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.

On being stretched

Today I am fine tuning and preparing for a presentation in the morning. I am always surprised (don't know why) when my life so closely parallels a word I am speaking or writing about. The topic tomorrow is basically the analogy of how we artists stretch a canvas and how we are sometimes stretched by life circumstances. I have come to realize it takes strong support, perfect alignment, and a relaxed attitude to not only handle, but grow from what life throws at us at times. Not unlike a good canvas is it? Strong support: to hold up under the stress of fabric being stretched, the weight of paint or other media. Perfect alignment: of the canvas so that it doesn't sag in the midst of a masterpiece, of the support so that it hangs beautifully on the wall. A relaxed attitude: like a moistened canvas that more easily allows it to be stretched and stapled in place. So, I'm surrendered to the Master Artist's hand as He stretches me to receive more and do more for Him.
This painting is titled "Just Beyond". It is 18 x 36 and is a reminder to me that nothing lasts forever and there is always a clear day just beyond the storm. It retails for $750.

Landfill Art

No, I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth, just buried with admin stuff. Oh the joy of being a gallery owner, landlord, and artist! Anyway, we had a great turn out for our art event last night and I am encouraged. I know that runs contrary to popular attitude, but I just believe there is business to be had even in these economic times.

So, one of the things I have spent my time doing is painting and presenting a display of re-created hubcaps. All of the artists at The Row @ The Factory participated as well as my friend Becky Gholston whose work I sell here in the gallery. I must commend Ken Marquis for his insight and effort to go to the landfills and recover the collection of hubcaps. His international efforts can be seen at www.landfillart.org. Meanwhile enjoy. It's titled "One Fine Day"

I'm Back!

Sorry for the delay on postings. We had a death in the family which meant an unexpected week long trip out of state. Makes me think of all the unexpected things in our lives that take us to other states of mind. Certainly when dealing with the crises in our lives it is more difficult to allow the creativity to flow. However, upon return to the studio I have reached for my paints (in all my favorite colors and palettes) and have been restored as I have spread paint across multiple canvases. But more on that later.
For now I wanted to share the finished piece "Hope". It was an interesting journey as I first was led to paint the darkness of the background before layering the light which represents hope. We see hope more clearly when it is set against a background of grief, concern, discouragement. But even as I painted the background, I knew in my knower that the light and shine of hope would be applied to the canvas and that gave me the confidence to also know in my knower that there was hope for my situation as well.
"Hope" 10 x 30 $300

Oasis

As artists we occasionally paint what we hope for. Recently I was moaning to someone about January (lack of) sales and the friend suggested that I do a painting about hope. Hmmm, good idea...and I have begun a series today: Faith, Hope, Love. We'll see where it goes.
Meanwhile, this is a recent painting. Another friend told me it transported her to a place where having been walking in the desert for a while, "life" was seen. Oasis: "a fertile or green spot in a desert". That's what the dictionary says. My heart says "refreshment, rest, restoration, refueling for the journey ahead". So, if you find yourself in the midst of the January blahs or anxious about the year ahead, rest awhile under the shade of the trees, breathe in the cool evening breezes, and sip on a long sweet sip of refreshment. Isn't that what art is all about? Giving pause in the midst of the chaos in order to refresh, restore, and refuel for the rest of the journey. Ahhh yes...I think so.
"Oasis" is available from the website under New Work or from the studio. It measures 30" square including frame (painting is 24" square) and sells for $600.