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!

Art for 99 cents!

Broody Hen
6 x 8 inches
Acrylic on canvas panel


Enjoy this dramatic painting of a protective mother hen watching over her young. This bold piece makes a real statement and would be a lovely addition to any home.

Buy it here on Ebay - starting at 99 cents!

I had such a good time with last month's Ebay group auction, called Nibblefest. Every month, on the 20th, everyone lists their work - according to the chosen theme. (this month was chickens)

Like last time around, I have been busy right up until the last minute due to the holidays! I was painting this one furiously yesterday and this morning. If you ever wanted something from me, for a song, this is your chance!

Inspiration of the Month!

I'm a little bit late on this one, having gotten caught up in the frenzy of the holidays. Homare Ikeda is well worth the wait though!

I saw his work at Art Chicago, and you just cannot see the scale in these photos. They are *so* impressive in person, with the rich colors and expressive movement. Since then, I've fallen in love with his watercolors and linocuts as well. If you ever have the chance to see his work in person, make the trip!


These are the pieces I got to see in person!

What are your main inspirations in art?

My main inspirations come from my desire to explore and play. I think the idea of play is very important.

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

I received a MFA degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. I began my art education at the San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. I had received a scholarship to study at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Main while I was in MFA program at the University of Colorado.



What is your process for creating your work?

I have been making minimum of 9 drawings every morning. It has been a wonderful way to start the day.

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

I would like to communicate a sense of wonder. I think making art is to connect myself to the world around me. Once I put a mark on canvas or paper the world evolves and I have to keep responding to the voices I hear until my energy runs out.



What are your career goals?

I think the career is byproduct of what you do. As long as I am able to make art, I am grateful.

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

Water. Water is essential to my work physically and mentally.

Tell me three random things about you.

• I love to be in nature.
  
• I listen music as painting.
  
• I am not who I am but who I am becoming.
  

Art for 99 cents!

Songbird Christmas Tree
5 x 7 inches
Acrylic on canvas panel

This sweet little winter tree is nestled with festive songbirds, ready to sing you into your holidays!

Buy it here on Ebay - starting at 99 cents!

This is my first time participating in an Ebay group auction, called Nibblefest. Every month, on the 20th, everyone lists their work - according to the chosen theme. (this month was christmas trees)

I *just* got home from New York yesterday, so I whipped this together in a jiffy this morning, and listed it this evening. If you ever wanted something from me, for a song, this is your chance! Be aware that this listing ends on Thanksgiving, so get your bids in early. :)

Etsy!

Morgan with the Poison Gaze
8 x 10 inches
Acrylic on canvas panel

Oh if looks could kill! This is a portrait of a woman with a quiet fortitude and the determination to do what must be done.

This rich painting is layered with many glazes of acrylic to give it an intensity to match Morgan's gaze.

Available on Etsy

Another moleskin complete

So I finally finished my moleskin for the The Exquisite Corpse exchange. I'll need to get it in the mail in the next few days, while I await for the onslaught of other moleskins that are headed my way!


The front and back cover. Feathers just don't scan well! It really looks lovely in person.


This was the first spread I finished, and I love how the layers worked together.


She was a TON of fun to do, and my family really loves her boldness.


This is the only bird I did that isn't made up. I thought the crossbill was such an unusual bird, though, that it would fit in well with my other fantasy fowl.


This is my signature page. I cut out enough eggs (that sit in the pocket at the back of the book) for everyone to write their info on! I think its a fun play on the pocket use.


Here's the template on each of the pages for the other artists to use. They have complete liberty to work outside of the lines - its just important to know how the head will line up with the body and the body with the legs, so that when its cut you can flip the pages and it will all fit together well. :)

My other moleskin, the moon book is nearing completion, and I will have it in my hands soon! I'm so so so excited. These swaps have been amazing fun!

Etsy!

Shadow of my Former Self
7.5 x 5.5 inches
Collage on book board

This is a unique piece on an old book hardcover. It has fraying ends, like the raucous calls of an aging woman's memory.

Available on Etsy

Inspiration of the Month!

Susan Hodgin was another wonderful Art Chicago find! I found her work so approachable and I admit to having a facination with circles. I just find them deeply spiritual - so Susan's work is an obvious match for me.



What are your main inspirations in art?
My main inspiration comes from nature. The layering and complexity and interdependence of every ecosystem fascinates me, and I try to use that "system" when building up my paintings. As for inspiration within the art world, I am drawn mostly to the Abstract Expressionists. The freedom and expressiveness and openness in their work is very refreshing.

What is your art background? (education, experience, etc)
I received my BFA from the University of Montana, Missoula in 2000. I started out studying creative writing, fiction, but realized my short stories were mostly describing place, and have very little plot, character and narrative. After 4 years studying writing, I switched to painting.



What is your process for creating your work?
My process is less about outlining a picture and then filling it in, then about building, eliminating, adding, and perfecting layers upon layers of paint. I use the forgiveness of oil paint to paint over and into it until I get the end that I want. There are no "mistakes" in the way I paint, only more layers.

What is the single most important thing you want to communicate with your work?
I hope that people are able to feel something when they look at my work. That they can spend time with it, and feel something from it. I don't care what they feel. That depends on what they bring to the piece. I just hope they feel something.



What are your career goals?
Right now, I am a full-time painter. I am able to make a decent living at this thing that I love to do most in the world. But beyond that, I would like to grow to be more international, and be able to focus more on larger paintings.

What one object has been the most instrumental in helping you achieve what you have so far?
My live/work studio in downtown Indianapolis (The Wheeler Arts Community) and its fabulous rent. Without this opportunity to live and work cheaply as I first started out, I never could have gotten where I am.



Tell me three random things about you.

1. I am a healthy eater.
   
2. I like to camp.
   
3. I am always cold.
   

Another moleskin exchange

Some of my favorite moleskin artists were participating in this Exquisite Corpse moleskin project, so when I was invited, I couldn't turn it down. I have so many other deadlines coming up, but this was so exciting!

 

Here's what I've finished so far. The idea is that the moleskins will be those flip books where you can interchange the heads, bodies, and feet. Each book owner will cut the book into thirds when they are completed and returned. I've decided that my theme will be birds, because I'm bird-crazy like that.

I'm about halfway done with all I need to do before I pass it along to the next artist, and I'll post the finished product when I get there.

The other moleskin group I'm working with has uploaded the next spread in my Moon book! You can see it here. I love it and can hardly wait to see it in person.

I'm also headlong in a swap with a friend. I'd love to share my progress, but she reads here! ;)

Failed project

I had been feverishly working on my entry to the Forbes Fabergé-Style Egg Contest. I was really liking the direction it was going, which looks soooo amazing in person. (I really need to learn how to take better photos!)

I had planned to line the inside with fabric, and the bottom half was going to hold a butterfly perched on a flower - both dipped in resin.




I found out about the contest late, however, so I was working right up until the deadline. Unfortunately, my epoxy resin coating the egg itself never totally cured, leaving it sticky and impossible to work with thereafter. My egg entry was ruined, and would need to be tossed. With no time to make another, I was devastated!

I've had my fair share of mishaps in my art career, but for some reason this loss hit me particularly hard. :( I had been so excited about getting this egg into the contest! I really thought I had something unique to offer.



I'll probably make another go at it again at a later date. I was too happy with it to dump it completely. I have other projects with approaching deadlines, however, so I'm going to focus my energies there for a while.