Every Fiber of a Woman in Flight

This is my entry for Women in Flight juried art exhibit.  I hope I'm correct in reading the prospectus that I didn't have to paint airplanes :) When thinking about it, I recalled a series of 18x24 paintings I did of women jumping or being in mid-air.  My series was called "Leap of Faith" and all three pieces have sold!  One of them flew all the way to Australia!  The buyer first bought an ACEO painting which is a 2.5"x3.5" original watercolor then after receiving it, surprised me that she had taken the time to browse my art online and chose to buy one of my Leap of Faith piece!  I learned that Australia will not accept package longer than 30 inches.  My husband had to completely streamline and strengthen the packaging of the framed painting.  And the painting arrived safely!

This piece was inspired by how I feel when I envision something that I feel it in every fiber of my body.  When I want to take a leap of faith or "take flight"toward something important to me, it seems it's all I can think of.

"Fibers of her Vision of Flight" 25x30x1.5 oil on canvas

Can you see the female figures in flight?  They are jumping to their dreams; their vision. :)

Why the blue eyes?  My answer is I don't know.  I just like to paint what I feel like painting when I take a modern approach.  It's not as structured a process as when I paint traditional style.  This painting was a blind journey from the beginning.  I wasn't sure where it was going to lead and I'm really glad it proved enjoyable.  My next project is a 10 million years old portrait commission. I'm ready to execute it.

What's currently throbbing in my fibers is my future art studio!  Scott and I have decided to convert our garage to my very first honest to goodness piece of heaven ART STUDIO!!!!  I will finally be in one room with all my art supplies and painting area!  No more filling my head with memorizing what room I put what.  No more guessing what's in the packed box with the movers' label still on it!  And I can leave a still life set up for weeks if I want and not have to put it away because the set up makes the dining room or living room look like it had a stomach flu and threw up YAYZ!!!! There will also be more private art teaching and some art activities!!! Some active raising of financial resources has begun and will continue to be nurtured for this project!  Thank you for dreams fulfilled!!!! I am doing mental cartwheels and somersaults as I type!!!

The future ArtByErika Studio!

Don't forget that you can click on each image to get a bigger view and feel free to look me up on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ErikaNelsonArtist  :)
* I just remembered the eye is blue because I read somewhere that Amelia Earhart's eyes were blue :)

My art and thoughts on Norman Rockwell

 

"Why is My Husband not looking at the Norman Rockwell exhibit?" 

watercolor on paper

It's been very busy in my B'ville art life.  I'll start with most recent and catch my blog up to my farthest memory...

We are honored to have 300 plus Norman Rockwell art works visit our local museum Crystal Bridges Museum American Art.  I'm always eager to view original figurative art and that was pretty much the extent of my excitement.  However, as images were being revealed in the museum's FB page, I noticed my interest growing.  Sure enough at the members' preview, I was greeted by these gigantic original paintings!  They were in oils, not some quick paintings that were slapped together to meet a magazine cover deadline.  I know, if only I had read up.  But it was nice to be humbled and surprised with an in your face kinda boldness :)

"Triple Self-Portrait"
Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, February 13, 1960. Oil on canvas. 44 1/2 x 34 3/4 in. (113 x 88.3 cm). From the permanent collection of the Norman Rockwell Museum

The painting above is one of the pieces visiting.  As I study this, I realize Rockwell pretty much worked like I do.  Like me, he surrounded himself with inspirations from other artists who have done something similar to his current project - photos, books, magazine, mirror, etc.  Brushes on the floor and lots of crumpled papers that simply fell off the pile and I ran them over while concentrating.  My brain is usually like a chipmunk getting more bloated as I acquire all it takes to attack the canvas and any kind of distraction like email, phone calls (and bills) are pushed off the peripheral. 

Anyway, I owe Mr Rockwell my heartfelt apology.  I didn't mean to disrespect my fellow artist.  I was especially saddened when I read that he always felt like many fine artists didn't see him as their equal.  The only reason why he's not my equal is because he will always be above me.  Wow what a fine fine artist he was!

I haven't posted in a while because of so many ups and downs in my life.  I get very affected by stress.  When I have less than all of me to devote because other things needed my attention, it's very hard to go about the routine I like to keep.  I'll always choose family first over my art.  But the clouds somewhat let up and first thing I had to do was get busy producing close to 20 new pieces for a new gallery that started carrying my work back in October.  That's the Norberta Philbrook Gallery.  I produced 17 smallish -6x6, 8x8, 6x12 13 oils and 4 watercolors because I am artist of the month. The reception was well attended and I have sold pieces.  But I feel most victorious that I didn't succumb to the bad flu going around until after I delivered the paitings!!!!  I had every intention to paint MORE but my body had other plans.  After all, my husband has been sick up and down from the bug since October and I was able to avoid it and meet my obligations!  As I type I'm coughing still so let me finish by sharing some photos from the reception.  As always, clicking on each image will give you a bigger view.  I tend to update my Artist page on Facebook so if you're really curious, you can always find me there :)click here ->https://www.facebook.com/ErikaNelsonArtist

"Pensive Vigil" 6x6 oil on canvas

"They're Home!" 6x6 oil on canvas

"Nude Study 1" 8x8 w/c Photo by Norberta Philbrook Gallery

My 2013 wish for you and me

"Sweet Peas and Golden Hominy" 8x10 canvas

Something I wanted to get out of my system is my first painting for 2013.  A bit rough, a lot unlike how I usually like to paint but my wish is sincere and it comes from deep within me :) I wish us all Peace and Harmony in 2013 and beyond!

Recently, my husband was installed as head of his Masonic lodge and to my surprise he gave a speech that included these two cans.  All my life I've always said I wish for peace and harmony.  So I just had to commemorate this acknowledgement from the powers that be by painting this :)  It's pretty exciting to me as you might guess so I'm happy to share it with you!