The art Olympics

Gina steps on the podium and the crowd goes wild. ( insert your own crowd cheering sound here) I love the Olympics. Our life pretty much goes on hold when the winter Olympics come around. I love the athleticism, the look of joy at an accomplished goal. The family that roars with thrill and excitement when their athlete wins.

What is the gold medal for artists? I pondered this question and came up with several different ways artist get 'gold medals'. You would think it would be the obvious answer of a big sale. Don't get me wrong, every time I sell a painting that means I get to be an artist for another month. That is worth cheering about! But for me it is more when you see someone open their mouth in wonder at what you created. Someone who comes back again and again to see that painting that speaks to them. You can almost see the mental calculations as they figure out a way they can buy it. It's when someone leaves a show maybe even empty handed but on the way out they sincerely tell you, " That was wonderful, we are so glad we stopped. Please keep on painting." Those are the moments you hear the crowd cheering in your head.

Art is very subjective. Local popular artists and even internationally popular artists often cause me to scratch my head in confusion. That's good? Interesting? Shows skill? Whew, not in my book. But compare their monthly income with mine and I would have to slink away in shame. So anytime a person sees something wonderful in your creation it is worth raising your arms in victory.

Maybe I should start my own Artists Olympics. Maybe like Lindsay Vonn I will be in a swimsuit on the cover of Artist's magazine. Okay, maybe not.

Is this February?

A beach scene, titled "Soothing Surf" seemed perfect for our weird weather today. It is 42 degress here. It smells like spring, the road is a mini river with the evidence of melting snow and the avalanches are in full swing.

Today my calendar told me it was time to head to the Girdwood Center for Visual Art to restock and update my artwork. I try to head down about once a month. Normally mother nature looks at my schedule and brings the worse weather on that day. She wasn't paying attention today. As Beezil and I headed down along the water the sun poked out and gave a spectacular flow of brilliant scenery. Winter is my favorite season but even I found myself putting the window down to get that fresh smell.

The avalanches have sadly taken a some lives in the last week. Weather like this makes the snow give way taking everything in it's path. The road was blocked for about 30 minutes as the guns fired in the distance, trying to force the snow to fall when no one would be hurt. A car group of Asian visitors in front of me took this as a unique Alaska experience and photographed every aspect. This included me sitting in the long line of cars. It was fun to watch them enjoy it all.

I know the snow will return. A Chinook comes every year causing sloppy conditions and raising the hopes of those ready for spring. We all know winter doesn't give up that easily. But while the roads are dry and the waterfalls along Turnagain arm are cascading down head to Girdwood. There is a great gallery waiting for you to stroll through.

Art in Many Forms

I wanted a footstool. But I wanted an arty, not too much in the way, footstool. I was pretty excited when I found this pattern. Not only does the style fit me but the fun shape was quite irresistible.

I use to sew a lot. Bags, clothes, if I could make it in fabric I did. At that time I had a full time, very uncreative job and sewing was my outlet. When art became my full time profession I found that my drive for sew wained. As I spent less and less time at the sewing machine I had to curtail my buying of fabric. You see, it is a bit of an addiction. My mom has the same problem as a stained glass artist. She has to force herself to only buy glass for the current project she is on lest she be buried in sheets of gorgeous glass.

When I headed into the fabric store I was focused, get fabric for the footstool only and get out. I had no idea what awaited me. The new trend in fabric is artist's fabric designs. It would be like someone calling me and saying, "Gina we would like you to create an artistic design to be produced on fabric." I have never seen so many fantastic designs!! These aren't your grandma's quilt fabrics. No floppy eared bunnies or ribbon adorned ducks! I bought a design called Dill Blossom by Robert Kaufman. I believe he was a illustrator who married a textile designer. The result was the great retro style fabric waiting to become a gum drop pillow. It took great self control to not carry piles of fabric out to my car.

Take time today to notice the work an artist put into the pattern in your pillows, your throw rug or even the pattern on your dinner ware. We are a quirky crowd working hard to make your surroundings a little happier.

Let the Marketing Begin!

I spent some of my work day figuring out how to market my new book. There are so many options and not enough all at the same time. Invariably two great events fall on the same day. Or a great event is cost prohibitive for an independent artist. I am a first time, one book author, a little light on the experience scale which doesn't do me any favors either.

It really is a gamble. I keep telling my self that I need to be prepared for my share of failures as well as successes. My neighbor, himself a many time published author, says that promoting your own book can be quite humbling. GULP. When you are the author and the illustrator you are exposing a lot of yourself out there. I am working on some invisible armor that will help me handle the blows of disinterest.

Maybe as a last resort I will become a busker playing my guitar on the corner with a little pile of books and a tip jar. You can't overlook any possible options.

Fresh off the easel

I just finished this piece titled,"Positive Thinking". He just seemed so positive, encouraging me to work on as I brought him to life.

February is my favorite month and this year's February hasn't disappointed. We have fresh, fluffy snow hanging off tree branches and hand rails. The sun is high enough now to even feel it's warmth. But still it felt good to paint the warm greens of this frog.

Everything about him says 'summer' and 'warm'. As I marveled at the white wonderland outside I was happy to have a little piece of summer in my studio today.

Fresh off the easel

After my focus being on my book, "If We Hopped On Our Bike..." and then my focus being on the green of Ireland and the animals of Africa I am FINALLY back to being focused at my easel.

This Saturday from 6-8 at the Girdwood Center for Visual Arts there is a reception for the multi media show titled,"Snow, Sweat and Tears." The show will continue through out the month so if your down to Girdwood for skiing or a Sunday drive stop in.

I decided I wanted to enter but the show title honestly had me at a loss. Personally, winter is my favorite season so 'tears' being part of winter doesn't relate to me. However, one thing about winter that touches my heart is the wildlife that struggles to keep themselves fed over the cold months. Moose strip bark of the trees to sustain themselves. Squirrels and birds find the food they busily hid away during the fat months and wolves, well, they hunt whatever they can find. It isn't a pretty thought to ponder but I am sure the 'snow' brings plenty of 'sweat and tears' for wolves as well as other critters.

I don't think my entry will win but I hope it causes someone to pause at the beauty of the wolf.