Four Stars!

Dear Universe,

I am busting my vest buttons (does anyone say that? and technically do women bust vest buttons? don't answer that)
Number one son is the lead in his middle school play, titled "Shakespeare is my father", playing the part of the bard himself.

Yes, I'm his mom, but I have to say after weeks of practicing lines with him, I knew the play pretty well and he nailed it! He's got terrific comedic timing and excellent voice projection.

So proud I am.

Here's the synopsis:

"It is the summer of 1596 and William Shakespeare's fame is on the rise in London, but he suddenly suffered from writer's block. While facing self-doubt, Shakespeare's three children come to visit, forcing him to learn how to be a father again as he searches for inspiration. Written and directed by Kara Wilson, "Shakespeare is My Father" combines romance, drama, and comedy to create a unique tale that is very loosely based around historical facts as well as some of Shakespeare's most famous lines."

(That's my son in the upper right corner of the picture, as William Shakespeare)


I'll be back with art soon....

I thought I knew me. Turns out I didn't.

On another note...Look what's up! The big, bold, big cypress painting.

Officially titled: " l'ordre du chaos" , unofficially : "more order, less chaos"
6 feet tall, 10 feet wide.

Now installed at I. Wolk gallery in St. Helena, CA

Loving it's grandness in the gallery and I'm so happy it's getting "hang time" on the wall in this public space. Art should be seen.

Make more art

No apologies for my lack of posts in the last six or so weeks. I've been busy. There. I enjoy posting on the blog, but when I feel like I'm not coming up with anything of particular interest to anyone but myself, I tend to stay away.

That is not to say that I am not frequently writing things down in my mind of subjects to post: "Change is good" morphed into "Change addiction". "Art as a business" morphed into "Shit, I'm busy !"

You might sense now where I'm getting stalled out.

But, shit, I am busy and that is grand. I love to be busy doing what I love.

The big 6'x10' painting is finished. Painting and leafing this bad boy was good fun. I will miss it in all it's largeness, but shall be happy knowing that it will be going to a good home.




That's what this is about:

art out-money in-make more art.

Not a very romantic or eloquent way of stating it, but I'm fairly pragmatic by nature.

thinking about today....

image from art and lair

my big fat primed canvas

Continuing on my theme this week, let me introduce you to my new best friend: Six by ten feet of cotton, gesso and wood with a healthy dose of wire for the stability every artist seeks in a new relationship.

These two images show me, first stretching the canvas onto the stretcher bars and the second image after priming the canvas with an undercoat painting.

The second image is likely a bit shocking as a contemporary painting is not my goal, but this base coat serves a purpose in the finished painting.





















Of course I am not going to tell anything about what I have planned of the painting itself. You'll just have to follow it's progress.

Like me.

How does she know?

She seems to know exactly how I am feeling...Not a chicken with her head cut off, as the common expression goes, but rather
a woman with a chicken on her head, albeit confused. "How is it that I have a chicken on my head?" , she seems to be saying.

I've oft felt these exact feelings, especially of late. My one true calm amidst the head chicken is making art. In the studio I find that it not only calms me (and the chicken?) but also takes my mind off of the constant round and round of worries and concerns, running lists and issues.

"How is it that I have a chicken on my head?" I say to myself over and over through out the day, but cannot find the answer to this question.

Some sage might suggest that instead of asking why said chicken is on head, suggest to oneself to remove the chicken.

Sometimes it's the simple answer that is so obvious.

work is good

(passion series painting, in progress. 24x48")
Indeed. Work is good. Takes my mind off things, helps me focus on something other than me. The ID.

I am continuing my series of paintings begun last year at this time: the "passion" series.
People occasionally ask what the meaning of the passion series is about.

"uh...passion?"

I thought it was obvious, but what do I know..

Passion: (noun) 1. Strong and barely controllable emotion. 2. State or outburst of such emotion. (from dictionary.com)

1. a powerful emotion, such as love, joy, hatred or anger. (the freedictionary.com)

So much about making art is the act of making art. Not waiting for inspiration, reading books, grand life experiences.
In my opinion, so much about making art is the act of showing up in the studio and getting to work. Chuck Close said it best:
"Inspiration is for amateurs. Art is about showing up and getting to work."

Passion drives making art.