Something about Personal Solar Systems

Untitled, but something about Personal Solar Systems.

So I've finished my latest painting, and first painting since moving my life 45 minutes south three months ago. Pretty happy about this. Other good things have been happening too - I will be hanging my artwork in a public space this coming April at Planet Marshmallow, a pretty sweet coffee shop in Manchester NH. I would like to note that this is the first time I will be hanging a solo collection of my work in a public space since...2004. Seriously folks, this is a big deal for me. Good things, good things.

Also on that note - I applied to some artist residencies recently (by some I mean only one) and was accepted. Chalk Hill Residency in Healdsburg, California offers artist residencies for two weeks or longer. The time slot I was accepted for starts next November, so I have some time before I decide to accept it (time and money are factors in this). Despite this, I am suuuuper stoked I was accepted - it is some form of external validation that everyone needs every once in a while.

So folks, happy friday. And keep on keeping on, because chances are you're doing a good job.

Text Texture Piece - Beginning.

Working on a new piece where I am trying to highlight texture. Not sure where I will be heading from here, but the under layer took forever and looks pretty cool now that it's done. Here are a few images from it.

Here it is. 2' x 2'

Detail of the craziness written on here.

Weighty

Today was the first day in weeks I've been able to sleep in, and took advantage of it.
Here's a painting I made in a sketchbook last week in the thick of things.

Floating Alone/Solo

I am in the process of moving to the big city! This is how I'm feeling at the moment and needed to post something on here to remind y'all that I'm still alive.

In A Crowd

This painting has been giving me a headache for weeks, but it is finally done. I miss the original version, I think I had called it Minty or Elephant, but now we've ended up at a place where I'm calling it In A Crowd. Here you go people, and happy hump day.

New Illustration

I think I will call it an illustration, though I have not been illustrating for years. Sat down for a painting session last night, and other than attacking a project I've been spending a month on, this is what resulted. I think it pretty much describes my emotional state as of late.

I am calling it "Of Two Minds." I find it to be an eloquent visual of how I've been handling the changes in my life lately. I thought I was good at moving, moving on, and change, but as I get older I realize I am way more of a nervous nelly than previously thought. As opposed to last month, I am now armed with a new, 'big girl' job that doesn't pay the bills, an hour commute and no free time on my hands. I'm getting good at the juggle though, and am interested to see where I will be a month and a year from now. Cheers, people! This life is a good one.

All About Color

So there is this radio show that I've been introduced to that seriously rocks. The topics are always interesting, the personalities and production department all do a fantastic job, and a few months back they covered a topic near and dear to my heart. Though I am just getting around to posting about it, it still is definitely worth an hour of your ear's time. Five stars for the team at Radiolab and the stellar job they did on the topic of Color.

Check it out here.

Mint Green is good.

New painting in progress.  Heck yeah!  For now I shall call it "Elephant."

Sketchbook Project Progress

The sketchbook project is coming along well!  I am hoping to make this sketch into an encaustic piece some time this summer.  Tried it in acrylic, but it wasn't quite the right feel.

The Sketchbook Project

I am participating in a fun art collaborative called the Sketchbook Project.  The premise is you are provided a sketchbook, which you fill and mail back.  At that point your sketchbook is part of their traveling library, and you can also choose to have it digitized on their website.  Pretty sweet.  Here's the blurb from their site:

"It's like a road trip, but with sketchbooks.

Every book created for the project will embark on a 

cross-country road trip to visit state fairs, festivals 

 and as many Waffle Houses as your book's little stomach 

can handle."

I've been attacking it pretty readily.  You folks get a preview of some of the pages as they're completed.  And who knows, it may travel to somewhere close to you next year!

Git 'er Done

Latest painting finished!  Wicked stoked, I've sat with it for weeks at this point.  It's nice when your brain lets you decide when a work is done.

Done.  Hazzah.  On to the next one.

Persuasion

New Painting, New Website

Working up a sweet new website with my current artwork/fine art based.  Leaving the illustration base behind for now. 
Speaking of current, I have a new painting I'm working on, and am totally stoked about.  It's not quite finished, but I'm putting on here because I'm in love with it.  Thanks for looking, will be changing the website over in the next week or two hopefully with a link to this blog.  Exciting stuff!

New Project Idea

Finally finding some time to make some artwork.  I am only in the idea stage, but I would like to create kind of a Plexiglas-sculpture-painting.  Something big.  I am liking the layered look, but I think etching into the Plexiglas would be preferable.  Not quite sure how to do that, I will be looking into home safe acid etching over the next few days.  I built up a small facsimile this morning.  Pretty amped on it.