Just to show you a little of my process. Below is the final "patchwork" (2) and the image above is the final painting (1). I had been thinking about my BigFoot, but in the end, it wanted to be a sheep graphic. Do I love it? No, not really. But I did learn a lot and experiment with things. In fact, even though I was not in love with the patchwork I was fairly petrified of ruining it by painting over it... I am so inexperineced with acrylics. I ended up making a stencil image so I could see how it would look before I painted it. Lots of learning happened.
Today as I went about my day, I was thinking about painting. Not wondering whether or not I was going to get back to it (and when)... but tossing ideas around for the painting I am commited to painting this week. The assignment is to let the Gee's Bend Quilts and Jennifer Sanchez to inspire me to make a painting. Here are so things that have captured my imagination (and some things/themes that won't let go.) It seems that I can't get away from being inspired by the Magic of the Deep woods. In particular, the Sasquatch, an old friend from childhood, has been brought back to my attention... and quite frankly, I can't keep my eyes off him. Ever since I was introduced to him through the show 6 Million Dollar Man. He makes my imagination go wild with delight. We will see where the inspiration takes me. (ooo, and I also bought more acrylic paint today. Nothing like a fresh tube to inspire some squeezing.)
Sasquatch & rainbow, stars, witch graphics
And of course, when I think sasquatch, I think Big Foot ... and the Bionic Man, Steve Austin.
Speaking of Steve Austin, this was my "Steve Austin look" as a child... I pulled it out at parties. My sister had a look too. She could do Hope Brady from Days of our Lives.
Palm Fronds I don't know why, but graphically they excite me. I can't say why.
My friend Leah, who is also a mother and artist, came over tonight to paint in the studio. We needed to stir things up, create some movement, and of course, have some fun. We even got the painting table out! And it worked - we had too much fun! When we would lose interest in our painting, we'd switch paintings. We laughed and talked and painted. And guess what? We even loved one of our collaborations, though that wasn't really the point (see above - who wouldn't love her?) We are doing it again in a couple of weeks. And maybe, we'll even invite some more friends over. Moms on the loose! Check out Leah Joy's music on CD Baby too. She is incredible.
We painted the living room. It was a heroic event. After 2 years of living in our home, the color is finally our own - thank the Gods! Yesterday I spent the day putting up our "art collection." I started collecting art in my late twenties with the idea that if I wanted others to buy my art, I had to buy original art myself. So now, some 10 years later, we have a lovely little art collection with pieces made by artist friends, local artists, folk artists, art bought traveling.... and of course, our own artwork. Each piece tells a story. It makes us so happy to be surrounded by beauty, good memories and tons of inspiration for living as artists. With the living room painted and re-arranged, I feel like I have entered a new level of home-owenership, self-expression and YES-I-CANness. I say EAT ART EVERY DAY!!!!
Confession: I cleaned my studio and have barely been in it since. I could blame my sewing projects, which keep me inside. I could blame my schedule, not enough hours in the day. I could blame my work on the computer, because I am always working on the computer. I could blame the heat or the cold or my family or the spiders which set up shop every time I clean house. I could tell you that I don't have the right supplies or I don't know what to do first, but the truth is - I'm scared. The most amazing canvas hangs in the studio... leering at me, daring me to touch it, to start something/anything and I can't. I look at it and walk out. I start other projects, and look away pretending it's not really there. But it's time. By the end of the weekend I am going to make a promise. I have no idea what that might be, but it's a first step. Sunday night I will promise ________________. Stay tuned. UPDATE 9/31/10
It seems as if I am forever drawing mermaids. I fight it, but they flow through my fingers before I even notice I'm doing it. Sometimes I am able to resist, but for the most part a tail inevitably forms and the transformation happens. oh well. I could be drawing worse. xoxox
