Inspiration from newsprint

I laughed so hard.  Of course the bear is fine.  I would not have been entertained if the bear was hurt.  In Boulder Colorado a bear wandered onto the campus at the University of Colorado.  Tsk, tsk.  After he was darted he did a free fall onto the mat and was transferred into a remote Rocky Mountain area with lots of oak brush and chokecherry, bear heaven.

I cut it out to send to my mom who lives in Colorado.  But I couldn't quit looking at it.  Why?  There is art in this photo. After rolling it around in my head and talking it over with my brillant manager/husband I had an idea.  I even sent out an email to a venue to see if they might have me present a show. What is the idea?  Well, I can't give it all away!

It's true, this bear had a bad day.  Although I am sure he woke up in the perfect bear spot relieved that humans weren't milling about ruining his foraging.  I am grateful for the photographer who hit the shutter at the perfect moment.  Now, if you'll excuse me I have some sketching to do!

Me and my Best Friend

This is a portrait of me and my best friend of old, Beezil, done several years ago. I loved painting that dog and really still do every time I paint Celli in Signore Greve's basket.  She was my inspiration.  Her unflinching expression made her a great subject that proved to be irresistible to me and those that saw her in art. This print and note card continue to be good sellers. 

 This simple style concept brought on commissions.

This commission was placed by a woman who also wanted her and her best friend sealed in time.  I loved the pink trench coat and striped boots.  Her dog seems unconcerned with her fabulous fashion sense, just poised and ready for his portrait.  His bandanna is accepted as his contribution to the style of the scene.

Recently I got my first cat to take the stage.  Peanut Kane, also known as Leo the Lion, posed in this kingly stance with his owner.  She wanted to be sure we got the attitude that has been part of Peanut for the last 16 years.  She teared a little when she said his age.  I understood completely.  I too have a 16 year old cat.  It blows my mind to think how many chapters in my life she has been with me. I get a lump in my throat whenever I think of her not being with me.  I was happy Brenda will always have Peanut with her, even if it is only in his royal painting.

Here is to our furry friends.  They don't realize how much they make us laugh, drive us crazy, comfort us when no one else can and cost us untold amounts of money.  It's is worth it to have such a great best friend.

Bless the Cell Phone

"Exotic Drink" is currently hanging on the wall at the Huffman Kaladi. Seeing they were without an artist for the month I offered my services and they accepted.

This morning my first phone call of the day was from a stranger. No, that's not right. It was an admirer. She was sitting having her coffee at Kaladi while gazing at the art. She decided she loved "Exotic Drink". She didn't have the wall space or the money for it but she sure liked it. So what did she do she took 2 minutes out of her morning coffee to call me and tell me so. Wow.

I love my ipad. I regularly take advantage of texting and today's technology makes being a profitable artist much easier. But most of the time it drives me crazy. Sitting in the passenger seat of the car and counting how many people pass us texting terrorizes me. Having many conversations with my friends while staring at the top of their heads while they are texting makes me want to strangle them. But today was different.

Having her cell phone handy she decided to call me and tell me, " good job". Before she hung up she said, " Keep painting". Thank you stranger, you made my day brighter.

International Language of Art

I visited Vancouver B.C. this weekend. Wonderful city, except for one glaring travesty.

The above is a sample of international art symbols we all know. The international symbol for dead? X eyes of course. We all know the steaming anger from the top of the head, the light bulb of an idea. You may not even have been aware of this language but yet we see it all the time. There is the sweat from exertion and of course the stink lines with the token fly. The whoosh of speed is one of my favorites. When I am skiing and biking I wish I could have them streaming out from my back showing the world how fast I am.

So we all agree that these drawings we see in every day life warn and inform us. Where did Vancouver go wrong? The walking man.

Standing at a street light on a lightly raining afternoon I obeyed the big red hand that says, "For cripes sake don't cross now!" Then came up the 'walking man'. I didn't walk I gasped, who was this walking man? We had never met! He had feet, his arms weren't at the correct angle. He was a bit jaunty and confident as he assured me I could cross the street. What are those crazy Canadians up to?

Now I confess their man has a bit of an appealing air about him but that is not the POINT! He is NOT the international symbol for "now proceed with caution and cross the street". He said," Yo babe, head on over this way!" I was shocked.

What's next Canada? Horizontal stink lines? Circle with a slash eyes for the dead/danger symbol? An anvil to show a new idea?

I thought we were friends.

Greve travels to Southeast Alaska!

Katie Sevigny is opening a gallery in Skagway and I am thrilled to say she asked me to join! I have been quite busy having Greve see the sights of this beautiful part of Alaska. Here he takes some time out to fish in "Signore Greve-Simple Things".

The rain forest of Southeast have fantastic trees. It's all that liquid sunshine that makes them so big and strong. "Signore Greve-Summer Rain".

The carvings that peek out of the forest tells so much about Alaska's history. "Signore Greve- The Forest's Story tellers"

Tracy Arm was one of my favorite places when I first visited Alaska in 1998. You would almost forget to breath with so much beauty surrounding you. I would love to go there again. Celli and Greve loved it too in, "Signore Greve-Tracy Arm"

If you head to Skagway this summer be sure to stop in. Maybe I will have an excuse to head down and visit!

Point Zero

Ambition/ original oil by Gina Edwards

I am sorry if you missed the Paint and Port with Nathan Perry last week. It was fun and informative. I am continually amazed at how talented the students are that come. As a full time artist in attendance you would think I would walk away with the gold star. Not really!

Nathan quoted from the"Point Zero-Creativity without Limits". The books point is to get past the self doubt and negativity that devours us and curtails our creative genius. But one question he pulled from the book as been rolling around in my head. "Does it matter if other people like my art?"

OF COURSE IT MATTERS! HELLLLlllloooooooo, trying to make a living here! I mean, I get it, create for the sake of creating instead of always looking at the business end of your art but Costco doesn't take art in trade for a bale of toilet paper!

The above painting just came out without much thinking. I had just got back from the Olympic Peninsula and was still reeling from the magnificent trees. I love trees. Anyway, I painted the tree in the water representing the incredible rain that feeds this incredible forest. Then I had the overwhelming urge to add the fish. Then the cat in the boat begged to be added. I know, the painting doesn't make any sense but you know what, I love this piece. I love the story it tells. I want to be in the boat with the cat under this amazing tree.

I know this painting will be slow to sell because of it's quirky subject. I wish I could always be okay with just spilling my head onto the canvas without worry of making a sale but that just isn't a working artist's life. Of course the alternative is getting a 'real' job and being a no pressure hobby artist. YIKES, that's crazy talk.

Animal ART

There she was peeking around my studio window. Yep, I am a moose lover. Even when they camp out in the back yard forcing me to walk the dog for potty breaks. Even when they are eating my flowers and leaving nuggets across my driveway. ( the nuggets wouldn't be so bad if my dog didn't think they were so delicious).

They really are long legged, furry art. The velvet nose, the shape of their muzzle and those huge ears. I know, I know I am getting poetic about an ungulate. But this time of year the art of nature itself is inspiring.

Ooooooooooh look at that face. I mean talk about art worthy! She is so shiny and soft with those expressive chocolate eyes. (Thank heaven I don't have a kid uh? Who could stand me?) But I am constantly looking at her thinking about how perfectly her ears curve off her head. How would I paint that glint of light that shines off her ears? Could I capture the perfect curve of her mouth?

A big challenge for artist is finding the inspiration. That spark that creates a new idea. I was struggling with an project when this moose came into view. It completely changed my attitude. I don't want to always be searching for creative energy and miss what is right in front of me.

So thank you Mrs. Moose for stopping in and saying hello. I am pretty sure the camera shows off your best side.