Living in the Moment

So today.....where do I start but to say I am really living in the moment just like this painting here:

I must start by saying that I woke from sweet slumber this morning quite happy.  I say that with CAPITAL letters, SLEPT.  Because for a few weeks prior, I'd not.  And it was causing a huge trickle affect for the rest of my life.  Whew.  I am hoping this SLEEP trend is here to stay.  Fingers crossed.  After morning coffee, lovely conversation on the phone and a trip to the gym I came home to my clean studio (promise to show pics, promise!) to start my pile of customer painting orders.  But then something inside me said, check out the movies Jenni.  So I did.  And I went, all by myself to see Salt.  Loved it.  I am a total James Bond, Mission Impossible movie freak....and this did not disappoint.  When I left the movies I'd missed a call......

So if you read part 1 of my interview with the very sweet Suzanne over at Blue Sand Studio this morning, she asked me a question about who I thought I was as an artist.  I replied around and into the subject saying the following, "I am someone who thinks a lot, about life and my place here. I know that there are no happenstances, and that everything and everyone is placed into our lives for a specific reason (just like your meeting me during Flying Lessons…I mean how is it that out of the 500 students we found one another?). But within this life of reason, comes a beautiful journey where doors are presented, with not every experience easily navigated. There have been times in my life where I opened the wrong door, but through the experience I gained wisdom and strength. My art continues to be a journey where I open and close doors. Allowing myself the freedom to truly nurture my creative destiny has been a wonderful experience. It has been one that has led the direction of my paintings, jewelry and sculptures. There is something so pure and raw in my work. My hope is that as a viewer you can sense the honesty and vulnerabilities I am presenting and in the end can take from it a piece of the journey. And maybe, just maybe be inspired to start your own."

So today I was living in the moment, and basking in the alone time I now have when Mary Jane of Matilda's Cottage called.  About a month or so ago she had called and asked if I wanted her to take my work to the Folk Fest in Atlanta the weekend of August 20-22.  Oh man was I bummed because it was my solo show weekend opening I'd told her and really was not sure I'd have any paintings to send with her.  And I'd definitely not be able to attend the event.  Today she called to follow up and and see if by chance I'd had the energy to paint a few for her.  Well, Mary Jane as it happens, I have about 40 for you.  WHAT?  Yep, my solo show was canceled, and honestly I'd forgotten about your offer.  So she said, BRING THEM ALL!  So as I said in my artist statement above, doors sometimes are opened and closed too quickly.  And then sometimes.....just sometimes....they are a dutch door.  I love that kind.

Whew.......

Yes. Whew. I just finished up a large body of paintings for an upcoming show. I was asked by Matilda's Cottage two weeks ago to join her booth at the Folk Fest here in Atlanta. Sure I said, knowing that I had very few paintings available at the time. So I "put on my big girl panties" and dove right in. As you know, my texture paintings are time consuming. I've learned that starting a bunch at once helps the momentum and keeps me excited about the end results. Last week I had the wood cut, laid the texture and drew the compositions. And since the compositions are sometimes the biggest hurdle to overcome, it is always nice to get this part of the process over with! Once the bases are dry, the fun part of painting begins! I used an entirely new color palette for this series. All spicey colors- paprika, dry mustard, pepper, Lawry's, and more! I just love this palette. I also tried to add more collage to the texture series. It's a bit challenging, but adds such a nice new dimension.

This is my favorite I painted. The streamers and bike bell really bring back the nostalgic days of summer gone by. Now I have to photograph, sign, name and frame them all (all 12).

So now I am off to add beaks and legs to these girls I made coming and going to Saint Simons. They are just cracking me up in the studio....yes, my work speaks to me. It speaks volumes about me too!