Reviewing The Basics

Do you ever feel it is sometimes important to review the basics of the work you do? I feel as though it has been important to me over the last few weeks. One of the reasons I think I have wanted to do this is because I am exploring new processes and new mediums, too. As I have said before, I am enjoying the use of FW Pearlescent Inks along with liquid and regular acrylics. No, no I have not given up on the glazing, but it seems as though I have to keep myself interested in other things while I also enjoy that very time consuming process of clear glazing. This is a little bit of one of the pieces I am currently working on. I know I should be documenting the process, however I just can't seem to take myself out of the flow of work to prepare that linear type document. There is more to do with this and you are not seeing the entire piece, I thought you might like to see how the inks are responding.

Now getting back to the idea of re-exploring the basics I have found a wonderful book called Painting Abstracts by Rolina van Vliet. While I am not one to follow a program, I am finding picking and choosing some of the exercises are quite helpful. It is helping me to think about the working methods which work well for me and reminding me to evaluate my work with the elements and principles of art in mind. While they sit back there constantly poking at my intuition, I think it is helpful to bring them to the front of my evaluation process from time to time.

If you enjoy abstract painting, I think you will find this book useful. If you are interested in exploring abstraction, I think this book is very useful in helping to understand what it is all about and what actually goes into the work of abstract painting.

Thanks to Amazon for the use of this image.

Do you find you have to make yourself step back from your work or does it come naturally? Have you ever felt as though it is important to return to basic ideas to begin to build again? How does the process work for you?

I hope all is well where you are and spring or fall is finding a way into your days!

I will be back with you soon!

A Book and An Award

I want to thank everyone for your kind comments on my conversation with Dianne last week. I also want to thank Dianne for all her work on this wonderful conversation. It was a true delight. Please visit Dianne's blog to read more comments and join in there talking about this wonderful conversation.

I really am painting and with our ice and snow here last week, I spent some of every day in the studio. Yippee! Of course there was the regular kinds of things which had to be taken care of as well, so it is not as though I spent all day every day painting. I should have some new work to share with you before too very long.

Today I thought you might like to see this book. Do any of you own it? I received it for a Christmas gift this year and really do like it a lot.This focuses a bit more on truly abstracting work and not as much on intuitive type work. I have found it really helpful in tuning up composition and looking at color in a different way. While I would love reading about intuitive painting all the time, these books are truly helpful in helping me understand how another type of artists meets their art. I never know what will come out when I am in flow. It may be a book you find valuable.

Sweet, Mary Ann, at Blue Sky Dreaming has bestowed this award on me. Wow! I am honored she feels I am a writer! Thank you Mary Ann. This is a real honor.
I am going to try to come up with 5 who have not received this award. Try is the operative word.

1. Soulbrush who writes about life in Snowy London and being a new Grandma

2. Marianne who writes Mandalas and More from any location in the world.

3. Juan Belisa who writes Poetic Painting from his favorite spot in Spain.

4. Cris who writes about her art and her life from Oregon.

5. Rachete who writes A Painters Diary from New York City.



So here are the rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most deserving Bloggy friends.
2.Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award
3. Each Superior Scribbler must link to Scholastic Scribe, which explains The Award.
4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, will be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this Prestigious Honor. (and it is really interesting to go there to see the list! wow!)
5.Each Superior Scribbler must post these links on his/her blog.

I hope you enjoy getting to know any of these bloggers you do not already follow and reconnecting with the ones you do.

It seems as though I have spent a lot of time this weekend in front of this computer, so if I am not as fast getting to your blogs, I hope you will understand how tired I am of this machine...I truly have a love/hate relationship with it! :) How about you? Do you find you love to hate your computer from time to time? Do you feel as though if you don't take care of things when they pop up, you are only going to get more and more behind?

Everyone have a Fabulous Day and Great Start to the Week!

Drawing Lines

As many of your know I am a book junkie (I suppose it could be worse). This particular book, Finding Your Visual Voice, is a very basic workbook type reference. One reason I like it is for the interviews of various artists. Sometimes, when my muse decides I need to explore something I am not aware of exploring, I will turn to this book to see if there is something I might be missing as I proceed.One of the things which caught my eye when I opened it last night was this quote:

Everyone knows that a single line may convey an emotion.
-Piet Mondrian

Other than really loving Mondrian's work, I wondered why I found this quote so appealing to me last night. Could it be because I really do a lot of line work in my paintings such as with the Horizons or some of the poured work? Could it be those line faces which are nagging me to put them in my sketchbook? Or is it because I really only paint where my emotions lead me and I need to focus even more on line work? Do you have any insights on this subject? Do you like line work?

Now I did show you these faces drawn larger - one per page. I also have drawn a few pages of just small little faces. What I find funny is how all of these feel like adult faces to me. Is that because they are so severe with just the lines? The other thing I might add about these faces is they all come from my imagination...I have never seen one of these faces and tried to get it down. They all just seem to be in my head and need to come out. Maybe they are ghosts. What do you think? :)

I look forward to your thoughts today. Speaking of today, have a good one!

Work in Progress

This is a 30" x 40" canvas I have been working on...doesn't look like much, does it? That is because it isn't. I just have not gotten any further with it than this. My husband thinks it looks like tanned leather...nope, just canvas and acrylic.

I wish I had more to show you today, but this is it. I do have another quote from the Audrey Flack book, "Art & Soul: Notes on Creating".

Being Commercial
If you can't make it good, make it big.
If you can't make it big, make it red.

Honestly, I did not read that before I painted this canvas! Isn't that funny, though? Does that mean I am commercial since this is big and red?

I hope you are having a lovely day!

Influencing Your Art

I want to share with you a book I completed reading yesterday. And if you have been reading this blog for a few months, then you have already heard about it.Catching the Light is written by Susan Pope. You know Susan, she is our very own Sukipoet. I have to tell you this book was a real page turner for me. I just had to see what this young woman was going to choose for herself. She had so many obstacles to overcome, but behind it all she was drawn to her art. And Susan shows how she used her life to influence what she so loved doing. This book is so well written and draws you into the location and into the lives of the characters. In addition, an underlying message is how we come across people who influence so many parts of our life even after they have gone from it. I highly recommend you locate a copy of Catching the Light...I know it has become a treasure for me. And thank you so much, Suki, for such a beautiful gift and such a beautiful message. You are an inspiration in so many ways.

And I have something else for you to play with this weekend. You don't have anything else to do, right? Take a look at this image:
It looks like some people at MOMA, right? Well it is not! This is a sketch of mine...a lowly sketch you have already seen on this blog before. I used an online service called Dumpr where I uploaded this sketch to be placed in this setting! This kind of thing has been making its way around the blog world, so you probably have seen it on other blogs. My apologies to the blogger who made the recommendation, I can't remember the blog I first saw it.

One of the things I thought was so interesting is how you can use something like a sketch to get an idea of how that might translate into a larger painting. For example, I think this looks better as a painting than it does than a sketch...I had no idea it would translate that way.

Dumpr has some other fun things to play with on their site, too. Some of them you have to pay for, but these I am showing are free. One of the toys I have had great fun with is the Amazing Circles feature. See what a photograph of a red tulip translated into with that feature:
So now, here are a few fun things to do this weekend. I really hope you have so much fun and enjoy reading and playing with images...believe me, when you read Suki's book, you will want to get in there and do some serious creating!

Have Fun!

The Gift of Slow

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read the Conversation I had with Fiona Long. I do hope you enjoyed it. Again, my apologies about the titles below the photos, however blogger just didn’t want me to do that the day I posted. If you have any specific questions about specific photos, please email me and I will give you the titles.

Also, you will note, I have not listed a name under “My Next Conversation is with…”. I will do that as soon as I can make arrangements with another willing artist. Be patient with me, it is summer and we are all busy.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Slow Art. Andrea read the post and sent me this book which her brother had introduced to her some years ago. The Discovery of Slowness is about Sir John Franklin who did a lot of exploration at the North Pole at the turn of the 19^th Century.

I have really enjoyed reading this book and actually saw a great deal of myself in how John expresses his own slowness. His life was brutal as a child as he was so misunderstood. His father was mean to him because he felt he was a son who had a life not worth living. The children at school picked on him horribly, as you can imagine. But one day, a teacher thought there was more to John Franklin than met the eye. As an adult, John became a focused, but kind and gentle man. The book really details the adventures, the thinking, the struggles and the joys of this slow man. While the book is a work of fiction, it carefully chronicles the life of Sir John Franklin as close as possible when writing so many years later.

If you are interested in understanding slowness, in historical fiction, exploration or in learning to move through your life in a rich and rewarding way, I recommend this book a lot. It begins slow…imagine that…but as the story line picks up, you are swept up in the adventure and thinking of this man. One of the most interesting parts to me is his outline for the education of all types of people.

Have you experienced any slow art recently? How about any slow life? I am continuing on my path of slow art with some different types of details and lots of glazing. I began two new paintings recently, one is moving forward smoothly while the other one awaits work on the details.

Everyone have a beautiful and creative day!

Sharing the Source and a Little More

Yesterday's post (written on Wednesday evening) has generated some really great conversation. I am enjoying it a lot, too. I wanted to share with you the thinking was spurred on by this book by Ian Jackman, editor. The Artist's Mentor has a chapter titled "DWM" (...dead white males...). Here is a quote where he brings that term up to define it:

So has anything changed since 1971? Art has reflected changes in society that have taken place over that time. There surly are more opportunities for non-white, non-male artists. The canon of Western art through the end of World War II or through man-centered abstract expressionism will remain dominated by the DWM (dead white males). Most artists do not set out on a career in art trying to become great; their ambition is to make art and the Western playing field, if not even has certainly leveled out some.

So this might give you a bit more of an idea of where this editor took this idea. Basically this book is made up of a series of historical quotes which relate to each chapter. Below are a few quotes from a chapter titled, "Intention":

I don't paint pictures in the hope people will understand them. They understand or not, according to their capacity. -Pablo Picasso

I am not satisfied to tell myself: 'You are a painter, do your job and let those who can, talk.' -Max Beckmann

When an artist explains what he is doing he usually had to do one of two things: either scrap what he has explained, or make his subsequent work fit in with his explaination. Theories may be all very well for the artists himself, but they shouldn't be broadscast to other people.
- Alexander Calder

Now have you noticed not a single one of these is by a woman? In reality there are not a lot of quotes from women in this book...maybe we don't talk all that much, at all. :) Or maybe it is just not as interesting to this editor. At any rate, what are your thoughts on these ideas about intention?

I will leave you with these thoughts for the weekend. I wish for you the greatest and most creative few days.

And next week, I think we will be enjoying another Conversation. This time with Fiona Long.

Mentors

Among the books I recently ordered was this one Ian Jackman edited. The Artist's Mentor is interesting and thought provoking. Jackman admits at the beginning he is not a visual artist but a writer. However that is one reason I decided to purchase this book. I felt it was to my advantage to understand a non-visual artist's take on visual art.

The book is set up in two parts. The first part is more about defining art, making a living at art and working in the field. The second part is about creating art and what it means to be an artist. Most of the book looks at quotes from famous artists and puts them in relationship to the various topics covered and reminds us to consider them in context of time and place.

Do I like this book...well, it is not a book which you sit down to read cover to cover and it isn't one you go to for suggestions, but it is a book I find myself picking up to poke me along sometimes. One of the things which I found interesting was how so many artists used to have tremendous self-doubt. Oh, believe me, I have my moments, but many artists used to completely obsess about it. Most likely we have them to thank for clearing that up for us all as well as having the technology to connect with each other instantly. Then there is the part that gets me riled up when there are the quotes indicating only men can paint (then I keep remembering I am supposed to be taking these quotes in reference to time and place, but it still gets me going). I know I will pick this book up from time to time as a reference and it is small so I an carry it around, too. I usually need more pokes to get going when I am away from home.

Now, I do have lots of people I consider mentors (you are most likely one of them), but these are artists of the past. Those we have studied and read about over the years and that makes a difference. I think having this small book with these bits of information spread out in a quick to read, quick to find fashion is helpful on a daily basis. I also think this is probably a good book to give as a gift, if you have that need. :)

So sometimes when you are working in the middle of the night, the person you wish to talk to about something is on the other side of the world, you just don't want to talk or if you just need to add a bit to the cart for that free shipping...this book might be a nice one to have on your shelf. Now, if you don't often have these needs, by all means don't spend your money on this particular book.

Another book I am patiently waiting for is Creative Authenticity however it is on back order and I am now waiting another month for it. Oh well...I have plenty to read these days.

So do you find it helpful to talk about your art concerns with other people? Do you like to know what some of your favorite artists had to say on a particular subject of art? Who or what is your mentor? Do you know if you are a mentor for anyone? What are you reading?

I hope you are filled with inspiration and pleasure today.

Intuitive Art

As I told you a few weeks ago I ordered this book, and it has arrived.

As I have begun to skim through it, I realize I will use this particular book as a main reference when I need a kick in the pants to freshen up my work and my creativity. It is as good as I had hoped and more. Visit the blog associated with this book. Then take a look at the photographs taken at one of Dean Nimmer's workshops to give you an idea of some of the concepts delivered.

If you considered purchasing this book, I highly recommend you read the reviews and description at Amazon (no, I get nothing for this).

Now, talking about intuitive art, I have something to show you from one of the artist you know. Our friend, Andrea, over at CestAndrea has taken on painting various zodiacs from her own intuitive idea of what they mean. A lot of these paintings are based on women, and I personally find that quite appealing. This is the painting for my particular zodiac and she has hit the nail directly on the head with this one. Is that because Andrea and I have the same birthday? Thank you so much, Andrea, for this. You can purchase originals or copies of these paintings - see Andrea's blog for information and other zodiacs.

And do visit Andrea's blog(s) to see what else she is doing there in Paris.

So what do you do from your intuition? Do you think following your intuition is a positive or the best way to approach your art? Are you interested in this book? I look forward to hearing from each of you as you inspire me with every comment.

Thank You!

Have A Great Mother's Day Weekend!

Sometimes I just like to browse books. I like all kinds of books and writings, and I have a HUGE interest in creativity. Yesterday I found this book by happenstance. Have you read it, heard anything about it or do you own it?

Would you like a little sneak as to what it is about? Visit Ian Roberts web site for the book to read a sample chapter. This chapter is Principle Fifteen - Finding Poetry in the Everyday. I copied this off last night and really enjoyed reading this chapter. If the remainder of the book is similar, I will be buying. The book has very good reviews, too.

Are you reading any good books related to art and or creativity? If so, please share them with me. I did place an order for the book, Art from Intuition which I spoke about a few months ago on this blog. Additionally, I ordered The View from the Studio Door. If you own either of these books, I would also be interested in hearing your thoughts on them.

The main thing I want to say today as we head into the weekend is this is the weekend in the United States, and other places around the world where we honor our mothers. I often think of the passion of motherhood and how that is very much like the passion of art. In this sample chapter, Ian Roberts shares on his web site, there is a paragraph I thought expressed the experience of the artist as well as that of the mother:

When on another occasion we can't find that spiritual level of experience, and so can't repeat it, the frustration can be cruel and the separation painful. Here lies the myth of the suffering artist. It isn't the art making when it goes well that has any suffering in it. That is the union with the beloved. It's the loss that causes the suffering. And the problem isn't something we can necessarily control. We are instruments, conduits for that expression. It comes through us by grace.

What do you think? As artists and as mothers we are instruments for creation and we access that through our grace. So with this, I will say to all of you who are mothers, have been mothers, want to be mothers and have mothers...

HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Trust The Process

I thought you might like to see this photo of what was in my back yard this morning. The interesting thing to remember is we are just a few short miles from Washington, DC! Ohh, I wonder what that means? A fox...Washington, DC? Well, go ahead and draw your own conclusions. This little guy hung out for maybe 10 or 15 minutes in our yard.

Today I have a book I would like to share with you. Shaun McNiff wrote Trust The Process to help people heal through their art, but I have found it does just what you give me...the permission to move forward to make the art I need to make. The courage to keep on going even when I wonder if it is really worth it. This is one of those books I refer to when I have doubts. I have also shared it with a friend who found it also inspiring. Normally, I don't know when the doubts will hit, but I know where to turn when they do...you and this book.

My apologies for this image. I couldn't seem to get a good shot of this book...I think it has been to well used and doesn't want to lay still with me hanging over it.



Along the same lines, this morning I found this blog which was just set up for a new book called, Art From Intuition. While it is not yet available for sale, look for it on the market next month. I think I will look into this particular book, too.



I like to have books like this on my shelf...being the book person I am. I have a stack beside my bed, another by my chair and a lot in my studio! But there are some which are just favorites. Do you have favorite books you return to when you just need that extra boost?




Have a Great Weekend! Be Safe! Be Creative!

If All Goes Well...Tomorrow Will Be the Day!

It looks like tomorrow, Wednesday 27 February, is going to be the day the surprise will be ready to reveal to you! Are you excited? I know I am excited. Let me tell you a little about this without telling you about it... A few months ago I was approached by someone to do this particular thing. At the time, I was not all that interested, because I wanted to do this in my own way. Then some other people came to me with the same idea, so I began to feel a bit of pressure. I am not one to bow to pressure very easily, but this thing kept playing in the back of my mind, too. I still had to do it my way. Then the opportunity just came flying at me, so I decided I could take a hint! I began working on this and how I wanted to work it out...it had to be my way! Tomorrow, you will get to experience the results of what has been going on with me for several months now.

So today I wanted to also share something else with you. A few weeks ago, Chewy who writes the blog, The Back of My Headboard: A Place to Stick It recommended a book called "Spirit of Drawing" by Connie Smith Siegel. Something made me order this book, and it arrived yesterday. Now I am not much of a drawer, but this book is awesome! I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone interested in expressive art! The title will fool you as it is so much more than drawing. For me, I can see where it is going to help my sketchbook take on a whole new meaning and when I travel...oh that will be completely changed!

Do you have any books you would like to recommend?

Now, don't forget to visit me tomorrow! I think it will be an exciting and inspiring day!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

So I thought I would give you all a good little chuckle here today. Do you remembe last week when I showed you that brushstroke piece on rice paper? Well, it is the upper part of this piece and the lower part is your valentine for today. You know me, I can't do anything too cute for V Day. I thought you would like this little playing around with the camera.

The other thing I thought I would point out to you today is the list of books I have placed on the sidebar. I have two list which I have just started and will add to as time moves forward. If anyone has any book suggestions, I am always interested in suggestions for reading materials. I think the Art Books are obvious, however if I don't read something else before I go to bed, I am up all night thinking about what else I need to do. I thought some of you might also be like that, so I included another list of non-Art books.

So today, I send you a lot of LOVE and CREATIVITY. Let me know what/who brings love to your life. Me? There are so many beautiful and loving aspects to my life - of course my very special family, my friends, art and you, my dear friends.

Happy Valentines Day!

A Little Hint... and What Would You Like?

Today is my 55th post! Yes, I am a baby in the blog world. I didn't even post for months after the first couple of times. With that in mind, I am here to ask you for some input. But first, no I am not telling your anything about this image today. It is basically a hint! No, not for tomorrow, either! I decided if a writer can give a "teaser", then so can I! :)

So as you all can see, I am not good with internet kinds of things. I don't know how to do things like write HTML or make a link with my writing by saying click "here" and things like that. I don't claim to be good with these things and thank all of you who have helped me get to this place. I kicked and screamed about the blog, but now I am glad I have done it. I have to say I am not getting as much painting done, but I am getting a lot more from the wonderful people I have met so far. So what I would like to ask you now is what kind of things would you like to find when you click in here? I have a few ideas, but I would really like to hear from you what interest you have. Are you interested in what people are reading? Are you interested in mediums? Are you interested in what is going on in art news? Do you want to know about other artists (yes, living ones)? I know there are lots and lots of blogs out there. Some are really, really into the web and the computer. I am not. I am also not good with giving business information. I think you know the kinds of things I can handle.

So tell me, what do you want to know? What do you want me to try to find out for you?

Also, I don't think spell check is working on blogger, so forgive any errors I have here...I am the first to admit I can't spell.

You might like this book....

This is a book I received as a gift over the holidays. I do use a lot of acrylics and Golden is my choice. This book was clearly commissioned by the Golden company, however if you are interested in learning about a variety of support mediums, this is an excellent place to begin. There are over 100 different techniques shown, but that isn't all that exciting in itself. What seemed to click for me was the wide variety of ways the mediums could be used and the ideas which began to bounce around in my head as I went through the book. The style is very loose and she gives suggestions for using them...actually there are quite a few finished examples. For me the book is just down right fun to play around with. My copy already has some page flags.

Today has been one of those days where you are going along and then, BAM! You hit a road block. My road block came in the form of not being able to find my USB cable for my camera! Such irritation. I know just where it was, however some people like to tidy up around here and move my things about...wonder why? Yes, I admit I like to have things where I can see them and live with people much neater than I! Anyway, until I find my cable, I can't show you what I have been doing. But that will happen soon, if I have to go and buy another cable! I suppose we all have days like that, though. There is just never a good time for them to happen.