Tag: painting

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.

I was painting my Scruples?

                                                                                                    

I framed this piece today I’m trying to decide if the gold goes with this odd color combination…or not?

After a time of taking a lot of photographs for my series ‘Behind the Curtain’ and other photo’s of interest that went into a different direction. I began to paint some small acrylic paintings using some of the photo’s as a reference and inspiration. This is one. This was my cat named Scruples who was my faithful companion for over ten years. She was named after the book by Judith Krantz. She was a one person cat but when my daughter was born her maternal instincts kicked in too so she was always there and very concerned until she started crawling of course. So it is nice to have these photos and paintings although she is gone now cat heaven we say.

I keep leaning toward the abstraction. I want it complicated enough and simple enough so it catches the curiosity and brings the viewer closer. Abstraction is harder than I ever thought it to be. So I do a combination of both abstraction as we see things and how we might think we see things. Art and the creative process what’s your process?

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.

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.                                                                                       

Brice Marden respectfully copied.

Brice Marden the artist did a pose like this for an ART news magazine.  Having great respect for him I tried to reposed this picture using myself as the artist. This is a tribute to him and all that he did to the art world and to artists that followed.”Working on these paintings, there’s always an idea which is an ideal. It’s always impossible… But I think every time, maybe, I just get closer to some impossible thing… ”   Brice Marden

Brice Marden was a Minimalist painter. He worked with these amazing color combinations. The first series that caught my attention was the  “Annunciation” series in 1978.  Five paintings where the artist tried to interpret the various stages of the virgin Mary response to the archangel Gabriel. Then there were the paintings that followed using the tau cross as a motif that emphasized the suffering, agony and death of Christ. The paintings were done with a mixture of beeswax and oil. He worked with two three and then four single color panels joined vertically or horizontally together and he would create these subtle color combinations using greens, blues, reds,and blacks. I was lucky to see him talk at The Milwaukee Art Museum during the late 90’s while I was attending school.

Picasso sucks!

I laugh every time as I remember that line from the Jackson POLLOCK movie “Picasso sucks!” I was so surprised that someone would have the audacity to say that about Picasso.

Pollock overturned tables of tradition and old ideas with his drip paintings and he opened the possibility of freshness.

It’s noteworthy that one of Pollock  paintings No. 5, 1948 was auctioned off at record sales of 140m more than any Picasso or Van Gogh.

http://www.karemar.com/blog/top-ten-10-most-expensive-paintings-all-time-w-pics

” The strangeness will wear off and I think we will discover the deeper meanings in modern art. “Jackson Pollock

My question is:  Was his self destructive nature necessary? Did it add to the creative process and validity of  his art work????  

“In the world of modern art is sadness a given.” 

Preparations for an artist video or an I spy game.

My goal today was to organize my studio and add elements that I love to see but only enjoy in magazines. Why because I’m working on a artist video of my art, the process I go through and what I am really about as an artist. The first time around was not successful and the background was lacking in interest or I should say my art work but never giving up and thanks to a promising film maker it’s being scheduled for shooting once again.

So first I had to get everything off the floor because I know that takes away your energy and it has been weighing heavy on my mind. I organize the books in the bookcases. I have  many books some half read, most are art books, and some are just brilliant. They are encased in a three tiered mission style bookcase and was custom made by my husband. I remember asking for a bookcase and after a month of hardly seeing him he came up with this monstrosity as it sits and divides my studio from another room designed and usable from both sides. Not one for things and trinkets but I like those things that are useful, practical and have an artistic curiosity about them.  I have this wine bottle holder on the very top to the left and across from it to the right is a pear holder with a similar style and thought in mind. In between sits a tan world globe. Below all this is a Whistler portrait and another artist named Gentileschi. There are many shelves to display things everything is carefully selected. From a miniature tripod, to a tee ball award, to unique coasters, a staple gun, to business cards and  little sculptures that were hand made by our little artists, enchanted boxes, marbled paper weights and lastly camera  lenses, parts and old antique picture frames and pictures.

I have many notebooks and notes to go through. I cross off  lists as I go along. I have accomplished many things as far as lists go. As I sort I realize I don’t  have a lot of things. I have a basket full of misc. items and a pile of misc papers to read and some Cd’s and last I have a computer bag with important papers and letters that is stashed on the side.

The biggest clutter here in my studio are my paintings so I have to removed many and bring them downstairs to my other studio in the basement along with misc. frames which I like to collect. I bring up two big paintings by request one I hang up right away in my studio the other I have sitting sideways with “new painting” written all over it. It’s 40″ x 56″ and I know exactly what I want to do with it but am still working out the bible story in my head.  I transfer  two large paintings from my studio to the TV room which is still in seeing distance from here and am surprised at how it adds to the dynamics of the room. I put some prints I have behind glass and are now displaying them. My favorite is a George Bellows from ‘The Eight’ . Granny’s painting is still on the easel and still in process. A lesser known is on the other easel. A mission style chair holds my mirror when I work. and there is a red cart for all my art supplies. The cart hold my palettes and many vases of brushes. I have a paint box full of oil paints yet I am waiting and in need of more umber.

I still need to vacuum, clean my palettes and my dreaded paint brushes. As I look around I am not sure if I’m preparing the room for a video or an I Spy game.