Teal Ribbon-Waves and Frosty Fog

"Teal Ribbon-Waves"

Mixed Media Collage

It's a beautiful foggy, frosty day in Portlandia.  No chance of seeing the full eclipse of the moon, even if one had wanted to arise in the early hours to behold it.   Still working on my numerous collages, but making a short foray into the realm of sewing . . . both by hand and machine.   Feeling the need to at least put some wintery/holiday music on, since there are no visual indications of the holiday season in our home yet.

Has another week really gone by already?

Happy weekend, All!

 



"Caliente" . . . New Collage

Mixed media

5 1/2" x 7"
available

Such a lovely weekend in progress!  Lots of leftover food to indulge in, compliments of others, primarily, so not much going on in the kitchen.  Plenty of time by the fireside and even some time to do a little art with Catherine and take a walk.   I'm still working on piecing my prints and embellished papers together -- hoping that an idea for a  painting is brewing somewhere in my subconscious.  Well, actually, I suppose there are several ideas brewing, so it's more a matter of settling on one and beginning.  I have derived inspiration lately from Nicholas Wilton's beautiful book of paintings completed in 2011.  (This was my birthday present to myself -- purchased early so as to get my hands on it sooner -- of course!)  I first saw Wilton's paintings several years ago at a gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona.  I loved them then and I recognized his work instantly when I came across it again on Robyn Gordon's wonderful blog, Art Propelled, many months ago.

(A scanned image of my copy of the book.)
 You can link to a view of  Wilton's entire book online: 

Here

I've also enjoyed Wilton's blog immensely.  He doesn't post often (how could one when one is so prolific?), but his posts are always thoughtful, with generous use of images, and generous sharing of information regarding technique and his personal artistic process.   Really, you should take a look.  :)



Thanks for visiting . . .

Cheers!

Thanksgiving

Mixed media

3" x 3"

Giving thanks today for all that is good.

Have a wonderful day, wherever in this world you may be.  May it be filled with love, joy and harmony.



Piecing It Together. . .New Mixed-Media Collages

here



here

Last weekend, I laid out twenty or so potential collages to be made from assorted prints, remnants of prints, embellished papers and ephemera.  This weekend, I've managed to finalize these three and a couple more.  (These are spare, on creamy art paper -- not greyish at all -- and some of the fine graphite and ink has not been fully captured in the scans.)

Yesterday, I gave up a potential afternoon in the studio to go watch our neighbor's son play his final game as the hometown quarterback at Portland State University.  There was a chill in the air, and my husband and I were "on the fence" as to whether to go or not....all things considered  (which translates into "Gee, it would be great to go and support him, but there are just too many things to do in too little time.")   We were glad we chose to go.  It was great to drop down into the city, just ten minutes away, and take the brisk walk to the outdoor stadium.  Before the game, the seniors and their families were honored on the center of the field; a bittersweet moment, to be sure.  We've watched this young man and his equally talented older brother practice ball in their backyard and play assorted sports since they were in middle school.

It is gorgeous today.  Time to stop and head out to assist my husband with a major leaf clean-up.  (Just in time for the next couple of storms that are scheduled to blow in at the beginning of the week.)

Hope you've had an enjoyable weekend with a little time for creativity!

Thank you for stopping by!

:)



In the Shop Now . . .

 "Remnants 6" 

Mixed media

7 1/2"  x  9 1/2"

"Remnants 6" was one of six mixed media collages that I made for a show in June of 2010.  Two of the pieces have sold; another one is currently in the shop and "Remnants 5", also above, will be there soon. 

And by the way, don't you just love bookhou?  Such signature style in everything they do.  A simply wonderful, graphic aesthetic.   And such a great, conversational blog: bookhau at home.   Oh, and here's their Etsy shop.

Hope you have a wonderful week!

:)

In progress . . .Mixed Media Collage

  

In progress - mixed media

8" x 10"

Well the sun is surely sinking down

But the moon is slowly rising

So this old world must still be spinning 'round

And I still love you

Lyrics by James Taylor - "Close your Eyes"

Among other activities this weekend, I'm attending a couple of events that are part of a rather momentous symposium in Portland.  A story, told last night by a presenting scientist, brought the above lyrics of James Taylor to mind.  Tomorrow, I will share the story and a few other "take aways" from the events.  So much to think about....

Best...

East Wind Blowin'

Mixed media

Recent makings, tossed upon older makings.

...as though mixed by an eggbeater....waiting to morph into something more.

And such a lovely eggbeater, at that, although this one is strictly for my viewing pleasure.

Acrylic painting 30" x 40" (detail)

 And these "eggs" .....also awaiting their final state.

And meanwhile, the cold, east wind bearing down hard on us; causing the stately six-foot Miscanthus "Early Morning Light" grass to hunker down and curl itself into a unified, scrambled mat...

...that blows en masse, like a tethered tumbleweed straining to break free.

:)

Happy December! 

Visit here to see the beautiful paintings and drawings of Art Goods,

and here to see Taylor & Grand's lovely vintage gifts and holiday decor.

 And if you're interested...I've added a few things to my shop......

Hope you're finding time to create!

"Remnants" - Mixed Media Show

 

"Remnants 1 & 2"

Mixed media

(....with flash spots, dark shadows, and all!)

It's Saturday morning and it's glorious in Portlandia, quite unlike this past Thursday evening when Joan McGuire's and my shows at Gallery 114 opened.  The sky looked promising on that morning, but it began to rain an hour before the start of the monthly First Thursday art walk in Portland's Pearl District.  Nevertheless, folks turned out and the gallery had great attendance.  Joan's paintings looked fabulous on the walls of the main gallery (photos of that coming soon) and the Pozzi Room was  perfect for my series of six mixed media works. It was a wonderful evening and I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with friends and the general public.  Many thanks to those who sloshed through the streets to come to the opening!!  (For anyone still thinking of going to the show, it will be up through June 26 and the gallery's open Th -Sun from 12 - 6.)

(Click to read a little about this work.)

"Remnants 3 & 4"

"Remnants 5 & 6"

Now it's time to focus on the domestic front, and also to get caught up with what all of you are doing. Definitely looking forward to reading Robyn Gordon, Sophie Munns, and  Carolyn Saxby's blogs; all of which are visual feasts and treasure troves of informa-tion; and the latter of which has the most soothing New Age music (some with ocean waves, no less!)

Hope the sun is shining where you are!  Enjoy!

New Work - Mixed Media

7" x 9"

Gold gouache and ink on paper

Finished pieces are begining to jockey for a place in my June show at Gallery 114. This series, "Remnants", is an exercise in editing.  :)

Chaos, Order and Seeds

I'm starting to zero in on my June show at Gallery 114 in Portland.  I say "my" but really it's Joan McGuire's solo show.  She's a painter/illustrator/graphic artist and has kindly invited me to participate.  My small, mixed-media works on paper will be shown in a pop-up room within the larger gallery room where her large, graphic paintings will be exhibited.  (I'll post more on Joan's new work in late May or early June.)

So... my "in-progress" pieces are now scattered about my studio (read "house"), creating much visual chaos in three rooms (really!).  An antedote, below -- gifts from the sea, gleaned from the beach following a storm, and now in their own, orderly "exhibit".

1908 leather/wood printing stamp (on box)

And no, I don't know what kind of seeds/nuts they are but they're not walnuts because they're virtually round.  

Which brings me to Sophie Munns, who is an artist-in-residence at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and whose show, "Homage to the Seed", has just opened.  If you haven't yet discovered Sophie's work you must hurry over to her blogs (yes, two of them-- here and here).  She's a terrific writer and a prolific artist, and she's extremely generous with information about her work and process.  (Plus, her comment sections always have lively conversations going on.)  All and all, her blogs make for very good reads.

It was a lovely weekend in Portlandia.  So nice to be outside without a jacket!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.  Oh -- and check back soon as I'll be posting about a wonderful Portland artist whose work has brought me much happiness.     Cheers!