Still Life and Weekends

The weekend is upon us. I can not wait for tomorrow. I've got a 10 mile run in the am. Last weeks run felt so good. I am hoping tomorrow feels the same. I had some calf tweeking earlier in the week...which freaks me out because it was about this time last year I had the same issue. And didn't get to run my marathon. Sigh. So hoping for better luck this time around and a calf that calms itself down.

I also have big plans to get all the paintings I've been working on framed and wired. Since receiving notification that I was accepted into Norcross Arts Fest I've felt a need to paint...new ideas...new paint...new...new. And it feels really good. I've about 20 paintings to get ready plus a pile of old ones that need repair. I intend to have a huge sale at the show on older work (think $50 paintings peeps!!) so it might be worth a drive to Norcross if you've wanted an original for a spell.  Here's the link if you are thinking about putting it on your calendar for NEXT weekend. I sure hope to see some of you there!

Orange Happy

I'm plowing along with daily painting. Although I'm not really painting everyday. So I really shouldn't call it daily painting I suppose. Although last week I did paint 4 out of 5 lunch times. That made me happy. This week I have a less stressful afternoon/night schedule so hoping to get a custom painting finished and shipped as well as some more works for the upcoming Norcross Arts Festival. It's in 3 weeks ya'll. What was I thinking???

These new paintings are making me very happy. I think because they are just effortless with the brush. That sounds perhaps a bit like I think I am "all that and a bag of chips", but what I mean is they are seriously translating from brush to canvas what I want them to do with ease. I get pretty discouraged about some of my work. Looking too tight, like I am trying too hard. I am not a realistic painter and yet sometimes feel my paintings are stuck in the middle of real and whimsical in a very bad way. I think these crazy flowers are speaking to me because they are literally just whimsical. No real. I'm not looking at any flowers, I'm not tracing anything. Just using my head and heart to draw and paint. Having fun with color and layering a lot.

Well...another week in the classroom teaching. It's all about Halloween right now. Gearing up for the Family Fun Night exhibit. This year is gonna be sooooooo good!! Have a lovely Monday!

ArtWalk Tonight In Newnan

Tonight is the annual Fall ArtWalk in downtown Newnan.  When Valerie and I owned The Vintage-Flea it was one of my favorite events we hosted. Every business on the square hosts an artist in their business from 5-9PM. People come in droves to the square to walk from business to business looking at the art of local artists. Of course there is always yummy food and drinks in each business to entice the buying. Valerie and I always served yummy Sangria. I wonder what she's concocting for tonight? The Newnan square at night is truly magical. It's a great event to attend. I hope you will!

Again, tonight from 5-9PM the annual event takes place. The weather is looking good for an evening out. Not much has changed about the evening's festivities over the years, except the storefronts perhaps. Valerie now owns Gillyweed, an AMAZING boutique on the square. Her store literally I want one of everything. And I really want my house to smell exactly like her store. She has a fabulous eye for style in fashion and for the home. Seriously folks, if you can't make it to Newnan tonight for ArtWalk then you should visit the Newnan and Valerie soon.

So I tell you all about Gillyweed because she is hosting me tonight as one of her featured ArtWalk artists. I am tickled to be in her store. I've got a nice assortment of older and newer work to sell. Like the one above which I finished up yesterday. Love these new flowers.  Although....just my art will be in attendance. William is playing serious baseball this fall. We actually have to check the kids out of school to get to games tonight! Snap.... you think that'll be an excused check out? We had to get a hotel room and book the dogs at camp. Talk about stepping up the game! Not to mention hurting our wallets. So you guys go to Gillyweed and buy lots of my art ok?  hehehehe...  I'll be watching this handsome man play ball. Can't wait!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'll be back next week with more new work up the studio sleeve. Such joy to be shared.

It Started with Orange Paint

So it started with a new container of ORANGE paint. I was getting wood cut at Lowe's for after-school and had wandered over to check out the newest samples at Lowe's. And there it was. 

The most perfect shade of orange. If you've taken either an in person or online course from me then you know I am not brand particular on paint. I buy based on yumminess of the color. Plain and simple. One of my favorite types of paint to buy are these tiny samples at Lowe's because they are a tad thinner than my regular heavy body acrylics making them perfect for painting backgrounds. Also...if you've taken a class from me you know that the background is ALWAYS painted first. I love to capture the negative spaces in a composition first. It makes the rest fall into place beautifully. See:

I just love the way the black gessoed panel and the negative space play on the canvas. Just makes my heart go pitter patter.  And then this happens:

  

This was the first in the series I've started. The 1st is always the best in a series for me. The spontaneity of it. The freshness of it. The freedom of it....I have a hard time capturing this magic again sometimes. But so far I think because there is no pressure to create or deadlines to make I'm doing pretty well.  See:

Saturday I was in complete creative mode. From leather cuff making to crayon ornaments, I was a busy bee in the studio. I often find that once I make the effort to get into the studio, I don't want to leave and the ideas just keep flowing. I'm also a creature of complete the task. The summer was dedicated to the e-course. Lawd that was super time consuming, but super worth it. My brain was so fixated on making it magical that there was no room for creating just to create. And then I had to finish the 24 bikes for the licensing contract. Not sure I'll be painting any more bikes for a spell. HAHA!

So now I've committed to a painting a day(but not worried if I don't paint everyday). On instagram it's #artsyorangepaintingaday. I can't wait to make a flipagram of the experience!! I read recently about an artist that did a painting a day and by the end truly found her artistic voice. Not that I don't have a little inkling as to my voice already....but no matter how versed you are as an artist you continue to struggle and search. Any artist that says they don't struggle is probably lying. So I'll continue to explore this route for a spell. See ya back later with more orangey art!