Relationships

I'm attracted to both narrative and abstract work, and sometimes I combine them, as I did in this painting on masonite. The important thing is the posture of the two figures, which implies a story (determined by the viewer). I kept the figures monochromatic because I wanted to focus on the form. I didn't want the background to distract from the figures, so I kept it very simple and dark, except for the red sripe, which brings a little color but not too much contrast. I'd appreciate any feedback on responses to the painting. I haven't been able to get a very good photograph, so I'm also showing details of the figures. Thanks for looking.

Nature Deconstructed

I've been experimenting lately with some mixed media paintings on masonite that suggest nature but are pretty non-specific. I start them with a dress pattern base that gives me straight lines, arrows and sometimes numbers. Then I paint them in soft layered colors that contrast with the rigid structure of the lines. The mood of the painting is determined by the colors. I'm really liking the mix of the man-made lines and the organic nature of the painting. So far, they are fairly small - from 12 x 12 to 17 x 24. I'd welcome any comments on these. Thanks for looking.

Exciting New Technique

I was fortunate to once again attend the Art and Soul Retreat in Portland, Oregon in early October. I wish everyone had the opportunity to be immersed in something they love for a week, inspired by amazing instructors, and surrounded by happy, generous fellow artists. I am so excited about the techniques and tips I learned from two wonderful instructors (I still can't believe my luck at having the opportunity) - Lesley Riley and Anne Bagby. I am currently working on a technique from Anne that I am loving. Anne makes what she calls "complicated papers" with glazes, hand-carved stamps and stencils that she uses in her collages. They are so beautiful - a feast for the eyes. I am still new at the technique but I'm having such fun with it. I have almost completed the two pieces you see here and plan to do many more.

Exploring Chiaroscuro

My usual style of working is subtle - sometimes almost monochromatic. Entering a show with the theme of chiaroscuro (the contrast between dark and light) was a way to stretch my imagination. My inspiration was Carravagio but with a modern sensibility. As always, I was drawn to mystery, the theatre, and implied stories for the subjects in the paintings. Figurative is always my first choice so that was easy. I enjoyed creating these "tales" and would love to hear responses to them - particularly your ideas on what is happening, has just happened, or is about to happen in these paintings. I love hearing people describe what they see in my work.
Thanks for looking.

Woman Holding Bird

This is a box cover that isn't working out so far as a functional piece because it sticks when I close the box. I'll have to figure that out. I like the image - it's a painting that I did and scanned so I can try to use it in different ways. I sewed the ridges on the sleeve. It was the first time I sewed on paper, so that was interesting to me. I think this image has a few possibilities so I'll be exploring that.

3d Cigar Boxes

I finally was able to take some decent photos of two cigar boxes I did in Claudine Hellmuth's class at Art and Soul in Portland last October. They are fun to do and the main image comes forward so it's a nice effect. They both have plexiglass covers and one has a transferred image on it. Claudine has wonderful ideas and techniques and it was inspiring to make these under her guidance.

White on White

It's been a busy summer but my friend Nancy and I are still posing art challenges for each other. This one was white on white. My piece is on a 10 x 12 board. It's a painting with fabric and paper. I call it the muse of music because I found a bit of sheet music that I used on the neck of the lady I painted. The white violins reinforce the imagery and I have written musique in pencil on the side. I stamped the bird and the dragonfly at the end - the bird can represent music but the dragonfly just happened. I suppose it has some musical qualities - it's poetic and lyrical. I like the softness of this piece. The photo doesn't capture its whiteness completely but the pale palette is soothing.

Culinary Theme

Apparently, cuisine is on my mind. I have recently done two paintings with chefs. The first is my take on a nursery rhyme - I'm sure you remember four and twenty blackbirds. I made some stencils for this one, which was fun. I have a feeling I'll do another one with the blackbirds. The other is a chef with an eye on a goose or maybe she'll settle for the egg - who knows? The background for this one includes pages from an old book - I actually painted the face on the book page. It worked better than I expected - no warping or bubbles.

My friend Nancy and I have decided to set challenges for each other to get us motivated by designating a theme. Our first one was cutlery. I have seen some antique folk dolls with wooden slats for skirts (or maybe they were the support for a skirt - I don't know). Anyway, I went to the thrift store and bought some cheap knives that I used to allude to the wooden slats. The face I scanned from a wonderful wooden figure I bought in London and the torso and arms are paper. I used a piece of organza which I attached with a button to add the illusion of a skirt. The piece is on a thin piece of wood so I did some drilling to attach the button and the knives. It was a fun project and I really like the result.

I intend to pursue more of these lighthearted subjects. I'm finding they make other people smile, too.

Figures

I've been working on a series of isolated figures with just a few elements that I hope add to the composition and the mystery of the pieces. I have left out all facial features. They are deliberately ambiguous - whatever emotion is conveyed is through the bodies. The first two are called "Monochrome Ochre 2" and "Monochrome Ochre 5." The third painting is part of the same concept but the figure is stronger and may elicit more ideas about what is going on. I am calling it "Diver" for now but that may change. I hope people will respond to the colors and the image in their own way. I'd be grateful for any comments.