Forever Young

First, I thank everyone who came out for the studio tour.  It was a nice day ~ I am so appreciative of the support and I loved talking about art with everyone~ all kinds of art and many aspects and opinions and ideas and points of view! It was fantastic to hear, share, and experience.  These connections and conversations are priceless.  I welcome creating a haven for artists to spend the day working, talking, sharing and learning from one another.  The more places like this we create, the better.  The creative energy that day was amazing.  I learned many new points of view to ruminate over and that's exciting.  (If you weren't able to make it August 24th, or you would like to visit again, please get in touch with me and come on out.  It's a bit of a drive, so reaching me first to make sure I am there really is essential.)
Second, I have here what I've managed to paint successfully since ensconcing myself full-time in the studio.  Many warm up paintings have led me to this.  It is from an old photo I found while moving in~ my husband was only 24 (he was serving his last year active duty in the USMC.)  A little awkward, but a good level of energy. I am debating about going back in for a second round...? This painting is 11in x 14in oil on artboard.  Constructive critiques are welcome.  We shall see where it leads in between Crantasies and Jackie Oh! and my "favoritest babe", Abe...

Blue Houses

Some days, when the sky is a perfect pale blue, you can see the moon faintly peeking through.  Day or night whether you see it or not, the moon is orbiting around us. It is a treat to find her watching at these unexpected times.  Think of someone who cares for you~ sometimes this is how it is.  Whether you can see it or not, the love is there. When you trust it is there, the sky is clear. And, every now and then, there's this delicate view of the moon...

Dog Star

  

Painting my black lab, from life as well as memory, specific to fidelity and ideas of home, I have found how we, all of us, are connected to each other.  Painting my hand as a primitive signature represents thoughts on how do we find our way through life, and how do we define who we are?  For many, it is by sharing our stories and our connections with this uniquely human ability to communicate through art.

Dog Star believes in what connects all living beings.

Please join me at the Lynchburg Art Club opening reception this Friday, August 1st, 5PM - 8PM, to view "for reals"my painting "Dog Star" chosen for inclusion in the exhibit "Concerning the Spiritual".

hope to see you there!

Open Studio Tour

In the spirit of old Studio 319, please join me for an afternoon of art and sharing, finding connections and debating differences.  Enjoy light refreshments Italian-American style, and meet the infamous Jezebel.

"And This is the Wonder..." oil sketch portrait completed

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
                                                 i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keepig the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Life is Just a Crantasy

"I have been figuring on this for months so I could paint about it, and now I need to get back to these. I find creationism interesting because I firmly believe in evolution. I am no expert, but I think on a certain level, faith and science go hand in hand. That in a very broad sense, religion and science both look to explain the meaning of life. Which camp are you in?"  

This began a very interesting commentary on Facebook with friends explaining all kinds of interesting points of view.  Most claimed to be in one camp or the other, but felt a healthy mix of both philosophies was where the answers lay.

This is the beginning of "Craniums and Cranberries" an exploration of creationism and evolution, their oppositions, connections, profoundness, and absurdities.  The Neanderthal skull, painstakingly retrieved from the earth, represents evolution, and the cranberries, symbolic of life, represent creationism.  Forty paintings are planned for exploration, explanation and sharing all these nuanced points of view.  

Would love to know which camp are you in?

Somebody's All Moved In

 At the studio, Jezebel has pretty much completed her move-in.  Comfy blankie - check.  Water bowl - check.  Favorite toy (Santa-gator) - check.

 She has also decided where the light falls best to compliment her lovely black coat, soft ears, and pretty brown eyes~ one chocolate and one honey colored.  Her work here is done! It's time to go play!  Next post will be a  new painting~ only Jezebel is out playing right now. I am painting and painting - every spare moment I have.  I will be in two local exhibits coming up at year end for which I am extremely grateful.

  Also too, an opening reception is being planned for this new work space~ I promise!  So much going on!  But no worries, Jezebel says she's got it covered...