Back To The Future

In an attempt to make everything that's old new again, I decided to repaint my old filing cabinets. It sounds so simple. Four file drawers were quickly loaded into four boxes and I headed out to the driveway with cans of gloss white spray paint. The file cabinets were neatly arranged on an old shower curtain. A couple quick coats of paint and it was mission accomplished. Not hardly! Oh the cabinets looked all fresh and knew, but this was also my opportunity to clean out my files, cull out those things that were no longer useful and consolidate. What a stellar idea! Thus began the sentimental journey of more than forty years of my life as an artist. Like most journeys it consisted of photos, notes and postcards. Everything I touched was full of memories and dreams. I have to admit that at times the emotions that came bubbling up- some sweet, others sad, threatened to swamp the whole project. All of these bits of information were part of who I have become. It also illuminates the path that leads me to the future. I wonder who it is I'm yet to be? Well whoever it is, I have really nice orderly files and a new coat of paint!

Logo Design

Saint Andrew Parish is having a Lenten Mission entitled "Letting Go and Taking Hold". We are having a logo design contest and this is my entry. The upward open hands are now free to embrace the triune God now that they have let go of the world. The Trinity is represented by the background of the universe to symbolize the Father (Creator). Jesus, the Son, is present in the consecrated host of the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit is represented by the ring of fire. I look forward to seeing other logo designs. For some one who spends her whole life thinking in images this has been a delightful challenge!

More Marbles

Triple Play

I have been doing a lot of work in the studio, but little of it has anything to do with artistic expression. It has been mostly sanding, wall and trim painting, dusting, sorting and general organizing of supplies. Over a lifetime an artist collects enough materials to open their own art supply store. For these materials to be usable they each have to be stored a certain way. Some papers should be rolled, some should be stored flat and all must be stored out of direct light. And that's just the papers. There are the exacto razors, scissors, pens, pencils, tapes, glues which need little cubbies and drawers. Then there are the shelves for gesso primer, painting mediums, glazes and paint. Stretched canvases need to be stored on a wrack that we are designing and building to suit my specific needs. Let's just say it's enough to keep me busy for quite a while.

There's busy, and there's productive. As an artist I have not been productive in too long a time. So I challenged myself to enter a juried competition. I looked through a series of listings and decided to enter a small works show. The description is deceiving, because it means big time art in a limited number of square inches. Since I had no current works, I would have to produce the work, ... in ten days- three works in ten days. It took five pieces before I had three that I thought were good enough to enter.

I love these marbles. I love their spherical shape. I love the crazy wonderful colors. I love the highlights and the shadows. I never tire of drawing them. They are equally sophisticated and playful. They pose a number of challenges, but there's excitement about solving the design problems and watching these shapes come to life on a sheet of gray pastel paper. In the past I used pastel to render marble drawings. This time I decided to use colored pencils so I could crispy render my subjects in this small space. I stretched myself as an artist and although it was a lot of pressure, I'm glad I did.

The Date

On a glorious June morning, I had a" why not" moment. I had been constrained by schedules and promises to others for so long that I felt like the proverbial mouse who runs through a maze. Feeling parched, I thirsted for something that was lacking in my life. That particular Saturday morning I put aside my list of things to do and drove up a winding tree lined highway. My destination was the botanical gardens. A place that I've spent a lot of time doing plein air. That day I just walked around drinking in the sounds, the light, the feel of the gardens. A week later, I brought along my sketchbook to a sprawling park that hugs the Huron River. This, too, was a place where I have been painting for years. This day I sketched the park and the people along the bank of the river who were fishing. Later that week I was caught in a snarl of traffic because of construction and the Farmers' Market. Now this called for a detour of plans. Luckily I had enough change to feed the parking meters. I found my favorite vendor at the Market and had enough time to slip into a few of my favorite shops. I left with bits and bobs of things I can incorporate into my art.

Julia Cameron would call these experiences, "Artist Dates". If you don't already know her writings start with THE ARTIST'S WAY. It's the book that probably saved my creative life. I am by nature a people pleaser and by experience, a dutiful person. Unlike the current pop psychology, I see the value in these traits. The problem happens when you never make it onto your own "To Do" list, when you shirk the duty to be the person you were created to be. It's called artist block. I fought my way out of just such a block with the tools and techniques that Cameron writes about. One is journaling, which she calls "Morning Pages". I have been doing them for a dozen years. This alone is a gift to self. Another is the "Artist Date".

This "date" is with yourself, your thoughts, your dreams and wishes. It's about spending a least an hour a week with yourself. We seem to lose this ability in the service of being responsible adults. Remember when school was out for the Summer and after you made your bed, had breakfast and brushed your teeth the rest of the day was yours to "puddle about"? For me that would have been sitting under an ancient lilac bush heavy with scented blooms or riding my bike as fast I could up a hill so I could coast down the other side with my feet in the air. An Artist Date is just that simple. It's whatever feeds your soul , tickles your fancy. It's the opportunity to dream with your eyes open.