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.

ZZZzzzzzzzz

Winter is here. Ginzee and I are both ecstatic. No, really. This is the face that currently dozes as I work at my easel. I know, it's hard to get a sense of enthusiasm.

I have a lot on my 'to-do list' today. I am hoping to switch out all my galleries to give them fresh art for the season. This means creating some new work while shuffling around some old work.

Everyday my 'to-do list' has two words, " Ginzee walk". No matter what gets missed Ginzee walk is never one of them. I may try to put it off but a restless puppy never equals creative energy. Never.

Now that the days are getting much shorter I tend to want to put off the walk until the sky is a little brighter. But the last two days Mother Nature has convinced me otherwise. Lightly falling snowflakes in the twilight is too fantastic to miss. The winter,morning hush of the world begs me to play along. And the creative flush it gives me is the perfect start to plow through a busy 'to-do list'.

The above contented face enjoyed shoveling the driveway ( a big hit) and a winter's walk. Our favorite season is here and we couldn't be more enthusiastic.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?

Are you humming the tune? I heard that song the other day while driving about. I don't know what year the song was written but I would guess the 1970's. If he only knew what 'time' would really become in the future.

I just spent a week on vacation hiking through the enormous trees of the Olympic Peninsula, strolling the beaches and enjoying the hum of Seattle and Portland. Time on vacation is a different beast. It's an animal you could love. Oooo look honey, it's 9:30 a.m. and we are still in bed. heeheee

But all vacations must end. When it comes to 'time' I have to put on my STICK super hero costume and make a pact. We here by agree to be friends to the best of our ability. I will not see you as my enemy and you will....let's be honest, time doesn't care about me. It mocks me as the red light holds me. It giggles when I leave late for an appointment and it rolls on the floor when a flight gets delayed. Here I am being so nice and yet it's hands just keep right on moving!

I digress. I will shake hands with time and convince myself it isn't out to get me. Projects will get done, maybe late. The bathrooms will get cleaned, maybe a few days later than I hoped. But I do know this, whoever invented our servitude to time should be beaten with a large clock.

Strange Request

Commission paintings are a blessing and a curse. The blessing comes from getting to take someones idea and make it come to life. The above idea went a little like this:

"I would like a portrait of my brother's family."
"Well, I am not a portrait painter but I can put you in touch with some."
"No, I want a portrait of his family as their personalities represented in animals."
"Oh, okay. Wait, what?"

Her brother is the rooster of the family. Her thin, fluid moving sister in law became the lizard and her nephew with his startled expression became a goldfish. I loved this commission. Her family takes turns hanging it in their across state houses.

Then come the curse paintings. The ones that sound like such fun and then as you sit down you realize you have taken on a hard assignment. Recently I agreed to paint a ninja being surrounded by angry ostriches. I know, you laughed right? So did I. But I have to confess my ninja painting experience is limited. Okay, it was non-existent.

It did finally come together and I rocked the ninja. The ostriches, well that is old hat for me but posed with a ninja.....not a request you get everyday.

I am glad I took on the challenge. The client LOVED it. And now I know I can do most oddities that come my way. What's that? A platypus on a moped? No problem!

Determination

I have one determined little puppy. Ginzee carried this stick home for over a mile. It certainly isn't the biggest stick she has ever carried home. She once fished a log out of the creek and carried it over a mile home. And I must add, she didn't just carry it, she RACED it home. We were at a break neck speed (me on my bike) all the way back.

Ginzee's focus and determination is admirable and annoying. Annoying in that when she gets stuck on something it is almost impossible to get her attention. But every time I watch her wrestle a stick all the way home I am always impressed. The satisfaction on her face when the log reaching her yard makes me proud.

In an age where focus is practically non-existent it feels good to see something, anything stay on an idea to it's completion. I have many age 30 and under friends. It is rare that a conversation flows along to it's end without an electronic interruption. Rare to be in the woods with them and not have a phone ring. Ugh. And honestly, I can't just link it all to that generation. I have gotten after my mom before. I've traveled 4,000 miles to see her and she is busy texting her friends.

Completing a book, keeping your own business running, learning another language, many things require a determination to keep going even when the 'log' gets heavy. I hope you have new adventures in your life. That's what gives our days a new energy and excitement. I also hope you can find the focus and determination to succeed!

An Art Filled Day

It's fall. Every view out your window is a beautiful painting. The reds on the mountains, the yellows of the devil's club plant and the pink of the raspberries in my back yard all create a stunning palette.

Ginzee and I took a bike ride on Friday. I was on my pink coaster bike, Bonnie. The world looks different on Bonnie. She prefers slow and easy, taking in the scene and enjoying the moment. We wound through a neighborhood that I had yet to explore. My puppy's exercise needs have opened up a lot of new experiences.

Our winding trip took us to a trail that we frequent during ski season but don't often visit this time of year. Ginzee took off after a grouse and I parked Bonnie to reel the dog back in. On my way back into the clearing, there sat Bonnie all content on this beautiful fall day. Yellow leaves scattered about with her pink paint against the green grass. The sun was peeking through the clouds adding a glint of orange to the mix. Every artists dream.

It is short season here in Alaska. I try to make time to enjoy every minute. Fall sure makes it easy to have art filled days!

Paint with me!

Red Sentry by Gina Edwards

Are you artistically inept? Do stick figures prove to be a creative disaster? Your exactly the student I am looking for.

On Friday, September 30 from 7-9:30 at 3150 C Street in Anchorage, I will be giving an art class in acrylic. This class was created for those of you out there that think it is IMPOSSIBLE for you to make art. It is also for those with a bit of creative flair that would like to learn some acrylic techniques. The above painting is what you personally will paint. At the end of the class you will walk out with your very own creation. Too good to be true? It gets better.

Anchorage Wine House will be joining us. At 7:00 p.m. we will enjoy a wine tasting event. We will learn the art of wine while being educated on the big, wonderful world of vino. After our discussion we sit down and start painting. Art and wine, what a wonderful combination. Tickets are $50 and include wine, class and supplies. Class is limited.

Wine and love letters by Gina Edwards

Speaking of art and wine being a great marriage, it is time for the Girdwood Center for Visual Arts art auction and wine tasting. Do you sense a pattern here? On November 5 at Challenge Alaska in Girdwood from 6-9 p.m. we will being eating food from Chair 5 and Jack Sprats. We will be sipping Anchorage Wine House wine and bidding on the silent art auction. I know! How fun does that sound?! Tickets for all the food and wine and fun is only $25. This is our big fundraiser. Every penny you give helps pay the rent for the gallery. Even if you can't make it you can make a donation. Even $5 helps!

So mark you calendars. Fall is in the air and so is art. I hope to see you soon at my art filled days!