Wishful Thinking?

There's something to be said for wishful thinking...intentional, desirable, etc. I am beginning to see that everywhere I go. I am putting some intentional thoughts into manifesting artistic opportunities for myself in a more conscious way. I'm sure there's some corndog saying around this but I'm trying to be very careful about what I put my attention on artistically as well as personally and professionally. I've been mulling around the idea of doing another show soon- maybe West Seattle Art Walk again? It's been a couple of years. I need to create more work based on trees. I dream about it. It haunts me. I walk Lincoln Park so often and place my hands on trunks of the Madronas (Arbutus for us Canadian folk) to absorb the natural energies of the earth. I can honestly say that trees ground me and inspire me to reach my own limbs up into the glorious sky. I attach above "Sphinx Island"...a small island my friends own off of Galiano Island. Yes, they own this island and once upon a time I had an amazing trip over there where I spent the entire time sketching and plotting out paintings based on the fours points of the island as well as from the sea via kayak. It was a very successful and beautiful trip. It was a time of great creativity for me. I would like to find that again soon and get on the "Tree Project"...the intention is set!

Changes, Thoughts and Desires

Here we are 4 months into the new year and I am finally putting some energy into this blog. A wise friend of mine told me that this is the year to make your desires into reality and for me that's creating art FULL TIME. I am, slowly mind you, putting together a "Business Brainstorm" wherein I make my dreams come to life visually. Being a visual person, I need something very visual to follow and refer to as I create my art plan. My studio, until recently, was a CHAOS of unfinished projects and melee. I spent some time a couple of weeks ago trying to create a space where my artistic pursuits can reign! As a new homeowner, this all seems frivilous as I try to figure out ways to finance the house projects that "MUST BE DONE THIS YEAR" (ACK!). Reality is not my friend let me tell you- I much prefer the colorful world of fantasy where I not only merely exist but also THRIVE as a working and successful artist. That said, I am figuring out the balance, the tightrope as it were, of how to make it all work together. And, truth be told, I have not been very successful at this balance but, as I sit here typing this, my body aching from a weekend of yard work (very fulfilling of course), I think about the dust settling onto my work table in the studio. My first step is to complete the brainstorm and get moving on making it happen. No longer can I fear this step...being overwhelmed by real life doesn't help. And, on a personal note, I have been wracked by panic attacks in the last year and I sincerely think it's because I am letting my art slip by me like a stranger in the night WAY TOO MUCH. Now that I've written that, I can take responsibility for my lack of non-action. Creating art always makes me feel great. Yardwork...well, not in the same way.
The time is now. And I am the one I have been waiting for. Nuff said.

Just for Fun

Last night I came home, put my ear phones on and let paint FLY. It's been awhile since I just painted for the sheer and total chaos of it...I have been trying to formulate a plan in terms of making art more the focus of my life and last night I HAD TO BREAK LOOSE. This painting is the result and frankly, it really makes me feel ALIVE.

Wood Blocks Continued...

The wood block work continues...due to popular demand. I had some success selling these at the Fremont Market along with plenty of inquiries about my "bean bird" wood blocks. They are fun to make so I have ventured once again into the world of the BIRD! They are for sale so let me know if you'd like one. These three blocks are 5x5.

New Work

Jewelry!!!

I have found myself making jewelry this summer. I have had some folks wearing it around town and have gotten some great compliments on it. Here are some of my latest pieces. I have done a few commissions for friends and am taking orders...let me know if you're interested! Don't worry, painting will continue this fall...a new studio space is in the process of getting up and running.

Check it out

An artist friend of mine has finally begun to publish a blog of his work. I am a student of the way he uses colour and form. He's got a brilliant style for expressing myth, legend and humanity. Check it out....

http://ivesart.blogspot.com/

Fremont Market Update

Yesterday was our first day at the market. It was, thankfully, a gorgeous sunny day. We each sold a couple of things but truly, the hit of the day, were Jello's finger puppets. They mesmerized children, drew them into the booth like a moth to a flame. We felt overall that the day was reasonably successful given the economic climate we're in so we're going to back next weekend to see how it goes. The day was broken up with visits from friends and dogs so it went pretty fast.