Artist Kathleen Kendall

In February I have a show with artist, Kathleen Kendall, who also works with mythology. Today, I went over to her place and spent a few hours over coffee in her studio talking about all things art and life. I really enjoy getting together with her and feel a real affinity for her and the work she does. (oh, plus, she gets cool points for sending me home with a bag of veggies from her garden.....)



c Kathleen Kendall "Figure X"

Self portrait in progress....

I cleaned up edges today and delicate transitions, softening things up a bit.... still not settled on the neck down, but I have a few ideas. This has been more fun than I thought it would be since I don't enjoy painting people like I do animals.

I envisioned the portrait being about me as a testimony to God's glory as revealed in His creation. I feel it is well confirmed by now that this creation, nature specifically, is my life's artistic work.

On the Easel

So far, the story is that our giant friend has found a sad sight.....

Mourning Dove

5" x 7" oil on panel

Today's painting: On the Easel

Tomorrow, I will wrap this painting up. The paint needs to set a bit and then I can go forward. Still working on a title.

I finished the small goldfinch painting as well. I have about three more of these small ones to do and a few larger works to have my committed inventory for the November show.
When I write it all out and consider the paintings I have on hand, all my stressing has been for naught....

I feel so contemplative lately with little need to write much more.....

On the Easel

Why is it that after a vacation I need a vacation day to recuperate? Laundry, cleaning....stuff.
This is how I left the painting on Thursday. I really feel good about it....I have a small goldfinch painting that needs finishing touches, as well. These two will be the first priority of the week.

On the Easel: Egret painting......

I spent most of the afternoon touching up the egret and painting our hero, the blue hummingbird....Tuesday, I will finish her and begin placing the "seeds of doubt" where they need to be. What is all this? In short, she tells the egret the key to overcoming the seeds of doubt....

New Painting on the Easel

It always feels amazing to start a new painting. I have had this idea for sometime. My left brain is firing away at the prospect of all those wrinkles, though, and I have to remind myself to squint. A little rusty on my water painting technique, but I will catch on.....
"Phobetor" is about done with only a few finishing touches left and hopes for a sunny day and assistant to photograph.

I had a deep tissue massage last night and and am able to paint a bit longer today....hopefully, with massage and stretching I can get this occupational irritation under control.

Great weekend to everyone......

Today's Painting

I primed three canvas' today.

I have a lot of refining to do here and am certain that my neck is not that long. Also working on a great "Tracey Clarke" idea to finish up. It is a wonderful thing to paint even for a few hours...

Food as Art

After a rather depressing week wrestling with back issues, I did manage a few hours of painting Monday. Today I went for an eye exam and had my eyes dilated, so no painting today. I don't believe in accidents and I am considering, as I lay on an ice pack, what God is communicating to me with such an obstacle at such a busy time in my art life. This strange slowing down of everything.....Amazing how tied together body, mind and spirit are for me. If I struggle in one area, I do in all.

SO....my art today is my dinner. Marinated grilled veggies from the local farmer's market and wild caught salmon with teriyaki pan sauce. Buy local; support local farming, people.



..hope to catch up with all my art family's blogs soon....look forward to seeing what you each have been creating.

My Artomatic guest book has quickly become a prized possession. Here is a limerick from it for "Ovis Nectarus" from an anonymous observer:

"The one L lama is a priest,
the two L llama is a beast,
And I'll bet my silk pajama
You'll never see a three L lllama."

Oh and above that someone wrote:

"The butterflies are killing the llama!!!"

Artomatic Deinstallation

All went well at Artomatic last night. I probably did more than I should have, but it took less than an hour. The hardest part was removing the vinyl letters. It is good to have my "children" home and now the process of going through the guestbook begins.

Most of the comments were positive, a few beautiful poems, a criticism, which is well taken, and a few bizarre things (including the aforementioned poorly drawn male genitalia, which apparently, was inflicted upon other artists as well.) The pornographic sketch also came with this comment:

"Eliminate the infantile expressions of artistc resonance in your work!"..spelled like that, in all caps. Anyone care to translate?

OOHH! And a cool drawing:

Artomatic Closing

Tonight is deinstallation at Artomatic. I can't believe it is over! I don't know how helpful I can be to Craig who will probably have to do it all because of this neck and shoulder issue. I am going to make some calls about deep tissue massage tomorrow. At this point I am ready to try anything. Thanks to all for well wishes and great advice. Today has been challenging. I have a studio full of work calling to me. I can't even read because holding me arms in front of me aggravates, so lots of lying down staring at the ceiling........wasting time! Depending on how things are on Monday, I will be back at the easel.

Update

Today has been a bit difficult because I am still having trouble with my shoulders and neck. I am at a place now where I may need to take extended time away from painting, which I cannot afford to do.
I managed a few hours today, though, on three paintings, so, all is not lot yet.

On a humorous note, Bravo TV is having auditions for a new reality show staring "emerging and mid-carer artists" (whatever that means.) That should be a complete train wreck. This will solidify in the minds of Americans every myth and stereotype about artists that ever existed. We all know these reality shows choose personality extremes for this stuff......

Today's Painting on the easel

It has been at least nine since I have painted a self portrait. I have never done one in oil so, I must have been is a brave head space today. Really fun, really challenging. I have a lot of ideas about where to take this. I did the initial blocking in and some tightening today, but the paint needs to set a bit, so time to lay off.

On the Sidelines

Well, today I am in more discomfort than I was yesterday, SO, I have to take a few days off. Sitting here is frustrating so out to run a few errands and get a haircut today (starting to look like Billy Idol in the morning.) Even typing this my upper back is starting to burn.... Hope I will be back on board at least by Monday....

I have several paintings on the side, but they will have to wait, along with ideas in the wings......let me count...