Fiche Residence

Fiche Residence 10x14" watercolor on Arches 140lb

I have recently finished a commission of a lovely home here in South Pasadena. The homeowner is very proud of her roses. We waited until they were in bloom before we proceeded. I have framed it, and will deliver it today to its new owner.

Sold

Let's Play 18"x24" pastel on Canson paper

I just found out today that this pastel sold at the Aids Service Center - Big Night Out Auction. I guess there were some people that were still writing checks after the auction closed. I am excited to know it went to a local collector.

The Art of Giving and Receiving - Art Exhibition

All Creatures Great and Small

This little guy was about 3/8" tall. He greeted me at my car door, but allowed me to shuttle him to the nearest plant. I hope he sticks around a while.

Just a Tad...

Been a tad bit busy with my new U.S. Marine. Be back in a bit...

Figure Drawing

I have been getting my feet wet again. Beginning figure drawing workshops at Michael Newberry's new studio. He has quickly found some wonderful models, and the workshops have a waiting list.

Here I have posted two longer poses. These help me to make a more studied understanding of the form. As much as I enjoy the quicker poses for my eye/hand coordination, the longer poses allow me to learn the form without the ticking of the clock in my mind.

Viva Gallery

I attended a very nice Artist Reception yesterday at the Viva Gallery, in Sherman Oaks, CA. It was well attended, and I met some wonderful people that were extremely encouraging. I don't advertise these shows much, but I enjoy entering them. I am able to watch and listen to the comments. It is similar to being a fly on a wall, and I am able to conclude whether or not my art is touching a deeper place than just hanging as pretty wall art. I have concluded that it has. I am on the right path.

These are the two pieces that were juried into the show:

Proud Moment

My son will become a Marine next week, and I wanted to take a moment to say how proud I am of all the young men that are making this choice.
This next week my son will participate in one of the hardest four days in his life. Most people never challenge themselves to this extreme in their lifetime. Please send encouraging thoughts his way. We will be able to call him a Marine on Thursday.

From two to twenty...

Let's Play

Let's Play 20 x 24" pastel on Canson

I did a new piece yesterday with the intention of donating it to an organization here in town. We have been asked to submit one or two pieces of work. I see it as a great way to put my name, and art, in front of some prominent people in the community.

I am rushing to get it framed up to drop it off this morning, but I wanted to capture the image quickly and post. I will fill you in on the results when I know more. It should be interesting.

The Art of Giving and Receiving

Confused... What else is new? Been coming and going a bit too much recently.

Good news!
I entered a show today, thinking it was going to be for a silent auction, and was juried in. YEA!
With the added surprise that my work received a Merit of Honor Award. Double YEA!

This is what I entered:

In the Shadow of an Oak

I will clarify the fact that this will not be used for the silent auction, but for a show at the Aids Service Center in Pasadena. There is also to be a Gala Dinner, called The Big Night Out, same organization. For that I need to donate a work of art. I thought I had to donate work to the auction, to be automatically entered in the show.

So you see, things are a bit forwards, and backwards here in my mind.

BTW, my son is 2.5 weeks away from being a U.S. Marine. Semper Fi
All written correspondence has been positive. GREAT attitude! One very proud family here.

Nights in White Satin - Update 2

This has been an interesting and challenging set up. I have learned a lot on it.
I still see some places that need tweaking, but the next time you see it...
my signature will be on it.

Nights in White Satin - Update

I usually work on an easel or at least have the raised. This time I wanted a lower view, so I am working on the floor. I am sitting on a very low stool, and more breaks are needed so that my back does not get irritated by bending over.

Being white on white, I am taking it slow. Getting up a lot to view it from a few steps away. I think I should get the majority laid in within the next hour. Then some refinement and sign off. Wish me luck.

Nights in White Satin

Taking a quick work in progress photo with my iphone, allows me to get back to work quicker. I need to get some black-out shades but for now, this is my WIP.

My first attempt has been filed away. I pushed the lights too quickly on it and I was not pleased, so I started fresh. Plus, the construction of these basic pumps has confused my eye. Working slowly to get the proportion correct.

The sun has not been shining at the appropriate times, for me to finish "Waiting for the Weekend". I hope to have a finished image before the weekend.

I hope you can see the colors in this white, on white set up. it has been a good learning experience to play the different whites, against each other, and see all the other colors as light bounces off of the fabric.

Waiting for the Weekend

Another pastel today, and it still needs some attention. However, I am not going to touch it, until the sun passes over the items one more time. I really liked how the shadows on the floor create a barrier of sorts. The sneakers are ready to go out an play, only to have to wait until the weekend.

A Night To Remember - update

A Night to Remember

A Night To Remember

A Night To Remember 19"x26" pastel on Canson

I began a pastel last night, and it never ceases to amaze me what a few strokes of color will create. Evening light is needed to finish this, but it doesn't need much more. I want to put in a few more areas of red to indicate the shirt on the floor. However, the shoes are the story here, and boy do they have stories to tell.

Mentor

Orange in Brooklyn by Neudorfer

(This is my very first painting done in Michael's studio and I had only been using oils for a couple of months.)

Red vs Orange by Newberry

"Those individuals who serve as our mentors in our personal and professional affairs help us grow by providing us with the information that allows us to carve our own path. Even when we desperately want answers handed to us, a good mentor will recognize that we absorb so much more from a response that inspires us to search for knowledge in our time and in our own way. They provide us with the curiosity-inspiring questions that lead us on a veritable treasure hunt of wisdom and experience that can last as long as our association continues. Similarly, they serve as role models we can approach for guidance and support when we are unsure where we should go next. Your mentor will help you maintain a sense of optimism today by reassuring you that you are on the right path."

My horoscope today was about mentors. As I am focused, once again on my personal artistic path, it was appropriate that I should receive this in my inbox.

If you have ever considered a mentor, I highly recommend it. Someone that has your personal vision in mind, is a true asset. I found my mentor a couple of years ago. He has become a friend. One that knows that my life journey has been complicated at times, but he is patient. He realizes that I will never be far away from my art. I wrote about it here.

Michael Newberry, is a gifted and generous artist. I suggest that you take a tour of his site. It is a pleasure. His mentor program is discussed here and here.

Movin' and Groovin'

I have moved my studio this past week into what was my son's room. When he is home on leave, he will have his room back. The 10 days will be a blink of the eye. For now, I am not going to waste another minute. I finally having a space to call, "My Studio".

It feels quite spacious, but it does need a work table. I am not going to rush this. I will figure out what will be the best for my needs over time. I also don't have any of my art up. My son made some beautiful and creative work in his Digital Photography / Photoshop class. That I have decided will remain up on the walls, as a way to keep him close. This room adjoins a bathroom, and the windows are on the south side of the house. Not the best from an artists standpoint, but the view is inspiring, and I am thankful to be able to finally create a space for ME. As many of my close friends remind me... It is my time now.

Eric turns 20 years old, this Friday. Keep him in your thoughts, as he is trained to push his limits farther than many of us are able to imagine.

The Art Blog Award

Awards from friends have got to be the best EVER.
My friend Billie, whom I met on WetCanvas!, awarded me with The Art Blog Award.



Thanks Billie, you made my day with your sweet comments.
Now I am suppose to tell you 7 things that make me happy.

1. The sun shining in SoCA. The light here is spectacular around 4:00. The shadows stop me in my tracks.

2. The connections that I have made on the internet. Sites that have held my hand during medical crisis. Friends that support me while I am creating. High School and College chums that have pulled out old memories I had long forgotten. The University of Google that has allowed me to grow and learn in ways I had never known possible.

3. Whole Foods Market. When you have anyone around you will special nutritional needs, this is a gold mine. I love that they strive to supply the healthiest foods daily. They even have a concierge that will walk around the store with you if you are overwhelmed by ingredient labels and the choices provided.

4. Seeing my daughter dance on the ice rink. Spectacular!

5. Thinking that my son has found his mission in life. Proud!

6. Going out to lunch with my other son, and just talking. Unconditional!

7. Anything that has to do with ART. I have never known a time in my life that I have not been moved to create. I am lucky enough to have found ways to do this on my life journey, which have evolved over time. Now is the time for me to dig deeper, create what I find there, and share it with the world. What an exciting time we live in!

Acceptance

Our ability to grant ourselves approval provides us with the strength and self-awareness we need to create an unshakable reserve of inner strength.
True acceptance can only come from within.

Nourishing

I thank the earth for feeding my body,
I thank the sun for warming my bones,
I thank the trees for the air that I breath,
and I thank the water for nourishing my soul.

~ Leah Wolfsong

Bloomin'

Bloomin' 15x22" charcoal on Rives BFK (work in progress)

I have been trying to capture a shadow from my Japanese Magnolia tree for a week now. Either the buds were simply not ready to be "caught", or it was raining and hailing, and the petals were knocked off.

Yesterday, I was determined to find the light, and that I did. The buds cooperated. Though most of the blossoms are above my head. I was sure those driving by thought I was quite the sight. Good for them to know that art does not just "happen". Occasionally we work for our inspiration.

I love this tree. My children spent many hours climbing it's multiple trunks, and sitting, watching the world go by. I rarely planted flowers underneath it because I knew it would be trampled. Last week, I had my gardener plant flowers. Then I proceeded to trample them as I was capturing the tree's shadow. Go figure.

It is an interesting tree, because the blooms often fall immediately upon opening. It is my "snow", as the ground is white for a while. I wish there was a way that I could keep the blooms up longer. Yet, that is why we must capture the precious moments, because they are gone too soon.

Magnolia x Soulangiana 2/12/09

Unadorned - Update

Unadorned charcoal on Rives BFK 21x21"

I am thrilled how this is progressing. I hope you can see the changes that I have made since my last posting. I am very close to completing this shadow picture, and I can't wait to see it framed.
I have some ideas on what I want to dress it up in, but that must wait until I step back and put the pencil down.

Once again, bear with me. This photo was taken with my iPhone and uploaded here. I am waiting patiently for my computer. It should be any day. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

In The Works

Sycamore charcoal 22x30"on Strathmore HP

Shadows in the Park 30x22" charcoal on Rives BFK

I have never worked on multiples at one time. However, I have realized that when I capture the images that I am working with during a plein air session, I need to quickly work on the drawing to put down as much as I remember, from actually being in the moment. I can then return to each and work on areas that call out for attention, and manipulate each drawing to bring out it's own story. I have one that I have yet to share as it just has not spoken to me yet. It just may need to be wiped down and a new story begun. There is still time.

In 17 days my second son, will be leaving for the Marine's Boot Camp in San Diego. I am extremely proud of him, and his decision. Yet, I am going to miss him quite a lot. The next few weeks are going to be treasured. I am sure this too will enter my art in ways I have yet to consider.

Finishing Strong

I needed to share this video with you. I am really touched by watching it. I hope it strikes a cord with you as well.

Are You Going To Finish Strong?

Affirmations

I have been working with Alyson Stanfield, in an online class, to visualize my success. I have been working to organize my thought patterns, my visions, and my daily routines, to fulfill my dreams.

Here are a few of the affirmations that I have created. I begin each day saying them, feeling them and believing them.

I am learning to make them a part of my daily routine.

Cycles Of Affirmation
The short- and long-term successes we enjoy are part of a continual cycle of affirmation that begins with our reaching the goals we set for ourselves and eventually results in our feeling confident enough to broaden the scope of our dreams. Each time we meet the challenges before us without letting our fears get the better of us, we prepare ourselves to move on to bigger, better, and more ambitious aims. When the challenges before us seem entirely too demanding or difficult, we can look to our past triumphs for comfort and encouragement so that we may continue forward without interruption. Our previous experiences can also give us insight into the quandaries that haunt us in the present, enabling us to devise workable and creative solutions. You will feel wonderfully self-assured today when you think of all you have accomplished.

The above is taken from my Daily OM Horoscope sent to me by Achieve Your Goals

Unadorned

21x21" charcoal on Rives BFK

Still mapping out a computer plan with my son. In the meantime, I am trying to come up with ways to continue to function. Today, I had an AhHa moment, and decided to take a photo with my iPhone, and make an update with iPhoto. Mini computer in my hand and I didn't even think about that.

I have been working on one of my last organic shadow pieces, before I move more towards a man-made, mechanical grouping. Again, I captured this shadow up in a local area called The Cobb Estate. One of the bushes was stripped bare of it's leaves for the winter, and made some great abstracted shapes on the paper.

In my studio I have been enhancing the depth and flicker of the shadow and light , and I am liking the results.

Things

If things go wrong, don't go with them.
-- Roger Babson

Funeral For a Friend

My computer has died, so I am unable to access my files, or applications needed to post my current work. Luckily I am told that my work is safe, and now comes the difficult decision as to what to do next. Can't believe how much I rely on my desktop to help me in my creative process.

So for the time, I will be working on my charcoal series and making some choices.

Thank you for being patient.

Going Nutty

From time to time, life has us literally going NUTS. I decided to create an image with that thought in mind.

It has been a few rough weeks, so here is: Going Nuts


6"x6" watercolor