Extraordinary!!!

For those of you in the Cleveland, OH area, I highly recommend seeing the Artistic Luxury exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art. I have had the opportunity to see it 4 times and I must say, it gets more beautiful everytime I see it. Definately a Bling, Bling show. The show features pieces by Tiffany, Lalique and Faberge, and their work is outstanding. I have never been a jewelry person, but I couldn't help but fall in love with the craftsmanship of all the work. It is only up till January 18th, so if you have time, it is definately worth while.

spilling my guts

I don't think there is to many people out there that are reading my blog anymore, but I really don't care. I need to get this out of my system. I have been avoiding many things, including this blog, painting, friends..., like the plague. Why?? Well, here it is ....

Two years ago I started a project to add on to my house, I had mentioned it in this blog. What was a dream come true has turned into a true living nightmare. This nightmare has consumed me.

This nightmare has left me angry, resentful, mad, and vengeful.

These emotions do nothing but drain me. They make me doubt myself. They change my focus and goals. They make me less of a mother, less of a friend, less of an artist, less of a person, and I have allowed it.

I am tired now, I need to let go.

A Different Kind of Painting

I will be posting some more paintings soon. This week I have been really busy redecorating my daughters bedroom. She is 14, and so we are trying to tie the gap between a cute, fun room and a more sophisticated adult design. So far I think we are doing a pretty good job. She has chosen a cantaloupe color for her walls and a soft white for the woodwork and trim. The room has two corner windows that look out to the pond in the backyard and the neighbors pasture, so we didn't want to block the views. We chose to keep the windows simple with light sheers that can be joined in the middle with a beautiful tie. There is already hardwood floors, so we won't be changing them, but we are on a search for the perfect rug. So, off to Home Depot for more painters tape.

Ebay here I come!!!

Well I finally took the plunge, yes, I posted my first painting for sale on Ebay. If any one is interested in bidding on my painting, Sunday Morning (pictured below), CLICK HERE.

Breakthrough

Sunday Morning, Acrylic, 5x7

click here to bid

This is the first painting that I have done all summer that I am satisfied with. It was based of a photograph that I took last week. In fact, the day that I took the picture I said to myself, "why haven't I done this sooner". It was last Saturday morning, I woke up, grabbed a cup of coffee and drove around Geauga county taking pictures of all the spots that I have driven by saying, "that would make a great painting". I also ran across many garage sales, so I stopped by and found some great things to paint, hats, silver pitchers, a small guitar. I figured after I finished painting them I could bring them into school for my students to use.

Speaking of school, I stopped by yesterday and the floor was being laid for the new artroom. It is such a big room, with 7 windows, so I have plenty of light. It is really exciting.

White House

acrylic on board, 5x7

After having such a frustrating time painting I decided to change my subject matter. I have always been attracted to small, simple buildings. I have photographed many of them over the past couple years and thought that I would try painting from the photos. This is my first attempt. I can't say that I am thrilled with the entire painting, but there are elements that I really like. I have not done a landscape for quite some time now, so it's not bad. What I do know it what I need to work on, so, for that reason alone this has been a successful venture.

I found this image on the Internet and it expresses just how I am feeling. I have spent the entire morning painting and nothing, and I mean nothing, has came out right.

I started working on small 5x7 Masonite panels to work quickly and practice, learn, and grow in my painting. I just didn't know how frustrating it would be. I have a couple newer paintings, that I have not posted, they turned out OK, but to tell you the truth, I am not thrilled with any recent paintings that I have done, they are all just OK.

Well, today I decided to try painting some flowers, something that has always been pretty successful for me. First, I could not, for the life of me, mix the right colors. I even resorted to scouring through my box of old paints to see if I had anything close to what I needed. Then it just compiled from there. I couldn't get the values down right. I then decided to change the color, bad idea. After about an hour I knew it was a loss, but for some reason I just kept on trying to revive the work, to no avail.

I have been looking at many blogs by "daily painters" and one thing that I have noticed is that the work has gotten consistently better and better. When you go back and look in the archives at the work that the artists made compared to what they are producing now, it is quite amazing. I guess this is what I am hoping to achieve for myself, as sense of improvement. So, I will keep poking along. Tomorrow the kids are going with their fathers for a family picnic, so I will try again.

The Boys of Summer

We are huge baseball fans!! Tonight Cliff Lee will be the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2008 All Star Game. We are soooo excited. My son and daughter play ball all summer long. There is nothing more enjoyable then a hot summer day, watching my kids play their hearts out. We also follow the Cleveland Indians religiously. We try and get to a couple of games a year. But, tonight it will be a lot of fun watching Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore play with the kids by my side.

Here is another kitchen painting.

Went to the art supply store and got 9 more Ampersand panels. My hope to be able to fill the blank supports soon.

Summertime

Things have been busy around here. I am trying to finish the final designs for the stained glass windows and also refurbish the station of the cross that are currently hanging in the church. The new church is looking wonderful. The dedication is September 14th, so everyone is working quickly to get finished.

On top of all of this, I just found out that one of the grants that I applied for last school year has come through. So, in addition to having a brand new art room in September, I will also have a shiny, new ceramic kiln with all the supplies. It is really going to be an incredible school year. But for now, I am enjoying the summer with the kids and granddaughter, lots of baseball/softball, gardening and painting!!!

I started working on small, masonite panels, painting for about 1-2 hours a day. I can say that the "daily painting" practice has hit me, but to tell you the truth its more like a "every other day or so painting" practice. But, it feels great to paint after being away from it for a while.

Why I Do What I Do

Here are some of my students working on a still life painting. They have been working so hard and their paintings have turned out to be true works of art. I am so proud of them.

Tonight I had the privilege of seeing some of my students work hanging at the Regina Art Show. The greatest moment came when they announced the awards. One of my students,Brian, a shy, young man, had won first place in painting (he is pictured working at the table). I could not have been prouder of him. He was at the show to receive his reward. I will never forget the look on his face. It is moments like these that I know that I have one of the greatest jobs in the world.

New Developments

What a night, around 5pm we found out that Cal Ripkin Jr. was going to be at the local Joseph Beth Bookstore to give a short talk and sign his new book. Well having two baseball enthusiasts in the family I knew that we just had to go. I must say that "Cal" was incredible. He not only signed autographs but took the time to pose for pictures.

As far as the art goes, I have really changed directions. My pastor asked me if I would be interested in helping design the new stained glass windows for our new church. What an honor!!!I have been working with two people that I have known for quite some time and love and admire. It has been pure joy. Below is a small mock up of a paper banner that I designed to hang over the large, plain windows (were the stained glass will eventually go) during the advent season. We have so many ideas for banners that will be used until the money could be raised for the stained glass to be installed. Working in this manner has really opened my eyes to creating liturgical art. Life is really funny, had you told me 3 years ago that I would be working on stained glass design I wouldn't have believed you, but now it truly feels like a pathway to a new direction in my work.

Way To Go Tribe!!!!!

Its Been A Long Spring Break

School starts again on Monday. I was hoping to get more work done then I have, but I did start a new project. I am trying to tile my family room floor. I ripped the old floor up, which was not that hard but some of the cement came up with the tile. So, instead of being able to lay the tile right away I have to level the floor. I have never leveled a floor let alone tile one, so I am taking my time. I hope that it will be done by Monday (fingers crossed).

This whole project started with a quick visit to Home Depot to look at some gardening supplies. I must confess that I am have a bit of spring fever. I came across some ceramic tiles that matched the family room perfectly and, as luck would have it, it was on sale for 0.63/tile. How could I pass that up!!! Like I have said before, I have been watching a lot of HGTV and I have watched many people lay down tile. I didn't look all that hard so, here I go.

17 Days and Counting!!

I am soooo excited for this coming season of Cleveland Indians baseball. I guess you could say we are a "baseball family". I have two kids that play from spring through summer and we always have the games on the TV. Our family tries to go to a couple games a year. Once baseball starts I know that the good weather is not that far away.

Things are going great with the construction. The painting is 95% done, and will be finished this weekend!! The bathroom floor is being installed and then the plumbing. It will be so nice to have another bathroom. Once that is done the rest (lighting and carpet) will go pretty quickly, then we will move in to the new space. I am sooo excited, not only for the room, but to unpack my studio and set up.

I have been doing a little painting at school. I am teaching 6-7-8 grades acrylic painting. I started doing demos for them, but then just couldn't stop and really got into the paintings. After the lesson is finished I will bring the paintings home and post them. They are simple paintings of apples but I have really enjoyed making them. I will also post some of my students work. I must say for teenagers they are doing a great job, they really are into it. These are times that I can't believe that they pay me to do this. I really do love my job.

The End of the Season

Today was my son's last basketball game of the season. I really enjoy watching him play, but I must confess that I am glad that basketball season is over (how come just typing this sends off the "I am a bad mommy" feelings). My two daughters are cheerleaders and between them and my son I was at a basketball game, at least, 3 times a week. Between sports and the painting the interior of the house I have not had time for ANYTHING else, aghhhh. My creative side is being fed though, by designing the new interior for the house. Actually, I am having a ball doing it. My den is the only room close to being done, and I must say, I love it, the colors, textures....it is a whole different side of art that I never have done. I guess watching "Design Star" this summer has rubbed off.

It Must Run In The Family

I am so proud of my daughter, she received an honorable mention for her artwork in the area Scholastice art show, as you can see, she is beautiful as well as talented. I know that she has an incredible future ahead of her, I am excited to witness its unfolding.