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?"

Have you ever had a painting give you a toothache?

This part of the Nutcracker set is for the "Land of Sweets." It was so much fun to paint.  I couldn't wait to get back to it (after hanging work for the artist studio tour--busy me).

My design for part of the Land of Sweets.

I am figuring out how to use glaze coats  on top of base coats, for different effects, especially for translucense.  


The base coat.

I am using the original set design for my inspiration.  You can see that I am "borrowing" some elements of the design.



Original Nutcracker Set Design

I can't wait to see it all in action.  Well actually, I can wait since I still have more work to do on it and a looming deadline.  Back to work...


Santa's workshop--spoiler alert

Our basement has been transformed into a set building workshop. In this pic, I am making architectural pieces that will simulate wainscot and columns for the Nutcracker "party scene" and Megan is laying out and painting her design for the sled that will transport Clara to the Land of Sweets. I was feeling so on top of things for getting the stage painting done TWO weeks before show time. Nothing left but to kick back and build some big, fat props.  No big deal. I love power tools almost as much as I love all of my fingers.  I keep saying that it is really gratifying that they let me put art on the stage, and even pay for the materials! But who will pay for my prosthetic fingers?

I can see my house from here!

This weekend, it's that time of the year where we paint the nutcracker set.  After spending days painting the side flats (the faux curtains to the left and right of the stage) I was ready to start work on the background.  You can see that the ladder is not really for those of us fearing heights.  Sometimes you just have to suck it up and put on your game face.  This ladder is one of those times. 

Another artist mom was with me for part of the day, reworking the christmas tree.and listening to Cee Lo's "Magic Moments" Christmas CD.  Is there anything better?  (Well, actually, fudge is better.  But then again, nothing beats fudge.)

I'm bored. I think I'll go paint a wall.

In former days, I might have gotten in trouble for painting on walls.  But I have discovered that if you "volunteer" to paint it, and you call it a "mural," it's all good. Context is everything. 

Here is the "before" and "after" of a stairwell in my school.  A couple of years ago, a mural was done by gluing student paintings onto the wall.  Unfortunately, the paper began peeling off about fifteen minutes later, leaving the wall looking tattered.  For the last year, I have been on a mission to replace it with a river/stream mural, with mosaic salmon to follow.  So it turns out that the best way to get something done is to actually just do it, to just get off facebook for Pete's sake and go paint a wall!

While I was painting it I thought, "Am I incredibly stupid, painting a mural at the same time I am working on set painting?  How much can one back take?"
I also thought, "Am I incredibly unrealistic, thinking I can paint a mural in a day?"
No and no.

So to all you slackers going to your "jobs" and making dinner for your "families," I have one thing to say: Go paint a wall.