Tag Archives: thoughts

Nov17

GOOD MORNING TUESDAY

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Several years ago I decided to take a Body Writing Class with Pamela Underwood.  I had wanted to take this class for several years, and because of my overly abundant body, I never had the nerve.  Finally, the thought hit me…(get over yourself..nobody cares),  if I didn’t take it soon, something else will happen and I’d never get to take it.

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Before I could think about it too much, I signed up and paid my deposit.  Yahoo I did it!

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The workshop was a four-day event at Pamela’s home in Poway.  It took me forever to get there, but once I did,  it was spectacular.  Private with no one around,  the few women in the class were exceptionally nice, and I never felt uncomfortable the entire four days.

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My body print turned out to be strange, but on top of my body stamp, I painted the head of a crow….  What does this mean?  Why did I pick the colors I did?  The size, the configuration?  The class was supposed to give us direction, purpose, a clearer sense of who we are as people, as artists.  I have never been sorry I participated,  I met wonderful women, and most of them were vegetarians, so that suit me just fine.  I didn’t have to eat any of my friends to keep my strength up.  During this four days, in September, in Poway, was hotter than hot!  The inspiration was flowing, and as long as we stayed inside it was fine, but the minute you went outside…you’d  better be going out to jump in the pool or spa.

This project was a lot of work, and when it’s tacked to the wall, it takes up a great deal of the wall space…top to bottom.   I’ve been thinking of dragging it out of its hidie hole, tack it up in my studio, and work on it.

 

Oct27

The Magic of Painting

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I ran across this video, and thought it perfect for my blog.  One could say it is the beginning in an abstract course.  That’s true in a way, but it’s much more than that.  I think abstract painting need only be as  complicated as you want it to be.  Most of us over think, I know that’s my problem.

For me, if you start simple, the painting will take its own turns, and twists that are  never expected.  That is what Rita Siemienski claims.  She lets the painting take the turns it wants, and runs with it.  My favorite kind of art!

I think this is a great video because it’s simple, it allows the viewer to slip into their abstract  art in a much more relaxed, and stress free way.  Again,  that’s my kind of art! 

A gentle reminder of how easy abstract can be, and how to get out of our own way!

 Gentle reminders never hurt, after all isn’t that what we artists do……share energy, ideas, and helpful advise?

Jun23

Tuesday the 23rd.

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FogHorn LegHorn

FogHorn LegHorn

Many years ago we had a little farm with fifteen chickens, and two roosters. Our first rooster we named “FogHorn LegHorn,” and I never minded that he awakened us each morning at the same time…..EARLY.

We had many other animals on our small farm, but this is really about our first rooster.  A friend of ours built us a huge, really nice coup where all the hens & rooster lived at night.  I don’t remember ever having trouble with the rooster when they were in the pen, but when they were all out pecking around, eating worms, and free ranging the rooster was so much fun to watch.  Of course, he did what all roosters did even though he wasn’t old enough to make a difference.  We had friends show up on our front doorstep with a six-pack of beer, and munchies just to relax on a Sunday afternoon in the back.  They would sit all afternoon chatting, munching on goodies, and sharing beer just to watch FogHorn LegHorn and his hens.  Those were fun days, and the memories of them are worthy of many short stories.

I’ve always wanted to paint chickens, or a rooster, and finally I took the leap. Since I’m not really fond of realism, I decided to paint an abstract rooster.  To tell the truth, this little canvas (10″X 24″) was given to me as a challenge, and I didn’t have a clue what I would do with it.  So the other day I primed it in orange, and then it began to speak.   Before I knew what was happening, I was roughly sketching out a rooster.  The next thing I knew I mixed up a light version of Cobalt Teal and began negatively painting.

It isn’t finished, but I’m having so much fun that I had to show all of you the possibilities of a challenge.

FogHorn LegHorn will be back. He won’t change much but he will be changed, and this is where abstract is going for me at the moment.

Jun16

Good Morning Tuesday

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I’m sitting here in my studio trying to decide what to do next!   I have many unfinished paintings that aren’t speaking to me, and just like so many others, they may just end up under another painting.  Molly Moo had several paintings under her, and Dusty the bunny has at least four paintings under him.  Dusty hasn’t been revealed yet, but his day is coming this week.

Molly Moo the Free Cow

Molly Moo the Free Cow

I have started a small 20″ X 24″ abstract a couple days ago, and decided to let it dry before continuing.  Now I’m thinking I should have just kept going while the paint was wet, and see what happens.  After all it is intuitive art, and it is abstract, so the worst that can happen is that it becomes an underpainting.

For me, the best thing to do is get into the studio early while I have lots of ideas, and energy…..turn great music on, and open up jars of paint.  The bigger the mess, the more creative I become, and louder the music, the faster I paint, and the better the painting.

So let’s get started!

May8

The Search For Alternitives!

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In the middle of the worst drought we’ve had in a long time, Coastal Southern California is getting rain.   It’s spotty, but it’s rain, and when it comes down – it really comes down!

The question is,  when will it rain next, and how can we make this rain count?  Right now we’ve been on water restriction, with our lawns getting only three days of water a week.  Most of us, ourselves included have the kind of grass that needs watering every day.  So even cutting back to three days shows.

There are now rumors that we may have to let our lawns die, and not water them at all.  Our drought is that serious!  I’ve listened to all the experts, and indeed we have a serious shortage, yet some people aren’t listening.  They still water each day, and wash down their driveways.  I love the look of a clean home, but hate that they are wasting water like that.

Our house is dusty, leaves have fallen, it’s windy so sweeping them up doesn’t work well.  The only thing that really does the job is water, and we aren’t using water.  Our lawn in the back,  although may not look  too badly in the rain, is quickly giving up, and each time the dog goes out there, it looks a little worse.

Is there an answer to this?  Maybe taking out the lawn and replacing it with flagstone.  That works for me, as I  dislike having to spend so much time and money keeping the lawn looking alive, and thriving.

I have to admit,   I have given up on the lawn, and am searching for alternatives…..

Mar3

Bunny Tails

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Bubbles in her birthing cage

Bubbles in her birthing cage

I wanted to update you on Bubbles condition…..

Bubbles doesn’t want to be held now, she is acting a little strange, and she will let you scratch her ears, but nothing else.  This behavior leads her family to believe she is pregnant and will have her little bunnies within the next two weeks or so.

This is exciting news for Bubbles and her family.   They won’t be Easter Bunnies,  but they will be ready to go sometime after Easter.

I can’t wait to get pictures of all the little bunnies, and Bubbles to show you.

Stay tuned for more in the life of Bubbles, and thank you for hopping by to check on her.