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.