painting exercise

I work at a local gallery one 4 hour day a week. It seems like that 4 hour day throws a monkey wrench into my entire week. How did I ever use to work full time? I love my life at home, but needed something to keep me moving ahead in my art work so I work at the gallery, not for money, but for materials. I love framing my art professionally myself, but the materials can become quite costly so I found myself making art that really didn't require framing. I don't want the cost of framing to dictate what I create and working for materials takes care of the problem. Plus, being at the gallery puts me in touch with other artists which I really need because most of the time I'm home working alone in my studio and miss the input of others. I adore solitude and crave it, but I know no woman is an island. (that's how the quote goes, doesn't it?)

Speaking of studio, sometimes practicing drawing/painting, etc. can be blocked because you can't think of something to draw. Here's a fun way to solve this problem:

Get an old book (one without pics) you don't care about and rip out a page, or leave it in for that matter. Skim the print for a word that describes something you could draw. For example, the tree and maestro was mentioned on the pages above. Sometimes you are tempted to say, "there isn't anything here I can draw", then go on to another page. But don't! The rule is you HAVE to find a word that depicts some sort of visual in your mind on THAT page. This forces you to think. Life isn't always easy ya know (rolling eyes)!

Oh, and be sure the pages are made of paper that is not glossy. The porosity of the paper used in old books lends itself well to all sorts of mediums.

I used gel medium to put some of my old painted pages onto a16x20 frame I bought at Big Lots for $10. I plan on putting a mirror in it.

computer challenges

Working on my computer can be challenging and/or intimidating. I'm trying to figure out how to get my header customized and things just are not going smoothly. There is a good reason I do not keep hammers near my computer!

Art Show

Crumbs! I didn't win an award. I wasn't on the evening news. But I was thrilled that my art work got to hang with some awesome art by some fantastic artists. It was definitely an honor. After reading about the judges in the brochure I felt encouraged that my art was accepted. Okay, flabbergasted (such a word?) is more like it. To see my name among those other artists made me feel less invisible. I wonder why when we are acknowledged by others we feel validated?

Thank Goodness it's Monday!

Spent the weekend at the a-frame and worked hard at painting and cleaning. In between times, I took Elle and went for walks. No tick problems this time, we used Frontline on her. There were so many wildflowers I haven't really seen before. Two hours distance can make much difference I am learning. I'm waiting to see if I will develop poison ivy. The river was so peaceful and inviting.

Elle actually got in the shallow part and walked around. I didn't think Chiahuahua's liked to be wet like that! But she had a blast.

For the first time since we bought this place I actually slept the entire night. I must be starting to feel more at home there.

I got up Sunday morning and was so glad to see the sun shining but not glad to see a cock roach lying on it's back and waving it's legs on my kitchen floor. I told my husband to quick get up and come look at this cock roach. He actually does and stands there in his underwear telling me it's not a cock roach.

I think he automatically disagrees with me, without thinking.

"It's a cockroach, trust me", I say and ask him to take it outside. Instead he beats the tar out of it.

Of course he would do that....what was I thinking?

I'm thinking the further south one goes the bigger the bugs get. Swell.

I am so glad it's monday because that means he goes back to work and I have our "normal" house all to myself. I know. That sounds mean. But, I just cannot get enough solitude. I suppose I will end up a hermit in my old age.

Hermits get a bad rap. Who decided it isn't healthy to be a hermit anyway?

My husband works a lot, has tons of projects going, big ones, like painting the a-fame. What am I supposed to do when he is painting 25 feet high?

I'm an artist folks, I have an overactive imagination and I already had him visualized with a broken neck and us being a million miles from another human..............I stress out; he works. I'm exhausted by the time he is done and all I did was stand there and worry.

Thoughts

Magnolia Bloom

I've learned so much today:

1. To be careful not to slip and fall out of my flip flop when attempting to step onto the dock.

2. If I do slip and fall on my head, nobody notices.

Oh okay, there's more learned lessons there somewhere but I can't think too hard because I fell and hit my head today.

On a happier note I am so grateful to have my "Green Pendulum" accepted at the Little Art Gallery's May Show. Oh to be judged by professionals is every one's dream.

My peers, so to speak.

I am grateful I was encouraged by friends and family to keep believing in my own art work and to keep creating. Thanks to everyone who nudges me onward.

Thanks too to my mom. Last spring my mother gave all 4 of us kids a plant. Shoot, can't remember the name, I'll have to ask my sister. But here is a close up of one of the blooms and holy cow does it ever smell good. The scent brings her memory back to me, maybe that is what she had planned last year. I think she knew she wouldn't be around and that maybe we would think of her when we saw the plants. We think of her and dad, always, no reminders needed. We miss them terribly.

More for thought:

My Grandfather's Blessing

by: Rachel Naomi Remen

We have been raised NOT to cultivate a sense of mystery. Mystery does not require action

by our attention. Turns fear of unknown into awe, wonder, joy.

People who wonder mystery do not burn out.

Perhaps wisdom does not lie in the seeking of answers. Any answer we find

does not last for long. Maybe the secret of living well is not in having all the answers,

but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.