Journaling

Journaling, a subject dear to my heart. I practice it regularly and have taught classes on how to do it. I just got a new book on Visual Journaling which I may review later, and it gave me a few new ideas to add to what I already do. I have tried Art Journaling or Visual Journaling, but I still come back to mainly writing words. It's a way to keep track of my fascinating life.

The example above is something new I tried at the beginning of 2010, which comes about as close to Art Journaling that I've done. I had heard that Teesha Moore used painted pages with boarders, so I tried it. I painted a bunch of pages and then added the boarders of 1 in. strips of interesting stuff I found. But I produced mainly pages to write on; coordinating pen and paint color. That went on for about 3 mos. and then I was ready for a change. Teesha's pages are much more elaborate and truly wonderful, with collage and markers (check it out on Youtube). I don't know how she finds time to write in her journals.

Artists

Presenting artists Anna & daughter-in-law Dallas Mayer. The WOW poppies, or are they hollyhocks, are the work of Anna & both artists now have work on display at the Guymon Library. Also look for Anna's "art quilts" at the TX County Free Fair; just look for the blue ribbons and you'll find one of Anna's quilts attached.

Art Biz

Well Alyson Stanfield has done it again; she's given me a good word just when I needed it.
I tend to putz with my art. I blame it on my "day job", claiming I have no time. Well Alyson has some advise to help my problem. And it comes in the form of a question: If someone asked you, "What projects are you working on right now and why are you enthusiastic about them" would you have a great answer? I would have to say NO! I usually say, "O, I'm just doing a little of this and a little of that." I must do better than that. So True, start working on something, and then decide why this project is important.
So here goes! I have two projects going right now: 1.) I'm painting my first floorcloth. This is something I have wanted to do for years. I even had this design in my head for about 10 years; a Navajo inspired design. This will go under the kitchen table. 2.) I have started my first installation piece using fiber with the theme of coffee. It will have a place in a corner of the gallery.

Mousetrap?

What is that saying: build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door?

Well how about paint can? Last night I started to paint a floorcloth; I had drawn the pattern on Tues., and I was faced with the challenge of fighting with paint cans. There is just no good way to get the paint out. I have used the paint of one company that has plastic jugs. But that only presents the problem of getting your hand around the lid so you can unscrew it.

We can send people into space but we can't design an efficient way to package paint!

Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt, an American in Paris: Images of Quietude and Reflection, 33 works on paper, presented at The Citadelle in Canadian, TX.

Mary Cassatt, (b.1844 d.1926) born to a wealthy family in Pennsylvania, made Paris her permanent home around her 30th birthday. Her decision was timely, for Impressionism was finally gaining momentum and acceptance in the established art circles. Mary too found acceptance, friendship, and camaraderie among the impressionists, especially Edgar Degas.
Mary's most important works are done in pastel; her subject matter, "a women's world". But she also produced a series of prints that were strongly inspired by Japanese prints that were arriving in Europe. A print in the above exhibit called "The Kiss" (etching and aquatint), shows a mother kissing the child in her arms. It's simplicity is stunning, yet the simple use of line defines shape and form revealing the mass of the figures.

Americans love her works which are held by many galleries and private collectors.

Work of Art

Is this not a work of art? And this "salad" tasted as good as it looks. I found it at The Cattle Exchange in Canadian, TX. You can find them at: www.cookya.com

And speaking of art, there is more art to come.

The Citadelle

Bright and early tomorrow morning I am heading to The Citadelle in Canadian, TX. Yes, I was at the military Citadel in Charleston, SC in May, but this Citadelle is an art museum. Well, in it's first life it was a Baptist Church; then it became a residence; then after much expansion it became an art museum only opened to the public in 2009.

I am going specifically to see an exhibit of 33 works on paper by Mary Cassatt.

I'll take lots of pics, and some may land on this blog.