Like a swimsuit

Long ago, I took a very healthy approach to wearing a swimsuit in public. There are always going to be people that look better than you, and there are always going to be who look worse. So you might as well be comfortable and enjoy yourself.

Well, that is kind of how a feel about this painting. It is not the best painting out there, and it's certainly not the worst, so, I'm just going to be happy in the fact that I have done day 3 of 30. Each day is a new lesson, experience and step towards the goal of 30 completed paintings in 30 days.

Licking

So I have this really bad habit that some call "licking". In painterly terms, I basically over work my pieces to a point of no return.

Tonight as I tried to get my daily painting in I had many distractions and so I started and stopped many times. Mojo got all off. I was happy with my under painting but as I got more and more distractions (including a full stop to tuck my son into bed and give proper cuddles) I just wasn't feeling my painting, as seen below.

Part of my licking problem is using thin paint and mixing it on the surface. This often leads to overworking.

"Licked" 6 x 6" acrylic on panel

So, I grabbed some fresh paint, mixed up three shades/tints of red and went to town.  I also made myself stop and really look at the shadows and the colors/values of them.  Here is my much improved version.  Sometimes it is better to just step away and make a sort of fresh start.  So, thanks Kristen Dukat (http://atimeforart2.blogspot.com/) for always kicking my butt and making me stop the Licking!!!

Cruella

I have always thought myself to be a real life version of Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way but, yet a bit cheeky here and there. No nonsense, but can be a lot of fun. Well, much to my surprise, at a friend's wedding this weekend my "high school" friends--the ones nearest and dearest who probably know me better than anyone--started this whole fictional comparison. We were discussing if we were a fictional character who would we be? We naturally started trying to think in groups...but found it hard to find a group to perfectly fit us. Or we just argued over who is Samantha, Carrie, Sandy, or Glenda the good witch! At one point we were discussing Disney characters and agreed, there probably weren't any Princesses among us, except for maybe the bride, who would be Cinderella. Well, my lovely, dear friends decided I was most like Cruella Deville--for my salt and pepper hair, wardrobe full of black and white (which I was wearing at the wedding as well) and dislike of dogs. And yes, from time to time, I can be made into a villain I suppose. They were 100% against the Mary Poppins likeness and insisted on Cruella. So here, dear friends-a self portrait with me as Cruella!

Back to Basics

I have had many journeys in the last year and this year I hope to be more faithful in my web presence with my art work. I am participating in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I started painting or creating everyday at the start of last year, and this year I plan to step it up with this challenge.

So, enjoy

Findlay Bicentennial Mural

I have created a new blog for my new project, the Findlay Bicentennial Mural.  Check it out here:

http://findlaybicentennialmural.blogspot.com/

Rest in Peace Andrew

The Drew I remember is the Drew of his childhood.  Drew-bob, Drew-Lewie. The little ornery shit always making everyone laugh. Drew once kicked me in the face and his accident really kicked me in the ass.  His attitude of DO WORK  and not giving up really touched my heart and inspired me.  I had been in a very severe artistic drought and his accident set a fire in me.  God gave me a talent and what was I doing? Making excusing, fearing failure, being lazy...  It was time for me to do MY work.  The pieces I made to help process the emotions from his accident provided me with enough (quality) work for my first solo show in a gallery.  I made an artist book of abstract paintings in relation to the accident and was invited to be a part of a group show in Chicago.  I kept making more work and more work.  I keep making work.  I have made connections and established myself in the art community.  I have 3 pieces of artwork in an internationally renowned museum. I have been asked to be the Bicentennial Muralist for Findlay that could potentially send my career soaring.  I have my own studio for the first time in my life. All of this because of Drew. So, thanks Drew.  Thanks for being my muse and kicking me again. I love you little cousin.

Daily Framers

The art making has been a little light lately.  I've been working on a lot of special projects.  Additionally my stepdaughter graduated from High School so there was the party to be thrown and ceremony to attend and visiting relatives to entertain. One of the ideas I've been working on with my friend and partner Tamera Rooney is to create a line a frames to offer an affordable solution for daily painters who paint in 6" x 6".  This is a great size to work in as a daily painter, but finding a prefabricated frame is next to impossible! So, really this is in response to what I started here...to make art everyday! 

You can purchase the frames at www.dailyframers.com