Renaissance

After one of my assemblages was accepted for publication in a book Seth Apter is writing for North Light Books I seem to have found renewed enthusiasm for this medium. This morning I began casting secret potions for inclusion in a piece that was - in part - inspired by these words from a Ferlinghetti poem ".....and I am awaiting perpetually and forever a renaissance of wonder." Stay tuned for further updates....

Intensity

This one took me 6 friggin' hours to get to a point where I could even stand it! Ugh, why do we artist type of people do this to ourselves? I think I'm going to do a nice simple pastel painting next. These abstracts are sucking the life out of me.

Meanwhile....as I was in abstract hell....my friend Melanie was across the work table from me quietly going about the business of creating some great layered collage papers. I think she let out a couple of suppressed giggles while listening to my lunatic rants about the abstract I was creating.

I believe that abstract art is one of the purest art forms. When an artist creates intuitively - from their gut - they are channeling an essence of themselves into the piece. If a viewer is then drawn to the piece I believe they have connected to that essence of the artist on a deep, inner level. Canvas, modeling paste, tissue paper, cheesecloth, organza, other fibers and lots of paint went into this one. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one. If you like it what pulls you? If you don't care for it what bothers you? Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine has been more than fine.

Window of Opportunity

I am toying with the idea of taking a week long class this spring with the incredible mixed media abstract artist Mary Todd Beam. It will mean dropping more than a few bucks but I do like her work and wonder if I could suck up some of her knowledge, tips and tricks while pushing my artistic envelope. Steve is more than supportive of my doing this....so what is my hesitation? Anyone out there care to share their thoughts and experience in regards to taking an intensive class for days on end? Was it worth it?

Super Moon

So far today I've been able to spend mucho time painting (yea). This abstract was inspired by the anticipation of tonight's perigee moon. Steve and I are planning to spend a quiet evening at home sitting on the front porch (perhaps sipping an adult beverage) and watching the incredible sky show tonight.

And tomorrow? Maybe - I hope - it's going to work out that I'll go see this show. Can you say inspiration extra-ordinaire?

Promises

"To everything there is....a time to build up...a time to break down....a time to dance...a time to mourn....a time to cast away stones...a time to gather stones together...."



Any of us who believe we can control our destinations, our paths are sorely mistaken. The universe and our Earth will do what must be done no matter how advanced our human engineering, achievements and technology.



Prayers and blessed thoughts to those who are suffering, afraid or bewildered.

Thaw

Take pieces of an antique quilt from the 1800's, torture some Tyvek on top of the woodstove, open the door to let out the cookin' Tyvek fumes, fray some cheesecloth, acrylic paints, pigments and finally lay down some stray fibers. Earth - renew thyself!