Shadow

Shadow
8"x 10"
acrylic on gessoboard
Click here to purchase

I took this at the Beaverton Farmers' Market. This little boy is simply fascinated by his shadow!

Traveling Through

"Traveling Through"
8"x 10"
framed, acrylic
Click here to purchase

I did "Traveling Through", for one of Karin Jurick's challenges. It was from a photo she had. I did it on a red background, which was challenging, but I just love the red popping through! 

I hope you don't mind, but occasionally I going to tell you what I'm listening to.....

While cleaning out my studio, (which I still doing!) I was listening to Garrison Keillor , and he had  a guest speaker, poet, Billy Collins. I have never been "into" poetry, probably because when I learned about it in school, they gave us something ancient that needed a teacher to explain it! But Billy has changed my mind..... :) (Trust me....just listen...)

Sketchbooks

"Sketchbooks"
10"x 8"
Acrylic, mixed media
Click here to purchase

I entered the Daily Paintworks challenge to "Paint It White". Sketchbooks are always on my mind and in my hands, but especially lately.

I have been "following" Danny Gregory, an author and an illustrator, for several years and I  have several of his books: "Creative License", "Everyday Matters", and "An Illustrated Life".
I have enjoyed listening and viewing  his interviews on artists from his recent book, "An Illustrated Journey".

I just finished reading, "A Kiss Before You Go. An illustrated memoir of love and loss.", by Danny Gregory.  

"After the loss of his wife in a tragic accident, beloved artist Danny Gregory chronicled his grief in the medium he knows best—the pages of his illustrated journals. This intimate volume reproduces these journal pages in a stirring visual memoir of Gregory's journey towards recovery. Uniquely sincere, and by turns tender, raw, and hopeful, Gregory's idiosyncratic text and illustrations capture the darkest and lightest moments of his "year of magical drawing." Gregory's process reminds us that creative expression offers its own therapy, and that living each day to its fullest may be as simple as putting pen to paper. Anyone who has experienced loss will take solace in this refreshingly candid look at grieving, while art lovers will marvel at the artist's beautiful celebration of the power of creation."

I really suggest that you watch the 1 1/2 minute video. (I couldn't figure how to embed (?) it on here!)  

Stroke Update

2 and 1/2 years later, 
I walked, up and down the street, 
without my leg brace (I gave that up in August!) and 
WITHOUT MY CANE!

Yes!!!!

I will be running by July......
next year......
I hope!

:)

"A Friend In Need"

36"x 48"

(my terrible picture!)

Original, "A Friend In Need"

by, C.M. Coolidge

commissioned in 1903

My client said, "Could you paint MY dogs playing poker"? 

"Sure!", I said.

I got a variety of, umm, "good" shots....like this one:

"Pepper" the one in the front left.

Okay.....

I did A LOT of research. I found this site which has dogs driving cars! Really!

I downloaded pictures of poker chips, berets, french cigarette holder, pipes, cigars, dogs, etc ........ whew!

They loved it! :)

On Writing

"My Son Gave These To Me"

8"x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

Click here to purchase this painting.

I am listening to "On Writing" by Stephen King, although I have never read  his books or seen his movies. :)

At one point he talks about who it is he writing too. He says, "all novels are really letters aimed at one person" ..."I wonder what he or she will think when he or she reads this part".

I always think of the client or the person who may buy it. I want it to add something special to their home. Will he/she notice this part?

They may live with it for years!

I always want to hear the story, the humor, the tenderness, the reason behind what they want me to create. That is very important!

But, I create for the artist too. (although, he or she doesn't know it!) 
Will he/she like the edges, the shape, the flow? How is the value, the warm and cool? Is the drawing okay, the proportion? Is there enough balance, contrast, etc....

Do he/she like it? :)

It is a combination of both. 

Lincoln

Lincoln sketch, 1984

I'm listening to "Teams Of Rivals", by Doris Kearns Goodwin, which led to the most recent movie, "Lincoln", in which Daniel Day-Lewis got an Oscar for Best Actor.

I have always had a great respect for Lincoln.

Back in my college days, I walked into Life Drawing, and there he was, in all his glory, Abraham Lincoln!  

I got goose-bumps, my heart quickened, and tears filled my eyes.

He was an actor, doing a one man show. 

He sat and we drew. He told us the stories about Lincoln.

No matter where he traveled, Europe, Asia, Africa, even if he was in his jeans and a sweat shirt, people recognized him. 

How cool is that!!!! That was the best Life Drawing class ever!

I only wished I had gotten one with him smiling...he had a great sense of humor....

:)

It's always in the signature....

I miss my dad's Valentine's Day cards.
It didn't matter what it said, I just miss his signature, "Love, Dad".

He passed away several years ago.

Soon after he passed, around Valentine's Day, I read this blog post by my friend, Gwenn Seemel, who is a portrait artist. In her blog post, "Signature Style", she wrote,

"I’ve never wanted to sign the fronts of my paintings....My decision originates on a very visceral level—the act feels like a desecration!—but there’s a logic to it too: signing art seems redundant to me. Shouldn’t the work itself represent the artist better than her-his name?"

No signature????? That's all I remember about my dad's cards! 

When looking at a piece of art, I look first at the work, and second at the signature. I may recognize the piece, but the signature let's me know it is from the artist.

I get some sense of satisfaction.

 I know it's from them.

David Darrow

Mona Jones Cordell

Celeste Bergin

Leslie Saeta

2 Cups, 2 Oranges

"2 Cups, 2 Oranges"

8"x 8"

 acrylic on stretched canvas

Click here to purchase this painting.

This is my last challenge for the "30 in 30 Day Challenge" by Leslie Saeta.

I made 7 paintings. 

I listened to Lisa Daria's message on Artists Helping Artists, and revamped my schedule. 

I used to get up at 5, make coffee :) and read aloud, do my "Morning Pages", (writing from the Artist Way), go through my planner, and do my electrical myostimulation. (electrical "pads" for my stroke)

Now, I get up at 5, make coffee, and paint! (I do that other stuff at night!)

Then I have time for commissioned paintings  through out the day.

I think I will continue the small paintings every three to four days. It has given me confidence.

Thank you Leslie and Lisa! 

5 in 10 in 30 ......whatever.....

8"x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

sold

I  proposed (to offer or suggest....) to do Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge by being aware of my current situation, (stroke) and agree to do 10 in 30.

Well......this is only #5. There are 8 days left, so I'm thinking, I may just make it to 6 or 7.....