I have been Tagged.....

Glass artist extraordinaire Kathleen Krucoff tagged my on her blog. Have a look at her beautiful work. I am fascinated by glass artists and Kathleen has created an amazing body of beautiful pieces.

So here is how it goes if you are tagged.
1. Put a link in your posting about the artist that tagged you.
2. Write 5 -7 unusual things about yourself.
3. Tag 5 - 7 other bloggers and let them know.

2. I am a runner and I have been weight training for many years.
I was a veterinary technician for 9 years before I finally became a full time artist.
Back in the 80's, I was a hardcore punk and I was very involved in the underground music scene. (I have the photos and tattoos to prove it!)
I love John Denver's music ......(I know, but I can't help myself.)
SO, That is all I feel I need to share!!

3:
Amy Guidry
Suzy Schultz
Jane Andrews
Steven Walker
Suzanne Berry

This week in painting

The FCCA offered me a show in November of 2009. No excuses for not having enough work now. I also submitted a proposal to the Center for the Arts in Manassas and have been offered a show in February of 2010. It is like they say, "swing away" and eventually you will hit the ball.


I started two canvases this week after the disaster mentioned in the previous post, so I am back on board. Thanks for everyone for the outpouring of empathy and encouragement. My descriptions on work in progress always sound so esoteric in the early stages, so I refrain. But there will be birds. Oh yes, indeed.

Painting pain....

One of the most difficult things to admit as a artist is that a painting is not working. Then the most excruciating act it to paint over that error. Today, I had to do just that with the painting in the previous post. The idea is still very strong and worth painting, but I can do it better. So, I painted over many hours of work.

The thought process goes something like this:
"Hum, that doesn't look as good as it did yesterday.."
"I will try to work around it....touch it up.."
"Wow, it looks worse..."
"All that work I did over the week! I am NOT painting over it!"
"I will work more on it. It will recover..."

Then comes the inevitable comes crashing upon me:
"I have to start over."
Anger, frustration, and maybe one more attempt to convince myself that it can be saved and then, sadly, I mix up my paint and within a few minutes, hours of work is gone. I thought yesterday was the act of commitment to the work. TODAY is total commitment to the work.

If it is worthy enough to do, it is worthy enough to be well done....(I am still a little mad, though.)

Starlings

This is commitment to a painting, my friends. The flock is about half way there. I thought about each bird, each stroke today with the musical shove of Shearwater in the background. This was a rare day of finding myself lost in that sky among the birds........

Painting update

After returning from a short trip to visit family in Norfolk, I contracted an awful stomach virus that took almost a week to recover from. I really have felt the loss of those two weeks in my work. Finally I have started two backgrounds and have three solid ideas and references for paintings. Monday I can start laying in the subject on the larger canvas. Long time coming......

At this point I have ten to eleven pieces my body of work. I plan to submit proposals once I have fifteen. I still have doubts about working with a gallery, but why not get the work out there and see what happens? I won't know until I try and trying is most of the battle.