Take a Listen

Everyone make a cup of coffee or tea, sit down and take a listen to the podcast on Bad @ Sports  Great honest advice from Edward Winkleman about how artists might best approach galleries plus other nuggets of wisdom.  

Amy

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Two and a half years ago while living in Atlanta - in the south where I had always lived - I thought it impossible to jog in the snow.  As a matter of fact, knowing that we were moving, I purchased a yoga dvd thinking I would be forced into an indoor workout throughout the entire winter.  Would I have believed I could actually LOVE jogging in the snow?  Never!

This morning I headed out for my cold winter jog.  It's now my third winter here and I actually had high hopes that this day might bring my first snow jog of this winter.  Towards the end, as I made my way back home, I started thinking about how lucky I was for this change in my life.  Suddenly, on cue, the snow came falling down in those big fluffy swirling magical flakes.  I was reminded on my snowy lakefront path, that the impossibility of the unknown can actually be an unknown joy, just waiting to be found.  

So, being inspired with positive thoughts of change, I decided this would be the perfect day to show the newest change in my subject matter.  "Amy" is actually the very first of this series, and although I have completed several now, she's the one that seemed perfectly dressed for today's silvery, snowy day.  

Riptide

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I don't know exactly what it is about these presents that keep pulling me back.  I can't explain it.  Maybe I'll eventually figure it out and never need to paint another one, or maybe not.  All I do know is that I'm still very co-dependent, and this aqua bow was determined to show me that. 

What started as a wave to ride back into shore, turned into a struggle with a current.  Every stroke in my direction taking me further out.  A reminder that I don't always know the path I'm suppose to take, but also a reminder that I've been in currents before, and if I can just hold my breath I'll eventually find land.  

Swim

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I am fortunate enough to paint full time, and even though my blog doesn’t show any evidence to back up this claim as of late, I do paint every day… I’m sort of a workaholic. So what have I been painting during this past month since my last post???

Well that is a long story, and it will need to be spread out into several posts. But before I back track, I wanted to post this latest painting. In a way, this painting represents for me where I’ve been and why I’m back. Let’s just say, I’ve been out exploring new ideas and subject matter, testing new water so to speak. One part of me wants to explain why now, why I would think about a departure from painting presents, the other part of me thinks it really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I continue to pursue whatever it is that will make me a better person and a better painter. Bottom line, I’ve enjoyed my time out into these uncharted waters and I’ve made some great discoveries....one of which is that I needed to swim back to shore, my shore.

Exciting News

Two exciting pieces of news I would like to share with everyone. First, I was interviewed by a new website called Neoteric Art. The site was started by a friend of mine and I am very flattered that he asked me to participate. He asked some tough questions and they were fun to answer. Just follow the link over to check it out.

Second, the dandelions are here! Serendipitous moments happen to me all the time! I have long awaited these beauties and I can't believe they decided to pop up today. Weed to most, but to me it is the first glorious color after the long winter. Right now they are just dots here and there along the lake front, but soon it will be a sea of gold!

Dark Comedy

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First I'd like to thank everyone who has been so helpful with suggestions/comments and emails concerning my hard drive. I have very much missed keeping up with all the blogs I visit daily. I hope to get totally caught up with everyone and everything soon. Thank you all so much!

While struggling with this painting and with my lingering winter, I happened to be reading a book about the history of color in art, and one chapter dealt with black. The most interesting line suddenly leapt off the page. It was that Matisse made the observation that Manet and Renoir turned “black into a light.” Suddenly it all made sense to me, not in the way Matisse had intended, but it was just the thing I needed to hear. I immediately saw light everywhere, in my bow and in my winter. I was able to finish up this painting with the thought that I already knew, but just needed to be reminded of. That thought is not just that there will always be light in the dark, but that by trying to understand my dark I can turn it into a light. And sure enough, as I’ve finally finished up this painting, the first signs of spring have come.

Black and Blue

A new twist on my ribbons and bows.

Five

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One more framed piece to post. Spotlight on Art opens this Tuesday night at 6:30pm for anyone in the Atlanta area. This is a large art event with many artists participating, which makes this show a fantastic place to see a diverse collection of art work all under one roof.

Morning Glory

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This painting I finished just a couple of months ago back when the Morning Glories were in full bloom down by the lakefront. Ahhh....the sun and flowers! Soon, I keep telling myself, soon.

This painting called for a totally different style of frame because I wanted the edge of the canvas, which is painted an orange similar to the present's cast shadow, to be seen. I love using these 'floater' style frames just for this purpose.

Ginkgo

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"Ginkgo" was previously posted, but I want to re-post it, showing it in its frame, which finally came in. This painting is slightly larger than most of my blog paintings of late, and I knew right from the first brushstroke that I wanted it in a heavy thick frame. The decision to frame, or in some cases not to frame, is always part of my overall visual idea.

This painting will be packed up and sent to Atlanta in a couple of days for a show I am participating in, Spotlight on Art , which is an annual fundraiser. I will actually be very sad to send this painting; it has been a very bright sunny spot of color in my studio during this month of overcast Chicago days.