Heart Crossed Ego

This painting is meant to be rotated by the viewer.  The ability to change the way the painting is viewed was part of the planning process for this piece.  As the painting is rotated different images are revealed.

Thinking

I am constantly thinking about painting.  I am in the process of stretching 5 canvases.  The largest one, is the one I can not wait to begin. I have been delayed  for about a week and a half in starting by some unlucky shopping trips, but now I am ready.  I just need to gesso the canvas and I will be able to start.  WHOO HOO!

Frustrated by unsuccessful errands and tantrums... not mine

After an hour of preparation I finally made it into the car this morning with all my lists, purse, keys, coats, snacks, drink, coupons, library returns, diaper bag, and the toddler. We arrived an hour behind schedule at Michaels. To my complete dismay I remembered that I do not like the quality or prices or their pre-stretched canvases. Yet another disappointment was to find that they no longer carry stretcher strips to stretch your own canvas. I quickly debated whether to drive down to another art store, which would take about 30 minutes.




Pushing my luck, just didn't feel right. It will have to wait for another day. I really need those stretcher strips as I am starting a commissioned painting. ARGH! So I decided to use the outing to finish my other errands. I hunted for snow pants for the toddler only to find I am too cheap to spend 34.50 on something for one season. I strapped the toddler back into his car seat only to haul him out again since we headed to the grocery store. At this point we were still tantrum free. I think this was something of a miracle.



By 11:15 I realized we could still make story time at the library... if I hurried. I dashed home to put away the groceries leaving the toddler to munch goldfish crackers unsupervised in his car seat. Upon completion of putting away said groceries, I find goldfish crackers strewn through the entire back seat of car. Husband will likely not be pleased.



Off again, we headed to the library despite the one lane dirt gravel path through seemingly endless road construction, we arrived safely. Hauling the toddler into the library we returned our materials, hunted unsuccessfully for the American Wife, and finally landed in the children's section to discover we made it just in time for clean-up. Naturally the toddler shrieked with glee at the sight of other's his own age. He toppled out of my arms, his own arms flailing with excitement; he approached all the other moms and children using an extremely high octave of babble. Within a minute of less, tantrum one began when he couldn't drive the car because someone else was using it. Tantrum two happened when I refused to put him down while searching the video section. Tantrum three, four, five, and six occurred in rapid fire succession as we hurriedly rushed to the checkout line, out of the library, and into the car. There is nothing like an unproductive trip to make you wonder why you tried to get out of the house at all. I would have been better off painting.

Can't Curb My Enthusiam.... yet

I am ecstatic about painting.  I just began a new series.  I really should call say I hope that I began a series.  I have a lot of grand ideas about series, but life always gets in the way.  Recently I was at book club and we had a visiting artist.  Lesley Kagen was our guest author.  She let so much of her creative genius out for us to enjoy.  One of my favorite quotes from the evening was, "I have so many ideas... they are backed up like cars on a freeway."  To me that perfectly describes how I feel about painting and my art.  When I finally get in front of a canvas, I don't think oh no... what do I paint?  Instead I think, which one of my ideas am I ready for now?  I have so many thoughts, ideas, and dreams that it's difficult to decide. 

I am happy with any time spent in the studio.  As I mentioned earlier, I recently finished the first piece in my so called "series," which is actually two canvases.  I have wanted to do a piece that is split for a very long time.  I am not sure when I will post photos since I am thinking about entering it into a few art shows.  It would be great to have it be a surprise.  It will be interesting to hear how people react to it. My new painting is a real stretch for me.  I have never completed another work quite like it.  I focused on working with symbolism, composition, and value.   I want this artwork to show my enthusiasm and passion for painting. 

I still remember the first time I realized how a good a paint brush felt in my hand. It feels like an extension of my arm.  It gives me the power to create and destroy.  I loved the feeling of energy and excitement that flows through me while working.  That feeling stays with me after the completion of a painting.  It's that high of energy and creative spirit that I crave on days that I cannot paint.  This new series is meant to be a cleansing of the spirit.  I want to reconnect with the part of me that loves painting for the sake of creating.  I want to find the inner passion and refocus it.

Painted Boxes

These boxes are exclusively available as a custom order. Each box is painted uniquely for the recipient. On the lid, I will include a name if desired. Line designs will then take up the majority of the lid. These line designs are all painted free hand. No two boxes are alike. A minimal amount of line work will be on the sides of the box.

Choose a maximum of 5 colors. Send me an e-mail with your specifications. Your e-mail should include the name for the box, colors, and a theme. I will send you an estimate through e-mail and an invoice through paypal. Your box will be ready in about two weeks or less. If I need more time to create your piece I will let you know immediately. It takes two weeks to allow proper drying time since each box is sealed with polyurethane upon completion.

Upside down

Yesterday was my final day on my giraffe painting. To complete it I really needed to work on the grass at the bottom and paint the bottom edge of the canvas. I always try to paint the edges of my canvas. I personally think that the painting looks more finished and professional when the image wraps around the sides. To complete this one it meant I needed to paint upside down. There is nothing I love more. I actually feel it helps me see the painting as a whole instead of the individual elements. Bottom line is that I think it's done! The reason I think is in that statement is because I haven't looked at it right side up. You never know if some strange thing will pop out at you when you flip it back.

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