Sounds of Flamenco By Gina Edwards

It's the digital age. There are many parts of it I love. The fact that I updated my ipad operating system and lost all my play list is not a part I love. There is lots of love and hate with technology.

One thing I love is being able to send my art and art thoughts out into cyber space in hopes that someone will stumble upon them. And not just my faithful reader...also known as mom. I often get comments that surprise me from people that have come upon my blog or website. Thanks all of you who keep checking in.

In an effort to keep you all having art filled days I have added a new feature to my website. I hope to twice a month post a new 'Behind the Easel' painting. Instead of just having paintings on the website I will give you the story behind the creative process, the nightmare wrong turns and the challenges of making a living at what I do. The above painting "Sounds of Flamenco" is first up.

So check out my website and let me know what you thought. Was it too much information? Were you ready to quit reading before it was done? Did you learn something? I appreciate your feedback. Because no matter who you are, you should always have an art filled day!

The Bottom Line

The Little Sue by Mark Wedekind

This stuff is amazing right? Organic and beautiful and functional. The table almost looks alive with it's arm gripping tightly to the rock. Every piece of wood with it's grain and light is it's own art.

This is Mark Wedekind, a friend of mine. Mark did a show with me a few years ago. I felt honored to have my little gallery space representing him. His work is award winning and even sits in the Anchorage museum. But Mark is losing hope of continuing as an artist. I know, it's a horrifying thought. To think that kind of talent would go untapped but it all comes down to the bottom line.

Ug, the dreaded bottom line. With the economy having more bad days than good days making a living as an artist has become an even greater challenge. How do you not get worn down with the weariness of trying to make a buck? I was chatting with Ann, Mark's wife, the other day and I almost felt a bit guilty as we discussed the frustration of making a living creating hand shaped, custom furniture. Why?

A few year back I decided to start making prints of my paintings. Prints became note cards and notebooks and before I knew it I had several items $25 and under. Then I created a book. True, that was a large outlay of money to start with but with $30 here and $50 there I am keeping my head above water. Selling an original is not the regular event it used to be. But with a little here and there I do okay. How does an artist like Mark make that happen?

Mark and Ann have a plan. A good one and hopefully it will bring some relief to the nagging bottom line. It would be a crime to have Mark quit creating his magic with wood. Check out his website and friend him on facebook. An artist like Mark is too valuable to lose.

www.blackstonedesign.com

Making Hay

I grew up a Midwest kid surrounded by farms. My family didn't have a farm but we leased out parts of our land for cows and most my friends had farms. I heard my fair share of country speak. When I visit home I find myself picking it up again. You know things like, " She looked as dazed as a fresh, sheared sheep". But today we will talk about the phrase, " Making hay." It isn't the full phrase, I think it is, " You need to make hay while the sun shines." ( I need to call my sister in law who is a master at country speak) The point is this, when the hay is dry and cut you don't linger. You get it raked and baled, in the barn before the rains come. If you don't beat the rain your goose is cooked.

I have been busy making hay. Trying to find the balance of getting sales when there are sales to be had and not running myself self exhausted into the ground is tough. Here I am at the book fair, three days of hard work.

The next weekend I did a First Friday show at Gallery 31 Fifty which continued over to Monday. I did a special promotion with the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage at this show. Anyone who came to the show on a bike got a free print.

I painted over 10 new paintings to feature at all these events. And I got to tell you, I am as tired as a stud horse in spring time! I am as freaked out as a chicken with a fox roommate! I am....okay, I have tortured you enough.

I am SO very grateful for all my customers old and new that help me 'make hay'. Being an artist full time is a dream come true and even the rough patches don't dull the fun of this job. You could say I am as happy as a lark.

Realizing a Dream

Me and Shannon with her Alaska three bears prints

My set up ready for customers

The book fair last weekend was very successful. I sold art and books. Met a lot of customers and made some new customers. So many of the visitors had great ideas for paintings. I love being inspired by my patrons and supporters.

This was the weekend that almost wasn't. I kept waiting for my email giving me the details for set up, etc. and it never came! When I called, the organizers admitted they had forgotten me. Fortunately they squeezed me in. WHEW!

Then, as I am setting up I realize I am next to Shannon Cartwright. Yes, THE children's book illustrator for Alaska. Will this help me bring crowds or will I get shadowed by her popularity and get missed completely. My business brain was in full speed. I said hello and told her I was a fan. She was cool and distracted.

The show was off and running. By now Shannon and I were more relaxed and started to chat. We are both from Michigan. She shared some very personal, sad stories of her life. We bonded. Later I am driving home and I realize I have bonded with Shannon Cartwright. She would roll her eyes if she read that line but even though I told her my story she doesn't appreciate what her art symbolized to me.

When I moved to Alaska and started working for Alaska Magazine I was told to go buy art for my office. No problem. I bought Shannon's prints of the three Alaska bears. I would sit at my desk at a job that wasn't what my heart wanted. I went to college to be an artist and yet here I sat working in sales at a magazine, staring at these prints. Staring at the career I was sure I would never have. I hated Shannon, loved her, admired her, was jealous and some day wished I could be like her.

So on that drive home it hit me. I was an artist, a children's book illustrator at an art show sitting across from Shannon. She bought some of my art. We talked business, we talked life. If the 'me' staring at those prints in that Alaska magazine office could see me now she would be whooping for joy. And that is what I did in my car, laughed and whooped for joy.

Dizzy Days

Signore Greve - Imagination

My husband is going to see this post and think, " Why isn't she painting?!" He is right of course. I have a 'to-do' list a mile long and it all needs to be done and dry by Friday. The above Greve is one painting I have created for the Read Alaska Book Fair going on at the Anchorage Museum this weekend.

Cheesy Day

The book fair and art show in the atrium is free and is a LOT of fun. I was excited to sneak in last year and am happy to be there again this weekend. It is 10-6 Friday and Saturday, 12-5 on Sunday. There are so many awesome authors and artists in Alaska. This show does a great job of highlighting so many in one location.

Stop in and see me. You can see the first practice painting for the new book, "Have You Ever Had a Daydream..." Why am I not showing it to you here? Gee, there is no time, I got to get painting.

The Power of YES

Have you ever seen the movie "Yes Man" with Jim Carrey? I watched it on an airplane once. The premise is that through an enlightenment seminar he is told to say yes to everything and his life will become limitless with wonder. The typical Carrey adventures ensue.

But there really is a good point to that idea. Saying 'yes' can often open other doors that your not expecting. I said 'yes' to doing a companion painting for a woman and ended up being hired to illustrate her children's book. I said 'yes' to doing a book presentation at a local school and now have several visits to different schools under my belt. I said 'yes' to karaoke once and am still living down the shame. 'Yes' doesn't always go the way you want it.

There are so many things to do and experience in this world. And saying yes when your brain is screaming NOOOOOOO can really open up wonderful things to you. When I walked in with my portfolio to my very first gallery the 'no' ringing through my head was deafening. My bowels felt I wasn't getting the message so they chimed in. My sweat glands couldn't believe I wasn't listening to the other two so they added their comment. I was a MESS! 20 minutes later I walked out smiling (and headed for the bathroom) with the first date for a gallery show.

Try to say 'yes' this week to something different. Would you like to try our new spam latte? Why, yes, that sounds tasty! Okay, maybe not a great example but you get what I am saying. And NO Ginzee, you may not eat the cat.

Deserted Ideas

When you're an artist at heart it's hard to suppress the urge to create. But I tried to for years. Fortunately things came together and I was able to walk away from the Dilbert world into the world of scissors and pencils. Along the way I worked on a lot of ideas that I thought might help me creeeeep into the art world. Many lay in a file waiting for my attention again. When I come across them I am reminded of the hope and energy I put into finding a way to crack the art door open.

This is Mosely the Moose. I did about four different watercolors of him. Checking his email, bear viewing (as you see above) mountain climbing...the typical Alaska adventures. The idea was that Mosely was so curious why the flood of tourist came in every year he decided to be a tourist himself. I actually love Mosely and hope to give him some time in the future.
This is Bella the monkey. I wrote a story with Bella as the main character. She flew from Africa to Alaska and meet all the Alaska animals along the way. I like the story and can really see her as a Signore Greve precursor. I do feel my Greve book is a bit more sophisticated. Maybe Bella proved to be a idea for an idea.

I am an A personality even if I don't want to be. I like finishing what I start but sometimes I have to remind myself that not everything is meant to be taken to completion. Often an idea, drawing and painting is a jumping off point. I look at older paintings I have done and am sometimes shame faced. But those paintings helped me improved.

Today we tip our brush to deserted ideas. To those that got us on our way and to those that feed the fire until we reached our destination. I am now off to make tea for Mosely and Bella.

ZZZzzzzzzzz

Winter is here. Ginzee and I are both ecstatic. No, really. This is the face that currently dozes as I work at my easel. I know, it's hard to get a sense of enthusiasm.

I have a lot on my 'to-do list' today. I am hoping to switch out all my galleries to give them fresh art for the season. This means creating some new work while shuffling around some old work.

Everyday my 'to-do list' has two words, " Ginzee walk". No matter what gets missed Ginzee walk is never one of them. I may try to put it off but a restless puppy never equals creative energy. Never.

Now that the days are getting much shorter I tend to want to put off the walk until the sky is a little brighter. But the last two days Mother Nature has convinced me otherwise. Lightly falling snowflakes in the twilight is too fantastic to miss. The winter,morning hush of the world begs me to play along. And the creative flush it gives me is the perfect start to plow through a busy 'to-do list'.

The above contented face enjoyed shoveling the driveway ( a big hit) and a winter's walk. Our favorite season is here and we couldn't be more enthusiastic.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?

Are you humming the tune? I heard that song the other day while driving about. I don't know what year the song was written but I would guess the 1970's. If he only knew what 'time' would really become in the future.

I just spent a week on vacation hiking through the enormous trees of the Olympic Peninsula, strolling the beaches and enjoying the hum of Seattle and Portland. Time on vacation is a different beast. It's an animal you could love. Oooo look honey, it's 9:30 a.m. and we are still in bed. heeheee

But all vacations must end. When it comes to 'time' I have to put on my STICK super hero costume and make a pact. We here by agree to be friends to the best of our ability. I will not see you as my enemy and you will....let's be honest, time doesn't care about me. It mocks me as the red light holds me. It giggles when I leave late for an appointment and it rolls on the floor when a flight gets delayed. Here I am being so nice and yet it's hands just keep right on moving!

I digress. I will shake hands with time and convince myself it isn't out to get me. Projects will get done, maybe late. The bathrooms will get cleaned, maybe a few days later than I hoped. But I do know this, whoever invented our servitude to time should be beaten with a large clock.

Strange Request

Commission paintings are a blessing and a curse. The blessing comes from getting to take someones idea and make it come to life. The above idea went a little like this:

"I would like a portrait of my brother's family."
"Well, I am not a portrait painter but I can put you in touch with some."
"No, I want a portrait of his family as their personalities represented in animals."
"Oh, okay. Wait, what?"

Her brother is the rooster of the family. Her thin, fluid moving sister in law became the lizard and her nephew with his startled expression became a goldfish. I loved this commission. Her family takes turns hanging it in their across state houses.

Then come the curse paintings. The ones that sound like such fun and then as you sit down you realize you have taken on a hard assignment. Recently I agreed to paint a ninja being surrounded by angry ostriches. I know, you laughed right? So did I. But I have to confess my ninja painting experience is limited. Okay, it was non-existent.

It did finally come together and I rocked the ninja. The ostriches, well that is old hat for me but posed with a ninja.....not a request you get everyday.

I am glad I took on the challenge. The client LOVED it. And now I know I can do most oddities that come my way. What's that? A platypus on a moped? No problem!

Determination

I have one determined little puppy. Ginzee carried this stick home for over a mile. It certainly isn't the biggest stick she has ever carried home. She once fished a log out of the creek and carried it over a mile home. And I must add, she didn't just carry it, she RACED it home. We were at a break neck speed (me on my bike) all the way back.

Ginzee's focus and determination is admirable and annoying. Annoying in that when she gets stuck on something it is almost impossible to get her attention. But every time I watch her wrestle a stick all the way home I am always impressed. The satisfaction on her face when the log reaching her yard makes me proud.

In an age where focus is practically non-existent it feels good to see something, anything stay on an idea to it's completion. I have many age 30 and under friends. It is rare that a conversation flows along to it's end without an electronic interruption. Rare to be in the woods with them and not have a phone ring. Ugh. And honestly, I can't just link it all to that generation. I have gotten after my mom before. I've traveled 4,000 miles to see her and she is busy texting her friends.

Completing a book, keeping your own business running, learning another language, many things require a determination to keep going even when the 'log' gets heavy. I hope you have new adventures in your life. That's what gives our days a new energy and excitement. I also hope you can find the focus and determination to succeed!

An Art Filled Day

It's fall. Every view out your window is a beautiful painting. The reds on the mountains, the yellows of the devil's club plant and the pink of the raspberries in my back yard all create a stunning palette.

Ginzee and I took a bike ride on Friday. I was on my pink coaster bike, Bonnie. The world looks different on Bonnie. She prefers slow and easy, taking in the scene and enjoying the moment. We wound through a neighborhood that I had yet to explore. My puppy's exercise needs have opened up a lot of new experiences.

Our winding trip took us to a trail that we frequent during ski season but don't often visit this time of year. Ginzee took off after a grouse and I parked Bonnie to reel the dog back in. On my way back into the clearing, there sat Bonnie all content on this beautiful fall day. Yellow leaves scattered about with her pink paint against the green grass. The sun was peeking through the clouds adding a glint of orange to the mix. Every artists dream.

It is short season here in Alaska. I try to make time to enjoy every minute. Fall sure makes it easy to have art filled days!

Paint with me!

Red Sentry by Gina Edwards

Are you artistically inept? Do stick figures prove to be a creative disaster? Your exactly the student I am looking for.

On Friday, September 30 from 7-9:30 at 3150 C Street in Anchorage, I will be giving an art class in acrylic. This class was created for those of you out there that think it is IMPOSSIBLE for you to make art. It is also for those with a bit of creative flair that would like to learn some acrylic techniques. The above painting is what you personally will paint. At the end of the class you will walk out with your very own creation. Too good to be true? It gets better.

Anchorage Wine House will be joining us. At 7:00 p.m. we will enjoy a wine tasting event. We will learn the art of wine while being educated on the big, wonderful world of vino. After our discussion we sit down and start painting. Art and wine, what a wonderful combination. Tickets are $50 and include wine, class and supplies. Class is limited.

Wine and love letters by Gina Edwards

Speaking of art and wine being a great marriage, it is time for the Girdwood Center for Visual Arts art auction and wine tasting. Do you sense a pattern here? On November 5 at Challenge Alaska in Girdwood from 6-9 p.m. we will being eating food from Chair 5 and Jack Sprats. We will be sipping Anchorage Wine House wine and bidding on the silent art auction. I know! How fun does that sound?! Tickets for all the food and wine and fun is only $25. This is our big fundraiser. Every penny you give helps pay the rent for the gallery. Even if you can't make it you can make a donation. Even $5 helps!

So mark you calendars. Fall is in the air and so is art. I hope to see you soon at my art filled days!

Bike Culture

I left on my bike Monday for an appointment. The day was stunning and I left at the last minute wanting as much time in the warm sun that I could get. I would be able to make my appointment on time if I stayed on track.

My mind was filled with ideas for our fall trip. One of my business goals is to place my books Outside. Alaska has been good to me and Signore Greve but there is a big world out there. My hopes are to visit places with a true biking culture, Portland, Seattle, Denver.

Does Anchorage have bike culture? There are groups here trying to make it so. Teaching people that being a cyclist doesn't mean spandex. Teaching cyclist and drivers how to respect each other. The city is putting in true bike lanes here and there. It's a start.

My thoughts were interrupted with a small group gathered on the trail. A mother moose with twins was dining on the side of the trail. One baby on the left of the trail, one baby on the right. Great, so much for being on time for my appointment. As I stood there trying to judge the danger of pedaling past I became aware of something quite amazing.

With traffic on both ends of the trail suspended it didn't take long before quite a group of cyclist had grown. What started with three on my side quickly became 7. The other end had a crowd of about 14! Some were in spandex like me, some were with kids. Some were on cruiser bikes enjoying the sunny day. All had the enjoyment of bicycling in common.

As I was planning and plotting my journey to other bike cultures I had a tasted of the growing culture here in little ole Anchorage. I was quite proud of be a part of it.

Ice, Ice baby

This is a painting I did for my July show titled, " North of Barrow". I was really happy how the ice came out. I did a series of layering to get the true depth of ice. I started with a rich green and then added on the blue and then the white. Ice, like polar bears, are not just white. There is a lot going on as the next photo shows.

This is small part of Portage Glacier. It is beautiful! Interesting, the glacier isn't as rich and colorful in the sun. The best way to see a glacier is on a cloudy or rainy day. I wasn't complaining though. The day was spectacular and the glacier is always an awesome sight. It is a moving, almost living thing. They groan and shift and look different every day.

It's true a tree is green, a polar bear is white and the dirt is brown. But if you take a minute and look a little deeper you will see many colors within a simple leaf. A polar bears fur will change based on their diet. And the dirt in Oklahoma is nothing like the dirt on the shores of Alaska.

So have an art filled day by taking a second and looking a little deeper into the simple colors of creation.

Introducing Huey!

I was listening to World Cafe the other day to an interview with a musician. She had just gotten done playing a fabulous song and David Dye asked about the creation process behind it. She giggled a bit and said she was embarrassed to admit she had written the song in about 20 minutes.

I love when things fall together like that creatively. I know all us creative types wish it happened more often. But when it does it is a magnificent thing. You know it's going to be a success just because it flowed out effortlessly.

My Italian bicyclist Signore Greve and Celli were not an exhalation. They were sketch after sketch. A tweak here and a tweak there. I abandoned it time and time again only to feel a nagging to return. It was worth it. Greve and I have enjoyed many adventures together.

Above is Huey. I have had this bird in my head for a long time. He popped out on the canvas one day full of character and personality. A few days later two birds flew inside my house. True story. They seemed so calm in the house, like we were old friend and they popped in to say hello. As I walked over one hopped on my finger and sat until I walked him outside. The other did the same. I just stood in my backyard with my mouth agape watching them return to the trees.

Huey and I have been talking a lot lately. He's quite charming. The Bugs Bunny of the bird world. I don't know what Huey and I can accomplish together. But I can't wait to find out

Creative Jolt

Ahhhh, the great outdoors. What a great way to clean my mental house. No phone calls, no to do list, just a swept clear space to let the creative thoughts wander through and settle in.

My husband and I decided to head out last Sunday for a morning hike. Ginzee is always willing to hit the trails and the three of us headed out for a drizzly, peaceful hike.

We have had a lot rain this year with just enough sun popped in now and then. This results in foliage like I imagine the garden of Eden must have looked like. Thick, lush, green plants loom over head. Dew drips off the leaves and the colors of wild flowers peak through the screen of green. Whew, artist heaven. I stroll dreamily along filling my mind with colors and shapes.

That's when I saw it. The HUGE brown bear paw print in the mud. They were fresh, VERY fresh. After a few steps we found some scat. Also, FRESH. Clearly we were following this bruin along on the same path. We began to sing and call and carry on like people crazed with fear of a bear attack.

The above image is a creation from my friend Steve Engle. His business Animal Tracks by Steve creates these beautiful plaques from actual animal prints. This is from a grizzly print found in Kelp Bay. The prints we found weren't quite as big but not by much. This print is 6.5 inches across.

My creative moment got a bit of a jolt. I knew if Steve Engle was with us he would have pulled out his plaster kit and made art from our heart pounding moment. Then my bear moment would be sitting on someones table reminding them of the creative outdoors.

The Carnival of Summer

Ahhhhhh, a picture of bliss, quiet and wonder. Here, my puppy Ginzee is absorbed in Alaska's summer beauty. The early morning sun gleams over the soaring mountains and warms our camp. The earth smells so good and the birds are chattering about. In this moment I love summer.

Did you just raise an eyebrow? Doesn't everyone love summer? Well, I happen to be the salmon swimming against the current.

Don't get me wrong, this photo is the ideal of what summer in Alaska is all about. But this photo doesn't show the chaos, the maniac, frenetic energy going on at sea level. Campers clog the roads. Drivers become drugged with sun and warmth and direct their cars as if they are singly on the road. Parking spots don't exist. Getting into your favorite breakfast, cafe and pizza joint is an impossibility. And the noise! This makes summer fall off my list of favorites.

It really becomes like a crazy carnival. People-watching becomes a 'train wreck' kind of experience. You watch people try to stuff their car into spaces that don't exist. The sidewalks are filled with hat-and-glove-bundled visitors while you stroll about in shorts. You see people carry trinkets that you didn't think anyone could POSSIBLY buy.

As an artist, summer is essential to my survival. I don't curse tourists or roll my eyes at their silly Alaska life questions. I know they support my livelihood. I remember being one myself a decade or so ago. I can smile and nod and laugh with them. Why? Soon the cold will descend, the flakes of frozen water will lilt down from the sky. The streets will clear, the cafes will offer my favorite tables, the noise will slowly dissipate. The pace slows, people invite you over for cozy dinners. Winter brings bliss, quiet and wonder.

THAT, is my favorite season.

Estimated Time of Arrival

I picked mom up at the airport last night. The pure silver jewelry (sampled above) made it safely as did some of her stained glass boxes and bowls. The postcards are printed, the e-invites have been sent and we are ready for the show on Friday

Okay, I have a confession to make. You never really feel ready for a show. Your mind reels every night when you go to bed thinking about things you should have added, said, created, planned. It's an exhausting way to sleep.

I have showed up 30 minutes before the show opens and walk around looking at the display. Even when everything is said and done you STILL feel something HUGE will manifest itself. It usually doesn't, the benefits of the sleepless nights I guess but you still can't help feeling like you've forgotten something.

So please come and see our show. Help distract me from my anxiety. The show is Friday, July 8th at 608 W. 4th Avenue. Right next to the 4th avenue theatre at Sevigny Gallery. The time of arrival is here! Hope to see you there!

I Live Here

WHEW! On Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. I finished my last painting for my July show titled, " I Live Here". It features different images from life here in Alaska. After many starts and stops and frustration I finally brought it all together with not much time to spare.

I was feeling free and easy on Wednesday. After having a schedule that required me to be easel focused I decided to take my puppy for a nice walk. Ahhhhh, great way to clear the mind and celebrate 8 fresh paintings.

Off we went with a spring in my step. My step soon became a shuffling moon walk of sorts when I came upon a moose cow with a baby. A moose mom is deadlier than a bear so we about faced and headed a different way. Ahhh 'I Live Here' you know, just a beautiful reminder of this great state.

Plan B came screeching to a halt when a moose mom with twins poked her head out of the woods. Poked her clearly crabby head out of the brush. Even Ginzee slinked away, that moose had a fierce stink eye! Heh, heh 'I Live Here' you know. Moose everywhere. Just a slight inconvenience, no big deal.

Plan C was in full motion when we came upon a black bear. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I LIVE HERE YA KNOW! I stood weighing my options and best route of survival. Still wanting to "Live Here" by the end of the day. I mean, how much wildlife can you pack in a 2 mile span?

We took our chances with our route back home. I was twitchy,the dog was twitchy. Ginzee would flinch, then I would flinch, then she would flinch from my flinching. We were a twitching mess when we finally hit the relative safety of our yard.

Alaska is amazing everyday. True, I was a bit fussed when I got back home but not everyone gets to see that much wildlife on a simple dog walk. That is why when ever a tourist says, "Where are you from?" I smile and answer, " I live here".

Was it Worth It?

In 1994 I was standing on the bow of a small expedition style boat. The sun was beaming down as the boat cruised through the waters of Baja. I was teary with joy as I watched a huge pod of dolphins playing in the bow wake of the boat. It was amazing and I couldn't believe I was there absorbing it all. At that moment I watched one of my earrings flip out of my ear and drop into the water. I gasped in horror.

Those earrings were given to me by Steve when we were dating. It was one of those big events for me. An unexpected gift that couldn't be more my taste, my style, it was like I realized he really 'got me'.

The woman next to me heard the gasp and saw the earring. We were silent for a moment, forgetting the dolphin show. She looked at me and said, " Was it worth it?" Yeah, it was REALLY worth it.

The above photo is me, about 3 days later,petting a baby grey whale in the middle of Bahia Magdalena at about 6 in the morning. There is no civilization around and the quiet is blissful. The earring had been long forgotten. I rank this in the top 10 amazing moments of my life.

I find myself asking, "Is it worth it?" a lot as I make decisions for art show and projects. Recently I did a 'mini show'. It was only on display for two weeks. I made $50. When I added up my time and my gas it was WELL over $50. It wasn't not worth it. It's a frustrating gamble.

As I prepare for my next book, my next show, my next project I hope it is worth it. Sadly, when you start the journey you don't know what will be the end result. But it's hard to say no to a new adventure. Who knows, you may pet a baby whale in the wilds of Baja.

Visions of Beauty

Like every teenager, my mother did things I thought were horrifyingly embarrassing. My mom's hair has a natural curl. Many days we would be traveling here and there. Mom always kept a Velcro curler in the car's console. Growing up in Michigan meant dealing with the summer humidity. Mom always wanted her bangs to be curl free. Here was her solution.

She would put on her seat belt and then using the rear view mirror carefully place her bangs onto the curler. Then she would say, " Now Gina Lynn, remind me to take this out when we get out of the car." As if I would WANT her to leave to car in that condition. You know people can see you at the stop signs! We lived in a very small town everyone knew our car. And sometimes after looking at her in the curler for so long I wouldn't see it any more and she would get out of the car with it in! I vowed then and there that I would NEVER have my appearance be an embarrassment.

When I hit thirty my hair too developed a curl. But no worry, I let my bangs curl wild and free. No curlers for me. No public humiliation moments. Then the Fed Ex guy showed up.

I was in the zone. Paint brushes flying, music pounding when I heard someone walking up the steps. Without a thought I gave a big smile and opened the door. Being the friendly, chatty person I am I proceeded with some witty banter before he hustled on. As I turned to place the package down I caught my reflected in the glass.

I was wearing both my sunglasses and my painting reader glasses on my head. I had two pieces of hair perfectly sticking straight up above the glasses. I had paint on my face and a ratty, very used kleenex sticking out of my chest pocket. I was the mad scientist of the art world! What happened? Where did I lose control? I could hear my mom crackling in my head, getting me back for all those eye rolls of my teenage hood.

Okay, okay so maybe she's right. But at least there wasn't a curler in sight!

Top Secret

Whew, I finally got on my way with my July show titled " I Live Here". I decided to do some Alaska images, the cool things about living in this amazing state.

My sketch book went through a lot of erasing, crumpling and scribbling before I found what I wanted to do. Sadly, I do not have a sketch book that you want to show around. You honestly might think I kindergartner got a hold of it. No, I am not joking.

Have you ever seen the sketches of Degas? Many of them are now on display at museums. I stood in the Chicago Art Institute once studying one of his sketches. Of course it was brilliant, because it's Degas but how would he feel? If he could travel in time and suddenly be present in front of his sketches hung on the wall would he be horrified? Would he think, " Who found that? Who FRAMED that?" I know that is how I would feel.

I have seen other artists sketch books and felt many of the 'loose sketches' were fabulous art already. Mine....not so much. I have even taken on line journaling/sketches classes trying to improve. Then I think who has time to journal and sketch, I have art to create!

So let me just let the world know, if I become wildly famous one hundred years from now, PLEASE don't hang my sketches for the world to see. I would hate to be shown up by kindergartners.

Report Cards

My report cards were always the same. "Gina is a joy to have in class but she talks to much and disturbs others students from their work". Was it my fault I was a fast worker, leaving time in every class for socializing? Hmmm, I bet that would probably be my report card even now!

I liked school and I even liked most my teachers. Even if their reports made my mom give me the scowling, disappointed face. Now, when I visit schools to talk about my book, "If We Hopped on Our Bike..." I see myself in every class. I have visited 6th grade down to pre-school and there I am every time. The eager hand in the air, asking questions when the speaker is in the middle of a sentence ( sigh....I still do that). Some kids raise their hands only to be struck with shyness the moment my attention turns to them. Yeah, I NEVER had that problem. When I ask for a volunteer there is a mini version of me snapping her arm out of the socket to get picked. How some things never change.

I had a great time visiting Scenic Park schools. The above picture shows the awesome art they created for me as a thank you. All the students traced their hands with their names on a giant thank you card. I even got a group hug before I left. It was great.

I hope to visit more schools next season. I always enjoy myself, always learn something and always leave with better ideas of how my next presentation should be. The best part? I am always expected to talk in class.

Stuck

I feel like this puppy. Stuck. I have a show in a few months. I had several ideas I was anxious to work on. They all seem to be reluctant to become brilliant. I have tweaked and sketched and consulted and whimpered and begged.....but nothing.

Artist block isn't new to me. I have experienced it before and probably under the same deadline situation. But now it seems worse! I go to bed every night hoping I will be struck instead of stuck. I am trying to keep the panic at bay while I gather my creative cells and throw them a party. But now they all seem to be hung over and disinterested in my plight! How dare they, I even gave them cheese doodles.

During these times my studio changes from being a haven to a torture chamber. Every tool seems to be rolling their eyes at me. "PLLLLeeeease, that's the best you can do?" Didn't they use to love me?

I will carry on. Hunched and pathetic I will endure the insults while waiting for my creative cells to get their act together. Until then, more cheese doodles.

Wild Ride

Have you ever seen the Blue Man Group? I have been thinking for a few days what I should say about the concert we went to on Tuesday. On the way home I asked my husband how he would explain the show. He was a little speechless as well.

I guess I would call it a great, funny rock/percussion concert that was amazingly creative. During the segment shown above, they take a canvas and place it over the drum as it is being played. The splashing colors create an original piece of art. They do this again with dye filled marshmallows spitting the color out of their mouth and onto a canvas.

Later in the evening they take someone from the audience, dress them in a full jumpsuit, paint them, hang them from their ankles and swing them into a canvas. No, I am not kidding. Oh, they did put a helmet on them. You know, safety first.

The really cool thing is that the art was given to people in the audience. Think of how much people who had seen the show would pay for a piece of the art. But they all make it part of the fun. And it was really, really fun.

If you get a chance to see them perform you are in for an amazing ride. I came home feeling creatively recharged. Hmmm, if I only I had a jump suit, a helmet, a pulley and......hey Steve?

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Life is full of crucial decisions. Often a good idea becomes a bad one. An example, cleaning up after your dog's daily walk.....good idea. Forgetting the 'treasure' in your bike trunk for 3 days....bad idea. Very, very, very bad idea.

I made the decision the end of last year to take on 6 commission paintings, a portion of one is sampled above. Good idea. I actually had to make a flow chart to keep track of the progress of each. I am not going to lie, it did become a bit overwhelming but all the paintings are done and there is only one left to deliver. One of the commissions was a different style for me and I really enjoyed the challenge.

I am often asked to paint something that...well, it just isn't me. This is always a bad idea. Always. I know there are those that love Elvis and unicorns on black velvet. However, I would not be the artist to hire. It's important to remind yourself of this when the check book balance is low and the customers excitement is high. You start reasoning, how bad can painting a woodland fairy be?

Okay, okay, I am not knocking all you velvet, woodland fairy painters out there but I do think every artists should stay true to themselves. Do what you do best and don't fit yourself into a style of painting that just doesn't work for you.

Please take my warning about puppy treasures in the wrong place. ( my bike trunk will never be the same) And remember one person's good idea might be your bad idea.

Feeling the Love

Artists are a strange lot. Our egos torture us a lot. In five minutes I can go from thinking I am brilliant to thinking I have no right to own a paint brush! I know a lot of artists that always seem to ooze confidence. In private do they whimper and throw fits at their easel? I hope so.

I got a MAJOR dose of love this week. My friend and patron Joel gave me a call. There were some paintings he was interested in. After a nice catch up chat we got down to business and Joel left with several paintings. Is that the major love dose? Well, certainly a part of it.

Later I received an email from his girl friend Julie who sent one of the sweetest notes about my work that I have ever gotten. Her 5 and 7 year old are also fans. To think my art is a positive force in their lives was thrilling and a bit humbling. I felt like I needed to write her and tell her about my easel temper tantrums. That many of my ideas come from other people's suggestions. I felt a pang of worry that one day she would wake up, look at the painting and realize I am a fraud, not talented at all. That some how she lost her mind and saw creativity where really there is none. Yikes! My self esteem plunged off the charts.

After my self depreciation was done I read the note again and felt a big love dose. Right now four people love looking at my work. It makes them happy. IT MAKES THEM HAPPY! Wow, can you get a love dose bigger than that? Now if you'll excuse me I have a giant cartoon heart waiting to hug me. MMMMmmmmm

My Personal Rat

All artists have a rat. Of course we all shake our heads denying we adopted such a vile creature. I mean the mess alone steers you the other way. But if you sneak into studios you see the evidence. The pack rat leaves an obvious trail. Piles of books, ripped out magazine pages, bits of string, pieces of broken tile, cool rocks, the list is really endless. Why do we subject ourselves to such a messy companion? Because the payoffs can be big. What if that tile inspires us to a brilliant creation? That piece of string could be just the touch needed to make an amazing piece of work.

That brings me to the last Signore Greve Cinema piece. I held on to this packet of MGM postcards for years! I had no idea what I could possible do with them. At the time I had done very little multi media work. But those stinking postcards were so awesome I just couldn't get rid of them. One day I am driving along and it hits me, Signore Greve goes to the movies. I created 4 paintings in this series. My customers loved them. Ahhh, the thrill of the pay off.

So here is a raised paint brush to the pack rats that join us in our creative quest. As I look at my overflowing shelves I curse you. As I look at the above painting I love you. What a relationship.

Time with the Sketch Book

It occurred to me the other day that I had no plan for my July show. That may seem like a long way off but not for a full art show. But as the panic began to rise I remembered my ski trip. Steve and I along with 6 friends had planned for months to head up to Denali State Park for some skiing and camping. Ahhhh, the perfect way to get some inspiration and some sketches in the book. We started the trip with a stop in Talkeetna for a DELICIOUS breakfast at the Talkeetna Roadhouse. The sun was bright, our skis were waxed and we were ready for adventure!

Our new 10 month old puppy Ginzee wasn't sure about the pack back. She initially carried the 5 pound pack like a sway back horse but once we hit the woods she knew this was going to be great. It was her first camping trip.

There is hardly a better view of Denali than Buyers Lake. The sun was so warm and the snow was fast. Our friend's dog, Kiley had enjoyed this experience before. Steve and I wore pack backs in while the others pulled sleds.

Sadly my camera did not pick up the stunning view of the Mountain behind Kelly and Heather. Heather, growing up in Texas, can not get enough heat. But even she was pulling off clothes due to the incredible heat from the winter sun as we skied across the lake.

We did find open water at the creek that feeds into the lake. The ice froze crystal clear at the lake's edge. It was like looking through a window at the underwater scene.

It was unanimous that our back country ski day was the favorite. We crashed, fell over buried in snow and laughed and laughed. Here, Noah attempted a downhill run. He was almost successful until he hit a deep patch of snow that stopped him instantly. Kiley rushed in like a EMT for a face lick.

Did I get a show idea? I did! Getting away from phones and 'to-do' list always clears the head to let ideas flow through. I come home with a fresh dose of vitamin D, an exhausted puppy and a sketch book that promises a good July show!

Nature's Gallery

This was taken on Sunday at Turnagain Arm. It's our favorite hiking spot this time of year. The sun and wind remove most the snow which makes for pretty easy hiking early in the season. Being a snow/winter lover I really don't look forward to spring. However, the warmer weather and longer daylight is very energy infusing. I have many sketches ready for canvas. Hikes on a beautiful day can do that to you.

This is the ice formed on the mud flats on the Arm during low tide. We are high above the flats looking down from a rock cropping. It reminds me of the crust on brownies out of the oven. I love the peace and quiet of winter and I hate to see it go. But watching the earth wake up is amazing.

Mmmmm how could I recreate these trees on canvas and keep the gnarled but beautiful quality? The wind bends and distorts these trees. They stand like sentries so bold and strong. The harsh silhouette against the soft pastel setting sun is a great juxtaposition.

I love cotton wood tree bark. I brought a piece of bark home off a fallen tree. I thought a relief of it would make a great background. Just a walk in the woods but so many amazing things to see. I have walked this trail dozens of times and I always come back with a full camera. Here is to nature's gallery!

Picture perfect day

The skis were waxed. We were carbo loaded and ready for our Tour of Anchorage adventure. Steve and I set off to complete the 25 k route of the Tour. As you can see, it was a gorgeous day!

Nothing like a little art along the way to keep you inspired. I had to stop and take a photo of this great sign. Thank you to whomever took the time to create this cheer to keep us going.

We weren't the only ones taking advantage of this perfect winter day. After a very cold winter, the sun with HEAT felt pretty amazing. Westchester lagoon was packed with ice skaters.

The view from the Coastal trail route never ceases to create awe. At this point we had a snack and watched about 20 ravens play on the thermals coming off the inlet. They were breath taking.

Our last breath before the long climb to the finish. We have about 20k under our belts at this point. The bad news the worse is about to come. Can you say "UP"?

Steve takes time to collect his thoughts before we grit through the last 3k. I assure you he made it! It was a great sense of accomplishment and a wonderful way to spend such an amazing day. It always feels good to have a goal and to meet that challenge.