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Monday, March 31, 2008

Empty Nest Again


Empty Nest 2, 6x6" Oil on canvas



Another view of the empty nest (see earlier post in late February for the first nest painting). This time, I've included a little piece of shell, barely visible, and a small feather. What really caught my attention in this set up was the wonderful shadow shape behind the nest. This one was a lot of fun to paint - and after a few adjustments, I was happy with the outcome.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Gallery News! April 2008


Painted Bowls and Platters

During the month of April, my Painted Bowls and Platters are being featured at
Good Works Gallery
485 N Main St. - Glen Ellyn, IL

This is a new venture for me, but one of my goals for 2008 - get out of my comfort zone and make contacts with galleries that might be a good fit for my work. For a long time, I've really enjoyed this particular gallery. It is full of interesting and eclectic works from various artists. After deciding to "just go and talk to the owner", I found the experience to be far less intimidating that I'd anticipated! It was very exciting to have her ask to feature my work for the month of April. If you live locally, please drop by and visit. You'll see my bowls in the front window, and lots of other cool works of art inside!

Monday, March 24, 2008

An Ode to Spring



Three Tulips, 16 x 20" matted, water color/acrylic used as water media on paper



This painting is an expression, I guess, of wishing for Spring to arrive. Even though the calendar says it is spring - it isn't... We still have snow on the ground and cold temperatures.
It can't be far off, though!

This is also a representation of one of the things I'm doing to move in a little different direction. First, it is water color on paper - I think I am using 200# paper. I started out with water color and then added in acrylic to give more vibrance to the colors. It is also a larger format than my smaller studies. There are some things about working larger that I like, including the opportunity to give a little more attention to the details.

I'm still evaluating - thinking about new directions, and how to find that unusual viewpoint.
How to see and express in new ways.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Eternity opens


Resurrection, 9 x 12" Mixed media on paper
(paper, oil pastel, gold leaf, turpenoid)

Have you ever wondered what happened at the moment of Christ's resurrection? Many people doubt that anything happened at all on Easter morning - that Jesus, if he ever really lived, died a criminal's death, and that was that. Many believe that perhaps something happened, but don't know what - so they put the questions aside and don't think much more about it. Still others believe that something momentous happened and that first Easter changed the course of eternity itself!

Scripture gives an account of the week just before Easter. Its easy to read over it quickly - but put yourself in the place of those who were there! For just a few minutes, be an eye witness! It is an amazing account - and it culminates in something way beyond a fairy tale. The whole story can be found in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as many other references throughout the New Testament, and many fore tellings throughout the Old Testament.

Several days had gone by from the death of Christ to the resurrection. It was a dismal time of confusion and grief. His closest friends really didn't understand anything. His body had been buried and was under strict Roman guard. Scripture tells us that very early on Sunday morning as the first light was dawning, some of the women who knew him went to perform the burial rites that had not yet taken place. Their whole world had fallen apart - and they were agonizing over the cruelty of Jesus' terrible death. As they arrive to complete their sad task, imagine their dismay - the huge stone used to seal the entrance to the tomb was pushed aside and his body was missing. But instead 2 dazzling men were there to tell them he was, in fact, alive! Their confusion was complete! They run to tell the others - probably not knowing what to think! Mary can only stop and cry, and she encounters the risen Jesus there in the garden. Eventually they all would see him, speak with him, eat with him, walk with him, and believe that the words of these men were true. Many of his closest followers would eventually stake their lives on this truth.

What must that instant of resurrection have looked like, had we been there watching the dark grave in the middle of the night? This is what I've tried to imagine in this painting. I think we would have seen a shimmering explosion of light erupt from the depths of the grave - dispelling the darkness and exposing its undefined beauty in all its spectrum of colors. Perhaps there were colors we have never imagined! This was a moment of heaven's untold magnificence touching earth's soil. And, this is the moment that is the most important turning point in all of time. Death is undone. Jesus has subdued the power of destruction by his resurrection - fully returned to life. Bringing life (now and eternal) to all who will choose it!

It can all be summed up in John's words: God so loved the world that his gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it!

Well, that - to me - is the profound meaning of Easter. It is the gateway to life! What looked to be a crushing blow to hope and life itself turned out to be the blooming of life... eternal life!
What do you think? Perhaps you are one who questions and doesn't really know - or maybe one who believes that this is a concocted story that has somehow survived time and retelling.
I invite you to ask your questions - to even declare your doubts - to God himself. He will give you the answers you need. It won't surprise him, it won't anger him .... he already knows what you think! He is a God who has demonstrated his love for us (for you!) through his death and resurrection, and longs to be known to us!


Thursday, March 20, 2008

Seeds~ waiting.



Seed, 16 x 20" Oil on panel

This is an older painting - and I posted it today because I feel that it explains this week and last week a little bit. It has been a busy week - so far - with some out of studio work which seems as if it will result in some gallery exposure, which is very exciting. But also, as I have been working in the studio, I have felt as if some "seeds" of ideas are just lying under the surface, ready to break open with new growth ... but not quite yet. In a way, its a little frustrating - I hit the proverbial brick wall as I try some new things and experiment with new ideas, and yet - it is a necessary step to get to a new place - growth! Kinda like a seed under the surface, gathering energy for the moment it emerges into the light. That's my feeling, at least - and I'm anxious for it to show itself! I'm not sure what the sprout will look like yet ... a waiting game!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Red Velvet


Red Velvet Cup Cake, 5x5" Oil on canvas



Well, it has been a long week. My daughter has been ill, but - I've also found myself unhappy with a lot of what I've been doing artistically this week. I imagine all artists go through this from time to time - I have before... It is part of the "work" of being an artist: looking for new perspectives, trying to express myself in new ways, etc. I'm posting this little painting - which is the result of a cupcake I found at a restaurant I visited last weekend. But, this seems like (although delicious looking) a painting that is quite traditional ~ and I have been feeling the need to stretch myself in new directions! Stay tuned ... I hope I'll have some new things to show you soon!

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Night Prowler

Night Prowler, 4.25 x 5.5" Mixed media (watercolor, acrylic, ink) on paper

Still at work on the contemporary cat paintings, as you can see. I now have 6 of them in the collection. To order a set of notecards featuring the first 4 paintings, please click here.

I really enjoy the colorful, playful images doing cat things! Hope you do too. :)


Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Floral


Green on Blue, 5x7" Oil on canvas

SOLD
 
Still working on some of the flowers that came home with me from the grocery store last week.
This one was somewhat challenging. First, it is a carnation. Need I say more? It is a ruffly mass, without a clear center and radiating petals. The shadow areas became quite abstract as I began to study the subject. The colors were also quite similar from stem through petal. A green carnation on a green stem. So - here it is - a little early for St. Patricks, but green none the less!


Monday, March 3, 2008

Daisy - colored pencil


Daisy, 4.5 x 4.5" Colored pencil on illustration board

Paint is drying - and so I'm posting a small drawing that I did with Prismacolor pencils. For my money - Prismacolors are the top choice for really fine results with colored pencil. They are soft, mixable, and worth the investment. This little drawing was challenging. It is mostly white - but of course, not really! There are shadows and areas where light and darker come into play.
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