NEW YEAR, NEW START

Who doesn't love a fresh start?

January 1st is really just a continuation in a long stream of days, but who doesn't love a fresh start? A new race to run (not from personal experience, I just thought it sounded good), new colors to explore, spend more time where I feel most alive, experiment more, love more, move closer to what God created me to do and embrace the wonderful gift of joy.

Got to hand deliver my last art installation of 2016 in Indianapolis for my amazing, creative Jennifer Storey. Now I can't wait to get back in the studio!

Happy New Year everyone. Keep an eye out for an amazing surprise coming very soon.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY?

Back to the drawing board? Nope, this one is finished. It's raining cats and dogs? You're getting closer. Every cloud has a silver lining? Close, but no cigar. When it rains it pours? Winner Winner.....

You Know What They Say? 16 x16 on wood cradle board

I apologize for being a little punchy. I seem to create quite a few rainy paintings, which is ironic, since rain is so rare in San Diego. I thoroughly enjoyed the layer upon layer of raining color until I could see beyond the paint itself. 

FIRE AND RAIN

I started this, then had to set it aside for some commission pieces and lots of volunteering my time. So it was like spending time with a friend yesterday as I added the finishing touches. This is a 16"x16" acrylic abstract painted on a 1.5 deep birch cradle board. Will be adding this to my website soon. 

FIRE AND RAIN

THE GIFT THAT GAVE BACK

Back in December my daughter requested a large abstract painting from me for Christmas. I was still experimenting in abstract so I held High Mass over this project. Once completed, we took the 40"x40" painting off the frame and packed it in a heavy tube. Too large for carry-on I reluctantly checked it in at the airport. When we arrived in Indianapolis at midnight, I held my breath as all the luggage was off the carousel and people cleared out...no tube, no painting. Turns out it never left San Diego. It finally arrived just in time to put it all back together for Christmas morning and her reaction made all the trouble worth it. 

 Above was a temporary location until Jennifer's kitchen remodel was complete. Now here it is in it's permanent spot above this beautiful credenza:

So that was the gift part of the story. Now pay attention all you artists who wonder how you'll ever get noticed. I got an email from a friend of Jennifer's saying her mom absolutely loves that painting and wanted to commission me to make a smaller version for her mom's 60th. Jennifer was fine with that so I just completed this 10"x10" little sister, which I titled "Blow out the Candles".

Her mom never saw my work in person, only images on Facebook or Instagram. And now her daughter is discussing another commission for herself. You just never know who will be watching and one thing can lead to endless possibilities. Just keep on painting and posting! 

BOUNCE OFF THE WALLS

Shut. The. Front. Door. has a new friend. They haven't officially met yet, as Shut (for short, right?) is currently hanging in a gallery. Besides, Shut is already spoken for, but I liked where I was headed and wanted to create more like him/her/it. Shut up, I think I accomplished it! Let me introduce you to:

BOUNCE OFF THE WALLS  24x24 mixed media 

Now I'm not guaranteeing I'm totally finished with Bounce Off The Walls. But safe to say I would only add some markings, as I am happy, happy that I accomplished what was in my head and heart. 

Wanna see what they would look like if they got together?

ArtWalk San Diego 2016

My ArtWalk San Diego 2016 space from this past weekend. 

HONING IT IN

You must have thought I died. Naaa, I'm very alive over here. Between the extensive home remodels and forcing myself to explore and stretch myself creatively, I've been a busy girl. For me painting is a spiritual experience; what connects me to my Creator. My goal is to find what I was created to create. A journey I feel privileged to experience. So honing, exploring and feeling those deep emotions that go along with the ride are where I've been for many months now. 

Right now I am in the midst of last minute preparations for ArtWalk San Diego which is just a few days away. A huge sigh, which my husband says is my silent scream. Sigh....

That's my abstract painting named "SHUT. THE. FRONT. DOOR."... what my daughter, Jennifer Storey, said when she first saw it. When a favorite family member has that kind reaction the title comes easy. 

If you are in the San Diego area and planning to attend ArtWalk, I'd sure love for you to pop in and introduce yourself. Remember #945. And lately I've been more frequent on Etsy and Instagram, so please follow me there for my latest creations. 

GIRL IN CHAIR

Okay, certainly not the most creative title, I know. I have been wanting to try my hand at watercolor again. I've never had any real watercolor classes, so I'm just putting ideas on paper to see what happens. This was my second attempt. I like a couple areas of the first one, but overall, this was better. Every painting is an experiment. I'll put this one in my Etsy shop as a 5x7.

MAKING A SILK SCARF

Several of us creative types stepped out of our comfort zones yesterday to design silk scarves. What fun! It was a very warmish day outside. So much so that my sweat dripped onto my design a couple times. But that just added to the "uniqueness", right? The others mostly used the marbleizing technique (see an example in the second photo) which was so fascinating. I decided to go big and bold and try my hand at a large floral. For not knowing what we were doing each scarf was a work of art. We had help from an assistant. They place the silk on our floating art and pull it back off and voila! Lots of ohhhs and ahhhs in unison. Can you tell I was pleased? I sure would do this again!

KEVIN'S BIG, AMAZING LIFE

During Artwalk this last April some friends came to visit my booth. It was love at first sight when the husband saw Mr Big Shot. After I explained the story behind the layers of this collage he asked me to do one for him. 

I began building the story of Kevin's life after several conversations, photos, and using my interior design instincts to design a piece of art that fits their personal style and a good amount of research on my own.

The top of the painting was from a photo I consider iconic for the times. Seems it was mandatory to have a pic in front of the family car, right? I only have a couple dozen photos of myself as a child and sure enough, one is in front of a car! The original photo was so tiny to begin with I had a heck of a time and a few redo's to get his features to my liking. Lots of tiny brushes were used, as you can imagine. I actually moved little Kevin over to a better spot in front of the car. As an artist you get to do that, you know. Just pick em up and move em over. Sorry, I took this pic quickly so it's crooked, but you get the idea.

Kevin's love for water skiing just had to be included. Again, the facial features were so important to me and the hardest to capture. I think that's my 5th try.

When I presented this to Kevin and his wife Karen (my sneaky collaborator) I can't even begin to express the joy I had in watching them discover the layers and hidden meanings that make it so personal for them. Karen texted me later that they were still finding hidden treasures. 

What they don't realize is each layer of Kevin's life was covered equally in paint and prayer. This is my gift back to them. Look out Kevin!