Gerry and Oil Pastel

I am continuing to explore the medium and tonight I rather emjoyed he creamy blending and mistakes from dirty blending all mixing together. Layers upon layers of oil pastel. Have done that so long with color pencil it seems so natural. But the effect is so very different.
I stretched my wings a bit and uploaded pictures on facebook again. Was attempting to limit viewing to artist friends but not sure that was possible unless I identify the hundred plus artists individually! There must be a way. So there may be fallout when Gerry pictures hit the family network. Tonight, I played Coldplay, Eric Clapton and Santana at session this evening. I didn't hear any complaints. Was baffled by need to stay home and need to go. I really cannot afford the fee nor the gas to head over there. This evening my headlamp went out and was concerned about making it home without a ticket. Tomorrow's project. But I fell head over heels into the zone I longed for. I guess it is more important than the grocery staples I'm lacking. Often the only work I accomplish is at session. And then I feel like I spend all available time doing the background work on getting exhibited and am failing miserably at creating new work. Brought my dog commision in for a critique this evening and have new direction there. Hope I get to it while the passion is high!God's blessings to all!

Captain the Cat

I was astounded Wednesday evening to walk outside and see Captain looking down at me from the ole mulberry tree. Earlier in the evening he climbed into the hollow of the tree and I called him out as I heard something growling. Maybe a possum? They ignorantly venture inside my fence line. But I feared that he would fall and break a leg. Surely he doesn't have the spine of a cat that can turn to right itself in a fall. I talked him down and went into the house, only to find he climbed back up! The second time I talked him to a low branch where I could reach him and lift him down. I did want him to be frightened and not continue this newly learned trick. Serendipitously I read about a Kai Ken, a Japanese hunting dog that climbs trees to get at prey the following day. He's like having a toddler again! I'd never have guessed in all my days, I'd see a dog in a tree.

Chante

Again computer had spyware attacking as I tried to upload pictures. Sat through scan this morning and picture upload went well. Working very quickly with the oil pastels and getting rather messy. Still not finding medium suitable to make adjustments. Wonder if any pastelists use graphite or charcoal under drawing. I guess more cautious rendering and less mistakes might help.

Peck Farm Exhibit

All month long, Kendall Art Guild has an exhibit in the renovated corn crib at Peck Farm in Geneva. I do have three of my linocuts on display. There are miles of great paths to walk on this park district property. An open house is planned September 26, 2009 to meet and greet the artists. 11:00 am-3:00 pm.
I believe the butterfly exhibit closes at the end of September also. I think I need to be there. How about you?

R.C.'s 24th birthday!

R.C. and Megan stopped in to visit for his birthday. I was so happy to see them. He's such a creative soul, much pride in his upbringing. Megan seems to compliment his vivacious personality so well. Underneath it all, I know her to also be an artist. I've yet to see her work, but am looking forward to it someday. I wish I could do more for my kids, still I know I've given them my all. Happy Birthday RC! Love you forever!

Gerry Tonight

Well, I hope everyone recognizes that I'm playing outside my field and challenging myself with my new oil pastels. How far can you go before you've maxed out the paper? I was coming pretty close... layers upon layers. The building up of colors happens much more quickly than with pencil and I was hoping to not create mud. My shorter poses seem a bit more sucessful than the longer pose and I'm pretty certain I need to follow that less is more rule. But I'm moving along with my studies. I was running late to group, running errands dropped me behind and somehow there was no music before I walked in late. Visits with good people. Some back from Europe, some on their way to Seattle, several students whom I recognized from previous weeks but haven't picked up heir names yet. Chatting late with Ronnie, David and Gerry. All is well. Looking forward to next week.

Chante and some new play tools

I stopped at Hobby Lobby on my way to draw this evening and picked up a few needs and then a set of oil pastels. (Since the dogs ate the last free set given to me.) As much as I needed to put the cash from sale toward some debt, I needed to keep some art and framing supplies current. SALE going on I didn't expect and several items were half price... like the blades for mat cutting... a piece of the new butter soft block print material... newsprint for gesture drawings. Picked up tapes and glass (the cats broke the piece I was working with last week)and kraft paper to dust cover frames. I was thinking pencils and my head turned not once but more than even twice at the oil pastels at 30% off. I got a nice set of 36 colors to open and play with at life. And double the enjoyment of the evening to have Chante back for the night. I could have done an hour on her beautiful hair this evening. cornrows into a lovely pony tail. So enchanting. Maybe next time I'll focus more on her beautiful hair, tonight I was playing with my new oil pastels and before I knew it I had a Salvador Dali moustache and more. Guess I'm used to working with clean color pencils.

Labor Day

The good news, The Trillium and JD sold Sunday after I left the Studio Sale. Leaves me considering the role animals play in my life. Currently grieving the death of my daughter's cat this past Friday. Holly was a small black shy polydactal. Why do I also feel my daughters pain? Mine isn't enough? Two of my cats are still missing after a screen was knocked out a week ago. Are they alive? I would gladly share my tuna with them. Again I hope only the best for them. I haven't heard nor seen the coyotes this summer.
I had to work today. I had to work every day this weekend. Now it's back to double jobs and hoping for a chance to come up for air soon. But the four hour lawn is cut and I fear that soon I'll be shoveling snow again. Will I get a break somewhere in between?

Whimsy versus Reality versus Assumptions based on Perceptions

Another day. A little rain Laura and Nancy were watching for before I got there. A chance to meet Elena. Regret that I didn't jump up to give her a hug she deserved. {{{hugs Elena}}}. Sometimes I wonder why I let inhibitions interfere. Interesting people browsing with interesting life experiences, but me I stayed separate and took some more whimsy in the garden. From where I sat I watched Louie and Karl (Laura's four legged ones)yearning to be part of the experience, but oh so patiently waiting for Mom's dual life to get over so they could have her back. Did I choose the dog's life? Always so patiently waiting. Waiting is so easy, no mistakes, no errors, no life lessons. Did my usual debate thing at restaurant work in casual conversation. Does anyone really eat cat food? From what I've witnessed... a poor elderly companion would feed their best friend before themselves. Their yet reason for living. Being needed, being unconditionally loved. I'm pretty sure you can still buy tuna cheaper than cat food.

Laura's Annual Studio Sale

I christened today a sketchnook which has been in my car for years now... just waiting for me to begin filling the pages. Laura's garden art and art mixed among her palntings and plantings mixed among her art is a spectacular view. Hope all enjoy.

Gerry Tonight

"Artists can color the sky red because they know it's blue. Those of us who aren't artists must color things the way they really are or people might think we're stupid." ~Jules Feiffer






Small group tonight. Getting back into fall schedules? A couple young students returned. Ellen brought music. It was good to hear Norah Jones after a long spell and ended evening with some Jazz. Been some time since I've drawn Gerry and todays quotes left me considering that yes because I am an artist the skies can be red rather than blue as we well know it to be, so I challenged myself with black paper and did well while I worked on instinct but felt extremely challenged when I tried to control the drawing. I suppose todays lesson could very well be to let go and go with the flow. Accurate perception is much less important than creating new vision.