Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve Day


Looking through my pics and the best I can find is Santa's reindeer. A wish for many children, to be visited by Santa. But the true message of Christmas is that we were visited by Emmanuel, God with us.
"Christmas is love tugging us back to God with the powerful clasp of a tiny hand reaching out from a bed of straw." Unknown

Friday, December 18, 2009

Art Biz


It was fellow artist Shirley S. who turned me on to Art Biz back in '06. Author Alyson Stanfield sends a weekly email newsletter to encourage artists to promote themselves. Alyson always has some timely advice but this week she sent a inventory list of yearly accomplishments. I was really encouraged that I had actually accomplished several things on the list, like: How did you promote your art? Answer: Two art shows in two states. How did you enhance your online presence? Answer: Creating this blog. What workshops did you attend? Answer: Jerry Varnell & Pat Dews. She lists about 20 questions to ask yourself and record the answers in your journal so that in 2010 you have a record of where you need to concentrate your artistic efforts. Thanks Alyson for providing the push to keep us artists motivated.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Our Lady

Our Lady of Guadalupe: her day was celebrated yesterday. She brought a message of hope and promise that is in line with the teachings of Christ. I have a shrine in my home set up around her image; compassion is what I see in her image, and the world could use more of that.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Murals

Murals are such a treat when you come upon them. This one I found on a side street off the plaza in Santa Fe. But then art is everywhere in Santa Fe, and in all forms.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Still Life



I started shooting these shots on my first trip to Santa Fe in '92, when the desk in my room became cluttered with fliers, brochures, ticket stubs, souvenirs, etc. I could be called the "clutter queen" because I seem to have the knack of covering flat surfaces. As the stuff accumulates, a still life is born and is ready to be photographed. I wonder how Cezanne would have interpreted this arrangement of red & green tomatoes.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Sign Sunday

Valdes Art Studio, the location of the mixed media workshop I took last summer in Santa Fe. The folks at Valdes were super; they went above & beyond at being great hosts. The location made a great workshop even better.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Mixed Media

Mixed media was the source of great fun & frustration last summer at the Pat Dews workshop I attended in Santa Fe. Pat has been teaching her techniques for years through workshops, her two books and video. She is a master of creating form by adding layers of paint and ink. It all is such a great experiment; that's where the fun comes in, wondering what will happen if I try this? It's also where the frustration comes in because you don't know where all this will end. I have to keep reminding myself to enjoy the process.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Masks


Masks on the brain! That's where they are; thousands of them. All waiting to get out. Mask ideas fill sketchbook pages, and then I find more like this one I spotted in Santa Fe last summer. Four of my masks are visiting galleries/museums for now, and their absence has left holes on the walls. Masks will be making a regular appearance on this blog.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Acrylics


In October I took an art workshop with Jerry Varnell. He was at the Dumas Art Center. Jerry paints a lot of wildlife which is not my choice of subject matter, but he paints with acrylics. Acrylics are the greatest art media on the planet(my blog, my opinion). I am positive that if the "old masters" would have had acrylics they would have painted with them exclusively. The colors are wonderful and the paint is so versatile; acrylics can be thinned with water and used like watercolor or applied thickly like oils. And they will probably never crack or discolor(we'll have to wait and see on that point). Jerry demonstrated some great dry brushing techniques that produce impressionistic effects. And one of Jerry's "tricks of his trade" is to replace white with gesso. Of course Jerry preaches, "Don't piddle, play, or putter"; get serious and paint! Good advise from an artist that has been making a living at it for 25 + years.