My favorite time of year

Fall is finally here! It is my very favorite time of year! I love the colors, the smells, the feel of the air. The only thing I love more than fall is Christmas! I can't wait to get my spiced candles burning, even though if you talk to my husband, he will tell you that I will burn my cinnamon spice, autumn harvest, and home for the holiday Yankee candles all year. Yes, it's true. We went grocery shopping tonight as a family and Hayden picked out her pumpkin that she wanted to paint.

Most people get rejuvenated in the beginning of Spring. Fall is my Spring. I took this shot of a quilt in Panera because of the colors. It reminded me of Fall and gave me an idea for my next painting.

I have not posted in awhile and actually have not been able to touch a paint brush towards my paintings in a couple weeks. Oh yeah, and Artwalk for downtown Mobile is this Friday and I have no new work to show.

But, I have been busy. I said that my Mom and I have started a business concept called Once upon a tutu. We have decided to hit the arts and crafts show circuit. Well, one of the big shows we would love to participate in has a deadline of this week. We had to make many new products and start from scratch building a display booth of our items to sell. My dad even built our wood boxes. We did all this in about a week and a half, which I was impressed with after looking back.
I even designed our logo within that time. I guess, that's why I haven't been painting lately.

I had to add a pic of Hayden, our little model who loves to pose in whatever and who is totally a girly girl. This is one of our little outfits and as she said after putting on the tutu, "Mom, I feel pretty!"

Hopefully, the next posting will have some news on painting. Until then, I will be trying to find the floor (ha ha) in my art room as I try to organize into two business, the painting side and the Once upon a tutu side.

Brain Overload

I have been incredibly busy lately, so posting a blog has been impossible. My niece, Madeleine, came down to stay with us and visit Hayden for the week. They are 6 days apart in age and sometimes act more like twin sisters than cousins. Wow! Combined, they have a lot more energy than I could ever have. But funny enough, I did manage to wear them out, or they wore each other out. We went shopping, visited all the family, played in our neighborhood park, painted, and made pink cupcakes, just like Pinkalicious. Grandma Con Con even made them matching strawberry shortcake aprons to wear for the cupcake making party.

Hayden and Mads show off their new aprons in style. Also, I tried to tell everyone that Hayden did her own paintings with no, if little help, from me. I supervise but that's it. Who knew a 2 year old would get so involved in her painting. Mads and Hayden made a painting for my sister's birthday. They had so much fun! The paint ended up all over them.

As for me, well, there has been very little painting done this last week and a half. Last week, when the girls went to bed, I did too. I guess they wore me out too. Hayden is now sick and much of my time is caring for her. I will try to paint tomorrow night. Also, I have started a new project, actually, my mom and I have started a business called Once Upon a Tutu. I will talk a little more about that later. I still have a lot of research to do on it. Lots to do, too little time.

One more thing

Flowers in last night's post were from my sister, Autumn.

Great 1st Exhibition

Last night was my first exhibition ever. I just have to say it went so much better than I had in my head. In fact, it went great! I made some good connections for some future exhibitions and there was a steady flow of people most of the night. I had many indepth conversations about my subject matter and the thought process behind my paintings. It's actually funny, because I don't think I have ever talked about my art so much. Sometimes it is hard for me to put ideas into words but I didn't have the trouble that I thought I would. I think I learned a few things about myself last night.

Clint Martin and my husband Sean

I am so happy Sean and I set the paintings up (16 pieces) Wednesday evening because time flew even though we arrived an hour before ArtWalk began. We were there from 5-10pm but it seemed like the night just flew by.

I want to thank Clint and Sandy for adorning my work on their walls and everyone's support in coming out and viewing my art! I heard a lot of positve feedback and reaction to my artwork. "Love the eyes," "The emotion I see in the eyes", "Love the colors used" "Fresh" were some of the comments repeated. All of the comments were wonderful to hear, but "fresh" stuck in my mind. I didn't go out trying to reinvent the wheel but it is amazing to hear somebody say they have never seen anything like it.

Things to think about next time: 1. Take better pictures of the artwork set up. Oooops! No good shots. 2. Get a babysitter for Hayden. We took Hayden with us and she was clingy for the first hour after she woke up from her nap. It was hard to socialize with Hayden having to have Mommy. 3. Sign in book: bought but not brought.

The night ended with a late night dinner at Waffle House with my parents. Hayden loved the dining experience at 11pm. My daughter is a night owl!

Can't wait for next month! My work (new and old) will be at the Artwalk in October.

A Duh! Moment... and then another.

This is the flyer I created for my exhibition Friday.

But let me just say I should have done this sooner! You know how you have those DUH!!! moments in life and say "Why did I not think of that sooner!" This was one for me.

My husband had a friend over Friday night and we sat drinking a couple of beers (one thing I haven't done in a long time since entering mommy world). My exhibition is during Mobile's ArtWalk. Sean's friend said he would steer people walking down the street to come see my art. Sean returned with a comment how he was going to create a flyer. Sean, my husband, create a flyer! With Microsoft Word! I was stunned. Why had I not thought of that sooner? And, why was Sean, (100% Finance guy) going to DESIGN a flyer when he knew Graphic Design was my major in college? What a crazy sweetheart! Communication, communication, communication.

So, yesterday, I worked on the flyer for a couple of hours taking new detailed photos of my work and sitting at the computer trying to relearn the simple tools of Photoshop. And WahLah! Here it is.

Last night, we went to dinner with my parents and they took Hayden for the night so I could get more art done and Sean could build a contraption for transporting all of my artwork to the exhibition safely. After dinner, Sean and I went to Starbuck's for a little bit to chill (a place I don't frequent much with a 2 year old.) As I sat drinking my frappuccino, a bulletin board stared me in the face where you can share news and info. DUH again!

Monday, if you happen to be inside a Starbuck's in the Daphne or Mobile area, take a look at my exhibition flyer.

One week to go...

Spiny Circle 20"x20", Acrylic
One week until my first exhibition! Lots and lots to do.

I began Spiny Circle on Monday. I felt like working with pattern and created a nonobjective piece. My eyes got tired often looking at the canvas' design. However, I find myself loving the tedious work. I posted its beginning earlier this week.

Red Circle 24"x48" Acrylic

With Red Circle, I was kind of thinking of an osmosis/diffusion effect with the circles. I don't think it was as dramatic as I intended, but I do like it's simplicity.

Figuring out the whole Blog thing

Okay, so I am a little late and well, no art posted recently. I am writing tonight to say I am finishing last details on two pieces which are both non-objective abstracts. Tomorrow I will post the finished pieces to show. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Paintings hardly ever turn out exactly like what is in my head.

Also, after my exhibition next Friday September 12th, I will be trying harder to figure out the whole blog thing and making it look more artistic with a slideshow. I haven't had too much time lately on the computer. All of my free time has been painting after my daughter decides to go to sleep at midnight and getting up at or before 8:00 every morning. I wish I had half of her energy.

Slow Progress

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. So I should say that I have a lot of paintings finished but I can't. We have been waiting and watching the progress of Hurricane Gustav as it makes its way towards us, or not towards us. Watching the weather channel, getting all excited (nervous) in anticipation of the unknown. Will it get stronger? Weaker? Shift East towards us? Leave us alone? Getting some supplies from the grocery store and seeing the same reaction of many. Everyone fighting for that last can of solid white albacore tuna or pack of D batteries as if the world is coming to an end. Who knew that last snack pack was so important? And so we continue to wait. And now I will continue to paint and leave the monotonous hum drum for now. How tiring it can be to sit there and do nothing but wait!

These are the beginnings of two new paintings. I will post new pictures to show the progress in the next post or two.

I have my first exhibition coming up for Mobile's ArtWalk in downtown Mobile, AL September 12th at the Edward Jones Office on Dauphin St. I am very excited and need a good amount of paintings. I guess I will go for now so I can get busy.

Sunshine! a Little More Painterly

Hope for a New Tomorrow. 30"x40". Acrylic. (available)

I recently finished these two paintings but haven't been able to get a good shot of them. I use natural light to get the best photos I can. Finally, there is a ray of sunshine. However, it looks like it won't be for long. Hurricane Gustav may be heading our way.

Lady Sophisticate. 30"x40". Acrylic. (available)

I am trying a few different techniques and am beginning to experiment with different markmakings and techniques like back in college. It is so much fun and messy! I will begin posting projects from beginning to end to see the entire process and the turns they will take along the way.

More art, more rain

I have recently completed 2 more paintings but I have been waiting for the rain to stop so I can get some good photos outside. While I am waiting, and sorry for the delay, here a few of my nonobjective pieces of art completed within the last 2 years.

This painting, A Blue Circle, measures 24"x48" and is hanging in Sean's (my husband) office. I did this one so quick and without any thought and it amazes me how many compliments it gets.

This one was designed for a friend's housewarming present and is titled Red Rectangle measuring 24"x48".

Hayden's Quilt, 24"x48", was designed for my daughter's room and to help develop her visual stimulation when she was a baby. Just fun patterning and color combinations that coordinated with the colors in her room.

Where did all my canvas go?

So, last night I had to tell my husband I have no more canvas and I need a few hundred for more supplies. It is difficult to see money keep going out without anything coming in. This is where you have to have a lot of confidence in yourself and sometimes where I tend to lack. But I also have a goal in mind to produce a certain amount of paintings before I start sending out my portfolio to galleries. We are almost there.

Hayden is my lovely 2 year old daughter. How much fun does this look! Now I know I am keeping this as an art journal and that will be my primary focus but I wanted to show you why it is difficult sometimes to find the time during the day to paint. Whenever I paint, Hayden is right there. Not a bad thing of course, but I do have to watch my "Little Picasso".

This is a pencil sketch of a new woman painting I am working on currently. I will also be working on other subject matter very soon.

Emerging Artist: The Beginning

Save a Wish for Another Day 30"x40"Acrylic available

Hi Everyone! I am very excited to say this is my first blog and hopefully one of many to come. Lately, I have thought about starting a blog and now I think is the perfect time. You can experience with me my beginnings of an art career and witness how my art will progress over time. I want to thank you all for coming to my blog and viewing my art and thoughts.

Circles 30"x40"Acrylic available

The Kiss Off 30"x40"Acrylic available

Recently after teaching High School Art, I have decided to try to make my art a career. It has taken me a long time to get to this point with much persistence of my family. As many of you know, art is so personal and sharing it with the world can reveal a lot about a person.

Season's Change 30"x40"Acrylic available

Please contact me if you are interested
in any of the paintings available.


Lady of Thought 30"x40"Acrylic available

Lady Ride

36"x48"Acrylic

sold

This is the first of the collection of abstract women I am developing. I don't know if it's because my background is in graphic design, but I love to incorporate the stark graphic quality and fine art together. I like to reveal the women's emotion through the expression of their eyes and the use of color. Boxes of different paint applications show that there are many sides to a person. These paintings are all about 3' x 4' and acrylic. I apologize for the quality of some of these photographs.



Maybe and Maybe Not 30"x40"Acrylic available

Waiting Patiently 24"x48"Acrylic available