Subatomic Observation

Untitled (Mother's Daughter) 2013, paper, wood, thread, acrylic, ink 20" x 20"

                ...the very action of observing a thing changes the thing being observed...

What do we look for and observe in each other?

New work, New Ideas, Spring has sprung

Portrait #1

Portrait #2

Portrait #3

The last two weeks have been art filled...I am happily working in and out of the studio-it seems I use the studio building more as a storage shed and when the weather is good I start by pulling everything outside on to the lawn and working 'Plein Air'.  I like the feeling of the weather on my body when I create and prefer natural light.

I went to the Armory Show last week.  This was my favorite piece in the show and not surprisingly its from Iceland.  What I like so much about it is the blending of color, light, simplicity in form but complications by chance reflections, found object with made objects, sculpture but painting....also now seeing it with my new work I also see a connection

by Olafur Eliasson

I am learning how to make paper, which is thrilling and I believe it is a match in heaven for me!  What I am most excited about is the transformative qualities-that it takes one thing (cloth) and then through a process of disentegration it transforms in to another element or object (paper).  It is a concept that I work repeatedly with in my artwork but this is not an illustration this is the real thing.  It reminds me of baking.  How through a hands on process you transform elements into a new and edible form.  I'm so excited!!!!!!

I was on a GREAT radio show last week, speaking of my WORK.  It is archived and you can listen here. http://www.wgxc.org/archives/4010 The whole show is an hour long (I'm probably about 20 minutes?) and I highly recomend listening to it.  Its by Paul Smart at WGXE and its about art & work, or artwork.

work in progress, beginnings of ongoing projects.....

Spring has sprung...

I'm starting a 'map' of all the lost graveyards I find....for a future project.

Painting in progress since last year! I've brought it out and started working it again. The thing of it is that I like the details more then the whole painting, because they are so graphic and so I need to keep working it still....its also about 7ft by 6ft...its a big one.  There are all kinds of things in it, acrylic, oil, blanket, kimono, yarn, flowers.....

Detail #1

Detail #2

Happy Spring!

Work in process

This painting was the one you saw me working on outside a couple weeks ago with a big furry brown spider.  Its finished now.  It's aprox 4.5' x 5'

I went to an exciting workshop yesterday at Double Edge Theater.  It was a two hour "intensive" open training session, which basically meant a physical training session with the theater ensemble.  I had no idea what to expect, I wanted to participate in a physical art and wanted to try something that would be uncomfortable and a stretch for my body and mind.  It was a success in both those categories!  Basically it was an intense physical and psychological "follow the leader" moving and improvising with about 50 people in a barn.  FUN!
I also went because I have been developing a piece in my mind since November that has started to look more like a dance performance with multiple people in it.....something for the future:)

One of the things a member asked me was if I was a dancer and my answer was , "NO, but I did dance for 14 years of my life."  He responded: "Sounds like your a dancer then."  I wondered why I said no?  Is it because in order for me to be a "dancer" I need to be a ballet dancer, or dance 5 days a week, or be on a playbill?  Hmmm......It took me until I was 27yrs old to say I was an artist, it's funny how hesitant I am to claim all of me and all that I love to do. 

I took artist Gretchen Kelly to see the installation it was almost a black and white day.

I am working again in the studio (and out of the studio too!)  I think I am on to something all though I'm not sure what that is yet, and everything seems a bit awkward, which I believe is a good sign.  I thought I would share some pictures of work in process...this may change a lot still, right now its breathing and I will check it out tomorrow....

This is aprox. 4.5feet  x 7.5feet

Detail

We're All Dirt

Frustration; Fun and Games

Chinese Money Plant; Bumbershoot Against A Masher

Milkweed and The Green Pitcher; A Thinker Of An Original Kind

Hope, Fear, and Stoic Patience

And Instant Hello and Goodbye

A Loving Group

I am excited to get these up! Remember the 22 canvas's I bought. The ones pre-painted with terrible landscapes and still lifes? Well, here they are after being collaged and painted with dirt. (These are 6 of 12 in this group.)
I knew I wanted to use some part of the original painting, because even though they were atrocious, clearly the person who painted them loved painting, (22 canvas's!)
The love element was intact.
The idea behind the collages is that we are all a part of everything, and I imagined what it would be like to be a little bit of everything and we will all be dirt at some point. Dirt is magical, alchemical in property. The people in the photographs have long since returned to the dirt, and the painter of these paintings is now dirt. Dirt continues to generate life from life.....
I have much more to say about this project, and will elaborate when I post the other ones, including titles.

Fate

Mongolian Shaman Tent

Free Now

"...no experience has been too unimportant, and the smallest event unfolds like a fate, and fate itself is like a wonderful, wide fabric in which every thread is guided by an infinitely tender hand and supported by a hundred others."-Rilke

I tend to think of life as both a scavenger/treasure hunt...where you run and find a clue then run to the next, I also imagine that we are a giant puzzle, and we don't know what our picture is. We go about trying out pieces, and slowly putting our lives together. As we go along we realize that something from the past now fits, and we make progress and put that piece in its place, we also realize that our puzzle is only part of the larger puzzle, of life, and that we are all connected to the same game. Our ancestors contributed their pieces that lay the ground for ours....so, I guess "knowing" what we are going to be forever is the same as being stuck, completely faithless....because every day presents another piece or clue to our game. The "Unknowing" is our challenge, but it is also the fun and the space to find the next clue and adventure. Personal fate that I am tremendously excited about is a similarity between my most recent works, ( Free Now and Shrine of Summers Shells) and their connection to Mongolian Shamanic Shrines (ovoo's). A good friend recently suggested I see the movie, "The Horse Boy" because she felt their was a similarity between my sculpture and the shamans in the movie. I am so grateful to her, for being so attentive to my sculpture and so considerate to pass this recommendation on to me. The movie was incredibly moving and inspiring, for many reasons and I highly recommend it!

I am soooo excited about this connection.....where am I going next?

Mongolian Ovoo

Pictures of Free Now

I have taken down Free Now. These are a few pictures taken at different times, different days.
(I am looking forward to seeing other peoples pictures)

This was a tremendous experience artistically and personally for many reasons.
I loved working outdoors, I loved working with these materials, I loved doing something so new, I loved having a dialogue with the farmer who loaned me his land.

I loved following the inspiration.

I love and miss my sister who continues to be my guiding muse and teacher.

Autumns Rush

h

These are three mixed medium paintings done this week. Each one is 9" x 12". I couldn't help but sketch some of whats enveloping me! The colors and textures that surround me here in Columbia County NY, are beyond beautiful. I have not been able to drive a straight line this past week. My head is being pulled in every direction trying to absorb every particle of gorgeous life...I am happy to be here:)

Far away, Happy Joy Joy

Far Away, Happy Joy Joy
44" x 50"
Mixed Medium on Canvas, 2009


This painting has lots of metallic and iridescent paint, yummy decadence:)!!!!

Long Distance

Long Distance
48" x 50"
Mixed Medium on Canvas


Whats really great is seeing this large painting in this small thumbnail size!!! Because when its so big that your physically inside while painting, you can't always see the composition. Since I don't plan my paintings, or even know where I want them to finish...when I end I'm somewhat nervous, but then seeing them small in one eye blink on the computer, I see that there is balance!!! Yah:)

Finding Joy

Finding Joy
44" x 50"
Mixed Medium on Canvas

(I havn't stretched the canvas yet, so pardon the shadow's in the top corners)

New Works

Godspeed
58" x 38"
Mixed Medium on Canvas, (Oil, acrylic, graphite, gold leaf, crayon)

It Keeps Snowing
58" x 38"
Mixed medium on Canvas, (oil, acrylic, graphite, gold leaf, crayon)

New Studio