African Inspirations

I have been painting Africa for years though I've never been. My most popular painting is Henry, my curious little ostrich who has been peaking out of the canvas at people for years. The above painting is titled,"Swimming Trunk". Currently it is on display in a local office but hopefully some day the right buyer will take him home.

I am packing my bags and headed to the other side of the globe. Literally. My husband loves maps and I bought him a globe several years ago for an anniversary. I don't know that any other gift has given him such joy. He often will walk past and point out Alaska and then with the opposite hand point out Africa. He is still amazed at how far across the globe we will travel. All I can think about is the torture. Some people call it a plane flight but for my hyper little body being locked in a tight, uncomfortable seat for that long is plain torture.

I am confident the discomfort will pay off. Seeing the animals I have been so in love with walking in their natural setting is a thrill to simply think about. Oh and yes, I will have my sketch book!

Double Latte with Room

I am not a coffee drinker. I always wanted to be. My grandparents drank coffee and it all seemed like a sweet, romantic way to start your morning. The delicious smell wafting through your cozy home. Sitting together reading the paper with light chat about your day. But I could never convince my taste buds as they reeled at the horror of the bitter liquid.

The above is an illustration I did for a show on symbiosis. We really have become a society completely dependant of the affects of this little bean. Connecting coffee and symbiosis was a bit tongue in cheek but it allowed me to create some fun coffee art.

I met a gentleman yesterday who is a hobby artist. He doesn't sell his work anywhere but he definitely had a passion for his work. His favorite medium....coffee. I know, I gave him the same look. Apparently he went to visit his sister at work one day. She handed him a cup of coffee and on the lid some coffee had spilled giving the perfect outline of a rhino. He said he was amazed and he began showing it to people. Yes, everyone thought he was nuts. He rushed home and on watercolor paper began to recreate the image with his left over drink. His love for coffee painting was born and a pot of coffee was never wasted again.

I don't think you'll see coffee on my supply shelves soon but I admired his enthusiasm. I hope you see something unexpectedly arty in your day today.

Simple but brillant

This is Heck, a great illustrative artist. Some of you may be looking at this and thinking, "I could do that!" Unlikely.

I bought a calendar full of Heck drawings and I had a hard time deciding which one I would feature in this blog. One challenge of every artist, I imagine, is not overworking your piece. You tweak here and there and before you know it you've overdone it. Sometimes you can't undo all the damage. I wonder if Heck has this problem. In another imagine two birds sit on a telephone wire. Very simple work but you can't help but think their in love or some other silly scenario. Am I looking at the final piece after several overworked and overdone creations lie crumpled on the floor? I hope so, that would make me feel better.

It is said that artists and writers never actually finish a book or a painting, they simply abandon the project. I have indeed abandoned many paintings only to later see I quit at the perfect moment.

Drawing on the walls

I was visiting with a 19 year old friend of mine. She was telling me how she and her three roommates did some redecorating. They rent half a duplex so they are a bit limited. Redecorating meant some creative painting and new window coverings.

One of the roommates had a friend in Fairbanks who likes to do simple wall murals. They convinced her to come down and do two murals. One of a tree in the corner of the living room and another tree in their kitchen. She was quite enthusiastic with the results.

The above is a mural in my entry way. There is a wonderful large closet as soon as you walk in the door. But the HUGE pine stained doors were overwhelming and well, ugly! At the time I was not working full time as an artist and looked for any opportunity to create art. Over a few winter nights I created this moose peaking through the woods. The idea was to duplicate the view out the windows.

My husband not only allows but encourages drawing on the walls. Fortunately for my friend, Katelyn, her landlord was okay with it too. I am happy for Katelyn and her roommates. Grab every opportunity you have to bring art into your life.

Keep On Pedaling

I have mentioned in past blogs that I am currently working on a children's book. The art is done, the text is written and now for the B O R I N G stuff. This mainly involves sitting in front of a computer screen and putting the book together in a computer program. I have to rely heavily on my husband to do this part, I am not savvy with the programs required.

I woke up today celebrating that the book, which is simply a pile of CD's, would be handed off to the designer. The weight would lift off my shoulders knowing that my work was done and now those I have paid will carry on the rest. It was a good dream.

Unfortunately my conversation with the designer included a lot of , "wrong lay out" and "try it this way". I left with a hung head. I am right back to where I started and my poor honey is back to the computer screen with me hovering over his shoulder.

I know what Signore Greve would do, he would keep on pedaling.

The HORROR

What does Mona Lisa have to do with horror? Well hold on because I am dragging out my soap box and readying myself for a tirade.

Recently in the newspaper was a small blurb about McDonalds and Mona Lisa becoming neighbors. Now, we'll stop right there for a second. Mona Lisa, one of the most recognized paintings in the world, is the most popular attraction in the Louvre. She sits contently in her bullet proof box while people travel thousands of miles just to gaze upon this simple but powerful painting.

On the COMPLETELY opposite end of the spectrum, differing radically, diametrically opposed is...cough, sputter...McDonalds. What does his culture dictating, obesity promoting, toxic food creating empire have to do with the beloved Mona Lisa?

Apparently McDonald's restaurant will hang it's shingle in the shadow of the Louvre. In the Carrousel du Louvre the fast food chain will set up shop. After reading this I hung my head in utter disappointment and disillusionment. I know, the steaming forward monster known as McDonalds is unstoppable but the LOUVRE? Clearly nothing is sacred any more. Nothing.

I know if Mona Lisa read that article she'd wrinkle her nose and shake her head in disappointment right along with me.

Power of One

We had the absolute pleasure and joy of attending the Broadway production of "The Lion King". When I heard it was coming all the way to Anchorage I wrote it on every calendar so there would be no risk of missing it.

All my efforts were worth it. The music, colors and costumes were amazing and creative to the highest level. I read a comment by the costume designer where she discussed studying lions and their movements and how she tried to bring that all together for the play. Her thorough research was evident.

I often do similar research for a painting. The above is a painting of mine titled, " The Power of One", the title taken from a great book. This painting had me on the internet's Yahoo image search to find lions in every conceivable position. Often the painting will come from a combination of different lions. This lion has a great mane but this lion's eyes are piercing. What would I do without the internet?

The Lion King filled my artistic reservoir to the tippy top. I am so privileged to have enjoyed the work of such creative minds.