S'm-Art

The Big Draw

2012-01-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

So, I think my artwork is agoraphobic! With that in mind, I wanted to start 2012 productively and get them out of the house and into the world. But I really think I blew a lot out making those last few paintings. I just couldn't bring myself to face a blank canvas again... not for a little while at least. I needed to calm down with the seriousness and just have a little fun.

When I saw the Call for Art for The Big Draw, I decided hey why not?! So, I cut up a bunch of pieces of paper in the dimensions they asked for and got busy. I wanted to make three pieces but really only found the time for two.

I wanted there to be lace and texture and pattern and figures and thought! I'm really happy with them and I hope you like them too! I brought them down yesterday to be hung for the show. These two little drawings are breaking their phobias!

Not the best photos because as I was running out the door I said to myself, "hey, you forgot to take photos"! The kids were already in the car so I just rushed and snapped two... story of my life!

The Guardian

2011-11-10T19:02:00.000-08:00

My February vacations were spent in the Adirondacks, skiing at Whiteface, ice skating in Lake Placid, ice castle in Saranac Lake, and spending time with family in Wilmington.

One night my stepfather and his parents took my brother and I to see Dances With Wolves in a beautiful old theatre in Saranac Lake, NY. I can't really explain how amazing my little self thought that movie was. I can still well up thinking about that cute wolf. Then at the age of twelve, The Last of the Mohicans came, Daniel Day Lewis... I was twelve! You do the math!

It continued on, I read an old copy of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee... I wished I was a Native American so badly (or maybe even a little white girl that would one day meet my leather and long haired clad warrior).

Clearly this never happened... And I eventually got over the obsession. I did have my first kiss during Kevin Costner's Waterworld... Connection? Yes, obviously!

Back to the lecture at hand...
This new image is tentatively title The Guardian
it is 24x30" oil on canvas

These paintings have been giving me a strong urge to do some writing/stories using the images. I'm just playing around with that idea. It raises the question, should I let the viewer write their own story, or do I want it to be all my own?

The Re-Work

2011-11-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

It is always interesting and pretty fun to share an initial work when it is at a resting point, because you are able to share your raw excitement. It is also important to let a painting rest and sit, take it's shape, solidify. Immediately you may like it, but over time you it starts to nag at you. To tug and speak, sometimes scream for you to change it. Sometimes the urge to erase it completely starts to take hold. I can be all over the place when it comes to re-working a piece. I have ignored all urges before with the thought that your first instinct is usually the correct one. I have also gone as far as to cover an image completely because it has bothered me so much. Things need to be edited, right?

In this case, for now, I have only changed the background. I hope that these images stay in a good place for me but there is never a guarantee!

The Children of

2011-11-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

The newest addition to my current flock of paintings.
24"x 30" mostly oil, some molding paste, charcoal, oil pastel

I recently took a trip to Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Really for the soul purpose of seeing the Green Bay Packers play football and visit their legendary stadium. I enjoyed visiting a part of the country I had never been to, a little time off from child-care, and laughter with old friends.

But I couldn't help but notice as we were hanging around the parking lot a man was walking about with a microphone and a speaker attached to his back. He held a sign and preached into the microphone as he passed different revelers. I lived in New York City for a bit so this sight was pretty tame in comparison, but what caught my attention was the wide eyed boy walking beside him following his father (I assume) about, his lips turned down in a solemn expression as his father manically spoke into the microphone. At one point, as his father became engaged in a conversation with one of the lot dwellers, the boy began to watch as people were dancing, throwing a football, drinking. He at one point cracked a smile.

I still think about that boy. I think about what his life will be. How from such a young age the choice is not his but what his parents choose for him. But maybe he just won't mind, maybe he just will never know any differently and be perfectly fine with his life. That's what I tell myself. I look at my own boys and find a very strong conviction to try and let them discover and make these choices on there own, one way or the other...or the other!

I know that it's nearly impossible not to contradict yourself when making a statement like this. I can say that my sons have no idea at this point what is going on in the images. Even I don't know sometimes! They see figures and colors, moods, and occasionally my older son does ask but usually it's just a remark on the color (telling me to add purple or pink).

Our days are filled with child-friendly topics such as the alphabet, worms and mud. My adult topics and emotions are in the paintings, another great reason to paint! I feel it as such an important escapism for me and I'm able to detach into two separate worlds. One is a world for family which in a lot of ways is serious business, and the other is for painting which is far too serious for everyone!

A post to come on my conflicts on loving tradition, celebrating holidays and all that jazz soon. Plus a bonus story on a romanticized passion I had for Native Americans growing up... all thanks to Daniel Day Lewis. I also have a video of me "finding" this image. I'm thinking about posting.

My snowball keeps growing.

And So The Story Goes

2011-10-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

That title came to mind as I was working on this new painting:

After the last painting was finished I was so pumped and excited to begin the next. Which of course is a great feeling. These images are not pre-planned. I sit down at the canvas with some paint on my brush and start moving it around making lines criss crossing up and down... moving. As I continue to move my brush an image starts to emerge to me in the jumble and I start to darken the image as I see it. It begins to move and take form. Until eventually the image is solid and exactly how I like it.

From there I begin to use texture and color to build and record what my mind is telling me. I have it connect to the last image or group of images I'm painting because of the keywords and topics I'm thinking about at the time. I work and paint until I can stand back and say, "That looks just about right".

And so the Story Goes...

What Words Come to Mind

2011-10-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

For Me These:

Spirituality invention time belief strength
creating cultural identity religion
Cliche
Interpretation
Doubt beauty war
Pattern
Warriors occupy military
Symbols clowns jesters
Space and length of Time
Caged trapped

24x30"
Oil on canvas

We Have All Been Here Before

2011-10-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

I always liked that line from the Crosby Stills and Nash song.

This past weekend I experienced an overwhelming sense of Deja Vu. So much so that I am still thinking about it today, five days later. When I had the experience (it wasn't the first time for it) I had absolutely felt like I had done it before but also that something far more dramatic and bizarre had taken place as well. Is crazy twist of an ending did not take place during this incident, but had it happened before? I told my husband and he replied that he had just had it too, a little while earlier! Come on! What does this mean? Did I dream it or have we all been here before? And if we have been here before will we return again? Will each lifecycle be similar or will there be a "Sliding Door" effect? My mother believes we live on different planes but you will have to ask her about that.

Ah the things I think of while I paint.

A status report on current work of this exact time and place is that we have two larger paintings coming down the pipe. The subject matter is consistent but I'm starting to think I'm painting my own little army of clown generals and court jesters.

(An old drawing... Just to stay on the blog post theme)

Deja Vu

Needed a Breath and a Burst of Inspiration

2011-10-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Museum, Sunday, Oct 9th, 2011

I took a day to myself on Sunday, about seven hours, with a new identity as "mom on the run". A far more dangerous identity then the actual "can you please watch the babies so I can get the hell outta here for awhile" me.

After reading the review, NYTIMES, I felt like I just had to go see the Eva Hesse exhibition in person. I've seen her sculptural work before and I've always been an admirer, but I had never seen these paintings even in print. I was so excited when I saw one in the article and felt an instant connection. I explained to my husband how I had to go see these paintings, they were just like me! Upon my return, with the photographs, he asked "wow, you've never seen these before? That's weird".
I answered "I know right"?! Because my husband knows what my work is like that I don't normally show people, and my work from college. All filled with ghosts and death and SO Eva Hesse! Who Knew!

The collection at the Brooklyn Museum, was extremely powerful and meaningful to me. I sat down on a bench in front of a few of the larger paintings and truthfully became a bit overwhelmed and found myself trying not to cry and trying to act "normal, nothing to see here". I think it was just those paintings hanging there, looking right at me, validating me, telling me "keep going"! Which, I mean, let's be real no one but myself is going to tell me.

(that's the view from my tearful bench)

Her paintings are exactly what I love in a painting. So muddy and moody, full of feminine emotion, scraped and with the appearance of a moving stroke allowing figures to appear and be and drip and shine. They most likely took just the certain person to originally love them.

The most inspiring part of the experience for me was knowing that, the artist was once HERE in her work ad she allowed herself to become the sculptural artist she is most known to be.

This means to me that really my end is limitless. The only one putting boundries and vices on my work is myself. I have to be satisfied with the fact that the only person that may like my work could be me! I have to force myself not to create work with the end aim of getting people to like it, to want it, to understand it,to buy it. I have to just create and create only. As simple as trying to get myself back into a child/youth state of mind, where it was just fun to MAKE. No I'm not going to go totally Cy Twombly on everybody (although he's one of my all time favorites). I'm just excited to see where I go from here!

(these pictures absolutely do not do these justice go directly to Brooklyn Museum's Website to see more)

and anytime you get the chance to see Eva Hesse's work, take it

Two New Additions

2011-10-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post this morning. I had two canvases upstairs with two figures on them that I had started but weren't quite right. So, I decided to revisit them in this grouping and see if they could fit in.

The results are just what I was hoping for. The both have texture and mystery and I think they make great additions to the Coiffured group. I love the greens and hints of color in the first it has a feeling of warmth... and the cold winter feeling of the second! I have added them for sale as prints on etsy. If you are interested in the originals please contact me directly.

Stay tuned for a blog on my inspirational trip to the Brooklyn Museum of Art!

A Stab at the Uber Real

2011-10-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

For a couple of months now I have been working on a realistic portrait of my son. This hasn't been for any real reason other than I really wanted big, modern portraits in my upstairs hallway, and I also wanted to just focus in on something so I could think about where I wanted to go next with my work. (Ok and also to prove to myself that I could do it). I also really overly loved the original photograph it came from and really wanted a gigantic version of it!

One thing was clear, I had never really painted a realistic portrait of anyone in oil paints in order for it to actually look like that person! Sure, I can say that I mastered graphite portraits at a young age, but my oil paint adventures have been very self taught and never as rigid as I tended to be while drawing. I clearly have never been taught any actual oil techniques. How to use the paint correctly, well, that's more of a trial and error situation with me.

As I was painting him I kept saying to myself, "I wish I actually knew how to do this"! But more realistically I probably do not want to know the actual "rules" of oils or it will take all of the fun out of using them ever again!

So, now that I am nearly finished, I can see both the draw to painting realistic portraits and the utter lack of desire to be so literal. I think one of the satisfying aspects it that the portrait is so accessible to it's viewers. My husband comes home and he knows what he is looking at. He can comment and critique! For people who have not emerged themselves in viewing art it is obviously the most simple to understand. And I get that. I like people to be able to honestly give an opinion.

I do think it would be great fun to do commissioned portraits as an avenue to help pay and support the actually direction I'd like to be going. So, I may offer it as a service on etsy and see if anyone would be interested. Unfortunately the price point, of a large painting like this, would have to be higher since it takes me a great deal of time and paint to create a finished project. But I am thinking I could offer different sizes.

There are so many amazing Realistic painters alive right now! My favorites: Richter (although he inspires me constantly with his many styles), Close, Katz, I mean I could keep going. Lucien Freud who just passed... I'm certainly not saying that artists should not continue to paint portraits! To each's own.

Anyway, yes, I get pretty frustrated with my work. I really live my life in an enclosed art world. And what I mean by that is that no one ever actually views my work. Other than my husband, my son (who draws with me) no one regularly sees (in person) what I'm doing. I do post it all over the internet which doesn't seem to produce any actual results. To know that I can reach people somehow. I haven't fully reached where I want in order to express myself without inhibition (which may of course never happen).

So, in the end, this portrait remains a work in progress. I've exhausted it for now and need to put it aside and think about any/if I want to make changes and I'd love to carry on making new work but first I have some Halloween costumes to finish!

Happy today Glum tomorrow!

2011-08-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

I left myself a little bit annoyed by my last post. I recently read an article with Jeff Koons talking a little bit about how his work really has no hidden meaning, but that he just wants to make the viewer happy. I don't know if I believe this fully because to me I think it is impossible to only think of one thing at a time. I do know that it was a main goal of the Pop Art movement.

But I AM Happy!

And I was wrong, I do enjoy looking at "happy" pictures. Why should I find sad pictures more appealing? Maybe I should change my perspective! Maybe I, the artist, should set forth on a path of happy art.

happy, happy, happy.

I am not sure how this is going to play out. In what form my new happy art is going to take shape.

And I'm not ready to do it yet. I'm in the middle of painting a few images that are not really going to fall into this category. But they do make me happy even though they aren't happy! AHHH I'm confused!

(that's another new one up there, she's pretty glum)

maybe I should set up two categories... glum and happy... here's one for glum.

Why so Glum?

2011-08-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

So, someone asked me recently why my paintings always looked so sad... rather glum? It's a hard question to wrap my head around just like all questions when it comes to my paintings, but I figured I take a stab at.

When I finally get the chance to bang out a painting... I rarely think about what it is going to be in advance. Unless it is a commission of a specific subject. So, this sad look just comes naturally to me. Occasionally when I do put a smile on a face, more likely a smirk, I find it really unsettling and forced and usually I paint over it. I have trouble looking at a smiling face that is not real. I reserve my smiles for moments that are truly funny and usually fleeting... to capture a truly funny moment in my head and then try and relay it into a portrait, well to me the moment would be gone.

I naturally find myself thinking with a straight face, frown, maybe a smirk, but rarely do I find myself thinking and actually let myself smile. Most of my little people are in some kind of thought.

It got me thinking even more about whether I see smiling faces in paintings that often? Not really. When I do see a smiling face in a painting, I'm not gonna lie, I rarely like it. When I open up a magazine, yes there is that inviting smile on the front page, but the images I love the most are the editorial fashion spreads with those serious forlorn images.

I think I might have one exception though. I love to see images at parties with canoodling and such with people with their heads thrown back in laughter... almost pushing each other in delight. So, maybe someday soon I'll have the time to paint some such party images. I'll consider it a challenge.

I guess we will have to wait until then to turn that frown upside down!

(p.s. a new coiffured figure up there to add to the collection... a little bit of a smirk!)

A Change to the Etsy Shop

2011-07-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days I have upgraded my printer, re-scanned, and re-listed paintings as prints in my etsy shop. I am from now on only going to offer prints everyday through etsy. I guess my reasoning for now is that people are really out to decorate their homes for a great price, and at this time for me, that means prints.

If you are interested in purchasing an original, you can just contact me through here or through etsy and I'll be happy to list the original for sale.

Some of the re-scanned images look great and much better quality than they did before:

I won't be able to sell prints of the paintings I already sold, unfortunately. At the time I did not have the ability to scan them in at such a high quality so making prints of them really wouldn't turn out well.

I am really happy with the new de-cluttered looking shop and I'm hoping that this organization will take hold in my own home... without me doing anything :)

Enjoy, and all comments welcome!

A Life Unorganized

2011-07-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

To say the least! Painting has been limited to the walls of my house after we have undertaken massive renovations. Can I say that house painting is not the same as the fine arts? I actually am closing in on hating house painting.

I know to keep telling myself that this is just a moment in time... Dodging nails, Sheetrock dust, and just plain filth with the two babies has been interesting. Meanwhile Owen has started riding a real two wheel bike with training wheels and I think he has found his calling. His interest has not waned at all like with other things and his main goal everyday is to go on as many bike rides as possible.

Gwinn has two teeth coming in on the bottom. He's still trying to be happy through all of it!

No paintings so I've provided you with a few pics from my month long stay at my mom's house, including a picture of a very camera friendly butterfly.

Coiffured Figures Galore

2011-04-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

So, It's 2011... I'm still painting.

Still painting my favorite subject matter... figures... ghostly... kinda weird.

Backed up by some texture...

And this time with Turbans! I wrote in my Etsy description that they are homages to all the head dresses, turbans, clowns, drag queens, beehives, and mom's with their heads wrapped in towels!

I'm really not sure why exactly I'm painting turbaned people but it really

just felt right so on I go. Two more to come... just letting them dry.

Time is Flying!

2011-03-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been over a year since my last post on my poor art blog. But I really think this time I have a good reason?!

We've added a new addition to the Family, his name is Gwinn and he is a happy baby!

As for artwork... it's coming! I've completed two pieces and will be photographing and uploading them shortly. I'm also going to begin work on more to fill the Etsy shop back up with new images!

And for all of those who've left comments on many of my posts, I'd like to thank you! I would have returned the comments, but I honestly didn't have the settings correct and never even knew they were made! I have now changed the setting so please keep commenting on the new work!

When is Spring Coming?

2010-03-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I have had trouble finding a comfortable place to paint this winter. So I decided to do a few drawings using non-toxic elements... I love them but I have an itch to paint again and can't wait to get back out into my studio. We just survived a winter storm, but I feel like the temperatures are going to rise soon!

In the meantime head on over to a few auctions I have going on at ebay... Gotta Love a Bargain:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250587350379&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250587422268&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

CATCH UP!

2010-02-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

The end of 2009... meant lots of scraping and palette knives and portraits. It also meant the total slacker blogging effort by me. Here are a few that I never added here. I will try and mend my lazy ways but I do tend to work in spurts in all facets of my life.

Portrait With a Black Capped Bird

2009-08-15T06:42:00.001-07:00

I am pretty sure I am done with this one. It is another 20"w x 24"h. The painting style is a little bit different than some of my past work. I decided to begin painting with a smaller brush this time, the result of which left me with a lot of brush texture that I played around with and decided to leave on theh painting rather than "smooth" it out.

This is technically the third I have done in the latest "bird" series. However, I'm not ready to post the second painting yet as I am still struggling with it. Enjoy.

Portrait With a Black Capped Bird

20"w x 24"h

Few New Small Ones

2009-08-12T07:55:00.001-07:00

I have totally been neglecting the blog lately, but I have been keeping very busy with a new studio set up, crafting for my bro's wedding, trying to set up a new site for annabergin.com (and running around with Owen who is now 17 months)!

Here are a few new 8"x10"s. More to come!

Portrait With A Blue Bird

2009-06-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

Portrait With A Blue Bird
20" w x 24"h

It's been awhile since my last post and this painting is why. It is a larger size and took me quite a bit longer to finish then the smaller paintings. I had a lot of ups and downs and struggled a bit, but I think I am satisfied with the outcome. Hope you like it too!

Stop the Presses!

2009-04-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

You can read a new interview with me in the new issue of *Antler Magazine*!!

Portrait in Pink

2009-04-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

Portrait in Pink
8"w x 10"l
Oil on Canvas

A little ghoulish painting in a pretty pink dress.

Portrait in a White Shirt

2009-04-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

Portrait in a White Shirt
8"w x 10" h
Oil on Canvas

She Came to Dance

2009-04-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

Auction is Live!

2009-04-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

There is Always a Little Hope
8"w x 10"l
Oil on Canvas

In Costume
8"w x 10"l
Oil on Canvas

She Tried Hard
20"w x 28" l
Oil on Canvas

All Freshly Painted and For Sale via The Etsy Shop

Traveling Paintings

2009-04-07T10:08:00.001-07:00

A few more paintings have been sold and are finding new homes:

On their way to New Orleans, LA are She's Stuck but There's Time, and Drowning 1. Both are really powerful pieces and I am glad they have admirers.

Also leaving Beacon are two smaller sized paintings:

I Will Remember This is on it's way to Sioux Falls, SD.

That Red Dress is heading to San Francisco, CA.

You know I was thinking the other day that I always wanted to travel, and since I never quite got around to traveling the world it is so fun to think about my paintings traveling for me to all these great locales! Someday the artiste will join them!!

She Came to Dance

2009-04-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

...but This Ain't No Disco!

She Came to Dance
8"w x 10"l

I don't know it's like an afro or maybe The Bride of Frankenstein hair... it depends on the way you look at it!

I'm On A Roll

2009-03-31T20:18:00.001-07:00

Production is soon to stop because my materials and blank canvases are dwindling, but let's have some fun while it lasts!

Waiting
8"w x 10"l
Oil on Canvas

Saturday Music, Monday Lounge

2009-03-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful weekend we had. We somehow managed to make it to the Beacon High School to see Jeff Tweedy Solo. No surprise, it was wonderful.

Today I started a large painting but just put down the base layer. So, I set it aside to dry and fulfilled my instant gratification need by painting a smaller new one while Owen napped.

Lounge
8"w x 10"l
oil on canvas

Pretty in Yellow and Red

2009-03-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

A quick post to show you two new additions to the Spring 2009 Collection. Both are 8" w x 10" l oil on canvas. Enjoy!

Glitter and Gold in the Air!!

2009-03-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

I am bursting metallic lately! I just finished two new paintings each the same vein as some of my others but definitely two distinct styles I'm exploring. I will be traveling down the "inkblot" road and painting a few similar to "Whirlwind Summer Night" in the next few weeks. I have one large canvas left to work with!
Whirlwind Summer Night
30"h x 40"w

This one has glitter and silver involved and I am loving the results. In person the image is very powerful and fun.

Spring Night in a Music Box
I could not get rid of the image of one of those little plastic ballerinas in music boxes while I painted this piece. I will hopefully get a better picture up shortly. I also made use of some gold enamel I had. The results have produced a great color palette and a nice Spring image!

Bye to Mary and Owen with Cake Face!!

2009-03-23T08:53:00.001-07:00

I also said goodbye to "Mary" who is making her way to Mechanicsville, VA as we speak.

It is always a great feeling to know that other people who enjoy my work will actually get to view it in person because it does take on a different texture and color than my mediocre photographs (which I will be working to better in the next few weeks).

A lot of people have been asking for prints, but I am really not satisfied that I have the means or the know-how to start participating in this process just yet. I will be working to learn more about these processes in the next few months.

I'd also like to let everyone know that we have successfully made it through the first wonderful year with Owen... and he had a great birthday!

Updates, Updates, Updates!!

2009-03-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of action in the past few weeks. Not only have I said goodbye to a lot of work, but I am also busy adding to the collection. I am really excited for the Spring and Summer seasons not only will it be warmer in the studio but I will begin to be able to do some work outside which will be lovely! I may be a bit distracted by my many gardening projects, but this all serves as inspiration!

Inkblot 1, 3, and 4 have found a new home in Portland, OR. Which I hear is a lovely place and I'm sure they will like it there, :)!

March 2009 Update

2009-03-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

Some good news to report: Inkblot5 has found a new home in Alberta, Canada!! The Inkblot Series was an interesting experiment for me and in the coming weeks I am going to expand on some of the ideas I started to explore with them. The purchase has allowed me to re-invest in my work (I have run out of a lot of things)! So, fun will ensue in the following days at the craft store! Check back in the next couple of weeks for new work! I know I'm excited!

On another note, my Grandmother requested a small painting for her birthday. I decided to give her the painting I had tentatively titled "Breather". I believe she was a little bummed that she didn't have a "real" name. So, I have decided to call the painting "Nora Lee". Why, do you ask? Because while painting these paintings I was on a Wilco kick (please aren't I always, those that know me know how laughable this is) ! The song is Hesitating Beauty, and the lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie, and the music written by Wilco (from Billy Bragg & Wilco album Mermaid Ave.)
So, Grandma (since you are close to the only one who reads this blog), here is a little more about your painting Nora Lee:

Hesitating Beauty

For your sparkling cocky smile
I have walked a million miles
Begging you to come wed me in the Spring
Why do you my dear delay
What makes you laugh and turn away?
You're a hesitating beauty Nora Lee

Well I know that you are itching to get married, Nora Lee
And I know I am twitching for the same thing, Nora Lee
By the star and clouds above
We can spend our lives in love
You're a hesitating beauty Nora Lee

We can build a house and home
Where the flowers come to bloom
Around our yard I'll nail a fence so high
That the boys with peeping eyes
Cannot see that angel face
Of my hesitating beauty, Nora Lee.

We can ramble hand in hand
Across the grasses of our land
I'll kiss you for each leaf on every tree
We can our kids to play
Where the dry winds blow today
If you'll quit your hesitating, Nora Lee

Here's a lil' video too... hey is that Charlie's painting The Man in the Hat singing (also is that Charlie voice I hear singing along)? P.S. Charlie now you are famous and should probably read my blog.

New Portraits

2009-01-29T06:36:00.001-08:00

I may have not been busy updating my blog, but I have tried to stay busy painting! Here are a few of the latest smaller portraits. They are each 8"w x 10"h and for sale on etsy.

I have also been trying to get my work out and seen in a gallery but to no avail. The most common replies were due to the economy we will most likely need to shut down... we may not make it... we need to concentrate on the artists we have... we've closed.

I've shed a tear. I'm thinking this may be the latest go-to answer, who knows (I'm a pessimist). I will keep up painting and remain a figment of the internet.

The Basement Paintings.

2009-01-29T05:29:00.000-08:00

The current series called The Basement Paintings was named that for a pretty obvious reason, my studio has been moved to the basement! It's actually been a really great space for me (besides the air quality). I've finished a range of paintings all really trying to remain focused and concentrate on fragile figures in uncertain environments. Really, I wanted to let myself have fun and not worry about the accuracy of what was being painted but instead use the paintings as an outlet. The sizes of the canvases overall have increased with the largest paintings being 40"h x 30"w. As usual all paintings are listed on my etsy.com site.

The Latest...Another Lean?

2008-10-31T06:38:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest painting: Tess

This is a small departure for me because I added a little structure to the room she is in. I thought I'd change it up a little bit! Of course the perspective hunters might find me and get me on this one, but who wants perfect anyway?

It is getting a little harder for me to continue working in these chilly months as my space is not warm. So, we'll see how things progress!

Emily & Mary

2008-10-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well we have many an update!

I've painted two new ones:
Emily
I see her as is quiet and confident. She came about as I played with paint on canvas with the softer palette in mind, but she doesn't have the texture the others do. She really came about quickly so I did not need to use as much paint. Also she was painted directly on a "clean" canvas. So, the added texture is not there. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm thinking I may add textural elements to the next few, as it makes it a little bit more interesting for me.

Mary: "Ode to Bacon"
My grandmother is not going to like this one. Mary wears a purple trench. She definitely comes across as a ghost-like image emerging from the background. She is a bit gory but still pretty to me. My husband asked if I named her "Mary" because of "Bloody Mary". No, but I would have been pretty clever if I had thought of that! But, she is really beautifully Francis Bacon and I’m in love.

Sam has left us as quickly as she was painted!

She now resides in Cambridge, MA. Prints are available of her still. She has really inspired a lot of work for me. I'm also thinking of doing a series of men in this same vein.

Old Canvases, New Paintings

2008-09-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well, last week was a big week for the painting Lean(Beth). First, we sold a print of her and the very next day she was purchased! It was sad to see her go (off my wall), and I will miss her tutu but this is the price we must pay :).

In other news, the commission for the "Drowning" series fell through. I'm figuring it is probably due to the title of the series (named by Brendon, my husband). Just kidding! The paintings are very dark in theme, but they didn't start off that way and it was not intentional. The end product is what it is though, and I won't be changing them to help them sell better. They will be perfect for someone.

I have a few "old" canvases lying around which are basically paintings that are started or finished but that I hate. So, I have begun to paint over them and so far I've produced one lovely new painting titled "Sam".
She emerged from playing around with paint. It is really wonderful because the "old" painting in the background added great texture which allows it to be so basic but visually interesting! She remains very soft yet strong.

I've already started another new painting so I will post it as soon as I can. As usual all paintings can be purchased at my etsy.com shop. http://www.beacon11.etsy.com

Oh How the Pendulum Swings!

2008-09-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

The other day I was feeling down and uninspired, but funny how things change!

I was featured today in the Oil Painting Group I belong too on Redbubble.com:
http://www.redbubble.com/groups/oil-painting

and I was also featured on the blog Simply Designed & Etsy Finds:
http://jenniferstuartdesign.blogspot.com/2008/09/love-this.html
Thank you to Jennifer for the inclusion!

I've also formulated some new ideas for paintings. Of course these are still in my mind, but I've purchased new canvas and will be starting the project today. Right now these pieces are going to be based on some of my favorite song lyrics after an inspiring (and funny) conversation with my brother at the lake. This is subject to change of course depending on how I think they are turning out.

So, cheers to everyone.

Drowning: A Triptych

2008-09-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my commissioned piece called "Drowning". It is a triptych and for those of you who don't know: a triptych is a set of three panels or compartments side by side bearing pictures. The idea is that the grouping of three pieces actually is viewed as one piece.

It took me quite awhile to finish these which are in essence both oil paintings and graphite drawings. I first started with the pencil drawings on each clay board. Upon completion of the drawings I layered the boards with an acrylic gel medium. The reason why I do this is to protect the drawing and preserve it during the processes that come next... which is usually raging on the canvas/board with my palette knife and oil paints or acrylics! In this case I stuck with oils. They still aren't dry, but I waited long enough to add my next layer of melted wax and my favorite fuchsia ink.

RedBubbling

2008-09-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

A little update on my mood and news.

I recently added my work to a new site which makes prints called RedBubble... we will see how this goes.

I've been so frustrated lately but trying to keep my head up, and keep on creating! It definitely gets hard to stay inspired when there is little feedback! My husband thinks I'm insane of course, because after the first two weeks of uploading my paintings on etsy.com I sold two! The problem is the inconsistency!

My dream is to be in a gallery of course, but I'm too frightened to walk around the galleries here... is it a fear of rejection? Most likely. I get uncontrollably embarrassed when talking about my own work in person.

So, I'll keep plugging away on the web "mining" where I seem to have less of a problem communicating!

Lovely Lisa

2008-08-22T05:33:00.001-07:00

I finished her earlier in the week. The painting is mostly acrylics, and I again played with wax after I was done painting. These have become extremely fun to make. I won't have time for any new ones for a few weeks as I am working on a commission!

She is holding a flower in her right hand. She has been caught picking it, but who caught her?

Another Lovely Lady

2008-08-18T17:41:00.002-07:00

Here is the latest lady! It is a smaller painting 8x10 but big at heart!

I decided to call it "Remembering the Spring" because she seems to be in a mist of some sort and the pink and white around her remind me of cherry blossoms.

This is an Acrylic painting on canvas.

Series: Inkblots

2008-08-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest series. For these I decided to use some of my numerous magazine clippings that I have gathered over time. They were starting to gather dust and I needed to make way for new ones!

I am really liking the results here. They are mixed media pieces where I layered each canvas with the magazine photos, pen drawings, acrylics, and ink. They are all 8"w x 10"l and for sale on my etsy site.

Message me and let me know what you think of this direction!

S'm-Aceo

2008-08-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

So, I recently discovered this magical artform called ACEO (which stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals). The only rule for ACEO is that it has to be 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches in size. Other than that there are no rules. It allows for art to be collected and traded similar to sports cards.

I was dying to try this so I've posted three little drawings I've done. What a great movement to participate in! It's perfect for me right now with my limited time schedule!

Sarah & Beth(Lean)

2008-07-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sarah has turned out to be a favorite among my friends. She certainly is pretty!
I personally love Beth's tutu and wish I had one!

Both paintings have great texture. Sarah, like "Natalie" before her has a wet paint look about her.

"Sarah"

"Beth (Lean)"

Untitled 1&2 (Sometimes Sophie 1&2 depending on my mood)

2008-07-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

So, these are just little portraits. I basically painted them to make sure I still could... HA! Meaning, it had been awhile since I actually painted people!
I love them!

Natalie & Jenny

2008-07-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

These are pretty much an extension of Nicole & Brig, but they are larger in size.

If I remember I will take details of the drawings within the paintings...

The painting Jenny has a coating of wax on it that gives it a pretty neat look. However, the flash on my camera makes a bright spot on it which is frustrating. I'm going to have to try and take some better pics.

I love Natalie she's one of my top faves that I've done... I love how some of the paint just always looks dripping wet, it's nice.
"Natalie"

"Jenny"

Nicole and Brig

2008-07-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

These two are smaller paintings... I see them really as a pair, but sell them seperately. Painted in 2005

Some Draaarrrrings

2008-07-30T11:12:00.001-07:00

In highschool I was given the moniker "Shademaster". I don't know if I still live up to that these days but here are some recent works.

Drawing is possibly what I like to do best, but it's super time consuming.

Few More Abstracts

2008-07-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Theses are a few more. Painted from about 2004-2006 (I can't really remember now but that seems right)!
I don't have many of these for sale anymore.
However, you can purchase "The Wave" and "B's Painting" by visting my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5429601

Above: "The Wave"

Below: "B's Painting"

S'm-Abstracts

2008-07-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Painted from 2001-2002