Tag: art

Boo Radley lives across the street.

 

It’s that time of the year. When my daughter who will stand at the corner of the lot peering across the street for long periods of time according to my watch shivering and whispering to her little brother who  follows her around faithfully. It reminds me every time of the book To Kill a Mockingbird you know the part where Scout and Jem would wait to see if Boo Radley would come out of the house. Not that this house looked run down, overgrown or there were any rumors circulating about the neighbors that I care to mention, but instead the haunting decorum of Halloween that they displayed in their front yard religiously ever year antagonizing my daughter as she looks to see and not see at the same time. At night it only got brighter as she peaks through the curtains. I’m sure the neighbors were amused and look forward to her curiosity every year.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was a coming-of-age novel told from the point of view of an adult looking back at her childhood something I keep wanting to do myself.  Scout was 9 years old an age I remember very well and she was, as the saying goes, ‘wise beyond her years’. Another familiar line ‘Roaming freely all day, coming home only for meals or the bathroom.’ An era we will only remember as a child and never repeat.

 

Taking photo 101 is not the same

Photo by almostfinnish

I take a lot of pictures. It’s a habit I learned not on my own. I have two sisters that insisted I take photo 101 in high school probably because they thought it was an easy credit and all you had to do was show up and then leave to go take pictures as they would laugh ‘skip class’. So it was my sibling duty to follow in their foot steps. I intern took this very seriously in learning to break open your roll of film quickly, transferring it onto a reel and then into a case of solution while being in complete darkness hoping that no one comes in and turns on the lights by mistake. More importantly the challenge was at developing a good image in the dark room under some faint light while being all consumed with these vinegar smells that filled the air and trays. You needed to know by smell which one was which because when adding more solution in the dark your sense of smell was more important than your sence of sight. There was a beginning and an end and you can not mix them up.

So once I was set up and ready I was in no hurry to go and could be there for hours. Each attempt was earnestly made a little lighter here darker there and even the pictures that didn’t turn out had some intrinsic value. I regret I don’t have them now tangible and in hand but in memory I see them a building, a pier, people I knew and pets we had. Black and white, some grainy but all from an adolescents point of view.

Now I take pictures download them into adobe where they show up in a matter of minutes. I enhance them in a matter of seconds and then upload them to another site and have them available for viewing. The images are very nice. Digital has not lessened the image. They are sharper and clearer and more dynamic than ever.

I value what I have learned and have a better appreciation for the camera and photography over all. I look forward to what the future brings.

Summer meant lazy days of sleeping in, sun tanned from head to foot and dirty feet.

Photo by almostfinnishWe had some really amazing days here. The temperatures reached up into the near 80’s and there was a warm zephyr that blew our hairs around in delight. And then there’s this smell of the earth rejuvenating you know that wet mosey damp soil smell that always wisps past us for that first time in a matter of seconds. For me it’s a nostalgic smell, a reminiscent smell, and a smell that keeps bringing me back to my youth. Most of my greatest memories are collected within a smell like the smell of lemons, gas cans, musty old basements, an old paperback book, foggy nights and with that hint of alewife in the air.

So I have been thinking about telling my story as I remember it. It’s about a place and time. There are no antagonists and no sidewalks. Although we battle nature and growing up. Some periphiral characters seem to come to light as we tell the stories amongst ourselves.

More importantly, along with writing, I’ve started a series of paintings originating and departing from some photographs taken during my recent return to the old farmhouse, duck pen, silo, and the trees we sit under or swing from.

As a child, I would lay in bed at night and a warm breeze would blow into the room and the shear curtains would slowly rise and fall. The lights outside would sometimes reflect on the curtains making them more white than ever. I would lay there wide awake, observant and listening to the quietness, maybe a cricket, a whippoorwill, a frog on occasion but my thoughts made me distant to all.  As my mind wandered an old familiar smell passed in front of me it was always sudden and it was always a surprise. Spring was here I wanted to remember this smell and this moment forever. It also brought on a longing as I remembered the anticipation and the excitement that was to come not only was it spring but that school too would soon be over.

When school was out it meant summer was about to begin.  Summer meant lazy days of sleeping in late, being sun tanned from head to foot and bare feet. Summer meant ice cream, watermelon and that smell of fresh cut grass. We would go to town occasionally for a trip but mostly it was long filled days of exploring through the woods and dragging along a red wagon, a coffee can or a butterfly net. We spontaneously created and built these things beyond our imaginations and never to be seen. Our life was of great adventure and our minds full of wonder and possibilites.

Nude figure drawings on display.

photo by almostfinnish

It was a busy week. I have been working on my website.

My website has become more than just a place to show my art work but hopefully more of a place where people and galleries and potential customers can stop in see my work and visit the studio while here. I am adding a lot of new images, pages and trying to organize it so it makes more sense it has been constantly evolving and changing through trial and error.  

Framing my art work has been the undeterred thought this week. Frames are something that I already have but wanted to alter and enhance so I can present my work in a more finished format.  My thought earlier in a blog was a stainless steel looking frame I love that look. So I picked up three different color versions and tried them all out on samples of wood. After deciding on one I went ahead and painted a frame. You know it just did not have that pizazz that I was hoping for so I tried the frame out on an earlier series that I did and it seemed to work out better. I only wish I had thought of this during that show. Live and learn. So I went ahead and painted all these frames silver and will take plan a photo shot soon and will add to my site. Getting back to my series at hand although silver came in second gold won over all. So I went and painted all the frames gold like I had originally started and I’ll tell you it did make a big difference and a better picture over all check it out for yourself and tell me what you think at my website.          http//www.cedarlodgeportraitstudio.com.  

I was determined this week to sign and take photographs of all my old figure drawings that I have hanging up around the studio or just stored in the basement. I have such a problem with signing my work if I died tomorrow I would leave no painting legacy. Just sign the damn things and be done with it. Signing them means that there finished, complete or at least resolved. Some of the drawings are deteriorating but there still very nice. I have great respect whenever I see homes that have figure drawings on display somewhere within the rooms.

My goal is to get my art work out of my studio and on display in galleries, coffee shops, martini bars, libraries and more avenues on the internet. There are a lot of spaces available and that are free. I regret that a lot of places take advantage of artists and charge them for displaying their work but that’s a blog for another day.

Reminds me of The Scream by Edvard Munch.

The red dress…This is a painting that I did some time ago and it still remains to be my favorite.

It was during a transition time for me when my life took a different direction. More importantlyI started painting. 

this painting remains a bit of a mystery. A moment in time.

This is a small 11″ x 14″ expressionistic acrylic painting. It is loosely executed.  This might look like a sad painting but it’s meant to be courageous. For sale $350.00.

Visit my website at http//cedarlodgeportraitstudio.com

I am a big fan of Malcolm T. Liepke.

I am working on getting some good camera shots of my art work. I try and try but a photograph never captures everything that’s in a painting. So I’m trying to think outside the box by doing combination shots of my art work, art in public spaces and reflective color to enhance the colors that be. My goal only to portray my art work in its truest form.  Not watered down or over exposed but just as it is seen under the most complimenting light ever. You know how when were out and about and there is this ambient light giving everyone a youthful glow that’s the light. Ambient light can be found  in the mid morning and late afternoon a notable fact that was brought to my attention and works out wonderful when taking photos outdoors.

 So while I’m doing this I am also thinking about framing. In the past I have been encouraged to go wider in my frames a minimum of at least 2.5”. I am also interested in spray painting my frames either gold and or a stainless steel  look which is very much the trend. I love stainless steel I’d do my whole kitchen like that if I could well not my kitchen because I don’t cook but I hang out and try to pay attention and open the wine if the meal calls for it.

 I am a big fan of Malcolm T. Liepke and I came across an artist of interest on twitter which brought me to facebook where I also found Malcolm and some of his art works ‘framed art works a must see.’ I added the link but I think you have to be a friend to see. http://www.facebook.com/#!/Arcadiagallery          

Seeing his work is a pleasure but seeing them framed as such was even more inspiring. This is exactly what I’ve been trying to do for some time now. Usually no matter how much I prepare for a show framing is like the last thought and something I do the night before the show. So I’m trying not to repeat history.

The digital world is it exciting or intimating?

I struggle as an artist almost a needless struggle.

I don’t know, do I set my goals too high? (no).

 I have a hard time finishing a painting (maybe)

 I’m not computer savvy enough to just jump into some things that I want to start (unfortunately yes).

Not confident enough to just start the camera and make my own artist video without direction (not going to happen).

I think I spend a lot of my time and my life pulling back on the reins. When I’m scared it makes sense but when I’m not it’s just frustrating.

My ex said something to me once that I will always remember   “I never say no anymore because that just fuels your fire and makes you more determined to do it.”

My question was why would he not want me to do it?

I took a break from painting last week and worked on my website.

I finally found that Chicago gallery that I was interested in and am trying to decide my presentation as I make a slide show. There is so much to take into consideration this is my elevator speech which I write over and over again in my head.

In the past I have walked in with my art work or made an appointment and then walked in with my art work but now the world of digital is hitting closer to home.

Is it exciting? yes and intimidating? definitely.

I love my digital camera!  Although I have not said goodbye to my rebel 35mm camera yet nothing compares to digital. I can delete the bad ones. I am almost guaranteed at least one good picture and if not with some inexpensive software I can crop, enhance and re-size in an instant. I can browse, upload and tag my images.

It’s been a big year for me. I understand the computer better, the Internet and photo-shop. Although I was given a needed push. Which is the secret to ones success.

Next stop the windy city.

Almostfinnish now has a painting on display at the Last Drop of Coffee. A nice spacious high ceiling on the corner coffee spot in the most perfect part of town.  Parking available bring laptop. So I have art work in two establishments now and I am eyeing a third but today is Monday and nothing is open around here on Mondays it’s a weird concept I just go along with it.

 I was looking into Chicago galleries and found one that was looking for artists. I thought I’d start there before making a lot of phone calls. I have been interested in showing in Chicago for some time.  The windy city is not too far from here and I’ve been there several times on the train and was designated driver twice so I kind of know my way around in case I get lost like they say what the difference between being lost and exploring.

I learned that from my sister Julie together we have been lost more times than not, had car problems in the middle of nowhere, keys locked in the car at least twice not to mention running out of gas and leaving the lights on returning to a dead battery. I always thought I was being tested for something but what? One time we spontaneous took a trip to Minneapolis to see our new niece and a storm hit Wisconsin on the way up and even though there were semi trucks in the ditch she got us there in one piece. I always wished I was more like her you know carefree until I was sitting shot gun.

Tomorrow I Paint.

I penciled myself in for the morning.

Well it was Monday when I started this blog. Spring is in the air and the snow and ice is dripping off roofs. We don’t have as much snow as they do out east but we have our share and proud of it but cabin fever is kicking in and so is spring cleaning.

I entered that contest called 3rd Ward submitted three images and artist statement. Looking at the previous artists and works NY is not looking for Midwest art so I’m thinking that my work is off the wall enough for one to consider. Saving my conservative pieces for around here.

I found another coffee shop looking for an artist and works and has a wall space open with my name on it. I need to get there sometime before 10:00 or after 3:00 and it sounded like a simple task at first. I am planning to go tomorrow Thursday between preschool and afternoon conferences. There’s no storybook theatre scheduled and my husband doesn’t have an appointment until later so I penciled myself in for the morning.  And this pretty much is how my story goes.

I’ve been working on finishing some of my still life’s. The picture I intentionally distorted for fun while photographing is 28″ x 38″ oil painting. I like incorporating wine bottles in my still life’s a cliche yeah but it never bores me to see. Although the still life is long gone now I am trying to finish it from a photograph. I think Cezanne when I look at it because he was always a favorite of mine. I am enjoying the monumental size and color combination I chose. When I finish I may have a chance to show it at a local winery here called Wine Cellars. I am always looking to see where my next painting can go and my studio is no longer a choice. 

At the last minute here I entered in The artist’s Magazine there 27Th annual art competition. I had this one in the back of my mind and just came across it by luck. I don’t normally do these competition but I thought I would try some out this year and just see what happens. I have a really good feeling. Wish me luck!

I love the smell of turpentine as it lingers in my studio.

I rummaged through some old paintings today. I get inspiration when I see these works how there so fresh, new, and spontaneous. I see the freedom that came with painting what ever was presented right there in front of us. We did the best that we could or knew at the time. The art instructor would walk around looking like Wyatt Earp helping us to paint, to see and understand when areas were working or not. The thick smell of  turpentine and oil paint saturated the room instilling a memory forever.