Ins and Outs

I haven't been "in" this blog space lately. I've been too distracted by working on two paintings. One is 5' by 3' and is a large abstract/cartoon bouquet of life that seems to attract the attention of the miniature people who run past my studio door every day. There is nothing more sweet than strange 4 or 5-year-olds stopping in their active-leg tracks to stare at my painting and gasp out, "That's so pretty!" Mind you, it's NOT a pretty painting to the eyes of the adults, but those little minds, they totally rock with it's off the wall naive energy.

The other painting is about half that size and within its imagery are large enveloping wings and a lot of gold light. This one attracts the more exotic larger people who run past my studio door. Two days ago an art therapist stopped to gaze for a bit. He commented that in his work the clients often didn't know what they were painting about, but he could lead them towards defining reasons behind why they had created the symbols on their art. I invited him to interpret my painting, but he just gazed at it quietly. A second viewer said he didn't know if it was a positive or a negative painting since parts of it felt like Hell. Is it possible to paint Hell into a positive message? Interesting question.

Unexpected Gifts

In just over a week I have had three separate art surprises.

Today I found myself included in a magazine article about my art studio complex. There I am in a photo, framed by an old ladder, drawing away with a hodge podge of my paintings decorating the distant studio walls. One can almost see that I'm wearing two pairs of glasses to do my tiny ink work. The drawing I was creating at the time is in my August 16 post.

Sept. 10 was the reception for the group exhibition "Aftermath" at Coastal Arts League and Museum. I have two pieces in the show, one a painting and the other a pen and ink canvas. It was gratifying to see so many people stand for so long in front of "Confronting Brown," seen here, below. Small photos don't do it justice, since the point of the painting is to pull the viewer closer and closer into the middle of the painting and then upward and outward. I like to stand about one foot away and wander my eye all over the place. Click on the image and you might get an idea of what it would be like to stand next to this 5 foot long piece. I have no problem saying that I am amazed that I made this intricate work. It resonates on a level I always strive for, but rarely am lucky enough to accomplish. I am therefore profoundly pleased when I see a diverse audience immediately in deep conversation with this piece.

The third surprise news is that an artist and friend, Lisa Brey, submitted one of my paintings she owns to the Hyampom Good Time Fair's art exhibition and I received the People's Choice Award. I was told everyone in the audience cheered when they heard my piece had won. Since I grew up in a then very wild country community of Big Sur, I was deeply gratified by this similarly wild community's applause.

Playing Around

In the past I've done a "Tree of Life" 

so I'll call this one "Vegetable of Life"

Pile of Humor

Food for Survival

"Fruit Tree Weathers a Storm"

Simple Design

"Pearl Bouquet"

For those who crave insight.
(sold)

Speedy Recovery

This speeding recovery cocoon is for all hurting people, 

especially those with 9 days or longer of constant pain.

(It's called "Speed Boats" because I couldn't help but acknowledge 

the clouds that also seem to be speeding away.)

(sold)

The Choreographer

Dancing to the Music.

Gift from a Chicken

"Wishbone Bouquet"

Subtle Influences

Paddle to Wonderment

Yesterday a photographer happened by when I was working, noting that I painted in the doorway of my studio. She took a few back shots of me and moved on. Later, when I was drawing inside at my work table, she wandered by again. We discussed the fact that when I worked in the doorway pint-sized critics enjoyed stopping to see what I was doing and to make comments. She asked if these people influenced my work. Above is the drawing that I was creating as she talked and took photos of the interior of the studio. When she asked if I was influenced I had just begun to draw the hand, the rounded forms above already in place. I laughed and said, "Of course. I'm influenced by everything. Life!"

Hopeful Symbol Borrowed from the Greeks

"Revelation"

I have been asked to place images in an art catalogue designed around the theme of the aftermath of 9/11: How has one's art been influenced in the ten years following this horrendous event?

My daughter had just entered 6th grade when the Twin Towers came down. "Revelation" was painted in 2008, the last year of my daughter's youth. At the time of this painting I was designing a set for the high school's theatrical performance of "West Side Story" and could relate profoundly to the message of bleakness and helpless despair for the future of the world's youth.

The Greeks used the triangle, mounted on the tops of their great buildings, to symbolize hope. Here I have placed this same symbol within the nest of our grieving country.

The Fool's Bouquet

Wake Up Call

Every now and then we get a bit of a shock.
I recently caught a chicken bug.
World be warned: chicken bugs and mankind to not mix well.
Itty bitty chicken bugs like to live in itty bitty drops of chicken juice.
Even the tiniest drop is an attack jet for the little critters.

One of those dive bombers hit me hard and fast.
I did mighty battle with the tiny bug and learned this:
Illness and stress don't mix.
Bugs love stress! They are fortified by stress!
Party time in De Stress Lounge!

Doctor's orders: Lose the stress!
So that is what I've been up to.
Learning how to lose stress.
I'm learning all about vitamins and breathing.
Beats not breathing.

It seems to be working.
For one, I'm not worried about how the painting I've been working on will turn out.
I already have a bunch of pint-sized critics telling me it is "way cool!"
So what that they think the nun is a walrus...
Maybe nuns do look like walruses!
I'm supposed to make friends with my inner child.
Seems like I am on track...

Sweet Family

A tribute drawing to the enduring quality

of familial love during stressful times.

This references a family of friends

just as much as that of blood relatives.

The bond of caring for others

while one is in pain oneself

is immensely strengthening.

(Sold)

Seeing Bliss in Simplicity

Holiday at the Beach

A few of my early ancestors landed in America in 1712 and founded, with others, a town called Paradise in Pennsylvania. They lived in log houses with straw roofs.

As a child I lived in a tiny country cabin (5 people, one bedroom), and I called my home "paradise" as well. It helped that nature surrounded us on almost all sides. We rarely played in doors, except to draw.

Then I grew up and I now see that others feel my old home is paradise... a holiday paradise. These people rent the cabin for a weekend and come back year after year. It feels good to think of all the children who are looking at the knotholes on the wood walls of my old bedroom and maybe seeing the fairies and goblins that I saw as a child. I wonder if the crayon markings are still on the walls...

The holiday scene above depicts the nearby town where I went to high school.

When in Doubt Go...

Fish Dreaming

Painting can be a very heavy, heady work experience, full of endless puzzles to solve and errors to find hidden treasure within. In other words, it can be exhausting.

Drawing cartoons, on the other hand, releases tension. Anyone want to go fishin'?

Use Inner Illusions/Allusions to Fire Your Art

I started this drawing from the bottom, up, 

not knowing what would happen until there it was,

dangling limbs and all. 

God, is this ever fun.

I highly recommend this kind of relaxed exploration

in visual art or whatever field you enjoy:

Cooking, Sewing, Hiking, Birding, Singing, etc.

Search for the surprise within your innermost creative spirit.

There's lightness in this depth.

A Moment's Notice

(click to enlarge)

(There will be dancin' in the streets.)

Drawings Can Have a Life of their Own

(Click to enlarge)

I thought I was drawing a bird with a balloon in the window, 

but on closer study it looks like a happy Fool.

Painting in the Door

I've discovered the best place to paint on a sunny day is sitting in the doorway of my new cave-like art studio. I like the indirect interior light, but it is a bit gloomy, although perfect for black/white drawing. It is not so great for cheerful color work. So my first painting experience here has been me sitting in the doorway with my back to the passing summer camp children, my easel inside and slightly to the right. This will work for vertical and smaller work, but horizontals will have to be inside the cave.

It's humorous to hear the sounds of young kids and moms/dads coming closer and closer down the walk, chatting away, and then all of a sudden... silence. If the silence lasts long enough I figure someone is interested, so I turn around and smile. Yesterday I saw the most beautiful blue eyes on a young boy, as he beamed at me with curiosity and wonder. Another child immediately dropped her eyes and pulled out of my sight line. She reminded me of me, so long ago: taking in so much right brain material she couldn't handle left brain conversation.