Today' Painting

I worked mostly on the tarsier today. My eyes are burning from working so small with such detail. The paint needs to set a bit, so it is time to stop for the day. You can see some wet patches.... More layers tomorrow....

Saturday Night at Artomatic

We had dinner with friends near Capitol Hill last night and headed back to Artomatic for a few hours.

I was able to focus a little more on the other artwork than I was on opening night.
I will post links to these artists as we go through the Five weeks, but last night I was particularly impressed with Pam Roger's work, so take a visit to her site.

And this was rather amusing. "Carl" has painted his wall, but this was the only thing on it.
Hey, Carl, way to perpetuate myths about artists!
(ad. note Barry's comment below)



I had been warned by other participants on past Artomatics to expect some rude or ridiculous comments in guest books, but I wasn't expecting a pornographic drawing, so that was disappointing. And why is it that detractors never leave their names? I wonder why. I saw one woman write what appeared to be a lengthy comment in the book which turned out to be a lovely story. So, she really made my night by entering into the work at my invitation to viewers to write a story of their own about the paintings. I wish she had left her name!
And, business cards are going fast, so despite the cowardly and disrespectful word (and drawings), I was greatly encouraged.

with my friend, Elisa.

Today's Painting

I am not sure where this is going yet, but it is going. It will be a scene from the Spring Revolt. I am doubting my aforementioned distorted background...it isn't going anywhere. So I focused exclusively on this today.

When I start to feel that hyper critical spirit of my work, I know my perfectionist and idealist tendencies are coming to the surface. I am really struggling with those traits today and had a difficult time facing the work this morning. I usually take a good look first thing in the morning at the previous day's painting. I really avoided doing that this morning. Went to CVS instead.

When I am in that negative head space, watching a movie while painting helps me to quiet down. I got through "The Fellowship of the Ring and halfway through "Two Towers" today while painting. Paul Dorrell said something like, "After all, we are only making art. We aren't ending world poverty." This is a good reminder when I begin to take myself way too seriously.
I think I need a comedy tonight. Oh!... but it IS "The Office" night. Maybe some "Flight of the Conchords," too.

Artomatic

Artomatic registration opened today and I finally got on site and registered after a few bugs. I have had my reservations about the event, but it is the greatest art collaboration I have ever seen and I am looking forward to participating for the first time, seeing some great art, meeting fellow artists and art lovers. My big concern has been security. Since the artwork hangs for many weeks in a huge building that has many entrances and is open for many hours a day, there is a risk of theft. I know at least one artists had work stolen last year, and though I understand this is a risk you take, I am determined to come up with a way to hang securely at the venue and relieve my conscience over the duration of the event. If anyone has any ideas about how to do this, please chime in!

After my post about the painting in my blog banner last week, I decided to do a regular post called "What's that painting?" on the weekends focusing on a fairly obscure painting in each post. Cool, right? I think so. We all know the top 20 or so artists and paintings. How about a little light on the other thousands?

No painting of the day (because it is too late in the afternoon to shoot), just "painting mess" of the day. But slowly, it is coming along. I think I hate cleaning up brushes more than just about anything.