January 28, 2010
One of my Favorite Paintings
"Madame Cezanne in a Red Armchair" by Paul Cezanne (1877)
January 18, 2010
Baby Belly
I have had some interesting commission work before – but this was a first:
This is what my art looks like on a plaster cast baby belly.
January 11, 2010
The Power Within
Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
- Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech (Marianne Williamson)
January 7, 2010
Resolutions
"It was Fun While it Lasted" (2009) 24x24x3
This is the year – this decade -
I am going to try things I have never tried, explore a new medium, to embrace change even if it seems hard or scary or even painful at first. To challenge myself, do all those things I have been putting off, and stand up for myself. To love full-throttle. To forgive others, and myself. To express thanks and gratitude. Just because I don’t take a compliment very well, or require validation does not mean others are like me – in fact most are not. I intend to simplify and declutter my life ever further, and only allow special things, experiences, and people in. People who are positive, have value, and bring something to the table. Quality not quantity. To go where the universe takes me…..
I am putting all this out there so that I will be accountable.
Most artists these days are multi-media and if you don’t get on that train it is leaving the station. Like any career, you have to constantly keep up with the flow, reinvent yourself, learn new things, keep up with technology, and consistently push the envelope, challenge yourself – otherwise there are dozens more that are younger and hungrier to take you place in line. It is a dog eat dog world (or as in my household we say “Doggie Dog World”, and I don’t want to fall down and get stepped on because I was too cozy, lazy, and complacent in my little vacuum by the beach.
December 31, 2009
Happy New Year!
Soft Spot (24x24) 2009
The Last Hurrah (24x24) 2009
Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have.
Every day is another day and another opportunity to turn your life around. It is never too late to seize your moment and be the person you want to be. It is never too late to forgive and make amends, tell people that you love them; reinvent yourself; even write a thank you note, or file your taxes from 2003.
This new year; new decade hold endless possibilities for hope and change.
Yours Aye!!
December 27, 2009
Tweet
A few months ago I was racking my brain trying to think of an artist who was famous for painting birds – specifically caged birds such as parrots, parakeets, cockatoos, etc. I had an image, (or images) of his work ingrained in my head but could not seem to find him or an image or even pinpoint a decade. Colorful rows of birds with cross hatching…..
My boyfriend wanted to get a bird and I don’t really like birds, let alone parrots – I have this thing with most animals except birds. They don’t like me and bite me. Anyway, I was frantically trying to researching all sorts of grass parakeets (beautiful parakeets from Australia, not the typical budgies you see at the pet store) so I would not get stuck with a parrot. Upon learning about all the different types of birds and mutations – I am sure you can imagine I fell in love with all the beautiful color variations.
Luckily his obsession with getting a bird faded. If you know anything about birds they are very high maintenance and make too much noise for my taste. I told him if I wanted something that needy, noisy, and messy, that hated me (and bit me), would live to be 25-50 years old, and have little reward – I might as well have a baby (gross). Or better yet, I would rather get another dog.
So – for a brief moment I was so inspired by all these bird images and was obsessed with finding out who this artist was.
Anyway, I finally found him: Hunt Slonem
"Bayou Lories" by Hunt Slonem
"Awakening McCaws" by Hunt Slonem
More work HERE
Hunt has a 50,000 sq. ft. studio space with approximately 100 rooms. Here is an article in the NY Times HERE. And another blog/article HERE with amazing photos.
It makes me want to move to NYC and look him up and beg him to be his artist assistant. I am going to NYC next month and I think I am going to go stalk him outside his studio.
December 22, 2009
Do What You Love
Here is a nice Article about Etsy. And for those of you that don’t know what Etsy is, it is an online marketplace for creative people, artists, crafters, and people that sell supplies to create lovely handmade items. It is sort of like Ebay but better. It is not auction style, but rather “for SALE”, and I think it is cheaper to list something.
December 11, 2009
Busy Busy Bee…..
As I am completing a bunch of commissions and deadlines this month, I enjoy reflecting: Examining my work, realizing all the new techniques I have discovered (especially this year), and playing back the process of how they came to be. How everything is a stepping stone, and a process of evolution. How insignificant moments suddenly become clear. And how all this transcends over into real life, and real people, relationships, situations. Isn’t it amazing how a bunch of seemingly inconsequential instances suddenly align? Even all the crap I have had to endure over the years – it all becomes clear. Why certain people were placed in my life. All the dues I have had to pay……
Aside from the fact that we are in a crap hole economy, I think I have finally become the artist I have always wanted to be. I just need to work harder. It is just amazing that I can make something meaningful and people are falling all over themselves to buy it.
Crazy!
