the official postcard

Something red show!

Is Something Red?

That's right its that time of year again, and after spending quite a lot of time working on my new piece I entered it into the show last Saturday.....well guess what?! I'm in again! two for two!

But this year I will not be able to share in the festivities with my co-conspirator Jen....(waaa waaa) that was a sad noise- she is no longer an Oregonian and therefore prohibited! here's a lovely picture of the two of us last year at the ceremony.
Last Saturday I entered two paintings, one of them under the ever so clever title of "red umbrella" you can see the progress of the painting in these next three photos.



#1



















#2

#3

my sketch book

Just to prove I haven't been completely un-creative in my post-studio period here are some sketches from my sketch book, keep in mind they are sketches.

robot aliens!

quick sketch of the church my great great great 

grandparents were married in.

 

 

Of course, Right?

It was a very interesting letter she found in the shoe box.........

M. C. Lamb

I found this artist a while ago, while watching Oregon Art Beat and really just loved the way she understood this connection to things and their history. In the clip below she says, " Its very poignant to me to see this evidence of these previous lives that these second hand objects have. I mean, that's one reason I love them so much, is they were important to someone. You know they were handled, they were a present for occasions...." And I have to agree with her completely, though it gets me a whole lot of junk because I can't seem to throw anything away. I can't resist placing myself back in time when I walk into antique stores and see the thousands of stories around me. And some of you who have spent time looking through old postcards with me, I know have understood that feeling too. :) Anyway you should enjoy her randomness, but if you're tired be careful because the narrator will put you to sleep.
P.S. My favorite is the comment referring to the book of Kells as some old Celtic text, its only one of the best examples of Celtic art as most art historians will agree :)

A bench and an artist

My art history professor once said that all you needed to understand a painting was a chair. I whole heartily agree. Once you've been in a museum you understand the sheer quantity of space you have to traverse to examine the multitude of artwork any one institution can hold. Benches have been responsible for keeping many a weary tourist from collapsing on the floor, and should this be their only duty I would applaud them as useful objects. But they have come to mean more than this to me.... they are friends. Without them I find myself carried along by the wave of casual onlookers, lost in a sea of brief glances, allotted only a few moments to take in such masterpieces of antiquity and artistry as have been exhibited to celebrate the creative spirit. Being shoved past one painting to the next I suddenly spot a soft place of refuge. Quickly I edge out of the current and all is clear...I can breath again and see again. Now I have all the time in the world, no matter where in the world I am, to enjoy the rich pallet and gripping strokes of an impressionist whom I've just met. His name is Henri Gervex and I am getting to know his painting. Though I am thousands of miles from home I feel safe, (benches are universal ) :)


Cafe scene in Paris Henri Gervex 1877
Its a beautiful painting if you have the time
to take it in.

Salvador Dali

While looking around for original footage of some of the masters I found this great video of Salvador Dali on the old tv show "Whats my line?" Enjoy!

Face Painting

A few weeks back...and then a few more, some of us from Outward gathered together to support the South Salem neighborhood picnic hosted at Richmond elementary. I volunteered for the face painting table where for roughly 3 hours I painted various colorful shapes and characters across the cheek of many a child. Once they discovered that I could paint the cartoon monkey face I was in high demand!

My other clients, less is not more with these girls, sure why not have a giant star on your forehead? Anybody that cute could pull it off right?

Also my work. Behind these girls is Rachel, the community outreach coordinator and she has been marvelous. We are very excited to work with her and to hopefully be a positive impact on this community.