8x10 oil on board Do you ever feel like you are running out of time? I'm about 6 weeks away from having my second baby, and feel like that time is slipping through my fingers. I know what to expect with the whole baby process this time around, but my major concern is time.  I love being a mother, a wife, and an artist but it feels like by growing a family, that the other roles are getting larger and the part that's just me is getting smaller.    I think I'm just in this juxtapose position that I want to have all my work done and have the whole birthing process over with. So with losing time, I just want time to go faster.  I know, now, it's just a waiting game for basically life to happen. It's official, I have started working on holiday and client work, before I go on maternity leave.  After Nora was born, I think I only lasted a couple weeks before I was back in my art studio working.  Making art was the best sort of healing after birth because it...
I'm participating in a group show at People's Gallery , opening next week. The title for the show is Icon a Show of Portraits and I couldn't be more thrilled to participate.   The curators for this gallery work so hard to bring art into the community and they continue to inspire me with their dedication and creativity. One of my favorite icons of all time is Alice Neel . She was a true trail blazer for women in art and in life. She was someone, that just had to make art.  There is something so admirable about someone's spirit, and is willing to do whatever it takes for the passion of their craft. Her art was something that ran so deep with in her, that it came through in her paintings. If you have a chance to see her work in person, her energy leaps off the canvas. When her paintings are on display at the Portland Art Museum, I go visit them. When I'm in New York City, there is one that is close to the elevator on the 3rd floor at MOMA, that I visit. The...
Portland Rhododendron Gardens is easily one of my favorite little parks in Portland because Tim and I got married here. It's a special place, not only because we had our special day here but we used to come here for dates too.  We would just walk around the park for hours, holding hands and talking. It's truly one of my favorite hidden gems in the city because it's never really crowded, and it's like a secret garden. We spent the morning walking around all the different lakes and streams.  The whole garden is extremely toddler and pregnant lady friendly which earns extra bonus points. There are lots of nice big wide paths and not to many hills. There are tons of big fat ducks and bossy geese around the lakes, and they love visitors or I should say snacks.  I didn't realize this but I gave Nora a graham cracker and a goose chased us around for nearly 20 minutes.  and just for a crumb! It actually felt pretty creepy, like I was in some movie ( Attack...
I have really enjoyed sharing my sketchbook on this blog and in Instagram . There is something that makes me feel so much more braver as an artist, when I just put it out there. In making just 1 piece of art, there are so many different layers and ugly phases.  The best part of keeping a sketchbook is seeing and revisiting those past phases and layers. For a long time, I was extremely self conscious about sharing my studies and sketches because the work was just not done yet. It's hard showing your work, that is half finished or just show your imperfections as a maker.  I guess I am realizing, there is something beautiful in seeing the beginnings, the in-betweens, and thoughts of something. I have been taking a little bit of a break from painting landscapes and to be honest, I was a burnt out by them.  I have been painting them for so long, that it felt like I was struggling to find inspiration. Inspiration is everywhere but I was blocked. When I do a gallery show or get a re...