Eye Candy

Eye Candy is the title of a new category in my website. I've been puzzling for some time as to where I could put these random items I am compelled to create from time to time in order to refresh and refuel my creative spirit, and this is the spot I'm placing them. These items will be different and one of a kind...meaning I may not do anything just like them again!

The first piece to go in to Eye Candy is titled "Red Barn in Wax". It is a 10x8" canvas panel on which I used beeswax to collage different papers. I also painted some areas and used stamping to add interest to the sky. For those of you who have never used wax it is a lot of fun. The "glue" and sealer is wax. These pieces are not as fragile as you might think. They don't flake and do not melt in a warm room...however I wouldn't put a blow torch to it or leave it in the window of a car in the sun...other than that, they are safe to hang and love! This particular piece is also framed in a pecan color 1" wood contemporary lined frame and ready for hanging. For purchase information click HERE.

Welcome to my latest follower...and if you haven't noticed it brings us just ONE FOLLOWER away from me being able to give a gift of thanks to one lucky follower randomly chosen!

"Lake at Squaw Pass"

"Lake at Squaw Pass" is a 6x9" acrylic gesso on panel. If my husband were here he could tell me the name of the lake, but all I can remember is the hike that day on Squaw Pass here in Colorado, and the soft light of the day that made the scene look sort of dreamy. I think it may have been even a bit more foggy than I depicted; hmmm maybe an idea to do another one with more fog!

I can't tell you just how strong the feeling of peacefulness is in my heart when I am tromping about our beautiful mountains. The inspiration I feel is incredible! I have lived here most of my life, and have never missed a day when I wasn't thanking God for what He made for us to be able to be in and see. I feel doubly blessed that I am able to take that feeling and from my fingers do something that reminds me of the present He gave us!

On my panels I have stained the sides and back so it is perfect just the way it is, or can be framed. I like to take my panels and either put them on easels, or just lean them on a shelf or the mantel for a layered look. I will be posting on the sidebar in the next couple of days the look of the sides of these panels so you can see how complete they really look.

I would like to welcome my newest follower. That brings us just TWO from the goal of 35 when I will draw from the names so that they may choose my gift collage 4x4's. Spread the word so we can get on to the next contest!

For purchase information on this painting click HERE.

"Fall River"

Fall River is a 6x9" canvas on panel acrylic of a river we ran across on one of our many hikes. I liked the way the colors all worked together. The river was such a dark green blue it seemed like it was deeper than it really was. Again, I'm posting from my husbands computer as mine is still being worked on, so I'm not as familiar with the editing program so am not sure about the colors of the photos I've taken...plus my husband's monitor shows everything with a yellowish hue...(I think it is next to be worked on...)...but at least I am not without power, so I feel lucky!

I worked on Aspen Landscape a bit more, but my poor husband's computer won't let me upload more than one photo, so that will have to wait until MY computer is up and running to upload that one...Ahhh technology!

I am so excited that we are only 3 away from our first painting give-away. Welcome to my two newest followers! Spread the word so I can randomly choose a name from my wonderful followers and give that first painting away...I'm already working on the next give-away for when I have 50 followers! Happy Painting to you all!!

Aspen Landscape

"Aspen Landscape" is a 6x9" canvas on panel acrylic. I'm not entirely happy with the picture...we woke today to 1' of snow and fog (no good light) this morning and my laptop decided to go wonky on me, so off to my friend the computer expert who kept it, so I'm on my husband's computer and not so great at editing on it...but, none the less...I at least was able to get this on the blog...WHEW! I don't know about you all who live in snow, but I'm ready for SUMMER!

This is from a reference photo I took last fall on one of our drives around this beautiful Colorado countryside, so I don't really remember exactly where we were, but I will always find beauty in our beautiful state! I haven't entirely decided if I'm finished with it, but since I'm trying to work a bit more loose, I don't want to overwork anything...I suppose when the sun comes back I'll take another look and decide then...''

We are only 4 away from the goal of 35 followers, so I'm hoping very soon to be able to let one of you choose from the 5 give-away collage paintings!

"Sunflower Field 2"

Sunflower Field 2" is an 8x8" canvas on panel, available for purchase on my website. I spent quite a bit of time on that dirt road with my kids on the way to camp that day. This is a view I took NOT on the roof of my car. You can see how tall they were in comparison to my 5' tall self. I still smile thinking of that magical day. We all need a little "magic" in our lives from time to time. I stayed with the cerulean blue sky to create a bit of unity to the three pieces.

I am STILL excited to give one of my collage 4x4's away when we reach a following of 35. The storm and computer problems have left me a little lacking in posting of late, so I blame myself, but I haven't forgotten and I am on it! Tell your friends to stop by my blog and if they feel happy with what they see, tell them to sign up as followers...Happy Painting to you all!

Above the Crowd

"Above the Crowd" is a 9x6" canvas on panel acrylic. Another memory of the day in Nebraska taking my kids to church camp and driving down the dirt roads right in the middle of sunflower fields. The experience stays with me to this day. I used the same Cerulean Blue sky as I did in "Sunflower Field" (posted just before our storm experience). I think I have another one in me for this series...so off to work!

Click here for purchase on my website.

The Silver Lining...or gold...

So, when a friend read the last blog entry she wrote back teasing me that I must have a little black cloud over my head...and asked where the silver lining was...So, my silver lining today was this pretty sunrise I woke up to! (and of course the many other blessings I have) Yes, the sun shines on even those with little black clouds over their heads...and YES, we finally have power as of 2 p.m. yesterday, so YEA! It is amazing how much more friendly a house looks when it has power...I sort of wallered up in my house yesterday and was so glad... I'm sad at the trees we lost...my husband said I should take pictures, but I just can't...we lost some huge ones and some are bent over nearly to the ground...but that is nature I suppose. Today will be spent tying up those that can be saved...and THEN back to painting...maybe I can even sneak a moment or two today. :) Today is Earth Day, so the sunrise seems even more appropriate!

And, a quick note...I am so anxious to give a collage painting away to one of my followers...we are only 5 away from the goal, so spread the news and let's get on with the sharing!

POWER...(not)

So, here I am at the library in town as we are in day 4 with no power. Yes, we DID get the expected snow, and then some..41" or so with 5' drifts...WHEW. My husband stayed home the first night hoping we would have our power restored, but alas that was not to happen. I am still remembering the storm 3 years ago when I was trapped for 2 days, so I hightailed it down the mountain on day one before it got too bad...I went up to get my hubby the second night, and what a drive that was up the mountain...trees down everywhere and snow blowing, sliding all the way up! I got home to some 3' on the 150' driveway with a huge pine down across the driveway, so I got out and waded through to get more clothes and my cold husband and we came down. It has been days of going back up to see and clearing trees and snow and then back down to sleep...Needless to say there are no pictures, just a mental picture I'm trying to paint right now...After being told by two unrelated people that work for our power company to not believe any of the recordings; that we would not have power before tonight and coming home this morning to no power and no human voice to talk to with the power company I got in my car and drove down to talk to a human at their regional office...I walked up to the doors and found them LOCKED! I saw two employees in a break room and knocked until they came to let me in...Still smiling I asked my questions...mostly about being told something different than their recordings by employees of their company and to have some more information about our situation. . . The woman I spoke to was quite helpful, so I want to pass along some information to you all that you may not have known as the only gift I can give you all today...The more people in a neighborhood that calls in for an outage the higher priority it is given, thus hopefully the faster service will be restored...and the second little present...these companies have a claim department that you can call and file a claim for all you lost in the situation...so ask for a claim department...So, now the 15 minutes at the library is almost over and I have to relinquish it to some other poor soul with no power...So, for all of you who can...HAPPY PAINTING today...For me, it will be a couple of days!

"Sunflower Field"

"Sunflower Field" is an 8x8 canvas on panel. I'm not sure how well the photo translates (I suppose that is true for all the photos as we all have different monitors) as we are literally in the clouds today. I'm waiting for the now amended 1.5-3' of snow predicted for our area, and REALLY hoping they missed the mark on this one!

Being in the clouds all day long I wanted to be warm so I painted from a photo I took many years ago when I was taking my kids to church camp in Nebraska. It was incredible...here we were driving down a dirt road and I turned and all of a sudden we were in the midst of all these sunflowers. I'd never seen anything like it before. Some had heads bigger than mine (and that is saying a lot!). I stood on the roof of my little car and took tons of photos.

I've painted this before...years ago. My mother has several of those I did...Back then I felt I had to paint each and every flower face...and it was quite a few more than I chose to show on this painting!

So, I really just needed to be filled with the warmth of this memory of a wonderful day one summer so many years ago. Be warm!

"Daisy on Blue"

"Daisy on Blue" is the last 4x4" on Baswood panel acrylic collage for our give-away contest. I just checked and we only need 6 to reach our goal of 35 before I choose a name and give one of the 5 away. I have enjoyed doing these! I'm already looking forward to the next contest that will be announced not too long after we have a conclusion to this one. This collage came from some photographs I took of one of the arrangements my sweet husband brought me. The background is paper and the petals were painted. I had an interesting piece of paper I was going to use for the center and I looked at the photo and just cut the center of that out. How fun that it was just right! I like the combination of papers and paint on this little reminder that spring has sprung and warmer days are to come...(that is after the foot of snow I just heard we are getting on Friday/Saturday)...

"POOF" and now it's "Rocky Hill"...

So, here I am looking at this little offering I posted this morning, and thinking about how it was really about the rocks, and poof...before you know it I had taken out the trees and let it really be about the rocks...I was then thrilled to do a bit of palette knife for the sky...all so subtle, for it was a subtle kind of day on my little rocky hill that I so lovingly edited...So, faithful followers, please eliminate the earlier little painting collage from your minds eye and replace it with what I think is more apt...It really WAS about the rocks...Tomorrow is the last in my collage series of give-aways...last time I looked we are only a few from the goal of 35...Happy day to you all!

My Process...and a little contest painting...

I've been thinking a lot about my process with my art. I think we all do, every time we sit down to paint. This blog is about my daily process, mostly it has been the actual process of applying brush or glue to the surface, but today I want to talk about the process that goes on in our minds and hearts that produce the art we love to do. I love so many things about art. Mostly it is the creative process, that excitement that something intrinsic or visual brings me to that point where I MUST create something.

I have always loved art, the process of it. When I was about 8 years old I knew I was an artist. I remember those magazine ads that were trying to get someone to sign up for some art class or school...you know the ones (if you are anywhere near my age), draw Bambi and send it to us and we will critique it. What they wanted was money, they wanted people to sign up for their mail course (yes it was before computers)...So, I drew every Bambi and whatever else the picture was of and I sent them off. I remember the day I got a letter back. Here these people wanted money, but they suggested I might find another career. I was devistated for about a day...and then that thing in me that still lives that NEEDS to create, LOVES to create kicked in and I said I was going to do what I felt inside no matter what anyone else thought. WHEW...the first hurdle...the first survival of the first critic, and I wasn't destroyed!

I never stopped trying to learn how to master what I wanted to do, what I knew I already was. Many years of trying this or that, 10 years in oil, 15 years in watercolor, some 8 or 9 years in acrylic...something like that...being so right brained, numbers mean so little to me...(I know, I know I need to pay more attention to the left brained side of myself)

So, here I am so many years later...studying from books, going to workshops, getting a degree in art education, painting with some incredible artists for years,teaching middle school, high school, senior centers for over 10 years...still loving my creative side, still living inside that place that sees everything as a composition...looking, really LOOKING at things, constantly...still an artist, no matter what else has gone away from me.

I love it all, so much of it. I love collage, I love painting; sometimes impasto, sometimes not...flowers, trees (of course), still life, stuffed animals, my children, whatever catches my spirit that day, whatever makes my heart sing and my fingers itch until I do it...still. I always promised myself I would create as long as it gave my heart that feeling that I am alive, and I would stop if it became pedantic or a chore. So far, I've only felt it for a few hours here and there...STILL it lives in me.

I've read so many books, gone to seminars, listened to the wisdom of so many who have "made it"...and I just can't choose just ONE way, just one thing, just one, when there is so much in the world that calls to me in so many ways...I wonder if I am a failure in the world, as the world sees things, and I'm a little sad about that, but if I can sit inside myself and still FEEL what it is to be an artist (by the way, no one can take that title from any of us) then have I failed? I am just one sitting here right now, but in myself I don't feel a failure. I suppose, if I feel I can bring a smile, or a bit of inspiration to someone I can't be a failure.

Teaching came naturally to me because it is all about doing a million different things to try to find that thing that each student can feel important about, can feel good about themselves doing. I feel like I have sold a HUGELY expensive painting each time a student says "I understand now", or "I feel so happy about this"...no matter what else they put a teacher through, they are precious humans who are just trying to find their way and if I can help them feel good about themselves, then I can never be a failure.

Well, thank you for letting me get through this! If you've read all the way through this I thank you and I applaud you! So, with that off my chest, I now present this little contest piece. Again, on a 4x4 basswood panel with its own easel...I don't know what to call it. It started out being about these two perfect pine trunks that sit just above my house, but it really is about the rocks. The paper I made for this has a little bit of writing in it and I was happy it showed up...so, let's just let it be what it is, and if it makes you smile even a little, then I have not failed on this day.

"Winter Aspen"

WINTER...yuck...Yes, I know so many of us are craving those wonderful summer days and the color that comes with it. As a matter of fact in my camera along with the pic of this latest CONTEST painting choice are pictures of the beautiful flowers my husband got me for Easter! So, I too feel the pull of summer, but couldn't resist doing a very high contrast piece after the softness of yesterdays contest painting..."Winter Aspen" is the 3rd contest give-away collage painting choice of the 5 that will be offered with this contest. It is also a 4x4" basswood panel that is stained on the sides and comes with it's own stained mini easel. It is, like the others a collage mixture of paper and acrylic. I see we have added two more followers, welcome to you, and now we are moving closer to the goal of 35. Happy Painting!

"Two Bunnies"

This is the second offering for the contest. "Two Bunnies" is a softer pallete than I usually use, but the models I used for this one seemed to need a little softness. The bunnies also have an easel of their own. Happy Easter to you all. We are only 9 followers from our goal, so tell your friends! Check back tomorrow for, yes, another tree painting!

Contest!

I am inspired by my friend and fellow artist blogger Jane Hunt to present a contest give-away opportunity to my followers. In her blog Jane offers a painting when she reaches a certain number of followers (I think she just had a winner recently!). I think it is a wonderful way to interact with each other and is a fun way to say thank you for those who follow my blog and enjoy the arwork that I create. So, I am offering a contest of my own. (with Jane's blessing, for borrowing her idea) When I reach 35 followers I will draw from my list of followers a name and that person will get to choose one from 5 4x4" Basswood art panel collage pieces that I have lovingly stained the sides and back and have included a stained easel to boot! These pieces and much of my smaller work are often studies for larger work. I will post each of these works in the next few days and very clearly state they are for the contest. These pieces will not be for sale, but are my gift for my followers. In these tough times I think we need something a little fun to think about, so here is a little fun...

This first piece I have named "Aspen". This is a collage piece using my own handmade papers and painted with acrylic. Each piece is sealed with a gloss medium. Enjoy, and be sure and tell your friends to join so we can quickly get to this first give-away! Be looking over the next few days for the other choices you will have! Happy early Easter everyone!

"Forest Floor"

"Forest Floor" is a 12x6" 3/4" cradled panel with stained sides. There is a lot going on in this little piece. I layed down several different papers before I added the foliage on the floor and the aspen. I didn't have a base color for the little pine so I painted on paper before I layed it down. I think the challenge was keeping some contrast within this very busy little piece.

This painting is available for purchase on my website.

"In the Pines"

This is another 6x6" cradled collage piece. I am liking the 3/4" width for these pieces that I've stained, but have done a few with the deeper cradle. The challenge here was to represent the summer pines with all their greens and still show good contrast. I love working with green and there is about 5 different greens in there that were mixed (on purpose, who knows how many by association...:)) for this little summer forest scene (ooh a title for one I've been planning to do!). There are a number of handmade papers addded to this as well as a store bought one or two. Soon I am going to play with this process in a different subject matter...been thinking fruit...very exciting to think about! But for today there is another 12x6 cradled piece waiting for me. Happy Painting to you all!

This painting is available on my website.

"Fall Aspen"

"Fall Aspen" is a 6x6x3/4" cradled canvas panel acrylic collage that I stained on the sides. I used my own handmade paper as well as some other paper I have collected. Another view from one of our trips hiking about this wonderful state of Colorado. I find this medium and approach quite exciting and can't wait to see what comes of other subject matter, but for now it is trees! I used a bit of iridescent Copper in the background gold leafy area. Fun to try new colors from time to time. I enjoy collage so often over just the one medium of acrylic as it gives a bit of built in depth to the work.

"Fall Aspen" can be purchased on my website.

"Aspen in Blue and Green"

"Aspen in Blue and Green" is a 6 x 12x 3/4" cradled canvas panel that I stained on the sides. It was inspired by a larger collage I did last summer as part of a workshop I taught. I find it quite exciting to paint a ground with various colors and then begin adding this paper or that. Some are papers I've collected and some I've made. The green is one I just love. It works well next to the ultramarine blue I added RIGHT OUT OF THE TUBE for extra depth; FUN!

There is something about standing in an aspen grove and looking 360 degrees and seeing nothing but these fascinating trees. I always feel so well protected and so very inspired. And I'm not sure, but I think the sound is muffled a bit...or at least I don't seem to hear much of anything else but those trees in an occasional breeze.

I've been think a lot about what excites me the most about the way I approach collage and I think it is that I get to mix paint and paper. I see an evolution, slow as it may be, of my approach to art. I love this journey! I hope you can be a little inspired today in whatever way you find exciting as your journey in your art continues!

This painting is available on my website.

Maple Leaf Paper Cast Complete

After a couple of failed attempts I think this will be the final version of this particular cast. One thing I love about this medium is the amount of thinking and figuring that goes with the creation. The first version was a close-up of leaves of different colors. As my husband said it looked a bit like a kitchen trivet, which isn't bad if that was what you were going for! Ha...we always need to have that sense of humor, right?...Whether it ends up exactly as I planned doesn't matter as much to me as the creativity it sparks. I find the finished version pleasant. I have yet to decide the color I will mount it on, and that will change it a bit more when I do decide. That part is fun too. I think I will attempt a pinecone next...whew...I think I will look at it as an opportunity to think really creatively.

"Miss Michelle"

This watercolor I painted of my daughter when she was about 2 is a part of a short series of paintings I've done of her over the years that I have posted on my new fanpage in Facebook. Click HERE to go to directions on creating your own page. I painted this little watercolor for my grandmother many years ago. After she passed away we found it in a little frame that was falling apart, but it was on the wall next to her bed. Family was everything to my grandmother. I am quite thrilled to have it again, still hanging in that little frame. My family is just about everything to me as well, so I have been honoring my Michelle (will be 26 on the 12th) on my Facebook pages.

I joined Facebook as, yes, another marketing venture, but have enjoyed other things like connecting with some people I had lost touch with. For those of you who have just begun your journey into promoting and posting your artwork on line, Facebook is another avenue to reach more possible collectors. Facebook offers something called a fanpage that is created as an offshoot for those who want to promote their business...so I encourage you to explore this avenue. We never know what will come of our efforts unless we make no effort; and in that the outcome is definate.

"Wedding Cake Top"

This little 6x6" cradled canvas on wood is the second painting I did for my daughter Michelle's birthday. I love these little cradled pieces. You can paint, stain, or just leave the sides natural. It is 1 1/2" deep so would be perfect for hanging or just sitting on a shelf. So versitile! I tried to keep the backgrounds similar so she can sit them together if she wants. I had to darken the background of this one just a bit in order for the white flowers to show up a bit more. I found a silver metal paint to give just a little more to the G (for Grimes; her last name) and the silver accents on the cake. It has incandescant beads in it so catches the light just a bit. That was fun, but doesn't really show up that well in the picture. The sun just isn't going to come out today, so the picture doesn't show the colors as well as they might have had I waited until some sun decided to show up...Ahhh life...but you get the idea...

The Lemonade Award

I am very tickled and honored that I received "The Lemonade Award" for a positive attitude and gratitude, from my fellow art blogger Dean H. I started following Dean as his wonderful paintings of animals and many other subjects were an inspiration to me, as well as the scriptures he puts on the bottom of almost all of his blogs. Do yourself a favor and check out his blog!

A Lemonade Award is given to bloggers that show a positive attitude and gratitude. It also exemplifies people who have a willingness to share their ideas, support and online friendship.

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 7 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.

3. Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

The following 7 blogs exemplify to me what this award is for. I invite you to check each one of these wonderful artist blogs and see for yourself why I believe they "fit" this award so well...

As Dean also commented...if you are over taxed and over tagged, I totally understand, but felt so happy to give you a link from me...

1. Elizabeth Pearson

2. Jane Hunt

3. Fred Bell

4. Linda Blondheim

5. Jean Lurssen

6. Dana Marie

7. Qiang-Huang

I also want to thank my friend and fellow blogger for featuring me on her blog today. Very complimentary Jane!

"Groom's Cake"

My daughter Michelle will be 26 in a few days. I painted this little 6x6 cradled 1 1/2" piece for her birthday. I haven't decided for sure, but I think I will stain the sides a brown. It is the top of the groom's cake they had at her wedding to her wonderful husband Damon. (scroll down a few days to see a pic of them at their wedding) It has been a couple of years for them, but they are still on their honeymoon! To watch them together is a great joy. I wanted it to be a very simple little piece without a lot of attention to actual detail, but just the subject itself being the star. I applied the background color with a pallet knife so bring a bit of understated texture. I've got a second one in my studio of the top of their wedding cake...I want them to be able to stand alone, or sit together so I have prepared the same light green background for the second piece to bring a bit of unity along with the unity that the subject matter will bring. I am glad to hopefully bring back the joy of their beginning as a couple with these little memories...