Functional Art

As I mentioned in an earlier post, part of my solo show is what Vero calls "functional small wares".  These items will be in the middle of the room on pedestals.  Her philosophy on art is that unless it is hanging on the wall, it has to function.  No sculptures, no eye candy, it has to function.  And for some reason I totally draw a BLANK when it comes to stuff like this.  I've no idea why, but just like at Christmas with ornament making, I over think it and then usually make something kind of icky.  One of the items Vero suggested I do when I mentioned my quandary was to fine some wooden bowls at a junk store and paint them.  OK.  So at my local junking haunt I found this pile of bowls and since the seed was planted I bought them:

Yep.  They are pretty ugly.  But I immediately saw NESTS.  And this weekend during a lovely summer storm, I made them into just that.

Inside each bowl I stamped words I use on my nesty jewelry.  They've been sprayed with a good coat of clear spray which totally makes the colors illuminate.  Their function could be for your spare change, jewelry, keys, you name it!  You just can't eat out of them....maybe the next time around I'll find a food safe clear coat.  Next on the functional agenda, embellishing these amazing burlap lamp shades I found at another junk store eons ago!  This is so much fun!!!

I Have A Million Other Things To Do But.....

I just HAD to get these photos I took of my nephew Fielding uploaded and played with in my Camera Bag.  Man, this was a fun thing to do.  I am usually not that good at taking people pics.  I've got taking my paintings and jewelry down to a beautiful science, but people are always either blurry or otherwise just icky looking.  So I called my buddy Suzan today, who is quite the little photographer and said, ok....give me some pointers for people pics.  And well.......let's just say I could have uploaded about 100 for you to see (yes, I am totally bragging).  But I selected my favorites here: 

Of course I had to sneak a pic of my pretty girl in their for you to see as well.  William was too busy being babysitter to Fielding to take strike a pose for me.  Mailey gave me the total Elle model pose.  I am thinking I am in serious trouble.  She is only 8 you know!  Well, it has been a wonderful few days having Molly and her cuteeeeee-patoteeeeee baby here.  And man, is he one that I would love to have around more often.  Always smiling and giggling and talking.  Ahhhhh.......babies......(Now don't get ANY funny ideas.  We are SO NOT having another baby in this house.)

Bike Love

I just love to paint bikes.  Really.  There is something about the nostalgic feeling of riding a bike that makes painting them such a joy.  Arms up or feet out, the wind making my hair a matted mess, the whirly tummy when pedaling over a hill.  It's a great childhood memory.  And one I will continue to capture in my paintings.

Dreaming in Color

Last night I slept amazing. Seriously.  I have no idea what I did to deserve that night's sleep, but man it was good.  I am pretty sure my dreams had their own dreams.  So tonight I'll probably have a normal night, which really you don't want to know about....  This painting I am almost finished up with and since I'm talking about dreaming thought I'd share it with you!.

Stamped along the bottom is this, "i always dream in color.....it just happens to have a white picket fence".  It's funny that I still associate the "picture perfect" life to contain a white picket fence.  I'm standing next to Billy and we are holding our two precious children.  Lily of course is wagging her tail beside us both.  And there are plenty of daisies in full bloom.  I'm not so sure I'd want to ever paint a white picket fence for real, this happy fence is made from old library cards.  But it's such a happy thought in my little creative head.  So tell me, what's in your "picture perfect" life?

My Feet and Other Things

I hope you guys had a fabulous 4th of July weekend!  As stated in my last post, I was a bit of a veggie chick on Saturday.  I suppose I was mentally preparing for the next 3 whirly days....wanna know what I was up to and why I've neglected this favorite little spot of mine here?  Well here goes anyhoo.......

-had a cookout with my best friend from childhood, Miss Amy, who came down from Nashville with two of her 3 boys to see our small town fireworks display Sunday

-took a trip to IKEA on July 5th with Miss Amy (OK seriously, it was like an international airport on Christmas Day in that darn place)  BTW my SUPER GREAT husband watched ALL the kids while we did this.  xoxo

-also made a trip to my favorite art supply store in Atlanta and did some outdoor shopping at Atlantic Station

-enjoyed dinner on the patio at our favorite pizzeria with Amy and all the kiddos

-sorta enjoyed a grueling work-out with Kathleen since I may have mentioned that dinner this morning

-really enjoyed watching all our kiddos play together non-stop and even included Mailey in the baseball games while Amy visited the Atlanta Mart for some things for her business

-met Amy at The Varsity with all the kiddos and ate....well..... you really don't want to know that and I really don't want Kathleen to know about it! 

-got home and plastered 15 new heart sculptures and some small wishing hearts outside while listening to the Ipod

-took a nap with sweet Lily

-and now I'm here.  Ahhhhh......Hoping that my energy will spread to you and encourage you to spend time with friends, eat yummy fattening foods, hit the gym, and then paint!  HA!

So, about the painting above.   I've been trying to use some of my own thoughts in my newer paintings.  And this one is mine......being a leader is something I kind of like.  OK.  really like.  But with this role I have to continually be mindful of my words and actions.  And sometimes that's hard.  I've totally got the "foot-in-mouth" thing down to a science.  And although some may think what a terrible thing to be admitting to....really, if you think about it, saying what comes to your mind means you are sharing the most honest, sincere and authentic parts of yourself.   I do not have meanness behind my words, maybe some naivety, but not meanness.  Yep.  I am totally the one that's going to tell you when something is in your teeth, or better yet that they are a lovely shade of blue because you've just eaten a blue icey.  But seriously, wouldn't you rather hear the truth?  I know I would.  So I'll take my role, and my foot.  Besides, right now my toes are sporting an adorable pedicure complete with flags. 

Movie...Paint...Movie...Jewelry....Movie

In junk stores, antique stores and thrifty stores I am VERY drawn to this type of appliqued items:

I have absolutely no idea what the official applique technique is called.  It comes in many forms including pillows, wall hangings, clocks, etc. at very affordable prices.  While cruising through some magazines the other day I saw an idea where the artist took a cross-stitched piece, placed it in a bezel pendant and made a necklace out of it.  AH HA!  And the idea started brewing.  And this is the outcome:

This was not an easy thing to make.  Had I kept the article about how they placed the fabric goody into the bezel I might had faired a little better, but alas, I have no idea what magazine it was in and most likely it's still at Barnes and Noble.  After two failed attempts I was able to snugly fit this little piece of sweet applique into the bezel.  I then chain link connected some peachy beads, added the black chain and voila!  A fun new accessory for my jewelry drawer.  Yep.  I am really bad about making something and wearing it a bit before deciding to mass produce.  Feedback is everything for me when making jewelry.   See below the necklace on the left?

I know, it's really pretty.........still wearing it myself and keeping it in view to remind me that others just might be willing to buy and wear one too!  I'll keep you posted if they find their way to my etsy shop.

BTW, been painting away here.  Normally this is a very busy time for our family (being political and all on an election year).  But we've got a puny kiddo so I got to use that excuse to stay home and catch up!  It has been such a wonderful day......watch a movie, paint, watch a movie, make jewelry, watch a movie, blog.....yep.  Billy just went to get steaks and salad.  So next up....movie, dinner, movie.  How about you?

Painting Happiness

I guess it's the teacher in me, but I enjoy showing you the process I go through when painting.  First, before I start anything I have brainstorm sessions.  I had a session last night with the sketchbook and am literally jumping up and down at the new ideas!   I have a nice hardback sketchbook that I make little thumbnail drawings and notes.  On one page there might be 8 mini drawings.  I really do not like to draw, so these are quick sketches that basically just get the idea out of my head and onto paper.  I also have started trying to come up with my own words to add to the paintings, so those go in the book too.

Meanwhile, I've prepped the wood canvases with black gesso.  This is a fairly new technique for me.  I love the texture paintings (where I put the putty on and carve),  but was needing a new technique that wasn't quite so time consuming, but had the same outlined look.  I love black outlines.....

I use a white colored pencil to lightly sketch in the composition.  Then using HEAVY body acrylics, I paint the first layer of paint on really quickly.  I BIG puffy heart my heavy body acrylics.  This first layer is painted in a hurry and really loosely.  I leave a gutter around all the images to give it a natural outline.

After the first layer dries I start layering the paint.  I love to mix wet paint right in the canvas.  And yes, I use colors right out of the tube.  I never mix on the palette, just right on the canvas.  Once the paint has dried the collage elements are added and last but not least, the words.  So that's about it in nutshell folks.  At this point my head is so spinney with ideas it's crazy.  I've got about 20 paintings to go for my show and I have a feeling those paintings will flow seamlessly from the sketchbook to the canvas.  Look for more postings on how they all unfold!