I'm Not Complaining But...

Sun Serpent  9 x 12 Acrylic

The last of the Solstice Series, completed in December 2010

Seemed appropriate for a dreary winters day

I've been sequestered to the bedroom all day since Chris (my husband), has commandeered the t.v. in the living room because it was the Bears vs. the Packers.... and the Steelers vs somebody else in order to determine who goes to the all important super bowl.  I actually did wander into the studio a couple of times and looked at the paintings that I have in progress, and then I decided maybe I should go do something more productive like review the latest real estate statistics.  But somehow I ultimately ended up in the bedroom reading my Kindle and dozing through yet another episode of Iron Chef.  I did force myself to go downstairs around 6:00 and whipped up a big pot of soup for dinner, so I felt somewhat productive, but overall its been a very good lazy day.  Tomorrow is Monday and I have a busy busy week.  I've got things going on at the office just about every day this week and I need to finish a couple of paintings because there are a couple of shows I want to submit entries to.  So, I feel this lazy day was totally justified  in order to recharge the old batteries for the busy week ahead.  And just for the record, it looks like its going to be the Packers vs the Steelers for the Big Game!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Snow Flakes

Okay, so maybe its not Northeast kind of cold, but for here in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, its pretty darn cold!  Yesterday's high didn't get out of the 30's but by the weekend we'll be back in the 60's!  Nonetheless, I love the cold weather, I love the gray dreary days, and it makes me sad to think that in the very near future it will be 105 degrees again.  So in the meantime I'm trying not to think about that and I decided to create my own reality... I made it snow!

Good for the Soul!

Sun Worship 9 x 12 Acrylic
Part of the Solstice Series

There is nothing like a cold winter's day to make me want to sit on the couch bundled up in my snuggie, sipping a cup of steaming hot spiced tea watching a marathon of America's Next Top Model.    And even though we keep the house a nice toasty 68 degrees, I don't want to budge, much less get out in the world and actually try to make a living.  But eventually, feeling a tad guilty, I forced myself to at least go into the studio and do a little painting, I put some food out for the stray kitty cats and now I'm back in front of the t.v. finishing that marathon of ANTM!  I just don't know why some days I can go into the studio and I can create (what I consider) to be a masterpiece, a complete work of art!  And then on other days, like today, nothing comes out right.  Maybe its because I wasn't feeling particularly creative but I forced myself to go into the studio... and that's pretty much what my work looked like.  I guess I shouldn't do that, its just a waste of paint, and I will probably end up painting over today's work and I'll try again when I'm feeling more artistic.  In the meantime, I'll be sitting right here, enjoying the cold snap and the ANTM marathon!  I hope you're doing something equally satisfying and good for the soul!

A Trip to the Museum

Serpent Dancer  9 x 12 Acrylic

Serpent Dancer is part of the Solstice Series completed in December of 2010

My sister and Aunt and I went to the Blanton Museum last week to see the Turner to Monet exhibit which was quite impressive.  Then we went upstairs to see the in-house art collection.  And all I can say is... yikes!  Having just seen the fabulous art of many classical masters it was quite an eye opener to see some of the "modern art" the museum has on display in their ongoing in-house exhibit.  Admittedly I am not an art critic and I am by no means an art expert, AND I KNOW art is subjective and a matter of personal opinion, however, I will never understand how some art makes it into a museum.  No matter how many times an esteemed art expert tries to explain it to me, I just don't get it.  How can a big orange blob of paint on a great big canvas be considered museum quality art?  I mean, my 5 year old niece can paint better than that.  I would love to hear the sales pitch that convinces the museum curator to accept this "art" into the collection, It's got to be a real doozie!  I only wish I had the salesmanship skills to get my art noticed, I mean, I can paint a big orange blob... I just generally choose not to.  Anyway, it was a fun afternoon at the museum, quite inspirational, and as my Dad so often says, everyone is good for something, even if its just to be a bad example!

Its Finished!

Solstice Dance 36 x 48 mixed media

Solstice dance was completed on December 21, 2010, which just happened to be Winter Solstice (Yule).  This particular Yule was an incredibly special day, as not only did we have a full moon, but we also had a lunar eclipse, it was the first lunar eclipse on a winter solstice in more than 450 years... how fabulous is that?  So it seemed appropriate that this challenge was completed on such an exciting and unique day!

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Inspired by all the fireworks that I had to listen to last night, I thought I would start 2011 with a bang!  My BIG intimidating project is now finished and hanging in my dining room and I love it!  I keep walking past it just so I can take peek!  Hooray for me!

You may notice looking back at my post of October 20th, that this same canvas looked quite different.  When I had the canvas painted in shades of yellow and gold I was really liking it but then I added the turquoise and ruined it.  I kept trying to convince myself that I liked it, but it just didn't grow on me... and so once again, I went with the big paint over and started completely over.  And that is precisely why I love painting, if you screw something up, you just cover it up and do it until you get it right! 

Oh, if only I could rewind my life!  For instance, I wouldn't have pulled that nail out of my tire 35 years ago... instantly deflating the tire leaving me stranded at a convenience store at 11:00 at night with weirdos and freaks lurking all about... but it turned out okay, I survived,  I got rescued by my Dad and I've never pulled another nail out of a tire, I learned that you should leave tire fixing to professionals!  Admittedly my "stupid things" list is pretty extensive and a rewind button would really come in handy because I know I'm not through doing goofy things.

So...what about you?  Would a rewind button come in handy in your life?  What would you re-do?

Happy New Year - 2011!

Redwoods

I believe that before you can move forward you must reflect on the past.  The above painting was done back in 1979 and for better or worse, I believe my painting style has changed as much as I have changed as a person.

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It seems incredible, but the Holidays are over yet again and now its time to get back to reality.    My reality for 2011 includes getting my Real Estate career moving into high gear, as well as my art career.   So, if anybody needs to buy or sell a house, I'm your gal... and I will throw in a piece of art work as a house warming gift to boot!  Woohoo, what a deal!   And maybe, just maybe 2011 will be a year of breakthroughs for me!

May 2011 truly bring peace on earth and good will to all.

Check back soon, I've been busy and I have lots to share!

Tribal Dance

                                                           TRIBAL DANCE

Well, Thanksgiving is over, I can't believe it!  I had a house full of company and it was a lot of fun but I'm glad its over and I can get back to a normal routine!  Thanksgiving dinner came off without a hitch thanks to the many cooks in the kitchen... in fact we were actually standing around looking at each other for a while as we were so far ahead of ourselves.  The food was delicious and the company was great!  Everyone was gone by about 3:00 on Sunday and I've been taking a snooze ever since.  I think I'm just about rejuvenated.  I haven't had a lot of time to paint in the past couple of weeks as I was cleaning house and getting ready for turkey day, but I did revamp the Ghost Dancers, they transformed into the above and are now titled Tribal Dance.  They're still ghost dancers, inspired by ancient petroglyphs but the colors and movement in the painting are definitely leaning more towards the modern side.  I really like the colors and the way this painting turned out, it's a fun painting!