Productive Painting Time

                                         
                                           "Mind Games"

Summer weather is still here - the garden is calling to me BUT so is painting!  This 12" x 12" x 1.5" painting came together rather quickly for a change.  It is a relief to get a little one that I like in the middle of struggling with a large canvas - 36" x 48" x 1.5" and 3 works on paper to go with it.

The large one and companions are beginning to take shape and my mind is in the right place to tackle that big project.  My paintings are intuitive and emotional and a fairly clear head is needed to work out the puzzle that this kind of painting is!

A little diversion is sometimes needed - this painting was diversion #1 and a thorough house cleaning today was diversion #2.

Tomorrow it is Onward with the Brushes!!!!

New Work

Finally!  Some new work!! I have been sick with Bronchitis for such a long time!  Today I actually felt like trying to make some new artwork and like what evolved!

This has been such a dreary winter - cold, lots of snow, but sunny!  Everyone is counting the weeks now!
I think the time has finally come for me to plant some heritage tomato seeds that I have saved.  It will be fun watching the tiny seedlings grow and the snow melt back!

I have started a 20" x 20" canvas and that will also be fun to see how it turns out :)

Focusing

This was a very busy and rewarding week - almost two weeks actually.

I've decided that a blog post each and every week is too much so I have geared down to twice a month. This way it gives me more time to finish things and possibly have something to say!

One of the 6 white canvases has turned into a vase of flowers.  It started out as an abstract but morphed along the way.  I'm thinking the deep freeze we have been in here this winter must have something to do with it.  Two more 8" x 8" canvases have been started - it would be nice to have three similar ones to be a little series but I won't know until I get going which direction they will take.  I am hoping for more vases with flowers!

This week also been a crocheting and knitting time. It all started with a friend wanting me to teach her how to crochet an infinity scarf.  I now have completed two of these scarves in different patterns and colours.  Turquoise for one; chartreuse for the other!  Next on the go is a knitted dish cloth - why I'm doing this is a mystery - the yarn just called out to me in the store!

I also read Neil Young's autobiography "Waging Heavy Peace" - an exceptionally good read!

So the next two weeks I will be on a mission to focus on more vase with flowers paintings with the goal of keeping my head in 'series' mode and not flying off in all kinds of other directions!

Determination

Today's writing is about determination.  This painting was started many months ago and had to wait to be finished until I had recovered firstly from the Christmas season; secondly from a concussion; thirdly from a frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear and lastly from an incredibly hot few months which left my brain pretty much fried as far as any creative impulses were concerned.

My injuries have healed and the weather has cooled off resulting in a welcome spurt of energy yesterday and today.  This one is now as finished as it's going to be.  A coat of varnish remains to be added and then the final touch which is a float frame with a natural clear finish and black interior.

Many times I have wanted to get out the gesso and start over completely.  There is something to be said for sticking with something until it tells you to stop.  Working on an abstract painting with no pre-planning is like doing a difficult puzzle.The spark of accomplishment feels good and I'm now looking forward to the next challenge.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

30" x 30"

12" x 12"

Well my plan of posting more often has melted - my last post was almost 2 months ago - My Bad!!
My excuse is TOO HOT!  So far this summer I have been spending most of my time trying to stay cool and keep my plants alive watering constantly.  We are lucky to be living on a very large river and are able to pump river water for irrigation AND jump in to cool off.

The oppressive heat and humidity has taken it's toll on my brain and any creative thoughts have been very few and far between.  Yesterday I had a day to myself and in the cooler temperature I did manage to get a first layer done for a 30" x 30" collage piece. It's not talking to me yet but at least it has been started.  The smaller one at 12" x 12" is almost finished - just needs some more contrast and oomph!

It feels good to be creating again and I am hoping to get a day or two this week to continue.  I am working on getting my own "oomph" back too!!!

It's OK to Re-Think

Something was bothering me about this painting for a long time.  It is called 'Courage' and I found the section around the Chinese symbol  upsetting to me.  I finally decided to give it a good look and try a few options.  Blue and a calmer area called out to me.  I have a tendency to forget about leaving some quiet spaces in my paintings.  I am very happy with this one now - courage does need a calm attitude and the blue space does seem to be resonating outward amidst the chaos.

Another thing I am working on is more blog posts and making them short and sweet.  I will try and have something to say again tomorrow!

On the Wall

Installation complete! Now all that is required is another pot light in the ceiling over the painting. Client is happy, Artist is happy too! Payment in hugs and kisses received!!