Friday, August 26, 2011

Mermaid Malena

























This sweet mermaid Malena is a start in a series of ornament ideas for this winter. With thoughts gravitating to late summer beach time, some fanciful sketches, and just a result of some freeform ideas. Enjoy.

Friday, June 03, 2011

Creating another fairy land




















I've started working on a new piece this morning, just blocking in the background colors, but wanted to preserve some interesting patterns and color blocks to use for reference when it gets all covered up with a creamy white layer. A fairy scene will be the subject with a giant red poppy, and expansive bright sky. I'll post progress shots in bits and pieces since I like to see how certain parts evolve when they are cropped down, they become little paintings on their own.


Tuesday, May 24, 2011



























hello again. life's business got a hold of me. it's may, and it's just like december. well, sort of. just hotter.
i'm typing in lowercase because i'm laying in bed and just don't feel like using the caps key.
ahem.
so today i'd like to show you some work by a facebook friend of mine that i've never met, but was connected through a kendall grad. melanie parke, www.melanieparke.com, has paintings that exude loveliness. pure color, bold forms and absolutely exquisite subjects. This abstract piece especially speaks to me, the color is delicate, but rich and bright. the white shapes and drips are amazing. check out her still lifes too, eye candy indeed. quick, go visit her site and check out all her great work.






























Friday, April 22, 2011

Swan dream
















The vision for this painting has been sitting in the back of my mind for awhile, sketches were made, many nights waking up and thinking about it. I even had the surface prepared weeks ago, but it was propped up in my studio waiting, waiting, waiting. And finally this week, I sketched it out, and painted it in about 3-4 hours.

And it reminded me of a great story about Pablo Picasso:

Some guy told Picasso he’d pay him to draw a picture on a napkin. Picasso whipped out a pen and banged out a sketch, handed it to the guy, and said, “One million dollars, please.”“A million dollars?” the guy exclaimed. “That only took you thirty seconds!”“Yes,” said Picasso. “But it took me fifty years to learn how to draw that in thirty seconds.”-from the Village Voice


I'm not quite at 50 years of learning, but it makes me think getting to that point might be more attainable!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

a tale un-fold















Whales, the earth's most massive mammals, have been depicted as mysterious creatures in stories throughout history. There is a certain allure they carry about them. Occasionally, we hear in the news about how some of the populations are dwindling, or how the use of sonar is throwing them off their migrations, or even worse, hunting.

Yet finding out that these gentle giants are very social and extroverted, and that researchers have discovered that they know how to teach and learn, they scheme, cooperate and grieve and even dream. Their intelligence is definitely underestimated, and studies have shown that whales learn to avoid areas that are unsafe, and they have good memories in navigating that is beyond instinct and more closely related to making decisions.

Do you wonder? They sound a lot like us. Maybe we have more in common with the whales than we thought.

"a tale un-fold" approx. 6" x 4" mixed media on wood block

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Mom's gone wild























March 4-6, 2011.

A weekend that will go down in history where my BFF from long ago (I mean really long ago!) had a girl's getaway in Austin, TX! I flew in to Dallas and we drove down to Austin, a three hour drive where by the end of the trip both of us had about lost our voices because we were talking so much, and arrived at the Four Seasons for two luxurious nights downtown. We ate a variety of local fare from Mexican (of course) and 1800 Reposado margaritas to food truck cuisine and trailer park burgers.

We even got to see Edwin McCain and Sister Hazel Saturday night at Antone's-standing room only, and we were front row! Austin is everything I've heard and more. I'd be happy to hang out in a saloon and shop retro cowboy boots any old time, I'm so glad I got to spend it with one of my favorite gals! Miss you already Di, XO !!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Bird Watching

























This is the time of year is when you see all kinds of feathery fowl stopping by on their migration back north, or simply some native birds scoping out nesting areas, sitting in trees and just chirping merrily. On my way out this morning, a couple red birds were hopping around my gardenia bush and some sparrows were foraging for food in the backyard. So pretty.

Every year, I look forward to see what little bluebird or chickadee family will nest in our birdhouse in the front yard. The girls like to take a peek at the eggs and then finally, when the little ones are born, we observe the mom perched on a wire close to the birdhouse, watch and guard her little ones and fly back and forth to feed them little goodies.

And while this little story plays out in my front yard, I think about how we move in and out of buildings throughout our day, oblivious to our surroundings, ticking off to-do lists in our heads. And then a little picture flashed in my mind, that maybe some of these little birds are probably observing us too, curiously.

3x3 mixed media on wood, "one little birdie"

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Learning to fly














R.A.D. (rail arts district) this past weekend was so much fun! We artists at 151 Locust were privileged to see around 1000 people come through our space to check out works of art by seven local artists presented by the Avondale Arts Alliance. It was a beautiful, warm sunny day and we enjoyed live music, delectable food from local food trucks and, of course, some great eye candy by other fellow artists in the area.

I was excited to sell many new pieces I had just created over the last couple weeks. Sometimes it's sad to see the originals go so quickly when I don't get to enjoy seeing them around the studio for awhile. But don't think I'm complaining! This recent piece, "Learning to fly" is perched on my windowsill and is guaranteed to give me some love for the time being.

Monday, February 07, 2011

Soul Blossom, thinking of happiness and love














Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are charming gardeners who make our soul blossom.
-Marcel Proust

Monday, January 31, 2011

RAD Studio Cruise in Avondale Estates

























(click to enlarge image)

The RAD (rail arts district) Studio Cruise is almost here and several Avondale businesses and studios have been busily preparing for over 1000 patrons to pass through our streets perusing emerging artist's works, numerous live performances and demonstrations at various locations along the CSX rail line that runs through Avondale Estates into Decatur's Laredo industrial district and all the way to Scottdale. For maps and venue information, go to www.railartsdistrict.com.

In the meantime, make sure to stop by at 151 Locust Street where the Avondale Arts Alliance presents 7 artists of varying disciplines exhibiting and selling their work. And make sure to stop by between 4-6 pm for a Valentine's Paper Making workshop by Katy DeMent, the paper lady. There will be wine and small bites available as well.

Stay tuned for individual artist profiles in the days leading up to the event.
Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Arthur Rackham, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
























This month is somehow flying by and my intention was to get a lot of paintings done, including a few commissions. Yet, it's almost February and I've only barely finished one commission and there are several other pieces ready to go with sketches, but I can't seem to get started! Of course they will all get done in due time, I just feel a bit distracted I guess, and one example of procrastinating is when I rediscovered Arthur Rackham's work this week on Alponse's Room blog. Yes, I know, this blog is in Greek, but that doesn't matter because the collection of Rackham's work along with a lot of great poster work is a visual feast for the eyes. Fairies, elfs, butterflies, creepy trees-and the combination of sinister and innocence is downright amazing to say the least. Let's just say I'm inspired.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

What's coming up

























A few sketches done in the last couple days while hunkered down from the snow and ice. Just musing about Paris, queens and other fanciful thoughts. I've prepped some wood blocks sized 5" x 11" to bring some of these beauties to life. Now, how to pick which one to do first...?
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