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.

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.