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.

Ode to Trees

 

I am an unabashed, proud tree hugger.  Seriously, there is a cottonwood tree on one of Ginzee and my walk routes that I hug regularly.  It gives a great hug back too.  Never succumbs to one of those tee-pee hugs ( I really don't want to do this but feel obligated) or the worse the broom handle hug ( it is hideous to be this close to you but I will endure it).  A tree is always happy to give and receive a hug.

I love to paint trees and have a hard time not putting one of the fabulous Italian cypress trees in the background of every Greve painting.  The acacia's of Africa...be still my heart.  And the graphic design of a birch tree....don't get me started!

You can make them any color, any shape leaf and they are still appealing.  But here is the heart break.

I won't get tinto the details because it is just plain upsetting.  And by upsetting I mean makes my stomach hurt and makes my heart beat fast.  Someone in our neighborhood decided that the spring puddle on the road leading into our spot on earth needed to go.  It was SOOOOOO inconvenient that every tree needed to be cut down so the road could be moved over several feet.  Hundreds of towering spruce, hundreds of ancient birch were mowed down in one afternoon. 

No one wanted this except of handful who apparently held the power, who have some unimaginable hidden agenda.  Petitions were signed, the newspaper was contacted but the person with the most power wins and the trees lost.  No longer will I gasp in wonder when I turn into my little part of the world to the trees thick with hoarfrost.  No more baby moose welcoming me home as they munch on their earthy buffet.  I will now gasp in horror at the scarred earth where a forest use to stand.

You really should hug a tree today. 

Whew!!

Where have I been?  At my easel.  A LOT!  Yes, my constant presence would allow spiders to set up shop without disturbance.  My puppy has been letting out loud, obvious sighs of her boredom with my vigilance at my post.  But, it is done.

Yes, the second adventure of Greve and Celli titled, "Have You Ever Had a Daydream..." is in the hands of my publisher.  True, true, there are still proofs to approve and details to iron out as we go along but the art and text are done!

Creativity doesn't always comply with deadlines.  You have it all in your head and see it flowing seamlessly onto the canvas.  As you trudge along you envisions your supporters gasping in wonder at the genius of your talent.  What?  Me and my book featured on David Letterman?  Well, I suppose I could fit that into my calendar.  It's true I got a little punchy toward the end and frustrated with paint that does not follow your wishes.

One evening I was burning the midnight oil and I realized I had a complete dialogue going with the singer on my ipod.  He sang, " You look beautiful tonight." I tossed my head flirty and replied, " Oh please, in this old paint smock."  He continued," You are full of light" I cooed," Well, it is my easel light, it brings out my eyes." When I realized I was making out with my ipod I decided to cash it in for the night.  Sheesh!

So keep you eyes peeled this fall when Greve and Celli ride again.  It is one of those terrifying/exciting moments.  Will it be successful?  Did I just buy firewood? Not time for worry now, I have a dog that desperately needs a walk.

I titled this piece "Summer Tourist".  The bird being all a glow in the wonder of this new place he is visiting.  The caribou loves his home but is thinking about the upcoming migration and the growing wolf population...you know typical every day 'home' thoughts.

I happen to be a tourist lover. Not only because they help fill my checking account but because they put off such a happy vibe.  They are free of obligation and errands.  Their full time job at the moment is to enjoy their destination.  I am happy to step into the flow of that kind of energy.

But here's the rub.  They want a memento, a little something that they will gaze upon and think of their time in the Great White North.  It goes like this: A woman smiles and picks up such an item,      " Look at this honey."  He turns and joins her in a smile.  Cue the scary film music, close up on my horrified face as the words Made in CHINA fills the screen. 

If only I were a super hero.  I would tear off my blouse revealing my fitted unitard.  In one swoop I would leap over the cheesy t-shirts and the moose poop earring and snatch the knick knack from her hand.  Before they knew what hit them I would at lightening speed replace it with something charming, heart warming and amazing.  Something made in ALASKA.

Is it so much to ask?  I know, I know you don't want to spend a fortune on something for your babysitter but good news, there are LOTS of cheap but charming local products.  A package of salmon jerky for your office workers?  A jar of fireweed jelly for your neighbor?  A silk screen t-shirt from a local artist for your niece? Moose poop earrings for....yeah okay, those are pretty gross.  But you get my point.

As the tourist stroll down our flower laden sidewalks I will stroll along as I care for my errands.  I will drop subliminal hints that will nestle unknowingly in their minds.  And if I ever visit China I know I will have plenty of local mementos to choose.

See you at the Forest Fair!

You know what you should do this weekend?  Drive to Girdwood.  I know, I know, the motor homes lining the highway.  The tourist standing half in the road as they photograph sheep.  But this weekend all that is worth it.  Why?  It's Forest Fair Weekend!

I have been busy creating 5 new originals for the Fair.  The above painting is titled, "Great Expectations."  I love how he seems to be waiting for something or someone.  Now that I think about it, my hound dog often wears this expression.  The puppy is always influencing me!  Any how, I will be one of MANY artists there showing off their new creations.

Art not enough to make you endure the drive?  How about great FREE live music?  Not a music lover uh.  No problem because the amazing and unique Fair food will woo you.  Fat balls and corn on the cob.....forget about it!  Last year I had a seafood dog.  It was amazing!!  The India soup makes my mouth drool just thinking about it!  So many one of a kind delicious choices.

The Fair is in full swing today until 8 p.m.  Then all day Saturday and until 6 p.m. on Sunday.  It is a fun weekend with just enough slice of Alaska to make it extra special!

Hot, hot baby!

Summer is here.  Last weekend it was HOT, well Alaska hot.  The sun was big and bright and Alaskans were in a great mood.  The tourist are here enjoying our world.  Festivals and fairs are popping up every weekend.

What does the paragraph above mean to artists?  Get your buns in GEAR!  This is the season where your bank account gets in the black and you get inspired with new ideas.  With so many new eyes seeing your work, there are many opportunities to listen to customer feedback.  This helps the old grey cells spark to life with new ideas.

The above painting is 12" x 12" on a wood frame.  The background is done with a paper collage.  Inside the frame is a MDF board placed on mat board.  When all that is done I place Greve and Celli with oil paint.  This allows an affordable and suitcase friendly piece of art.  I hope to sell the pieces for $125.  Hope being a key phrase.

Come by the Girdwood Forest Fair July 6-8th and see all three designs plus two new original canvas paintings.  I will be working the Girdwood Center for Visual Arts booth on Friday afternoon.  It is an art, food and music filled weekend. 

Thanks for listening and checking out my new work.  If you'll excuse me my buns clearly need to get in gear!

Sharing a Brain

This is a painting I just completed for a family.  This is the third Greve they have bought, creating one for each of their kid's rooms.  I am quite honored really.  I love the idea of their boys drifting off to sleep gazing at Signore Greve and Celli enjoying an adventure.

Getting into someone else's head to create a painting can be challenging.  Some clients are easy like the above family.  I once had a woman who asked me to paint her a tiger....PERIOD.  No color requirement, positions, size, sketches, nothing.  Just, " Gina, will you paint me a tiger?"

This is the painting I delivered.  Tigers love water which is something few people think about.  I wanted it to be a peaceful painting since it was going in her bedroom.  The client was very flowy, airy and creative so I like the water adding that softness.  Here is the incredible part.

I met her at her home to deliver the painting.  She had no idea what it might look like.  As she looked at it she gasped and her eyes got wide.  She grabbed my hand and lend me to the wall that the painting would hang.  The colors were EXACTLY like the colors in her comforter.  The painting fit the rooms style perfectly.  She teared up thanking me and some cosmic force.  I was a bit blown away myself.

Many artist won't take on the challenges of commissions.  Getting someone else's brain isnt'easy,it's true, but the payoff when it all comes together is awesome!