Farewell Boo

The studio just isn't the same without you, to say nothing of how empty the house feels.  I miss hearing your tiny heavy paws come padding up to me and the tap-tap as you asked to get on my lap. 

You only twice ever got in the paint, you were content to stay countless hours with me, as long as you had a good place to curl up and my water-glass to drink out of.  Every painting I have ever done you were there from beginning to end, or at least it felt like it.  Even when you were underfoot, I loved that you just wanted to be "with."
You used to mew for us when we got too far ahead of you on walks, now it's us looking for you.

Love you, babe-cat.
Thank you for everything.  Thirteen years went by far too quickly.

The paints are out!

It's been months since my acrylics have gotten their time in the sun.  Well, I'm fully fueled with caffeine and am poking through the corners of the studio, finding random surfaces to prepare.

Because I'm doing a demonstration of "Acrylic Underpainting Techniques" February 27th at Artists' Mediums.  So I'd better get cracking, eh?

In other news, just picked up my work from the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery (looking forward to their Valentine-themed show this Friday) and we came home with prints by two other artists as well.  Images of those later, once we get them situated.  

from the archives

After voting early yesterday, I came home to attack the mess in my studio. Glad to report that it feels wonderful in here now, though there are a few big piles of STUFF outside my door, and if I don't act soon they'll just creep back in.

Re-arranging the boxes in the far back of the closet I found a box of mementos that I hadn't looked through in years. Though my mom was very conscientous about dating my creations* this gem escaped notation. I'm super-pleased with how I managed to show these ladies really dancing. Rick loves the 'all-around' teeth belonging to the lady on the right. Perhaps I'll do a painting based on this.



*and often writing descriptions. Which is a good thing, as I would never have assumed that a picture of a guy in front of a teepee with a sleigh off to the side was my letter to the Easter Rabbit. Wow, those childhood narratives!

decisions decisions

Ahhh... a beautiful fall weekend. After an idyllic day spent wandering around with friends, Rick and I returned home to have a quiet fall afternoon soaking in the remaining hours of sunlight. We've successfully ignored the piles of dishes, and I shall continue to ignore them on my day off tomorrow. Here's why:

It's late and I've just re-connected with an acquaintance from school, via Facebook. It was rather eye-opening in that it made me realize I've missed being in touch with the more contemporary art world, and that I need to seriously look over my goals as an artist.

Looking around my studio, (and how spoiled I am to have a room of my own!) I see how little of it is actually dedicated to making art for myself at the moment. Rather, it is full of random piles of detritus (that I threw in here when cleaning the house for our Horror Movie Night) not to mention several boxes of unpacked art from the last art show, and unpacked art materials from the last two events at the store!

I love the store, I always want to be involved in it, but I also need to go beyond my comfort zone and think about doing an artists' residency. I need to deflate my ego quite a bit and realize that everyone at the store can get along without me just fine for a week or two. (See why I've had a hard time actually even taking a vacation!)
More of my energy needs to be directed at my own growth, because I've got quite a bit of catching up to do when I look at my peers from school. At a show this summer, it was pointed out to me that even though I have a studio at home, I probably devote more time to housekeeping than studio work, and this is true. I haven't found a good balance yet, though I know some artists have achieved this.
The hungering I experienced upon reading about my former classmate's art experiences has me thinking that maybe it's something more than just a need to "keep up with the Joneses." I don't feel like I need to move to NYC, or to pander to the more ridiculous aspects of the art world. I DO think I need to break out of my usual routines and look both inward and outward, otherwise my senses will become dulled.

the studio

Here's a few shots of the studio, there are ones which dictate the size better, but this will do.
The view as you enter: just after I cleaned up and just before I decided to take down that red rug thing.

My new favorite spot, in disturbing collaged format. Now that I've made this area welcoming, the easel is getting quite a bit of use. It's usually set up by the door now within easy access of the paints. And the level of crap getting stuck in my paint has, as a result of working vertically, decreased greatly. Oh how I love this place.

foggy spring brain

We've gone from 3 feet of snow to bare patches of soggy ground in what seems an amazingly short time. Resisting the urge to just lie down and nap, we're trying to keep the house fairly clean and at the same time re-arrange and re-decorate.

Let it be said that right now I'm experiencing a bit of envy for Rick's studio, small though it is, because he has it well-planned out. Myself, I've just started using the other half of this wonderfully large room that is my studio, and actually started putting things up on all the walls. In other words, acting like I live here...
I have way too many things that I like doing, is the problem. But I think this room can handle all that. The table I'm typing on right now will most likely double as the sewing table once I get going on some fabric projects for the house.

But the best part of this room is that the size (and wonderful light!) will allow get-togethers with other artist friends. One of the main reasons we wanted to get a house in the first place.

List of things to do must not overwhelm me...