Paige

so, today was a day set aside to do taxes and get some grad school applications finished, but life had other plans.  In doing my taxes I was unable to download a tax document (not too torn up to put this off) so I moved on to applications. Who knew I had to have dates from all the schools I attended, not a big deal, really-until the University of Utah application.  I had to check that I attended the U previously and that requires dates and transcripts! Ugh! that was like 7 years ago! who remembers their log in or even dates attended?  I could fudge the dates like I normally would, but I'm pretty sure they'll know ;) so instead I played in glue and ink.  I am working on a portrait of my niece Paige made with drawings she has made for me :) so much more fun that stupid taxes or grad school stuff!

a work in progress...

Fragile      2' x 4'

So, I am putting together some work for a friend's house, I am mostly just playing around a little right now because she isn't quite ready to put art on the walls :) This is an oil painting on wood panel.  I sealed the wood and painted directly on it.  I used to love dandelions, you know, before they are the flower.  This is not at all what I set out to paint, but my initial work was  quite bad, so this was the evolution.  Tomorrow I am going to go back and add detail with charcoal, maybe split up the dark left side and light right side (maybe not, I kinda dig it) and add a few wisps blowing off?  Hmmm, we'll see how the mood strikes me tomorrow.

Family Chiro Mural

A couple weeks ago, the chiropractic center next to my work asked me if I would paint an underwater mural for them, so of course I said yes.  It was fun to put together stuff I have never painted before, including dolphins which ended up looking like grumpy old men (or the eels from Little Mermaid).  The center is opening friday (today) and I started wednesday morning :) needless to say, I spent 8 hours there finishing up last night, total time was about 12 hours.  I plan on going back and adding in hidden pictures, so the kids have things to look for and they will get a prize if they find them all.  So if you're ever in the Washington area stop on by and check it out :)

Murals

I have been working on my friend Tammy's playroom for her kids, it has been a long project, but I am enjoying it.  It is fun to try and put it all together, and painting isn't so bad either ;) there are 2 more buildings to go, I have started the fire station and I still have the pet store and school house to go.  It's funny, I always think it is going to take way less time and then I look down and 6 hours have passed and I feel like i've barely made a dent.  I guess that is when you know you like what you are doing.

There is a cute fire engine too, but I somehow deleted the photo when I was trying to email it to myself :) aaaah, technology.

Not my day

Insignificant 3'x4' Mixed Media on Canvas

 

I spent some time in the studio last night and today and let me tell you, sometimes the universe is just against you.  I was putting together some panels for some new work and in the process of nailing the panels together I kept splitting the wood and on the second hammer to the thumb, I called it a night.  Today did not shape up much better, I messed up another panel (hammers are not my friend) and broke my hand sander :( so I quit with the panels and worked on a piece I started a couple weeks ago.  I think the frustration really worked for me, the figure looks crushed, much the way I was feeling.  Sometimes everything going wrong is exactly right.

A little retooling...

Poppy  24"x24" Acrylic on Panel

So, this piece I did while still in school, but it just never was right.  So, I revisited it one more time, it has been hanging in my kitchen and I look at it every day and I think I am finally happy with it.  I added a few highlights to make it pop and a few dark spots for dimension.  Nothing like staring at something you aren't happy with for nine months to make you want to fix it :)

Finished

Another day of cold temps in the St.G, but I braved the freezing cold rain and darkness to finish the collage.  I'm pretty happy with the final piece.  I haven't cropped it yet in real life, cause I'm not sure how much space I wanna leave above the figure.  I'm torn on a title as well, before I was going with Shattered, but now I'm leaning toward something more about feeling boxed in, I don't know, maybe inspiration will strike and the perfect title will come to me.