Sunday Drawings and Miscellaneous

I'm working up an idea for the "In the strength of the Lord" themed Women's Conference painting.

On a happy note, our carrots are ready!  I tried to wait till my Birthday to pluck the first fruits of our labors,  but I caved and yanked the biggest one up last week.  Carrots are a real test of patience.  We'll wait a few more days for them to get bigger.  It won't be easy, 'cause that was the yummiest little carrot we have ever had!  

On a sad note, we had two more little cotton-tailed bunnies drown in our pool.  It's about the saddest thing.  It feels like an omen.  Maybe it is a sign that my days of propagation are truly be behind me.  Ya, I think that is what it is telling me. 

I love Gesso

I love gesso so much.  I love preparing a panel.  I love starting new paintings.  I love what I do, I can barely contain myself.

The promise of a newly gessoed panel.  This one is a piece I am doing for BYU's Women's Conference this Spring.  I'm really excited about it.  I am trying to document a progression, so more to come.

Windows of Heaven

I entered this piece into the Eighth International Art Competition: Remembering the Great Things of God.  The exhibition will be in the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March through October.  Not only was it accepted into the exhibition, it won a purchase award!  Hooray.  The painting is called Windows of Heaven and you can click on this link to rewind and read what it is about.

She Wore her Heart on her Apron Pocket

So, it's been a couple weeks.  My slow response is more a matter of getting images off Gavin's camera as I try to get my life back to order (I was a little out of  sorts when I got home, I cleaned for a week! Don't worry, I'm over it) and less a reflection of my enthusiasm to report that: My show was great!  I had so much help from my family and friends, thank you, thank you.  Especially Gavin for doing so many dishes and solo getting the kids to bed and my parents for helping me get everything into frames past midnight the night before I took the paintings up to Park City.  Thanks also to Terzian Galleries for giving me the opportunity.  I learned a lot that I can apply to my next show.  My theme, for example, which I really put my heart into with the images and poetry, was lost as it was not written anywhere.  That was a little disappointing, thank goodness for the blog outlet to curb my sorrow.  Anyway, it was a really fun night, I love seeing old friends, and making new ones, and meeting fellow artists.

I'm back in the studio, working on some exciting projects.  I have quite a year laid out for me!  (Flutter flutter go the butterflies) I love it.   

Interview

I got an email from a BFA student in Washington this morning. She asked me to answer some questions, and I got pretty into it, so I thought I would share.

1. How has your work changed since you were an undergraduate student?

When I turned 30 last year I did a self portrait. I had done one in school when I was about 20, so I thought it would be fun to do a meaningful self portrait every 10 years. In comparing the two pieces, my technique has improved immensely, my painting has become so much more refined. But, my style and my ideas are so similar. That was a fun discovery, I was and am still so me. My ideas change as my life changes, with kids and responsibilities etc., but my approach to resolve, express, and share my thoughts and feelings remains the same.

2. Have you ever been in a “slump“? If so, how did you pull yourself out of it?

Hmm.. it's been a while. Painting for me is all about momentum. Once I get going the ideas come faster and faster till they are piling on top of one another and I feel I might pop. I have been working so consistently for a few years that I haven't had a slump... probably since the last time I took a long break after a big show 3 years ago. I was so exhausted, I painted a mural in my girls' playroom and did other projects, when I got back to painting I had to work to get back into the groove.

3.(If yes to number 2) Do you see a change in your work after you’ve been in a slump? Is it a positive or negative change?

Always, and always positive. There is a song that says, "This is a time in my life when everything is falling apart, and at the same time, it's all coming together." A little identity crisis might be uncomfortable and take work to get through, but I think it is a necessary process, pondering what you are all about, to create honest work.

4. Being an artist is very time consuming. How do you balance your personal life with creating in your studio?

Isn't that just the question. It is really hard to balance, being a mom of three and running a household takes a lot of work! I am constantly trying to find balance, every time I think I have it, something comes along and throws it off. I will keep trying. But, I'll tell you, if I didn't love to paint with all my heart and soul, I sure wouldn't do it, it is dang hard to find the time and keep up with life.

5. What are your inspirations and how do you keep them strong in your work?

My three little girls inspire me a lot and my relationship with them. I think my biggest inspiration is a search for answers to all the things I struggle with. The previous question is a good example, I have done a few paintings that are a search for balance and resolution in family vs. art. I work things out in paintings, come to terms with things that frustrate me, try to appreciate elements of my life that I know I should appreciate, express explanations for things on an emotional level that can't just be explained with words. I get a lot of healing and sanity from my art.

6. What advice do you have to an emerging artist on getting representation and exhibits?

Enter everything you can. Always remember that art is subjective, just because a judge didn't like it doesn't mean it isn't good. It's good if it feels good to you and that is the only judge to go by. So, why subject your art to the scrutiny of others? You've got to get out there to reach others, and it will push you to be a better artist. Take criticism with a tough skin, listen to advice, but most importantly, always stay true to yourself.

She Wore her Heart on her Apron Pocket

Tonight!! Yip yip!

6:00-9:00 p.m.

309 Main St.

Park City, Utah

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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. 

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. 

Confession

I am utterly and perfectly addicted to chocolate covered goji berries.  I just ate that whole pile while the picture loaded.  Heavenly.  Wondering what to do while you indulge in heavenly delights?  Try this Mr. Picassohead website. Big hit in our house. 

Sunday Drawing

Love

Love is like the truth, sometimes it prevails, sometimes it hurts.

-unknown

Lettuce

makes an appearance.

Restoration

I got this painting, that I painted three years ago, sent back to me to fix. The paint on the crackled sky was pealing off. Yikes. It took me forever to get going because I was afraid I would ruin the whole painting, or the owner wouldn't approve - and then what!
First I had to sand off the varnish and most of the paint, but just the sky, trying not to ruin the figures that were fine, with super fine sandpaper and water.  Then I repainted the sky.  The hardest part (and I mean scariest) was the crackle because it is so unpredictable. I lucked out big time. Finally I rubbed in a glaze and voila!

It ended up all right. In any case, finished!

My Pirates

My girls pirate costumes for Halloween were too cute, we had to do something with them.  I had some Heritagemakers credits that were expiring (don't get me started on credits that expire), so we made a book.  The Pirates McPhie and the Indian Treasure..  And yes, I let out a big yelp of completion when I finally finished this one.
The key clue on their treasure map was chewed away by a rat.  It says India....  So they go to the Indian Sea to visit a princess, they go to Indian Jones who is occupied, and the Indian Reservation where the Chief laughs at them.  Finally they go to Indiana-comma- Gary where they find the treasure:  Raisins from Fresno (Music Man reference).  
We had a lot of fun making this book.  The girls love it.

Sewing her Heart on her Apron Pocket

Finished!  Look at me go.  I have nineteen - wait make that eighteen - paintings in various stages of unfinishedness hanging about my studio.  So hip hip for the first finished painting of the year!  With many more to swiftly follow.  This piece is about wearing one's heart on the apron pocket.  The process of "sewing" the heart on the apron is one of selfless sacrifice, unconditional love, and bare vulnerability.  The thing is, at the end of the day you can't feel sorry for yourself or tally up all you've done for others.  It is your role.  No thanks needed, (though it is nice on occasion) it does not come with the job description.

2009

Happy New Year!  Yip yip for 2009.  I don't make resolutions, so passe.  But, I do make themes.  I like everything to have a nice, tidy theme.  So, 2009: I am a finisher! (Said with gusto).  I have always been a primo starter.  Seriously, the ideas abound, plans are made, things get rolling, and then  new ideas come along (and/or life) and all the best intentions fall by the wayside.  The biggest tragedy of this sad lament is that I feel like a failure for what goes unfinished or poorly executed.  My theme is all about organization, prioritization, and self-congratulation.  Lists galore and realistic plans and, the best part, I get to throw my arms up and shout, "I AM A FINISHER!" every time I finish something, anything really.  To be followed by rolling eyes and hands over ears of the little people.  

More Paperdolls

Paperdolls

Update

Face:

Looking better.  (please don't scar, please don't scar...)

Garden:

Grow carrots, grow!

Paintings:

Really trying to get into finish mode. I have too many ideas for my own good.

 

Christmas cards:

Shoot.  Oh well.

My Garden

Take a look at my beautiful new garden box!  Da da ta da!  My fabulous BFFs of Bogle Family Farms built it in my back yard.  They did a smashing job if I do say so.  Thanks Tom and Reuben.
I got my carrot seeds in the mail today.  Let the bounty begin.  I am so excited!  I want to plant so many things.  I'll start with carrots, lettuces and some herbs for my I-live-in-Arizona-and-can-grow-things-year-round early crop.
Look at all that glorious potential.  I just got chills.

Painting

Making progress. Ya, I'm having fun.

But why does it have to be at the expense of house and Christmas decor, gifts, attention to little people, and meal preparation? 

Et cetera, et cetera.

Carry on, carry on. Eventually, it will all get done.

N'more for me Sanks

So get this:  We're roasting marshmallows on the beach.  Mine catches on fire, I go to blow it out and, somehow, it sticks to my face.  First and second degree burns on my cheek.  Ouch is right.  It's healing nicely, I'm opting for no scar.  So, tonight I have this brilliant idea to make some of the Thanksgiving dishes that we missed on the actual day because all we ate was pie.  Seriously, all day, just pie.  Punkin pie, apple pie, chicken pot pie, spinach pie (for me the veggie), pecan pie, chocolate pie, and quiche (oh yes, it's a pie).  Anyway, so I make stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes... with marshmallows - the marshmallows leftover from the trip - for dinner.  The table is set, everything is ready, last thing to do is pull the sweet potatoes out of the oven.  And, guess what?  They are on fire.  Flaming.  I had to blow them out with four full breaths.  Don't worry, I didn't burn myself again, but seriously.  Cursed marshmallows?  What did I ever do to them?  I have been a pretty loyal fan for years.  Well, let it be said, I'm off marshmallows for a time.

I picked off what I could and made my family eat them anyway. Gavin, ever the optimist, says, "They're good. They taste roasted, like we're camping." He's sweet.