latest in-progress photos

The top head is complete.

Six new in-progress photos are updated on my blog,

check it out HERE

One head down, fourteen more to go ...

a new painting in progress and a new look for my blog

Apple eliminated Mobile Me and replaced with iCloud, which as far as I can tell, no longer hosts websites.  

Soooo ...

"Squash Blossom" and "Squash Blossom 2"

Available

10x10 oil on canvas

"Moss"

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new 4"x4" present titled "Moss"

I have a shady backyard and lots and lots of moss, which I just adore.  I imagine it's the perfect blanket for the elves and fairies to have their picnic.  :)

This green velvet ribbon seemed perfect for the inspiration, and the white tissue, with it's pale pinks and blues, I imagine to be either puffy summer clouds or maybe ice cream the elves and fairies are known to enjoy! 

framed in her black floater frame I almost tempted the spritely woodland folk inside for lemonade.

Okay, I admit it, my husband and I just drove 14 hours with Henry (our great dane) to Alabama to visit our moms, and maybe my brain got a tad bit overheated! 

The truth is, even though my mom claims she isn't creative and doesn't understand where my artistic side comes from, she always talked of fairies and elves and angels and all the unseen wonders.  

These are the stirrings of the imagination that carefully shape the artistic spirit.

Thank you mom!

Continuing On and On ...

left to right, Neha Vedpathak, me, Kate Lewis, and Joanne Aono

The four of us met five years ago at The Contemporary Art Workshop, an amazing artist studio building which housed 22 individual studios.  Several years ago the building sold and everyone had to scramble to find new spaces - everyone ending up in different places.  

Missing the camaraderie and inspiration we gained from being around each other daily, the four of us started meeting at least once a month for art talk and friendship.  It has been extremely important and helpful for me to have fellow artists to run ideas by, receive feedback, and share in this awesome but difficult journey.

"Continuing On and On" is the second show (the first in 2010) of our coming together to celebrate our friendship and common goal of helping each other become the best we can be. 

Because our space was limited, I decided to try for maximum impact with fewer, larger pieces.

left to right: "Fifth" 48x48 oil on canvas, "Naphthol Red" 37x12x12 acrylic paint, "Fourth" 48x48 oil on canvas

And yes, I wore the original red dress that inspired my dress sculpture piece made of acrylic paint and painting medium. 

Titled "Naphthol Red" because that is the color used in making the dress.

and a side view to show inner support

The dress is hung from wire cables and a plaster shoulder and bust form I made to give the dress the shape of a figure underneath.

without a camera and only my iphone's camera, I have few pictures to share....

Kate Lewis

Neha Vedpathak

Joanne Aono

And now we look forward to "Continuing On and On and On ... " 2013! 

Two shows this weekend

Some of you might remember our first Continuing On exhibit in 2010 - post and pictures from that show can be seen HERE

This Saturday we celebrate again our friendship and artwork with

Continuing On and On ...

Also view our Facebook event page HERE

Unfortunately, my camera picked the absolute worst time to die!

and because of this costly little incident you might also remember ....

I must rely completely on my phone's camera!

We began installing the show yesterday and I am very excited to share a new piece I've been working on....

A life size dress made entirely of paint and painting medium!

Anyone in the Chicago area please join us this Saturday night!

And as incredible as it is, I am honored to participate in a show which also opens this Saturday at

  Ann Street Gallery in Newburgh, NY.

The show is, Gendered Object: Barbie As Art

so you guessed it...

 "Pink Cupcake"

put her traveling clothes on and will be showing though June 30th.

She is thrilled!

Painting Bombed!

How tragic ...

Work and work and it just explodes - so sad 

But move on I must ....

 with a white paper bag

wait - white? :)

yes...

"White"  

How colorful those whites can be!

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8x10

another new 4"x4" present available next, plus more news soon ...
as always, thank you for staying tuned!

up next ...

I'm thinking Spring in Chicago (with ice ultimately to fall on new buds) and Nancy Switzer's delicious reflective paintings - love love love!

have a great weekend!

"Fourth" and "Fifth"

This entire series and the process of using a tiny painting to paint a larger one has been amazing for me!

"Fourth" 48x48

Available

"Fifth" 48x48

Available

It was such a great experience translating tiny brushstrokes into large areas of flat color .... 

and though it's a departure from my normal painting style...

 I am IN LOVE with how the exaggerated areas of paint and color ... 

emphasize how color shapes come together to make the image ....

and of course, the paint is so thick and buttery, I just want to eat it! :)

Once Upon A Time, continued ...

When we last saw our Turquoise family, they were eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Fourth"

What the family didn't realize, was that this tale was about to repeat in the biggest way ....

TWINS!

not identical twins mind you, but fraternal, "Fourth" and "Fifth" 

both a whopping 48x48 

"Fourth" more closely resembling her older sister "Third," and "Fifth" the spitting image of his older brother "Second"

detail picture of "Fourth"

Close inspection of the twins reveals strong similarities though, especially in their voracious appetites - tube after tube of paint!

detail picture of "Fifth"

So ...

 as our twins continue to develop and I rush off for more paint, I am excited to share that "Neha"

was selected for a group show at the Woman Made Gallery in Chicago.  I am very honored to be included in the exhibit which opens this Friday night.

Click HERE for more details on the show and reception.

and stay tuned for the arrival of the twins!! :)