Monday, July 31, 2017

Making a Statement


During one of the Planned Spontaneous Trips we take bi-yearly 
with our dearest friends in the world,
we found out that Vintage Market Days was going on in the town we ended up in, Knoxville, TN. It was definitely an event that we all wanted to go to, being all four of us love antiques and fun vintage finds.  I was so excited when I first entered, I could hardly breath and was definitely waaaay too giddy.  Can you tell these events make me happy?!?  

Booth after booth held sooo many wonderful, old, vintage things that it almost was overwhelming. But, we found this one particular booth there sold handmade metal signs.  We thought it would be fun if we each picked out a sign that had special meaning.  
I found the perfect one. 
The sign I chose said it all...
  
Live simply.
Dream big.
Be grateful.
Give love.
Laugh lots. 



Like most of my projects, they usually sit in my art studio for quite awhile before I get around to working on them, but this one needed to get up on my wall quickly because it was so awesome!  I knew it had to be mounted on something special but finding that "just right piece" could be a task.  I searched many local antiques stores and then found this gem of a chippy old barn door, that still had a nice rusty hinge attached at the top.
 It needed some work but, 
 Oh My Gosh...it was PERFECT!!  
I couldn't wait to get it home and work on it.  



Being it was pretty old with lots of peeling paint, I didn't want to loose any of that chippy goodness, so after gently cleaning it, I glued down the paint pieces that were really coming off.  Then I sealed the whole thing with Minwax Polycrylic (clear matte) to make sure it stayed just as it was. Next, I cut 1/8" pieces of wood and glued them on the back to raise the sign off the door a bit, just so you could read it easier.  It was my first time using Gorilla Glue and man, the stuff works like, well, a Gorilla! 



Now it was time to find that "just right spot" to hang that beauty.  I'm funny about placement of things.  The Feng Shui has to be just right or I get irritated...is that obsessive?? (Ok, I admit I have a problem, people even need to sit 
in the "right place" around a table and such.) Aaaaaanyway..... 
I think this spot beside our stone fireplace is perfect!! 

 
These simple phrases are so true. 
Now I can be reminded of them 
each and everyday.


Live simply.  We don't need alot of stuff or happenings to be fulfilled.  
I don't need 10 pair of shoes.  Stay in on a Friday night, sit on the porch and listen to the wonderful sounds of nature.  Turn off the TV and talk to each other.  Pick wildflowers.

Dream big.  God has put dreams in my heart, and I'm sure yours too if you think about it. He's a pretty big God, so why shouldn't they come true?

Be grateful.  We ALL have been given SO VERY MUCH.  Always be grateful, even in the little things!

Give love.  No matter the belief system, race, color, those who disagree with you, 
tall, short, pretty or not... ALWAYS LOVE!

Laugh lots... especially, at your self. 



Also...
while on the little trip with our friends, 
I picked up some new goodies that just might help me 
get back into the painting groove.  I haven't painted in awhile and definitely need a boost.  I'm finding out that if I don't have a goal or a purpose in a certain area, I just don't work at it.  I need to get it though my head that it's OK to create just for the love of it, 
even if no one will ever see it but me. 



As always, thanks for taking the time to see what I've got going on and sharing in my creative journey.



Thursday, March 9, 2017

The Old, the New, and the Old wins.

It seems that I typically write a blog entry after I've given a person my business card and sheepishly say, "It's way outdated".  I let that be a good motivator to update, and hope I get that new entry written before they actually look me up!  lol

So today, to set the stage, I grab NOT the yummy cheesecake that's sitting in the frig, which is loudly calling my name, but know summer and the beach are fast approaching. A dotted banana wins.  And so I write. 




Spring is in the air!  I just love the new life that is emerging from the earth and the sound of the birds with their songs of joy that winter is almost over.  And the warm air!  Gosh layering clothes is all cutesy (and a bit more flattering), but give me those warm days to put my Birkenstock want-to-be's and a t-shirt on! And...that warmth is a gift to me to be able to spend a little more time in my studio without having to thaw it out each time I feel like creating.  Using half of the gargage is nice for getting messy, but who has central heat out there?!?    

Photo: True dedication even when I can see my breath & my hands hurt from the cold.            (I since then have a heater)  Working on Joy Comes in the Morning.  



Before I get into what I've been up to lately, I wanted to share a few of the photos that I got back from my photographer (my wonderful son and daughter-in-law) from the solo art gig at Old Town Public House.  It was such a special time, one memory that frequently, still plays out in my mind.  

Below:  Sitting in front of "I Found My Way Back Home" I & II  30x40 
             And the second photo, being serious, like I own the place and think I am famous.    








I love this photo.  It shows me, standing in front of a crowd, talking about my art.  For those that know me, those things in and by themselves, were a true miracle!  
And....what a fun night this was! 
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to display my art there for 3 whole months 
and to also have so many people come out and support me. 

When I did this show, I created a body of work (14 pieces!!) where I soley used paint.  I wanted to try and simplify my work and to just let the paint speak for itself, without relying on textiles, wax, and so on.  Trying this was a challenge, since for me, it's so much easier to build a work of art around a certain obvious and tangible theme.  Putting a pictue of, say a boat, or a page from a book, and letting that be what anchors the piece and causes it to take on life from that certain thing, I feel is so much less challenging and less stressful.  So to paint with only paint, for me, was much more stretching.

Well, my big night was over,  I took a break from painting, the show came to a close and I brought all my art home.  A break though doesn't last long as the hard pull to get 
back in my art studio is ever present. 

That mixed media love is starting to 
emerge again!

With most of my work, I ususally have about 3 paintings on one board.  I paint something, hate it, cover it up with something else...and so on. Those are the ones that end up as some of the best due to all the cool layers and little bits of awesome color that peak through.  This one is no exception and ended up as something I really like! 


"Joy Comes in the Morning"
24x24 on wood 


Close up of the book page with 
a great little message on it.  Light



The urge has been strong for me to get back to what I really love to do, create again with different mediums.  I went rummaging through all the stuff I can't help but collect like papers, pages, photos.  Then, I got out my wax pot.  Gosh, just the smell alone of that delicous wax was makes me so very happy! I just love the feel of that warm wax as I brush it over the board and the way it causes unique textures and fun little surprises. 



"Rest Easy"
24x30 Mixed Media

  



On this piece, I felt to write 
"Come...And I will give you rest". 





A cool little piece of a page with a message that ultimately holds the key to peace... 
real, lasting and true peace, and that friends, is Jesus.


Another FUN Happening!!

My dear friend suggested that we each put a piece in the Home Grown event at The Cornelius Arts Center.  I love this place and so I quickly agreed.  Below is opening night.  I entered one of my Mina Blommor pieces.  This night was so special as our little group was all together, something that is hard to do these busy days. 




In my next blog entry, I'll be writing about The Breath and The Clay gathering that my friend and I are attending next weekend. I'm so, SO excited!!


Thanks for taking the time to read where I'm at in my creative journey.

Be blessed!!  Jen