Aesthetic Statement

On her Mind II

To strike a universal chord is a sound so sweet and clear and decidedly satisfying. You can rarely predict what will bring this outcome. There certainly is no magic formula for idea and image perfectly harmonizing to be received with comprehension, enlightenment, and/or edification. But, you can create from your heart, infuse your work with honesty and integrity. At some point one of your conceptualizations will ring true with one person or with many. And when it does, it's a beautiful thing.

The Anti-Liquinite

When I got accepted into the BFA program at BYU, that meant that I got a super cool studio space in an old house at the north end of campus. It was the first time I sat down to paint what was in my head and heart - not an assignment. What a great feeling, I was an artist. The painting I showed two posts ago was from this era. While working on that huge painting I got super sick. I have always had allergies, hay-fever and what not. But that spring I was in a sorry state. I realized that the solvents and mostly the Liquin I was using, closed up in that little room, were causing major chemical allergies. I later found out that these chemicals are bad for you, even if you don't show immediate allergic reactions. There are a lot of ailments that can result from the chemicals involved with painting - lead poisoning and bladder cancer to name a couple. Well, I found an alternative that rocks. I use walnut oil, a product by M. Graham and Co. I swoosh my brushes in it to clean them and leave them soaking indefinatly. It doesn't evaporate and it doesn't get a film or an gooeyness. I also use a walnut oil alkyd medium that makes the paint dry faster. Love it! If you paint you ought to give it a try. There are a few times when I can't avoid using some chemicals, that is when I wear this lovely mask.

Bonjour a la Trentaine

What is that over there? Oh, it's my youth.
Well, I'm thirty. And I like it. I had a wonderful birthday, thank you for asking. My sister, Sari, made me this ceramic pot "adieu a la vingtaine." Farewell to my twenties indeed. We had the best birthday weekend. My parents, my sister Cass, and my nieces were here to make it a grand celebration. We had so much fun, it was sad to let them go. Talking art talk into the night, making big plans, rockin' out, cooking, laughing and enjoying each other's company. I love my family! Thank you for the gifts and the well wishes. Here's to another fruitful decade!

For my Local Fans

My dad, my sister and I have a print signing at a gallery here in Arizona. The show is Saturday (tomorrow) at Decor Unique in Gilbert. We will be there from 11 to 4 with a slide presentation at one. Should be loads of fun!!

Self Portrait II

Well, you asked for it, so I dug it out for you to see. I painted this self-portrait a decade ago, when I was twenty or twenty-one. It was just after we got married and I was thinking about marriage, covenants, time, and offspring. It was a contemplation on time versus eternity that could make your head spin. It's a huge painting, almost four feet tall. It's good to look back from time to time and see how far you've come. It's also good to realize that though you have come a long way, you are still you and have maintained your you-ness through a decade of influences, opinions, outside ideas and expectations.

Self Portrait

She's finished, ...er I'm finished. Well, the painting is finished. My decennial self portrait (that means every ten years). With a crown atop her head she is imbuing the goddess within. The jewels represent her three daughters who gave her claim to the position. Perched on her head as they are continually on her mind. She gazes heavenward - giving thanks, seeking guidance, remembering to have perspective and balance. In one hand she holds paint brushes. In the other she lovingly touches her heart necklace with a "G" for Gavin. Her bracelet is skulls carved out of whale bone. It is a reminder of mortality. She wears an apron to represent chores and duties and the joy to be found in a job well done. And, it has a pocket to hold anything that might have been forgotten.

What I have been doing instead of Painting!

I have been completely and totally engrossed with this book. I couldn't stop reading! Much to the detriment of home, career and children. What can you do? My book club is reading it and it is all the buzz with us. I thought I would have to cram the 661 pages before our meeting next week, oh no, I finished last night. The Other Boleyn Girl, it's a good read.


Just as I finally finish the book, Gavin sets up Rock Band. He got a Playstation 3 with Rock Band for his Birthday. We started a rad family band yesterday - Phie Phi Pho. Miss Lavender rocks the vocals, Clo Clo rails on the drums, Clutch and Hartsy are on guitars. It's very addicting once you get the hang of it. Schools out for spring break, who cares about bed times! We were rockin' and rollin' till ten o'clock last night.


Check out these carrots. Gorgeous and tasty. We got them at Whole Foods Market (which I affectionately call Heaven Foods Market) last week. Between that shopping trip and all the delectable fruits and veggies I got at my co-op this week, I have been doing some fancy cooking. Last night we had lentil and barley soup with tri-colore carrots and plums. It was delicious!

Glitz

Just as I was using my Marie Osmond glitzer to bejewel my painting, (yes, I glitzed my painting, and I say why not!) what should come on PBS, but the Osmond's 50th Anniversary show! I glitzed away, while I be-bopped to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. This made it rather hard to center, but what a moment! Thanks Marie. And thanks Kristin for betting me one Marie Osmond Glitzer ordered off QVC for nailing the last clay thingy at the shooting range. It was a sweet shot.

That's beside the point. This post it about the painting. I love it, she has a haunting look. But I'm not sure what it is about. At some point I will have to give an explanation, always do. So, what is her story?