Sunday, February 22, 2009

Two Sisters

One of the greatest challenges life gives us is finding balance. We have to balance our time between family, work, self, church etc. It requires constant evaluation and adjustment. I feel like I threw my family a little out of balance in preparing this show. So now, I keep asking myself questions about the balance of my painting time, like: what is this worth, what is it for, but mostly, am I anything so special that I can ask my family for their sacrifice? When Kate Winslet won the best actress Oscar tonight, she thanked her husband and two kids for allowing her to do what she loves. Gavin told me that he knows painting makes me happy and so it is worth any sacrifice to him. Still, it begs to ask, how much can I give it? Where is the balance? I haven't quite figured out my role as an artist.

The diptych above is about a search for balance between the me-self and the mother-self. One side has a drab apron and bright outfit, the other vice versa. Though these two selves are intertwined, I sometimes feel a need to separate them for clarity in sorting out identity.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Untied


So my apron strings have come untied
Both dangling loose down by my sides
Unraveled at wits end
Not wanting to defend
Why my apron strings have come untied

Still, my apron strings have come untied
‘Cause of this to you I will confide
I have an urge to fly
Sink in the soft blue sky
While my apron strings remain untied

So my apron strings have come untied
It’s come down to this: I must decide
Forever by duty bound
When you turn back ‘round
Find my apron strings will be retied

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Sisters True

I finally called this huge painting finished.  In fact, I have called just about all my paintings finished.  The big show is next week!  This piece is about sisters.  I love my sisters.  Here's a treat, me and my sisters in 1978.  (I'm the baby).  
p.s.  I have two brothers and I love them too.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Juliet:


"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite."
Set in the world, set apart from the world.  Love transcends all and has no boundaries.  Bounty is a generous gift, as is the giving of one's love.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Be Mine

I love Valentine's Day!  I made these pins for my little sweethearts.  And, one for my true love to wear on his lapel, lest he forget who loves him most.  Hope you had a lovely day!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Mulier

If you are in Arizona and interested, I have all my paintings for my "She Wore her Heart on her Apron Pocket" show on display around my house.  Tonight we are having an open house after seven, so come on by!  I will be packing the bulk of them Monday afternoon.  I'm almost finished!!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Dolls

Sometimes when I look at my three little dolls I think, "Really?  You're trusting me, little me, with taking care these people?"  It's pretty surreal.  Their very mental and physical health is in my hands.  Sometimes I'm not so sure I'm all that good at it.  I yelled at a couple of them today and forgot to make sure they brushed their teeth this morning.  But, sometimes when I look at the three of them I am overwhelmed with love and desire to be better at giving them what they need.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Upon Finishing

I'm on a count down to my big show. I'm eating, drinking, and sleeping paintings! I've given up most of my sleep, my gym time, and enlisted Gavin to take care of everything (i.e. dishes and kids) after six o'clock. Among so many other things, my bloggage has been slacking. Here are a couple of finished paintings to catch you up.  I have a good seventeen to finish in the next two weeks, and possibly a few more to start... and finish.  
I don't have a title for this piece yet.  I wanted to paint those apples, that hair, and immortalize that beautiful bowl that broke a few days later.  I loved that bowl.  Crate and Barrel doesn't have it anymore.  She is a little sassy and empowered.  A domestic goddess, if you will.
This piece is titled Little Girl in a Big Apron.  I did a smaller piece, Big Apron, Little Girl a while ago and wanted to expand on the idea.  I don't wear red, it gives me anxiety, so when I use red, I really mean it.  It is bold and powerful, zealous and impassioned.  The concept of the over-large apron is the daunting task, the overwhelming responsibility of family and home.   It is also the overwhelming love and dedication to these things. 

Monday, February 2, 2009

Sunday Drawing


Ghost Overground

In one of my favorite books My Name is Asher Lev, Asher's father performs a Jewish ritual reciting a prayer while lighting a candle.  The prayer speaks of the flame representing a sort of transcendence, we should try to be like the flame rising away from the wick to join God.  I like that idea.