expressions of life and art...

All is good

2010-03-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

tridium 9"x12", mixed media

Here is a picture of my latest work. As you can clearly see, I have started working in a different direction. I have wanted to do work of a symbolic nature for some time now, so I started sketching ideas and found my mind so full of ideas. A good place to be. More to follow.

a peek into the sketchbook

2010-01-14T13:03:00.000-08:00

Haven't had a lot of time this past couple of days. I was able to do some sketches and add a little to the larger painting. I think the trick is to start out with some smaller sized paintings. I would probably feel like I have accomplished more, cause right now, when I look at the large painting on the easel I feel guilty for not having more time to work on it.....note to self, pick up some smaller canvases!!

I have never been a landscape painter, (though I really enjoy looking at them) but lately, I wish I was. Outside has been absolutlely gorgeous. We had a large amount of snow fall and it left the trees and houses covered. When you look outside it's like looking at a black and white photograph. I just love it. One of the many blessings of living in the snowbelt.

little green apples

2010-01-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a painting that started off as a demo for a class. I finished it this weekend in preparation for another larger painting. I always tell my students that painting and drawing are kind of like bicycle riding. If you haven't done it for a while you are a little wobbly, but in time, it all comes back to you.

The biggest problem I have is finding the equipment/tools that work best for me. I use to know it like the back of my hand, but since it had been a while I can't quite remember which number brush works best and which brand of paint was it that I liked the most.

Readjustment

2010-01-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

OK, enough whining get to work!! Life has now returned to normal, or as normal as my life gets. I started prepping some canvases for painting when I realized that, even though my painting area looks so quaint in between the corner windows of the bedroom, the light was facing me and not the canvas. Turning the easel around was not a possibility, so I spent this morning rearranging the bedroom. Now the room doesn't look as quaint, but the painting area is very functional.

I need to go to my sons basketball game and then he is spending the rest of the day with a friend. The other children are off doing their own thing today and I find myself with some time to paint. I have all these ideas running around in my head. Of course, I am a little hesitant. I have not done a lot of painting for 3 years (feels like 30), so I am not as confident in my skills as I use to be. I have been doing many painting demonstrations for classes though and they all seem to turn out nicely. So we will see, I will post pics as soon as there is something decent to see.

Hoping this "getting back into the swing of thing" period passes quickly.

When it rains, it pours.

2010-01-07T18:35:00.000-08:00

There is something about the new year that makes me feel as if it doesn't start out right then the rest of the year is a wash. I know that its not true, but it still lingers in my mind till about mid February. Anyway, we ended up having a snow day on Monday. What I thought was going to be the last day to relax before work starts up again, became a day of one problem after another.

First I woke up to no heat. So I bundled up and headed out onto the snow covered roads to get kerosene to heat with till my fuel delivery came (it was scheduled for Tuesday). It took 2 hours to get the fuel and after all that the furnace still didn't work. I tried every trick I know, which is not many, and then called the furnace repair man, cha-ching. That was not the end of it though, my new dryer started to blow cold air.

Now I was tired of dealing with everything breaking down and was hoping that once I dealt with the dryer that would be it, but no such luck. Wednesday the repairman came out, he said it wasn't the dryer it was the electrical outlet. But before we could get the outlet replaced the upstairs toilet was leaking and the water was dripping right near the dryer. So, we had to repair the leak before we could fix the outlet......I know this sounds crazy, but its my life.... to wrap this messy story up, I now have heat, a dryer and a working outlet...I no longer have a working downstairs bathroom.

So if this is what 2010 starts off like, I am a little scared to see what is coming ahead.

Perfect Day

2010-01-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

Today is the perfect day to stay inside and paint. Its snowing like crazy out here in the snow belt. I love it, as long as I don't have to drive in it. So, I just sent my ex-husband (a long story, that I may get into later, but for now, he comes over a lot to see the kids)to the store to pick up groceries for the week. I am ready to go back to work tomorrow (that is if we don't have a snow day, which I am secretly hoping for). The house is in decent shape and I don't have to babysit my granddaughter. I am freeeeeee!

The pictures are of my front yard and back yard.

just have to get this out

2009-12-31T07:20:00.000-08:00

Its been a year since I last posted and for some reason I feel the need to put my thoughts down on......well, the computer (paper sounds so much better). This past year has been a wild one. A year ago I was sitting in a house that had been under construction for 3 years and didn't look as if it would get done any time soon. Today I look around and my children are in their new bedrooms, the new bathroom is wonderful, the den is nice and cozy, I love my new entryway, but the best is my new kitchen!! All is good and I feel so very fortunate to have such great friends that helped me get everything finished. I am truly grateful for all that I have been given and still wake up and can't believe this is my house.

So, how does this relate to my art???? OK, when the construction first started (3 years ago) I had to pack up my studio space to make room for my sons bedroom and the new den. I had every intention of working. I was going to sketch, paint in a smaller format....etc. Well, you know where the best of intention lead. But looking back on the past few years, I don't feel all that bad. I painted 4 bedrooms, painted the den, entry way, stairwell and upstairs hall, the new bathroom and just finished my living room. I started painting my bedroom and the kitchen and will have those done.....soon. And I also tiled my kitchen back splash myself, combining different tiles, ceramic and glass, to make my own unique design. So, no I have not been making paintings, but yes I have been painting and creating.

Now, for the future, I have just spent the past couple days arranging my bedroom to make room for a painting area. I know that it is not the ideal situation, but it will have to do for the next couple of years. I will only be working in acrylic so I won't have to worry about fumes, and since my room has two large closets, one will be filled with art supplies and the other clothes. For the first time in years I feel like working. It's amazing how your environment effects you mental state. For so long I have felt creatively blocked, dull, dead inside...now, I have sooo many ideas, I can't wait to get going on some new work.

pphheeewwww! now that felt good to get off my chest. Now to get back to work.

I just read the title of my blog, hehehe, lots of chaos, now for the art.

Extraordinary!!!

2008-12-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

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

2008-08-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2008-07-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-23T06:12:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-07-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-07-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here is another kitchen painting.

2008-07-03T18:52:00.000-07:00

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

Summertime

2008-07-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2008-03-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

Its Been A Long Spring Break

2008-03-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

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!!

2008-03-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-02-15T17:08:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Birthday Hannah!!

2007-12-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a year filled with joy and laughter.

Update on the house

2007-12-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

Things are looking really nice. The drywall is almost finished, so it shouldn't be much longer.

2007-12-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

Much work has been happening around the house, the front porch is almost finished and the heating system is being hooked up. My painting has been restricted to that on the walls. This is a new venture for me. I really have never had the time or resources to decorate the way I really wanted to, so now I am really taking my time to pick out exactly what I want. This past summer I got hooked on the show, Design Star. I got so many ideas, I am now officially addicted to HGTV.

I have been keeping up with what has been going on in the art world, via the blogosphere. One website that I found, thanks to a blog, is www.dailypaintworks.com. Many talented artists are featured, I highly recommend visiting this site, especially if you are an art collector.

What I Have Been Up To

2007-11-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

As some of you might know, I teach art at a private school. Every year there is a fund raising event with a dinner, dancing and a chinese auction, silent auction and live auction. As the art teacher, I contribute to the event by doing an art project with each class that is then auctioned off at the event. I started working on these projects at the beginning of the school year. The last month has been spent matting and framing and putting all the finishing touches on the pieces with each class. There was 9 projects created. Pictured is a paper collage that I did with the 4th grade class, the cross made by the 2nd grade class, a print project by my 3rd graders and, my favorite, a performance project that I did with the 8th grade. Each child in the 8th grade posed as part of a letter to spell out "dreams". Each student is pictured and the class worked as a whole to create this work. They even chose the quote to use. I am very proud of this class. This piece went for $3,000. I was soooo excited and am happy that the school will benefit. So that is what I have been up to, but now that the event is over I can (hopefully) get back to doing my own art.

Extreme Makeover

2007-11-11T05:38:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have been blogging, but, I'm back!!!!!!

As you can see by the picture, things in my part of the world are changing. My house is transforming from a 2 bedroom, 1 bath to a 5 bedroom, 2 bath with an extended living room. This is something that I have been dreaming of for many years. The kids and I are sooo excited. We are hoping that the construction will be done by Christmas (fingers are crossed). I will post pictures of the progress. Yesterday they finished with all of the wiring and Friday the last of the plumbing went in. I am not much of a carpenter, but with the electrical and plumbing done, I am hoping that it will go quickly.

I have been on a long hiatus from creating my own art. Since May my studio has been packed up. This past summer I purchased some vine charcoal and paper but, to be honest, have not done much with it. I have had great intentions but no time. I guess that is one of the reasons that I am starting up this blog again, to get me going in the right direction. Things at work have calmed down and with the addition getting closer and closer to being finished I am dying to do some art. Since the space I have at the moment is limited I have purchased some small 5x5 and 6x6 canvas boards. I figured, new house, new studio, new direction in my art. Could be fun!!

2007-05-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Its been a while......things have changed quite a bit, in many, many ways.

Hannah is a joy!! She has brought such life into our home. I have finally gotten use to not waking up in the middle of the night when I hear a baby cry ( after 5 children its kinda hard-wired into me). My house is still in a state of chaos, which is why I have not posted any art in many months. I am having 3 bedrooms and a full bath added onto my home and a new septic installed, and needless to say, it has been crazy.

I am sad to say that my studio is no longer existent. I had to temporarily box up my supplies and put them into storage until the construction is over. This brought a dull cloud over me as well as a pit in my stomach, which has kept me from doing any kind of art in my limited spare time. The only things that I left out were my charcoal and graphite pencils, some kneaded erasers and a sketchbook.

Even though I have not created much art work myself I have spent a bit of time researching a variety of artists and techniques. One artists that has just infatuated me is William Bouguereau, his work is just incredible and it is his influence that has generated a desire to work with the figure again. When I was in college, I loved my life drawing classes and found a drop-in life drawing class on Wednesday nights. I am really excited to start them. That dull cloud is starting to lift.......drawings posted soon.

New Digs

2007-01-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

It's been a wild couple of weeks. The sketch you see here is one of only 4 sketches that I have been able to produce since the baby has come home. I have forgotten how much work one little being can be. Also, last Wednesday construction started on my house to add on 2 bedrooms, a full bath, extend the living room and replace the septic system.

So, given the circumstances I have given myself permission not to feel guilty because I am not able to get into the studio as much as I would like. In fact, my studio will be moving as soon as the constuction is finished. I have decided to change the studio into a den, the family could really use the space, and my studio will move into my bedroom, since it will be quite large. I am not sure how this will work but I though that since my bedroom is the one area that I can get some quiet it would be the best place to create. Also, I have a habit of waking up in the middle of the night with some great vision for a painting and then never putting it down on paper, hopefully this set up will somewhat remedy that. Now if I can only get myself out of the bed.

Welcome Home Hannah

2007-01-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

We brought Hannah home yesterday. She is adjusting well, but grandma and mom are exhausted. I forgot how much work a newborn is. Mom has been nursing her and I have taken burp patrol so mom could get some rest. The problem is this little angel wants to eat all the time. Boy how easy it is to forget this part of parenting.

As you might guess I have not been doing much painting. I have been invited to participate in two shows in mid January, but after last night, I am not sure that I will have the time or the energy to get the work done. I am also a bit concerned about using turpentine in the house with the baby. I started working in oils about 2 months ago and would like to continue but if the fumes are harmful I can switch to acrylics. I will be doing some research on the internet about this, but if anyone has experience with this issue I would love to hear from them. As for now, I am working things out in my sketchbook, that is, if and when I have time.

The Most Beautiful Baby in the Whole World

2006-12-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

My beautiful granddaughter was born at 7:37 last night. She and Mom are fine and doing well. I have been extremely busy getting the house prepared for this new little one and also getting Christmas for the family so I have not been creating much art. I am hoping that things will calm down a bit for the new year and that I will have some time to paint. Happy New Year to All!!!!!

Life Goes On

2006-12-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

Breakfast in Bed by Mary Cassatt, 1897

Today is the first real snow of the season and it is beautiful. I live in an area called the "snowbelt". The wind and snow come off of Lake Erie and if the lake is not frozen over (with this warm autumn it will be a while before it freezes) moisture is picked up, changes to snow, and is dumped in a three county area, mine being one. Roads are terrible, schools closed and I just love it!! This weather has given me an opportunity to get back to blogging. I have not been able to blog in a while because, as I hinted to in my last couple of posts, life has changed considerably for me. Thanks Ed, KJ, and Martha for their words of encouragement, they really are very helpful.

I am now able to talk about the twists and turns that have taken place. It all started when my oldest daughter called from college in late September asking for help. One of the things that I always say to my children is, "if you get in trouble call me." Well the first words out of her mouth was that she was in trouble. She told me that she was pregnant and due January 1st. I didn't know if I was going to pass out or get sick, this is not what I wanted for my daugher and it was not anything that I thought would happen to one of my children. Being a single mother, I have always told them that parenting is a two person job, its to hard to do on your own and someone is always on the losing end. I won't go into every detail but I told her that I was very dissappointed but I love her no matter what. She has always been a really good kid and she made a big mistake and is now paying for it. Many conversations have taken place and the bottom line is that she has decided to keep the baby and move back home to finish her degree. So now that I have gone through a huge array of emotions I am now able to accept what is happening and I am looking forward to meeting my first grandchild. I have been to two doctors appointments and have seen the ultrasounds. Both mom and the baby are in good health. She is having a girl and she is just beautiful. It is amazing how good the ultrasound machines are, we could see her little face and so many little details, we even saw her tongue.

I am picking my daughter up this Saturday and moving her back home. She will be back in her old room until the baby is born, which is only 3 weeks away (personally I don't think she is going to make it till then). I am now in the process of converting my studio into a bedroom for her and the baby. Hopefully this will be a temporary solution. I am working with a contractor to add on more bedrooms, but this may take many months. So, until the construction is finished I must change my way of making art. I have started some small canvases, 8x10. I am not use to working so small and they really are not very good, but I am taking this as a challenge. I have also started using my sketchbook and drawing more. I really miss doing life drawing and have started doing some figure work. So as you can read things have changed quite a bit, but now that I have adjusted, life is OK, no note just OK, life is good.

Home Sick

2006-10-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

I love this painting, "Smaraged, Red and Germinating Yellow" by Hans Hofman. It hangs in the Cleveland Museum of Art and has been one of my favorites for a long time, like an old friend. Unfortunately most of the museum is closed for renovations right now, so I have not been able to spend time with this piece in over a year. You see, life has recently thrown me a real loop. I'm sure that I will talk about what is going on in later posts, but for now I just can't. I have not been able to paint, read, exercise...etc. I am just kind of numb and I would love to go to the museum and just walk around. I love the quiet, the smell, the sound of shoes against the floors of the museum. Going to the museum has always been a somewhat spiritual experience for me, it is tranquil and stimulating at the same time. I don't have to talk to anyone or do anything other then sit and look at the art. Its a whole different world. I really miss going there. The renovation will not be finished for 5 more years. I am sure that it will be incredible when it is finished, but I miss my time there. I miss seeing the incredible masterpieces in the different galleries, the Carvaggio, the Rodin, the Hopper and the Picasso room. Two weeks ago I went to the Cincinnati Museum of Art. It was very nice and had an incredible Miro but it wasn't the same. I miss my sanctuary.

On to new ventures.

2006-10-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

How time flies! I really did mean to post something this week....well you know how it goes, anyway, the show went up, and now, its down. I will be going tonight to pick up the paintings that did not sell and the check for the paintings that did, cha-ching. What a great experience it has been. If any artist in the Cleveland area gets a chance to show a True Art Gallery, I highly recommend it. Joanie and Jim are just wonderful. Mary and I have been invited back, so there may be a part 3 to the "Shari and Mary" exhibition tour.

I'm hoping to start work for the shows in January. I must confess, I still haven't gotten my studio 100% back into shape, like I mentioned in the post only two short weeks ago, boy did I sound determined! I had every intention on getting everything organized, but, as they say, "the road to hell...." Well, today I have no choice but to finish. It is homecoming day today. That may not mean anything to most people in this small town, but for those with teenagers its everything. I will have two daughters going to the dance, so this day will be spent in a mad rush getting the house perfect as well as the hair, nail, makeup, jewelry.......hours and hours spent working, only to have them rush off , POOF, gone in a cloud of powder and perfume. As a mom, I must say, it really is fun, plus by 5:00 tonight my house will be beautiful inside and out.

The painting is "Centralia I", acrylic on canvas, 12"X48". While preparing for this past show I went to the store to get 24"x48" size canvases and found the 12"x48" on sale. I have never worked in this size and thought it would be really interesting to try. I bought two canvases, brought them home and started working right away. I don't know what it is but I felt less restricted using a non-traditional size canvas, free and spontaneous. The paintings came easy and were really fun to paint. Lesson learned: when going crazy preparing for a show, try something unfamiliar, unknown and non-traditional.

Just a quick note

2006-09-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

Anthracite
30"x30"
Acrylic on canvas

Good news, I just got a postcard from True Art gallery for their next show, and the owner, Joanie, wrote a quick note telling me that another one of my paintings sold. I am so pleased and coincider this show a great success. Its all been very exciting. I will be visiting my daughter at college this weekend, but plan on being back in the studio on Monday.

Carpe Diem!

2006-09-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

The LeHigh
30x30, acrylic on canvas

Things are rolling along rather smoothly, I sold another painting from the show and have two more shows to do in January. The shows are group shows so I will only be putting a few pieces into each show, but hey, its a show, and the pressure is not so intense. I rather enjoy doing large, group shows, it gives me a chance to get to know other artists in the area and to reconnect with friends that I may not have seen in a while.

I am excited to start painting again. I have not set foot into the studio since the opening on Sept. 9th. I retreat after an opening and try to reflect/enjoy what is happening. This time gives me space to analyze the work that I have done and helps to set me onto my next path. So, today will be clean up day in the studio. I would post a picture of the studio,but to tell you the honest truth, its just a wreck and I would be mortified. The last week before the show opened I started teaching and my children went back to school. Life was one, big whirlwind and my studio looks like it. But no more!! (sponges and mops in hand) today I take back my studio and start anew.

The painting posted is a piece that sold from my current show.

Mary, welcome to my world

2006-09-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

I've been telling my friend, Mary Weimer Green, how great it has been to blog, no you don't get instant, international fame or have a meteoric rise to the level of artistic genius, but I have met some great artists that have given me insight and inspiration, and posting my paintings has allowed many friends, relatives, strangers, art stalkers, perspective buyers, bored computer geeks (yes, I sometimes fall into this catagory also), to view my work from all over the world. Also, not to mention, the thousands of dollars I am saving on advertising, marketing and therapists.

So, Mary, welcome to my world. Visit her blog, Mary Weimer Green - impressions from the matrix, view her work (which is great), and read her witty repartee.

The Opening

2006-09-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Everything went GREAT last night for the opening at True Art Gallery. The owners, Joanie and Jim, did an incredible job hanging the work, in fact, when I walked in the gallery I was so excited at how the artwork looked that I wasn't watching where I was going and tripped, almost falling on my face, talk about making an entrance (thank God it was before the show opened so the embarassment was kept to a minimum). The evening was phenomenal. There was a nice size crowd, good food and I sold three paintings!!!!

One of the paintings that sold was a piece that consists of 5 small 5"x7" canvases. I usually don't work small, but this summer I found these canvases for $1.oo a piece, I figured I would play around with them in the studio and see what happens. I ended up with 3 pieces for the show. I dropped off all my work on Tuesday and explained how I would like small canvases displayed, well Jim had taken the paintings and put them on a beautiful wood backing, you can see one of them hanging on the back wall in the photo. I was thrilled with how nice they looked.

Mary's work was wonderful. I love the new new direction she is going in with her latest pieces, I can't wait to see more. We had such a good night, Ahhhh all that work and anxiety really paid off.

The countdown begins 3, 2, 1 ...........

2006-09-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of putting the final touches on my paintings, varnishing, framing .... I have 2 paintings that I am not 100% happy with, so I will probably be doing some reworking over the weekend, I think. I hesitate to start because the paintings are not bad, I'm 90% satisfied, and whenever I rework one area of a painting I tend to rework the entire painting, also I tend to overpaint in these situations. My fear is that I will really mess it up and run out of time and not have the paintings ready for the show. I have to deliver them on Tuesday. So, I have been "living" with these paintings in my living room hoping that I can look at them long enough to find out EXACTLY what they need, also in hopes of saving myself from endless hours of doing and redoing and redoing and redoing.

I will also be photographing the paintings this weekend, in between going to the Great Geauga County Fair, getting everything ready for school, and trying to instill some obedience into the newest member of our family, Jasper (named after Jasper Johns, one of my favorite artists).He is a dalmation/hound mix that we got from the pound. He is housebroken (thank God!!) and can play a mean game of fetch, but he has chewed up 2 stuffed animals and both of his leashes and he thinks that my white couch is his personal resting area. I know he will be a great addition to the family, but we have some work to do.

Summer's over

2006-08-23T04:52:00.000-07:00

Haven't had a lot of time in the studio since Saturday. We had to pack up my oldest daughter for her second year at college. What an undertaking, why did I think that it would be easier the second time around. We still had the mad rush to Wal-mart for those little things that we forgot to get, even though we have had lists going for weeks now. Anyway, I am so glad that she is at a school that she really likes and is inspired to excel this year. She's a smart cookie and has a bright future ahead of her, as a parent, its really exciting to watch. Of course the leaving was emotional, and the 5 hour drive home seemed to take forever, but I am secure with the fact that she is where she is suppose to be, so I am missing her but not sad, which is good.

Her 2 sisters started high school today. They were up at the crack of dawn to do their hair, make up and make sure that they had the right outfit on. It was fun to watch. I know that they will be exhausted when they get home, so to give them a boost I will make the proverbial chocolate chip cookies, something that I have not been able to do for the past 5 years since I usually start teaching the same day they start school. Since I don't even start meetings for another week I will have time do a little baking and finish the last of the paintings for my show.

I am excited for my show and the new school year. Its like a brand new start for the whole family, there is an energy around the house that is refreshing and exhilarating.

MINE: images of descent, again

2006-08-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made many attempts at publishing the information about my upcoming show, but had major technical difficulties. So this is basically a contiuation of the previous entry.

The title of my show is:
MINE: images of descent
new works by Shari Jamieson and Mary Weimer Green
September 9 - October 1, 2006
True Art Gallery
410 East 156th
Cleveland, Ohio 44110
Opening reception is Sept. 9th 6:00-10:00

All are welcome, it should be a really good time. The owners, Joanie and Jim, are great and I know we will have a wonderful opening.

I am really happy with the way this series of work has been coming out. For this show Mary Green and I decided to focus on a word that has many meanings and connotations and then create work from our interpretations. The word that we chose was MINE. Mary's work reflects her spirituality. She took the word as a challenge to what is it that she truly owns? what can she really call "mine"? She realized that it is only her beliefs, her faith, that she can control, she can call her own.

The above print is one of Mary's from 2003. I am really looking forward to seeing her new work. We are good friends and have shown our work together before at the Boot Gallery in Little Italy. We had a great show then, and an incredible opening. Its going to be great to do it again.

For my work I chose to focus on the literal meaning of the word MINE. My mother grew up in a Port Carbon, a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. As a child my family visited there at least once a year, and I visited regularly once I was on my own. I always enjoyed the visits, seeing my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. I have a lot of family in that area. Two years ago my grandmother passed away and on a summer visit the family had to clean out my grandparents house to sell it. We spent one last night in the living room, going through boxes of pictures and wearing my Mam's hats. It was hard to let go, it was the house that we gathered in for so many years. It seemed to be the anchor for my family. It was from this experience that I drew my inspiration for my work. I asked myself, how did mining effect the towns that grew up around them, like Port Carbon? How did mining effect the people that lived in these towns, like my grandparents, and their descendants, me? These coal mines that seem so distant from my everyday life have had an impact on who I am. This is where my inspiration began.

Mine: images of descent

2006-08-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

untitled, acrylic on canvas, 24x48

I have only 4 canvases to finish and I am completely ready for my show.

Riding High

2006-08-10T06:20:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty busy lately figuring some things out. One is why did this birthday, and not any others, get to me? Well, I realized that for the past 10 years I have been extremely busy, raising the 5 kids, the divorce, going back to school and getting my degree, starting my artistic career, starting teaching, going back to school again......Every other birthday I've had has been so busy that I didn't feel as though I was aging, just improving. So, with this in mind I decided that the reason I was feeling so bad is because I haven't been improving my life, just running around in circles.

This summer has been hectic with sports, music lessons, taking kids back and forth to work. The only time that I have had for myself is in the studio, and even there is has been stressful trying to get ready for my show in September. Don't get me wrong, I am fortunate to have a studio space in my home, and I love the work and I love being home with my children, its just painting and running the kids around is all I have been doing. A change was much needed so...

My 14 year old asked me if she could start biking. She is my only child that has not been involved with sports, so I though this is a great idea for her to get her active. Five years ago, my sister and I took a biking tour around the Umbrian region of Italy. I loved every minute of it and wanted to start biking when I got home. Well, life got busy and I never followed up on that interest, until now.

This is a picture of the bicycle that I bought for myself and my daughter (no we haven't gotten any spandex shorts). We have been biking and having a great time. We have started out on the biking trails of our local park district, less chance of being seen by anyone until we really know what we are doing, and can pull off wearing those shorts. Its been great, not to many sore muscles and some good conversations with my daughter. Since she is starting high school in a couple of weeks we made a deal, she keeps her grades up and for graduation we could bike around Italy. I even went out and got some language cd's and have been trying to learn Italian on my drives back and forth from picking up and dropping off. So now when things are getting crazy, my daughter and I hop on our bikes and ride away, arrivederci!!!

Officially Old

2006-07-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Inclination part 1,
acylic on canvas,
5x7

Today is my birthday. I never really let birthdays get to me before but for some reason this one has hit me, 45. Usually its the 40th birthday that people dread, but when I was 40 my youngest was only 4 and it didn't bother me at all.

The kids have a nice day for me planned. Today I get to do what ever I want and they clean up and make the meals and tonight a family celebration. So, I probably will be in the studio painting and then relaxing, reading a book on the back deck, a hike in the woods is likely if the tempratures don't get high, a great day, I am very fortunate. I just wish my head wasn't saying, "your officially old now". I guess its time to set some goals for myself and get over this self indugent funk, maybe I'll try to run a marathon!

My Information

2006-07-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

the shift,
acrylic on canvas,
18x24

My daughter arrived home safely from her Florida vacation looking like a tanned goddess and sharing stories of her adventures. She will be leaving in 3 weeks to go back to college and I was so glad the she was able to take some time off of work to relax and enjoy herself.

This summer is going by so fast, before I know it my show will be up. I just got an email from the gallery owner asking for information and photos of my work so that they can start sending out postcards and press releases. I still have about 5 more paintings to finish and I am pleased with how the work is going. The show is titled Mine: images of descent. It was tricky trying to come up with a title that encapsulated the essence of both mine and Mary's work. She is a printmaker whose recent work is all about identity. I have chosen to work totally non-objective, but have gotten my inspiration from photos of old coal mines. The painting that is posted is for the show.

Tanned Camera

2006-07-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

I want to post pics of my new work. Things have been going great in the studio. I have 4 complete paintings and 3 in the works and I have been sketching out new ideas. My plans were to photograph my paintings and then get them ready for the show. Well, after searching high and low for the camera, going through my "I know I just had it the other day where could it have gone to" moment, I called my daughter. She is with friends vacationing in Florida (thank God for cell phones or I would have spent my day in a tizzy). She didn't think I would mind if she took the camera, AAHHH. I have visions of the camera laying on the beach getting sand all over it and kids with tanned bodies leaping to catch a frisbee, only to land on the camera. Maybe I am over reacting, OK, I am over reacting. She's a good kid, she took my camera to France last year (after giving her the manditory 1 hour lecture on camera care and maintenance, of course) and the camera came back fine. I just get frustrated when my day get rearranged, which is often, no, in fact, its the norm. I just keep waking up thinking that today is the day that all will go as planned. After 19 years of having children around you would think that I would learn.

It's a Scorcher!!!

2006-07-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

Well today is suppose to be 90+ degrees. Its on days like this that I just wilt. Unfortunately this is only the first of 7 straight days of this type of weather. Watching the TV this morning, the only relief in sight is the chance that it may fall into the high 80's next Friday, ugh! I guess we will just try to make the best of it. I live in a very small home 980sq. ft. so it doesn't take long to cool off, if I start early, before the sun has been pounding down for hours. I have a one room air conditioner that is in the playroom/studio and then I put a fan facing out of that room into the kitchen and living room. If I keep the fans going and the windows closed it keeps the house about 80 degrees, and it helps cut the humidity (if the kids keep the front door shut).

I am trying to get more painting done before all the kids get up, a never ending stuggle between housework and artwork. We got in late last night, so I am letting them sleep in. We went to the Lake County Captians baseball game and then out for a bite. I highly recommend seeing a minor league team play. The stadium is much smaller, ticket prices are very reasonable, every seat seemed like a good one, and no lines in the bathrooms!! These young players were a joy to watch, even though our team lost, it was extremely entertaining.

New Work

2006-07-10T06:38:00.000-07:00

Untitled
Acrylic on Canvas
18"x24"

I have finished 3 paintings and just started 2 more, thouroughly enjoying each one. Ed Makevich has written an excellent post on letting go of the idea of perfection and allowing oneself the freedom of growing through the process, definately worth reading.

Here I go again, and again, and again

2006-07-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

What can I say, I changed my mind, yet again. I got three paintings into what I thought would be a series and lost interest. Not just lost interest, but went totally blank, disengaged, zoned out! I got to wrapped up in adding realistic elements to abstract ideas (an idea that has worked for many artists, but not me).

So, here I go again. I sat down with a scrap book that I had made in college, this old book inspires me. I made it when I was trying to figure out what direction I wanted to go with my work. A very wise and extremely talented professor told me to go through a huge stack of art magazines and pull out the paintings that I liked, then divide them into sections, portraits, still lifes, abstracts......the thickest section, by far, was the non-objective section. My book was filled with paintings by Rothko, Frankenthaler, Pollack...etc. What I had found out is that I love non-objective paintings, I love to look at them, I love to make them and, no matter what, it is the type of art the feeds my soul. So this is where I will happily be spending the rest of my summer studio time.

2006-07-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

Started working on the paintings for my new series, here is the beginning of one. I still have a few things to work out but am excited at where I am going. I always try to leave somethings up to "fate" because that is where the wonderful, suprises come from. I find that if I over analyze the process and have every detail thought through then I don't have anyroom for the free flow of other concepts to engage, my mind shuts down to other options. So here is to keeping my eyes open and my mind free.

Taking a Break

2006-06-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Just taking a second to check my email and read some blogs. Things are really going well in the studio. I'm at the point where I am sketching out my ideas and, so far, everything is in line with what I envisioned. I love the way the colors are coming together, my heart is pumpin' and I can't help but smile..... ridin' this wave as far as it'll take me!

sz: S - M - L

2006-06-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

X Change
acrylic on paper
3 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Everything went well at the gallery, a lot of great wall space. My opening will be on September 9th. I have been working larger then I have in a couple of years. The piece that I have up today was from a series of work that I did for a show in November, space was limited so most of my pieces were small, no larger then 10" x 12". I had some sales but for this show I wanted to go big. There is a whole different energy when you work on a large canvas.

Finding Time

2006-06-23T05:41:00.000-07:00

X-it
mixed media
28x48

Today I am supposed to go to a gallery to sign a contract for a show to open at the end of August. I am doing the show with a close friend and we are meeting at the gallery to check out the space, sign the papers, and grab some dinner. We had a show together a couple of years ago and it was a wonderful experience. She is a printmaker and our work really compliments each others. I'll be posting new work as it is produced. My fear is that I will not have as much new work as I would like to. Since school ended on June 8th I swore I would spend at least 3 hours a day in the studio. Well... it was a great idea in concept but in reality life is not cooperating, there is baseball, softball, part-time jobs.....etc. and the grass won't stop growing! Don't get me wrong, I love summer and enjoy doing for my family, its that I need to find that magical balance between taking care of the family and spending time in the studio. It has been very helpful and inspiring reading other blogs of artists who are dealing with the same issues. I think that the answer might be in a little less sleep and a lot more caffeine. Things are quiet now so I better stike while the iron is hot... off to the studio.

New Beginnings

2006-06-21T05:55:00.000-07:00

Unknown Suspects
Mixed Media
18x24

Hi, who ever may be out there. I figured I would start this blog as a way of pushing myself toward continual growth, seeing your work on a computer screen gives it a whole new perspective, and also to connect with a larger community of artists and those interested in art. So here goes....

This painting is near and dear to my heart. It was painted after a visit to NYC just 5 days after 9/11. It also was during the creation of this painting that I fell in love with the ever unfolding process of creating a non-objective work. Since then I have been working in this manner and have not looked back. Starting this blog is a new beginning for me and I thought it would be appropriate to share with everyone the piece that started my passion for abstract and non-objective work. Also, its getting close to the 4th of July and with the red, white and blue palette I couldn't resist.