The coast is clear

(303) 6 x 8, oil
"People ask me what I do in winter when there is no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring"...Roger Hornsby

Spring Break

(302) 24 x 30
I painted this larger figure painting from a photo of my sons when they were younger.
I read with keen interest Karen Appleton's post about exploring that small spark of inspiration that suddenly hits you out of nowhere--and then trying to figure out the best way to incorporate it into your work...weeks, months, even a year later. Thinking about how we are inspired, I realized that I used to think I was the only one who held onto tiny snippets of ideas that evolved into paintings in my head waiting to see the light of day, until I read Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit". As I have mentioned before, Twyla writes about the importance of gathering little sparks of inspiration from a wide variety of sources, never judging or over-thinking them, but instead placing them in boxes to be studied later when she analyzes how they all fit together.
Also, I saw a fascinating Marc Jacobs documentary last year where he studied other designers's work and gathered materials/fabrics/clothing from various sources/eras, and then put them together in fresh, new ways to create his fashions. For example, to explore circle shapes in design, he took his inspiration from colorful macarons he saw during lunch. (Cookies as inspiration--you can't go wrong with that!) He and his design team then playfully arranged circles on flat drawings of purses, allowing them to visualize fresh color combinations, composition ideas, and how to best design the negative spaces created by the circles...I LOVE THAT--what a wonderful reminder that art should be fun, and that the best sparks of inspiration come simply from noticing and being curious about the world around us!
"You need regularly to move from the assembly line and simply surrender to your intuition, and you need to be guilt free about it. While maybe a seeming distraction, it's the elixir that gives energy and courage to the roll of your production and your life in art. The penchant for exploration has a great deal to do with innate curiosity. Artists have curiosity in degree--some are all output and no curiosity, others are all curiosity and no output. For those who would care to evolve, this is one case where you need to be in the middle"...Robert Genn

Wired

(301) Wired
8 x 8
The beach...a spot where you could listen to the sound of the waves, talk with your friends, read a book...or just tune it all out, and listen to your ipod.
I've been thinking a lot lately about what inspires us, what catches our eye, and propels us to discover renewed enthusiasm about the creative process- so I was especially enamored with this quote:
"Let your hook be always cast. In the stream where you least expect it, there will be a fish"...Ovid

Truth

(300) Truth
private collection
6 x 8, oil
If I incorporate last post's exercise into this painting, the words describing this young man would be: modest, respectful, wise-beyond-his-years, kind, humble, and unassuming--a lot of words for such a small painting? I find that I most enjoy painting figures who are engaged in an activity, or in some way interacting with their surroundings. Painting a relaxed, natural pose allows me to focus on capturing a gesture, a likeness, a fleeting truth, a moment in time. And to me, painting a figure from this angle creates some degree of mystery, inviting the viewer to ponder such questions as: who is this young man? what are his thoughts, hopes, dreams, wishes as he looks out onto that sparkling, vast body of water?

“To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds that have swept up and down the surf lines of the continents for untold thousands of years, to see the running of the old eels and the young shad to the sea, is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be"...Rachel Carson

Love

(299) Love
private collection
6 x 8, oil
I have taken a couple of workshops with Nashville artist Roger Dale Brown, a very humble, kind and helpful instructor. He observed that a common mistake artists make is when we anxiously jump into painting without first defining our goals. Explaining that it is not enough to just say to yourself "I want to paint this subject because I like it" he suggested that we take the time to discern why. So, before picking up a paintbrush, he carefully chooses a word or words that best describe how he feels about his subject. This exercise requires him to define his intentions, and by repeating those words to himself while painting, he is more likely to remain mindful and maintain his original focus--sage advice for the rest of us. Because Roger and the young man in the painting are of similar demeanor, I was reminded of this contemplative exercise before beginning this painting. So, to describe my subject, I chose as my "mantra": caring, thoughtful, mindful, kind, loving, and generous. If you are an artist, try this exercise next time you paint, and see what it reveals to you.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around"...Leo F. Buscaglia
And, spreading the love, here are two new blog discoveries that I want to share with you. Jala Pfaff is a wonderful artist from Boulder, her adept use of color makes her portraits simply stunning. And if you enjoy a peaceful respite from your busy day, take a moment to check out this clever haiku/photography site A Haiku a Day...The January 14th entry is a favorite, she said stretching toward the sun....there is so much out there to be inspired by every single day. I just LOVE that!

Joy

(298) Joy
private collection
6 x 8, oil
In these chilly February days, I find myself longing for the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean. But since I can't be there in person right now, I will assign my paintbrush the duty of transporting me to a place where this little "model" appears to spread joy wherever she goes.
"The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy"...Henry Ward Beecher
And speaking of joy, artist Tracey Mardon sent me links to these super inspirational painters, so I am spreading the joy and passing them along to you! Please check out Miro Sinovcic and Jennifer Woodburn. Their exquisite paintings are full of light, bliss, chi, and did I mention JOY?

I Heart Art...

(297) I am honored and thrilled to say that my ballerina painting took second place last evening at our annual ArtWorks Exhibit! Special thanks to Gallery at 916 for hosting the event. I feel everyone is a winner because we are blessed to have such a skilled, mutually supportive and accomplished group of artists (who also happen to be a fun bunch to party with). If you live in the area, stop by and see our exhibit. Closing date is March 27th.
"A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love
Til you give it away"...Oscar Hammerstein

Be the Light...

(296) Anticipation
private collection
8 x 10, oil
In this painting, the ballerina and rug are bathed in a light that bounces and illuminates its surroundings. There were two light sources; a splendid challenge where the light takes center stage, becoming a play-within-a-play .
"Plan your hours to be productive.
Plan your weeks to be educational.
Plan your years to be purposeful.
Plan your life to be an experience of growth.
Plan to change.
Plan to grow"...Iyanla Vanzant

The color of light...

(295) Luminescence
9 x 12, oil
"You have your brush, you have your colors. You paint paradise, then in you go"......Nikos Kazantzakis

Heartland

(294) Heartland
9 x 12, oil
I avoided using medium for this painting, allowing some passages to be considerably thicker while some were thinned with a little Gamsol, all the while trying to be conscious of varying my brushstrokes.
"When options are limited, focus becomes likely"...Robert Genn

Inauguration Day

(293) Jefferson Memorial
6 x 6, oil
On this historic day, I am honored to join one of my favorite artists, Karin Jurick, for this "Different Strokes for Different Folks" tribute to this Washington D.C. landmark. Please visit here to see other artists' renditions of the Jefferson Memorial.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"...US Declaration of Independence, 1776

Into The Light

(292) Into the Light
8 x 10, oil
My focus in this painting was to "chisel" out the shapes with a flat brush, which proved to be way tougher than it seems it should be, so I found myself scraping the paint, beginning over, and analyzing how artists make corrections and problem solve (lighter, darker, warmer, cooler?...). In art workshops that I have attended, it seems that inevitably there is always that one student who becomes easily frustrated and whines to the instructor "paint it for me." And while some instructors oblige as a way of demonstrating, some respond with a joke "If I paint it for you, I will have to put my name on it and charge you for it." But my all time favorite response to the whiners was Carolyn Anderson's reprimand to "MAKE IT RIGHT! If it doesn't work, it is up to you to keep trying until you figure out how to make it work." Her response may seem a little harsh, but sometimes finding the correct solutions in life demands diligent persistence, resilience, faith and hope. This week I'm counting on our country to show that same resolve as we begin anew, seek the right solutions, and make it right.
"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step~
Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

strength in numbers

(291) Lilies
8 x 10, oil
For this painting, I chose a muted color palette for a more serene look and feeling.
"Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life"...John Lubbock

Tiny Dancer

(290) Ballerina
private collection
5 x 7, oil
This little study was a departure for me. Typically, my subject reference is limited to what is in front of me and/or a photo; but for this painting, I used my imagination to put the figure in a room with one of my favorite paintings by Degas. Painting what is in front of me is far easier, all the more reason to s t r e t c h out of my comfort zone!
And on another note, my computer/internet/blogger/all things related to posting/uploading/visiting other websites has not been working for weeks (I've invented all new curse words), so hopefully my tech support has gotten everything back up and running. Finally. When this "stuff" works, it is great-when it does not, I lose interest fast.
"No art is less spontaneous than mine. What I do is the result of reflection and the study of the great masters"...Edgar Degas

Italy

(289) Arno River
private collection
10 x 20, oil on canvas
The Arno River, the largest in Tuscany, flows through several cities including Florence... a most enchanting and endearing city.
"You may have the universe if I may have Italy"...Giuseppe Verdi

A New Year...

(288) "Homage to Bruges Madonna"

6 x 8, oil

For this painting, I chose to study a portion of Michelangelo's sculpture of the Bruges Madonna. Paintings and sculptures of the Madonna holding a swaddled baby Jesus were common during the Renaissance; but in this instance, the artist chose to depict Jesus as a toddler who appears to be contemplating taking a step away from his mother. Mary has a loving, yet somber expression that most art historians agree is evidence of her understanding of the child's future. What draws me to the work is the artist's sweet and tender depiction of Mary holding onto her baby's hand. Her gentle grasp reminds me of the delicate balance we seek as parents, as we simultaneously provide support and guidance while encouraging our children to seek independence and explore their world.

As we look forward to a new year and contemplate our goals, dreams and resolutions to make the world a better place; let us consider the wisdom and courage in what Michelangelo had to say about this subject over 500 years ago:

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark"....Michelangelo

Wishing you these gifts...

(287)
magic and wonder...

the joy of family and friends

warmth and comfort

and the blessings of
light, hope, love and peace...

Pauline Day

(286) Pink Rose
private collection
5 x 7, oil
A pink rose for Pauline, Jerre, and Kela; three phenomenal women whose lives served as examples of grace, kindness, inspiration and strength. To see Teaworthy's tribute in skirt! outlining how to celebrate "Pauline Day" today, please click here.
"Grace was in all her steps, Heav'n in her Eye, In every gesture dignity and love"...John Milton

Superman

(285) I stepped outside the art museum and here was this little one skateboarding in his cape, seemingly oblivious to everything else.
"I never rebel so much against France as not to regard Paris with a friendly eye; she has had my heart since my childhood.... I love her tenderly, even to her warts and her spots. I am French only by this great city: the glory of France, and one of the noblest ornaments of the world"...Michel de Montaigne

I'll have what she's having...

(284) A shadow shot from inside the restaurant at Musée d’Orsay--This Paris museum used to be a train station; the giant clock overlooks the Seine below...enchanting at every turn. This museum is a great place to get lost, or just lose yourself.
To see a collage of other shadow shots, please visit here.
"America is my country and Paris is my hometown" ... Gertrude Stein

French Toast

(283) Leave it to the French to present food so beautifully...would you like heart-shaped strawberry slices on your toast? ...Oui, s'il vous plaît!
"Paris is the city in which one loves to live. Sometimes I think this is because it is the only city in the world where you can step out of a railway station—the Gare D’Orsay—and see, simultaneously, the chief enchantments: the Seine with its bridges and bookstalls, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Tuileries Gardens, the Place de la Concorde, the beginning of the Champs Elysees—nearly everything except the Luxembourg Gardens and the Palais Royal. But what other city offers as much as you leave a train?"...Margaret Anderson

At The Museum...(or not?)

Ever wonder what your paintings/photographs would look like in a museum?
Go here to play and see what fun it is.








(282) "All in all the creative act is not formed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and interpreting its inner qualifications and thus adds his contributions to the creative act"...Marcel Duchamp

Tour Eiffel

(281) This week's shadow shot comes from the Eiffel Tower casting a shadow over the line of people waiting below. Click here to visit Hey Harriet! and see more shadow shots.
"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast"...-Ernest Hemingway

Shadow shot

(280) This shadow results from a steel sculpture created by Kentucky artist Donnie Firkins. To see more shadow shots, please visit Hey Harriet!
The photo is an excellent reminder in how to paint shadows because it is easy to see that they appear darker with a harder edge the closer they are to the object casting the shadow. Then they transition to lighter values with softer edges as they move further away from the object.
"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same"...Nelson Mandela

Tagged!

(279)
I have been tagged by Marian Fortunati and asked to share some "unusual" things about myself.
Unusual? That is the assignment? oh gee, maybe you should grab some caffeine and try to stay awake... but here goes:

1. Years ago, my sister got concert tickets for us to see Paul and Linda McCartney--the only concert I ever attended when the audience knew the words to every song---so great. Later when Linda passed, synchronicity played a role in my travel plans, allowing me to be in London on the evening of her memorial. Like thousands of others, I stood outside St. Marins in the Fields and caught a glimpse of Paul and others as they waved hello and filed into the church. Lily of the Valley was Linda's favorite flower so her family had bouquets all along the facade of the church and the invitees were given one as they departed. There were extras, and one of the security guards offered a bouquet to me...lovely.



2. I received my first "art award" was when I was in the 5th grade. The class was was given a huge double bar of Ivory soap (I'm quite sure they no longer make those), and asked to carve something from it. I was so enthralled with Renaissance art at that age, and had just read about how Michelangelo observed a huge piece of marble that no one else wanted, and was able to visualize his sculpture of David within its boundaries. So I studied the shape of my soap bar and tried to imagine what would fit inside my rectangle (about 4"x7" not quite 2 inches thick)--and then I "saw" it. An opened book, lying flat would fit perfectly in that space, and was my "best of show" win. It was the first time I had considered sketching "within the envelope" to find a shape.

3. Although I took art classes in college, my major was psychology, and working with a white lab rat was a requirement for graduation. Let me just say that when a rat bites you, he doesn't let go immediately...and may I also add that when your rat is then running loose in the classroom, lying down on that nice cool science table to keep from fainting can be a godsend. Just in case you were wondering, such an event requires a new round of immunizations. Nightmares? why yes-- for years actually.

4. I first saw the Rolling Stones when I was 8 months pregnant. And a few years later, when that "baby" grew taller than me, we went to hear Mick and Keith again....



5. About 12 years ago, I was liberated by the sudden realization that I do not have to watch the evening news. Who knew? With apologies to John Mayer, I am not "waiting on the world to change" but hoping to follow Ghandi's advice to "BE the change you wish to see in the world." What in the world would we do without that daily dose of horror, you ask? Why not fill your head with what is good in the world instead?...perhaps with words by people who have have something uplifting to say about life like Deepak Chopra, Dwayne Dyer, Mattie Stepanek, Maya Angelou, Elie Weisel, Sarah Ban Breathnach, Eckhart Tolle, just to name a few- So many adults are up in arms about the negative effects of video games, but does the news not also desensitize us to violence? Clearly my news avoidance is "unusual" considering that 24-hour news stations are so very plentiful. (how many are sponsored by anti-depressant drugs?) Go ahead. TRY it-- try a news fast! It will feel weird at first, you will swear that you NEED to "know what is going on in the world" but soon you will realize that for every single sensational, negative story they have chosen for you, there are millions of unreported, inspiring and uplifting ones all around you. Millions!

6. I am ambidextrous in both writing and painting, but I didn't discover that fact until I had an injured rotator cuff.

okay, that's enough...still awake? If so, I'll stop there and TAG these fine folks...can't wait to learn more about them:
Diane Bronstein
Lorrie Drennan
M.E. Bailey
Vicki Shuck
Kellie Hill
Jennifer Woodburn
Paula Cravens
Mary Duvall

The rules for tagging are these:

1. put a link in your posting about the artist that tagged you.
2. write 5 -7 unusual things about yourself.
3. tag 5 - 7 other bloggers and let them know.

Golden Harvest

(278) ...stepping away for a few days to spend Thanksgiving with the fam.
~Wishing you blessings of health, love and comfort~
"I open the door. The gorgeous guest from afar sweeps in. In her hands are her gifts-the gifts of hours and far-seeing moments, the gift of mornings and evenings, the gift of spring and summer, the gift of autumn and winter. She must have searched the heavens for boons so rare"...Abbie Graham

Waiting...

(277) The long shadows of the season offer the "perfect" shadow shots at every turn. Waiting for family to join us for brunch, I sat down in the big comfy chair, glanced down at the floor and click! (to see other shadow shots, please visit Hey Harriet! here)
"The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between notes...ah, that is where the art resides"...Arthur Schnabel

Maple Syrup

(276) A worm's eye view...and another opportunity to hug a beautiful tree.
“My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.”
Aldous Huxley

Blue

(275) Nature's complimentary colors.
"Work is love made visible"...Kahlil Gibran

Yellow Maple

(274) We are still enjoying the last days of autumn colors-simply stunning!
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"...Ecclesiastes 3:1

Fountain

(273)
One of my favorite books, The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, delves into how we approach the creative process; specifically how we locate, organize, condense and compile the multitude of things that touch, affect and inspires us each day. Take the scene above. I was stunned at how the dark figure stood out against the light. It grabbed my attention and I could only hope to capture how I felt about the gesture, the light, the mood created by the surrounding dark. Pure magic!!! Getting out and taking photos like this sparks my imagination and offers instant inspiration and enthusiasm for future projects. My friend Diane goes out and sketches from life. What process do YOU find energizing to kickstart your creativity?
"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts"...Henry David Thoreau

"Duck mind"

(272) This shot was taken at a local park, and reminded me of Eckhart Tolle's observation of ducks after a skirmish. He noted that the fights never last long. And, as you see above, immediately afterward they vigorously flap their wings to shake off surplus energy built up during the fight. Then they float away peacefully, just as if nothing ever happened.
He compares this reaction to humans who tend to hang onto that negative energy by holding grudges and thinking/talking/obsessing about it. It becomes our story.

"We are a species that has lost its way. Everything natural, every flower or tree, and every animal have important lessons to teach us if we would only stop, look, and listen. Our duck’s lesson is this: Flap your wings—which translates as ‘let go of the story’—and return to the only place of power: the present moment"...Eckhart Tolle

Shadow Shot 4

(271) We planted pink knock-out roses at the beginning of the summer, and here it is almost Thanksgiving and they are still blooming! I have enjoyed them in vases, and worn them in my hair all summer and fall. They have certainly earned their name.
To see other terrific shadow shots, go here.
"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.
When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves"...Buddha

Love Your Life

(270) I took this photo of a sidewalk facing the centuries old Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Is it merely graffiti or a timeless message from the universe, a gentle reminder to count our blessings and make the most of each day?
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money- than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you"...Charles R. Swindoll

Shimmer

Diane, from Inspiration By Design has issued a challenge to bloggers to post a "favorite dress", so I am including this one, painted earlier this year. I love the color of this fabric which changes in the light. To participate and/or be eligible to win her painting, you may visit her site here.
"A dress can mean so much to a woman... it reminds us of the event it was worn at, be it a walk down the street or a formal affair. It also reminds us of who we met or who we were in love with then, or who broke her heart. Somehow the dress or the outfit plays a role in that moment".....Diane Bronstein

Little Hands

(269
"It is not pure fantasy to say that the color red is like the sound of a trumpet"...Joyce Carey

Herman Munster; the early years...

(268) Okay...the economy has gone straight down the tubes, so this is my meager (but heartfelt) attempt to take your mind off it, even if it is just for a moment and hopefully give you a reason to smile. You can even laugh out loud if you want. Go ahead. There, isn't that better? This photo was taken in France where apparently, car-makers haven't quite caught on to the fact that people come in various sizes, shapes, and heights.
Thanks to all who came to the reception and for making it a super fun party! I am honored--
“I don't say that we ought to all misbehave, but we ought to look as if we could”...Orson Welles

Shadow Shot Sunday 3

(267)
To see more creative and unique Shadow Shots, please visit here.

And, although these words were penned in the 1800's, they are just as pertinent and timeless today:
"Things do not change;
we change"
...Henry David Thoreau

New Gallery Exhibit!

(266)
...Just taking a moment to put up my feet and catch up on some required reading while awaiting Friday evening's opening reception.
New paintings for November's show at Gallery 916 are finished, framed and hanging, so if you are in the neighborhood on Nov. 7th, between 5-7 p.m. (central), please drop by and say hello (that goes for you too, George!)
Joining me will be fellow painter, Rhonda Smith, and don't forget to stop by the All KY Juried Exhibition (same reception hours) located just down the street at the Capitol. Sounds like a great evening for art! (ballgown not required)
This post rates two favorite quotes:
"Be yourself, everyone else is taken"...Oscar Wilde
"The best advice I got from my aunt, the great singer Rosemary Clooney, and from my dad, who was a game show host and news anchor, was: don't wake up at seventy years old sighing over what you should have tried. Just do it, be willing to fail, and at least you gave it a shot. That's echoed for me all through the last few years"...George Clooney (me too, George)

Sky of Blessed Life

(265) I love a new dawn, and the new possibilities it brings. I ventured out super early one summer morning and captured this shot. Can you see the full moon nestled in the pink clouds?
"Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life, (a dream of life),
Come on up for the rising"...Bruce Springsteen

Ruby Tuesday

(264) I took this photo of London schoolboys walking to class -- and am posting it in response to the photo challenge, Ruby Tuesday, where the post must contain the color red, a little or a lot!
"Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams"...Paul Gauguin

The Future

(263) I took this photo in Sedona while out on an early morning walk. The temperature was in the 20s so there is a thin layer of ice on the sculptures. Pretty cool (literally).
Regardless of where you live or how you cast your vote in tomorrow's local and national elections, may our collective choice, decision, and voice provide a better world for our children as we strive to "be the change you wish to see in the world"...Mahatma Ghandi

Shadow Shot Sunday

(262) This one was taken at the farmer's market. Visit here to see more SSS photo entries for today!
"The illusion of three-dimensional forms in space grows out of my attempt to re-create the fall of light over the actual form in front of me"...Philip Pearlstein