Take a Breath

Here is Josh Bell entertaining my customers during my show last Friday at Terra Bella Bakery and Cafe. The crowd was light. There were several culprits. Due do an error my listing was not in either paper's First Friday calendars. People can't come when they don't know where to find you. Also, the weather was beyond spectacular.

May is a tricky month to have a show. Alaskans have been sun deprived and wrapped in sweaters for months. If the skies clear and the air warms it feels amazing, you can't be inside. It just seems wrong. I understand, I really do but I was disappointed I didn't get to show off Africa to more people.

My show at Terra Bell will continue through the month so many will have their thoughts turned to Africa. I even got an email from a wonderful supporter who said they toured Africa Sunday while they sipped coffee. That made my heart very happy. Shows aren't always about making money. They are about giving someone a fun experience. Causing them to take interest in something that maybe never appealed to them before.

Elephants trumpet, giraffes glide along and leopards stalk at 601 E. Dimond Blvd. ( next to Bed, Bath and Beyond) Stop in and take a little vacation without even having to pack a bag.

Africa Memories

I have started working on my show for May 7. It will be at Terra Bella Cafe at 601 E. Dimond. The show will be on display through June 3. And the focus? You guessed it, Africa. I will have a section of the cafe dedicated to my favorite Italian, Signore Greve. However, the rest of the walls will carry my creations from my Africa experience.

There are so many animals in Africa. I have pages wrote down of the different wildlife we saw. But I find myself wanting to paint the same two animals, giraffe and elephants. I love both these animals and have painted both numerous times without seeing them in the wild. But now having heard, smelled and seen them in their living room so to speak, I can't help but keep recreating them!

As an artist you really need to paint what is moving you. So I have finished the elephant shown above, a giraffe of similar style who is currently drying. I have 2 more canvas with......well okay, the same subjects!

Soon zebra will stroll through my studio. I think a Goliath heron might swoop through as well. There will be plenty of elephants and giraffe for company.

Beauty and the Beast

As I discussed in my last blog, the variety of critters in Africa is quite amazing. Seeing a leopard in the wild with my own eyes was breath taking. I often stare at my own cat impressed by how soft and pretty she looks. How the patterns of her fur are perfect. I don't think I took a breath as the incredibly beautiful 2 year old female leopard strolled by our jeep glancing up at my face. It wasn't fear that slowed my respiratory system, it was the absolute awe of her beauty. How black her spots were. How velvet she looked and how graceful she moved. The leopard above is a one year old male. He was sitting and waiting for his mom to come back with some grub. He was pretty too but not like the female.

Then we have the humble wart hog. We scared up this mom as we were taking a walk. She was hunkered down in a hole with her little babies. She didn't go far, watching us closely to be sure we weren't going to cause any harm. But the longer I looked at her the cuter she became. Now it is hard to separate the beauty of motherly love but the artist in me could she her image on canvas. Her tusks shining in the hot sun, her big ears picking up the sounds of Africa.

Will anyone buy a painting of a leopard? If I do a good enough job it is quite likely. Will anyone buy a painting of a wart hog? We will soon find out.

Sounds of Africa

I could talk about my Africa trip to anyone willing to listen. Being an absolute lover of all animals great and small my African safari was one of the highlights of my life.
I make my living painting animals. I often spend a good amount of time before embarking on a painting doing research. I want to make sure I don't paint a bird with too many tail feathers or a whale with a overly small pectoral fin. I knew seeing the "Big Five" of Africa was going to be a treat but I received some unexpected surprises.
I never considered what a giraffe sounded like as he strolls from tree to tree. I didn't expect to be surprised at the girth of a hippo. I mean, come on, I have visited my share of natural habitat zoos. But NOTHING is the same as the roar of a lion greeting his pride in the wild. Nothing prepares you for the crashing of a HUGE bull elephant as he emerges from the brush. And yes, I may never be able to enjoy a zoo again.
My other unexpected surprise was the "little five". Of course there isn't a real little five but I was estactic to see a chameleon stroll by. The giant African land snail was beyond impressive. And the birds....oh my the birds. So much color and personality. I need to come clean and admit the fascination I had for the dung beetle. I could watch them all day. Working hard, pushing with their back legs to perfect the roundness of their poop ball. Their lady in waiting clinging to the side as he rolls it along. You really didn't dare to blink!
Well things are busy at the drawing table these days with so many mental images to get on canvas. I have a feeling my experiences from this trip will be creating ideas for many years to come.

Where do I begin?

I have just returned from a truly inspiring vacation. Traveling half way around the world tends to do that. So many new sounds and smells and, of course, art! This piece of art in Johannesburg Africa was the size of an entire wall. The elephant is bigger than me. It is created by stitching leather together. You can note some of the three dimensional elements. It was hard to not touch it. The texture screamed for it! The openings of the boabab tree made it feel as if it had taken root right on the wall.

My camera is full of photos and ideas. Check back later this week to see some amazing safari photos.

I am still feeling the affects of the hours and hours of travel. But my mind is stuffed full of ideas and the adventures I experienced....well, get ready for some stories.

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!