New Shop on Artfire

Rowing with the Lady of the Lake

Just opened a new shop on Artfire this month. I'll be selling all my fine folk art there, and keeping the typography shop on Etsy. Come and visit: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/SpiritArt

Opera and Adding Words to Art

So last month's theme for our art group seemed to touch on the opera again. This time it was added to a book and because of the journal-like format, I decided to add a small poem.
The poem reads:
"Too much
my story
for mere
whisper word.
May the thralls
of every once
abandoned soul & instrument
now be heard."

Madame Butterfly - More Art of the Mask

For March's theme, the subject was "Tragedy", so I chose a tragic opera, "Madame Butterfly" to depict my seen in a diorama. This can be hung on either side. One side shows Madame Butterfly as she meets her demise, on the other side there is a depiction of her with a mask with song coming out of her mouth.
Around the mask the names of some of the scenes are written in gold paint.
I got very attached this one and it was a bit sad to give it away; although, I hope the artist that receives it enjoys it in her home.
One thing I garnered from this project is how much I love doing dioramas.

I definitely see doing more of these in the near future, especially with the combination of box, clay
and paint.

Sleeping Koi in a winter's pond in Idyllwild, CA

My heart goes out to all my friends who are bearing cold, dark winters right now. I know it can weigh the spirit down. I remember when I was young and we'd get socked in for the winter in Ohio and my mother found a way to bring flowers and plants in to brighten the atmosphere. She lit alot of candles, and captured light where she could. It was as if she said, it may be winter outside, but I can bring spring into my home now. My mother fought Old Man Winter like a Spring Commando. Tea and cinnamon toast warmed our bodies, music played loud on the radio and the seasons eventually turned and we found our feet feeling the warm earth once again.

Art of the Mask

I've been afforded the opportunity to join a team of amazingly talented women in the creation of collective art books. These are no ordinary books. Most of the women are mixed media artists, so the treasure boxes that the artwork is stored in are in themselves works of art. There are thirteen of us in all. This years theme is, "The Art of the Mask". Every month a new sub-theme is chosen. Each artist has created their own box and provided the substrate on which to work on. It then goes off to a new artist each month for them to add their own creation. At the end, each artist will have their box returned filled with a piece of art from each artist.

Here is my November contribution for a religious mask. I chose to work with an image of an Iranian woman who wears a mask for religious reasons and to block the sun.

Then here is my December contribution which is meant to be a humorous theme. For some reason I couldn't get the image out of my head of children and capes and cookie jars. Must be the mischievous child left in me.

 

Working with these women is such an inspiration and I feel myself stretching and reaching to go past my artistic limits - also to enjoy my art more. I can't wait each month to see what the others have created. While I only get to see a portion as the monthly box travels, at the end we hope to get together and share all the boxes and art. This is an opportunity I will always cherish.

Giveaway

I'm hosting a giveaway of an 8 x 10 Giclee art print of an original painting done by me, "In the Night Spirit." This giveaway begins on December 21st and ends on January 21st. All you have to do is leave a comment here and follow my blog! For a bonus entry, you can visit my Etsy store, RenaissanceDays, and leave a comment here that you visited and what your favorite work of art is. All entries will be picked at random, so everyone has the same opportunity to win.

Leucadia ArtWalk

So I did it! I survived my first art walk. It was quite an experience, more angst in preparation for the event than necessary – and a lot of fun. I learned a lot, sold a few prints and jewelry, and was invited to be part of an artist's collaborative project in which I'll likely end up making some great friends, as well as received an art commission the day later by someone who picked up my card. So even though I didn't sell much, I felt it went really great.

There are also no stories of wind or of the tent toppling over. No mishaps all day long, except for the electricity going out in our home the entire evening before. Good thing we had already finished our preparations.

We were worried about our set-up looking a bit hoaky as we can't afford display walls yet, but Gary managed to rig a hanging system with chains. Everything fell into place so nicely, we were even offered the chain we were going to spend seventy-five dollars on, by another customer at Home Depot for free! Wow! We've been really lucky lately.

Definitely going to attend other events in the future.

Finally Done

Months back I promised to show this painting completed. Thought it would be much sooner, but I admit that I got frustrated with it and had to leave it sit. Seemed that I boxed myself into a conundrum and had to let go of a few ideas and alter the colors some. At one point I didn't think I even wanted to go back to it, but over time the answers revealed themselves.

Sometimes the best thing to do for a painting that is causing you some grief, or not quite working, is to hang it on a wall for a while, until one day you walk past it and get an "a ha" moment. This painting and I got along a lot better in our last meeting:)

Sometimes art is less about what you give to it, than what you let go of.

The Voice Inside Your Head

In a world full of media, opinion, war, poverty, and just plain negativity, we can all stand to take a look at the positive more often. Seems I spent over half my life worrying and catastrophizing on the smallest things. "Making a mountain out of a molehill," as my mother would say. I seemed to let the negativity have all the air-time it wanted. But after a wake-up call, I realized that I could control the voices in my head and dial in a new station. Not only did I not have to think negative thoughts, but could think positive thoughts that were not only true and made me feel better, but they made me a nicer person by having less stress and helped me to function lighter and more effectively.

So now I'm enjoying sharing some of these thoughts and images with others through my artwork. I have a large set of inspirational and motivational artwork in the drawing stages just ready to be painted and shared. I hope others enjoy these and benefit from them as much as I do.

Many of these are in an illustration-style with playful typography. Many are hand-drawn and then painted digitally. You'll find that not only have Chagall and many of the post-impressionism artists been influential to me, but so have many of the wonderful illustration artists of today. I love painterly paintings, but I love illustration too - at times just leaving the simplicity of the design to speak for itself.

Taking it to the Streets

After years of coaxing by friends and family members, I'm finally taking my artwork out to an art walk this coming weekend. It's been quite an undertaking for me; first, to finally decide to do this and take the initial steps, like paying for my booth space - to finally getting the materials to set up my booth and display my art. Wow! Good thing I have help.
I have to admit that I am very nervous, but thankfully very busy this week finishing up last minute preparations. Less time to spend worrying and thinking about things, and just time enough to 'do'. I'll post some pics of my booth and let you all know how it goes.

Art Giveaway

A lovely woman has done an interview with me and posted it on her blog. She is also offering a giveaway of my artwork. Stop by and visit alifesustained

What's the Deal with Chihuahuas?

OK. I know these dogs are amazingly cute. They are also the dandiest fashion accessories as they can be carried in a Gucci bag. And why is it you can go into nearly any store in which no dogs are allowed, but if you have a chihuahua in your purse, no one says anything? Are they not even sure if it is a dog?
I have yet to see one as a hood ornament...well, because that would just be wrong!, but I have seen one riding in the basket of a motor cycle with a leather wind hat on. I thought the chihuahua craze would have ended shortly after Paris Hilton ended up in jail, but the phenomena continues.
I have one chihuahua art pendant in my shop, and through that I've found that "chihuahua" is a very popular keyword search. Not just popular, but they seem to have a cult-like following. Sooo, there may be more chihuahuas to come into my shop; otherwise, I'll just adore this one in the picture below. Since I can't have one, I can borrow my family members, dear Sandy. I admit...I've been taken in a bit too, by their big bulging eyes and huge pointed ears, and teensie, eensie, paws. Yeah, they are a tad irresistible.

One of My Favorite Etsy Artists

I'd like to share with you a feature and interview with one of my favorite artists on Etsy Hippiechicjewelz. She is a self-taught polymer clay, glass lamp work and jewelry designer who creates pieces that are very fun and original. Enjoy!

I understand you are a self taught artist, when did you become interested in art? 

I have been interested in art ever since I can remember. My older sister taught me how to draw, paint and cross stitch, my love of learning something new in art took off from there. I have dabbled in everything to ceramics, photography to creating one of a kind wearable art.

What inspires your artwork? 

I would say that most of my creations are influenced and inspired by music and everyday surroundings. I may hear a song that makes my heart smile or see a sunset that has extraordinary colors that I want to capture and off to my studio to create a work of art.

Do you have any coupon codes or specials for your Etsy shop?

I have a wonderful coupon code for my shop, 25% off: HCJFAN

 

The Many Faces of Abby

Here's my daughter, the once shy one - the sensitive one who used to shake with nerves. The one that shocked me by looking into my face and smiled at me the first time I held her, then shocked me again for crying for the next 3 years, no matter how much cuddling and love I gave her. Now she's blossomed into the go-getter, the character, the natural comedian, who really understands abstract humor. Wherever she goes she makes people smile and laugh, and above all spreads LOVE. This is a tribute to my Abby 'The Heart Girl'  (as she titles her self-portraits) and Abby of the Many Expressions.

Fairest of the Fair

This update is a little late as The San Diego Fair has come and gone, but we had a wonderful time this year. It's become our yearly tradition to go on the last day, which is the 4th of July, and take our weary legs through 'till late evening. Can't miss the fireworks, or course. However, the rides lit up at night are my favorite and I just had to share these photos. There is an air to the fair in the evening beyond the excitement, that is almost creepy, yet in an edgy, spectacular way. Too bad I didn't have an SLR to get photos of the fireworks, but I think my Canon point-and-shoot did a pretty good job with the night lights after all.

Drive in the Country

One of the greatest things about taking my daughter to summer camp is...(no, not having a break from her:)...the drive in the country is the best. There is nothing like the country road to fuel the creative spirits. The longing to be back in nature, the hunger for the big sky with clouds. The ease of it all, the way the country makes the days seem longer (in the best way - they way the days last forever beautifully like in our childhood) — the way suddenly everything seems very simple, and the things we've been worrying about seem all the more pesky and silly. Why worry on a day like today?

Tomorrow I pick up my sweet and silly daughter for camp. This time I'll be behind the wheel instead of the passenger seat. I'm going to get out of the car and walk a little, thank God for all my blessings, and let those little things that I've foolishly let get in the way, appear like bugs on the windshield.

New Silver Art Pendant Necklaces

New whimsical art pendants made for the Etsy store. So much fun seeing my paintings on other media. I may just get the passion for more jewelry making. Pride in packaging also, so the customer can feel like they are giving a gift to themselves, or have the perfect gift ready for someone else. Ah! Getting freaky with Etsy:)

Painting in Progress - Stages

Well, this is still in progress, but it's interesting to see how it changes. I think there is room for more color and detail. No more posts on this until it's done. We'll see where the creative process leads.

New painting in progress

This painting is directed towards inspiration. It's based upon a sketch I did a while back that was actually somewhat different. I approached the painting with the sketch (only in mind) as a foundation and applied it to a canvas of totally different proportions. So it seemed fitting that if the meaning is 'inspiration' and I was seeking a more painterly spontaneous look - that I let the paint and the idea form more intuitively. So nothing was drawn out on canvas for this painting, and I simply just begun and let the paint and the artistic passion dictate. Basically, I gave in to more abandonment.
Part of the impetus in this was pulling out old paintings that were done more spontaneously that had a painterly quality that I liked more. Some of it is from the influence of a local artist, Donna Butnik,  who seems to start just with paint on the canvas and take the image where paint leads her. You can see more of her work here http://www.artpaintings4decor.com/
So we shall see how this painting ends up as ideas are formed. I post the finished product soon:)

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

Today we set out some items on the curb for donation pick-up. While taking out a large dresser, we noticed that the next door neighbor set out a 3-panel room divider for trash pick-up. It was perfect! Just the one that I was hoping to buy for my bedroom studio to section it off, ironically, for privacy from the neighbors while I paint. This way I could keep the drapes and windows open wide and still manage to get enough air and sun.
Then while I was in the house I heard a rustling through the dresser drawers outside. I snuck out carefully so as not to scare off my scavenger - just happy someone else was making use of a good find. When I got outside I found the neighbor across the street had left a bookshelf in trade for the dresser. Not only did I need a bookshelf for my studio/office, but it fit just perfectly in the recessed area of the room that I was hoping to get a bookshelf for, but didn't feel I could afford it right now.
So two items on my wishlist were fulfilled today, while at the same time unburdened myself with things I no longer needed and benefiting another neighbor. Just when I thought I was spending too much time in the wrong direction, the gods smiled on me, and I got a resounding "yes", keep going, everything will line up as planned. Thank you!