A New Look!

I'm getting ready for Open Studios 2012 and am feeling like blogging again.  Life is full of cycles, cycles upon cycles.  Simply put - a steady job is slowly chasing away worry, negative thoughts, and paranoia.

A year ago, I was oil painting on fabric - my tried and true "schtick." But now its on to SOMETHING NEW!  I'm using colored pencils on wood panels and then sealing them with an clear acrylic.  Its basically the same pattern over and over again in different configurations and colors.  When I started these new pieces, my creative juice was spent.  These doodles are my attempt at art making - when my art maker doesn't want to make art.  They're comforting and that's why I'm doing them.  Maybe I should call them my circular, spinning recovery spirals.  Recovery from poverty, desperation and hopelessness.

Moving!

Its been a crazy week - full of unexpected decisions.

I'm moving my studio. I'll really miss my friends at Flatiron Studios, but the time has come to change my path and work from home for awhile. I'll still be painting full time (with a little sewing on the side), but will show my work in other venues. Teresa has welcomed me to show at Art & Light sometime in the future - and I fully intend to take her up on it! I'm sad to close this chapter, but am looking forward to what's ahead.

There's a possibility of still hanging around the fabulous Pendleton Street Arts District. I'll keep you posted when things are more certain. More to come...

Fabu Fire-eater Tim!

If you missed First Friday at the Flatiron Studios, here's a shot of the folks who were dazzled by Fire-eater Tim's fabulous show. I was so mezmorized, that the thought of getting my camera never entered my head. His show lasted about 15 minutes and was grand. My favorite part was the faces of folks driving by and having no idea what was going on. He not only swallowed fire, but he blew it, slung it, twirled it, and teased it. Who knows how we'll EVER top that!

Thanks to all who came out and enjoyed the evening - we loved having you!

Stranger Than Fiction!

Here's a story I couldn't make up...

Last Friday I decided to grab a late-afternoon, healthy snack from the burger joint (Phase II) behind my studio. I leaned in to the walk-up window and asked Chris to work me up some crispy french fries - yum. After exchanging our usual banter (he always thinks I should get more than just fries - "how 'bout some banana puddin'"), I noticed two guys coming out of Red's Pawn shop next door. One of the guys looked a little strange (actually I was so focused on his weird smile that I couldn't tell you what the other guy looked like). I clearly thought that the Weird Smile Guy may not have all his marbles.

Weird Smile Guy shuffled up to the window of Phase II and asked Chris for change for a $20. He then looked at me and asked if I was trying to pick someone up, or if they were trying to pick me up. I quickly set him straight by telling him I was "just waiting for my fries." Chris declined giving change.

I was wearing my gray puffy vest and had both hands stuffed in its pockets. Before I knew it, Weird Smile Guy came at me and spryly poked me in the stomach with his pointer finger. He then just smiled all the weirder and walked off down the street. In all my years of single life, this was my first pick up ACTION. It didn't work - don't try it! I wonder if he thought I'd react like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Weird.

This is precisely why I stick to my predictable, quite boy - Zolie...

New Product!

As some of you know, I've been trying to sell my wares on Etsy.com for a few months now. One kind friend in the great state of Texas, bought a famster after spying it there. I'm really puzzled about HOW to get folks to buy. Numerous friends and acquaintances (and total strangers) told me to "put my famsters on etsy and they'll sell like hotcakes!" Not so. I've read "tips for selling", spoken to successful sellers, etc, but alas - nothing. I'll keep plugging away at it though. Another friend of mine had her stuff on etsy and it took months for folks to notice her.

Selling is my toughtest job.

I LOVE creating things though and here is the latest little critter born into the famster family. Her name is Serena and she's actually a new species - a Sleepster! She's smaller than her older brothers and sisters and smells much better (because she has lots of lavender and chamomile inside). She's perfect for tucking under your pillow or sitting right on top. Hopefully, I'll have lots more ready for First Friday - next week - February 6th.

Mmmm Chocolate!

This is the subject of my next series of paintings! Some of you may recall that last February I created three sequential paintings of a decadent chocolate tart. (If you arrived at this blog through my website, you may have viewed them on the "artwork" page.) This year I'm making my valentine "triptych" an entire cake. I'm using a vivid blue upholstery as the background. I love the fabric and I love the cake, so they've got a lot going for them. The first painting was begun today - and its looking deelish. Wafts of chocolate can be a stimulating source for brush strokes! If you come to First Friday (Feb. 6) - hint, hint - you'll see all three finished in their gooey glory.

Burdens Lifting

I delivered one commision piece today - and that felt good! I'm close to finishing another - and it feels great! One of these has been looming over my head since the summer. Its my own fault that its taken so long. I started it and it was looking pretty hoaky, so I had to start it again. Which meant taking the old canvas off and re-stretching a new canvas and coating it with gesso. Its funny how I like the stretching and prepping process. Tomorrow I get to stretch and prep four - mindless work, but fun nonetheless. Its the kind of satisfaction you get when you mow the grass - visible progress.

Here's the one piece that almost done - just a few more hours...