Lost & Found

Cleaning out my studio, I came across some old(er) paintings that had been left lying around for quite awhile. It was kind of neat to see them, because when I look at my old artwork (whether finished or unfinished), it usually brings me right back to "where I was" mentally, physically, and emotionally at the time that I was working on that piece. So in a way, each artwork, whether it's a well-rendered drawing or a simple scribble, is like a piece of me. Some are long-forgotten until they accidently reappear in some form, and those are always exciting moments; it's interesting to see the "old" vision with new eyes. In this way, my artwork almost functions as a purely visual journal because my thoughts and feelings at the time become so embedded in the artwork, moreso than I could have explicated in words. And it's also probably one of the most "secret" journals possible, because no one can look at my artwork (or anyone's artwork, for that matter) and really know what the person was thinking/feeling/experiencing at the time.

So anyway, here are two of the pieces I came across. Someday I would like to finish these! I suppose it's just a matter of time. As the years go by I become more aware of just how many pieces of art I can create/finish in a week, month or year, and I have come to accept the realization that there will never be enough time to manifest all the ideas and visions that run through my mind. One lifetime is just not enough! But when it comes to creativity, I feel that it's better to have too many ideas than not enough.

This one is a 5" x 7" portrait on wood panel, drawn in graphite and begun in acrylics. I started this over 3.5 years ago, and haven't really touched it since. I think all the detail was too daunting at the time! But I look at it now and feel that it's something I can handle, because my skills have developed enough in the past 3.5 years. Sometimes certain paintings just need to simmer for awhile until the artist has matured enough to finish it!

This painting is 8" x 10" acrylic on wood panel, started at around the same time as the previous one, and probably set aside for similar reasons. I think I spent so long perfecting the silver bow that I just got sick of it for awhile (never was a big fan of monochromatics!). Now when I look at it, the daunting thing is all those shadows caused by the marbles on the plate. Well-blended shadows can be so difficult to create with acrylics, since they dry so quickly, thus requiring many layers of glazing (and many hours of patience!). I much prefer to work on all the tiny detail bits!

It was good to run across these old photorealist paintings, since I feel I'd like to explore that more in the upcoming year, especially continuing to combine photorealism with the abstract stuff and seeing how that evolves. As I said, I've got a million ideas, I just wish I had a million fingers to manifest them all!

HELLO ~~~~ > California!

I'm pleased to announced that you can now find a selection of my paintings available for viewing and purchase at Handmade Galleries in Sherman Oaks, CA!

Visit their website for hours and directions: www.handmadegalleriesla.com

I've just received the good news that they've sold my first piece. There are still more pieces available, so mosey down and have a look if you are in the area!

Here is just a sampling of some of my paintings that they have in stock:

Roundabout - 4" x 4" Acrylic on Wood Panel

Simplicité - 8" x 10" - Acrylic on Wood Panel

un jour ensuite - 6" x 6" - Acrylic on Wood panel

Charity Art Auction

Several months ago I donated one of my small abstracts, Supposedly Aerial (pictured below), to an art auction benefiting Street Haven, a women's shelter in Toronto. Last week I received the good news that the painting was sold at auction for $140! I was/am pleased to be able to help continue the good work of the center in some small way.

Sweet 100 Show

Hey all you in the Northwest US! From November 9th thru December 21st, three of my paintings will be on display at Suite 100 Gallery in Seattle, WA.

This November and December, Suite 100 Gallery will exhibit one hundred works of art by thirty-six artists, perfect for the gift-giving season. With an array of many of Suite 100's favorite artists, both returning artists and new, this eclectic salon-style show will have something for everyone. From oils and acrylics to gouache and ink, from photography to screen prints, "The Sweet 100" draws from the best in a variety of mediums.

Additionally, part of the proceeds from Sweet 100 will be donated to Child's Play Charity.

Hope you can make it!

Funky Pet Portraits

I'd like to share with you some funky commissions that I recently finished! A collector sent me some pictures of her beloved pooches, along with descriptions of their personalities. It was a lot of fun to paint their portraits to suit their personalities! Let me know if you are interested in commissioning a funky pet portrait! The cost is $200 for a 9" x 12". These also make great gifts!

One popular skull

At the time of creating my first psychedelic abstract skull drawing, I never realized the life it would take long after it was finished. Rejoicing Quietus prevails as my most popular image to date, selling plenty in the form of T-shirts and prints.

One place where you can acquire Rejoicing Quietus merch is via Zazzle:

See my gallery at Zazzle

I've also received numerous emails from people asking permission to have the skull tattooed. It's a great honor that people would consider carrying one of my images on their body for the rest of their lives! Here is a photo sent to me from one young lady who recently had it done on her back:

Unfortunately, there is a downside to the popularity of Rejoicing Quietus. I also receive emails from people informing me that the image is being used illegally (without my permission) - such as being sold on jewelry, or as iron-on transfers, or even being used to advertise mortuaries! Sometimes the perpetrators don't understand the concept of copyright, or "didn't know" that the image was copyrighted, but that certainly doesn't make it okay. I greatly appreciate it when people take the time to seek me out and let me know that the image is being wrongly used. So thank you to everyone who has taken the time and care to get in touch with me, and please continue to do so if you suspect the image is being wrongly used!

Howdy!

Hi there! I've been a bit quiet over the past few weeks, due to being really busy. On top of that, I got sick for a couple weeks, which I'm realizing now may be an allergy to our precious little kitten! I'll be taking a cat allergy test soon to be sure. Either way, we'll definitely keep her, as there is plenty of land and other rooms for her to roam and sleep in. I also had arefreshing little vacation at a small beach along the Mediterranean, which was nice. The water was way too cold for swimming though!

In art news, I've been keeping busy with my usual work, as well as a few commissions. My Rejoicing Quietus 2 drawing (pictured below) will be exhibited at the annual Dia de los Muertos exhibit at Maude Kerns Art Center in Eugene, OR.

An amazing artist and wonderful person

Awhile ago I made the online acquaintance of Mr. John A. Kurtz, a fellow artist from Chicago. I took an immediate liking to his colorful and intricate artwork, sensing an immediate kinship with my own. His drawings and paintings are multi-layered and multi-dimensional, imbued with a mysterious sense of meaning. His sculptures are whimsical, vibrant and fun.

Not long ago we agreed to do an art swap: one of my 4" x 4"s for one of his. Well I can say I was absolutely thrilled with the painting that I received! It was up on the wall within minutes. Here is a photo of the painting, followed by a close-up:




Detail:



I am very pleased to have met John and wanted to share his art and spirit with all of you!

Feel free to check out more of his art on his website:

www.jakurtz.com

Inside the Art Hut

Here are some more pics of the inside of my little art hideaway! This is what you see as you look through one of the windows:

My paint collection:

My palette, cup of water, and paint on small easel in background:

I've decorated my hut with lots of little odds and ends that I've colleted and that people have given me over the years. Here is a close-up of lovely pinecone found in northern France and given to me by a friend:

Hello Kitty object given to me by a friend:

My ever-present jar of clean water:

That's about it for now. Still more pics to come! I've decorated my hut even more since these last photos were taken, so I've got to take some fresh photos.

My Art Hut

So here are some photos of my little art hut! Over the next few days I'll be posting more photos of the inside and the view out the windows. For now I thought I'd give an idea of how and where the hut is situated in the countryside. First a quick peek in through the front door...

Below is the front porch with a lovely vine and raffia roofing. View of terraced hills in the distance...

Here is the front of the structure:

Side view:

Here is a side view showing the nearby ruin:

My hut is near some trees:

Writing

Hello! I've been busy trying to gather my thoughts about myself, life and art for some articles and interviews I've been asked to participate in. I'll be a featured artist in an upcoming issue of the online World Artist Network Magazine. I was also asked to write an article on myself, my art and travels for a new publication that is aimed at encouraging young women to be creative and seek beauty within. I'll send you links of the articles once they're published!

Decision-Making

So here's how the psychedelic ink tree is going... I'm quite happy with it so far, but can't decide if I should stop now and say it's finished, or to keep going... For this drawing my original intention was to have a line of grass just above the roots, with some flowers, some butterflies, and a deer looking off to the right... But then I got this far and wondered "does it even need that?" I lightly pencilled in the grass etc, you can barely see it in this scan, but maybe it gives you an idea of how it could be...you see the problem with pen and ink is that once it's down, it's down! No take-backs, no do-overs! I just have this nagging feeling that I want to finish it with my original intention, and see what happens. If I don't, I'll always wonder how it would have looked!

Arc en Ciel

Well my art hut is just about finished, which is exciting! I've started moving my stuff in and decorating, and soon I'll be set up fully in there. Pictures to come!

The weather here in southern France never ceases to amaze me. Last year I remember boiling days of 100+ degrees. This year has been very mild in comparison - cooler, windy and rainy. I never could have fathomed wearing a sweater in July! On Wednesday we had a light sprinkle, accompanied by the most amazing rainbow over the town. I managed to snap some photos before the sprinking increased -


The blotches in the above pic were caused by raindrops on the lens. Can you see the house in the lower left corner? That is our nearest neighbor! We really are out in nature here.


And here's a closer view showing the end of the rainbow and the town. It looks far, but it only takes about 30 minutes to walk there. It's lucky we were out to see the rainbow - less than 10 minutes later it was gone! Perhaps that is a good omen...

New Photorealist Candy Still Life

I started a new photorealistic still life, featuring a bunch of brightly-colored Tootsie Roll candies in a glass tumbler. So far I've completed the underpainting, which you can see here:

New Ink Series

I received a set of really nice art pens for my birthday a couple weeks ago, and I've been having a lot of fun experimenting with them. So far I've only ventured to use the black ones, so I've been playing around with monochromatic designs and compositions. My first finished ink drawing (The Mystery of Meaning) is available for purchase this week, and provides an idea of what this new series will be like... a bit fun and a bit psychedelic, and full of tiny intricate details as usual! I've started on the next one in this series; you can see the work in progress below.

Lily

I have a new art assistant that I'd like you to meet! She's tiny, warm, furry, and purrs a lot. She likes to sit in my lap while I paint and draw:



We found this tiny creature one evening as we were walking home from dinner in the village. She was all alone on the edge of town, so cute and vulnerable, so we decided to take her home with us. Her name is Lily, and she's very quickly become the Queen of the household!

This n that

Not long ago I was approached by the assistant art director for the e-zine Moondance for permission to use my art piece "Mythic Self Portrait" to illustrate one of their stories. You can check it out and read a lot of interesting articles here.

In other news, I recently donated my painting Supposedly Aerial to a benefit auction hosted in July by Street Haven, a women's shelter in Toronto. Here's to hoping it will help raise some money for their worthy cause!

Here's a photo of me in my temporary studio here in France. This pic was taken in the beginning of May, when it was pouring for days!

After the rain

Last week we had the most rain I have ever seen in my life! It even beat my experiences of Florida during hurricanes. For about 4 days it rained pretty much non-stop, with heavy winds. It was quite a shock to my Floridian senses to be huddled near an evening fire in the middle of May. Here are some pictures taken during the brief spells of non-rain...

This is the view from the front of the property.

Here is a lovely rainbow over the fields of one of our neighbors.

My soon-to-be studio

I'm excited about my new little studio. It will be in this cozy little ramshackle shack, which we are piecing back together. Basically it needs a new roof and a floor, and we'll be cutting in a new window to overlook the expansive scenery which you can see behind the hut. It's in a nice, quiet, lovely location which will be perfect for creating art. I'll share some more pictures once we've got it fixed up and I am settled inside!

Bonjour!

Well I'm delighted to say that the weather has since warmed since my last post. I still have limited computer access, so I haven't been able to spend as much time updating this blog. In the meantime, here are some pictures of the beautiful surrounding countryside: