None of Your Business

"What other people think of you is none of your business".  I like that quote.  It is true.  We can wear ourselves out worrying about other people's perception of us.  We can even forget who we are by trying to conform to what we think are other people's expectations.  No one want to be the beautiful bird that has decided he's ugly because of other peoples comments. That is just too much work!

I was visiting with a good friend of mine and since I turned another year older this month the discussion of age came up.  He said that when he turned 50 it was great since he realized that he really didn't care what other people thought anymore.  He was happy with who he was.  I can relate to that.

But here's the rub. When you paint pictures for a living you need to care about what other people think about your art.....right?  NO, I should just paint what wants to be painted.  BUT I need to paint what people want to buy.  Not ever one will 'get' your random creative moment.  TRUE, but good art is art you feel.  You see this giant circle that traps me.

Of course my two favorite subjects are Greve and Celli and animals.  Not everyone wants a gorilla in their living room.  And not everyone wants a whimsical, playful bicycle scene.  I have a gallery that is a wonderful supporter but tells me, "no mammals".  Some customers are only interested in my fine art pieces and others only look at Signore Greve.  I almost need a flow chart!

Don't see this as complaining. I really do have the best job in the world.  I have so many wonderful customers that say kind things and buy my work as gifts and to hang on their walls. But some days I stand at my easel with all this swimming in my head,  "The beluga, elephants and seal haven't sold yet.  Should I paint another animal?  I just did an entire book worth of new paintings of Greve, I need a break but......."

I try hard to be a good person.  I treat others like I want to be treated. And I try not to worry about what others are thinking when I walk away. So could I adapt the quote to "What other people think of your ART is none of your business"?

Did you just Cabbage Patch?

 

My dog hates dancing.  I mean seriously hates it.  You wouldn't think this would pose a problem since I am not in the theatre as a professional dancer.  You would be wrong.

Any jiggle related to music sends my puppy into an angry frenzy.  It's not the, "Oh, how fun! Let me dance along."  No, it is clearly, " For the sake of all humanity STOP IT!"  I didn't realize how much I dance during a work day until I got Ginzee.  A little hip wiggle as I step away from the easel sends her into an annoyed growl.  A finger snap?  Don't even think about it.  Jazz hands?  It's go time.

She passed her obedience class with flying colors.  But the funny thing is they never covered what to do when your dog hates dancing.  Am I the only one with this problem?  She seems to have some kind of built in radar for it too.  Try to moon dance across the kitchen floor. She suddenly appears like a mother of a teenage daughter who senses some line of celibacy has been crossed.

My old dog would allow me to dance with her.  She didn't really like it but when I picked up her front legs to waltz around the room she was tolerant for a respectable amount of time.  I have tried this with Ginzee and it ended with a wrestling match on the floor.  I am pretty sure I won....pretty sure.

I won't quit dancing.  No dog is going to tell me what I can and can't do while I am in my creative flow.  Now if you don't mind, 'Footloose' just came on the ipod and the dog is outside.  Look out Kevin Bacon!
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One Serious Art SALE!

Here is your chance to have an original piece of art for NO MORE than $150.  My storage is packed to the gills and I need to make some room.  You can get some great art as a gift, for your second bedroom, office, spare bathroom or kitchen.  If you would like a better image send me a note at ginaart@gci.net or call me at 336-2457.   Happy shopping!

 

 

 

Out of my wheel house

 

Isn't this card stunning?  My girlfriend Vi bought it for me.  Of course, the connection is obvious. My love of bikes is certainly no secret to anyone who knows me or my art.  But the timing of this was interesting.

 

I have been busy this week cleaning.  No, cleaning isn't the right word.  I have been gutting my little dome home.  My office was borderline hoarder territory and my closets aren't far behind.  My studio book shelf, appalling. Whenever I catch myself saying,"This house is too small!"  What I am really saying is, "I have gathered too much stuff!"  The problem is artists are natural pack rats.  Every bit of string or fabric, any scrap of paper or bead or mat board has potential to be artistic brilliance!  I don't only buy things at the store that fill up my house, I collect things I come upon or worse yet, someone gives me something that they think I can use.

 

Years ago I worked in a newspaper next to a woman named Ann.  She was a fiery redhead who loved to create cards.  She was VERY good at it. At this time in my life my creative outlet was relegated to sewing or the occasional craft project.  I thought, why not create cards?  This was before Internet or texting.  I regularly sent cards to family.  Off to the store to buy all the supplies.  Then I realized to my horror.....I was terrible at it.

 

Did you catch the detail in the handlebars?  The bike seat has the same stitching.  I can't quit marveling at the card!  But I will be strong.  After two loads of donated fabric, screen printing rack, craft totes and frames I will resist.  I will remember to leave the card making to someone else.  I am a painter,illustrator NOT a card maker!

 

Vi is taking an online card making class next month.  I know she will make some awesome things.  I will ohh and ahh over her creations.  I will then walk away and pick up a paint brush. 

 

Did you note the three D flowers?

Where have you been?

I am back from my glorious bicycle European adventure.  The Netherlands, Belgium, France all had something wonderful to absorb.  And the butter and pastries of France are worth all the hype. Yum.

As we were pedaling along my mind was busy with possible paintings and ideas inspired by the landscape and, of course, the architecture.  With Signore Greve being from Italy, he fits perfectly in the scenes of  Europe but it isn't just the scenery that inspires.  Art abounds.

The above is a painting by Hans Van Draanen.  I found a book on his work in one of the rooms we rented.  I love his loose style of people and the great texture.  This artist was from Amsterdam.  Van Gogh rules in Amsterdam it is true, but we enjoyed galleries with a bit of everything.

I am sorting through emails and working through laundry but my brain is still churning away with ideas.  Travel is just pure fun.  Having your mind take in so many new sights, taste and ideas is energizing.  So where have I been?  Creating!

A Silent Story

 

Anyone who has ever meet me knows I love to talk with my hands.  When a hard of hearing friend encouraged me to learn American Sign Language I decided to check it out.  ASL is a picture language.  Can you think of a better fit for an artist?

 

For the first time I had an opportunity present my book to a class of deaf and hard of hearing students.  Some students are hearing but have deaf parents so ASL is their first language.  (These teachers work hard!)  I wouldn't be reading my book like I normally do with a hearing class,

I would BE the book.

 

As you can see in the photo my book is transferred to the screen behind me.  So they can easily see the art from the book and easily see me as I act out the story. I became the cows chewing their cud as Signore Greve and Celli pedaled through Italy.  I stomped like an elephant and swung my trunk as they coasted through Africa.  I became Greve as he ate his lunch under a

 Chinese pagoda and Celli as he begged for a bite.

 

It's true, you have to be willing to be silly. Making faces is required and appreciated.  If you worry about how you might look you will miss the beauty of this language.  When I was swinging from vine to vine like a monkey several kids joined me.  Who cares what

you look like with that kind of payoff!

 

This class is focusing on transportation so we had a fun discussion after the book presentation about travel.  One boy loved trains, complete with a Thomas the train shirt, so we talked about train travel.  One little girl had been on a plane to California so we talked about flying.

 

I am thrilled that I was able to combine my art with my ASL.  Art is all about telling a story with a picture, just like American Sign Language.  Being able to share my story with a group of eager faces is always a joy.  But sharing it in their language was even better!

Adventure is always scary

I was waiting in line at the post office the other day.  I watched a young woman get a huge package, an expected huge package.  She was clearly excited.  Just as I thought it she said it, " How am I going to get this home?"  I had seen her ride in on her bicycle and the box was not a 'tuck under your arm' kind of package.  I offered her and her huge box (a surprise love package from home) a ride to her apartment.

This adventurer had moved to Alaska to finish up her schooling. She wanted to do something different before the cogs of adult life started grinding away.  She was still wild eyed and a bit unsure about the life Alaska brings.  But she had hiked a mountain peak and couldn't not believe she had done something so amazing and so beautiful. 

Adventure is always scary.  Big scary or small scary there is always a disclaimer that comes with something new.  Take this watercolor of a young wolf pup.  I was hired to illustrate another author's children's book.  He wanted watercolor as the medium.  Period.  I reminded him my speciality is oil.  He picked up my first illustration job, a book called "Super Sprouts", and said, "This is watercolor right?"

Curses! He had me.  I could see by the manuscript that watercolor was the right fit but taking on a job with detail watercolor was scary!  Yes, my focus in college was watercolor but I am sad to say that was MANY years ago.  Do I bail on a new, challenging adventure?  Yell FIRE and head for the exit?

I have gone through a lot of watercolor paper but I am finally in the groove.  I am really enjoying myself too.  Being at my drawing table instead of an easel feels good.  Finding those techniques learned long ago can only make me a better artist.

As Signore Greve would tell you, adventure never disappoints.  Maybe it only makes for a great,ridiculous story of disaster with friends and a bottle of wine but who doesn't love a great, ridiculous disaster story?  If your caller i.d. tells you adventure is calling be sure to answer, even it is with a hesitant hello.