Yes, I have started another blog! This is a daily blog featuring one or more of my (elle)ement series each day. You can find it at: http://elleements.blogspot.com/ I hope you'll take a look.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
It's been awfully quiet around here...
Well, I've sorta gone off the deep end.
If you've been familiar with my work for any time at all, you probably know that I am easily taken down a new path. Maybe not completely new, but I am switching things up a bit. You know how the linoleum block prints on the dress paintings came to be the little (elle)ement series? Well now the (elle)ements have expanded, and grown. A new group of layered abstract collages have been percolating in my head, and now are starting to come together.
This is a terrible photo, but have no fear, I'll start posting good ones soon. If you live close by, many of these pieces are having their first wander into the public eye at our Annual Christmas Show at United Bank in Jackson, GA. And a handful of others are at The Swan Coach House Gallery in Atlanta.
Now if you are feeling the urge to grab me by the shoulders and ask about the dress paintings, have no fear. You'll be able to find me and the big dresses at several shows this Winter and Spring. And I am pretty sure this layered abstract look will find it's way into new dress paintings. I am looking forward to seeing where this all goes!
Once I have these babies back in my hands, I'll get some good photographs taken and get them up for you to see. So stay tuned!
If you've been familiar with my work for any time at all, you probably know that I am easily taken down a new path. Maybe not completely new, but I am switching things up a bit. You know how the linoleum block prints on the dress paintings came to be the little (elle)ement series? Well now the (elle)ements have expanded, and grown. A new group of layered abstract collages have been percolating in my head, and now are starting to come together.
This is a terrible photo, but have no fear, I'll start posting good ones soon. If you live close by, many of these pieces are having their first wander into the public eye at our Annual Christmas Show at United Bank in Jackson, GA. And a handful of others are at The Swan Coach House Gallery in Atlanta.
Now if you are feeling the urge to grab me by the shoulders and ask about the dress paintings, have no fear. You'll be able to find me and the big dresses at several shows this Winter and Spring. And I am pretty sure this layered abstract look will find it's way into new dress paintings. I am looking forward to seeing where this all goes!
Once I have these babies back in my hands, I'll get some good photographs taken and get them up for you to see. So stay tuned!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Did you know?
Did you know? It seems to be such common knowledge around here, but you, sweet folks I meet here and there at shows may not know. That fella that helps drive the van, (when he's in either the driver's or passenger's seat) the one who helps set up the tent, and the walls, and keeps my art show neighbors entertained. That guy? Well, he's a pretty good painter too. My other half, my go to guy, actually is a pretty big deal.
Scott is a signature member and Past President of both the Georgia and Southern Watercolor Societies. His work can be found in private and corporate collections in the U.S., Canada, France, Australia, and a few other places. He doesn't show at outdoor festivals much anymore, as his commissions keep him busy enough at home. But next weekend is an exception! Next weekend, I'll be helping him drive the van, and set up his tent and be his go to gal and all that stuff.
Come and see us on Saturday, October 6th at The Bluff Park Art Festival in Birmingham, Alabama. If that is too far to drive, you could catch a glimpse of his work on our Etsy page. I've just put some fresh work up, check it out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSpringGallery?ref=si_shop
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
What I did today.
I didn't plan to paint a still life. I just walked out to the studio. I have been finishing up a commission, which got temporarily sidelined, and somehow I just veered off course.
My big pieces have elements of still life in many of them. I used to paint them all the time, so it's not particularly shocking that a lemon and pear wound up on my drawing board. And I have a pretty good idea why. Those of you who know me will understand a need for something simple after the last couple of weeks. So here is what I did today, and last night. Two pieces of equal size, 8" square, on canvas.
I have put them up on Etsy, you can see them, and other work here Remember to bookmark the page, so you can check back, as I plan to add something new daily.
Here they are, Still life on Dirty Drawing Board, done last night. And Still Life on Fleur Des Lis, otherwise known as what I did today.
My big pieces have elements of still life in many of them. I used to paint them all the time, so it's not particularly shocking that a lemon and pear wound up on my drawing board. And I have a pretty good idea why. Those of you who know me will understand a need for something simple after the last couple of weeks. So here is what I did today, and last night. Two pieces of equal size, 8" square, on canvas.
I have put them up on Etsy, you can see them, and other work here Remember to bookmark the page, so you can check back, as I plan to add something new daily.
Here they are, Still life on Dirty Drawing Board, done last night. And Still Life on Fleur Des Lis, otherwise known as what I did today.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Prettybird and Sourpuss
I am on the road again, heading to the St. Louis Art Fair. Opening this Friday night on the streets of Clayton, MO it is the art show I have been looking forward to for months! I will be surrounded by many of my favorite artists, and am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful work they will bring. You can see the list of Mixed Media artists and links to their websites here and once you get there you can find your way to the other media.
I thought I'd take a minute to show you a couple of brand new pieces I will be bringing to this show, Prettybird and Sourpuss.
And Sourpuss is an ironically warm piece about a bitter girl. The dash marks behind the dress indicating that Sourpuss keeps score. The lemons are painted on top of a repeat pattern carved and printed from linoleum. Both pieces are 20" wide, by 24" tall. $895
So if you are in the St. Louis area this weekend, come and find me, or pass this on to a friend. And if you tell me you saw this blog, I'll give you 10% off your purchase!
I thought I'd take a minute to show you a couple of brand new pieces I will be bringing to this show, Prettybird and Sourpuss.
Prettybird is a pretty collage of a dress, sewing patterns and linoblock prints, incorporating a little painting of Tufted Titmouse eggs. "Pretty" is stitched through the canvas above the dress.
And Sourpuss is an ironically warm piece about a bitter girl. The dash marks behind the dress indicating that Sourpuss keeps score. The lemons are painted on top of a repeat pattern carved and printed from linoleum. Both pieces are 20" wide, by 24" tall. $895
So if you are in the St. Louis area this weekend, come and find me, or pass this on to a friend. And if you tell me you saw this blog, I'll give you 10% off your purchase!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Chatterbox
Chatterbox sat on my easel for almost 2 months. I poked around with it, found a few successes, but found myself stuck, and put it aside. Working on other paintings, chatterbox stayed in the back of my mind, trying to find the answer. The pressure started to mount, as I had two shows on the horizon that I wanted this piece for. Finally, three days before packing the van, it started to come together. I needed the megaphone!
Starting at the top, the first panel has a cardinal apparently calling out the name, which is stitched through the canvas. The typewriter images are photo transfers of a fabulous old typewriter that sits, rusted solid on my front porch. The bulls eye represents the epicenter of chatterbox's voice. Text behind the dress is from a spam email I received, a long letter filled with typos. The megaphones are linoleum block prints that I carved and printed on pattern paper. Below is a bit more of the letter, and a long, transparent glove. The last canvas has the bottom of the dress, with more megaphones, transparent this time, and a circular pattern in the background.
I think this piece pulls together the feeling I wanted of unending one way communication.
I finished this piece around midnight, the night before leaving for a show in Cleveland, OH. Scott framed it around 6 the following morning. Perhaps she should be renamed "Just in the nick of time!"
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A new gallery
One of the things on my to-do list this year was to make some more contacts with galleries. Actually it has been on my to-do list for a very long time, but folks who know me well know that I can move glacially slow sometimes. This is especially true of things that I worry may not be pleasant. And the whole prospect of sending in a portfolio to a gallery seemed pretty high on the unpleasant list.
One of the realities of being an artist is you are always applying for a job so to speak. Occasionally at a show I'll hear someone saying to their friend, "oh, you should do this next year!" Like all we have to do is roll in to the festival, pop up a tent and *poof* you're in business. But the truth is there is an application process to all the outdoor shows I do. The artists apply through different online systems, sending in a short artist statement, and usually 4 images of your work, and one of your display. And of course your non-refundable jury fee of anywhere between $25-$90. The work is juried in categories, with usually jewelry, and mixed media work (that would be my category) getting the lion's share of applications. The jurying is done by a blind jury, meaning the folks doing the decision making don't know the names of those applying.
A show with a good reputation will get somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1000-1500 applications for a show with 250 available spots. A few have much higher odds, with as many as 2400 applications. And notification of acceptance, or rejection, is always in the form a a quick email, usually read with one eye open to minimise the impact. While rejection letters are usually met with a sigh and a grumble, acceptance letters are like crack for artists. The kind of crack that keeps you applying next year. Those happy endorphins just start buzzing as you think about how only 1 in 10 artists got in the show, how you had to score higher than the 1000 or so artists who didn't make it, and all that ego building nonsense that the brain can't help playing with. But truth is much of the jury process comes down to the simple things, like personal taste, how many oily landscapes the jury has already seen this morning, whether the lighting in your photographs is a little weak.
But all this usually happens in a city far far away, by folks you don't know. The artists never get direct feedback for the money they spend on jury fees, and frankly I'm good with that. The application process and the one eyed email opening has become part of the rhythm of my life. I am used to it. But applying to a gallery? That seemed like a totally different animal.
Galleries usually have a much more stand-offish way of dealing with interested artists. If you look at some good gallery websites and find the submissions link. (That is no Freudian slip, the artist is submissive here) Often you'll find what they expect from an artist, number of images and the like and how they want it delivered, mail, email...whatever. Then they say something warm and fuzzy like how they don't have time to reply to all submissions, if we are interested, you'll hear from us, if not, you won't. Don't call. I guess the rosy part is you don't have to pay an application fee this time to be ignored.
And I am sure this all comes for good reason, I expect galleries get pecked to death by folks who think they can paint. I actually witnessed an artist meltdown as he was turned down by a gallery owner when he walked in with ordinary paintings tucked under both arms. So I do understand the need for distance.
So this all takes me back to the idea of applying to a gallery. I found one I really liked. I thought about applying for a year or two, I went in a few times without saying anything. Then one day I actually opened my mouth, introduced myself and got a card. And still I fiddled.
The push came from an unlikely source, Scott and I were invited to stay at a friend's house on the way back from a show. And an artist who has been included in galleries and exhibitions in New York and Washington among other places was there also. I was tired, we had a few drinks, we were unloading about the show, and art in general. And I was explaining about what a big assed chicken I was about applying to a big "white wall" gallery. How the rejection would sting a little more if I was standing there all alone rather than in a group of a thousand. The next morning as we were leaving he asked to see my work, as I had been talking about it the night before, and he really didn't know me from Adam's house cat. So Scott and I pull one big piece out of the van, rest it on the dirty sidewalk on the side of the road and let the cover it is wrapped in slip to the ground.
He got this look on his face like he was surprised that I had sense enough to form words or dress myself and said, "You don't think you could walk into any gallery in this country and get in with this work?"
So I applied to Pryor Fine Art, in Atlanta. And if you go to the Artists link, you'll see my name, second from the top.
Ok, enough celebrating...back to the studio!
One of the realities of being an artist is you are always applying for a job so to speak. Occasionally at a show I'll hear someone saying to their friend, "oh, you should do this next year!" Like all we have to do is roll in to the festival, pop up a tent and *poof* you're in business. But the truth is there is an application process to all the outdoor shows I do. The artists apply through different online systems, sending in a short artist statement, and usually 4 images of your work, and one of your display. And of course your non-refundable jury fee of anywhere between $25-$90. The work is juried in categories, with usually jewelry, and mixed media work (that would be my category) getting the lion's share of applications. The jurying is done by a blind jury, meaning the folks doing the decision making don't know the names of those applying.
A show with a good reputation will get somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1000-1500 applications for a show with 250 available spots. A few have much higher odds, with as many as 2400 applications. And notification of acceptance, or rejection, is always in the form a a quick email, usually read with one eye open to minimise the impact. While rejection letters are usually met with a sigh and a grumble, acceptance letters are like crack for artists. The kind of crack that keeps you applying next year. Those happy endorphins just start buzzing as you think about how only 1 in 10 artists got in the show, how you had to score higher than the 1000 or so artists who didn't make it, and all that ego building nonsense that the brain can't help playing with. But truth is much of the jury process comes down to the simple things, like personal taste, how many oily landscapes the jury has already seen this morning, whether the lighting in your photographs is a little weak.
But all this usually happens in a city far far away, by folks you don't know. The artists never get direct feedback for the money they spend on jury fees, and frankly I'm good with that. The application process and the one eyed email opening has become part of the rhythm of my life. I am used to it. But applying to a gallery? That seemed like a totally different animal.
Galleries usually have a much more stand-offish way of dealing with interested artists. If you look at some good gallery websites and find the submissions link. (That is no Freudian slip, the artist is submissive here) Often you'll find what they expect from an artist, number of images and the like and how they want it delivered, mail, email...whatever. Then they say something warm and fuzzy like how they don't have time to reply to all submissions, if we are interested, you'll hear from us, if not, you won't. Don't call. I guess the rosy part is you don't have to pay an application fee this time to be ignored.
And I am sure this all comes for good reason, I expect galleries get pecked to death by folks who think they can paint. I actually witnessed an artist meltdown as he was turned down by a gallery owner when he walked in with ordinary paintings tucked under both arms. So I do understand the need for distance.
So this all takes me back to the idea of applying to a gallery. I found one I really liked. I thought about applying for a year or two, I went in a few times without saying anything. Then one day I actually opened my mouth, introduced myself and got a card. And still I fiddled.
The push came from an unlikely source, Scott and I were invited to stay at a friend's house on the way back from a show. And an artist who has been included in galleries and exhibitions in New York and Washington among other places was there also. I was tired, we had a few drinks, we were unloading about the show, and art in general. And I was explaining about what a big assed chicken I was about applying to a big "white wall" gallery. How the rejection would sting a little more if I was standing there all alone rather than in a group of a thousand. The next morning as we were leaving he asked to see my work, as I had been talking about it the night before, and he really didn't know me from Adam's house cat. So Scott and I pull one big piece out of the van, rest it on the dirty sidewalk on the side of the road and let the cover it is wrapped in slip to the ground.
He got this look on his face like he was surprised that I had sense enough to form words or dress myself and said, "You don't think you could walk into any gallery in this country and get in with this work?"
So I applied to Pryor Fine Art, in Atlanta. And if you go to the Artists link, you'll see my name, second from the top.
Ok, enough celebrating...back to the studio!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Surly Girl
Surly Girl was just that. A surly, difficult painting, with numerous re-dos and fiddles. I could give a handful of excuses as to why this one was such a pain, all of them legit in my mind, but I'll save you from all that. Let's just say, I love the way she turned out, and there are some beautiful things that happened in this piece that wouldn't have happened had I nailed it the first time round.
The title came from a night at The Surly Girl Saloon after a show in Columbus, OH last year. The name just stuck in my head, which is a rarity these days, for anything to stick that is. In fact I just had to check with Scott to find out just where we were, but the name was a winner. And certainly worthy of stealing for a painting.
Starting at the top and working down, the lemons signify that this girl isn't making lemonade out of a damn thing thank you very much. She is a little bitter, so deal with it. The crow is there simply for the sound of his voice, although the patterns in his plumage are quite attractive.
The dress itself is painted with a knotted up tree. I took and developed this photo about 25 years ago in art school. It finally came in handy! The pattern around the dress was one of the things that was done twice, and because of this has a lot of beautiful color shining through. You'll have to trust me on that one though, as it needs it's own close up to show that off.
And the bottom, the tornado, is my favorite. Built with linoprints on pattern paper, and not much else, it is a vast improvement over the first version. The first version is currently facing the wall in the studio, it is nicely painted and would stand well on its own if you have a hankering for a tornado painting. But man, did it fight with the rest of the painting. It had to be separated from the rest like a cranky sibling. And if you've ever known a surly girl, you know what kind of damage they can do, a tornado seemed like a good metaphor.
Now to get back out there and see how "Chatterbox" is coming along. Thanks for checking in!
The title came from a night at The Surly Girl Saloon after a show in Columbus, OH last year. The name just stuck in my head, which is a rarity these days, for anything to stick that is. In fact I just had to check with Scott to find out just where we were, but the name was a winner. And certainly worthy of stealing for a painting.
Starting at the top and working down, the lemons signify that this girl isn't making lemonade out of a damn thing thank you very much. She is a little bitter, so deal with it. The crow is there simply for the sound of his voice, although the patterns in his plumage are quite attractive.
The dress itself is painted with a knotted up tree. I took and developed this photo about 25 years ago in art school. It finally came in handy! The pattern around the dress was one of the things that was done twice, and because of this has a lot of beautiful color shining through. You'll have to trust me on that one though, as it needs it's own close up to show that off.
And the bottom, the tornado, is my favorite. Built with linoprints on pattern paper, and not much else, it is a vast improvement over the first version. The first version is currently facing the wall in the studio, it is nicely painted and would stand well on its own if you have a hankering for a tornado painting. But man, did it fight with the rest of the painting. It had to be separated from the rest like a cranky sibling. And if you've ever known a surly girl, you know what kind of damage they can do, a tornado seemed like a good metaphor.
Yesterday, as I was finishing up the piece I knew it needed one more thing. Although I don't always stitch the name of the piece into the canvas it is becoming a favorite thing for me to do. So I spent another couple hours last night coming up with a little crosstitch pattern, poking holes through the canvas and stitching in a yellow so subtle that pretty much no one will see it, ever. It won't show up in the shots I send in to get juried into shows, but it's there. Hopefully to be discovered by someone as they hang it on their wall! "Girl" is stitched on the other lemon.
Now to get back out there and see how "Chatterbox" is coming along. Thanks for checking in!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
A case of the uglies.
Not only did my work take a little shift early this year, but my way of working did also. Gone are the days of being quite so deadline dependant. I used to work on the final piece, pushing it through and finishing it up just in time to load it into the van and head off to a show. The downside to this was not only that I'd leave for a show physically exhausted, but I would also return home to a messy studio, with nothing but blank canvases to look at.
Now when I return home I find a handful of paintings in mid stream, ready to be be picked up and carried through to completion. This is more comfortable for me because I am not trying to start from scratch, trying to find the magic right out of the gate. I am inspired by what is in front of me, and can build on it. When I walked into the studio for the first time in a week, this is what greeted me...
Yes, "Chatterbox" has miles and miles to go, but it has good bones. And I was glad it was there, not only to jump start my painting, but as a bit of relief to it's sister in the studio. "Surly Girl" is also in progress, and is currently living up to her namesake. As much as "Chatterbox" is inspiring, "Surly Girl" is not. "Surly" is in fact going through a eye gouging ugly stage. The uglies are not always a bad thing, in fact they are practically expected, much like awkward teenage pimples. Sometimes I court the uglies, building on them on purpose. The uglies can be used to balance out a painting that has become too saccharine sweet, or you can surround a nice bit with something muddy, or squishy, and the contrast makes it shine.
But right now "Surly" is just ugly, muddy, patchy, and just difficult in general. And a sure fire way to be sure she stays that way is to sit here and continue to write about it. So off I go, let's see if I can get her back on the rails. If I do, I'll post about her, if I don't...well, try to forget I ever mentioned her.
Now when I return home I find a handful of paintings in mid stream, ready to be be picked up and carried through to completion. This is more comfortable for me because I am not trying to start from scratch, trying to find the magic right out of the gate. I am inspired by what is in front of me, and can build on it. When I walked into the studio for the first time in a week, this is what greeted me...
Yes, "Chatterbox" has miles and miles to go, but it has good bones. And I was glad it was there, not only to jump start my painting, but as a bit of relief to it's sister in the studio. "Surly Girl" is also in progress, and is currently living up to her namesake. As much as "Chatterbox" is inspiring, "Surly Girl" is not. "Surly" is in fact going through a eye gouging ugly stage. The uglies are not always a bad thing, in fact they are practically expected, much like awkward teenage pimples. Sometimes I court the uglies, building on them on purpose. The uglies can be used to balance out a painting that has become too saccharine sweet, or you can surround a nice bit with something muddy, or squishy, and the contrast makes it shine.
But right now "Surly" is just ugly, muddy, patchy, and just difficult in general. And a sure fire way to be sure she stays that way is to sit here and continue to write about it. So off I go, let's see if I can get her back on the rails. If I do, I'll post about her, if I don't...well, try to forget I ever mentioned her.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sugar
Sugar is fresh off the easel, and ready for her first show. The dress itself was a gift, someone came to see me at the show in Fort Worth with a shopping bag with this little gem tucked inside. She thought it was a perfect piece for a painting, and she was right.
The chemical formula for sucrose is in a pretty script in grey on pink in the background. The right side of the diptych is pure contrast with deep smoke and charcoal grey. A sugar bowl (which happens to be my china pattern) is painted at the bottom. Three perfect duck shaped mother of pearl buttons drop through the middle of the composition.
And, by the way, "Sugar" is Scott's nickname for me (not always deserved, but that's another conversation.) Did you know that I consider all of these pieces self portraits? Even sweet ones like this that began as a generous thought.
"All the girls" will be heading to Seaside FL for her first show this weekend, maybe I'll see you there. Sugar is about 20" x 22" $925
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Little Bird
"Little Bird" found a home in Texas this past weekend. She is one of those pieces that I've hardly had a chance to get to know, so to speak. Finished and framed the day before we left, and sold at the first show. Sold to a sweet family, with two children and another "little bird on the way."
The Pine Warbler, top left was painted, the next canvas down features a linoleum block print in the background and a great child's glove. (I had the pair, it's match will surface in a later painting, I am sure.) The bottom left is a nest made from pattern pieces. The right hand side has a repeating lino block bird behind the dress which was painted with yellow dots under the blue.
I guess it's time for me to quit talkin' and get workin' as my next show is in about 10 days. If you are from "around here" I'll see you at our little local festival on May 5th. The Jackson Fine Arts Festival, just off the square in Jackson, GA. Saturday only from 10am-3pm!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Birdbrain
Although "Birdbrain" is typically thought of as an insult, I prefer to think of her as someone who has birds on the brain. Someone with a need to care for others. This is represented by the seeds, (feeding) and the need to build, and decorate. She is perhaps a little trapped by this, as seen in the birdcage, and the lack of choices with only the option to nest. But I think she is happy, or at least content.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
On the road again.
Ah, the glamorous life of an artist! Scott and I left home yesterday morning, promising all three cats and Freda that we would be back. "One week, we promise, you'll sleep through most of it!" The van was literally packed to the gills, no looking out the back window, and be careful opening the doors so an avalanche of "Creatively Required Assorted Props" aka "CRAP" doesn't come crashing out. We programed our first stop into our GPS and we were on our way, like a herd of turtles.
We don't do a lot of sight seeing during our travels, in fact I try to spend as much of the time on the road checking my eyelids for light leaks. As we said tonight to our dinner companions, the first day on the road is like a day off, a decompression day. We just drive, usually no radio, not much talking, whoever is not driving is usually sleeping, and we just keep going. Occasionally the van, with over 275,000 miles on it, hiccups, and I flip back and forth between quietly saying a little prayer to the god of vans, and silently swearing at it and threatening to take a sledgehammer to it if it leaves us stranded in the middle of nowhere. So far this plan has worked fairly well, we drove past the spot where the alternator crapped out last time we were making this journey, feeling more hopeful by the minute. Food is whatever is in the cooler between us, and we just watch the miles tick by. 725 miles yesterday, and another couple hundred today. Yes, in case I have you worried, I did renew my triple A membership before we left.
So here we are, Fort Worth, Texas. So far, so good, a simple load in. The tent went up, under the main tent. Fort Worth is known for crazy winds, and they deal with this by putting up large tents that are roped to the pavement. Artists squeak their 10' square tents into a 10' square spot, we are wedged in there so tight the wind would have to take all six tents, plus the main tent at the same time. And we have good neighbors, that is important, nice neighbors.
Then panels, and weights, and paintings. Lights, chairs, table, portfolio bin, more boxes, storage bins. It's all set up, the van has gained several inches of height with the unloading of it all. And we checked into the hotel, a charming hotel. If your idea of charming is a cinder block building with saggy little beds. But the sleepier I get, the better the bed looks, and trust me, we have been in far worse. The good thing about this place is unlike most shows, we are within walking distance to the hotel. And we found several good bars and restaurants between here and there.
So we'll see you on Main Street in the morning! I think I have the best looking show I have ever put together Ft. Worth, so come on down and take a look!
We don't do a lot of sight seeing during our travels, in fact I try to spend as much of the time on the road checking my eyelids for light leaks. As we said tonight to our dinner companions, the first day on the road is like a day off, a decompression day. We just drive, usually no radio, not much talking, whoever is not driving is usually sleeping, and we just keep going. Occasionally the van, with over 275,000 miles on it, hiccups, and I flip back and forth between quietly saying a little prayer to the god of vans, and silently swearing at it and threatening to take a sledgehammer to it if it leaves us stranded in the middle of nowhere. So far this plan has worked fairly well, we drove past the spot where the alternator crapped out last time we were making this journey, feeling more hopeful by the minute. Food is whatever is in the cooler between us, and we just watch the miles tick by. 725 miles yesterday, and another couple hundred today. Yes, in case I have you worried, I did renew my triple A membership before we left.
So here we are, Fort Worth, Texas. So far, so good, a simple load in. The tent went up, under the main tent. Fort Worth is known for crazy winds, and they deal with this by putting up large tents that are roped to the pavement. Artists squeak their 10' square tents into a 10' square spot, we are wedged in there so tight the wind would have to take all six tents, plus the main tent at the same time. And we have good neighbors, that is important, nice neighbors.
Then panels, and weights, and paintings. Lights, chairs, table, portfolio bin, more boxes, storage bins. It's all set up, the van has gained several inches of height with the unloading of it all. And we checked into the hotel, a charming hotel. If your idea of charming is a cinder block building with saggy little beds. But the sleepier I get, the better the bed looks, and trust me, we have been in far worse. The good thing about this place is unlike most shows, we are within walking distance to the hotel. And we found several good bars and restaurants between here and there.
So we'll see you on Main Street in the morning! I think I have the best looking show I have ever put together Ft. Worth, so come on down and take a look!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Black Betty (without the shine!)
It's pretty amazing the difference a decent photo makes, compare this image of Black Betty with the one a couple of posts down and you'll see what I mean. That's all I've got for you right now though. I'm pretty excited about "Birdbrain" on the easel, and I should go out there and see where she's headed!
Labels:
acrylic on canvas,
black betty,
black painting,
mixed media
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Arm Wrestle Ho Down.
That time has come again, the arm wrestle.
That's the time after I've given myself a break from the studio, but before I actually start painting again. I need a little break after a big push for a show. I have to clean the house, because it's usually been completely neglected, work in the yard a bit, catch up on all those errands I put off. I might even put stuff on etsy like I did a week or so ago. ( You can see the etsy shop at : http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSpringGallery?ref=si_shop )
But now it's time to get back to work, it's been time to get back to work for a week or so. But instead, I have started the dance...the Arm Wrestle Ho Down.
Oh sure, I'll get a couple hours of work in a day, this week I've carved two little bird lino blocks, and printed about 50 of the little boogers on pattern paper last night. But really, that is about one day's work stretched into a week.
But, it's been sunny, and beautiful, and my garden has been weedy, and there is bread to bake and dog bellies to scratch. Oh, and a mosaic wall to fiddle with, but somehow that is too close to actually "getting something done" and has only been worked on in fits and starts. And naps to take.
But that annoying bitch in the back of my head is starting to mutter, and moan. She is loudest as I am trying to get to sleep at night. Chastising me for going to bed at a decent hour when I had a nap, and I really didn't get much done today. "You do have another show coming you know, you might want to have, oh I don't know...some inventory? A painting or two perhaps?" She is very sarcastic.
And of course, once I get the motor going, shake off the spring fever, and get immersed in making new work. I find a great rhythm. Scott knows to fend for himself, and I find this great peace. I think I am almost there. Boxes of canvases are coming in a few days, I am scratching down new ideas on scraps of paper everywhere.
But the tomatoes, I need to plant tomatoes.
That's the time after I've given myself a break from the studio, but before I actually start painting again. I need a little break after a big push for a show. I have to clean the house, because it's usually been completely neglected, work in the yard a bit, catch up on all those errands I put off. I might even put stuff on etsy like I did a week or so ago. ( You can see the etsy shop at : http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSpringGallery?ref=si_shop )
But now it's time to get back to work, it's been time to get back to work for a week or so. But instead, I have started the dance...the Arm Wrestle Ho Down.
Oh sure, I'll get a couple hours of work in a day, this week I've carved two little bird lino blocks, and printed about 50 of the little boogers on pattern paper last night. But really, that is about one day's work stretched into a week.
But, it's been sunny, and beautiful, and my garden has been weedy, and there is bread to bake and dog bellies to scratch. Oh, and a mosaic wall to fiddle with, but somehow that is too close to actually "getting something done" and has only been worked on in fits and starts. And naps to take.
But that annoying bitch in the back of my head is starting to mutter, and moan. She is loudest as I am trying to get to sleep at night. Chastising me for going to bed at a decent hour when I had a nap, and I really didn't get much done today. "You do have another show coming you know, you might want to have, oh I don't know...some inventory? A painting or two perhaps?" She is very sarcastic.
And of course, once I get the motor going, shake off the spring fever, and get immersed in making new work. I find a great rhythm. Scott knows to fend for himself, and I find this great peace. I think I am almost there. Boxes of canvases are coming in a few days, I am scratching down new ideas on scraps of paper everywhere.
But the tomatoes, I need to plant tomatoes.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Black Betty
This is not the greatest photo in the world, shot in the studio leaning back against the wall. Please pardon the blinding shine, I will try again. But until then, here is "Black Betty." She is the same size as "Queen B." With the same number of canvases, just arranged slightly differently. The top three canvases are tree branches in an inky teal. The next one down features photo transfers of a repeated martini glass over silver leaf. "Black" is stitched through this canvas. Then the panel with the top of the dress, bulls eyes repeat in the background, and a damask pattern covers the dress. The original beading is shiny black, with beautiful texture. Then we are down to the glove, which is also dotted with bulls eyes, "betty" is painted in her palm. Finally the bottom canvas is also the bottom of the dress, the lining showing up the slit is covered in silver leaf and dotted with little photo transfers of flies.
She is a bit of a mystery isn't she? Black Betty will be heading to Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival next month!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Queen B
I have started on a new piece, as I am waiting for it to dry, I suppose I'll write about this one.
"Queen B" is made of 7 canvases framed together to make a whole. In addition to the dress and glove, the only other materials used were acrylic paint and linoblock prints on rice paper. Three different linoblocks were carved for this piece. The damask pattern, which shows up on the top canvas, as well as the second from the bottom, the bee, and the crown. The apples were sketched and painted on black gesso. The little swarm of b's on the glove is mostly lines and text from sewing patterns. You can see a close up from that panel in my last blog post. One part you may not be able to see well is the pale bullseye in the palm of the glove. Visually connected to the swarm, it is a reminder that the Queen can hurt you. The lines swooshing around in the main background between the crowns are intended to mirror the lines in the swarm.
The next piece, currently all gooey and mucky in the studio is "Black Betty". She will be the same size as this one, 24" wide x about 74" high. Hopefully BB will be done in time to take a trip to The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, next weekend in Tampa, FL. If all the linoleum block prints in this piece make you happy, take a look at my (elle)ements on website, www.thespringgallery.com Now, it's time for me to get back out there...
Monday, February 13, 2012
A quickie
Honestly, I have no idea why I am taking a minute to blog when I am in the final stretch for the first show of the year. I am working on "Queen B." She is 24 inches wide, and somewhere around 6 1/2 ft tall. Made up of 6 different canvases. This is one of them, it is 24" wide. I had a rough idea of how I wanted this to go when I started on it this morning, but I'm kinda tickled with how it's come out.
If you click on it you can probably see a larger version. I am hoping the dark area on the right reads as a swarm of bees...kinda tricky that. But the issue of the moment is that I like this part of the whole enough that it's about to dictate a palette shift for the entire piece. All part of the magic of not having a plan and letting each brush stroke inform the next move. And hey, I have a whole 60 or so hours left before I want it to be finished and ready to pack in the van. If I don't sleep.
Monday, January 23, 2012
A confession
My name is Kathrine Allen-Coleman, and I am a serial brush abuser. These are not the grungiest brushes I could find, these are just a few currently sitting in the water bucket. You see, if you leave brushes in water, the wooden handles swell up. This causes the varnish to chip, and the little metal band that holds the bristles in will even stretch, unually just enough to make it wobble a bit. And, if you leave the brushes in water, the bristles will also swell, and permanently bend, and split into multiple directions. I have convinced myself that this makes for a nice if not somewhat unpredicatble line.
Now if you are working with acrylic paint and you choose not to leave your brushes in water, you'll get an even more irritating alternative. A brush that has all the softness and flexibility of a stick. This is because acrylic needs to stay wet, because it dries to a nice hard plastic.
Yes I could try harder to be a good brush steward. I could run in to the house and wash my brushes every hour or so, (yeah right.) I even try really hard to make this happen, I have that little conversation in my head whenever I find a "virgin-ish" brush, especially a little tiny one that still has a point. "I will clean this, just use it for this little bit, and then clean it." Plop, into the water bucket, and I find it in a week or so. Dead as a doornail, or at least all bent to one side.
Now my husband, Scott, is a watercolor painter. And watercolorists are borderline fanatical about their brushes. They buy these $50 brushes made of very small animals, and treat them very kindly. The first time I met Scott (he was teaching a watercolor workshop in Southern France) he scolded me for leaving my brushes soaking in water beside me as I painted. I couldn't bear to tell him that not only are these brushes sitting in water, but about 6000 miles away in my studio at home, there are other brushes sitting in water too. They had developed a rather fetid odor by the time I returned home, in case you wanted that information.
There really is no point to this, no lesson to learn. I deal with this handicap by buying packs of brushes, the crappy kind. Just one step above those horrible plastic things they put in paint by numbers kits. (What kind of cosmic joke is that anyway?) And if I need a reliable little point, I look for a good one, sacrafice it to the water jug and move on.
Thanks for listening, I feel much better.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
(Elle)ements
Holy smokes, here she goes again. Kathrine is half cocked and running around chasing rainbows, and mail delivery trucks, her tail, and well, you get the idea! If you've been reading this blog for any time at all you know that I've been working on a bunch of new pieces for my dress painting series. I have three biggies, just on-the-brink of being done. They are each 24" wide by 56" high.
But, (and this is a big one) along the way these little bitties came up...
Isn't interesting what happens when you aren't really paying attention? These little pieces are all 4" square. They are all little original mixed media pieces, each one is one of a kind, on small stretched canvases. And the best part of these is how versatile they are, here is some of the same group rearranged in a different setting...
So, as these are all little bits, or fragments of the big dresses I've been working on, I've decided to call this group (Elle)ements. I'm just warming up a new blog for them, and they are already on the Spring Gallery web site. You can see them all here!http://thespringgallery.com/section/281207_elle_ements.html
I have a mere 45 available to start, but boxes of new canvases on the way. They are all $25 each, shipping to anywhere in the US will be $6 whether you buy one or one hundred.
These will be coming with me on the road to shows, but I'd also like to start finding some wholesale opportunities. If you have any bright ideas, please pass them along. That's it for now, time to get busy!
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