a work in progress

Last weekend I took on a commission for a very large painting and I have been working on it quite a lot. There will be five sets of panels across, each measuring 16″ wide and three panels top to bottom, 16″, 48″, and 96″. The overall height will be 14′. The client is working with a budget and in trying to keep their costs down and get this huge piece done in a very limited amount of time, I did a lot of planning regarding materials to simplify hanging and delivery. Turns out the next day air order of canvas from Dick Blick got all messed up, something very unusual for them, and I may need to switch to hardboard panels in the interest of time. I have swatches of colors which the client wishes to use and this photo is a mock up of a possible composition. I created it by scanning my planning sketch and then digitally painting the piece. The wall is a truly neutral grey and the painting will hang in the lobby of a new office building. The actual painting will differ from the sketch quite a bit, but this was helpful for me to get an idea of how to integrate the rather southwest palette of earth tones into an organic composition which reflects a very modern sensibility. I’m off to the park to do a little face painting for the kids. Happy Saturday!

Well, I had a melt down at the Eureka Sunday Market a week ago Sunday when the extreme wind knocked over everything in my booth for the kajillionth time and sucked the canopy cover inside out and bent the frame. I had not been feeling well all day and was really run down and then beaten by the weather. I ran off at the mouth about how much I despise outdoor shows when talking with one of the fabulously energetic organizers and I later found out she took that to be my official withdrawal from the market. Oh well, I’ll leave it that way, besides I can use the time to work on the commission.
Saturday was a wonderful day with my godson. He went with me to look at the site for a huge commissioned painting I am working on and then to the Rogers Art Guild Show, where I took third place for Monterrico, the painting pictured below in the entry titled the air is full of gold dust. He and I also went to a store called Vintage Stock and he bought some trading cards and laughed about the grown ups he saw trading Pokemon cards. We had a nice dinner out and washed the car like it has not been done in years. I stayed up late working on preliminary ideas for the commissioned piece.

This week I have been planning the new painting. The wall is unusually shaped and is viewed from three levels. The art will be vertical and it will actually consist of an arrangement of many panels. I am trying to determine if I will use canvas or wood. This piece will be over 9′ wide and 14′ high and hanging weight is a concern, as are dimensions for transport and a very rushed completion date. Back to the graph paper! Photos for next post, I hope.

They’re waiting over there for their grammar lesson.

Preparing paper is a view of my sink as I prepare to paint. I am soaking paper in a large white bowl which shares the red sink with a green cereal bowl and a spoon. The painting measures 12″ x 12″, is on a wrapped canvas with the painting continuing on the sides. It requires no frame and is signed, titled, and dated on the back.

I encourage you to buy orinal art, especially directly from artists. Buy what you like. Art is an investment in the quality of your life. Owning art is making an investment in your soul and the life of your culture. Looking at art will lift your spirits and lower your blood pressure, lengthen your life and make it more pleasurable. Looking at a painting of a landscape has the same calming effect on the body as being out in nature.

Fidget over at Mama Makes Stuff has decided to feature artists and crafters who are mommas on her blog and I am lucky to be the first one! You can see which of my paintings she decided to put up and check out her altered art when you visit. As always, I welcome your comments. I am especially interested in learning more about developing my blog and would love to hear any suggestions you may have for that.

The Eureka Springs Sunday Market was a blast. Plenty of fine art, some yummy homemade treats, locally grown produce and seedlings, and live musical performances! It is amazing to be a part of such a fun event and the day flew by. I sold a couple small paintings and craft items and enjoyed talking to people about the larger pieces. One of the children’s tees sold to a woman I know for her youngest daughter whom I could picture wearing it so cutely. I’m looking forward to next Sunday and hoping I can find the studio time to paint a few more small pieces, since they are popular. I also had the pleasure of meeting an artist from Fayetteville whose work I like a lot. Christina Mariotti is one of the easiest people to talk with and we hit it off right away. If you’re in NW Arkansas, stop by Gallery J in downtown Fayetteville and see her paintings. I also reconnected with Anita Hejtmanik, an artist who makes unique branching necklaces and she and her husband started a cooperative gallery in Fayetteville three years ago. She invited me to apply and tomorrow will be one of the busiest days out of the studio/home I’ve had in a long while. First, I’m going to pick up some paintings from Fusion Arts Center and Gallery in Bentonville (I’ll be scheduling a show with them in 2007). From there, I’ll head to the Rogers Public Library to join the Rogers Art Guild, enter two paintings in their show(including the one above), and set up a table of prints and greeting cards. Liz Teed spotted my portfolio online and asked me to enter the show. Nice woman, lovely pastel paintings. The show hangs that afternoon and all the work will be available until at least the 20th of May, when we attend the award ceremony. (Wish me luck, pray, meditate, whatever your thing is.) Next, I’m off to Fayetteville to visit the Heartwood Cooperative Gallery and, if I like it, leave a mini portfolio for jurying. I will do  all this in between taking my godson to school and picking him up. Maybe he’ll need a play date after school. Thanks to everyone who’s reading my blog, and I love those comments!

UPDATE: This painting took third place in the show.

I’ve been getting my display together and beginning to price items for the Sunday Market. I think it will look pretty good, but I’m bothered by the forecast of rain. These polymer clay pieces will be fine getting wet! They are just a few of the many small artworks I will have available. Actually, everything I’m bringing will be fine getting wet and I’ll be under a canopy. Rain will only keep me from painting faces and doing henna tattoos. The market will happen each Sunday through Oct 8th, so I’ll have much more to add about that later.