Inspired again by the waves

Once again, I am inspired by our beautiful coastal ebb and flow. I created this smaller wood block piece for my dad on his 70th birthday. Typically I work on big canvas or glass, but returning to wood block soothed my soul. This is actually painted on a wooden tray- I love re-purposing items and making art out of them.

New show in Burien during September

I'm excited to be included in B-town Beat's Music and Art Walk this month in Burien, WA. I was invited to hang 5 pieces in some empty storefront windows off of the city's library square. I included my new work done on windows and cabinet doors and have already been having inquiries into their prices. I very much enjoyed experimenting on windows this year and playing with color has never been so much fun! The art walk is Thursday, September 5th from 6-9 pm if you're keen on coming out and seeing some great local art, including mine.

An artist in transition

The Cats' Meow piece inspired me to keep working on old windows pulled from remodeled houses. There is something so inspiring about refurbishing a rickety wood framed window with color and form. I have intentions to create a series of windows, maybe 6 or 7, but I'm excited to preview the first two here on my blog. I am feeling really empowered to create this work right now- and super inspired by Lincoln Park in West Seattle. It is my most favorite place to walk and absorb the beautiful nature I am blessed by. From canvas to glass, I am enjoying the process of creating and painting and expressing myself in all ways possible.

The Cats' Meow...

I know it's overdue but I'm finally able to post a picture of that darned, er, fabulous, window commission I did in the summer. I was waiting to post the visual of it until the client got the piece. It wasn't until Christmas time that I was able to hand-deliver it to her. I'm super excited to have conquered the "cat" issue. I think the kitties turned out just fine. In fact, the client's comment was that I captured her kitty's eyes perfectly on the glass. That felt good. So, without further ado, drum roll please, please enjoy "Two Kitties in the Window".

Getting a grip

This summer has proven to be a challenge artistically. I started off the summer working on a long overdue commission on an old window. It was a coming home moment for me because I haven't worked on a window for a long time. Playing with light and color and texture felt like an extension of myself I had long forgotten. It's not yet done- mostly because I fear finishing it. What I mean by that is CATS. I can't draw them. Never have been able to. And I need to put TWO of them into the window. I once painted something for my mum and I was able to put a horse in the picture as she requested but I hid the horse's head in a long stand of grass. The idea of detailing out the snoot of a horse FREAKED ME OUT. So I chickened out and literally stuck both of our heads in the sand/grass. Sigh. So, this time around, I asked an artist friend of mine with whom I collaborate on occasion (FUN) to paint out the two cats needed to finish this piece. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she had to bail, leaving me standing on a limb having to jump. So. Here we are at the end of August and I need to get it done. It's crippling me now. I can't move onto other painting projects until I get this freaking window out of my studio. This is the harm two black cats can do. I am asking the Universe for guidance on putting these two felines onto the glass. I think I judge myself too much. I need to forgive myself my insecurities around this part of my work- when I don't think I can do something. I hesitate. I inch toward it. I write this post to release some of my nervousness around it. Shazzam! LOL. My will be done. Cats cats cats! In other endeavors, I have been working on new wearable art. Attached is a photo of the arm warmers I am making. The set in the picture was the test and now I am sewing up a storm of ways to keep the arms warm when dancing out under the moon on a chilly night or dressing up a costume or just adding a little flair to an outfit. They are fun to make and I really get into a zone when I'm sewing. I hand sew all of the pieces and edges. I hear that I could machine stitch the edges but my sewing machine tried to eat me alive last time I tried to even hem something so we have issues to work out. I am hoping to sew a lot of these this winter and sell them soon at markets and online.

And the hits keep coming...

More new and newer work!

Long overdue!

It is way overdue to post some new (and not so new) work. It is my hope to re-energize my pursuit of all things "art" and to continue creating artwork that expresses my love of nature and of color! Enjoy!

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.

In the Works

I am currently working with some very creative friends wherein we each bring our own artistic endeavours to sell at the infamous Fremont Market in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood. Thanks to our friend, Morgan, we are sharing some space and time together on Sundays starting May 3rd. My friend Jello is making these amazing finger puppets and knit animal hats- he's a knitting maniac and extremely talented. Bunnies aka Sherry is going to make these felted hair clips and I, the lone painter of the group, am now painting on these great little wood blocks. I also intend to sell my greeting cards and prints from past works at the market. We're all pretty excited to be working with a deadline and just getting our art "out there" ain't too shabby an idea neither! Another talented friend of ours, Hula, is a wonderful potter and will most likely join us here and there with her wares. In the mean time, here's a pic of what I am working on...the woodblock art...

Photography

I just got a new camera to play with. I have been interested in photography for a long time...my last couple of cameras literally bit "the dust" after Burning Man. I am on the hunt for something more substantial camera-wise but am happy to play with a small point and shoot type. Here's some of my work... a recent trip to the coast with friends and dogs provided more than enough inspiration.

The Wishing Tree

I'm proud to support this year's Make-A-Wish Foundation Auction here in Seattle. A friend of mine volunteers with them and asked me to donate a piece. I have created a whimsical colorful work entitled, "The Wishing Tree". As I was painting it, I imagined a lot of light and color beaming from it. I hope it brings the auction winner lots of hope and inspiration.

This is "Snow Day"....a new work inspired by an amazing outing in the snow with some great friends. It seems fitting that it started on a true "snow day" and ends with more snow falling. Enough already! I rarely work in white so this was a great challenge for me.

At last!

I am ecstatic to finally post pictures of Sherry's and my Burning Man contribution to our good friend, Ready and Krista's "American Scream". It is so nice to see it on the playa- both pre and post storms. Thanks to Ready and Krista for making the trek with it- there and back. At Ready's last party, Sherry and I got to see it hanging in the living room...complete with a lovely thin layer of playa on it.

Eminus

With some hesitation, I post "Eminus"...a new work. I intended for it to be a companion to "Limbs Skyward" but, upon reflection, I realize it has a totally different vibe than "Limbs". I painted "Limbs Skyward" over a year ago and certainly I accept that I cannot mimic what I felt then as much as I accept what came out in "Eminus". This is partly what art is for me as an artist- an acceptance of expression- good, bad, ugly.

Certainly, I like the colours in "Eminus" and always love playing with trees and shapes- but "Eminus" has proven to be a highly personal piece... I'm not sure if it will translate in that manner to those who view it but I know, for me, it's got a lot behind it.

To conclude this post, I guess I am saying that things are not always what they seem. "Eminus" may echo parts of "Limbs" but it is rooted in something entirely different.