One eyed monster

I was recently at an art show showing my work when a couple with a three year old in a stroller came up. I got all warm and fuzzy noting these parents exposing their child to the world of art at an early age. Then in HORROR I see in the child's lap an iPad with a movie playing. She wasn't seeing any of the art. She missed all the different sizes and shapes of people. She didn't hear the accent of the woman next to me. She didn't see the bright colors of the paintings. She saw Toy Story.....probably for the 20th time.

It is a different world with positives and negatives brought on by the world of technology. I try to keep my balance and keep up so as to not lose touch with the modern world. But at that moment I really felt that all was lost.

Today I had a long conversation with my 13 year old nephew. We discussed how hard junior high is and how bad he is at math. ( he sadly got that from my side of the family) But then we started talking about books. He has a favorite author, he is eagerly awaiting this authors next book due out in the fall. A long wait for a 13 year old. He then said words that gave me hope. One of his favorite books had been made into a movie. He saw it and was disappointed. Why? He said his imagination was way better than the movie. He liked the 'movie in my head while I was reading' much better than what he saw on the screen. I could not agree more!

I know the text messages need to be check and replied to, I know the emails keep on coming and facebook has added something hilarious but let's never forget the truth that James so brillantly noted. Nothing is better than the movies inside our head. Take time to 'watch'.

Creative begets creative

This is a painting I did of Greve and Celli. It was the favorite at the October show at Snow City Cafe. I sold it at the opening reception. I felt that was a great success story but it just keeps getting better.

A gentlemen saw the sold painting and wanted one of his own. He and his wife are huge movie fans. Since he could create his own idea he added Dorothy, Toto and the Tin Man. He was even able to choose from the movie posters which movies they really liked. I loved his idea and had fun painting it.

These movie poster postcards were a limited edition that MGM put out quite a few years ago. I have held on to them for years waiting for the right inspiration. Is this story over? Not yet. A woman contacted me asking if the Signore Greve Showtime piece had really sold. After I explained it had she asked if she could commission another one. This time she wants Greve and Celli paying their tickets at the theatre window.

I have enough postcards left for her painting but once they are gone they are gone. One customer even went so far as to contact MGM but they aren't making or selling any more of the movie poster postcards. That's okay, that will make these three paintings even more unique. We will just wait until the next creative wave splashes in.

December First Friday

Thanks to all who showed up for Gallery 31 Fifty's December First Friday show. Enjoy the video highlights.

Take a Leap

This is my painting titled, "Leap Frog". I created it for a Snow City Cafe October show featuring bike art. You might remember in a past blog me struggling with the logical left brain and the arty farty right brain.

I wanted to do a series of animals on bikes. I knew it would make for a good artist reception but would they sell? Of course every creation has to be a two part process. Come up with something new, fun, creative AND something that will sell. I wasn't sure about the selling part in the bike series but I let my right brain take over. I am glad that I did.

This painting was the hardest for me. I wanted to create depth and mystery of the woods. I wanted the frog on the bmx to be believable. I wanted there to be energy. I think I accomplished all those things but I even got a little bit more.

The painting reminded me of the book, "The Wind in the Willows". I came across Classics Illustrated full-color graphic novel adaptation of the book. I loved every page. The artist was fantastic, the story was captivating and I fell in love with the whole idea of it all over again.

I am trying to adopt one of Mole's lines from the book. He says, "I decided to be determined to enjoy myself". So often it is ourselves that ruins a day, an idea or an adventure. I hope you can also decide to be 'determined'. Oh, I forgot to mention, I sold "Leap Frog".

Feel the Burn

It's show week. Friday, at 3150 C Street from 5-8 p.m., 7 of us will gather in the name of art. My schedule is full of last minute details in hopes that this show will be better than the last.

Odd things become important. What's the condition of my skin. Any acne soon to rear it's ugly head? Do I need a haircut? Is the weather going to cooperate? Does everyone seem to be sick? If so, up the vitamin C count. (I did a show once after a bad flu bug...it was torture.) You want everything 'just so' for the big night.

Today I decided to make jalapeno boats. I found this yummy sounding recipe and I decided to surprise my honey when he arrives home. A bit of an appetizer. The recipe claimed that the cream cheese cuts the heat. Liars.

I ate the first boat to test my cooking skills and realized straight up that there was no heat cutting. My mouth was on fire. I reached for milk realizing we haven't bought milk in 10 years. For the record soy milk does NOT have the same heat calming properties. I think it made it worse. Then everything went horribly wrong.

I blew my nose using the tips of my fingers to wipe my nostrils clean. Oh the horror. The heat was now on the lining of my nose. I could feel nasal liquid flowing and was SURE my nose was bleeding. I was afraid to wipe it, my lava like snot could touch other areas of my face. My nose was redder than I have every seen it. No sunburn ever gave me an affect like this. Now the left side of my face was burning. My eyelid was hot! My EYELID.

I tried to busy myself, you know, distract myself from this searing agony. All the while convincing myself that it will run it's course and I'll be none the worse for it. Sure, no one at the show will know I tangled with a jalapeno and lost. Certainly my face will at some point in the next 16 hours go back to normal.

I hope.

The Art of Clothes

I love nice clothes. I can't say I love 'fashion' because I don't follow the designers or the current trends. I don't subscribe to the fashion magazines. Occasionally as a treat my husband will bring one home. I do pour over it noticing every detail, I can't help myself, it's art.

You know the best part of these Marios Schwab photos and the fashion magazines? You don't see any pajama pants!! No hoodies or flip flops. Or, the horror, sweat pants with pockets. You see beautiful women and men adorned with the art of clothes. Interesting colors and designs, great shapes. Let's be honest, putting on a well fitting, stylish outfit just feels good!

So why does everyone dress like they need to get to the Laundromat? I really am boggled by this. I think there is a feeling that p.j.s and slippers in the grocery store means, "I am so cool that I can shop in my jammies". No, you actually look like your homeless.

When I visited Italy one of the things that really strikes you is how well put together everyone is. Americans are SO easy to spot. They are wearing nerdy jeans, tennis shoes and sweat shirts. How we must look to those fashionable Italians! I came home determined that I would always try to present myself in a way that said I have respect for myself.

Is it really so much work to actually pull on real pants? Is slipping on a pair of shoes really SO exhausting? Is it easier to pull on a sweat shirt than a pull on top?

I go to the mall and the place is packed with p.j., flip flopping, hoodied shoppers. They all have bags of purchases clothes. Where do they wear them? Is there some well dressed place in town I've missed? What? The bags are full of more hoodies and jammies!? That's it, Italy here I come.