Endlessly Tweaking

If a painting stays around here past it's time, I keep painting on it. That's not always a good thing. Sometimes I regret the "additions" but it's not digital and I can't go back or use the "history brush". Yes, there's a painting in my studio like that right now. The one above. It's still not finished, I have to add one more photo in the bottom right hand corner. They just decided that today. This is for a construction company, and I used photographs of elements in their yard to create the abstract patterns. There are three photographs, but everything else is painted. The eagle in the top left is an award they won. It's a sculpture, and I painted it from a photo I took.

I really need this painting out of here. It's BIG and I need the room. Plus, it's distracting! I can't stop painting on it!

I'm going to have to push back a deadline for six paintings for a hotel in Detroit. I'm going down to south Texas to visit my dad this weekend, and consequently lose three work days. But, hey, it's just art, right? Problem is, I got the purchase order when I was in California, and I'm already late. I'm doing the best I can!


This is one of my photos from California -- such an inspiring coastline.

Napa Time

I've been to Napa Valley twice in two days. The first day I took my Nikon and shot all the "normal" things you'd find in Napa. Grapes, vinyards, terraced hillsides. And me in front of the sign of course. I spent the whole afternoon -- but the light was harsh and even when the sun was low the light still wasn't that great.

Saturday I went again and had a whole different experience. This time I went with a group in a van. It was fun to meet new people. The leader of the group is in the wine business in Napa, and while driving us around gave us some insight on owners and producers in the wine region. Very interesting. We stopped at a couple of wineries but didn't do their full tours - which I may go back for during the week. One of the tours actually included a gondola ride!

We visiting a few art galleries, too, which I found completely inspiring. One was a contemporary glass artist - using glass in entirely new ways. Since I have a background in glass work, I found his studio and workspace completely fascinating. New ideas are bubbling to the surface. I'm remembering the two cases of glass I've saved in my garage for 25 years. Maybe it's now time to get it out.

Tastes Like Summer

Polar Bear in Central Park

It was a long travel day yesterday after a great trip. We were held up in La Guardia for five hours when American had to find us a new plane. They discovered an oil leak before takeoff, and since it was a fuel pump leak they downloaded us back to the terminal where we entertained ourselves by watching TV and eating junk food. I'd rather that than crash!

When I got up this morning (late) I found my basket of peaches in a sad state. Instead of throwing the whole bunch in the trash I rescued the good parts and added them to my protein shake which made it taste like summer, a season that's fast fading. It's still warm in Dallas, but leaves are breaking free of branches, and summer flowers are turning to seed.

First thing I did this morning was load up both printers, so I'm totally back to work.

Well, I am back to work, but at a more relaxed pace. My inspiration is the photo above, of a polar bear at the zoo in Central Park yesterday morning. This big fella was swimming in circles. Under the water, breaking the surface, then falling backwards with a splash, and circling around again. I think he was grinning with delight. I know I was. There's a lesson for me there, I know it.

Back to Basics

In a continuation of my printer saga, it's back to basics for me. Thank goodness I didn't sell my old printer because I am reinstalling it today. My new printer doesn't want to work with my current system. That's okay for now because I've ordered a new computer that will solve all these crazy problems.

I'm painting two new images in the Divisions series today, for Mercury Grill. With this installation I will have 21 paintings in the new space of the restaurant. wow

The Powerflex class at the gym didn't kill me, but I wasn't able to complete it either. I lasted 40 minutes which I thought was pretty good for the first time! And it did give me more energy for the rest of the day.

I'm working through the weekend, starting paintings that my rep on the West Coast ordered a couple weeks ago. I need to get them out of the studio to make room for other things.

When doing research for a new project of printing on metal, I picked up a small piece of brass to experiment on. My plan is to tape it off and coat it with an inkjet receptor chemical, then run it through my printer. That will be one technique. On another part of the same sheet I will use a Lazertran decal. I want to see how the processes compare in quality and ease.

I'm feeling like I should maximize every available moment, since receiving news this morning of the death of an artist friend. It was a heart attack, and she wasn't much older than me. Makes you think.

Inspiration of the Day: Mortality

White Boxes

White Boxes, abstract paintings on 24 x 24 x 3 deep boxes

I've finished the three white boxes. In the beginning I looked at them and wondered why someone would want them -- but now I love them! The texture is good, I like the pattern, and once again I'm intrigued by the very minimal color.

I spent the weekend working. I had forgotten how much paperwork is involved in a big project. I've completed six packets for the budget and art placement for Texas Clinic. Ready to present it as soon as I hear from the owner.

I didn't finish the three paintings for Mercury Grill. That's what I am working on now. I did make a lot of progress on the three photopaintings for the Worthington hotel.

And on Monday morning it's always nice to get purchase orders, but unfortunately one of the two I received today was not my image. Darn it all!

Still waiting to hear back from the Ritz. Finger's crossed.

All in all a very busy day. Not quite enough of me to go around.

Inspiration of the Day: wildflowers

Being in California

I have a horrible habit of loving everywhere wonderful place I go and then wanting to move there. I'm happily settled in the house we've rented in Mendocino, decorated in over-the-top cowgirl, surprisingly enough. But the big wraparound leather couch and Pendleton blankets make me feel right at home. It's on seven wooded wild acres, with a view of waves crashing on black rocks, and deer wandering through the yard early morning. Couldn't be more perfect. Nancy and I each have our own big beds with silky sheets and comfy covers.

There's no TV and no internet, so I am using the computer at the art center. I have told my clients that I am out of touch (which I feel both good and guilty about) but my cell phone works if they are desperate. Otherwise, it's relief not to check email constantly. If I miss something -- oh well.

Our landlady is also an artist, and she generously showed us around her house, including her studio. What a great place.

The house is actually a little north of Ft Bragg, so we have a ten mile drive to the Art Center everyday. This was the first day with Robert Burridge, and we're both beat, since we had a late night getting ready, then painting all day today. He says lots of people go back in the evenings to paint more, but that's not my choice since the landscape around here is so seductive. Looking at it makes me want to move, but I have to settle for getting the best photos I can of the area. It's spectacular!

The workshop is proving to be exactly what I expected and more. Bob is an inspiring guy, and I could use a little of that, who couldn't?

Internal and External Stimuli

Generations series, 20 x 30 on paper

The landscape, the light, the local architecture, all these physical things inspire me. Ceremony and conversation inspire me. Yet I am following a path familiar to me. I started a new series full of optimism and delight. I'm four paintings into the series, and slowing down. I am keeping all paintings visible so that I can make changes (additions or subtractions) as the inspiration hits me. Those flashes of artistic insight are slower to arrive now.

The bottom right painting with the three birds is in progress, not finished yet. Actually I'm not sure any of them are finished!

Last night I had dinner with the woman who manages Jane Fonda's horses. Jane's ranch is across the highway from where I am staying. She's here right now -- but she doesn't socialize locally. When it was time to pay for our meal my friend pulled out a one hundred dollar bill. She said she was reluctant to spend it since Jane gave it to her as a Christmas bonus.

Today I am taking the dogs to another friend's property to let them run off some energy. I hope it warms up a little, yesterday it never got above freezing.