Delphic Sibyl as Fairie, From Sistine Chapel

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Article in Bold Life Magazine

I feel very honored to have been selected to have an article about me in Bold Life Magazine. I had no idea they would put me on the cover. Having a platform like this is a gift. I’ve had articles written about me before. I carried a bit of the “imposter syndrome”, not feeling I measured up to the words written.
I believe I am in a better place to confidently call myself an artist. It could be my age, and dismissing the little voices that once haunted me. Actually they can still haunt me, I just don’t give them as much time these days. I give more time now of being open to investigate how I want to express myself.
The light and shadow sides of us are both important to hold up for investigation. I think about the mysteries in our mental architecture. There are so many things larger than us.
We continue to weave our narratives seeking satisfaction. I think about these things as I make my journeys to the studio. Car time becomes reflective time; inspiration time. The scenery here in Western North Carolina is a good tonic for the soul. The light is beautiful, the fog and rain are beautiful. I am growing to love the little farms and houses on my way to town. Each one marks my way. They may find themselves in a painting or drawing.
For the moment I like portraying the roads, the paths I take to get to my destination. They are telling me what to say. If I don’t get their messages down on paper or canvas they are still stamped in my minds eye. I like it when someone is nourished by my work. Artists are here to feed others with their visions. What a great opportunity to live a life doing that? So I continue on my artist journey, hoping now to stay mindful and respect the gifts along the way.

I thought this piece was important to place here. It will be in an upcoming exhibition, ArtFields. It is called “Not Measuring Up”. It is a vision of things that can haunt the soul. This is a reminder that there are those times of doubt when clarity can come to mind. The light and dark sides of our lives are very important teachers, not to be feared. This is part of a triptych. They all became self portraits, and a great way to shed my layers, to become someone I aspire to be.





Friday, October 6, 2017

Lake Fest in Pine Lake, Georgia, October 7 and 8

I am in a show in Pine Lake, Georgia. It is called Lakefest. It will be my first outdoor show in quite some time. I am looking forward to the feedback about my new work. I am combining drawings with mixed media collage. Some are rattles.
I want to use objects that I have held onto for years. It is time to let go of things and share them with others.



Monday, March 23, 2015

A New Beginning in Senoia, Georgia

It has been a long time in posting and I am excited to be in a show this spring. It will be titled
"Feathers and Fur", in Senoia, Georgia. I am thrilled to be doing drawings and mixed media pieces. Here is a taste of things to come. Crows are still a favorite, but there will be other furry and feathered creatures appearing soon.


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

More recent drawings of birds



I love crows. I love how smart they are. I love their noise. They are very intelligent and family oriented. This particular image is called "Two Friends". It is done with graphite. I love the simplicity of black and white. So much texture to work with in the strokes and mark making.

Older drawing exploring more portraiture - drawing of Erin


This drawing of Erin was my exploration into pointillism. Forgive the spelling if incorrect. Also forgive the bad photography. The original photo was of her holding a caterpillar. I think she called her little friend "Beautiful". Lets hear it for a girl unafraid of bugs. I have to say that doing a drawing only with dots takes a bit of patience and concentration. I kept wanting to do dashes instead of dots. 


Learning pastel again - a portrait of Kindle

I am working in pastel and feeling that I need to continue to explore different surfaces to work on. I did a portrait of my friends' dog. It is from a photograph, and I am wondering how well it might do to paint her as well. Something about reveling in the texture of paint to show the texture of her coat.

Portraits

More pencil to paper, this time people are my subject. I had the opportunity to draw a local ferrier, who had such beautiful character in his face. It was a pleasure to draw these.

Graphite drawings

I started drawing again. It is something I wish I hadn't gotten so far away from. Nevertheless, I am back to a form of expression with pencil to paper. These were once in the same drawing and I ended up splitting them apart, making 3 separate images. Not sure that was a good idea, but I like their singularity.




I have done so much work and I haven't posted much of it! So it is time to share and put some words with images.
Quite a while back, I made a collage for my friend Debra, intending it to be a portrait of her. I feel that she is a water person. There are so many colors/patterns that can be reflected in water and in that same vein, she is a colorful person. There is a flow to her that I hoped to show, but more than that, a sense of play and joy in life surrounding her. It is great fun to take objects and delineate something about someone's character.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

I recently returned from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. It is a place that feeds the soul and heart to such an extent that I feel the need to return. I am inspired to return to painting in a way that I haven't done in some time. This is a view from one of the many roof top gardens there. A beautiful start to a short stay in a magic world. I will be posting some more photos and drawings. There is a world of content to work from. I was very fascinated by the birds. Still trying to identify one that resembles a more delicate and musical version of a crow. More photos to follow very soon!


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Show this weekend

Please come to my show this weekend. I am participating with a great group of artists and I would love to see my friends come by. There is a lot of good creative energy in this group of people, so come share!

Inline image 1
Inline image 2

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Sensual Fluidity - upcoming show

      I am in a show with Leigh Blackistone entitled Sensual Fluidity. We both have nature inspired works led by our own voices. I am thrilled with the chance to be showing with Leigh. Her oil paintings truly show a luscious side of nature.  The opening is Friday, May 18 at 6pm. The show is at PAMPAS restaurant, 10970 State Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, Ga 30022.
       I am continuing my exploration of the idea of drawing with collage, using pencil to canvas, and including my paper leaves and found objects. There is a wonderful feeling drawing on a surface and feeling the tactile nature of the texture I am applying to the surface. It is the most direct form of sculpture I can think of. That touch of my fingers to the surface I am working with is sensual. I consider my leaves sculpture; cutting, folding and painting paper.
       The idea of the Green Man is one I am intrigued with. The imagery pops up in many cultures, but the idea seems most persistent with male or animal figures. I have not found many female images prevalent in the green man imagery. I am content for the moment to borrow from classic painters. The portrayal of facial features is a primary inspiration. I have borrowed from Durer, Michelangelo, Monet, Degas, and Lautrec. I also have looked at Avedon's photographs as a window into portraying the human face and body. Sometimes what is unattractive in a classical sense of beauty is the most haunting and mystifying.
       Masks come into play for me with the idea of becoming something else; transforming into something that we are not, with the idea of covering the face. Playful disguise is the way I see it. I see a link of the symbol of the green man and the mask; sending a message of abundance of the harvest in an incarnation of man with leaves and vines extending out of the mouth, nose and sometimes eyes. Horrific in a sense, mystical and joyful depending on the depiction. I love the idea of creating masks out of my leaf sculptures and returning to a sense of play; something that we do not allow ourselves enough of.
       The interplay of fabric and fibers are a new direction for me. I like the idea of the fluidity of silk merged with the heavier texture of felted wool. The interplay of the two can create another workable medium for me. It presents new avenues for me to use, such as drawing with the sewing machine. I am using the first pieces I have created as sketches for further exploration of the medium.
   
      

Mother Nature


The madonna image is one from a Durer painting. I decided to use old master paintings as references for portraits with collage. I am exploring the idea of drawing with objects as well as with rendering in pencil.
This image is a precursor to the final one. I am exploring ideas of the Green Man. There were usually only male  or animal imagery in the green man tradition; I am inserting women in the role.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Tanya's Table

After a long wait by my friend, I completed her table commission. It is a portrait of her in a fashion. I put things in it that are important to her, from associations with her friends, to places she likes to visit. There is a vision of her in this table from the flora and fauna down to the choices of colors. I figure that the frog is her in amphibian form.
I meant for the table to have different viewing sides, with no correct up and down. Much like I imagine her vision of the world to be; a multifaceted person who examines things like only she can do. I see her as a mechanical engineer embodied in a true child of nature.

The table top is done with prismacolor pencil and matte varnish. The table legs and sides are painted with acrylics and finished with a matte varnish.

Monday, May 2, 2011

A past painting

This painting is acrylic on canvas. I am interested in the idea of atmosphere in a painting. I love the idea of conveying mist and light; I suppose any painter would if they are into landscapes. This one was an experiment of sorts. It is called "Light Through Trees" and I plan on doing more with this idea in mind.

Current interests



Lately, I have been drawing on tables, enjoying the idea of doing something normally drawn on canvas or paper. I love the idea of am image on a 3 dimensional object, "wrapping" the image around it. I have a new table I recently completed; it is at Twigs & Leaves gallery in Waynesville, NC.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Another nest


I did this piece with Prismacolor pencil on wood. The one exhibited at the Quinlan show is done with the same materials. I was inspired by the furniture pieces; working on wood feels good to the touch. I have been toying with the idea of carving into wood and drawing into the carving. Haven't tried it yet, but it is floating around with other future ideas.

Birds' nests



I recently was invited to participate in a show at the Quinlan Arts Center in Gainesville, Ga. It is called the Birds Nest Invitational, inspired by paintings done by Roseta Santiago, who was also the juror. The Quinlan teamed up with the Elachee Nature Science Center, to have part of the proceeds from sales go to the center.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

More views of Tree of Life


Tree of Life


I recently had the pleasure of doing some new pieces that reflect the Tree of Life imagery. I did some research before and found that this symbol is very relevant to many cultures. I love the idea of an image that transcends language and speaks to a vast population of spiritual beliefs.
These first pieces were done for a cantorial concert at Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell, Georgia. Their cantor, Nancy Kassel, is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah year there. In honor of her service to the congregation and the community, I thought I would do Trees of Life for Nancy and the other guest cantors. It is a way for me to personally say thank you and communicate what I think they do for others; I am learning how a cantor has a very unique and spiritual relationship to a congregation.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Another table covering




This cover was actually done for a larger table. It was put here to catch candle wax, which can be cleaned off the surface of the cover. The palette on these cloths can be any color; these were done to match the decor.
There are other artists featured here. Roberta Elliot, a blacksmith, made the beautiful candleabra pair. Her company name is The Velvet Hammer. The large platter is by Ruth Hablutzel, and the black and white piece is by Chris Baumann. If you go to Raiford Gallery you can find their work. I also have work exhibited there. I highly recommend a visit to the gallery. There are many beautiful pieces there.

Table runners




I have toyed with this technique in the past and found a need for it again. In a search for a table covering that was resistant to spills and could be cleaned easily, I went back to my technique to create some table coverings. The photos illustrate some that I have done recently. They are done on heavy artist canvas. I use acrylic paint and paint layers to create a wrinkled effect on the canvas, then seal it with an acrylic medium. The finish tends to feel like leather and it is easy to keep clean.

The First Table




Here is another table that I have been working on. This one is closer to completion. I have worked with Prismacolor on this one too. There is something about the images wrapping around the edges of the table that I like as well. I started this in preparation for another table drawing I will be starting soon.

New work to show




I've been working on many things lately. This is a table that I started drawing on. It is not completed, but I wanted to see it up here on my post. It is something that I am really excited about. The medium is Prismacolor pencil. I will be filling in more detail and putting a final finish on it soon. I have found it is good to get away from a piece like this for a while and come back fresh, so I don't overwork it.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Companion piece


This is the other large piece I did. This one and the one in the previous post were in the Lake Toxaway Artists Association show in October of this year. I met many amazing artists there. The next step is to get up to North Carolina more to be inspired.

Great show


I had a great show at the with my new friends at the Euclid Avenue Artists Collective. It is at the old Moreland School in Little Five Points. I felt like I was back in grammar school stepping through the doors. The collection of artists there is so stimulating. I am now the proud owner of each of the artists' work. My friend, Judie, would call me an "artist ho". It simply means that I can't live without the work of creative people around me. I will be posting their websites so you can check them out. I am hoping that next year, I will be in the show again. It is easy to get into my studio and disappear into my own little world, so to get out and be with other artists is good food for the soul!
Thought I would post a photo of some new work. I did not have this piece in the show. It was too large to haul back from North Carolina. I am doing large and small pieces. This particular one has a companion. I'll show that later; need to get in the studio and do some more work.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Upcoming show, Dec 4,5,6


Hello and thanks for being patient about coming to my site and not seeing new work yet.
I have decided that I need to be a bit more communicative and post some personal musings on what I am creating and participating in. I consider it a New Year's resolution before the New Year.
I am participating in a show this weekend at the Little Five Points Community Center. I hope to see support for the great artists there. I am thrilled to meet some new people to expand my horizons. Please come see me. I have posted a sample of what I will have there.

Friday, August 21, 2009

More work soon

I have been busy creating work and not showing it on this site! I will be posting images of new work soon. Please check back in to see new things. Any comments are a great help to me.