Cute Factor

I often search photos on Google for reference. When this photo came up I almost laughed myself into a hernia. Even now when I look at it I laugh.

I read a quote from an artist once that said don't paint 'cute'. He was a wildlife artist and was making reference to the adorableness of animals and how your work can become...well, cute. I get it and at the same time I don't.

Is Signore Greve and Celli cute? I think of them as charming but I am aware of how close to the cute range I have wandered. But is cute really so bad? Am I less talented because my art makes people laugh, smile and tell stories? I have heard so many stories from people who come up Greve and me at shows, smile to themselves and then share an awesome adventure they once enjoyed.

LOOK AT THIS KITTEN! You laughed again didn't you? You felt good! That's right, you for a moment forgot about the dishes and the report that's due and your sick friend and laughed at the cute (maybe slightly tortured) kitten.

I want people to see my work and smile. Cute SCHMUTE, I am from now on and ever forward adding kittens to all my paintings. The solution to world peace? More kittens in frog hats!

Now if you'll excuse me I need to Google frog hats to see if they come in my dog's size. heehee

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.

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.

First Friday Party!

We had a great time on Friday night at Snow City Cafe. The BE THE BIKE show was a nice success. We had lots of art lovers new and old stop in. Best of all we have LOTS of visitors bike to the event. Many customers had great ideas for Signore Greve's travels. I am anxious to get to my sketch book. For now enjoy the video!

Jackson Pollock Gimmick

Yeah! I loved this comic. Apparently I am not the only one out there that is confused by the popularity of Jackson Pollock. I have cardboard acrylic palettes that look exactly like his paintings. Did you see he has a stamp out now? Oops I spilled a can of paint....I mean, WOW I created art. Sheesh.

But I digress. The comic did give me a good belly laugh, mainly the Pollock part,but the gimmick comment did make me pause.

My character Signore Greve has been very popular. I did cautiously branch out into bookmarks and small drawing pads with his image pedaling across. The question is at what point does it become over the top. It is art and I don't want to lose that but the little items help pay the bills. That is more important then ever. The economy has forced many of my artist friends to get cubicle, Dilbert jobs. (shudder,shudder) Greve has helped me squeak through month after month.

It was good for me take a step back and think this through. Greve makes people smile and I love that about him. His character really has no limits, he will never run out of places to go and things to enjoy. I guess that's my answer. Keep the gimmicky items to a minimum but keep Greve and Celli moving. They fit perfect on a drawing pad and bookmark. On school folders, bedsheets and little boys underwear....not so much.

If We Hopped on Our Bikes....

The paint has been splashing around in my studio the last few months. My book on Signore Greve and Celli's travels is coming together. The boring price checking and scheduling is set and now it is all about getting the art from my head to the canvas.

Seeing my book come together is exciting. The image posted is of a page I struggled for some time with. The text was set but what was the art that would tie it all together? After mulling and discussing with my muse honey and my artist mom this image popped into my mind. I feel the finished product was even better than I hoped. That is a great feeling when the finished art was better than your imagination.

I am more than half way done. Here's hoping every page is better than the last.

Fresh off the easel

Here is my latest Signore Greve titled "Musical Note". I had planned to put the musical instrument onto the back of Greve's bike. Artistically it just wasn't working so I removed the instrument and added the instrument case. At first I was frustrated that I couldn't make my mental image translate to canvas. But later as I looked at it drying on my studio wall I decided I was glad for the mishap. I think Signore Greve has a bit of mystery to him which is part of his appeal. Being his creator I know what instrument he plays but what does the viewer think? I think that is part of the fun in art, seeing the obvious and also imagining the unseen.

I sold a Greve painting to a wonderful patron of mine who gave it as a gift to his 80 something mother who lives out of state. He sat in the mornings of his visit drinking coffee and looking at the painting hung in the kitchen. As the mornings went by he saw little nuances he hadn't noticed before. On his return home I received an e-mail from him asking me about the little details he noticed. I hope all my art buyers find more and more to enjoy about my paintings as it becomes a fixture in their daily lives.

I hope "Musical Note" makes people wonder what instrument Greve plays. Does Celli howl along? What does your imagination say?

Bike to Work

Today is National Bike to Work day. The whole week has involed a greater awareness of the wonders biking can do for our earth, our bodies and our minds. Of course being a HUGE cyclist myself I can't help but be drawn to any kind of bike art. We have 4 pieces of artwork displayed featuring bicycles and we have one waiting for a frame. This image is from artist Darrell Hill called "Retro Bikes". Signore Greve himself came from a wonderful biking journey Steve and I made through Italy. Creativity comes easier on a bike ( see blog Pondering and Pedaling). Freed from the roar of traffic and frustration of red lights ideas and images come easier.

I am embarking on a huge project. A project that I have to confess has me a bit overwhelmed. Signore Greve is soon to become his own children's book. I have done the boring work, pricing cost, shipping solutions etc. Now is the time to nail down the story line and get painting. I hope to have the finished product this time next year. Bike to work day will also include my book showing Greve and Celli enjoying the wonders of this world on his bike.

I hope you were able to enjoy some pedal power today. If not, be sure to make a goal to see the your part of the world from a bike seat. Your mind will thank you.

Pondering and Pedaling

Monday my friend Noah and I planned a last run on the ski hills. On arriving at the trail head I found grey slushy snow with mud peaking through. Not idea skiing. So Thursday my bike, complete with studded tires, hit the bike path.

One ( there are really so many) wonderful thing about riding your bike is the time you can let your mind wander. Jumping from a song you heard recently to what you're going to make for dinner to what paint color a leaf you just past would be. I often find an art dilemma or a creative impasse will resolve itself as I pedal along. Among the wanderings of my mind suddenly the perfect solution to my current art problem will surface. In fact, yesterday I made a hand signal to turn right and saw my shadow on the pavement. My mittened hand made me laugh. Then I thought, why haven't I ever painted Signore Greve and Celli winter biking? I could see them humming along with snow covered mountains regal in the background. (the picture shows a summer scene I did a few years back) OH OH I know, Signore Greve with skis strapped to his back on the way to the ski hill! Him in a ball topped ski hat and Celli with his own scarf fluttering in the winter air. Idea after idea flowed.

I came back to reality quickly as the trail got more and more challenging to navigate. The creek had overflowed on the trail and a series of mini ice bergs, soft snow and chilly water required full concentration. I am sad to say I wasn't dry when I got to my destination but I was creatively inspired!