Monday, March 30, 2009

SOLD!!

"Twofold" SOLD!!  This was my very first abstract acrylic painting to be sold from my blog.  Thank you! Thank you!!  I was so excited about this sell and then a bit sad.  We had begun to enjoy it hanging on our wall.  It was a new experience in many ways.  Here we are packaging this 3ft.x 4ft painting... and the final letting go-
Here's the hubster rolling out the extra large roll of bubble wrap!!
Wrapping the painting and then...
the challenge was in measuring and then fitting the cardboard ....and taping- we taped!
then there was the goodbye..... from our house to yours!
Happy Birthday!! 

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Dedicated to........


Love Love
My first dog portrait!!
Emma asked me to paint this portrait of her dog to frame in gold.
King Love Love


Love Love is our daughter Emma's pug. Elsie had bought her this pug for her 21st birthday while she was still living at home finishing her degree. We kept the dog for her while she moved ahead to relocate in L.A.- This last January the second dreaded moment arrived (the first was when she moved) when she took her dog with. her to L.A. Of course, we had grown very attached and it was difficult to see him go.
It has taken me several months before I could even look at his photograph to paint it.
Love Love as a puppy. Soooo cute!!!


Love Love and my husband were pretty good buddies. He called him Bubbie.

At Cider Days with his first bar-b-que sandwich.


The girls had gotten me this black pug for mothers day several years ago. Gigi and Love Love grew up together and were very close. Gigi was the boss!

Easy going and veryyyyyyyy special!!


LoveLove and Gigi snoozing in my studio.
Ya, I know your probably thinking- these people are crazy- yep, it's true we are pretty dog crazy.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Intersect


                                           "Intersect"                                        
                            
                                         Contemporary Abstract-Palette Knife                                          

24" x 36"

SOLD


It's spring cleaning time around here, and there's plenty of it.  Several weeks ago I began cleaning out what we call the junk room.  It's the furnace room in our basement were we have been storing stuff for the last twenty years.  We seem to have been left with all kinds of memoralia from years gone by.  So, any way I am decluttering and decided to tackle the worst first, the junk room.  You can actually walk through there now without climbing over stuff.  Still looks like several weeks away before it's done, hopefully it will get done.  The outside work has begun as well with the planting of the garden and this week there was the trimming of the fruit trees and fence row overgrowth.   You can also tell it's spring cleaning time because we're walking around complaining about our soreness!!

As far as painting goes, I manage to squeeze it in whenever I can.  Today, I put the finishing touches on this painting.  I love the title my husband picked out for it!   "Intersect"  I also began a watercolor painting.  I don't know why I just felt like watercolors today.  Maybe it was all that cleaning!  

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Remnant


"Remnant"
Contemporary Acrylic Abstract
5" x 5"

Just listed this one in my Etsy shop.  I was working on another large abstract painting yesterday, but don't quite have it worked out yet.  I've got a new idea for it, so hope to get it done within the next few days and then I will post it.  I'm going to be teaching a workshop for the RedVelvetArt  girl's craft weekend in May, painting abstract paintings to be used as journal covers.  Fun time!!

I really like this small abstract painting.  I've been thinking about other possibilities.  Perhaps it will become the mock up for a large abstract painting.  SO, what do you think?!   

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Second Life


"Second Life"
Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
20" x 30" on illustration board
Framed in silver frame to 23" x 33"

 This one turned out to be a beautiful piece, although I wasn't sure I would be able to pull the idea off.  Lately, I've been working abstractly,loosely,expressionistically, yet incorporating that element of realism as well.  I've been enjoying the change in painting very much and feel as if growth is occurring.  This is the life of the painting that others can see, but there is another life and that is the process that is also a part of the paintings life.

There are so many ideas, problem solving and thoughts that go into a work.  I thought I would write about a few of those that stood out to me as I was working on this one. 

1. For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven..... Ecclesiates 3:1-14
I seem to have a difficult time living in the present- there's a lot of what if's, or when, or will---
this can lead to discouragement-- which is were I go often, but He provides ways in which I can be once again encouraged- Yesterday, it was my husband, Donnie who as usual puts things in perspective for me.  He confirmed in me that this is a time to grow in who I am as an artist- to paint, to produce and the other stuff will be taken care of in it's time.  Because I resigned from a teaching position that was a good part of our income, I will often worry about finances.  His little pep talk helped me get up and go paint.  My husband also gave me this verse as I first began this new journey last summer- "Do not despise the small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.  Zechariah 4:10  This speaks to me about today.  Live in the present. 

2.  Another thought I had and this one seems to be more of a reoccurring one, but it always blows me away in the way a work can seem like it's not working, it's not going to, how can all these different pieces come together creating a unified piece- and then it happens.  There it is- a beautiful piece.  This reminds me of how the Master artist works, taking all these broken parts, what seem to be messed up lives, or whatever the case might be, and uses them in such a way to bring the greatest good out of it.

3.  Also, I thought of how other artists have been used along the way in order to either just get me started, to encourage and nurture my talent, or to give advice.  Whatever the case might have been God provides in order that growth may occur.

4. And lastly, how creating can be an act of worship.  We often think of this with music, but there are so many other areas as well.  The process of taking those talents that have been given to you and using them creates a joy, that offers praises and thanksgiving to the Creator.  So, creating can be a lot like singing a praise song, only it's not seen or heard by others.

These were just a few of the thoughts that went with this painting. Often time, there are thoughts of family, friends, others, and prayer that will occur.  I've often entertained the thought, that perhaps the process might actually be the better part.  But then, perhaps there is a process for those who view the work.  Michael Card in the book he wrote "Scribbling in the Sand" says that what Jesus did when he scribbled in the sand created a space in time that allowed the angry mob to cool down and then to hear a word. --- If what we create, write, dance or sing can open up such a space in time through which God may speak, imagine the possibilities!"
So it seems there is always more there than meets the eye- a second life- 

Monday, March 16, 2009

Springtime!!!

"Les Fleurs"

Contemporary Abstract Acrylic

24" x 30" (2x 12"x 30")

I've been having a lot of fun lately painting with a palette knife.  This painting is on two gallery wrap canvases, with staple free and painted sides.  Spring is here!!

My husband and I have been invited to teach classes for the RVA craft weekend coming up in May.  Two of the RVA girls are our daughters Emma and Elsie. (we're very proud of them!)
 We are really looking forward to being involved in this exciting and fun weekend with the crafters.  Don is teaching a class on personalizing your own gourd! and I am teaching a class on creating a cute abstract journal.  Fun! Fun! Fun!  For more information check it out here.  ....and if you love what you see, check out the class schedules. and make plans to join this inspiring weekend!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Twofold


"Twofold"

Abstract Acrylic

36"x48"

Whew! What a week it's been. I have painted everyday, and the more I paint the more I can't get away from it. This one is the largest of all the new canvases I've got. This time I thought I would get the biggest one done first. I'm beginning to feel more comfortable and confident working with the large canvases and the acrylic paints. Well, I've got plenty of large canvases (18) now to last quite a while. What was I thinking?! More paint!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Another.............orchid


"Blooms and Buds"
8" x 11"
Transparent Watercolor

I finished this watercolor painting of these spotted orchids today. We got out several weeks ago to the Lawn & Garden show here in Springfield, Mo. and I got totally inspired and now have some new photographs to work with. I especially love working with the orchids, and I'm thinking about doing a series of them. I'm not sure which it is I enjoy more the blooms or the buds. And.... I also painted a very large abstract today! Post it later........

Monday, March 9, 2009

Done?


"Garden Life"
Abstract Acrylic on 24"x30"
Contemporary Palette Knife

Today's daily painting. There is something about it that I really, really like, yet I'm not sure that it's done. Sometimes this comes so easily to me and I am sure of it, and then sometimes as with this one there is uncertainty.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Expressions of Love


Title?
5"x5" Acrylic on canvas


Title?
5"x5"
Acrylic on canvas


"Duplicity"
5"x10" Acrylic on canvas




Title?
5"x 10" (2x 5"x5")
Acrylic on canvas



"Serendip"
5"x10" (2x 5"x5")
Acrylic on canvas



"Artscape"
5"x10" (2x 5"x10")
Acrylic on canvas




Flow
5"x 15" (3x 5"x5")
Acrylic on canvas


Last week I set out to paint a series of paintings on very small canvases. They are 5"x5". Some of these turned out to be single paintings, and the others are in sets of twos or threes. I still have four singles and a set of three to finish. (I've been putting these on Etsy.) I almost got those done. I also took a day to paint a series of abstract paintings for a workshop that my daughter Elsie has asked me to do the first part of May. These she will be posting on her blog, I believe about Thursday. More on that from me later.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about "Why do I create?" Why do I do this- I enjoy it so much-but why? Why? Why ?" Sounds like a two year old!! I am working on sorting through and expressing these thoughts on paper. Also, I'm probably thinking more and more about it, because as an artist just beginning to emerge I'm realizing that this is a part of the work as well.

I entitled this blog "Expressions of Love" because that was the first thought that came to my mind as I began to question why I've been doing what I am doing. And so, these are those thoughts in the very beginning stages. And yes, I do look for them to evolve and strengthen as I pursue and immerse myself more into this process.

First- for me- it's a language- a way of expressing my innermost self. It's a visual language. Oh, I wish I were talented in music, or writing or even in good communication skills, but none of those are me, communication comes most easily in a visual form. Most importantly, I believe it's a language that has been given to me in order to praise my God, Creator and Father. This is why I feel is if they are expressions of love, a pouring out of my soul, a form of praising, like singing or dancing. Many times I am dancing as I am painting- ya, that is a real site to see!!

I love reading the Psalms. This is a book in the bible where David pours out his soul to God in song. David was an artist who expressed his praises in song, poetry and dance. Psalms are his expressions written in song. Some of these can be very depressing, some are out of desperation, some of hope, some of love,some full of joy, some questioning, and the list goes on and on. What I love is this is David's personal relationship with his Lord, and it's not always perfect or pretty, but it's real.

My next thought, is that I believe that when these expressions are occurring it will truly speak and touch the soul of others. So what has been given as a gift is to be given to others. - spread the love- a space in time has been created.

These are my Sunday morning thoughts- creating and painting are much more than just playing, although that is a plus, they are a form of praising God for who He is- and all that He has done and continues to do for us. God is love!

Let all that I am praise the Lord,
O Lord my God, how great you are!
Psalm 104


Wednesday, March 4, 2009


"Enchanted"

Contemporary Abstract Acrylic

5" x 5" on black easel





"Pursuance"

Contemporary Abstract Acrylic

10" x 10" (4x 5"x5")


The canvases arrived today! The very large canvases arrived!! I'm excited about working on these but once again feeling a little intimidated by how large and how many. It's just a matter of getting started. Sometimes that can be the hardest step. I imagine I will probably wait till next week to begin these. This week I've been working on a very small, small scale!

I have felt so honored by the inquiries that I have had about my work. Yes, I have absolutely loved receiving these e-mails! It really makes me happy to know that the work I am creating is speaking to others in such a way that they would inquire about purchasing art work. Unfortunately though I have had to reply that the majority of those pieces are now in a gallery to be shown in June. So just for you, this week, I've been painting small abstracts that I will be posting on Etsy this week. I just got through listing the two that I have posted here, and will continue to post them as I get them done.

Here is something else that I got excited about today. As I was photographing Pursuance I realized that there are so many combinations that the four canvases can be rearranged into, creating a different painting each time. It was just the coolest discovery to be able to arrange these paintings horizontally, vertically, upside down, etc., Some of them will be in sets of twos, some in threes, and this one is a set of four.

And lastly, the single abstracts can be displayed on a little easel. I think these are adorable!




Monday, March 2, 2009

Waiting


"Beauty"

Transparent Watercolor

8"x 8"

Still waiting for my large canvases to come in, so in the mean time, today I....
was never totally satisfied with Beauty, so I worked some more with the background darkening it and this really helped make the orchids pop.
And............

I'm really pretty excited about this one. I've decided to open up an Etsy shop with small abstract paintings. I bought the canvases over the weekend and got started on them today.
They'll be individual pieces, sets with two, three and four canvases.
Anyway more on these as they evolve.


Title???

Acrylic on 4" x 4" canvas