a new painting

Last weekend's show was a snooze customer-wise, but I had a good time - lost two pounds sweating (and gained four eating chips and guac as I fell asleep) - and I got a new painting:


My photo skills leave a lot to be desired, as evidenced by the glare - but I really like him (even if he's got a very large violin/possibly cello on his shoulder). I traded my WTC handbag for him. On the one hand I was sorry to see the handbag go - I have almost no more of that fabric and doubt I will ever sketch the September 10th skyline on a purse again - but wow, did I need some fresh art in the house, you know?

Edit: The artist is Linda Ely (click for link to her site)

And I've just posted two new purses in my Etsy Shop - which can be found amongst the others in my Cosa Verde shop.

Artomatic 2009 - Ripple Effects

I took several ripply things to Artomatic and then hung them with some bad lighting, so I have bad photographs.

These are the best images I managed to come up with, which is a shame in and of itself:

Being me, I waited until the last minute to hang them, because I waited until the last minute to finish them, and didn't realise until it was unfeasible that I really ought to repaint the wall. Because just because you wanted a crisp white wall does not mean a crisp white wall was appropriate. I probably should have gone with my initial thought process, which was to paper the wall with back issues of the Times.

Visit Artomatic for directions and times. Admission is always free, donations appreciated.

This is what happens . . . . . .

. . . . . when someone with a B.A. in doodle is compelled to do something, anything. For perspective, the format is 4" square. I might run with this for Artomatic this year.

StephGdotOrg - ATC swap

My pieces of art from StephG arrived in the mail Thursday afternoon - and I couldn't be more tickled!

This is the first one I saw - and bonus of bonuses: those are real nails! On a field completely reminiscent of old-fashioned sticking plaster (the kind you wrap broken limbs with!) It brings to my ear all my childhood's warnings about wearing shoes and not playing with rusty things!

I do not know if my camera (or my inability to get high enough over my desk) has really captured how exquisite this piece is, in a gloriously subtle way. This piece definitely deserves a proper display, and I will be heading over to Rose's shop, as soon as my allowance racks up a little, and buying a frame for this one.

StephG - beautiful things

We have well established that I like beautiful things (as well as zombies and dragonflies) and you will be hard pressed to find more images of simple beauty than those offered by StephG.



You can also find her occasional commentaries here.

Edit: It's fortuitous that I had this scheduled for today, as my ATC swap from StephG arrived in the post yesterday evening. They're Fabulous! As soon as I get photos done, I will post them.

something to post

I've been rather busy building up stock for the spring/summer shows, and it all falls under the category of 'more of the same' so here's an old piece for your amusement.

I like the thumb best:

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go sew something!

Progress? What Progress?

No, this is not going to be a rant about the current state of our nation, it's about me - because sometimes it just has to be all about me.

I had a messenger window pop-up recently from a firl I haven't talked to in ages, and she asked how my birds turned out. You know, the ones I was working on last summer. Yeah, seven months ago.

Were I Lucille Ball, I would have lied and then gotten myself into the kind of situation where I either did not sleep for three days or decoupaged feather boas to a canvas and prayed she wouldn't remember what they looked like when it was time for the 'reveal.'

Unfortunately, the fact is I have barely touched them since Labor Day. It has been so long that I can no longer classify them as Works-in-Progress and they are unabashedly, shamefully Un-Finished-Objects. Apparently my laundry room, with it's two-bar fluorescent light and slit window that looks out on the dead leaves under my porch is not the most inspiring place.

So here they are, in all their unfinished glory:

I did manage to finish the small blue toucan,

But the Hyacinth Macaw has become 'the-piece-that-shall-not-be-named.' Really, gloriously bad. With the Hyacinth I tried to paint right out of the tube. I failed. Apparently, I only understand colour if it comes up in pale, pale layers on top of a black and white base.

So who wants to light the fire under my ass that gets me back to these?



PS . . In my own meager defence (yes, I know the old chestnut about the mental acuity of those who are their own lawyers) I have been ridiculously inspired by rachel gurney to attempt collageing again (and failing!) and I've been playing with icing techniques, which may well be worth sharing one day soon.