New Technology

Learning new software and other various technology is such a struggle for me. My predominant right brain really tries to get along and work together with the left, with little success.

I'm learning a new cataloging software program for my photography, so I can easily create redundant backups. The photography part of my business has become too valuable to treat casually.

I'm creating a new website for photography by learning a new combination of software programs (one embedded in the other) so that I can keep my two businesses separate, yet each site can be easily updated. I'm leaning towards a simple blog style for both my painting and photography sites.

It's Monday so I like to think about these things before I get in the studio and paint all day.

On Being Blue

"Corners 4", 36"w x 24"h, acrylic on canvas

In reviewing my database of 10 years worth of paintings, it's obvious that I lean toward a warm palette of reds, oranges, ochres. I don't know why I am suddenly attracted to blue. Phthalo blue no less! Yet I load it on my brush and love it....

This last painting in the "Corners" series is going back to those warm colors - and typically for me, it's getting tighter and more geometric. I still like it though. See the series.

Turning Another "Corner"

"Corners 3"

Third in the series, this one on canvas, 36"w x 24"h, acrylic. I can't seem to get enough of painting these. The color palette isn't particularly in vogue, I don't know why I'm doing it!

ChangingTime

I was asked to color tweak the photography I submitted for room art for a hotel in Virginia. The original photos were very warm colors, because the local color of the watches is gold. I played around and got some interesting effects, one of which is above. And just in case, I submitted a few more in the color palette they requested. I was astonished to be chosen for this project since the firm sent out a request for images to about a thousand photographers. I think I had the edge because I am accustomed to providing artwork for hotel rooms, and I know that you can't put a photo of Big Ben in a hotel in Virginia. Apparently lots of the submitted images were site specific - but not to Virginia.

These images came from a photo shoot I did in Phoenix at a friend's house years ago. He is a collector of old watches, and I had a new macro lens. The lighting was terrible, and my tripod was shaky. I learned a lot that day, and have greatly improved my technique.

I'm painting more in the "Corners" series. I have no clients for these at all, but I feel compelled to paint them.

I'm also designing a new grid painting - another commission.

Unexpected Artwork

On my last day in Florida I visited with my sister, kissed her goodbye and headed to St. Pete. The city is a delightful mix of art deco, bungalows, and high rises, all crammed in together to take advantage of views of powder white sand, blue skies, and equally blue salt water. It's hypnotic. Our first stop was the Art Center, a large building in the center of town, full of very high quality artwork by local artists. We wandered around downtown, and I finally got my camera out to shoot various interesting architecture, including the traditional Vinoy hotel which is undergoing renovation by a design firm in Dallas I work with sometimes. I will process the photos and send them on hoping they will see something they can work into the project.

We headed west from St. Petersburg (yes, you can!) and took the beach road all the way up to Clearwater. I was in my element, stopping frequently for photos, and digging my feet in that sparkling sand. We had a fresh seafood dinner al fresco, and between bites I took photos of pelicans diving into the surf.

After the tropical sunset framed by palms, we pointed the rent car to Tampa. We were tired when we arrived at the Quorum hotel, but not too tired to notice the artwork in the lobby. Just to make sure, I took a close look at the signatures, and yep, it was me! "AWalker" There were five pieces, and when I told the desk clerk that I was the artist he upgraded us to the concierge level. Cool! It was a short night, though, since we had to get up at 3:30 to make our 6:00 am flight back home.

This morning I am rested and ready to go back to work. Which is a good thing, because I have some tweaking of a photograph for room art for a hotel in Virginia, I have several commissions to paint, and I'm doing concepts for a hotel in Puerto Rico. Fun!

Florida Gallery Hopping

We're taking the day off to visit St. Petersburg today. It's an interesting mix of art deco and expansive new resorts, with a healthy art community, sand and surf. I have a gallery guide to show us where to go, but basically we'll stop wherever we see something interesting.

Tonight we'll be in Tampa, in order to catch a 6:00 am flight home.

Core of Survival

I'm here in Florida tending to my ill sister, who has improved dramatically in the past few days. It's remarkable what is possible through sheer will.

Still, it's hard to be here, to see her struggle.

It seems the tripod is not an issue after all, since I don't have the energy to even lift my camera. It's a shame since I do so many hotels in Florida, and I could really use the additional images to add to my database, but that seems insignificant to me now.

My sister has a fabulous art studio she built a few years ago, and all I've done is wander out there and look in the windows. She's a good artist, and the studio is full of paintings. I hope she's able to get back to that one day.

Multi-Tasking

I'm never happy doing just one thing at a time. For instance right now I am on the computer, but I also am in the middle of five paintings in the studio, and my suitcase is open in the guestroom waiting for another deposit.

I'm arguing with myself about taking my camera. One part of me is saying "well you won't be at the hospital the whole time" and the other is saying "you are so selfish, all you think about is your work". I'll probably take the camera, but compromise and leave the tripod at home.

Speed Painting

I'm working on assorted commissions while planning several trips. I leave tomorrow for five days in Florida, a family visit. I have a short deadline for a couple of projects, so I've been working full speed today. I have five of the Reasons series going all at once.

Also just finished a painted resin sample for the Cohen Cancer center project, and hope it cures by tomorrow so I can send it by Fedex.

Printed some photography for a project in Mexico, and there are several paintings in that project I can't get to until next week.

In between all that I've been looking for cheap airfare to Miami. My good artist friend Nancy has almost talked me into attending Art Basel in December. I hesitated because it's so soon after my two weeks in Santa Fe, but hey, it's just for a few days. And I've never been to Miami.

Unedited Painting

"Corners2" 20h x 30w acrylic on paper

"Corners 1" 20h x 30w acrylic on paper

I've been tense and anxious over the health of a family member. Yesterday I was frantically searching all over the internet for last minute airfares that wouldnt' cost me a mortgage payment. I used the energy of that intensity to paint. What came out is the image above. I know it doesn't look like me. But when I looked at it this morning, I was happy with it. I varnished and photographed, and will send out photos to my clients (who will be surprised). And since today will be very like yesterday, I think I will start another one.

Over my lifetime I have tried lots of remedies for mental instability. All kinds of therapy, experiential personal growth programs, group therapy, assorted drugs, but nothing has ever worked better than painting. It feels as though all the negative emotions flow through my fingers and are deposited out on the paper, leaving me feeling peaceful. Works for me.

Throwing Art Away

Sometime ago I did the above painting in the "photo panel" series. It never sold because it is just too sweet for my market. Too pink! So, I decided to make it more marketable by painting over the top flowers, and reprinting with a close up of a fall leaf. Sounds easy, right?

It was not. I could not get the registration right. Finally I printed it anyway, and painted a green stripe at the top where the print did not line up. I gessoed. It smeared. I painted. It smeared. The line kept getting wider and wider.

I had paint on both hands, took another look at that painting, and wadded it up in a ball and threw it in the trash. I can paint another one easier than I could fix that one painted line.

Still Designing

8 of 14 images printed on canvas, 15 x 15 ea
for installation at Florida hotel registration desk

I'm behind in posting, but not in my work. I had a couple extra days of design. One when my client the art consultant designed a layout of photography that the client (the designer) didn't like and asked for "the artist" to do it. Which I happily did - but it took a few tries to get approval. I'm printing this weekend, and couldn't be happier with the new canvas I tried with spectacular results. Every now and then I feel like I have a handle on my workflow. It doesn't last.

I'm also still involved with design for the Cohen Cancer Center. I haven't perfected it yet. It's difficult to envision a project of that scale, when the image that's two inches on my monitor will be six feet on the wall.

Otherwise, I planted my herb garden for the third time. Not that I've used up all the herbs over the summer, but I have a lovely little digger of a dog. She just can't help it. I'd rather plant new herbs than get rid of my dog!

Process of Design

I have no idea how other artists approach the design process, but I'll share a little of mine, using my current healthcare project, the Cohen Cancer center. I received all pertinent specs from the designer. This project is artwork displayed in lightboxes. The designer's first intention was to use closeup photography of nature subjects. She then thought that would appear too cold, and more like signs than artwork. She found me on the internet and liked my work, then called me. I received a packet of information about the project, with carpet and wallcovering samples, and details about the lightboxes.

Then my mind took off on it's own. I thought and thought and planned, all in my mind. Days passed. I got some samples of plexi and painted on them. Then I finally sat down at the computer and started doing mockups. At that point it all just flowed together.

The image above is a mockup for a 24' long wall of lightboxes. They are in 6 foot sections, butted up to each other. They will be further divided on either side of the photographic elements. Everything else is painted, on the front side of the plexi, and will be coated with a thin coat of resin to retain some texture in the surface. Since these are backlit, a lot of the color will come from transmitted light, which is the exciting element I get to work with.

There is one more 24' wall like this one, and one 10' wall. I have designed all of these, and sent a preliminary mockup to the designer who proclaimed "I love it!".

Underneath these lightboxes the designer has included mdf panels which correspond in size to each lightbox section. I am designing imagery for these, too, as an addition to the project. I don't know if they have the budget for them, but it doesn't hurt to give a client more than they ask for.

So that's what I'm working on while waiting for all those POs to arrive!

Things That Get Accepted

There's a company I rarely work with that sent out a request for photography of specific imagery. I have never sold them photos before, and it was a fluke that I was on that email list. Whoever sent the email did not use the blind copy feature, so I was able to see the other 100 photographers on the list. I went through a number of interesting websites, all the while thinking I don't have a chance in hell for this project. But I worked up six images, just so the company could see my photography work. Imagine my surprise to get an urgent email today from the company, telling me that the hotel was interested in two pieces for room art, and I should get a PO today via email!

So for everyone that says "no", there's someone else to say "yes".

The images above are spec pieces in response to a client who keeps telling me "minimal! minimal!". That ought to be minimal enough. Pieces like this are not as easy to paint as you might think. Color relationships are very important, of course, but it's also not easy to paint a straight line that's not taped off.

Since I posted last Friday, the studio has been hopping. I quoted another big (huge) project that's on a fast track. So fast I might even hear today if it's a go.

Quoted an 8ft long painting of a Florida beach scene today - that will be a stretch for me if I get it!

Things That Get Rejected

photo montage - rejected!

Sometimes work I do is rejected right up front, due to small budgets. Sometimes the art consultant rejects it as not appropriate to the project. Sometimes it's the wrong color, shape, size, whatever. There are many reasons, none of which feel good. I know it's not personal, but it's hard not to take it that way. But, to tell the truth, I have just as hard a time accepting praise, so there you go.

The above image is a montage of photography created for a local seafood restaurant. It was my favorite of the series, but the art consultant first rejected it in favor of one with a sailboat (?), then I redid it a few more times with different images altogether. The fishing nets on either side of the shrimp boat wouldn't be native to them, those photos were taken in France April 2006. The shrimp boat is from the Gulf Coast of Texas. I thought it was a good visual combination.

Step Two of a Challenge

In a show of synchronicity, the universe has given me an opportunity to contribute to the well being of patients at the Cohen Cancer center in New Jersey, where my preliminary pricing proposal has been accepted. I am now gathering up pieces of plexi for the experiments necessary to create the artwork lingering in the nether region of my mind. I hope I can get it out of there and make my vision come to life.

It's a very large project (a total of almost 300 sq feet of painted surface) presented in lightboxes. A challenge to be sure, and one I relish.

What Comes Naturally

"Evening Conversation with My Sister"
acrylic on canvas, 36" x 36" x 2"

I am not the type to hold in emotions. Sometimes I try, for appearance sake, or to preserve another's dignity. Which is just one more reason why I am so thankful for my ART.

I have been processing some bad news about a family member. Not even one day has passed since I heard, but oh the many minutes my mind has been wrapped around it.

This painting is in response to that. I had no plan when I started, just a basic composition, plus three colors of paint, plus black and white. I'm really happy with how it turned out, and it says just what I want. That makes it a successful painting to me.

Discontentment

It didn't take me long to go from "laid back" to "laid out". Monday was a day full of painting. Also did some administrative work, submitted three proposals for different projects, one bank, one healthcare, and one corporate. We'll see what sticks.

I don't know why I can't seem to kill this itch to travel! Two weekends in a row I've been out of town, and I have my annual 2 weeks in Santa Fe coming up over Thanksgiving. You'd think I could just hang out and paint until then. Maybe it's the nature of the artist to be unsatisfied.

That will be my inspiration for the day.

Laid Back

"Lake Chairs", Lake Jacksonville, TX

I am back from the lake house, and totally relaxed. I did nothing. Really nothing. No cooking, cleaning, makeup, nothing. Also no photography. Well, barely any. I took all my equipment with me, but left it in the car for the most part.

Instead I took a real break from my life.

It was wonderful.