Stars

Starbursts of blue on tall stalks greeted me as I entered my cottage. Each time I opened the door the sudden gust of air would cause the flowerheads to collide and jostle each other. As the days passed some could no longer hold on to their lifeline, and they dropped, in despair, to the tabletop. I would sweep them away.

When it became obvious that there was little life left in the remaining blue stars, I gathered them together and laid them gently as decorating a grave, in my own tiny grassed garden. There they laid, and my last backward glance appreciated the symmetry of the prostrate stems.

Next there were only blue stars, carried off by rainforest mist, some ground into indigo pulp on the tiled sidewalk leading away.

Inspiration of the Day: blue

Relaxation Techniques

I've instructed my clients not to interrupt this idyllic time with anything work related. I have movies, an Ipod full of music and audiobooks, and this laptop. Wonder how long I'll hold out before I go searching for adventure??

Still mellow today, though.

Laid Back

Ivy creeps up the window and blocks my view of paradise. I am on vacation. All I care about is the sound of the wind, the rustle of leaves, the sun's path across the sky.

I have told my clients not to bother me, and left a message on my studio phone that the studio is closed. I need this time to myself.

sigh

yum

I'm Off

Now I need to quit answering my telephone. I've already had three requests, for today! One, print a giclee on canvas 44 x 60, come in and sign four paintings, what color spray paint to use to create a deep cherry brown, and a digital file. Now when I answer the phone knowing it's my client I just say "no". I'm off!

I finished a painting in the photo painting series this morning, one of five that I have a PO for, due a week after my return.

I've made sure I have everything I need on my laptop, I'm packed, dressed and ready to head out to the airport. I will have email, but no phone, yay!!!

Working it Out

After a flurry of activity, and many hours thinking I'd never wrap things up enough to leave town, I'm breathing easier today.

Yesterday wore me out, though.

I've had to clean my front and back studios in preparation for resin pouring. I can't believe I'm doing another two-sided resin box! Not only that, but it's 6 1/2' long! Instead of having a solid box fabricated, I took another route, and made an open box, with the other side separate. This way I can pour resin on both pieces at the same time. It will sit and cure for the three weeks I am away. When I come home, I will glue them together - and voila! That's my last project, and it's under control.

I painted the cast carved sculpture yesterday. My intention was for the fabricator to tint the resin to a dark brown color, thereby eliminating much of the painting process. That didn't turn out as planned, so it was me and spray paint out in the back yard. I like the way it turned out, and hope the designer agrees. I'll know tomorrow. She wanted a "rusted metal" look, and I think I've achieved that.


This one is for model room, so we won't get it back. So, I'll be painting another one today for reference when we get to production stage. There will be over 900 of these.

My project of 22 pcs for behind the registration desk of a local hotel is still in progress, I've worked a little on it every day, but thankfully, I got a deadline extension and it can be finished up when I get home.

Today after the resin pouring I'll be working on the abstract commission. My client is coming to meet me tomorrow, and it would be nice to hand over the finished painting. Hopefully I'll spend at least a few minutes in a lounge chair by the pool!

Mania Sets In

With six projects all in various stages of production I have run out of studio space, which now includes my living room, dining room, and third bedroom. And when a client calls to ask me to do just one more thing before I leave town on Tuesday I freak out! Too much to do and not enough time.

I went to visit my Dad in Harlingen this past weekend, and we had a lovely time watching golf on TV. Golf has been his passion for many years, and since he can no longer play, he watches. He's lonely though, and I wish we lived closer because I don't see him as often as I'd like.

This morning I am printing three giclees for model room for a hotel resort. Purchase orders will be issued for this job when I get home. I'm printing all three images, with quantities of 900 ea, so I need to get a move on - it will take forever and I'll use both of my 44" printers. Also for this project I am painting the casting that I've had made of the original sculpture I finished this week.

I have struggled mightily to get three good prints on aluminum. I've had different problems with every print, and it has cost me hundreds of dollars since I'm buying pre-treated metal from Booksmart. Yesterday I pulled my last sheet out of the package and it has a big gouge across it. I'm a little high strung right now and fired off an email which was quickly answered by Eric, offering to replace the product immediately, and he helped with the other problems I'd had, too. Thanks Eric!

Spring storms are wreaking havoc here in North Texas. Besides tearing up my beautiful flower beds, the high humidity makes it hard for paint to dry. I'm trying to heed all the cautionary labels that say "do not use in high humidity". Well I can't wait forever!

My medical clinic project is coming along nicely. I love working with Denise! We have all but a couple of pieces picked out.

I have a new project that's a large grid painting for a local construction company. I went to their offices yesterday for a photo shoot, and got lots of really great ideas walking around their back storage yard.


The new abstract commission the Glorieta series (above) is almost done, but it just hasn't told me so yet. It still needs a tiny bit of tweaking. Lucky for me the wonderful woman who ordered it understands the creative process and will wait.

This weekend I'm fabricating another photo box with resin so it can cure while I'm out of town.

With all these things in process, nothing will get finished before I leave town, but I sure will have a lot of work when I get home. There's some security in that.

Sculpture, Illustrations, and Berry Stains

The past few days have been full of extremes. Lots of different projects, with differing degrees of success. Here's the shells:

Pretty crazy, huh! Clear plexi cleats will be epoxied to the back, and they'll be cleated to the wall in a grid pattern.

And in the mail today came this:

That's one of my first paintings gracing the cover of this academic book. I licensed that image last year, and totally forgot about it until now.

The carving of the boot top is completed. I met with the designer yesterday so she could give it her blessing; instead she made a couple changes -- now it's done. Next step is the mold, then casting and painting, and it's ready for the model room.


While working outside on that piece I got berries stuck on the bottom of both feet, and thought I was tracking paint in the house, but couldn't figure that out since I wasn't painting. Nature's paint, I guess -- red berries!

Tomorrow I head to south Texas to visit my dad for a couple days -- for his 93rd birthday!