I can't really describe why I love painting so much.  I think it's the making of something out of nothing.  I love getting up close to a painting and maybe being able to take a glimpse inside the mind of the artist.. seeing how they were able to put a little piece of magic inside that work of art.  I think maybe that is what I a chase by making art and trying to find that little speck of everything and put it inside a painting. I remember the first time I saw a Jackson Pollock painting (the splatter guy-the picture below), I always thought that's not art- how easy is it to splat some paint on a painting? Well I can go on an tell you a ton of facts but none of it matters unless you go and see it.  I can't even describe the moment that I walked into the Museum and saw one of his larger works and it was almost like everything was sucked out of the room.  His work is about the energy that was put into the painting. That is all that really matters even though I have often w...
Happy Monday! I totally did not want this weekend to end.  We escaped into the woods for the weekend and had such a great time enjoying the sunshine.  It was so great to unplug for a few days and really unwind. Getting out of town always let's me think about my focus with my art and reground myself with what's important.  I know deciding to be an artist full time was one of the hardest decisions of my life because I would be giving up a steady pay check, the 401k, and I knew it would be hard.   I realized that don't I deserve happiness? I know everyone has their own set of circumstances but guess what? you deserve happiness.  I have been thinking a lot about when you are a kid and you get asked the question - What do you want to be when you grow up?  I always said that I wanted to be an artist and looking back I thought it was more of a wish.  I mean my parents have regular jobs and we lived in a regular house and I know I was supposed to be and want to be regular but ove...
It's official! Well I don't want to get too excited but I think it might be possible.. and I don't know if I should say this out loud but I think I might have unstuck my little artist block.  I would start working on something and would erase it over and over and it seemed like a ton of overs.  I am going to be honest it was driving me a little crazy.  I woke up or should I say jumped up yesterday morning and had the urge to get some real work done! I have to get real work done everyday but I was going to deal with my block head on and crack some skulls. Well not really crack some skulls because I can barely kill a spider and when I say barely...  I find a shoe and run at it, hopping I give it a whack. ugh spiders.  So maybe I wanted to just take no prisoners! How about that?  Here is my latest painting of a NYC subway scene and I wanted to use some abstract shapes for the movement through the window.   PS I was feeling like my hair was very Audry Hepburn  .   Happy Thursd...
This time last year I was in Paris.. sighs.  strolling the little streets. eating as many croissants and macaroons as I could possible hold, drinking endless amounts of fluffy Cafe Au Lait , and gazing at gorgeous paintings.  I wish I could just transport myself there right now.  When are they going to make tele-porters?  It was gorgeous when we were there and I just love flipping through my photos of our week there. This is just right outside of the La Louvre , the home of the Mona Lisa.  We went on the free day and it was so crowded! and the lines were long but I was astounded by the amount of artwork jam packed in the buildings and under ground. (35,000 pieces + 1 McDonalds).  I wonder if the fry smell gets into the paintings. I think out of every place I have ever been in the world- Paris hands down has the best paintings.   There is an even an art supply store where you can buy art supplies that sold supplies to Picasso and Rodin.. crazy huh? Here is one of my favs- by Claude M...
Few things inspiring me this week... some fine art - get your art goggles on. oil on canvas-eric johnson oil on canvas- Adrian Waggoner oil on canvas- David Imlay oil on linen David Graeme Baker  oil on canvas- Alexandra Pocula Amazing what people can do with a little paint, isn't it? :)...
I have had one of those weeks where everything I've been working isn't turning out- lots of starting over.  Do you ever have one of those weeks? I think I have started over on the same canvas about 20 times!  and as I write this I am still thinking about wiping over what I started. Maybe I just need to move on and paint something else? I will show you what I am working on tomorrow whether it's good or a complete disaster.. I am guessing serious disaster!  While being stuck, I have been doing some thinking about taking up a new summer sport.  Let's just say I am not the most graceful person, I am pretty clumsy and often run into things.  In fact if the hubs hears a thud in the house the first thing he yells is Are you ok or is that you running into something? :) Here is my summer sport possibilities that there is a good chance I won't hurt myself. Croquet - I have been thinking about getting a set.  This is a ladies sport- ahem I will have to do my best. :) Synchro...
Being self employed my week generally is dictated by a work list and goal list to keep myself on track for the week.  I just love the feeling of crossing things off my list and knowing that I accomplished something.  So..I thought that this weekend I would document my weekend with list but sort of the opposite of a work list- only Saturday and Sunday.  It's sort of funny what you end up with at the end and it's kind of interesting what a list can be. 5  cups of coffee 3 diet cokes 2 large margaritas- at least from what I remember it was 2. :) 10 PG-13 words spoken- did I mention I had 2 margaritas. 2 grilled cheese sandwiches.  my signature dish. I do make a mean grilled cheese. 2 baskets of chips and salsa- I need to stop doing lists of what I ate and drank because I always feel like a pig pig.. lol 15 episodes of Scrubs- not to make excuses but each episode is only 22 minutes long and they have all the seasons on Netflix. 6 times I caught myself having conversations w...
What are you up to this weekend? My hubby is out of town of for the weekend.  He is at his yearly manly man- no girls allowed camping trip called Sausagefest.  The boys think they are so clever for coming up with such a clever name.   So since he is out of town- you know what that means!.  Girls weekend! I think some of my girlfriends might kidnap me out for martinis and some 80's dancing... I do a mean walk like an Egyptian. :) My dear friend gave me a vintage fan- and look how super amazing it is.  We swap vintage items that we know the other collects.  I just love having a vintage swap buddy it makes the vintage items that I am thinking about find me so much easier.  She collects anything with an old photo.  :)  I have been thinking about lots of vintage lately but haven't had much luck on the hunt.  Actually zero luck! Maybe this weekend I will have a little bit of luck. Of course little puggers had to get his picture taken.  He is so demanding and such a diva... not sure...
bulldog Happy 4th of July! I always think the 4th of July as a special holiday because you get an extra long weekend to do something fun in the sunshine.  Today marks the day of the United States independence and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  Wow I knew something from history class must have stuck with me all these years.   We are going to see if we can hunt down some sparklers and BBQ supplies.   What are you up to today?...