Washi Tape to the rescue!

I have quite a bit of Washi tape-got it to use in my art journals. But lately I just haven't been doing any art journaling.  I made a couple of Dry Erase Boards out of picture frames, for my daughter's teacher and aide as thank you's. They just needed more-the black frame just wasn't cutting it for me! Then I remembered my Washi tape! Soooooo glad I have it on hand! It fit just right into the grooves of the frame to add the finishing touch! These are 5x7 in size and will just sit on a desk top. I hope they like them :)

Climbing Mount Everest

So for the past 4-6 weeks I have felt like I am climbing Mount Everest.  Some things in life have just taken their toll and I have landed flat on my back.  I hate dealing with the "D" word. Its something I have even avoided talking about until the last few days. Reality has hit.  I suffer from the D word. sigh. It runs in my family so its pretty inevitable anyway. I have been in denial about it for some time. But its time to face it.  I am facing this head on and I am going to fight it to the death.  Each day may be small victories, but I will fight this.  The only thing I really REALLY miss right now is my artistic muse. She has gone, and has been replaced by a fog. I sit and have loads of great ideas. Once I stand in front of paper or canvas, it goes blank.  Its the WORST! But I still "show up", draw some stuff in my Moleskine, and collect art supplies, so when the "sun" returns I will be ready to go. I try to rejoice in each day's small victories. I look back at my day and count all the things I accomplished (even though they aren't really art related at all).  As if its not lonely enough with the "D" word, I tend to isolate myself. And it sucks not having any family nearby. So I do this...........alone.

Basquiat style in my Moleskine journal

As mentioned in a previous blog post,  I have become pretty obsessed with all things Basquiat.

I have lost count of how many times I have watched his movie and documentary (I know them inside and out). Being i have studied his work so much, I thought I would try my hand at doing something his style today-except for using Gouache paints which I had forgot I had.
Gouache, paint pen, and wax crayon in Moleskine Journal

Accepted into California State Fair!

I just learned that one of my pieces  (Le Soleil) was accepted into the California State Fair Fine Art Exhibit! They only accepted 3 assemblage pieces, and mine was one of them! There were 1326 entries into this show and they accepted approx 181 pieces. I feel very lucky, and very honored, to be a part of California's most prestigious show!


My Statement for this piece:
When I began this piece, I just started with a few found objects, not really knowing where this would end up. I chose the "sun" object simply because it spoke to me that particular day. As the piece progressed, and I chose the photo as the focal point, the mood of the piece seemed to emerge. Smiling women & the sun, plus my use of color are reminiscent of a beautiful, sunny California day, which I wanted to convey.

Weight Of The World

A couple days ago I had just the worst day ever. I literally felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I have not felt like that in such a long time.  Anyway, I did this painting and named it
"Weight of the World" and it says it all :)

Its 14x18 in size on a Canvas Panel. Mixed Media

Drawing for hours....

Over the past month or so I have spent hours upon hours drawing.........everything! Images around the house, still lifes, and faces.  I have not been brave enough to show anything here, but I have been proud of my progress. Even my husband has been impressed, and it takes alot for him to comment on things or be impressed at anything.  Lets just say he is a "man of few words."
Anyway I am pretty happy with the face I drew today, so I thought I would share it.  I added a stick of charcoal at the end and I wish I hadn't but thats okay, I am still pleased with the outcome.

I used to draw very well as a child, but it stopped there.  It has taken me lots of patience to start drawing, and to get past the whole "I can't draw" thing.  Because of how devoted I have been , I have conquered that fear.  I am past hearing that ugly "I can't draw" voice in my head.  I am actually really enjoying myself. I look forward to painting some of the things I am drawing.........just gotta do a little more before I take that leap!

Drawing is 9x12 in size. Image is MUCH better in real life-it looks more washed out in the photo to me :(

Coming soon...........Mixed Media May

My friend Cindy has put together a wonderful project for the month of May that will be an annual event! Each day , a different mixed media artist will be featured! It should be pure eye candy for sure! Each artist will be interviewed and also some of their work will be shown. Although it is all mixed media, all the styles are very different! I am excited about it. I am also proud to be part of this!


Mixed Media May

Juried into National Orange Show Exhibit!

I entered an older piece into this show (still met the guidelines) and I got in!  Its one of my very most favorite pieces. Being it is an all-California show and its for the ORANGE show, I thought this would be a good piece to enter

Juried Art Show

I participated in a juried art show this weekend (Yucaipa CA) and I won 3rd place in the Mixed Media category for my "Martin & Maude" piece and Honorable Mention in the Acrylics Category for my older piece "Glowing"

Very Excited :)

Jean-Michel Basquiat -My Art Hero

I have found myself wanting to blog about my new favorite artist, Jean Michel Basquiat.
A friend of mine had recently watched the documentary, The Radiant Child.  Curious, I checked it out on Netflix.  Needless to say, a month or even less later, I have watched this obsessively probably nearly 20 times. I have read a biography about him, as well as watched Julian Schnabel's movie "Basquiat."   I have never had an artist's work impact me as much as his.  I know that one day, when I see his actual work in person, I am going to stand in front of it and bawl my eyes out. 
His story and vision amaze me.  He had a horribly sad ending to his life (overdosed on heroin).
I cannot imagine the pressure he had at such a young age. His art speaks to me like no other-it is so raw and I just love that. He listened to music, TV and always had reading material around when he made art. That is what I do. I love how he did what he wanted -he didn't want to be told what kind of art to create. He totally didn't tolerate that at all.  His vision, to me, is exactly as an artist's vision should be. About creating what YOU want, not what anyone else wants.  He is my art hero!!!