Winter Paintings

8x10 - mixed media

It would take more than a thousands words to try and describe this new body of work. I've already spent too much time editing my rambling about these new paintings. I suppose I could just say I am exploring materials and techniques and leave it at that. While I edit my words, I would like to post every painting because oftentimes my work feel strange and uncomfortable to me, but other people respond to it differently than I would expect.

Paintings

acrylic on illustration board. 8x10.

Sharpie

Yes, sharpie, not mehndi. About 3 yeas ago I bought a mehndi kit, but have not yet used it. Last night I don't know what came over me. I very impulsively starting drawing on myself with my new fine tipped sharpie. If I used the traditional mehndi materials it would have felt sacred. Somehow writing on myself with pen felt improper, almost deviant. 

Return to the Water Garden

I started this painting back in September. It was set aside and forgotten for months. Since I determined it is, in fact, random chaos I've decided to stop fussing and trying to paint it neatly. My new approach is much more enjoyable since I've loosened up my brushstrokes a bit. Still a work in progress.

60x40 acrylic on canvas

Dealing with Tension

What has perplexed me the most about my sewing machine this week is that the last time I used it - it worked just fine. Since August I've been promising Ellie a dance bag that looks just like Gracie's tote full of birthday goodies. Every Saturday I realize a week has past and it would only take me about an hour to whip it up. This week I was finally going to do it. So I've spent hours and hours trying to figure out why the top thread breaks and the bottom thread loops up in a tangled mess. I am using the same thread, same bobbin, same fabric and same needle. Nothing is different. What could have happened? Ellie is waiting and hoping patiently.

Now I remember sewing this. A sewing machine scribble on card stock. The machine worked fine when I did this, but could I have messed things up by doing it? I'm hoping a little cleaning and oiling will help. Any insights? Chris, are you out there?

Shattered to Pieces

It seems ironic that I received the Lemonade Award this week as I have been dealt quite a few lemons as well. Since my focus for this blog is to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and latch on the the affirmative I'll refrain from a long rant that could have begun last Sunday. Instead I'll put all that behind me and begin again, as I say I do. Strangely, someone at work mentioned that he thought I might be more patient and more tolerant than Job himself. I assured him that I am not patient, nor tolerant, only that I suppress my feelings until I can no longer stand the pressure. Then, I explode and fall to pieces, like the rear window of my mini-van.

Yesterday when I got in my mini-van to leave work, I shut the door and the window shattered. Pretty freaky. When the kids got home from school, Maya said "Are we going to be like those crazy people who drive around with a piece of plastic duct taped to their car." I said "No. We're going to have it fixed." As soon as Darrin got home he called around and chose to take it to a nearby shop where the guy on the phone was quite helpful. He said he'll fix it first thing Monday morning but said if we dropped it off on Friday he had plenty of garage space. Very good. The mini-van does not fit in our tiny little garage. I guess in 1954 they built houses with mini-mini garages. In hindsight I thought I should have driven around just for the weekend like one of those crazy people with the duct tape because now I don't have a car. [Maya, those people aren't crazy. Some people are less fortunate than us and don't have $350 lying around for such unexpected circumstances like these.] I'll be missing out on at least one fun activity that was planned for this afternoon, but other than that I'll settle in for a winter weekend at home. I feel I could benefit from curling up with a good book. Maybe the Book of Job.

On a happy note, I was forced to read the instruction manual for my sewing machine after having spent an evening fighting with that darn thing. I found many cool features the machine has that I never knew about including an automatic needle threader, a double needle that sews two colors of top-stitching thread at once, and a little cutting tool on the side that snips the thread after each seam.

I'm still trying to focus, balance, and roll with it.
peace.

Grateful for Lemonade

My very first Blog Award. Thanks Jennifer!

Just when I think no one is reading or just when I wonder to myself, "why am I blogging?" Someone pops up and says "I love your bog." This is what keeps me going.

The Lemonade Award is for blogs with attitude/gratitude. So, I will now give the award to ten other bloggers, so take time to check out their blogs.

1. 'becca at bluehighlights

2. Geninne at Geninne's Art Blog

3. Amy at Life Craft
4. Mike at Baby Blue Spider
5. Heather at Stoplights

6. Annie at Annie Get Your Glue Gun
7. Abigail at Abigail Halpin Illustration
8. Sally at Aprovechar
9. Irisz at Artista Blog
10. Jannie at Chickengirl Design

Thanks for all the Inspiration!

Here are the rules for receiving the Lemonade Award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Leaves and Branches

While I want very badly to be drawing and painting, I find it much easier to play on the computer. I was very excited to find this great tutorial on Design Sponge. (So happy to have stumbled upon the whole blog). I was led there through this link on Life Craft, an art and inspiration blog that I enjoy regularly.

I was just getting ready to create some patterns and the tutorial appeared before me like it fell from heaven. I was surprised how much the style of the example art looked like the drawing I posted on January 9th. So - I was going to draw a little something then xerox it, like the tutorial said. But, I don't have a xerox machine, I do have a computer and playing around with these digital photos I took last year was so much easier than even drawing something. I used the same method, but in Photoshop. Lots of fun!

Tapestry

TOP> Acrylic on matte board. BOTTOM > Reference from magazine.

Skating Away

I've uploaded my outdoor skating photos to flickr. The girls both got new skates for Christmas and share Daddy's enthusiasm. The thought of skating, to me, is romantic, but in reality I am a little tense and need to learn to relax and enjoy. The whole family has to beg me to go and I am glad they do. The photo above is from a spot we call "Big Pond". It's a wetland area, pretty shallow but expansive. It has changed quite a bit over the years. This year we were disappointed to see that all of the trees have died. I'm assuming it's due to man's desire to control nature. The Army Corps of Engineers is building lots of levees in an attempt to reduce flooding. At this point in time, the effort is causing more flooding. The photo below is the golf course near our house - completely flooded. The ice was wet on top, but very, very smooth!

This whole section of the golf course was flooded, along with the walking path. We were sure to stay away from the ponds.

What's Next?

This is not a pattern. It does not repeat. It's a gathering of bits and pieces of patterns I have observed – mostly textiles in an issue of "Architectural Digest." I do love textile design, especially the floral and foliage patterns of William Morris. I would like to incorporate some more complex shapes into my circles, as well as look to nature for color and pattern inspiration.

I did not realize when I began my earliest work of mandalas, how much I loved pattern and repetition. It is in hindsight that it occurred to me how comforting it is to create. People seem to respond to my work with the same feeling of comfort. Life is an uncertain mystery. Sometimes is nice to know what to expect – what's next.

Looking to nature, I was excited to find this water garden at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. What a beautiful pattern? But, when I was transferring the photo to paint, it hit me... "This is not a pattern! It is random chaos!" I find that curious. The illusion of pattern lying on the surface of the reality of random chaos - maybe this piece is a self-portrait.

I did show up in my studio 5 days this week. Yesterday I quickly sketched a pattern idea inspired by nature. Part of me would like to work on this piece digitally and part of me wants to research the process used by William Morris. Oh, I guess I don't have to choose one of those two options. I could do both.

Ice

I said I don't really make New Year's Resolutions, but I continue to begin again and begin again throughout the year. January seems to be a fitting time to begin something. The hustle and bustle of the holiday whirlwind ends and we find that there is a little more time available. This past weekend I cleared and tidied up my little workspace "studio" in the basement. My goal is to show up there 5 days a week. Being an artist is simple. All you have to do is create art. Right?

These little playful abstractions that I have created in the first 3 days were inspired by lots of outdoor skating. I'll post the skating photos to flickr soon.

Tending the Fairy Garden

The moss I started the fairy garden with did not survive indoors, as I had hoped. I had to pull it all out. From the dollar bin at Target I grabbed a little pine tree to be grown from seed. I love growing seeds and cannot resist paying a dollar for a kit even though we haven't had much success after the sprouting stage.

I also bought the fairies a hyacinth from Trader Joe's. Won't it be lovely when it blooms?

Do you see Ellie's fairy jumprope made from embroidery floss and two beads? And, of course, the bottle cap blueberry pie.

I'm thinking about sprinkling a little grass seed in the garden. I have grown grass indoors successfully. Or maybe I could find some small or low growing indoor plants?

Out with the Old

I've never been so happy to take down a Christmas tree before. It was really unbelievable having had cut it fresh. I should have video-taped the constant shedding of needles and random loss of ornaments. A tree really does make the sound of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree during that transformation.

As for the new...
I thought about stating some sort of New Year's Resolutions, but I never really make them. Of course we all intend to exercise more, lose the holiday pounds, start better habits overall, be more self-disciplined in all the areas we would like to be. Every day is a new beginning. I go through cycles of attempting to keep it all together and constantly having to begin again throughout the year. January is an exciting new time though. I love it.

I've been thinking of all the personal commitments I would like to renew at this exciting time. So many - I cannot list EVERYTHING! As one would happen to be "to simplify," here is my simplified intention:

I intend to create for myself
the same I wish for all -
Health, Prosperity and Joy!

With each new day I shall question if my thoughts and actions are aligned with this intention. In addition to that - I hope my blog will continue to delight or inspire others.

peace.

Winter Fun

I am very grateful that the girls coaxed me outdoors yesterday.  The ice storm made our tiny little hill extra slippery and the trees exceptionally beautiful. Usually Daddy takes them out while I try to accomplish a bunch of stuff  - cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc - or sometimes just enjoy a little quiet time. Being on vacation allows me to do all that plus have a little time for play.

For The Birds

Christmas Break

We thought we would have to wake up early to box the cookies this morning. Turns out school was on a 2 hour delay this morning because of a nasty ice storm. I was worried that school was going to be canceled completely because - what would I do with all those cookies? Well, I would have taken them to my friends at the office, but sorry guys, I took the few leftovers to dinner with the family tonight. We're so glad that school wasn't canceled because the girls would have missed their holiday party and the whole-school-christmas-carol-sing-a-long. The weather report says more nasty weather is coming this way. Looking forward to relaxing with the family. I've scheduled two weeks off to be with the kids and my teacher hubby. So let it snow!

Cookies: Tradition or Obsession?

If you've been reading my blog for a year, these cookies might look familiar. They were baked today, but by golly they look exactly like last year's. With little deviation, I've made pretty much the same 5 or 6 cookie recipes every year for 15 years. Now, I don't think I could stop. Last year and this year I decided to give a small tin of cookie to the girls' teachers. Turns out between the two of them they have 8 teachers! Next year I think I'll come up with a small project for them to create because I am exhausted! I won't be starting over for Christmas Eve. I'm going to a cookie exchange on Sunday.

This year has become the year of the gingerbread! For Sunday's cookie exchange I will be baking the fifth batch of gingerbread this year. I've made them for the Girl Scout tree decorating event, the Daisy Girl Scout Christmas Party, the 1st grade school party, my little dinner party, and the teachers. No wonder my pop-up card turned into a gingerbread running away and then jumping out of the bushes.

Rambunctious - Illustration Friday

Two Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.

This began as strictly a paper collage, but after I photographed it – I pretty much reworked the whole piece digitally except for the bed.

Run as fast as you can!

Pop-up handmade Christmas Cards.

Last night I attended the Annual Gift Making Workshop at Uncle Freddy's Gallery. I had tons of fun making these two cards as I was forced to work quickly and spontaneously. Basic templates for a figure, a bird, or a Christmas tree were provided. Within 3 hours I had to cut, fold, design, draw, paint and assemble the cards. No time to fuss, procrastinate or get distracted as I usually do. I didn't try the bird or tree because I thought of the little girl in a snowsuit making a snow angel while I was painting the gingerbread man.

Friends, Food, Fun, Gingerbread and Origami

A lovely time had by all. We reconnected with old friends by hosting a little dinner party. Sue, Steve, and Mark like to buy Girl Scout cookies. I let them know if they ordered and drove down from the city to pick them up, I would cook dinner for them. We enjoyed vegetarian lasagna eaten off of fine antique china and the first round of Christmas cookies for dessert. Sue entertained Maya and Ellie with some dazzling origami projects and we happened to have some origami paper lying around the house. If you would like to make an origami flapping bird you can refer to this youtube link. We had so much fun, at the end of the evening I almost forgot to give them their Girl Scout cookies and collect my $16.

Friends

Everyone needs a good friend. And, Maya needed a puppy as Ellie quickly claimed the kitty for herself. I was planning on making accessories for my friends, but they found this sofa and end table in the Sweet Streets bin. I guess I won't be able to pass that on anytime soon.

Felt Fun

Inspired by Ellie and so many incredibly cute little things on Etsy - this is my first attempt at a tiny little handmade toy. I could imagine little felt friends enjoying one of Ellie's tiny treasure pies and a little house made from a cardboard box. She's only 2-1/4" tall. Two little baskets I've tried to crochet with cotton string and raffia. Neither quite what I wanted, but it's a work in progress.

The Ballet

We took the girls to see "The Nutcracker" this week. It's really something I've looked forward to for years. Going out with my little ladies who do not whine and fidget (too much). They very much enjoyed and appreciated it. What's more - they both have recently taken an interest in dance and started lessons just this summer. Maya has proven to be serious and quickly advanced to Ballet III. She informed me at intermission that by this time next year she could earn her pointe shoes!

On the way to the performance I asked if they were familiar with the story of "The Nutcracker". A little background knowledge makes every experience a little more enjoyable. Maya's vague synopsis sounded something like this...

This girl named Clara has a godfather who is a little creepy because he wears and eye patch and has wild frizzy hair and a peg leg - or maybe a bad limp with a cane. He gives Clara a nutcracker for a gift on Christmas Eve. It comes to life and has to fight the king of the rats in a sword fight - oh! and the rat king has three heads! And I can't remember what happens next. ... ... ... Oh yeah. When the Nutcracker wins the sword fight he becomes a prince – and Clara become a princess – and they go to candyland and all the Christmas Eve goodies dance – like sugar plums – and coffee – and chocolate. [Mmmm. Coffee and Chocolate... My inner voice sometimes sounds like Homer Simpson]

Side note: The godfather in the performance we saw did not fit Maya's description at all. Although, I have seen that guy before. This guy looked like a very young Nicholas Cage.

It was a delightful evening. It inspired this attempt at an illustration. And with that, the realization that I am inspired to illustrate the little joys in my life, but I seriously need to develop some discipline and drawing skills so that I may become proficient.