Contemplating the Moon

some lil' 5x5s

2009-11-24T14:06:00.004-06:00

This morning I dropped off some small encaustic paintings, including these three below at Sacred Art over in Lincoln Square. They are gearing up for the holiday season and wanted some small paintings for my section.

Inside Myself
encaustic and collage
5x5 inches

The title for this bird painting was inspired by this quote:

Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that's where I renew my springs that never dry up. ~Pearl Buck

18
encaustic and collage
5x5 inches

14
encaustic and collage
5x5 inches

I really love working with just whites. Of course, I have layers of rioutous colors underneath, that you see poking up here and there. I definitely want to continue this white series, but at a larger size.

contemplating the mystery

2009-11-22T15:51:00.003-06:00

Contemplating the Mystery
encaustic and mixed media
5 x 5 x 1.25 inches

Although I long to paint large and I have been painting larger and have some in progress, I still have stacks of small canvases and panels sitting in my studio. I really hate to have things go to waste or take up room, so I have been working on these small canvases lately. It's a good idea too, as the Sacred Art Store Gallery in Lincoln Square has been asking me for more small paintings and I want to put some up for sale on my art page on amanobooks.com for the holidays.

I created this encaustic painting on a 5x5 inch gallery wrapped canvas. Generally one of the "rules" of encaustics is that you need to paint on a hard absorptive surface like wood, clayboard, plaster, etc. This little canvas though is small and the stretcher bars on the back are so thick, that it provides a lot of support. Painting on a large flexible canvas would provide too much movement and the possibility of the wax cracking. But I am confident that this wouldn't happen on these little canvases. I have made a few, but have yet to document them. Hopefully I can get to that this week.

The title was inspired by this quote:

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." ~Rachel Carson

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My son and I just returned from a visit to Maryland to visit my family. Although very busy and very tired, I wanted to go visit before I can't anymore as it will be awhile before we can travel again. It was such a wonderful visit. I am very lucky to count my sisters as my closest friends and companions in this life of ours. Being around them is like putting on a comfortable sweater. I can have fun and be silly and also be quiet, as is my natural inclination. As the baby of the family, my sisters tend to spoil me too, even though we are adults now. I'm not complaining!It was nice to be taken care of for a week and Noah had so much fun with all his cousins. But it's good to be home now too and I have a lot to catch up on.

Rootedness

2009-11-10T10:40:00.002-06:00

Rootedness
encaustic
8x8 inches

Another encaustic piece I created while I had my wax on the other day. I may change the title, but it is a word that resonates with me. I think I have always been plagued with a feeling of rootlessness and I always seem to be searching for some anchoring. That search is what spurred our move back to Chicago. But I've been finding myself missing Seattle often these days and daydreaming of our cute colorful cottage on Crockett Street with my wild cottage garden. I wonder how the roses fared during the heat wave they had this summer? Or whether the buds of my Camelia have started to show their shy faces?

I am finding that remaining in the present is what helps. My growing family and my art anchors me. Maybe one day we'll go back. But for now, my home is here and in the present. The constant searching for "home" must be symptomatic of something else, something I have felt since childhood in Maryland. I always wanted to wander when I was a little girl.

some exciting news!

2009-11-08T15:49:00.005-06:00

A few months ago I was contacted by someone from the Tyra Banks show about the possibility of including one of my journals in their Luxe Living event that happens once a year where 8 women win a gift bag of the industries top products. This year they are incorporating fabulous luxury chocolates, teas, handmade soaps, candles, and apparantly handmade journals!

Autumn Tree handbound blank journal
4 1/2 x 7 inches

I am excited to announce that they chose one of my handbound journals that I offer over at amanobooks.com as one of the items included in their event. Here is a link to the event and the other products that are going to be included too.

This is one of the reasons why I have been focusing more on creating my handbound journals than my paintings in the recent months! I had to get my inventory up not just for the holiday season, but also for the show. Better get back to work.

woven in the womb of the earth

2009-11-05T18:35:00.003-06:00

woven in the womb of the earth
encaustic
8x10 inches

On Sunday I painted all day. It was a good day. I actually painted in encaustics for the first time in a long time. Well, a few months is not eternity, but it felt like it. I had to work on a project that has a deadline looming ahead and so I put on my filter, opened the window, turned on the fan and heated up the wax. I worked on 3 paintings at the same time. It was heaven. I don't know what it is about encaustics and me, but there is never hesitation. Lately when I've been working on my acrylic paintings and panels, I sit there and stare blankly at my canvas, wander around my studio, get distracted. But with encaustics, I just go. It does what I envision. It's the perfect combination for me of paint and clay. No, it's nothing like clay, but it has that tactile quality for me. I can incise, make dots, scrape, etc. Some people go for the smooth, glass like finish with encaustics. I love how that looks. But me? I revel in the lumps and bumps, and the scritches and scratches.

Maybe it's just that I missed working in it so much, that I had a lot of pent up creative energy just waiting for the palette to be heated up. Who knows? I'll take it however it comes.

The title of this painting stems from Psalm 139 as this painting became a meditation for me on my pregnancy. The miracle and wonder at the life growing in me. Hidden in the darkness of my body. I am around 24 weeks now and my belly is already so big, I wonder how I'll make it til the end! It's amazing how much faster we pop out the second time around.

wax on metal

2009-10-30T09:41:00.003-05:00

Jen Worden, Seth Apter, and I have been working on a collaborative project together this year. We took a bit of a break this summer, but we are back at it. I just received Jen's metal book from Seth last week and am just floored by the pages that they both have added since I last had her book in my possession. I really shouldn't call it a book anymore, since it's not. Actually, it never was going to be a book. I believe Jen is going to string the metal "pages" together to create a sort of prayer flag. I'm not really sure.... I guess I will see when the project ends!

metal "page" for Jen Worden's book

I actually created this page months ago, but didn't like the photos I took of it before I mailed it back to Jen. So now, that I have it back, I got a better image of it this morning.

I wanted to experiment with putting wax on metal. I wasn't sure it was going to work as metal isn't what you call an absorptive material. But I chose a metal piece that had a lot of corrugation and rust. I thought that would help my cause. I added a polaroid transfer of a fern that I had created years ago. I felt that the transfer really would work well with the rust on the metal already. But I still wanted to add more texture. So I dug in my stash and found pieces of mica that someone had given to me back in 2006. I never knew what to do with them. Then I thought, well, wouldn't it be neat to see what mica plus beeswax would do on top of the transfer? Well, here it is. I had to peel away a lot of the mica, as it needed to be very thin, so that the fern could still show through the mica + wax.

I used oil pastels on top of the wax to finish the piece. And added the string too. One of the reasons why I wanted to work with Jen and Seth is that I knew that I would be pushed to try new and different things. Use materials that I wasn't very comfortable with. I knew Jen wouldn't let me down! I have to do my next "page" and feeling a bit intimidated again. But excited too, as I know I will learn something new from the next experiment.

Towards Wholeness

2009-10-28T20:48:00.005-05:00

Towards Wholeness
mixed media, 6x6 inches

This is a recent panel that I made. I have been using a lot of black, and darker colors in general, in my paintings lately. I wonder why? Hmmmm...

Lately I have been listening to book on cd while I work in my studio. When I made this panel I was finishing up listening to Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61). I have read the book before, but the lovely Karin sent me the cd version so that I could listen to it. It took me a bit to get used to Tolle's voice, but I felt that the words really started to sink in. It's odd as I usually feel like my mind is so absorbed in what I'm doing in the studio, i.e. time doesn't exist or I forget that it's time to eat, but some part of my brain must be receptive to listening to philosophical meanderings. And it always felt like I heard exactly what I needed to hear at that moment.

Anyway, the title of this piece reflects what I have been listening to. I do feel that somehow this piece embodies those words. Fragility, impermanence, our striving to survive in this world. But survive in a way that is whole and healthy. Acceptance of limitations, appreciation of what is beautiful.

This panel is waiting to be bound as a cover of a blank journal.

sunday's doings

2009-10-25T14:08:00.002-05:00

1. B ATC Available, 2. Before Flatline, 3. OTRA VEZ EL PÁJARO AL TRIGO, 4. To autumn - my favourite leaf, 5. calm/Windstille, 6. tu, 7. itinerario 65331 (nel mezzo del cammin), 8. 13 new notabooks, 9. I _ Clouds over Nether Land, 10. My Bleeding Heart, 11. texture/217, 12. |, 13. Reflection, 14. Fly, 15. IMG_1307, 16. IMG_1310, 17. 26, 18. Untitled, 19. bird.study, 20. Barely Scratched the Surface, 21. prayer flags : in progress, 22. free, 23. P5110100, 24. scène d'amour, 25. Mosaic Monday - Pebbles

So I have seen this mosaic on several blogs, like on Cathy Cullis' blog, and I really enjoy them as I get introduced to new work on flickr. I just learned how to make a mosaic of my recent favorites and thought I'd share them here. I love flickr in that it's an easy way to upload photos, but it is also great for finding talent and visual inspiration from so many different people.

Today's studio day started late as I had the luxury of staying in bed until 7:30am. But so far it has been productive for both books and painting and general organization. Must get off the computer though and get back at it! I just wanted to mention that I have been adding some paintings to my art section at amanobooks.com. A few more mixed media journals have also been added to the site.

what lies within

2009-10-18T09:51:00.003-05:00

what lies within
mixed media panel
bound as a cover of a blank journal
5x7 inches
available @ amanobooks.com

I've been working on a series of mixed media tree panels to be bound into blank journals. A few of them have been bound up already and are available at amanobooks.com

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Yesterday I took the el up to Evanston to my alma mater, Northwestern University, to attend a lecture at the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art and to see the Robert Motherwell and Henry Moore exhibits. I actually used to work there back when it was a gallery as one of my work study jobs. I was the assistant to the curator of education. Funny how even though I was going to school for a degree that had absolutely nothing to do with art, there was a part of me that was always seeking to be around art in some fashion. Wish I had had some guidance back then. I would probably have a bachelor of fine arts instead of a bachelor of science!

Anyway, the lecture was very enlightening for me and I will try to write a post about it later if I get a chance. I did write this quote down by Motherwell on abstract expressionism and how one reaches self-discovery through the act of creation:

"I begin a painting with a series of mistakes..."

Robert Motherwell
Henry Moore

visual poetry

2009-10-15T10:28:00.004-05:00

During this past summer I saw that the very talented Susan Tuttle was going to offer an online workshop called "Visual Poetry" in which she was going to share her photoshop techniques to enhance your own photographs. I have always been in awe of her photos and jumped on the chance to learn from her. I have used Photoshop for years to edit my photos, but I knew that I was only using 1% of its capabilities. Probably less! I highly recommend this workshop if you have ever wondered about how to enhance your photos with all those mysterious Photoshop tools. You can work at your own pace, which was vital for me. And Susan created a great web site that includes written instructions as well as video tutorials.

Last night I finished the last of her 4-week lessons and wanted to share some of the photos that I created in her class. I have more over at my Flickr in my "Photos" Set.

week 1
Mendenhall glacier, Alaska, 2005
took this photo on a hike during our honeymoon

week1
photo of tree taken in Illinois, 2009

week1 Vintage/Retro Technique 2
Poppy from my garden in Seattle

week 1, vintage/retro technique1 + rounded corners
me and noah (1 week old), 2007

week2 Diffused Light
Orcas Island, WA 2007

week 2
Assateague Island, Maryland 1994

week 3, black and white technique
bees
Nature Center, Chicago, IL
October 2009

week 3, black and white technique
Noah, 5 months with Grandma
June 2007

week3, sepia technique
Nature Center
Chicago, IL, October 2009

week3, black and white technique

week3 black and white technique
noah, 7 months
august 2007
seattle, wa

week 4 Texture technique
photo of tree in Maryland I took in 2005 with Susan's texture image of a book cover.

week 4 texture technique: faux Ttv shot

week 4 texture technique: faux Ttv shot
me, Orcas Island, WA
2006

Here is a direct link to the workshop offered by Susan.

Fused Chicago show

2009-10-12T13:51:00.004-05:00

I almost didn't make it to the opening reception on Friday night because I had been fighting a pretty bad cold all week. But I knew I would regret it if I didn't go. So, puffy faced and runny-nosed, I made it and I'm so glad I did. The show looked great and it was so nice to catch up with people and meet some of the artists that I had not met yet. Despite the rain and the cold, the turn out was fantastic. I tried to take more pictures, but it was impossible with all the people in the way!

The show will be up until October 30th. The gallery (537 Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan) is open 12-4 on weekends. If you come during the week, you may find the door closed, but Brenda Thomas' phone number is on there and she will come and open the gallery. She has a studio in the building.

at the entrance of the Fine Arts Building, a very cool old building down the street from the Art Institue of Chicago. Frank Lloyd Wright had an office on the top floor. Now the building is filled with working artist studios and musicians.

The thing that was fascinating about the show was seeing how all of us approach working with encaustics in very different ways. Here are a few photos I was able to take. I apologize for the blurriness and flash. I wish I had been able to get a photo of all the artists and their work on display.

the work of Shelley Gilchrist, the woman who sparked this group's formation

Alicia Forestall-Boehm next to her work. She works with many, many layers of wax and scrapes through with a variety of tools

Andrea Hill in front of her encasutic painting on unstretched canvas

Katsy Johnson's photography based encaustic painting

Dawn Korman next to her three pieces

Jenny Learner -on the bottom right you can see her 3d painting of a flower made from the scrapings of the larger painting next to it

an admirer in front of Haley Nagy's works on paper

Jane Michalski and the closest we could get to her painting!

Paul Rinaldi's dimensional work

Emily Rutledge's works with a very urban edge

a blurry photo ofKathleen Waterloo's wonderful work. Sorry Kathleen!

and here you can see me trying to get a squirming 2 year old to pose with mama in front of one of her paintings

For more photos, be sure to visit the Fused Chicago blog

Fused! Art + Wax in Chicago

2009-10-06T13:43:00.003-05:00

FusedChicago proudly announces its first exhibition of encaustic art

FUSED: Art + Wax in Chicago

Reception Friday, October 9, 5-9 PM

The Fine Arts Building
Ossia Artspace,537
410 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago
October 9-30
Information: 312 351-3939

We Are All Connected
encaustic on wood panel, 14x14 inches

I am excited to be hanging two of my encaustic paintings in the first group exhibition of the newly formed encaustic group of Chicago called Fused Chicago. I will be at the opening reception in the early hours on Friday. But I will be gallery sitting on Sunday 12-4. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hi!

Here is a list of the other artists who will be showing their encaustic works:

Donna Byrne
Tina Elkins
Alicia Forestall-Boehm
Shelley Gilchrist
Ken Gold
Andrea Hill
Cindy Jevon
Katsy Johnson
Catherine Keebler
Dawn Korman
Jenny Learner
Barb Loevy
Jane Michalski
Bridgette Guerzon Mills
Haley Nagy
April Nomellini
Paul Rinaldi
Emily Rutledge
Karen Tichy
Brenda Thomas
Michele Thrane
Judy Trombley
Kathleen Waterloo

thoughts on the maker and their art

2009-10-04T14:07:00.005-05:00

My friend and talented artist Patricia Anders posted this exercise and questions on her blog. This is a great exercise for us creative types and I challenge you to open up your journals and attempt to answer her questions and really try to see your work with a stranger's eyes. I did it myself and if you would like, I invite you to post your thoughts on your own blog and share a link here. Or keep it private in your own written journal. The important thing is to take the time to do it.

Here is Patricia's exercise:

Look at the work you have currently hanging on your studio wall or work space or in progress on your easel or your work table and pretend that you are someone else. Someone who does not know you and imagine what they might think of the artist who created it. Write those things down and keep them for yourself, to help you determine whether what you are creating is tied in with who you are or what you want to say or express. Post your thoughts.

Do you find that the statement "You can tell a lot about a person by the art that they make" is true? Does this exercise give you some clarity or ability to see your creations differently? Do you know someone who's art clearly reflects who they are? Is the work you did ten years ago different? have you matured artistically or just improved your skills? Is there a difference? Is the content or the media the same?

visual journal entry
9.13.09

My answer above, typed out:
I can't really look at my work in progress to answer the first question as I don't have any paintings in progress at the moment. But I can do it by looking at my past work- and I have asked myself these questions before to help me with my artist statements to hone in on my vision, and just to keep that dialogue open with myself.

But if I were to imagine myself looking at my work with a stranger's eyes, I would imagine the artist to be someone who is calm, introspective, reserved. Someone who sees the beauty in the simples lines of nature. I would probably imagine her to live somewhere peaceful and nature-filled, not in an urban setting! I would also think that while the artist is attuned to her spiritual/emotional side, that she works very deliberately. Not very spontaneous. Definitely sees things in a concrete manner. Controlled.

That was hard because I know myself and my work very well! Tried not to cheat and remain objective though. :)

I think that the statement : "You can tell a lot about a person by the art they they make" does have some truth to it. Art can reveal a lot about the artist behind the work...but not necessarily be definitive. The art can reveal an aspect of who the artis is, or even what they long for. Creating art is such an intimate act- it just HAS to reveal something about the Maker. I don't see how it cannnot. A lot of people tell me that they feel a sense of calm and peacefulness in my work...which is funny because I often feel very agitated/anxious inside! But I know that I am able to tap into that peace when I paint, so it is there. Or at least I hope so.

I can think of 2 artists that I know personally whose works reflects themselves- Angela Wales Rockett and Sue Robertson. I won't go into the details, but if you know them you can see how their work both really reflects them, or at least, how I perceive them. I have also met artists who are so different from what I would imagine they would be like in person having seen their work first. But, really, I think that the part of them that might not be visible on the surface of daily life, is a huge part of who they are if it's coming out on canvas.

I wasn't painting 10 years ago, so yeah my work has definitely changed since then! I began creating in 2002 when we moved to Seattle and my work has definitely changed and matured since then. I think it's a combination of maturing artistically, improving my skills, and gaining more life experiences to draw from. Some of the content is the same-trees,birds (I have work from high school art classes with those symbols)....but I have expanded from that a bit. Plus I've been working on developing my personal symbols and marks. I started working in encaustics in 2005 and I feel like that that medium is my "calling", so to speak. I love working in it and I feel that it best epresses what I aim to achieve. Developing my skills and honing my visual language in that medium has been key in my artistic development.

It is important to do this exercise because right now I feel like I'm in transition again-artistically and in my personal life. I am wanting to delve deeper into personal meaning, while at the same time loosening up on the canvas. I find myself increasingly attracted to abstracts, but not sure if I am ready to go there. I am too concrete, I think. At least right now I am. Not sure what lies ahead of me though with all the life changes ahead... but I haved learned that when there is desire and a will, there is a way.

{Just added this part as I wrote this blog post, as it's been on my mind lately}
I still feel like just a babe in this art journey of mine and I am excited to keep moving forward. mmmm, maybe I'm a toddler now...My point is that it may not be at the pace I would like it to be because I am a mother of a little one and have another on the way and I made the decision to focus on my family right now, but I can do what I can. Paint and create because I must, and just keep going forward.

mama, take a picture of broken!

2009-09-25T13:51:00.002-05:00

Earlier this week I posted a journaling tip over at the amanobooks.com blog that was inspired by a blog post of my friend Patricia Anders. Try this exercise if you want, it's really interesting to think about your work in this way from time to time. I did it and will share my thoughts in a few days.

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The other day my little guy and I decided to take a photo adventure in our neighborhood. Little kids have the innate ability to find the smallest cracks in the sidewalk or a special rock hidden under a leaf. Somewhere along the road adults lose this fascination. We are always in a rush, no time to look at the details of our surroundings. Too rushed to find the beauty in the cracks of the sidewalk. I feel lucky that I have not and I think that most creative types do not. We have to keep our eyes open. Lucky us!

I was also inspired to take these photos by a blog post made by fellow Chicagoan Gerri Newfry where she posted photos of her urban neighborhood. She said that whenever she reads blogs with people posting their surroundings it always seems that people live in these magical wooded wonderlands or beautiful countryside. I laughed when I read that because although I dream of living in a wooded wonderland and love reading and seeing those posts, reality is that I live in a very urban setting. But there is still beauty to be found. A different kind of beauty.

So, here is what Noah and I found on our photo adventure. By the end, my 2 year old was finding cracks and rusted walls and pointing excitedly saying, "Mama, take picture of broken!" Oh boy,I think I have passed on my fascination with natural decay and patinas...

{Noah was convinced that this very, very old garage door, photo above and below, was a barn from a farm. Hmmm, I think it's time we took another visit to a farm soon}

Our photo adventure ended with the biggest adventure of all behind this last red door. We stopped at the fire station that is about one and half blocks from our house and the garage door was open with the fire truck inside. The fireman there saw us admiring the fire engine and gave Noah his own personal tour, putting him behind the wheel and his fireman's hat. What a morning!

autumn and recent inspiration

2009-09-21T15:14:00.004-05:00

I love autumn. It is my favorite season, by far. The cooler days, the crip air. The deepening colors of the leaves. I even like how evening descends on us earlier and earlier. Autumn's Glow is an older painting of mine, but considering that I've only really been producing works in encaustic since 2007, it's not that old! But it is one of my earlier encaustic paintings. Actually it might have been this painting, where the love affair with encaustics began.

Autumn's Glow
encaustic, 10x10 inches
sold

Anyway, the reason why I am posting this image is that last week I brought 11 more encaustic paintings over to Sacred Art in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. I had brought some paintings to them back in April and they have been asking me for more. As you all know I haven't been painting in encaustics for the past four months, so I brought what I could. I brought over my most recent small paintings (6x6 inches) and some larger works, including Autumn's Glow. I made a Sacred Art flickr set of the paintings that they now have in case anyone is interested in contacting them. They are happy to handle transactions and ship out. I have their address on the side bar for those that are local. Please feel free to email me too if you want to know the prices.

I have also been updating my "Art" section of amanobooks.com. I have small orginal paintings here as well as some prints. I will be adding more as I can.

If you want to read more about the inspiration behind one of the journals that I just posted last week, please go visit the
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And just so that this post doesn't just seem like a sales pitch, which is not my intention- but there is a business side to all this art making, and I chronicle all that here too in my art journey blog. I want to post some links that have been inspiring me lately. One is a video and the other is a radio interview. Both take time to take in, but really are worth it.

One of my favorite encaustic artists, Graceann Warn, shared this You Tube video and it is just so beautiful. Magical. Inspiring.

Yesterday, my studio day, I listened to NPR all day and heard an interview of the late Irish poet and philosopher John O'Donohue. The interview is titled: The Inner Landscape of Beauty. The interview really resonated with me. I definitely want to get one of his books to explore his topics more in depth.

binding, binding, binding

2009-09-17T16:05:00.005-05:00

Still laying low and not as productive as I would like to be. Being pregnant with a 2 and half year old has proven to be quite exhausting for me. I am constantly reminded of Binky Bergman's comment to me about being a sleeping bag with feet. ha! So true! Anyway, in the meantime, I have been working on adding more handbound journals to amanobooks.com.

I have been working on creating more Natural Elements journals as my stock is embarrassingly low. And I also have added more mixed media cover journals. Here are my four most recent additions:

signs from the sky
6x8 blank handbound journal

Growing and Mending
6x6 inch blank handbound journal

vessel through which the earth sings
6x9 inch blank handbound journal

Bound Together
6x8 inch blank handbound journal

The imagery in two of these journals may look familiar as I used previous paintings as the start off point. It's fun to revisit an older painting and then take it a step further.

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to comment with congratulations on my last post! I am just thrilled to have been a part of the project and James Shipp will let me know once the cd becomes available online for anyone who is interested in purchasing it. I will pass along the link for sure!

nos novo album cover

2009-09-08T15:25:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to share here the finished project that began back in late May. A New York musician, James Shipp, contacted me about using one of my paintings for the cover art of his album. I had never done anything like this before and was thrilled to work out the details with him. We discussed the parallels between the feeling of the music for this album and the feeling of this painting and how he felt that it was just the right fit. He sent me samples of the music and I immediately felt a connection. The voice of the singer was haunting and beautiful, the music itself had a hint of melancholy, but at the same time an underlying earthy passion. The album is an interesting synthesis of Irish folk music played by NY jazz musicians. Intriguing, huh?

I ended up creating a different version of that painting for him. And this painting was the last encaustic painting I completed before I hung up my encaustic brushes for the rest of my pregnancy. I had started it before I knew I was pregnant, and then finished it up soon thereafter.

origins,II
encaustic, 14x14 inches

James just sent me the final layout for the album and I was just so thrilled to see my tree on the cd!

the Nos Novo cover

the Nos Novo CD

Inside the the Nos Novo cover

I think they did a great job with the layout and am wishing JAmes and his band all the best in the release of their album. It was a pleasure to do this kind of collaboration with another artist, but in a totally different medium. I can't wait to get my hands on the album!

Lillstreet Member Show

2009-08-26T19:53:00.003-05:00

I have two encaustic paintings that were juried into The 6th Annual Lillstreet Student and Member Show that is taking place this weekend.

Lillstreet Art Center
4401 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL 60640
773769.4226
www.lillstreet.com

Since our move to Chicago I have taken 3 classes at Lillstreet Art Center- Intuitive Painting, Handbuilding(ceramics), and Intro to Sewing. Actually tomorrow is my last sewing class. I have really enjoyed it! I really want a new sewing machine now. Since I like to take classes here I became a member earlier this year and one of the perks of this is the invitation to submit work to show in their annual member and student show. My two encaustic paintings that I submitted were accepted (the bird painting in the postcard is mine) and I am looking forward to attending the show this weekend.

Back ten years ago when I was working in the chicago public school system and rapidly losing my mind I decided to take a ceramics class at Lillstreet- a form of therapy for me. This was at their old location and I just loved it the minute I walked in. I've always felt comforted by the earthy smell of clay. I remember wandering their art space and thinking how wonderful it would be to be an artist and have work on display. Thinking that it must be a good feeling to make something with one's hands and mind that speaks to other people, that makes that want to take it home with them. It seemed like a totally foreign idea/life at the time.

That seems like eons ago...

Thank you to everyone who has left me comments and emails about last announcement. I really appreciate it and have been working on emailing back. I am feeling a bit better this week, but have not been on the computer much. But I wanted to thank everyone here. The congratulations and blessings mean so much to me. Thank you.

a bird told me

2009-08-20T14:10:00.002-05:00

Sometime back in June a robin decided to make the top ledge of our front door a home for its nest. I watched it build its nest grass by grass, twig by twig for two days. It was really amazing. The patience, the skill. The robin would bring the grass to the forming nest, lay it down and then squish its butt around to shape the bowl of the nest. We all watched fascintated by this ancient ritual.

But I was also concerned. I thought, hmmm, birds are pretty protective of their eggs and their babies. Being right above our front door is not good for us or anyone who attempts to ring our doorbell. I didn't want to take the nest down, especially after watching her build the nest. But at the same time I didn't want to get attacked every time I left my house!

I called my mom and she said emphatically, "Oh! Whatever you do, do not disturb the nest! It's bad luck. Besides the bird will just keep coming back. Just leave it until the babies are born and then move the nest."

Then she put on her friend, who is Greek, on the phone to tell me about bird nests and their omens. She gets on the phone, with as equal of a thick accent as my mother, but with a greek twist to it instead of spanish, and she says very emphatically, "Oh honey, whatever you do, do not disturb the nest!!! It's bad luck. It actually means good luck is coming your way when a bird chooses to build a nest above your door. In fact it could mean a pregnancy....so don't touch it!"

I was like, oh. Ok. I'll leave it! If two women from different parts of the globe tell me it's good luck, then it's staying. Then the bird left for a couple of days and I felt a little sad by its absence. But she same back and stayed put on her nest.

That day she returned, I took a pregnancy test.......and it was positive!

untitled
encaustic and mixed media
6x6 inches

I created this painting above, inspired by the bird and her message to me and my family. This was one of the last encaustic paintings I made before I hung up my encaustic brushes. I am sure it's fine to paint with encaustics while pregnant as long as you have good ventilation and take the right precautions. But I already have a high-risk pregnancy and I would rather be safe than sorry.

So no oils for now either. I am back to acrylics and making books. That is, when I can muster up the energy to work. This pregnancy has been very different than my first in that I have been really nauseated, extremely tired, and overall feel really crappy! But I am now entering my second trimester and I'm hoping for a turnaround. My little bean is growing well and that's all that matters!

So, that's my excuse for being a little absent around here lately. Resting up when I can. It takes a lot of energy to create a little life. We are so excited and I feel so blessed.

Art and Meaning

2009-08-10T13:12:00.002-05:00

Have you vistied the blog of artist Katherine Treffinger? If you haven't, you should! Not only does she post her fantastic artwork but she also includes posts of different artists answering the same question:

What meaning does doing art have for you?

She was so kind to share my answer to this very important question on her blog. Go check it out and see other artists' answers too. It is really interesting to read all the different thoughts on the same question.

Barbie Redux

2009-08-06T09:12:00.002-05:00

This show will be up for the month of August

Remember my encaustic barbie I created a few months ago? Well her debut is this weekend! Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the opening reception. But if you are in the L.A. area,check it out! It looks like it will be a fun opening.

I am excited to be in this show for several reasons. First, it is curated by a dear friend Patricia Anders. I have never met her in real life, but she has inspired me with her artwork and her spirit online for several years now. She pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and attempt an altered encaustic barbie. And I had so much fun with it!

The other reason I am excited to be in this is that there are several other of my online artists friends that will also be in this show, some who I have met and some that I have not, yet. It's kind of fun to be in a show with my online buds. We all have been communicating with each for years now, brought together by our art, and then by the friendships that followed. Cynjon Noah will have several pieces in this show, as will Jen Worden. Actually the mysterious and beautiful figure on the postcard above is her creation. The inimitable Theresa Hall will have an altered barbie in the show as well.

I've known Cynjon, Jen and Theresa for several years as well, but have only met Cynjon. Actually I did a happy dance with Cynjon back in 2006 at Artfest because he was the first person I ran into after I saw my first red dot ever at the Artfest Magical Creatures Show! That seems like eons ago.

Looking back on my art journey so far, I have to say that I owe so much to the people I have connected with online. I remember being so nervous the first time I posted one of my mixed media panels online. How I felt foolish and exposed and scared and just kind of weird about it. But then these wonderful people, people who didn't know me, people from differnt walks of life, popped in to leave a few kind words. To say, congratulations, or you can do it, or nice job, or I like that blue line there.

And still this blog now, many years later, brings me in touch with the same kind of generousity of spirit. The same "rah, rah, you can do it!" spirit. I hope that I am able to return the gifts that people have given me through the years.

Wow, I really didn't intend to write all that, but I guess it just needed to come out. Anyway, thank you to everyone who comes and visits me in this little space online that is my blog.
xoxo

ten

2009-08-04T15:09:00.003-05:00

ten
encaustic and mixed media
6x8 blank handbound journal
@ amanobooks.com

I created this panel, oh, let's see, maybe last year? But instead of binding it into a book as it had been intended, I framed it for a show I was in, in Seattle. It was one of those instances where I just needed one more painting to fill up the space. It happens. Anyway, it looked lovely in a frame, but because I had always intended it to be a journal, it just didn't seem right to me. So I finally decided that it needed to be what it was meant to be and bound it up the other day.

And now I am content.

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Thank you for all the well wishes for the show and for those of you that came! I think the best part of it all for me, besides seeing my paintings on the wall, was meeting other Chicago artists and community activists. Who often were, one and the same. Why is it that people who care about their community and work to make changes are often artists or at least creative types? Is there something about the personalities or the outlook on life? hmmmm. I'm not saying that is always the case, but there does seem to be an overlap. Or at least it seems that way.

me and Noah in front of my paintings
{My husband and Noah came to the opening and Noah ran throughout the whole space looking at the art, and then he came to mine at the end and stopped and said, "Mama!" I couldn't believe that at 2 years old he could already recognize my work! That brought a huge smile on my face.}

The exhibit was held in an alternative space, in that it's not typically a gallery space. It is actually used for programs for at risk youth. I met the couple who run the space and they were just wonderful. I really admire people who do work like this. The husband does work with Cease Fire-which is a program that helps gang-affiliated youth leave the gangs or stay out of gangs. He teaches them how to film and they have been working on creating their own documentaries. His wife does theatrical productions with another group of teens. They were very inspiring. The organization is called Voice of the City.

I am meeting some really wonderful people here in Chicago. Artists who care about their communities. Care about making a difference. Are passionate about their work and their city. I feel fortunate to be meeting them. Chicago needs people like that.

Anyway, lots of thoughts from this weekend. If we end up staying in Chicago longterm (in the city) and I can figure out how to balance art career and family, I would really love to get involved again in the community as I was in my early twenties. I want Noah to learn too about the value of giving back to community, especially when it is so badly needed. That is really important to me.

And I sold a painting! Hooray!

hello there

2009-07-29T12:57:00.003-05:00

I don't think I've ever gone almost a whole month without writing a blog post in all the five years that I've been blogging! I was sick for a little bit, as was my little guy. Then we went on a family vacation to Seattle and had an amazing time. I was in a beautiful wedding and after that we went to Orcas Island to just sit, be still, and breathe in the fresh air. And stare up at the unbelievable stars in the clear night skies. Those starry nights took my breath away. I will never forget it.

Needless to say I have not had much studio time and so I'm just not here blogging away about my putterings in the studio. I hope that will change soon!

I'm back here in Chicago and getting settled back into the swing of things and gearing up for a couple of shows coming up. This weekend is the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival. Milwaukee Avenue is a looooooooooooong stretch of road. I'm not sure, but I think it spans north to south Chicago. This festival takes place in the stretch that runs through the Logan Square neighborhood. I am participating in the Logan Square Connections Exhibit.

The Seed is Hope
encaustic on clayboard
8x8 inches
-sold-

I will have 3 encaustic paintings hanging in this show. Jane Michalski, who I met at the first FusedChicago meeting, curated this show and I know there will be some fantastic work to see.

Logan Square Connections
at Voice of the City Studio
3429 W Diversey Ave., Suite 208
Chicago, IL 60647
Opening Reception: Friday, July 31 5pm-10pm
Gallery Hours: Saturday, August 1 noon-8pm
Sunday, August 2 noon-7 pm

I will be there the opening night in the early hours. And then I am scheduled to gallery sit on Sunday 12-2pm. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello!

There will be several art shows exhibiting during the festival. For a full list of galleries and locations, go here.

I'm excited to announce that two of my encaustic paintings were just accepted into the member show at theLill Street Gallery. That show will take place in late August. I will post more about that later.

And of course the Barbie Redux show is coming up very very soon! Unfortunately I won't be able to fly out to California for that. But it looks like it will be a good time. Patricia Anders just posted a photo of my encaustic barbie on her blog. Be sure to browse around and see what other artists did to their barbies!

all things seen and unseen

2009-07-02T12:52:00.006-05:00

all things seen and unseen
encaustic on clayboard
6x6 inches
sold

My family came to visit this past weekend. It was a full and noisy house with 3 kids running up and down the hallways. After everyone left I managed to catch a nasty cold and am still on the tail end. Been feeling pretty run down lately, but thought I'd write up a little post while my son naps.

I worked on this little piece much longer than I usually do. It was one of those struggles. But then I happened upon Lisa Kairos' blog and she jsut happened to write a post sharing a technique called Intarsia...which I had done a long time ago but completely forgot about! How does that happen?!

Anyway, so I decided to experiment with it on this little piece as I had in my previous painting "Patterns and Cycles"- the red line was done with the intarsia technique as well as the little "o" shapes along the bottom. I really enjoyed rediscovering this technique. Ever since my ceramics class I really have been obsessed with surface. Not like I wasn't already. But it's been tweaked a bit.

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I am so excited to share that three of my encaustic paintings were juried into the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival in the Logan Square Connections exhibit! The show will be at the end of July. I will post the details as the date approaches. My first show in Chicago...hopefully the first of more to come in the future.

I still have a few small encaustic paintings at Sacred Art Gallery in Lincoln Square, here in Chicago. They have asked me for more paintings and I've been working on it. Hopefully by the end of this month I can replenish what I have there.

patterns and cycles

2009-06-24T14:01:00.003-05:00

patterns and cycles
encaustic and mixed media
14x14 inches
-sold-

Life has been busy lately, but I'm still painting away. It just takes me a little longer now to document my paintings and then post. When I was in the middle of working on this painting I received an email from a reader in the U.K. who is so kind to periodically email me. In this email she asked me a couple of questions about the nature element in my work. She brought up some of my earlier paintings about the moon and its cycles. I drew upon moon imagery throughout my "Expecting" series where I was delving into my pregnancy and expecting my son.

After I read the email, I went back to my painting, brushed on payne's gray at the top and carved in rough moon shapes. Thanks for inspiration H.! I could have left well enough alone, but right now I am really all about exploring symbols, my personal markings. Actually I am starting to feel like if I don't leave a little symbol in my painting, then it's naked.

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Last night was my last handbuilding class at Lillstreet Art Center with Marjorie Woodruff. Oh, I just love her! Her work is inspiring and she is such a warm person. She gave me a big hug when I said goodbye last night and I hope we will keep in touch.

I am not sure I will be able to continue with my idea of combining clay with encaustics as the fine and gross motor skills needed to handbuild is messing with my joints. We'll see. I can't just let my arthritis dictate what I can and cannot do in my life. It is frustrating.

But I am so glad I took this class. Clay is a such a magical medium, to me. From the earth. Transformed. Especially with handbuilding, it's all about surface. I found that my tinkerings in the ceramics studio affected my encaustic work. For me, encaustics can be such a great medium to play with surface.

Last night we got to listen to a slideshow of resident artist Momoko Usami. The link is not her web site, but a blog of someone talking about her work. Her ceramic work is really intricate and fascinating. She not only takes into account form and meaning, but how it interacts with light, shadow, water, reflections. What I really enjoyed was how she shared her thought process with us. She had a photo of a marbled piece of steak. And said the marbled fat reminded her of lightening....and then she incorporated that into one of her pieces. Or she had a picture she took at the beach of a bunch of different colored pebbles. And then next to that was a photo of an urban scene where the colors and patterns of the people rushing by matched the pebbles. And then how she incorporated that into another piece. So interesting.