Well this summer has definitely flown by! I've been far busier than I ever anticipated, so all of the projects I had hoped to have under my belt by now, are languishing.

I did manage to get started on one a couple of them, however. I signed up for A Prompt A Day journaling project run by Kelly Kilmer to do with my daughter. I thought it would be a great way to spend some time together doing an activity we both love.

We were able to set aside one day to start the project, and when we return from Florida, I hope to make it a weekly event.



My page. The text reads,

"i wear my flesh like life
like identity
like the bloom of who
i will become"

Sendra's book cover (complete with googly eyes!) and her first journal entry. :) She had a great time!

Inspiration of the Month!

I've been a huge admirer of Angie Reed Garner's for years! I am the proud owner of three of her paintings, and I have the pleasure of seeing them every day in the spaces I find the most comfort in. Her work is vibrant, luscious, all of them have a compelling story to tell.



What are your main inspirations in art?

My most recent series was influenced by Hundertwasser, his pulsating lines, refusal of right angles and humanist ideas about art.

I read a lot of nonfiction and I'm trying to carry over things I admire, to challenge myself to be as clear and direct in my work as possible. That does not necessarily make for simple, accessible images. Sometimes things are complicated! If you try to simplify them, you lose too much truth.

What is your art background? (education, experience, etc)

My degree is in Classics. I've been painting full time since 1995.



What is your process for creating your work?

I seem to see one symbol at a time. When I don't know what comes next, I have to set the painting aside rather than force a resolution. It may take six hours or six weeks for the next symbol that comes, depending how much I resist the process and content of the painting. I'm not in control, but I do trust that if you put in the hours, the work comes.

With this last series I made a long-awaited transition to working bigger (the works are
64" wide) and at that size, there is a lot of room for me to develop a story! Sometimes I begin the painting with a question or a problem and spend the rest of the painting reflecting on it.



What is the single most important thing you want to communicate with your work?

Life is big, but don't be so afraid.

What are your career goals?

To continue showing, as long as I can find people who will give me some wall.

What one object has been the most instrumental in helping you achieve what you have so far?

My camera. It lets me see work fresh without having to put it away for six months.



Tell me three random things about you.

• Through showing my art, I found out that if you tell the truth about your life, in fact the world does not end. And people even thank you for it. It's amazing.
  
• I can paint without a dog in my studio, but it doesn't make for a balanced day.
  
• I'm reading Michael Taussig's _What Color Is The Sacred_ and so far I'm just thrilled. He's addressing why we feel about color as we do, and how color has come to mean what it does.
  

Art for 99 cents!

Birds Tale of Summer
5x7 inches
Acrylic on canvas panel


This charming little bird is sitting in the summer grasses, collecting up stories to share. Let him sit with you a while!

Buy it here on Ebay - starting at 99 cents!

I'm participating in Nibblefest again! Every month, on the 20th, all the participants list their work - according to the chosen theme. (this month was Things with Tails)

If you ever wanted something from me, for a song, this is your chance!

Shipping & Handling

I recently sold a large 36" x 48" painting and thought I would document my packing process for shipping!

 

Here you can see how we first layered parchment paper over the entire painting. We attached them together with staples using hospital corners, so that nothing was actually affixed to the painting itself. (you can see the note I tied to the stretcher bar, for the new owner) I like parchment paper best because there is no worry about wax or paper residue accidentally sticking to the painting. I just need to find a cheap source for larger sheets!

 

We then layered the front and the back of the painting with a flat sheet of corrugated cardboard. Another layer used blueboard insulation. Its light, cheap, and very sturdy - its also used as modeling base for model railroad builders and ball joint doll makers!

 

We taped those three layers together with regular box tape and then cut up an unbroken box, and used its corners to protect the entire new bundle. Corners can be the most vulnerable part of a painting in transit.

 

We procured a very large mirror box from Pier 1, and placed the whole bundle into it, stuffing large quantities of crumpled newspaper around it. I'm sure we could have used lighter packing material, but this was what we had on hand that day - and it was free! (I painted out the printed info on the box, to minimize any shipping confusion)

We then dropped it off with Fed Ex Ground and sent it on its way. I'm glad to report that it arrived safe and sound. :)

If anyone wants to chime in with their packing tips and tricks, I'd love to hear them!

Work in progress

I'm working on a new painting for my Losing Lydia series, that profiles the 5 stages of grief. This one is in its infancy here and I'm just starting to build up the layers.

I'm hoping to knock out some of these paintings in record time. The last year spent doing smaller works has really helped to refine some of my processes and experiment with new techniques. Im already noticing the difference and all that work is paying off. I didn't realize how much it had impacted me, while I was working last year, but I'm really pleased that I gave myself the time to "futz around".

Inspiration of the Month!

After a hiatus that was longer than I'd like, I'm getting my artistic 'feet' wet again, both online and in my studio. So while this isn't the beginning of the month, when I like to post these, I'm hoping that better late than never still holds true.

I'm really excited to bring you the work of this amazing artist. As someone who loves symbolism within my own artwork, I am especially moved by the beauty, grace and esoteric nature of Gail Potocki's paintings.



What are your main inspirations in art?
I am inspired by the symbolist painters of the late 19th and early 20th century for their ability to intrique the viewer with their sense of mystery and silence within their work. I am also inspired by the fragility and beauty of nature as well as the unexplainable.

What is your art background? (education, experience, etc)
I studied at the School of Representational Art in Chicago which focuses on the traditional craft of figure drawing and painting.



What is your process for creating your work?
Sometimes I am inspired by something that I have read that effects me emotionally. I then try to translate the feelings and idea symbolically in my work. Other times I start with a image that I am attracted to and build a story around it.

What is the single most important thing you want to communicate with your work?
Most of my work relates to enviromental themes that I think urgently need to be brought in to society's consciousness. I hope to transfer the effect these issues have on me to the viewer.



What are your career goals?
I would be happy if my work would help bring some of these environmental issues to light and inspire people to respect the planet. My other career goal is to not starve!

What one object has been the most instrumental in helping you achieve what you have so far?
I have stuck to my own aesthetic and tried not to be influenced by what is going on in the art world. This has helped me to strengthen my own visual language and kept my work honest.

Tell me three random things about you.

• I love oddities from the 19th century so my apartment looks like something from the Addams Family.
  
• I love animals and am fascinated by birds.
  
• I don't know how to swim.
  

Art for 99 cents!

Toy Bird Dreams
6 x 8 inches
Acrylic on canvas panel


This whimsical painting showcases a poor little bird who, like so many of us, would like a little extra time in the mornings. Let this vibrant painting brighten up any nook in your home and bring a smile to your face. :)

Buy it here on Ebay - starting at 99 cents!

After a long hiatus, I've decided to participate in Nibblefest again! Every month, on the 20th, all the participants list their work - according to the chosen theme. (this month was The Secret Life of Toys)

If you ever wanted something from me, for a song, this is your chance!