Empty Vessels

Hi there.

Yes, I'm still alive.

I've still been concentrating on getting rid of unnecessary clutter around my studio.  I emptied out a large dresser and a huge steamer trunk that were both full of art supplies and unfinished projects that I haven't even looked at in years.  I even had things in there from high school art classes from over 20 years ago!  Yikes!  And there were art supplies I haven't touched in who-knows-how-long but hold onto "just in case"  I decide to try that medium again.  Fat chance.

There were paintings in there that I NEVER liked, so why was I still saving them?  Why have I hung onto a 20 year old unfinished painting that I'll never finish?  All it does is make me feel guilty every time I see it.  And funny thing is every time I think "oh, I'll finish it one day", so I toss it back in the trunk and close it up to not be opened for another year!  Why hang onto that guilt and burden? 

Why do we do this?  Why do we hang onto things from the past that we don't even like?  Is it for some sort of validation?  Yes, I was an artist in high school, so what?  I still am now, and I like my current work way better!

So I finally am getting rid of the unloved art supplies and ugly, unfinished paintings.  Maybe someone at Goodwill will like them, or at least buy the canvases to paint over.  I could've done that myself, but it felt better just to get rid of them and move on.

And the steamer trunk/time capsule?  Well, I finally got wise and moved it OUT of my studio after emptying it out.  It'll now be in our entryway to hold odds and ends that need a home.  And let me tell you, it feels good to do this!  I still have a ways to go, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

What do these photos of empty bottles (taken at Anthropologie a while back) have to do with this post?   They remind me of what I'm doing and why I'm doing it...so I can make room for the new and the good that is to come.

Happy Holidays to Everyone!!

I just wanted to wish everyone the best for this holiday season.

Enjoy this time with your friends and family.

See you soon.

Bridge of Sighs Monoprint and SSS

I haven't quite finished any art lately to show you...but oh...one is so darn close.  I just have to figure out what the final little details need to be to make it finally say "I'm complete".  

It is taking me forever to clean out and organize my art supplies, and there are times (like today) when I wonder if I'll ever finish.  I have so much "stuff" that it's almost embarrassing.  But it does feel good to get rid of things I no longer use, or that are no longer special to me, and in doing so I have found some things that have been hidden that ARE special to me.  So why are they hidden under piles in my drawers?  One of those new/old discoveries is the monoprint above.  I made it years ago in a printmaking class and I love it.  I painted it from a photograph I took of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy.  I just found it today and just happened to have the perfect frame for it, so it's now ready to hang on the wall!  Yay! 

These shadow shots were taken a while ago in...you guessed it...Pasadena, Ca.  Wow, you'd think I lived there with all the photos I've been showing from there! 

 I love the shadows from the stairs against the beautiful brick, and the contrast of the strong angular lines with the round arches of the windows below.

If you would like to join in with your own shadows, or to see more, visit Hey Harriet for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Shadow Shot Sunday : Europe? Nope

These photos were taken at the same time and place of last week's shadow shots.  I still can't believe that this church is in Pasadena, CA, and not Europe. 

 It is so beautiful. 

 I love the how different the two shadows on the wall are, one from a palm tree and one from a concrete urn.

This is the urn that cast that wonderful shadow.

It's so much fun to find shadows to photograph! 

 If you'd like to try it yourself and join in Shadow Shot Sunday, or to see who else is playing along, click here to pop over to Hey Harriet's blog.

Work in Progress

Hi there!  Been busy, busy, busy!  

I have several works in progress, but not enough time to finish any of them right now, so I decided to give you a tiny peak at one of them that is already becoming a favorite.

I am loving these colors so far...and of course the texture!

This weekend is jam-packed, but hopefully it's not too long before I can show some finished work.  I'm itching to sneak away into my studio.  Think anyone would notice me missing?

Shadow Shot Sunday : Church Door

I love Pasadena.  There.  I said it.

There is such amazing architecture around there, which isn't always easy to find here in So. Cal., especially places that feel like they have a history.  Pasadena has that feel with many older, beautiful buildings around and tons of gorgeous trees too.

It reminds me of Europe, which I think is my main draw there.  And since I can't just hop on a plane to Europe whenever I want, I can hop in my car instead, and in about 20-30 minutes I'm in Pasadena where I can wander around and pretend I'm photographing a beautiful church in Spain or Italy.

I know it's not the same, but hey...a girl does what she can.  Maybe it'll hold me over until I can make another trip there.....sigh....one day....

These are my Shadow Shots for this week.  To see more or to join in with your own shadows, just pop on over to Hey Harriets for Shadow Shot Sunday.

"Gateway" Texture Painting

"Gateway" was done on a 9"x12" canvas board for Lesson 6 of the "Texture Town" class that I'm taking.  I'm having SO much fun with these techniques.  This lesson was about writing or drawing into the texture, and of course I couldn't keep it simple...I did both! : )

This was made using all Golden products ; Heavy Gel Medium, Fluid Acrylics, and Acrylic Glazing Liquid (gloss).

Mmm....love that texture.  I'm sooo addicted! 

 I'm already working on the next lesson which is actually 2 paintings, and I think it's my favorite lesson so far.  I'll be sure to share it with you once it's done.