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.

Icicles

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I was drawn to the cool silver color of this satin bow because of the snow and ice in my world right now and probably here until June! The ice and snow is amazingly beautiful and I wonder if I will ever get tired of seeing it. This is only my second winter here in Chicago and being a newbe every falling snowflake, glazing of ice and even the slush is wonderfully gorgeous! It is definitely worth getting a little cold to be lucky enough to see these beautiful sights.

The thick silver paint dripping over the edges of the warmer cream tissue, what else could it be but the draping of icicles after a great winter storm? So, If you are lucky enough to have a winter, bundle up and go take in the show!

Ginkgo

Well I could write pages on this painting and the experience, but I will try and keep it short. Suffice it to say, I feel like I have finally painted the painting I've been trying to paint for years, and I think it is all due to my little experiment with the abstract paintings. I strongly encourage everyone, not just painters, to try something out of your comfort zone, see what insight it may bring to you. I think our subconscious leads us toward things we need to experience, who cares if we look crazy! Who cares if we don't do it well! Just try it, whatever it is, as long as it is legal!!


This painting is titled Ginkgo. I hope you are lucky enough to have a Ginkgo tree nearby, they are the last trees to change into their Fall outfits. Here in Chicago Fall is breathtaking, full of oranges, reds, rusts, and ochres. Then, as if for the final curtain call before Winter the Ginkgos, whose branches extend way past their trunks in crazy right angles, explode into gold. This year it was too brief a show, just like a shooting star! But never fear, this winter storm today has lead me straight to a fabulous silver satin ribbon.

Royal Party

Yeah! I am so glad to have this painting finished, not that I haven't loved every minute of it, mind you, I am just a wee bit nervous about having enough paintings ready for the December show. I wish I could post the entire group as I will hang it, which is with about an inch of space in between each canvas. I may have to break down and buy Photoshop if I am going to continue these split paintings, unless someone out there has an idea of how to fix this on going problem of mine. Anyone????

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along the way with this piece too!

"Heartache"

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Amazingly this is the first true red bow I have ever painted. This true red was inspired by seeing the website of Duane Keiser who has fantastic Utube video demonstrations, one of which is a gorgeous candy apple. I just could not wait to dive into red after seeing it!

My heart literally beats faster when I paint red, how about yours?

"Nesting"

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I am sorry I could not get the picture straighter. My photography skills have been terrible the last several posts. Must be all the over consumption of caffeine! I will save this little one for the show as well, and hopefully get a better picture of it before it makes its way to Atlanta. I think this painting will be best seen in person no matter how good of a photo I get anyway. I do love how it turned out and feel it captures the 'hushed' mood I've been in as of late.