the multi-faceted nature an artist in business must have in order to succeed. Yes, there's the obvious right brain/left brain, creative/business contrast. More than that however, in today's economy I see artists all around me pulling out the stops to stay in the business of art. Whether it is developing new ideas, new products, or new venues for exhibition, I am amazed at the creative thinkers that surround me. It is what keeps us going I think: creative exploration. When artists take their creativity off of the canvas so to speak and apply it to marketing, sales, scheduling, product development, etc. it is fun to watch. It is why I love being a part of an artistic community where ideas are tossed out, shared, and hands reach out to help. It is what community is all about.

This piece is called "Brilliance" it is 18x36 and sells for $850. As a part of my multi-faceted approach I am submitting it for an exhibit, so it's "on hold" until I hear whether it has been accepted. I keep ya posted!

New Work

I know, I know, it's been awhile. I have been having problems with my shoulder. It doesn't like it when I spend much time at the computer/internet or if I overdo it at the easel. Not a good combination for an artist in business! I am however learning to overcome and have indeed worked on new paintings that I believe are the beginnings to whole new collections. This one is part of an abstract series (that can only be seen in my head at this point) called "Castles in the Air". It is 24 inches square (available for $525). What I see in the series are 18 inch square canvases each focusing on a different color. To be hung together or separately. I gotta say, it must be the spring season, but I am having a great time exploring new images to express on canvas. Several have been a matter of revisiting something I may have interpreted in fiber years ago. Renewal. Regeneration. Or is it that there is nothing new under the sun? Don't know but meanwhile I'm having fun! Visit the website. I just added nearly 20 new pieces to the New Work page with more tomorrow. Enjoy!

Musings at the End of the Month

Wow! March is already past, April is upon us and that's no fooling! This has been a whirlwind week as I connected with a new gallery in Bowling Green, Kentucky and took a collection of work to them yesterday. The gallery is The Gallery at 916. It is at 916 State Street for any of you who may be in those parts and I highly recommend a visit. Not just to see my work, but all of the other fine artists represented there.
This is one of those art business messages. It is a tough economy right now. There is no doubt about it. And I am truly grateful for the customers out there that continue to support the arts through these times. Thank you on behalf of all artists and small businesses out there! For those of you who are artists, let me encourage you to use this time to explore new things. Whether it is a new venue for your art (shows, galleries, exhibits, etc) or you use this time as research and development time to explore new techniques, new media, new ideas, make good use of the time.
Let me encourage you, better times are ahead. Don't know when, but I know this is a season to persevere in the things we have been called to do. Eventually the storm passes and a new day dawns complete with sunshine.

Do Overs

About a month ago I began working on a painting. I loved it at first, then as I "developed" areas of it I felt like it was not ending where I wanted it to. So I did the drastic thing and took my gesso and painted over the area I wasn't happy with (which happened to be smack in the middle of the piece). Last Saturday I took the canvas out and knew what I wanted to do with the center. As I shared the story with my son Jesse (graduate student in creative writing) I used the term gesso as a verb and he was really struck by it. I "gessoed" over the part I wasn't happy with. Now whether or not it is grammatically correct, it is a very descriptive word to us artists. Gesso is a primer that is extremely opaque, so when it is used what is beneath is truly covered. Of course that got me thinking about life. Wouldn't ya just love to gesso over things occasionally? Sometimes life imitates art...and we are given a chance for a "do over". That's when lessons are learned and the masterpiece of life is perfected.
The painting? It's almost done. I'll share it soon.