Art Quotes

Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is
taking the risk to be alive.. the risk to be alive and express
what we really are.
::: Don Miguel Ruiz :::

You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle
of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
::: Paulo Coelho :::

Savannah, Georgia

Can you see the difference???

This is the part of fine tuning...where the painting is either working or it's NOT. Can you even notice what I've changed???? I pushed back the buildings and the tops of the trees and the guy's back on her right. Darkened her shadows...tried to soften the mouth on the girl sleeping in the foreground. I put translucent sparkles on her highlights and on the top of the umbrella which you wouldn't notice unless the sun hit her. I darkened under the trees.

anymore suggestions???

Jazz Lady

The hardest part of finishing a painting is the fine tuning at the end. It's the nit picking part...the part where you decide something really needs to go, or something else is really needed. Well, that is where I am with this painting. You look at the same painting all day, every day and it get's hard to fine tune because you are looking at it so much. Maybe this is the part where you let it go for awhile and then come back to it with a fresh look.

I was trying to make this painting about the "Jazz Lady". We were at the Chicago Jazz Fest and I just loved to see this older women in all her splendor, bravado or what every word you'd put to her...just plopping herself down with her suitcase and enjoying this moment for herself...before getting on the train and heading for the airport. I love her attitude and I hope when I'm her age I do the same!

Any way....I'm thinking the trunks and limbs of the trees are creating static noise for me. Too unnecessary...so...what do you think??? Darken-more blurry- under the trees..(by the people).

I know this is a busy picture....I took out a lot...but the whole thing is her and Chicago...the parks, the crowds, the fests...and....her. So that is why I put in what I did. This is the busiest picture I've done. Not sure I'd want to do something like this again...but I still need to finish it.

So, comments please!

Correction on Churning SEa

I was tired when I wrote that last post. CORRECTION......SHE ONLY USED ONE COLOR....BLACK. All the highlights you see were reflections from the strokes...It was totally all ONE color...so you can see how important the brushstrokes in this painting were.

I was given trial color by GOLDEN called Torret Grey which I thought I might try in the painting I am presently working on ...and I'm guess Karen must have used such a color that had a metallic in the black in order for those brush strokes to creat or catch that much light.!?

Churning Sea by Karen Gunderson

While in Santa Fe we ventured over to the Railyard District . The Railroad District was to have lots of Galleries, but several had closed probably due to the economy.

We were in the William Siegal Gallery of Ancient Contemporary art. While walking around I passed a large 72" x 72" painting, and then slowly backed up. I stared at the painting which was d one only in black and white. While staring I found myself backing up and holding my gaze. I was totally enchanted and perplexed by this painting. A painting that I could have easily missed but once my eye caught the image I was spell bound. Believe me....I don't usually get spell bound by many paintings. I literally stood there for 20 minuets.

The painting is by a New York artist called Karen Gunderson. She works ONLY in black and white. Sounds boring...but it is amazing what she has done. Her other works were wonderful, but this one painting is beyond phenominal!!

I'll post the picture titled "Churning Sea" which is exactly what it looks like. How she planned each stroke that catches the light in such a way that the waves are actually moving while you move.

BRAVO to Karen! You've opened up a new world for me. Who would have thought of only using black and white and the direction of the strokes determines how the light catches it and creates the painting!

Dividing a Life....A Tribute to My Dad...

I write this post after spending four days in a 28 ft. truck with no suspension driving from Tucson to Boulder, Colorado, to Chicago...and then (without me) the truck goes onto Boston.

Our vacation at our cabin was wonderful...we spotted elk,and tons of deer. Ron and Jim chased a porcupine without getting sprayed with needles! We had a wonderful evening in Santa Fe and a day in Taos. We showed Jim and Sheri our friends the biggest sand dunes in this country and they compared it to the biggest ball of twine in the Guinness world book of records which we all had a good belly laugh over. We walked up the mountain in San Louis (the oldest town in Colorado)

going through the stations of the cross (sculpture work that was beautiful) and made it to the top where the white spanish church sits like a glowing white dove of the desert.

Then came the news...My father had passed away. He had bone cancer for over 5 years. He flew A1-e's in Viet Namn covering the guys that sprayed Agent Orange...and at that time little did they know that it caused a lot of problems. That's what you call...dying for your country...

So a little tribute to my dad.......he did do a lot in his life.

He was one of the engineers for the x-15. He was the engineer for the Smart Bomb...he was one of the first set of men picked to go into space....but was cut due to when they granduated from Wright Patterson...(or something). He taught Chuck Yeager his math...because he was going to flunk the course and they asked my dad to tutor him through flight school. He's in the Flight Aviation Hall of Fame...He's rubbed elbows with men that are already written down in history. He was also the first man to fly by wire....he's written up in the book "The Wright Stuff". He was a test pilot at Edwards AFB.

So now both parents are gone....and this is a life process that we will all go through...It's life...

Being born and dying...

So....From Boulder we fly to Tucson...my parents house had two people interested in buying it two days after my father passed so we had to clear the house. I have an image of a painting I have to do...I am compelled to do....When we were dividing the things in the house....if more than one sibling were interested in an item we threw the cards down and picked a card...the person with the highest card won the draw......It so reminded me of when Christ died and the guards threw dice for Christs robe...it was so weird...but I thought of a painting I will do called "Divinding a Life".

Casita in la Sierra

Yes, I know.....I just got back....Life can be stressful....the good lord never promised us a Rose Garden.

My paradise is our cabin in Colorado...so now... that is where I will retreat and recoup.

This is a place where you can hear yourself think, regain some creative juices and chill.

p.s. These are older pictures...my dad is sitting in the main room. He built this cabin hauling large beams up a ladder on his shoulder. This cabin was my mothers dream. And soon they will both be together and we will always have this wonderful place to remember them.

Adios till I'm back.....

Art Quote

+ The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place; from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web. By, Picasso

Last Get together at River East

Gerrie and I went into Chicago early to go to Pearl Art Supply and then do Gallery Row just off of Chicago St. Going in and out of the galleries made me realize that artists seem to jump on band wagons and then before you know it....your getting bored because you are seeing the same kind of work done in every gallery. The galleries I enjoyed most were the ones that carried a variety of work. Now mind you...I enjoy all styles of art if done well. I found most galleries carrying a lot of abstract (which I love if done well), but there was a lot of mediocre work in mostly all abstract.

One of the last few galleries we went in were a treat however. Gallery KH on West Superior carried wonderful abstracts from artist Rick Stevens and another artist that did landscapes in a somewhat contemporary manner. The Director Lissa Kivisto was very friendly which in some galleries is not always the case.

The other gallery and forgive me but the name escapes me..on the same street a little farther down had the most wonderful very, very large charcoal drawing of himself (the artist) being operated on and himself contemplating the death experience. His skill in drawing was superb and the subject matter drew you into the work.

We caught a sandwhich in a small little deli and then proceeded to Gallery RiverEast for the student reception and the open studios of the resident artists there. It was very nice as they had wine stations situated in several locations in the gallery, cheeses and fruit. We got there early...andleft a little early. All the artists with studios down belowe were really very, very nice. We enjoyed talking with them.

Our work (I should say mine) wasn't done, but it was still on view. We heard some positive feed back on the paintings which made us feel good....so we left happy campers!

Still not sure if I should use that apple or paint curtains behind her?? Still thinking on how to finish this painting!!!

$300.00 for New Brushes!

Quick up-date. I took 3rd place at the Illiana show last week. I entered the dog at the table with the duck titled "vegetarian". So now I have $300.00 to buy some sorely needed brushes!!!

I would love to take the Portrait class at River East but I would wind up missing too many classes as I need to fly to Tucson soon to be with my dad for a week ...and then we'd already planned a trip to Colorado to go to our cabin and then a quick trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This Thursday we have open Thursday at the Gallery for students and artists that have studios there. Here's a link to River East. Check it out if you come to Chicago. It's a real awesome place. www.rivereastartcenter.com

Figure Painting

I have been painting all day...trying to get it right and playing around with this. Our model was looking up so I thought...well, let's have fun...so I think I am going to try and paint in an apple hanging down in front of her...The painting was so horizontal by pose so I played around with stripes to break it up... It's slapped on, but I've kept in fairly loose for me...Roroy said no small brushes....(only a few strokes around the face). It's got along way to go, but I'm kinda liking it. I even like it with the drips...but I can't keep it like that. Anyway...it's fun...I'll show when it's all done.

I'm dragging this morning....another exciting class in Chicago. It's a good group of people and Rory the artist in charge is awesome. I've been keeping late night hours all week and it's catching up with me. And tonight it's a White Sox game....so back in Chicago I go. Tomorrow I drive back in to have lunch with my daughter Shannon, her friend Jessica who just moved back from Los Angeles and her beautiful mother from Canada. Do you think I should just LIVE in Chicago????

I'm posting some pictures of class. Next week is our last class and I think I'd like to take the portrait class next as I LOVE faces and people!

The guy with the big smile is Rory. He is an amazing artist. I posted his link earlier in another post. Check it out.

The outdoor pictures are showing you the back side of classes along the river. When we take a break we can walk out and enjoy the scenery. It's beautiful and Chicago has so much energy. I love it!

Squirrel...who was not afraid of anyone....until I got on my stomach to get a real close up...and once I got down to his level.....it freaked him out! Go wonder!#$^&*(

Went to drawing last night despite tornado warnings. Do you think that shows my determination? The model Robin said that if the building were hit, please make sure to put some clothes on her so her dad won't find out she models in the nude. I thought that was amusing!

At the end of the session my fellow artists ask" How'd you do tonight?" and I have to reply that I'm so into drawing that I have to wait awhile (days) to look and figure out if what I did was right or not. Sometimes I know immediately and other times I don't see my mistakes until later...then I go "Oh My Gosh!!!! What was I thinking (or seeing)!!!"

I think the head turning on the body facing forward is off...but can't correct it since I can't see the model. And I think the torso on the one with the back is a little too long...but anyway...it is what it is...

I admire the artists that don't worry about every single line, and even though their drawings don't look like the model they are still very interesting drawings that I like. They seem to have their own style.

Feel free to let me know what you think is off..

Tonight it's class in Chicago. Another late night. We are starting on another painting.

Quote

"In a successful painting everything is integral.. all the parts belong to the whole. If you remove an aspect or element you are removing its wholeness." ~ Richard Diebenkorn

Final painting-done and framed-something for fun!

I forgot to post this picture I just entered into a local show. . It's done.

I figure if I don't sell it my son's will wind up getting dog pictures for Christmas!

Mixed media on cold pressed paper.

water color-pencil-acrylic-etc.

Show me your messed up Paintings!

I would just love, just love to see others messed up/didn't turn out paintings! I want to see their mistakes so I can feel better. I want to know they were where I am now.

So what's wrong showing your imperfect self? Don't you wish you could see the Masters paintings that were horrible when they just started out? I do.

It's like the hand blown lamp that you buy that reads "All the imperfections in the hand made item add to the distinctiveness of the item". All the imperfections in our art and our life add up to a sum that equals perfection.

Who says everything we do has to be perfect? It's NOT!

Well, painted some more on the figure at class last night. I was having a hard time getting the paint to blend and go on. I tried the Alkyd medium which was like honey. Not sure it works for me. It didn't seem to allow the paint to flow...however I may not have been using it right.

Got home last night at 11pm, got up at 6a.m. and Gerrie and I went to the park around the house. We were inspired by some of the blogs we like such as "Daily Painters", so we thought we would give it a try...so off we went this a.m. I found a spot and roasted in the sun.. We gave ourselves an hour for the painting...I had an appointment which cut our time short.

This is only the 2nd time in my life I've tried Plein Air. I hope to try it again and keep on learning. I did take a photo of the spot so I could finish it in the studio.

In case you can't tell what it is...Its holly hocks or some type of flowers by the edge of a pond/little lake with trees on the other side.

Moving forward

Went to drawing last night at the Art Barn till 9pm. They start out with 1 minuet poses then work to 10 minuet poses, 15 and then one 55 minuet pose. This was done on a 15 minuet pose. I am just perplexed at how people can get a whole drawing in 15 minuets. Somehow I was lucky I was able to get this whole figure in. The other poses weren't so lucky. I was so use to working with photos that don't move and I don't have a timer going.

I don't know if it's just me...but its like working out at the gym doing these drawings. I have "in the ZONE" days and out of the ZONE days. Last night I was "out of the Zone". Gerrie my side kick said it was because there was so much light on the model it was like drawing a silhouette. Her drawings were finished pieces of art. She uses a lot of colored pastel to draw the model. They were absolutely beautiful. Wished I could post one of her drawings for you. I'll have to ask her.

The painting of the sail boat is a commission from my brother and sister in law in Boulder. It's done after the artist Sally Caldwell Fisher. I changed the number of boats and the colors and the houses in the back. They found the image on a birthday card and loved it. I will of course put her name by me. I still have tweaking to do before it's done.

That's all I've been up to. Getting ready to start on a new project.

River East Classes

O.k...I bear all my faults and soul. Here are a few drawings from class...they are never completed and usually off...but hey...I'm trying. I'm use to using photo's and it's been YEARS since I worked with a model... The painting....We have to work on next week. Last week we drew it on canvas and the started painting. What I think will be intersting is how is she going to be in the exact spot so I can finish it???? Mybe that's why I liked photos. Half the time while I'm drawing they fall asleep and the neck and arms move...frustration galore....

It's coming along...however so far there has been no real information...everyone just comes and draws and paints...so hopefully I'll get some pointers that are new. I like the instructor..his work is awesome...just need more info...and of course I'm like the little kid in the class room always calling on the teacher...I guess I can be obnoxious at times.

It's 11pm at night by the time we get home, so I'm glad I have my talented friend Gerrie with me. Gerrie already has her work in Museums and is published in a book...not sure she really needed the class but she's looking to stretch and learn like all of us.

Roy Coynes Art Classes

Started my classes last night with friend and fellow artist Gerrie Govert. We got there early and had a salad and sandwich at my favorite store called Fox and Obel. It's a high end small city grocery store with a deli. We got there early to figure out the parking and had a quick bite and then walk along the galleries at River East.

Our instructor is Roy Coyne.. His work is very edgy and good. My friend Gerrie who is already very, very accomplished received praises from instructor and students alike for her drawings. ( Not sure s

he really needed this class, but it's only the first class.)

I found out Roy went to school at the University of New Mexico. I use to live in Albuquerque so was excited to hear this as I loved Albuquerque.

Click on his name or the paragraphs above to see his work.

Quote

"Great art is art that strips you of words, and then allows you to find the new words to describe that experience." ~ Eric Fishl (1948-)

Home Again, Home Again!!!

Back once again! We traveled to Richmond, Virginia to see our good friends, then onto Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.. We took several trips to the museums and of course I had to take some pictures (it was permissible). Always enjoying forms all around me. I LOVED the contemporary galleries very much.


I'm posting the picture of me standing next to a Joan Miro. This painting I had not seen before. It must have been done as the artist was evolving. I was in intrigued.

I handed over my logo job and declared that I am an artist not a graphic designer. I started out with drawings, but cannot adjust things on all the programs I was attempting to

down-load. So now I can get on with the business of ART. Tomorrow I start a class in Chicago at the River East Center on figure painting from life. I haven't touched my oils in a year. So now with some old large tubes of 6.75 oz which weigh a ton because I don't want to buy new tubes I go on! I have been spoiled by acrylics. So I know I will be intimidated but I have never been afraid of a challenge. A kite only rises against the wind NOT with it!!!

Last note....we went to the Capital Steps in the Ronald Reagan Building...and for those who get to Washington and haven't seen it yet...."Go!" It was great! It made fun of both parties...it was a good laugh!!

Does anyone out there know of a good graphic design program that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I bought a cheap program called Logo Design Pro Studio by MacWare which is useless. I've had more problems with it. someone told me about a free download called Inkscape which scares me since it's free. I have a Mac which means I don't get hardly any viruses, but it's still a possibility. If I can finish these last two projects I can move on.

We went to Kansas City for the 4th for 5 days to visit an old college buddy and his wife which happens to be our financial planner as well. I had time to visit the Nielsen- Atkins Museum which was beautiful! Kansas surprised me. The downtown looked like Rodeo Drive. Beautiful architecture which I thought odd for Kansas. Spanish-kinda European-middle eastern influences.

I spent some time in their Barnes and Nobles ( which I love doing) and was amazed at the volume of books they had in the Art section. It was awesome! I found a book that inspired me. I want to finish these projects so I can be creative again. The books called "Rethinking Acrylic" by Patti Brady. She shows a lot of great techniques to make your paintings look Encaustic when their not..or to make it look like glass, etc, etc. and all the layer and depth you can achieve.

I used oils for years, but I have found that with all the new mediums acrylics are easier and just as forgiving and less toxic and not such a mess to clean up.

Well, best get something done. The picture is one I did about 10 years ago in oils.

Turning another page...

It's Monday. A day to start digging in again. Friday I delivered my three canvases for the commission job in Schererville...so now I turn another page and start on another commission piece. The client had already an idea of what she wanted with colors and all which made it much easier. I really enjoyed doing that last piece, and the client was just as nice as anyone could be. It was a pleasure.

I have so many loose ends I need to tie. I have to, because I still have all these ideas in my brain that I want to execute!

I feel so blessed that I love what I do and that it is such a part of me. My art, I could do anywhere and at any time. For those that have no driving force in their life or interests; I just can't imagine.

Need to run so I can start on those loose ends!

Quote of the Day

"With me, it's much more a matter of just accepting whatever happens, accepting all these elements from the outside and then trying to work with them in a sort of free collaboration. That's what makes painting an adventure, which is what it is for me."
~ Robert Rauschenberg
(1925-2008)

This painting I did quite awhile back. It actually hung in the governors residence for awhile and I won an award with it.

It's called "Robs Birthday". This is my younger son when he was in high school. The billiard balls show his birthday with the eight ball and the blue two ball representing his birth-year of 1982...etc.etc.

Bamboo tablet and Corel X program

I wanted to mention that for Mothers Day I was given the Corel X and the Wacom Bamboo Tablet and am going crazy wanting to just spend days (if I could) just playing with the program. It is AWESOME!!! Yes, I'm sure most of you have had this for quite some time but it's new for me and the program starting out can be frustrating...but I am determined and love it.

Not just for digital art, but I can do sketches on the program and play with colors to see about possible paintings, etc. You can do pastel, oils, acrylics, etc, etc, with a variety of brushes and tools. It's cool!!!

I still know virtually nothing about the program but did do one project with a photograph which didn't consist of the fun painting process I hope to get into.

The photo above is Andrew Jones, a Corel Painter Master...the self portrait he did is done with the Corel Painter program.

OLD TOWN ARTS FAIR

My most favorite art fair in Chicago is the Old Town Art Fair and this year not even the rain kept us from our yearly visual stimulation. When we arrived, there were very few people due to the rain which was wonderful...but then the sun came out and so did the people. I over heard one of the artist state that he felt that people were walking around looking as though they were walking through a zoo. I could imagine it would seem that way. We went through the whole show and then walked down Wells Street to the "Adobe" Mexican restaurant that we love for a beer and appetizers. I bought some earrings that were "Fun" and it was a good day!

Across the street was the yearly Wells Festival but it doesn't have as many nationally known artists as the Old Town Art Fair has. Anyway...Saturday was hopping in Chicago! (and my feet held out reasonably well!!)

Some of my favorite things at the show were pastel drawings by Jody DePew McLeane from Eagle River, Wisconsin; dolls of porcelain by Cathy Rose of Orlando, Fl.,paintings by Christine Brenner of Halifax, Vermont, little songbirds made from wood and antique jewelry by Jim and Tori Mullan of Pompano Beach, Fl. and saw an interesting technique by Suzy Scarborough of Columbia, SC.. I've posted their calling cards.

Art Quotes

From the living fountain of instinct flows everything that is
creative; hence the unconscious is not merely conditioned by
history, but is the very source of the creative impulse.
::: Carl Jung :::

I'm still working on this commissioned piece. I'll post a picture when I'm done.

Not much new.  I'm going to figure drawing with Gerri my friend tonight.  I've missed going.  This will be my first time back since surgery.

I've signed up for a figure painting class in Chicago at the River East.  I look forward to that as well. It runs from July 29 through all of August.

Lots of positive things happening my way!

The picture is from St. Lucia...we were there awhile back.  It's a beautiful place!  I have to post a picture..because I'm so visual that I can't read an enjoy unless I have something new to look at.   Enjoy!

QUOTE of the Day

"And it began to dawn on me that all these men were very stubbornly looking at the world their own way and that fancy word style had to do with a strong-minded guy deciding this is how he wanted to look at the world."
~ George Segal
(1924-2000)

A house I liked in Amsterdam...

What's Up???

Some may think I dropped off the planet...or just disappeared...well neither. I am just now able to walk around without crutches and will be able to stand long enough to start working again...Thank the Lord as I am so incredibly thirsty for some creative endeavor!!!

I actually have several assignments right out the gate. I have been commissioned to do 3- 30x40 canvases for an Interior Designer AND a logo for a company called "Milk Money". The company handles the software that allows Universities to give credit to the students for spending on necessities. I know I didn't explain that quite right. I actually did the drawings awhile back but now they are ready to "GO" with it. Now I will have to refine what I had done which will be challenging since I have a different computer and the images didn't transfer over, but I think I can handle it.

We've also had lot's of company, but now I have to get SERIOUS!

My brother in Boston is starting up his own company and also is in need of a logo. His company will be IQ Associates and the company will perform Information Quality assurance testing and validation for corporate data warehouses, business intelligence and predictive model validation.

And, I have a canvas for my brother in Boulder that needs to be done. On some much needed downtime I hope to start another small painting of the woman sitting at the Chicago Jazz fest with a flowery hat sitting on her suitcases under her pink parasol. Doesn't sound interesting, but I love the color and how odd to see this older woman sitting on her suitcases in the the middle of a jazz fest!!!

The one picture is of Ron's sister Cheri, my daughter Shannon, me in the wheel chair and Makenzie at the Art Institutes. We tried to go to the new Modern Wing, but it was way too crowded so wound up in the main section instead.
The other photo is of a new vase I bought in an Antique Store in Michigan that was made in Italy. I have this old piano shawl and was trying to come up with a still life study to work on. I have always loved the colors in this photo!
Shannon is the one with short hair, then Cheri Ron's sister from Maryland.....

Quote of the Day

Just for laughs I put the picture of my grandaughter in...How can you NOT smile at this.  It's soooo funny!  Enjoy your week-end. Today I am going into  Chicago to see the new  Modern Wing at the ARt Institute and will bring the camera along for my next post.

"Things are not difficult to make; what is difficult is putting ourselves in the state of mind to make them." 
~ Constantin Brancusi 
(1879-1957) 

Releasing Emotions in my Art

I am an intense person.  This I know.

I painted this after my mother had passed away.  I was with her a lot while she was on her journey to the other side and we shared a lot.

We talked about visions she would have of people who would walk into her room...people only she could see.  Some of these people she knew who had passed away and others she did not know. 

The writing around the painting are conversations we had.

While in Hospice mom would see this tall man walking a dog.  I told the nurses about it and the nurses were familiar with this.  They said that a lot of  people there would see the dog...and if the dog was white it meant that they were ready to pass onto the other side....So I asked mom what color was the dog?  She said a sandy color...which meant she wasn't ready yet.  And she wasn't because she left the Hospice center later to return. My mother was supposed to die 3-4 times before she actually did.  She had a remarkable strong spirit.  I used red on the blanket to signify her passion..She's boldly looking at the viewer and facing her challenge...the turquoise ring she always wore for luck...and she's holding on.

Doing this piece  helped me release the intensity of the experience for me. 

This is a piece that will remain in my basement, but at the time was something I needed to do.

What do you do with something like this...??????  

Art Therapy...Brute I think it's called....

Thank heaven I haven't had a need to do another piece for a release!!!!

Does anyone else have any similar experiences?

I'm hoping for a walking cast this Thursday..then I can start painting again!

P.s.

The dove was spirit...being released by gods hand which is bigger than us....A stronger presence..My mother also loved the song that went something like "God sends his pure sweet love on the wings of a snow white dove".

A VIEW FROM A ROOM

The view from my room whiling laying in bed and trying to stay off my foot. 

The dresser is totally wrong...the left is  off...but after I was almost done with the drawers on the left, I decided I didn't want to erase and start over...so, it is what it is.

"I have wanted to do Art all my life. I have an incredibly busy life. I am hoping for solace. Art provides that to me. " 
Ali Y., Vancouver, BC 

Here is yet another quote I can relate to!

My first post after surgery.  To all my friends who sent cards and flowers and goodies....thank you very much!!!

Staying in bed for a week and a half...two by the time I get my cast on...can get pretty tough in itself!  Thursday I go to get a permanent cast on and then I still have to be off the foot for a month and a half...but at least I can use crutches to get to the computer as long as I keep the foot up.  I am going through art withdrawls so today I plan to do a sketch while sitting in bed and use it as a post tomorrow.  I MUST do something!!!

One nice thing about laying around it gives you time to think about things.  So I am playing with the idea of (thinking of the mural) putting a large space on her tummy where you can see the universe...as though she is a part of the cosmos. I've decided that I do not like the flowers.  Sheri found some sayings in a catalogue that I really liked and think I will work them into her hair and behind her by her feet.

"Courage, strength and hope possess my soul...I will stand firmly and without fear". by Goethe

and

"To the illuminated mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light" by Emerson

Having my good friend here who is also very creative (is a writer/author) inspires my thoughts.

Well, best go...now that I am recovering I hope to be able to get closer to normal and do more posts, etc.  I am NOT a numbers person...but I have gotten pretty good at Saduko.  

The picture I posted is a picture from a famous church I think..St. Catherines ? but not sure if I'm remembering it correctly...I'm not good at remembering names...but anyway as we were walking to the top of the church bell tower from the outside on these tiny steps we passed several connected towers that were blocked off..this one was but I thought it interesting..so this is my shot of what I thought was an artistic view....

I finally figured out how to upload on a Mac.  So now I have pictures.

The pictures have stories..but to make it short..the one with the building (Duomo-not sure if I spelled that right)..but we went out to eat in Lucca, Italy.  We came back to the apartment, got our bikes and a bottle of wine with our cameras and sat in the town square drinking wine and smoking.  I felt like a kid.  I don't smoke.  So it was more exciting to be something I shouldn't have!  Jim took this awesome picture of the Duomo (church) and to me it's a poem.   The other picture is Sheri and I being like kids again!
The other is a  sculpture in Carrera, Italy.  I probably spelled that wrong too.  It's where the marble comes from.  We ran into this gentleman which was a character that had a big studio doing sculptures.  He was working on some sculptures for an artist in NYC!

The last one was a young girl playing the flute just in back of the Louve in Paris.  It was like magic!

I guess I'm recalling some fun times since I'm going under the knife soon.  I'd best leave this post alone and get some things done!

Well the days are closing in on me.  I wanted to do a new post but my other computer crashed due to no memory left...it was only 7 years old.  I bought an I-Mac and am constantly needing to learn how to do the things that had become second nature to me on a PC.  But I keep telling myself that it's good for the brain to learn something new and I definetly am not afraid of challenges. The only problem is Thursday evening is my last day before I'm down for the count, so I won't be able to do what I want with this post. I'm still in the crawling to learn stage!  Uploading a photo is proving to be a challenge- so ,no visuals.

See you all when I literally "Get back on my feet!"

Another Old Painting back on the drawing board!

Yes, I am still working on my mural. But I felt the need to unload some old things I never was happy with Taos Roses. I started painting these roses as it was sentimental. My mother was still alive and we had made a trip to our cabin in Colorado. We then drove to Taos, New Mexico and stayed at the Fechin Inn. Yes, the artist Nikolai Fechin and these roses were on a wall in front. My mother LOVED the Fechin Inn!

The composition is awkward I admit. I am thinking about
putting a rose bud just opening at the bottom. You can see where I put one in slightly with colored chalk to get an idea of how it might look.

The drawing is a 30 minuet sketch from our drawing session. Yes, I know...it's out of proportion in a lot of different areas. At the time I'm drawing I try and connect the dots and make sure the arm is falling where the chin has stopped, etc, etc, and the over all weight of things...I get so caught up in detail I over look the drawing as a whole and this is what happens. I know I need some help. I need more time to draw. I'm a slow drawer. I have to have time to walk away for awhile and see a fresh perspective and see my flaws in the drawing. You don't get that opportunity when your drawing from a live model.

Bill, I have a lot of courage to post this especially after looking at yours and Lisa's awesome work! But I have no pride. I am still on a journey and I don't care if it takes me another 20 years to get there. I will eventually get there.

I have saved a newspaper clipping from Memphis that talked of a woman in her 80's that had her first show. I have saved that as inspiration in that if I'm in my 80's and reach my goal I'll die a happy woman!

I'm Back from Little Cayman!

Well, I was actually able to dive. Our good friend rigged up a sock with padding to put in my fin and it worked perfect! The diving was nice. The highlight was a swim through that came out at 104 feet.
My son Rob got certified and had a blast! It was a little too cool for me and I wore a jacket half the time. It was nice being in the sun again. This island was so small that we flew in on a twin engine plane on an airstrip that was as big as a single road. The airport was as small as my guest room and it was the Fire Dept./Post Office and Air Port terminal!
The only thing you could do on this island was dive and drink.
The deteriorated conch shell reminded me of the bones of cattle out in the desert that Georgia O'Keefe painted...so this was my interpretation Caribbean style.

Here are some works by my friend Gerri Govert...she works in all mediums but mostly I think pastels.

I love the strokes in the picture of the gentleman with the beard.