Life and things....

I was out on my morning walk and started thinking today instead of looking down when I walk, I will look straight ahead. When I did this I started to think about all the details that I get lost in when I look down and don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of details, but sometimes I can get confused and stagnant in my thinking and I'm speaking literally and metaphorically.

Anyway, I started to think about where I am in my life... at a cross road. One way points to graphic design and the other points to painting. I've been at this place for awhile. Graphic design means money, safety and security. Painting is less money, lots of hard work, putting myself out "there" for a lot of hits, bruising and not to mention pain and self doubt, but the rewards are indescribable.

I should probably give you some history... when I was young I always wanted to be an artist. I loved drawing, art, everything about being creative, it was an escape for me, it was (is) who I am. When I got to the point in my life of deciding what I wanted to support myself with, I found graphic design and fell in love with it. It became who I am and I still love it, it's just not that rewarding to me anymore. No one will be putting a brochure or menu I designed on their wall for years to come and then I think... is this dilemma, vanity? Or is it how I want to define myself and at what cost?

Toward the end of my walk I started thinking "Okay, I get it, but what do I do with all of this? Where is my decision?" and I was okay with not making a decision today, but then I looked down and saw a brightly colored leaf and it hit me! It's only when the leaf reaches the end of it's life - it starts showing it's best colors and I was profoundly jarred. Do I really want to spend the rest of my life doing something that I feel is not rewarding, that doesn't feel like the core of "who I am? 'NO!"

Decision made.

Well, I hope that I live longer than a leaf's life and that I can find my "color" in my journey... There are no assurances, guarantees but, I know it will be rewarding.

Lacey

12" x 12"

oil on wood

Tucker

12" x 12"

oil on wood

Three Peaches

21" x 53"

oil on canvas

I'll have this in the Dreams Show next Friday.

Here is the info:

http://www.dreamswilmington.org/secondary/about_news.html#events

Jacksonville Show & Dreams

Here are some photos from the NEXT Gallery show,

We had tons of fun and lots of people came in. 

I will be showing at the Dreams Show at Thalian Hall Next Friday.

Here is the info:

http://www.dreamswilmington.org/secondary/about_news.html#events

Skinny Rooster

8" x 8"

oil on canvas

$65 (plus $8 shipping)

PURCHASE

Hurricane

11" x 7"

oil on Wood

$85.00
($8.00 shipping)

This is from an image I took when the last Hurricane rolled near North Carolina. It didn't hit us but we had some really nice waves and wind for a few days. I have always loved the way the spray blows off the tops of the cresting waves. 

Well, I was supposed to be at Bald Head Island today, but last night I started to get a migraine and decided to call it off. So sad to have missed it, but when migraine calls, I listen. 

New Painting and Show News

"Puppy"

12" x 12"

oil on wood

I will be do a painting demo and taking reservations for portraits on Bald Head Island this Saturday at the Maritime Market - Get special pricing when you order the day of the demo. Also, Guy will be on hand to photograph for portraits too.

October 6th, 2010 I will be at Artwalk in Jacksonville Florida

Showing the Downtown Dog Paintings at NEXT Gallery and also at

Bee Gallery showing the "In Hell" painting series that I did in 2006. 

Here is more info:

http://downtownjacksonville.org/first-wednesday-art-walk

Bernese Mountain Dog

12" x 12"

Oil on wood panel

Cheshire Cat

24" x 16"

oil on fabric panel

Cardigan Corgi

12" x 12"

Oil on Wood

Commission

Corgi Mix

12" x 12"

Oil on Wood

This is from the Bald Head Island commissions 

By the way, this dog is a rescue.

Painting Peaches Update

I'm almost done with the cloth part of this painting - still need to work on the peaches. I really love this one and am enjoying every minute. 

I have decided to change how I work on paintings. Ever since I can remember, I have always looked at the painting as more of an end result and forget to enjoy the detail of the journey. I want to take my time and enjoy the process and isn't that a reflection on how to live life? Enjoy the journey rather than waiting for the destination. It's taken me this long to have this (as Oprah says) aha! Moment. Maybe this is a turning point me. Hmmmm.

Enjoy the details of your life.

Cradled Wood Panels and Fabrics

O.K., here's a lesson in cradled wood panels, a popular surface to paint on and one I prefer.

Most of my smaller panels that I make are not cradled because I am assuming they will be framed to prevent warping, but since the client indicated she wants to hang the portrait on the wall without a frame, I need to Cradle the Panel because wood warps. I cradle all pieces larger than 12 X 12 and really big pieces I use extra cross bars to stabilize more.  

In this photo I have cut the panel, sanded and have put wood strips on the back with glue. The vises hold it together till the next day. Then I will put 2 or 3 coats of gesso on, then do a final light sanding after it dries. This whole process takes about two days if I don't forget to gesso. If I do forget it could take up to 4 or 5 days.

The fabric store was having a 30% off sale - New Fabric paintings - Yayyyy!

Paintings in Progress

Here are some photos of paintings in progress, some are almost done and some just started.

Painting Peaches

The peaches this season have been especially large and delicious which brings me back to painting peaches, my favorite subject, next to dogs.

I decided Sunday is my day to paint what I want for fun - everyday I paint commissions or something for a competition or whatever, which I enjoy very much, but sometimes I just want to be free and paint for fun, no pressure, just expression. This is my Sunday painting, which isn't done yet. 

Maybe I'll finish it Monday. 

:)

Emma

10" x 10"

oil on wood panel

One More Cup...

Hello everybody, I found out this morning that my painting "First Day of Summer", which I will now rename back to "Leap of Faith" did not get into the Oil Painters of America's show. I'm trying to figure out how to "get around" the disappointment. I had high hopes with this painting and really worked hard on it. I will try again next year and of course, forge ahead!

Maybe next year I'll do something a little more traditional.

Here is a watercolor I did in Florida.

"One More Cup of Coffee"

 11" x 13"

Joe or Emma & Abby

Joe or Emma (working on two cats and not sure which one this is because I lost all my emails from the past month due to an Entourage crash)

10" x 10"

oil on wood

Abby

12" x 12"

oil on wood

Watercolors

The Juggler

13" x 15"

watercolor on paper

 

When it All Falls Apart

9" x 13"

watercolor on paper

One More Cup

13" x 11"

watercolor on paper