Friends! With the world opening slowly, and with my second vaccination near, I am now officially opening my studio for visits by appointment. Call or text me to set up a time, please wear a mask and let’s catch up! I’d love to show you my latest work and share with you upcoming events! I hope you’ll stop by soon!
acrylic
Christmas came early...
The reason I paint is to give back in my own small way. I paint to put color out into the world because I believe it has the power to lift, the power to heal. It certainly helped me return from the depths of my breast cancer journey. Since 2016, I have been painting, teaching and sharing my art, in many formats, to encourage and empower others. The painting shown here was the last commission I created in 2019, literally delivered mid-December.
This painting was like a gift to me, as it was commissioned by one of three special sisters, who maintain the fight against breast cancer through their October fundraising event, held at Leed’s Farm, called Witches Night Out.
I was thrilled to be given artistic license in creating this piece, with the only request being the size, dimensions and that it incorporate more yellow than pink. I am thrilled that it actually hangs in the client’s laundry room/mudroom. She was embarrassed and thought she’d offend me when I inquired it’s intended location and I couldn’t be happier!
Why? Because art should bring joy. And if it resides in the humming hub of their home, that means it is bringing color to them every day, every time they pass through that space. They operate a farm. I grew up in the country and I know how much work is involved with a farm: early mornings, late nights no matter the weather, no matter what. When I reflect on this particular commission, I am thrilled knowing where it resides and that it can brighten everyone who encounters it! Thank you Julie for such a gift, the opportunity to bring you and yours color!
Studio Experiments...
Currently playing with alcohol inks and their reaction when applied to acrylic...the results are so bold and amazing! Some of these combinations will be in my upcoming show at Highline Coffee, in Worthington, Ohio opening Saturday, September 8th, 2-4pm.!
New Work Hanging in Worthington!!
"Midnight in Holland", Acrylic on canvas, 12" x 24", Available
I have new paintings and collages hanging in Worthington's Varckette Family Chiropractic offices, 870 High Street, Ste 104, Worthington , OH. Even if you are not a patient, but find yourself in Worthington, pop on in to their offices and ask to take a peek! All are available for sale- just contact me directly!
Panel Discussion at the Works!
Saturday, April 21st, I had the opportunity to join fellow Pen Women, (from L to R)Brenda Laymen, Renate Fackler and Rosalie Unger in an Artists & Writer's Panel Discussion, where we shared our writing and artistic processes and discussed our collaborative work that will remain on exhibition at The Works, in Newark, through July.
Rosalie Unger and I showcase our collaboration, "Guardian Angels", acrylic and paper collage with security envelopes and both of our prescription inserts!
My additional piece, "Bald is Beautiful", Acrylic and paper collage on canvas with security envelopes and my prescription inserts; Rosalie's piece showcasing her published book, collaged with editor's edits!
Bringing you more happy, bold color in the New Year!
"Snowy Garden (small)" acrylic & paper collage on panel, 10 x 10"
Ok folks...we have arrived. We are there. You know...the month on the calendar, where the skies seem perpetually gray and the bitter temperatures outside only add to the dreary mood! Personally, I fight back with a lot of bold, bright color and like taking a multivitamin, I have to take in color every day.
So, I have been painting daily and some of my new work, seen here (in this blog post and my website's illustration gallery) will be available soon as more boxed sets of greeting cards! I will be sure to let you know when they are hot off the press and available, so subscribe to my blog or check back to my Facebook page!
In the mean time, surround yourself with color, stay safe, warm and HAPPY!
This month's issue of Bexley Living Magazine...
Recent Press...
Thank you to Kimarie Martin and Nick Hart of Bexley Living Magazine, for the great interview and photographs for the November issue!
"Giddy with Life", Acrylic & Paper collage, 12" x 12"
Join me...Hit the Hop!!
Join me on Sunday, September 10th, 4-6pm for the artists' reception at Studios on High Gallery (686 N. High Street, Columbus, OH). The "Hit the Hop" Exhibit will officially open on September 2nd for that evening's Gallery Hop and the show will hang through September 29th! Check it out! Support Local Artists!
Urban Garden, Work in progress...Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 30"
Take a leap of faith...
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Do something every day that scares you." Well, I try to live by that because I have learned how it can open your world and I'm trying to teach my sons the same... that you only gain by putting yourself out there, whether it is in a business, athletic, artistic or personal venture.
Admittedly, I've remained in my comfort zone for years in working small. Small fabric books, small fabric collages, small watercolor illustrations, small paintings. Someone once said, "Go big or go home." There's truth in that statement. Would we have enjoyed Jackson Pollock's work if he had kept it nice and neat in an orderly, manageable size. Hell no!
So, despite the fact that my studio may not accommodate me much longer, I am painting on larger canvases and panels. I'm moving out of my comfort zone. Truth be told, it feels great!
Garden Dream, Work in progress...Acrylic, 24"x48"
So, if you do anything this summer, do something that scares you! Leave your safe, comfort zone and try something new. You can't run with the big dogs if you stay on the porch! So Winston says...
Trumptown...
"Trumptown", Acrylic, fabric and paper collage on wood, 10"x10"
I am not one who likes to discuss politics. I am one, however, like every other human being, animal and amoeba sharing this earth, is one who is feeling the deep effects of our new political situation at the hands of our new president.
As an artist, my emotions come out through my work. I pour my happiness or in this case, frustration into a piece. This is a collage that speaks to that hypocritical, political "promise" that we are all too familiar with, "Make America Great Again!". (I personally didn't feel a need for much improvement after Obama).
When I started this piece, I found myself creating a base of dark colors, navy blue. I then wanted to add some hope (which is what I crave politically) and so I added brighter blues and greens. When I went to fine inspiration from my stash of recycled papers, envelopes, etc. I was shocked to find a disclaimer page that had accompanied an old insurance letter. The two white strips of text at the top of the collage discuss (ironically when thinking about Trump) how we treat people in this country, (or claim to). The roses' stems represent that same statement in various languages.
I always gravitate to my stash of old children's books and primers and that is where I found one entitled, "Wake- up Town", which tells a story of a beautiful place to live. I used the illustration of the concrete sign and all the "promises" in puts forth: "Clean streets; Beautiful homes; Excellent Water supply (my mind and heart then went to Flint, Michigan), etc. I thought the illustration of the little boy and his megaphone summed up how I have felt since the elections...a lot of noise.
Finally, when I looked into my fabric scraps from previous projects, my eyes caught a selvedge that actually said, "protected soil", and I thought...yeah, protected soil, stop fracking and opening our sacred green spaces...our national forests and parks.
I don't want to live in Trumptown, thank you very much. So I will push back in my own, small, more polite ways...through art, writing and action. I hope you'll do the same!
What's Up Wednesday...
I had several friends ask after I posted this recently...so I thought I'd tell you all about what I am currently working on...
In the new year I began painting in acrylic and fell in love with it! I want to eventually move into oils but for now I am really enjoying painting on not only canvas, but paper, fabric and wood. Right now I am working on the second piece in a series of rose-related collages. The first (shown above) is an acrylic and paper collage on wood, measuring 10 x 10". It is entitled, "Undercurrent" and simply is a statement of how things may seem "rosy" on top, but if you look deeper you will see beneath the surface and find the undercurrent. In one corner of the piece you will see a school of fish for example. I often use the insides of security envelopes because I like the various designs they offer. It also makes me feel better to recycle my mail into my artwork! The paper pieces here are used to show the movement of the water around the rose, which is bright and unyielding, as people are when they are stressed and determined to keep up a positive front.
The second piece is on wood measuring 12 x12" and has a large rose at the center, painted in pink hues of acrylic. With the rose as the focus, I wanted to incorporate subtle black and gray hues, again using security envelopes. This one has a long way to go but I'll share it when finished!
2017...Sure to be colorful!!!
New illustrations, new writing and new ways to enjoy my art, all coming in the new year, so keep checking back!