Captive

A wonderful opportunity from an amazingly talented and dear friend

A friend of mine just happened to write one of the most powerful books I've read in a LONG time. I was completely flattered when he asked if I'd be interested in creating artwork for the cover. (I think he had more confidence in me than I had in myself at the start of this project). I was excited and anxious about this opportunity, and I wanted the artwork to be the perfect fit for this novel because I truly believe in it. 

I ended up creating several different pieces in reaction to the novel, but the first one really epitomized my emotional reaction to the book...and really felt like ART. It is SO different from some of the recent things I've done, and in a way it seems like it has freed me in an artistic way. I created it without an endpoint in mind, without over-thinking it, letting the painting unfold as I moved from one thing to the next. 

I am so proud of this painting and couldn't be more excited to share it with everyone as the cover of such an amazing book.

It's a thrilling page-turner and one that will keep you thinking long after you've finished it.

It's a fantastic read and I know you'll love it just as much as I did! 

The original artwork for the cover

Check it out on Amazon!

Captive by Timothy Allen Smith

continuing to bloom

I posted my intentions for this class right above my desk:

I believe in my intuition

UNFOLD

BELIEVE

I am an artist

TRUST

I release all expectations for my art

I BELONG

My growing continues this summer as I embark on another course with a fabulous painter - this time with the lovely Flora Bowley.  She has an e-course that I'm taking over five weeks, and I am looking forward to jumping into trying some of her methods as well.  I love that her focus is on learning how to follow your own intuition and ultimately paint like yourself. 

Painting Workshop with Jesse Reno

Starting to build ground on my canvas in the studio

I just got back from a 5 day in-studio workshop with the amazing Jesse Reno.  I'd never been to Portland, OR before and I truly fell in love with the city, the people and the energy there. It was the kind of trip that felt life changing, setting me on a path I was meant to find all along.

I stayed in the beautiful Sellwood/Westmoreland area and was fortunate enough to walk to the studio every day. It rained on me the first half of the trip, but how can you be anything but inspired when you walk by flowers and neighborhoods like this! I had to plan extra time for walking everyday because I would stop and take a ton of pictures along the way.

Jesse, his dog Buddy and me

I first met Jesse in a one day workshop I took at an art retreat down in Virginia Beach this year. When a spot opened up for this workshop in his own studio, Brandon prompted me to join. I probably wouldn't have acted so quickly on my own and would have passed up a wonderful opportunity, so to him I am SO thankful!

Jesse's art is amazing, but what I and I think my classmates would all agree with, is that Jesse focuses on the process of painting, not the end result. 

Sure we discussed overall composition, and color and movement but Jesse focuses more on the meaning behind what you are doing and why. He helped us let go of expectations (which I think is one of my biggest roadblocks) and start to really SEE. We learned to let one move lead to the next, to view everything as an instance and opportunity. 

He was not really a teacher, more of a facilitator, helping you reveal bits of yourself. In the process we learned to appreciate finding our own balance between accident and purpose, action and reaction. Letting go towards our intentions, sharing bits of ourselves in our paintings that you would never know were there.

Although Jesse's class was all about painting, we all learned a lot more about ourselves over those 5 days. It was a pretty intense time frame for me, painting for 5 days straight, since my painting occurs these days during nap times and at night. It was on day 3 that I cried on the way to class, listening to some really meaningful music by Bon Iver. It was a beautiful cry, such a release...like I was cracking open in ways I hadn't allowed myself to do before. 

The three paintings I made the most progress on during my workshop

The top two are on 24" x 24" wood panels and the one below is 30"x 54"on rolled canvas

 I'm SO proud of the work I created over those five days, because I feel like there is more of ME infused in them than anything I've done before. I feel like I'm becoming the artist I was always meant to be.

My eternal thanks to Brandon for encouraging me to take this leap and to Jesse for guiding me on this crazy creative journey. 

cover of the Country Register

I was SUPER excited when I was contacted by The Country Register, a United States and Canadian network of independently owned and published specialty newspapers for consumers. I loved that the region that contacted me was based out of Arizona, kinda made me feel like I was reaching back to some of my Phoenix roots!

It was fun reading my bio and write-up in the paper. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that my art is beginning to touch the lives of more people....

untitled

untitled

11x14 mixed media on canvas

She's a starfish

with strong arms

pulling her in different directions

she must choose 

or end up going nowhere

from the chaos her garden bloomed

finding the door was never closed

and a few close ups.....

sand in my toes

There is something special about the beach alright, and it's even more special when it holds lots of your own childhood memories and you get to share it with your own child. To watch Warren's new experiences with the sand and water was ever so memorable. Last year when we visited he was only 6 months old and I can distinctly remember the inner tube we had set up for him with a towel over the top. We placed him in the middle and it became the perfect little spot to keep him propped up and under the umbrella (and from putting sand in his mouth).

my attempt at a self-portrait

This year was completely different. He ran up and down the beach (his favorite activity was being chased by Dad), dug in the sand, climbed the dunes, splashed in the waves, rode the raft, and did a little light beach reading (Wheels on the Bus with Grandma). It was amazing to watch him fall in love with the beach this summer. Every morning he would squeal with delight when we asked, "Do you want to go to the beach?" There is nothing better for the spirit than to watch your child experience some of the best of what life has to offer, mother nature at her best!

It was yet another spectacular visit with my parents as well. We always have a great time listening to music, chatting as we dig into a pile of crabs, and mixing up the next batch of margaritas. What a comfortable and special place they have down there in North Carolina. The perfect spot for a relaxing family vacation. If you are looking for a REAL beach experience, I highly suggest you come visit the Outer Banks - you'd never forget it.

On another note, Brandon and I got to have some much needed date time together thanks to grandma and paw-paw. We went running together, went to some amazing island restaurants, took walks on the beach, and even went to the movies (twice) (I just LOVE going to the theater).  It filled my cup beyond measure. The more time I get to spend with my husband the more I'm reminded of how much I love him and how much I love the person that he is.

There's lots of new inspiration running through my head now. I'll be excited to see where it leads me....I'll be sure to share!!

Joining the local art scene

I'm thrilled to share that I was asked to present some of my work at a local store here in Three Bridges, NJ! Suey's Scents showcases lots of local artisans and I'm really thankful for being included! This was a great opportunity for me to think outside of my current on-line venue and branch out. This will be a great first step into presenting at other local art fairs and festivals as well as looking for other avenues to share my art. In my preparations, I was amazed at all the details I hadn't thought of before in regards to merchandising. 

What kind of set-up should I use?  

How should I display the custom birth announcements versus the originals, prints and cards?

What should I make prints of?

How many prints should I make of each?

What greeting cards should I print?

What originals should I showcase?

This weekend we went down to Princeton to walk through their Communiversity, Festival of the Arts, to get any last minute ideas for my set-up. I have to say that after finishing my display I have a new appreciation for the unseen work that goes into creating an art festival.

I'm anxious to see what interest might be generated from my work and see what my next step might be, but most of all I'm thankful for the opportunity to push myself forward in this artful journey! Thank you Sue!