Falling for Color

Fall in New Hampshire

It was my first visit to New England in the fall. Sure, I've seen the picture postcards, but witnessing those colors in person was spectacular. Coupled with a deep blue sky the yellow, oranges, reds and magentas were magical. Apparently the colors don't last long, though. I flew into Boston and saw the gradual change from green to bright reds from the plane. The city was awash in neon colors, as was the lake region of New Hampshire, but two days later in the White Mountains there were few leaves left. One standout was the tamarack, which is a conifer that changes to a bright yellow before shedding its needles. Nestled in with deep green pines, that color popped.

Since the mountains were nearly bare, we headed to the New Hampshire/Massachusetts shoreline, where dark clouds rolled in and sucked the color from the sea grass. Intermittant rain made me reluctant to expose my camera to the elements, but I grabbed a few quick shots.

I'm back in Dallas now, and find that my best client has left the gallery she's worked at for almost twenty years. Since she has been the majority of my income for the last several years, that's a shocker. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

Last week's installation went better than I could have imagined. It was at a construction company and I didn't expect a bunch of hardhat guys to be so enthusiastic with some artwork, but I got hugs from everybody (which was a bonus!). I haven't photographed it yet, but will get over there soon to do that, since they now want to discuss more art for the interior offices.

In the meantime, I am printing six large photo montages for a Myrtle Beach hotel, and quoted a big hotel job today, so I'm immediately back to work, thank goodness!

Managing Change

This is a series of digital prints on canvas (30 x 42 ea) commissioned for a hotel in Myrtle Beach, FL. They will be printed on canvas and gallery wrapped. The fish photos were taken in the San Francisco aquarium last year. It was such a challenge to get any good photographs in low light conditions with moving subjects. These aren't entirely clear, but they make up for it in character!


As I look around my small home studio and analyze all the equipment, storage, and supplies that I have crammed in here, I can't help but feel good about the new commercial space. There will be room to do everything, and everything will have its place. I need someone with space planning skills to lay it all out for me. What a relief that will be!

I haven't decided about moving my printers and home office. Obviously I will now need two computers, and some kind of network so that I can access my files from home. But just thinking about that makes my eyes glaze over. I'll have to hire that out.

Today I have a 2:00 installation, then I need to get home to pack for my trip to New England tomorrow. It's a photo shoot, and I'll be mostly concentrating on that, but it sure will be nice just to breath the air up there. My friend Helen has given me an itinerary to follow for the best scenery.

Power Outage

Sometimes after a painting or project is completed I experience a power outage.

I'm having one today. Yesterday my client came over to help me assemble a seven piece installation that they will use as a sales tool on presentations to design professionals. I was rushed to complete it, and wanted it to be my best work. I used an assortment of techniques: painting, photography, cast resin, poured resin, photos on metal and plexi, and a new process of frosted plexi boxes holding sticks, rocks, and other natural elements. I would post a picture of the completed design, but I didn't take any! Nor did I photograph any of the elements. So unlike me!

Today I still have some photography to print, but after that, it's basically a down day, where I regroup for the next project. Alarmingly, I don't know what that is, since my schedule seems completely clear.

Remaining Calm

Travel is anxiety producing, whether you're coming or going. I've already been home a week (today) and I had to be reminded that I hadn't blogged in awhile!

I came home to three purchase orders from three different clients. The dates are tight, and I'm struggling, since they are all paintings. Then I got another PO for five new paintings for the Ritz Carlton hotel in Dallas. That project also includes 12 large scale photographs.

I still haven't finished the 8 ft painting that I started before my month in California. Yikes!

Also, the PO for my huge project in central Texas has come through! I think I have til the end of the year to get 900 castings made in China, and print 2700 images for guest rooms. woohoo!

And for some reason I have loaded myself up with extracurricular activities. I'm going to the gym with my neighbor in the mornings (when we both can), I have Belly Dancing class on Saturdays, and I've joined three local photography groups and a hiking group. I'm reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. I really took to heart what Scott Ginsberg said about getting out of the house. But since I'm me, I'm overdoing.

My Dallas client has asked me to produce a sample 3d installation piece in a size small enough to take to presentations. I've been doing so many mixed-media pieces that photographs can't capture that they need some samples. And I agree -- but how the heck do I work that into my schedule?

Yes, you, too can have these problems. Here's how. If you are an artist, say yes. In fact, what would happen if you said yes to everything? That's what I'm experimenting with right now, which is one reason why I'm so busy all of a sudden! I like it!

Turning off the Lights

Middle section of Westin Park Central Registration Desk installation.

I've spent my last day in the studio for awhile. I still have a bucket of brushes to wash out, and things to straighten up, but I'm done with projects.

The installers came yesterday for the pickup of the 3d installation for Westin Park Central. The middle panel is shown above. This is less than half of the project. One thing is labeled wrong, the top right piece is photography printed on plexi, not a box. But it gives you an idea of what it looks like. It installs on Monday, but I'll be in California - yay! They have promised to email me photos.

The same design firm has requested this concept again, they like this one so much. It's another three section 3d installation, but a bit smaller and fewer pieces. It takes me so long to design these. I get the concept and colors from the designer, go through my database of images and paintings, and somehow filter it all out into something new, fresh, and visually pleasing, with a variety of surface textures.

I always love it when I get a PO before a trip -- something for me to work on the minute I get home. Job security!

Gettin' Busy

Texas Collage, 26 x 26 on paper

Not in the "street" sense, but literally! The studio is hopping as I count down the days before leaving for housesitting in California. I love Berkeley in August! Such a treat to get away from 100 degree Dallas days.

Had a commission from a client in Atlanta for two of the paintings (above). This was from a series of 6" sq collages I did about six years ago. It worked okay as a small image like that, but the new ones were 26" sq. Not so sure it's a good look, but hey. It was a purchase order and I filled it.

Finalizing the layout and installation for the 22 pc registration project. It will have to leave my studio this week if they want to install it on time. I'll be gone for three weeks and know they won't want to wait that long. Besides, it's taking up a lot of real estate in my studio, and I need to get it out of here! I'll be photographing each piece today to create the installation map.

Doing by Doing

When I have a problem with motivation, I've discovered the best thing to do is -- something! Lying around in a state of ennui only perpetuates the problem. Taking action is the only way to create more energy.

Usual a deadline is motivating for me. Lacking that I will often create my own -- with a promise to myself to finish "A" by 3:00 -- or work 30 minutes without stopping -- or don't touch the computer for an hour.

On this summer Friday I'm ignoring my studio and heading out to a local trade show at Market Center. I have no real business there, but it's good to see what's out in the market, and I need a break from my own 4 walls.

Next week I have an installation scheduled for Texas Clinic, which almost wraps up that project.

I bought airlines tickets yesterday (yikes!) for my annual trip housesitting in Berkeley. I'm going in August, thereby missing that intense Dallas heat and the slow art season. My friend in Berkeley is a member of all the local museums, and she tells me there are great shows during that time, including a retrospective of Chilhuly's work, and a Frida Kahlo show. Can't wait.

Snow on My Parade

Even with 3-5 inches of snow predicted in Dallas, hundreds of people still showed up for the Grand Opening of Texas Clinic. And did it up BIG. There was a band in each lobby, abundant tables of elegant party food, and at least six open bars. They had placed a placard on an easel in each lobby with a picture of me and my artist statement. What surprised me the most was how many people came up to me and said "you're the artist!" rather like an announcement. I don't think I've said "thank you" so many times in one night in my life!

Other than me, the star of the show was the linear accelerator, which is leading edge technology in radiation therapy for oncology patients. It's the only machine like it in this area. A physicist runs it, and she gave talks all night about the technology. That's in the suite that is my next art project. I'll be meeting with them next week to discuss imagery.

And yesterday morning's design meeting for the 20 pc hotel installation went very well, too. Once they saw my preliminary concepts, they pretty much gave me free rein for the rest of it. I love it when that happens! That allows me to get really creative since the budget is already set and I can work within it's parameters.

I'm taking a small break today, since it's a gorgeous sunny day. My poppies have now been snowed on twice, beat with rain, now burned by the sun. And tonight we're having a hard freeze. And there's one spectacular red one that's battered and bruised but a gorgeous color.

Crunch Time

Isn't that always how things happen? In bunches?

Last night was a big mess at the Dallas voting precincts. Who's idea was it for voters to have to go to the polls twice anyway?? Everyone who watches the news knows that there was unprecedented turnout, and I was certainly glad to do my part. The Democratic fight isn't over, though, so we have more months of political propaganda before the convention. The message sent by Hillary is "don't give up", and it worked for her last night.

Anyway, back to business for me.

I've gotten approval for a 31 pc project for a suite in a medical facility, the purchase order for the 15 cast resin shells, a meeting to decide design specs for a 20 pc hotel installation, four large commissioned abstract paintings for the same hotel, and an internet sale of a 30 x 30 commission in the Glorieta series!

None of that would bother me except I have a 3 week trip scheduled leaving April 22. Talk about some stress!

And tomorrow night is the Grand Opening of Texas Clinic. Apparently it's a really big deal. There will be a band playing on each floor, lots of wine and snacks, and of course some high level hobnobbing for me. I think I will hand out postcards instead of business cards this time.

Inspiration of the Day: Hillary

Motivating Factors

I am always distracted by warm weather in the winter. I always know that it can't last, yet every year I plant spring flowers before their time. So it is that my poppies might have their little heads frozen off tonight. At least I got some photos yesterday.

I have a set deadline to have some sort of ideas put together to present to the designer for the large installation I've been working on. It's really not easy to assemble so many pieces that relate to each other. It's like pictorial storytelling. It has to flow from left to right, and it has to be balanced by color, light and dark, opaque and transparent. Just the type of thing to stress me out. So I had my masseuse come over last night to loosen me up. Wouldn't it be nice to get a massage every single morning? Just dreaming....

So my presentation is Wednesday morning. Thursday is the open house for Texas Clinic, which I will attend with pockets full of business cards. Another busy week!

Inspiration of the Day: storytelling

Leap Day!

Even an extra day in the month wasn't enough for me to catch up.

I spent a big part of the day on Friday with my friend and fellow artist Beata Szechy who runs the Hungarian Multicultural Center, with artist residency programs in Hungary. She lives in Dallas, but I actually met her when I attended a residency. She's a very accomplished artist in her own right, with a lifelong exhibition schedule worldwide. The residencies are a way for her to give back to other artists, and provide them a space for working away from their "real" lives, plus international exposure. When I attended in 2005 I sold both my paintings at our first show. Beata was kind enough to retrieve the paintings from the owners to enter them in a large show last year in Budapest. Of course an Eastern European residency isn't for everyone. It's not America in any sense of the world, and most artists are open-minded explorers who appreciate that. I know I did.

Last night I attended the opening reception for Trayc Claybrook, who is showing her whimsical-on-the-surface encaustic paintings. The colors are light and playful, the meaning much darker. I love them all! If you are in Dallas, you must go see her work at Times Ten Cellars (it's a wine bar!) 6324 Prospect Ave, Dallas, TX 75214 through March.

I'm designing the 20 piece installation for behind registration at the renovated Westin here in Dallas. It's really fun, but tedious. I never was good at spatial relations, and it seems I've been needing that skill more and more lately. How do you learn that?? I've noticed that most of my "cool" ideas are a little too "out there" for the lobby of a high end hotel.

And I've almost got the purchase order for the shells. "Almost" because I don't have it in my hand, but my client said go ahead. That's the project in California, and I'm sculpting a shell shape which will have a mold made from it, and 15 castings in colored resin. They are 8" in diameter, so not too big. That's going to be fun!

I planted poppies in my flower beds this week, and there are pink, orange and yellow blooms already. They won't last long, but I'm enjoying watching their bobbing heads in the breeze out my office window.

Inspiration of the day: spring blooms

88 Pieces

Arrived back in Dallas late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning I jumped out of bed and started collecting all the paintings for Texas Clinic in one place. I printed out the wall layout, got all the paperwork together, and was ready when the installers (CAM Moving) arrived. They had made a pickup at my framers place first, and altogether there were 88 pieces.

We met at the building, and I placed all the artwork off my master chart. And everything fit where it was supposed to except for the four metal boxes. There was a big directory sign on that wall, so I relocated those pieces to the first floor lobby, where they coordinated beautifully.

I have to commend the installation company, Cam Moving, who did a fabulous job. There was one little hiccup which was quickly handled, and overall they were fast, extremely accurate, and professional. I've used other installers, but these guys were by far the best.

Looking at the installation at this point I would say that I could have hung less art. But the designer part of me was insistent, and my clients got a great deal for the money. It helped me to know that I had a fixed budget and a blank slate of grey carpet and white walls. The installation looks very much as I envisioned. It's great, and I got really good feedback, so far. The real test will be tonight when the building is reviewed by an elite group of doctors including the owner of Texas Clinic. Since this is the prototype for eight more buildings just like it, we all have a lot riding on it.

I was exhausted at the end of the day, even though I did little more than walk up and down the halls all day long. It's that this is the culmination of an entire year's work, and to see it on the wall and the project completed feels great. I have to admit that I'm proud of myself for pulling this off, it was a big challenge for me.

Inspiration of the Day: Completion

Travel Time Again

Tonight I'm packing, tomorrow heading home to Dallas. Wednesday morning the installers come to pick up all the artwork and start installing Texas Clinic. A few months late, and of course they want it when they want it. Which will be fine, but it's been a challenge to organize it from California. By Thursday afternoon it will all be on the walls, and the job complete. I can't wait to see how it all looks together, and if it matches the vision I have for the space.

I have more work waiting for me at home, and received another purchase order from my West Coast rep since I've been here, so it's nice to know that I've been away but not forgotten.

Taking a Break

After finishing the paintings for lululemon I quickly packed my camera gear, blue jeans and warm sweaters and headed off for the West coast. My photo friend Nancy and I spent two days in Yosemite before arriving here in Berkeley where we are housesitting two precious poodle puppies. Yesterday was a down day, we took the day off from frantically photographing every thing in sight and cleaned our equipment, went to the grocery store and had a nice home cooked dinner.

Yosemite was a bit of a disappointment. We arrived in the park at daybreak, hoping for the pink morning light. It took awhile to realize that the sky was grey, and unfortunately it stayed that way all day. With flat light the magnitude of the granite cliffs was lost. Of course that didn't stop us, and we drove every road in the park. Since they've had no snow all the roads that would usually be closed this time of year were open, so we were lucky in that respect.

Besides the overcast skies, we were also surprised and disappointed to discover that there's no water in the park right now. Yosemite Falls showed as a bit of ice at the crest, and that's it. None of the other falls had any significant water, and even the Merced river had only a trickle. Mirror Lake was a sandbed.

So now we're in Berkeley, trying to decide if it would be better to drive to the coast and photograph there or leave the cameras behind and Christmas shop in Union Square. Tough decision!

My Texas Clinic installation that I've been waiting for all these months is now scheduled for the day after I return to Dallas. Very short notice, which makes me nervous -- but I've got a good crew and I'm sure it will turn out great. I'll be glad to get all that artwork out of my house and on the walls.

I've heard from my client in Dallas, and already have work waiting for me there, so I'm going to enjoy this downtime as much as possible.

Judging Others

Normally I would have to say that it's not our place to judge others, tempting though it is. However, yesterday I had an experience that thrilled and excited me. I judged an elementary school art show. I guess submitting was entirely voluntary, because the number of entries varied widely by grades, with second grade having the most. The color, creativity and imagination made me feel like we're leaving the world in good hands with this generation of kids. What a thrill for me to see this work. Luckily I was able to award more than one first place per grade, which means that those entries advance to the next level of the competition. I found out afterward that I chose to promote the artwork of one of the kids who lives across the street from me. No favoritism, I promise!

I got an email yesterday from a retail store opening soon in the Dallas Galleria. They want to commission a large abstract painting for the store. Sounds like fun, so I said yes, and will talk to them more about it today.

I still have not followed up on the contacts I made at the Healthcare Design 2007 conference, will be doing that today.

Trying to plan a trip down south (Texas) to see my dad, it's been over six months since I visited last.

Finalized plans to go to Berkeley after Thanksgiving. My photo friend Nancy will be meeting me there, and we'll haul our cameras into every nook and cranny we can find. Hopefully do some tidepool shooting, if I can find out where to go.

The clinic says they need a few more weeks until installation, so I don't know if it will get installed before or after my trip. But it's done, that's for sure!

Beyond Forgetting

So I had the installation for my first ever one-woman show yesterday. Since I'm not an artist who shows work regularly I made a list of everything I had to do to prepare. All the work was done in advance. The framing was planned and completed early. One of the last things I remembered to do was create a price list, which I did late the night before.

Yesterday, right on time, I picked up the paintings from the framer, and they loaded my car. It was full! About halfway through the three hour drive, I thought about the camera. Didn't bring one. Not only did I not forget it, I didn't even think about it.

Here's the link for the show, although there's no pictures.

So you'll have to rely on me to tell you that the show looks great. Very colorful. To my eye at least, it also looks like at least three artists are showing, because of the range of work on the walls. The gallery director asked me to bring an assortment, so I sure did. The only thing that holds it all together is color. The art got lots of attention, that's for sure! She wasn't kidding about the number of people who walk through this area.

This morning I'm back at work, creating digital mockups for the next project.

Installation Day

This is the day I install my one-woman show at the Smith Art Gallery at the Scott and White Hospital in Temple, TX. I left everything at my framer's, so I'll pack the car there. I forgot I had to have a price list, so I had to name and price each piece. That's unusual for me since I'm not really a gallery artist. But I did it late last night, and have a nice printed list. Now I will make labels and put them on the back of each piece to avoid confusion.

I don't expect it to take too long to hang the show. There are only 13 pcs, although I'm taking more than that just to have an assortment since I haven't seen the space. It's 2 1/2 hours from here, though, so it will be an all day event.

Well, I'm just looking at it as a road trip. I needed a day off!

I Said No Again

Yesterday a client called looking for photographs of a particular industry. I have a few, and forwarded them on. Not enough, they said, we want more. So they requested that I make elaborate arrangements to get permission to go to a certain place to take the photos that they want. On my own time. For free. With no guarantee that their client would buy them. My response? "No."

Another client called and asked if I could create some pseudo-vintage posters if they provided the photography sources. Can I? Yes. But not this month. I said "no".

Yesterday was a tough day for me. Anxiety levels are running high (Will I complete everything on time? Will the framing get done? Will they LIKE it?). Sleep sometimes eludes me, and I'm up in the middle of the night processing photographs for printing. Yesterday followed a night like that. I only had a few hours of fitful sleeptime, and suffered the physical results. Consequently I took care of myself by having bacon and eggs for dinner (yum!) and watching TV til 9:00 when I went to bed with my book. After a recuperative night's sleep full of interesting dreams, I'm back to normal today.

I have to be very careful about how I allocate my time in the next six weeks. My solo show gets hung next Tuesday. Texas Clinic installs at the end of October. I have a sculpture due on Nov. 1 for a hotel model room. Time is an elusive thing -- can disappear or stretch out to infinity depending on the circumstances. I'm just trying to stay on an even track until the clinic job gets installed. Then I'll need a vacation, for sure!

Keeping Busy

Mercury Grill

I just realized how long it's been since I posted. That reflects a manic sense of too much to do in too little time.

I've been printing the photographs for the Ritz Carlton for five days. Yesterday I signed and numbered all 215 of them, and wrapped them for delivery. It was my goal to have them ready for Monday morning delivery, and they are.

My printer has really been getting a workout. With that in mind I found a new Epson 4800 on Craigslist very reasonably priced. I picked it up on Saturday, and the monster is now sitting in my office. It was left in a leased space when a tenant moved out and the landlord sold it to recoup lost revenue. Great deal for us both.

Also went to Mercury Grill on Saturday. They have ordered two more paintings (for a total of 21 paintings in the same restaurant) and I needed to see the ones they want me to match. It's so dark in there matching will not be a problem. It was really cool to see the whole restaurant with my work.

So today it's a visit to the gym this morning, followed by delivery to my gallery, then to the electronics store for a couple of cables. Then it's back to work on the art placement for Texas Clinic. The sooner I get that approved the sooner I start painting.