Burning up the Library Card

I was in the library recently researching a new project. My friend Sarah was with me and at first was quite helpful. As I continued to work my way from the children's section to the Alaska room her enthusiasm was fading. Her look threathened, " Give me a coffee and I might overlook your obsessive behavior".

I know to her it seemed like I had more than enough information. "How many pictures of a wolf do you need?" her eyes screamed as she glared at me over her glasses. She said she was sure no artist did as much research as me. I felt a bit shamed at this comment since I knew she couldn't be further from the truth.


Here is a sample of one of MANY sketches Degas did of his famous ballerinas. If you Google his sketches on this subject your screen will fill with images. He did his homework and became a brilliant artist because of it. No one would stand in front of his work and tilt their head to the right or left wondering if the leg was long enough, the profile in proportion or the ankle twist accurate. His work is spot on.

I am trying to become a better artist. I am forcing myself to take more time to sketch and yes, do research. I can't help but feel it is a waste of time. I KNOW it isn't but the gremlin in my head is squeaking, "Have you looked at your to-do list? Move on to real art!" But on this project I am going to give each and every piece the right amount of attention BEFORE I get started.

Sarah will most likely never join me at the library again. But if she does I will be smuggling in a thermos of coffee.

A Moment at the Museum

I had 45 minutes between appointments. That is like gold to me. I can be MIA for 45 minutes! No one can fill the gap because it is only 45 minutes and yet it is 45 WHOLE MINUTES! With sketchbook in hand I headed to the museum.

There was an exhibit that I wanted to see. The Museum was quiet, just the way I like it, and I exhaled a happy breath as I stepped into the exhibit. About 30 seconds later two women came in......talking. You know those guards that have the insufferable job of wandering the rooms to be sure no one is harming the art? They should be the Guido's of the loud talkers. You know, it would look like, "YOU, loud talker, on floor! Your museum entry ticket has been revoked." Chuckle....that would make me happy. Anyway, back to my story.

This forced me into the Native glass exhibit that I wasn't that interested in. Don't get me wrong, the items were amazing but living here you have LOTS of encounters with Native art. But I did some sketching that really paid off.




I am working on my next book and I needed some strange, prehistoric flowers. These two sketches were of glass bottles that were on display. They had flower written all over them! I hadn't expected to see anything like this in the Native show. That's what I get for mentally writing of the show. Note to self, all art is worth seeing.

Here are the finished flowers. I decided to take off the 'mustache' on the cone flowers. It didn't seem like facial hair until I started to paint it. Instead I added the blue stems. I think they came out great.

So I learned a few things. First, always wander through an exhibit even if you think you're not interested. There could be something fantastic you're missing. Two, always have your sketch book to record an idea. And three, loud talkers can be beneficial but I might drop the Guido idea in the suggestion box.

Cute Factor

I often search photos on Google for reference. When this photo came up I almost laughed myself into a hernia. Even now when I look at it I laugh.

I read a quote from an artist once that said don't paint 'cute'. He was a wildlife artist and was making reference to the adorableness of animals and how your work can become...well, cute. I get it and at the same time I don't.

Is Signore Greve and Celli cute? I think of them as charming but I am aware of how close to the cute range I have wandered. But is cute really so bad? Am I less talented because my art makes people laugh, smile and tell stories? I have heard so many stories from people who come up Greve and me at shows, smile to themselves and then share an awesome adventure they once enjoyed.

LOOK AT THIS KITTEN! You laughed again didn't you? You felt good! That's right, you for a moment forgot about the dishes and the report that's due and your sick friend and laughed at the cute (maybe slightly tortured) kitten.

I want people to see my work and smile. Cute SCHMUTE, I am from now on and ever forward adding kittens to all my paintings. The solution to world peace? More kittens in frog hats!

Now if you'll excuse me I need to Google frog hats to see if they come in my dog's size. heehee

Ready for the Show

My drawing table is cluttered with bolts, JB Weld goo and clamps. This year for the annual multi media show at the Girdwood Center for Visual Arts I wanted a TRUE multi media piece.

Ideas swim around pretty readily in my head, it's the execution that gets me stuck. The yearly 'Earth, Fire and Fiber' show at the museum always makes my jaw drop in awe. So many different materials put together into amazing creations! I stand there and think HOW???

The True Value Hardware store as seen a lot of me lately. Mainly because I hadn't a clue what I was doing. I would wander the aisles and walk to the check out with a confident stance. "It's an art project." I would answer brightly when the clerk would raise an eye brow. Then standing in front of my drawing table I felt ridiculous. I have never 'practiced' putting something together as much as I did this piece. And then to actually screw in the 'machine' into the painting. YIKES! Wine, I need wine. Wait, are you crazy! And blur your already non existent comprehension of this finishing process. I was wearing myself out.

Whew, it's done and I need a nap. I am pretty proud of myself. I really jumped outside my box and I learned a lot. You could practically smell the smoke of new synapses being made. Who will want to buy this quirky Brit on his home made bike like creation? I don't know but I had to make him. The reception is Saturday from 6-8 at the Girdwood Gallery. Come by and see it and other great works of art. Chair 5 provides our snacks and they are delicious.

Now,if you'll excuse me, my blanket is waiting.

The Success of Failure

This comic sums up my current state of mind. In my quest to become a good sketcher and art journal creator I have been studying books on the subject. They all have this underlying theme, it's good to fail. Wait, what?

Okay, okay we all know we learn from our mistakes but does anyone really WANT to? I prefer to learn from OTHER people's mistakes. To stand back and watch them go up in flames and think to myself, whew, don't do that. But my own crashing and burning mistakes....ouch.

One author discussed making a mistake as a learning experience. She says," These images will act as trigger for your memory or will help you mark your progress t0ward being able to capture images in the way you want." She then goes on to show 4 ways you can cover an error in your journal without ripping out the page. That's right sister, who wants a 'trigger for your memory' that screams YOU STINK!

There is this stigma of being an artist. It goes like this:
What do you do for a living?
I am an artist.
Really? ( insert raised eyebrow with a hint of eye rolling with a splash of doubt)
As an artist you spend a lot of time convincing strangers that saying 'artist' doesn't mean you do performance art on the corner wearing a dog mask swaying in your underwear. Who needs permanent pages in a book proving their raised eyebrow?

So I am committed to (sigh) embracing my disastrous pencil strokes, my mislead pen scratches and disproportionate musings. I am ready for the success of failure.

Who is this artist?

Have you seen this great piece of performance art? Who is this wonderful person? Every winter after every fresh snow fall these beautiful lines appear on the banks of Minnesota across from the lagoon. They are perfect without footprints. Depending on the time of day, the light gives the lines different shadows and colors. Earlier this year I drove by after a fresh snow and they weren't there. I panicked a bit thinking maybe this mysterious snow artist had moved or lost interest. Maybe, I thought in horror, they think no one notices or cares! I notice, care and LOVE IT!

These are what I like to call 'art attacks'. There you are moving through your day and BAM you see something creative and wonderful. You smile with your mouth agape. You forget about your to-do list and responsibilities and just take it in. You try to think what you could do to make someone else smile and look on in wonder.

Yep, I considered this an 'art attack' as well. Moose are great performance artist. They create art and wonder by just being. Look at this scene! The mountain, the color, the silhouette tree. Wow, if only my paintings could be so good.

I hope your week is filled with 'art attacks'. They remind us that everyday gives us something worth enjoying and remembering. The coldest, bleakest, the world is against me day can change in an instant when we see lines carved into a hillside or a moose posing on a cold winter day. Keep your eyes open, you don't want to miss it!

Warm up Your Pens and your Pencils

This is a multi media piece I did several years ago. My goal was to enter it in the Earth, Fire and Fiber show at the Museum. I chickened out. After getting it all done I deemed it unworthy of the show and never gave the judges a chance to decide.

Stepping out into new territory is scary especially when it is such a expressions of yourself. But by having the goal of entering the show I did something I had never done before. I really am quite proud of the piece which has long since been sold. I do wish I had entered it.

Now is your chance to step into new territory. The Girdwood Center for Visual Arts is having their annual show for the public. This year's theme is " This and That". The rules are that your art must have at least two different mediums. So if you like to dabble in watercolor, add a little ink. If you are into photography do a collage with some added items. This show is perfect for those of you that would like to tap further into your creative self but just don't know where to start.

The deadline for art is Feb. 2 with the opening reception being Saturday the 4th. ( there is a shuttle so you don't have to drive to Girdwood to drop off your work) It is $5.00 per piece to enter and your work will be on display for the month. Who knows, you might even sell your masterpiece. Drop me a note or give a call if you want more details.

I hope I can get a few new people to participate. I remember the first time I presented myself as a wanna be artist. It is terrifingly exciting. Come on, add a little energy and art to your life!