Too busy making art to blog about it.

And by "art", I mean "pet portrait" (hey, it counts). Here is a commission I just finished.

I said Babbino, not Bambino

O Mio Babbino Caro is the highly recognizable aria from Gianni Schichi, imprinted into the brains of anyone who saw the movie A Room With a View.  Can't wait to hear it sung live at the Vashon Opera.

Here are some of the flats installed in the set barn (ignore the big post in the middle which is not part of the set).

I saved the trompe l'oeil bookcase until the last minute when I had a chance to learn how to do it from watching YouTube videos. Someone said I should write mischievous titles on the books, for fun.

Thanks to the crew of Vashon Opera volunteers who worked on it with me.

Backwards and in high heels

 I heard it said that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astair did, only backwards, and in high heels. I was left with a similar feeling painting sets for Romeo and Juliet. remember the nutcracker where we had many hours in the auditorium to paint and rock out to Cee Lo Green's Christmas CD?  Not so with Romeo and Juliet where we could only paint during actual rehearsals.  Paint a set in a few days? No sweat. So I found myself doing everything a painter does only on a ladder, above dancing children, with periodic blackouts, which makes it so much more exciting. Better still is that I am now over my fear of heights (thanks to Jan who taught me to hang off that ladder like it was no big deal).

Bravissima!

For the past month I have been painting two Puccini sets for Vashon Opera.  Il Tabarro takes place on the banks of the Seine river in Paris (think stone walls). I am working with a host of enthusiastic volunteers, which is one of the highlights of this work. The other highlight is getting to be in this big barn, painting on enormous canvases, ultimately creating a new environment. At right is a detail of one panel.  Below you can see us working in the early phases of the process.

C.A.T.

It is cool to meet artists who share your esthetic. Elaine Summers, case in point. We share an appreciation for outsider/folk art. I had so much fun drawing her cats and coming up with the kooky designs. Elaine had nice, high resolution photos to work from and was great about collaborating on the ideas. And for sure, she knows her cats, which I think comes out in the individual pieces. Meow. (photo credit Elaine)
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Court painter

Ever since I showed my cat art at the Heron's Nest, I have been getting requests for customized cat portraits. Gotta love that.  Sort of takes the anxiety out of deciding what to draw or paint.  I actually got a little backlogged, so here Is a drawing I ended up working on while sitting at an airport food court, waiting for my flight.  Not the most romantic art studio, but it was a fun way to pass the time.  This very unusual looking cat is an oriental short hair named Esher.

A different kind of figure drawing

It is funny to me that the human form has such a huge place in art history, even during some pretty conservative times, and yet modern Americans seem to be pretty uncomfortable with the subject. Granted, it can be awkward to have a figure painting above your couch. But the truth is, I am ready for a different kind of naked animal.

Exhibit A: Dexter, world's cutest dog, named after a Cary Grant character.

Rumor has it he began to bark at this portrait when he saw it, thinking it another dog.  That's dog brain for ya.

Creepy Cat Lady (me)

My month of being a featured artist at the Heron's Nest is over. I did end up painting a bunch of cats, mine plus cats of friends. I sold most of the pieces and now have a backlog of pet commissions. And yes, I also make dog portraits. But only cute and loyal dogs.

Cat Rules, Cats Rule

 

Happy New Year

I am busy completing a series of art pieces based on the indisputable wisdom of cats.Have you ever heard a cat say, “I’m five years old and what have I done with my life?” No you haven’t, because cats are smarter than that.You will also never hear a cat act hopeful about a diet, complain that his butt is too big, or make plans for vacation. If you don't believe me, ask your dog.

 

Look Ma, I'm Famous!

Here is the press from the January issue of Island Arts magazine. I like to think of the bio as an accurate, yet slightly improved representation of me, the artist. And here we are, days away from the first Friday opening (January 4th, @ the Heron's Nest, Vashon Island, WA).  I guess I should start making some more art.  Luckily I am sharing the Nest with talented printmaker Megan Minier. I am trying to decide if I can get through the evening without wearing a disguise. Hmmm. That makes me think of a fun thing to do instead of making art.

Enough of a rebel to paint on walls, but not enough of a rebel to do it without permission

Last night was the final Nutcracker dress rehearsal, so I was putting finishing touches on set pieces. I did not do all of the touch-ups though because, apparently, it is not desirable for dancers to have to dance around the lady crouched on stage with a bucket of paint.

Yesterday I was showing students images of Keith Haring's art. The fifth graders were pointing out that graffiti is illegal. So I explained, "If you don't have permission to paint on the wall, it's called graffiti and it's illegal, but if you get permission, it's called a mural and people will thank you for it." Then I realized, I'm enough of a rebel to want to write on walls, but not enough of a rebel to do it without permission.

So, with no wall to paint last night, I drew some cats,which in itself is an act of rebellion.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Well, okay, not the greatest show, but definitely not the worst either.

I had intended to make more art for the art studio tour, but I got wrapped up in how fun it was to paint these gigantic set pieces. So fun.

Speaking of fun, on Halloween I was struck by how everything is funnier with a wig, and I vowed to incorporate them into regular life. Soon after, I went to court to fight a ticket and forgot to wear a wig! Total missed opportunity. The judge treated me like a naughty teenager (add judges to my list of authority figures I resent) so I might as well have been having myself a fun private prank. It was later pointed out to me that one should avoid dressing as Princess Leia when going to court (oh yeah, you're going to want to click on that link to see Liz Lemon's Princess Leia court bit).

I have to say that the folks coming through the studio were probably the most supportive audience I have ever shown to. Takes the sting out of all those wounds left over from brutal art school critiques.
Funny thing, not one person asked, "Don't you think your art is a bit didactic?" Although I was told, "French-Alpines would make excellent painting subjects," and I had to agree. But I did go on to ask myself questions like,"What is the nuance of goat?" and "Why are sheep assumed to be followers and not leaders?"