Another Approval

Everyone loves the white boxes. I wish I could predict in advance what people will love. I would paint less and travel more.

Except for this year, when my work schedule has taken over my travel schedule. I can't believe I have turned down housesitting requests in Boston, France, Santa Fe, Berkeley and Mendocino.

If it doesn't stop raining in Dallas my schedule is stretched out even longer. I am literally watching paint dry, at a very slow pace. My flowerbeds are moldy, the constant rain has knocked the flowers flat and stripped leaves off the maple. When thunderstorms break out (daily!), I can't take the risk and have to turn off my office. That means my computer and printers. Work stops.

I have projects double hung on my studio wall, drying slowly. Three pieces have a crackle finish, and I can't use the fan to speed it up.

On the other hand I finished the first of three additional paintings for Mercury Grill, and it was approved by the restaurant owner this morning, so I can start the other two. This has been a really fun project.

I have delivered the proposal packets for Texas Clinic, now I'm waiting - uncomfortably! The thunder and lightning aren't helping things!

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

Changing the Schedule

I had agreed to housesit in Berkeley for three weeks starting in July. The dates changed, and I have a prior family commitment to be in Pennsylvania the last weekend in July. I still checked airfares trying to figure out how I could do it all.

Then a group of new commissions landed in the studio, and I've given up my creative planning. I just can't go to Berkeley.

Instead, I am working on new creative projects. One triptych is a blended color wash across all three canvases, and will have skinny long stemmed leaves stenciled on as the last design element.

Another triptych (a series of 24" boxes) is a random patterned minimal abstract from one of those paintings I did in my "white" phase.

The next three paintings are for the Mercury Grill, and will be a continuation of the 12 paintings I already have installed there.

Then there are three large photo paintings, not like the ones I've done lately, but an earlier version. There's a series of 10 photographs for this project, also. All this for a large hotel in downtown Ft Worth, TX.

AND there's more!

A 40" sq abstract minimalist painting on a box, silver leafed.

I'm still working on the two digital paintings for the golf resort.

I'm reworking the art placement and budget for Texas Clinic.

Have to make decisions for my solo show in October which will consist of 13 paintings.

See why I can't go to Berkeley?

Another White Day

"The Language of Loss, #2"

I am fascinated to distraction with my current white paintings. The newest one is above, but there are many more in my head. I have commissions to work on, so my fingers are busy doing that, but my mind is on white. I showed the one above to my gallery, but it wasn't well received. Her clients are mostly hotels which are looking to add a punch of color. There's nothing punchy about this series. It's subtle, and that's the point. When asked what this series was about, I answered instantly, although I hadn't articulated it even to myself. These paintings are about loss.

The latest Harrah's deal fell through, but to replace that is a new project for a hotel in Florida, one that I quoted last year at this time. There are nine paintings.

And I quoted another project yesterday, for a series of 21 paintings all hung together in a grid. I'm still in love with grids, so I hope that project gets the go ahead.

Next week I'm taking a last minute trip to Washington DC on a photo shoot. My friend and fellow photographer Nancy will be there for a conference. She invited me to stay with her in a cool hotel near the Capital building. While she is busy in meetings, I'll be out with my camera. Our plan is to get out in the evening and take some arty night shots of the memorials. Last year when I went to Washington the weather didn't cooperate - there was a blizzard. I know it will be cold, but I hope there's no snow. I've seen enough of that this winter.

I've participated in Artist Residency programs for the past five years. This year I'm taking workshops instead. I am scheduled to attend a painting workshop in Mendocino in April, and an intense photography workshop with Moose Peterson on the Oregon coast in June. Hopefully the June event will correspond nicely with another housesitting gig in San Francisco the same month.

Self Help Theories

We've all heard that what we concentrate on is what we get. That's always given as the reason why we shouldn't "fear" or "hate" because those are strong emotions with a lot of energy. When that energy is directed towards something, that's what we attract.

With that said, what I have been thinking, writing, and talking about lately has been "white". First from Miami, with the minimal paintings with high price tags, then the beach, then all the snow in Santa Fe and on the return trip. Now I have actually started two in the new series of "white" paintings. But it doesn't stop there

I have a new commission, for four square paintings which will be hung together to create a 108" square -- you guessed it -- white. I think it's for a Vegas casino. I attracted this commission to me by concentrating so hard. Well, that's one theory, anyway.

And I've also heard from the Harrah's people again. It seems that another art company is not able to provide 26 framed paintings for the retail store, and the designer called me for help. She's in a panic and asked if I could get the order done with a Feb 5 deadline. I said yes. Actually I need something for these idle hands to do, and I think it bodes well for a continued relationship. How cool is that?

Working Out

Taken in the Dahlia Garden at the Conservatory in San Francisco

No, I haven't dragged myself to the gym yet this year, but I am working out my sadness by using my hands. I started a series of paintings for a rep on the west coast -- something that I had pledged not to do this year. I intended to quit doing production paintings (sometimes called multiple originals) and selling wholesale. However, I really needed something to do, and received an order which gets me in the studio and working. It's a good place for me to be right now, and indeed has sparked a little creativity. I have also begun some experimentation, of minimal white paintings. We'll see where it leads.