Thursday, June 25, 2009

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson!

This is my most favorite song by Michael Jackson. There is another video with better sound but I like this video on this more. As I mention in my Facebook, he was a giant in my book, a part of my cultural honing in my love of music and dance. As they say in the arts CBND (Copied But Never Duplicated). He was a tormented figure, he was far from perfect, but he was a genius!

Other note able videos:

Acapella of "I'll be There"
"Whatzupitu" a more recent video with Eddie Murphy

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Father's Day ACEO watercolors



Back when I was a prolific "Ebay artist" I painted mostly ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Originals). They are baseball card size which is 2.5x3.5 inches. I painted them mostly in watercolors or occasionally used acrylics or oils. Those were the days before Ebay simply took the joy of creating and selling without worrying too much about making a good living out of painting. Here are three of my favorite Father's Day themed ACEO.


"Baby's First Man!" 2.5x3.5 inches watercolor on paper


"Summer Fishing for the Boys" 2.5x3.5 inches watercolor on paper

This last one is close to my heart as it is Lori Andrew's men. I fell in love with their matching chins! Thanks Lori!!!

"Chin Club/ Belong" 2.5x3.5 inches watercolor on paper

Fathers are very special especially for little girls! I hope nobody forgets to tell their dad they love them. I wish I could call my dad but he passed away in the mid-80's . However, I'm pretty sure he knew he was loved :)

I am currently in a group show that opened June 9th and will end July 3rd at the Art Center of the Ozarks. Now I'm just busy doing commission pieces until my next group show around the end of summer. I hope to jump back in DSDF again more regularly, but we'll see ;)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the good men who go out of their way to bring up wholesome children by giving them all their loving support! It's not an easy job but it makes a big positive difference in the long run!


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Tonalist landscape in oils, calcite cabochon wire wrap


"Simple Pleasures" 16x30 oil on canvas panel
My submission for my own masterminded challenge at our local art club. Some anonymous person left something like 20 uniformed but beautiful frames at the studio porch. They are this non-standard opening so some of us had to have wood cut for support. In my case I mounted canvas which I gesso a few times on it. Anyway, at one of the meetings, I thought we could share the frames as an art club by challenging members to take home a frame and create something "with it". So yeah, it will be interesting how they all interpreted that piece of instruction. Actually, it would be interesting to see just how many actually do something with it and show up for the "Arts on the Creek" event we're having Saturday. If I make it there, I'll be sure and take photos!

Wednesday was the 2nd and last day of my jewelry wrapping class. Our wonderful instructor asked us to show up with possible wrapping design for the 4-inch cabochon stonewe personally picked out. The one I chose is this "honeycomb calcite". I was the first to choose from the lot of them, but this stone stood out so uniquely and so naturally to me. I am glad I picked it too because by the time I thought about my design, it turned out to be something more intricate than my classmates chose! I also decided to do the horizontal format. My choices made it extra challenging of course because I couldn't really look over anybody's shoulders for comparison, in fact I even started out wrong as I was shapping the wrap for a VERTICAL yikes! Good thing we took a break for lunch and I came to my senses as I was figuring out where to put the bindings. It would have been a regrettable mistake as I truly love this piece I ended up with. I cannot tell you how it's so "me". I'm not flamboyant by nature, but I do like the more artsy look.


By clicking on the image below, you can better view my piece along with 5 of the other students' works. There were two more students but I think they were being shy. It is a sign of a good instructor to have her whole class yield such impressive work!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

DSDF week 32-34 Yellow Cabs and Fairy Tattoo


"Sundown on Madison Avenue"
6"x12" oil on canvas

I don't remember my last DSDF... was it the sushi or the mannequins. Too tired to check my blog lol I don't mind admiting that some weeks only DSDF gives my the gumption to paint something new. I'm very grateful to Karin's continued support of her DSDF blog! OMG straight lines and I? We're not friends at all! Not even if I use a ruler. It also didn't help that I taped up a piece of canvas on wood, then painted the ground grey so I didn't have a basis for my straight line!!!!!!! Argh oh well, there ya go! My first citiscape painting I believe - and I already told you the reason why hahaha!

And my dear collector, good friend and total ego booster has sent me the final photos of her tattoo that was based on my watercolor of a mermaid. Voila! I think the complete rendition is beautiful and I will forver be HONORED in a big way!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Dabbling with wiring jewelry

Last Saturday I finally had this opportunity to dabble into some jewelry making. Just as I had expected Delane Cox was a superb teacher, she was very structured. We created 3 pieces in ONE day. I didn't photograph the first piece, though it was just practice "sculpture" which was a pain to make and fun to look at, just take my word for it lol However this first piece is a sterling silver bracelet. And I hand-made every single part you see on it including making the twisted wire and hook!



This 2nd piece is perhaps not as exciting for me but it's a fun piece. And I am proud that I was able to create the band symmetrical which apparently is a challenging quality to do. It was a wonderfully productive way to spend 8 hours of my Satruday. Incidentally it was my hubby's birthday gift for me to take the class and he bought me supplies too :)