Tantivy

When you begin to go some place and you have no idea of how to get there or where it is and there is no GPS. Sound scary? That is painting!! I began a new painting in a different mode, where there is nothing to follow, no rules to lean on, and nothing to say "you have arrived at your destination". Of course that is always what it is like in many ways, but this was really a leap into the void for me. I used oil paint and cold wax medium, which I have used before on other paintings, I started by covering the paper on the wall with colors - mostly reds but with some others, I did some scraping, some more layering, some thinking and then some more of all of the previous steps, more thinking, more thinking, a stroke here or there, etc. I think that I have arrived at my destination, but who knows. When I look at it, though, it feels complete. So here t is: I have also finished the 3'x5' piece that I have been fiddling with for so long. I did some work in the top right a

Ok, so it turns out that when you can't get to sleep, getting up and writing a blogpost is not the best idea. I apologize and I will try to do better in the future. I am waiting to hear from the bank about what I will need to become the person on the checking account and then I am going to the studio to try to get some work done before it is time to leave for the meeting. I love the night time, but some things are better done during the day and blog-writing seems to be one of them. Best to all, and sleep well tonight!

When will it end? All this killing, this greed, this name-calling and shaming and denigrating. I am sick every day when I look at the news. At the same time, I can't seem to stop looking. It is making me depressed and making it hard to function. I had cut back on my serotonin re-uptake inhibitor(Lexapro) but have had to go back to the full dose. More information than you really wanted. Sorry, but it is what is on my spinning mind. There were few days in the studio this week, although there was an exhibition opening that included one small and one large work that was well-attended. One of my sister's pieces was the first sale and there were two others, not mine, but there is always a chance. Tomorrow night is the Civic Arts League meeting and there is a better than even chance that I will be elected treasurer. Well, actually it is all but certain as there seems to be no other candidate. It won't be a hard job and I like the other officers. some of the meetings, however,

Painting is a lot like other things. It changes as you change. I keep trying other things but keep coming back to non-objective paintings. I have to wonder if that is because realism is beyond my reach, but I really don't want realism so I don't think that is it. I think that what I want is a modern, contemporary impressionism.and so far that has eluded me. That doesn't mean that I don't search for it, chase it, study it, etc. it just means that I don't have it yet. so much to learn, and who knows how much time in which to learn it! Meanwhile, today I just started applying leftover paint to a 12"x9" panel. Trying to work smaller and playing around just to see what happens. Her is how it works. One can begin with an idea in mind and work toward that idea or one can just begin. I have begun. What is on the panel now might become the base of a new painting, it might be scraped away, it might be covered it might be scribbled on. The first moves are play a

Well, I submitted five paintings and one was accepted. I certainly hope that it sells. Another show, put-on by the Civic Arts League , of which I will almost certainly become the treasurer, is also going up and I have two paintings in it. It is a smaller show and might not have as many viewers, but every viewer is a possibility! There are other shows coming up. It has been a difficult week. Dean had trouble with his meds and I had to call the EMTs. He is fine now, but the weather is taking its toll on everyone as I am sure you know. I went out to cut the grass and came in almost sick because I had fiddled around with the battery for the mower much longer than I thought and it was about 11:00 when I got started. Thank goodness we have very little grass and I just gave up on the backyard. It was only about 90 but so was the humidity. I love the south, I really do, but some days are just not meant for 76-year-olds to be out working in the yard and it is best to remember that! I am w

I can hardly believe that it has been two years since I have posted on this blog site. In the meanwhile I have tried and given up on a website. I am just not willing to maintain a website even if it would mean selling more paintings. Am I lazy? Perhaps, but time is short an I have much to do and I get, at this age, to pick and choose. So I am choosing to restart this blog and write weekly or twice each week. If you are kind enough to read it, thank you. If you are kind enough to comment I will love you and if you have criticisms I promise to take them under consideration. So today I am waiting to hear from the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton GA, just south of Chattanooga, if they have accepted any of my paintings for their upcoming show. Last year I submitted several and two of them sold. That was such a thrill for me. Okay, My sister-in-law bought one of them but the other was bought by a stranger. Woohoo! I have submitted five this year and should hear today if any have been accepte