The Birds

9" x 12", Alcohol Ink

Bird

It was passed from one bird to another,

the whole gift of the day.

The day went from flute to flute,

went dressed in vegetation,

in flights which opened a tunnel

through the wind would pass

to where birds were breaking open

the dense blue air --

and there, night came in.

from the poem by Pablo Neruda

I am experimenting with inks, paints, and all sorts of material lately. This was a small test that turned out okay. I came across this poem on another site today and had to paint something with my favorite subject:  birds! ;) Hope you all have a great weekend!!

I finished my sister's painting but will have to wait to show you until she visits in another week. I want her to be the first to see it. I seem to be slowly getting my mojo back (knock on wood). More to come soon...

Lovers

Lovers, 9" x 12"

"Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.

They're in each other all along."

--Rumi

Summer Dreams

11" x 14", Acrylic       

I am in the summer mode! Also in the experimental mode. :-) This is from an exercise in a book I just love: Realistic Abstracts, by Kees van Aalst. So many cool ideas in there! And lots of inspiration. I have a similar one in the works with a different color scheme. We'll see how that one turns out.  

I also just returned from a 10-day visit with my dear friend in Columbus, OH. I miss my home!! *sob* We had a great time and the Columbus Arts Festival was going on so I was able to take that in. LOTS of gorgeous art to see and a few more ideas to take away from there (plus a very cool T-shirt)! 

My sister has commissioned me to do a painting (though I hope she doesn't seriously think I'm going to take money from her...) and I'm still kicking around ideas for that. Ahh, the pressure! ;-) We kind of agreed on one thing but now I'm re-thinking that idea. I'll have to have another conversation with her after looking over the ideas in this book...

I hope you all are having a great start to your weekend. As for me, I've got more painting to do!

Slaying My Dragons

This is a journal page I just completed. It is actually the beginning of a larger painting. I wanted to play with the paint colors and see how they would work. And it's also my theme for the last couple of months... slaying my dragons. Or trying to...

Despite my best intentions I haven't been posting to the blog as much as I had planned. I have been in such an art slump. I did complete about 20 alcohol ink paintings and I liked a few. They are so small (the largest being 5" x 7") and I'm still trying to find the right way to work with the inks. There are a few that I like enough to show and will post those. I actually have them framed and hanging in my great room.

On the positive side, I am in a few classes right now that have energized me and at least have me back in the studio! I've been taking a lot of photos and that has helped me come up with some new ideas as well. So, for those of you who are still here, thank you for your patience. Thank you for thoughts and your comments. You are all so special to me. BIG hugs to you!!

Dreamscaping

Soul Wanderer      5" x 7"

"I will give myself to the sky,
see the world as it always was,
reach for the winds that talk to me..."
from Goodbye, by Louise Hastings

I've been experimenting with a new technique this week that I am really enjoying. It's called Dreamscaping. I first learned of this from a fellow blogger friend, Stacy Wills. The artist who created the technique is June Rollins. It's fascinating what you can do with some alcohol inks and some special paper! No brushes involved, you let the inks do the work. 

I'm beginning to find these "shadow people" appear in my paintings. At least I see them that way; shapes that look like human figures. That's fine by me! I just go with it and see where the painting leads. So far I've completed about fifteen small paintings. This is one of my favorites. I call it "Soul Wanderer". I think the shape on the far right looks like a ghostly figure. ;)

Right now I'm working in a small format: 4" x 6" or 5" x 7" until I get a feel for how to manipulate the inks. I doubt I will go much bigger for a while. They look nice matted and framed. The inks are archival and so vibrant!

So you may be seeing a few of these for awhile. Not all of mine are landscapes. Some are turning into more abstract pieces. 

I am linking this to Paint Party Friday. Be sure to check out all the fun going on there! This week they are hosting an auction to benefit the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Have a great weekend everybody!

New Year, New Beginnings

Double Vision         29" x 36"       

I'm happy to say that with the new year I've started a few new things! Here's my first painting of the year. It was inspired (of all things) by an area rug we recently bought. I just fell in love with it and I wanted to paint something to go with it after we added it to the room. Plus I think it ties everything in the room together now. ;)

Here's the rug that inspired the painting:

Of course I still like the rug better than the painting but I think the two go together well.  ;)

Other news: I have a website now! If you look at the top right-hand column you will see the link to it. (It's my Warhol painting). That will take you to my website. It's in the beginning stages but I have plans to expand that this year. 

And this is my first entry for Paint Party Friday this year. Be sure to check it out. They never disappoint! 

I'm glad to say goodbye to 2012. Here's hoping that 2013 will be a better one for you as well! Hugs to all of you. I've been very bad about visiting blogs and promise to do better from here on out. Thank you for all who have stuck with me. I truly appreciate your notes and friendship!!