New Prints in the Works

 

 Monoprint in process

 

 Monoprint in process

 

 Monoprint in process

 

Portland is abuzz with holiday pop-up stores and annual craft fairs this weekend, but as much as I'd like to go out and about, I've decided my time is best spent in my studio, working on my own endeavors. Oh, I guess at some point, I might take a break to get desperately needed food, or to move forward with decorating the house for the holidays. . . . but really, I'd so much rather DO ART!   Nevertheless, I've been sticking to my "paint a little/clean a little/blog a little" mantra and it's been most helpful.  Each night, this past week, I gently prodded myself to "Spend a few minutes working on something. Just get started,"  and perhaps not so surprisingly, the above materialized. :)  And speaking of materializing, take a peek at one of my favorite images created by Portland artist, Lisa Kaser; and when you do, promise me that you will read her delightful prose that accompanies the image, and then commend yourself for the work you bring forth.  (If you missed my earlier post about Lisa, you can find it here.)

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Thanks very much for your continued interest in my work.  I really do appreciate it!

Holiday Savings on Etsy

Mixed media collage on paper

4 3/4 x 4 3/4

Just a quick post to let you know that I'm having a holiday sale on all items in my Etsy shop through December 20.  If you haven't yet discovered Etsy, this would be a great time to check it out, since many of the artists, makers, and vintage sellers are currently running Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions. It's pretty nice to be able to shop in the comfort of your own home with a cup of hot coffee, tea or cider. :)

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

New Painting . . . Finished

30 x 30

Acrylic on canvas

This rather "summerish" painting is finished and on the wall, the dining/studio table is cleared of paints and related paraphernalia, and I'm shifting to pre-Thanksgiving mode.  Wishing safe travels and a joyful day to all celebrating the holiday, and keeping those who recently lost so much in my thoughts.

In the Land of Weathered Cypress

  

 

 

 A few photos from late October that I've been meaning to post. Today, I'm mesmerized by the palette of soft greys and greens of the foggy, rainy Portlandia day outside my window.  Meanwhile, I'm listening to great music while finishing a painting and tending to household chores.

Ever see the musical "Music Man"? Somehow, the refrain came to me while mulling over the question of how to move forward with art goals while working and maintaining family and social obligations.  I crave long, uninterrupted blocks of time to produce art.  As in days/weeks at a time.  Not possible right now; so instead, I recently adapted and adopted the slightly modified refrain of Music Man's "Pick a Little, Talk a Little" as my mantra:  "Paint a little, blog a little. Clean a little, blog a little. Paint, paint, paint. Clean a lot, blog a little more."  I'm serious --it's working.  If you haven't seen the movie version, follow the link and watch the song being performed to the end.  You'll understand the intensity and effectiveness of my mantra. And besides, the energy of the performance is infectious :)

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Colors of My Days

here

 

I've been enjoying the mild weather and splendid autumn color in Portlandia while thinking of those who were impacted by the storms on the east coast.  Also enjoying a brave little brown bunny that has made an appearance in our front yard a few times over the past several days.  Sampling the clover in our grass, it freezes when it senses me and on one occasion, turned and scampered back into the rugosa rose patch with lightening speed.  Mind you, rabbits are not common here.  In fact, I've never seen one in Portland, and I can't help but wonder if this one was someone's pet that was released.  Regrettably, urban coyotes are prevalent here, so I fear for this sweet bunny.  

The sumac bush was absolutely splendid several days ago, when I didn't have my camera on my walk.  It was like a weaving with a warp of green leaves interwoven with the intense yellow and red leaves.  I kept wanting to get back to it to take photos, but each day, the light was too low by the time I got out for my walk.  I finally made it back to it today in the late afternoon, with light in the sky and camera in hand, but wouldn't you know it, the leaves had withered. 

The photo of the colorful spools was taken at Beam,& Anchor, a wonderful new store in northeast Portland.  More about that next time. :)

Have a wonderful day!

New Painting in the Works

 Winds of Change (in progress)

Acrylic on canvas

24" x 24"

 

Spent a little time trying to finish "Winds of Change" this weekend, but it still needs one more session.  Thought I'd share this photo anyway, because it's been difficult to find the right lighting indoors or out to photograph it in, and the rains may come before I get a chance to finish it and photograph it again.  In reality, the red of the "Kona" rectangle is in the same range as that of the berries, but it's in the shadow here.  The painting reminds me of a fat corner (yardage talk) of  printed fabric.  Though decorative in appearance, it has special meaning for me.

Meanwhile, some little garden spiders were busy crafting snares for "passers-by," and I feel lucky to have discovered their handiwork quite by chance today when I happened to glance at the fencing from a new perspective.  Somehow, the mixed media piece that I did on Saturday morning seems in keeping with the wire fence web graphics. This work was done on white sketch paper that appears grey in this photo.  Late Saturday night, I got brave and put a raw umber wash on top of it all.  Risky business, to say the least, and as you can imagine, it looks totally different now.  Some might even venture to say it is ruined.  Which reminds me of the words of wisdom of Non-indigenous Woman:  "Never give up on a piece."  :)

Everything is dry . . . bone dry and parched.  The weather is lovely, but we will welcome the rains.

Wishing you a wonderful week.

Transparent Circles

 "Transparent Circles With Pink Bars"

Acrylic and graphite on canvas

24" x 24"

I've cleared the dining room table and have set out paints, brushes, water and -- most importantly-- a bare canvas.  I'm intending to lay some paint down tomorrow, but I'm in a bit of a quandary as to whether to jump into uncharted territory.  Meanwhile, the above painting has found its way into the shop. Perhaps if the sun shines, I will be able to get a better photo of it in the next couple of days.

How quickly fall arrives!

Happy weekend everyone. :)  Hope you find time to be creative!

After the Wedding. . .Remains of the Day

  

 

 

Somehow, we did it!  Somehow, after eight months of fretting and worrying, and refining Plan A and inclement-weather-Plan B, we scored three days of glorious sun for our daughter's outdoor wedding festivities.  Somehow, between the rehearsal dinner and the ceremony, our youngest daughter was able to complete nearly seventy small and medium bouquets, three gorgeous porch bouquets, her sister's bouquets (yes, two) and the attendants' bouquets; all from flowers she had either grown herself or had sourced from a local grower, and from greenery she had foraged from the woods and shore. Somehow, everything else fell into place for the main event:  the backdrop for the ceremony was completed in the nick of time; the decorative string balls were hung at the very last minute so as not to collapse from the dew and condensation from the previous night; the electrical considerations for the music and the tent lighting were worked out; the photographer, band and caterer all arrived from afar on cue; etc., etc.

Somehow, all the guests from distant lands arrived safely and in time for the short, but very meaningful and personal ceremony. Somehow, the evening fog stayed away, and the chilling breeze held off through dinner and beyond. Somehow we made it through our toasts without falling apart, and were still on our feet and dancing to the wonderful music when the nearly-full moon rose over the bay, accompanied by a legion of twinkling stars.

And somehow, a week and a half later, we are still thanking the weather gods, and counting our blessings for all the help and love that was showered upon our daughter, her husband, and all of us.

I have been visiting your blogs, but after a rather lengthy stretch of preoccupation,  I feel I can safely say I'm finally back in "posting mode".  

  Thanks so much for your patience!