Interesting form of grafiti

Live Action Grafiti

I was shocked to see that I haven't posted here in a month! My apologies.

Between Facebook, Twitter, new job, etc., my blog went the way of the wind!

As for my painting, haven't picked up a brush since my new job started. It's more than full time right now. Love it, but too tired to paint when I get home. I know I've missed entering two shows that I really love, the Phidian Art Show and the women's exhibition at The Next Picture Show, both in Dixon, Illinois.

Body Tagging
As to the video above: this video is from a week or so ago in Cincinnati, OH. What a hoot and could you see yourselves doing something like that in your neck of the woods?

Painting for Dollars!

Woke up this morning, made a pot of coffee, and fired up my laptop to get inspiration on what I am to paint today at the Art for Art's Sake fundraiser for The Next Picture Show in Dixon, Illinois.

I know...why wait until the last minute right? My mind has been so scattered lately and making decisions that are not life and death are put on hold a lot.

I've decided to do a landscape that I've done before. Less worry about the execution in front of lots of people. My daughter, Erin, is coming in from Chicago to paint also. She has a degree in illustration and has a technique and look SO DIFFERENT from me!

Another reason my life is scattered is that I started a new job last week as Director of Sales and Promotions for Capstone Management. This company manages hotels and I'll be working with the Dixon Hotel Group. So far so good, but as in any new job, it's rather stressful learning the ropes and coworker personalities. I think I'll really enjoy it once a month or so rolls around. Also, working full time for someone else is an adjustment after being self employed for 15 years!

Okay...gotta get in the shower and pack up my stuff for the day! Enjoy the weekend everybody.

Radio Station Mural

Debbie and I were asked to do a children's mural for a wall in the General Manager's office (Al Knickrehm) of WIXN of Dixon, Illinois.

General Manager, Capt. Al.

Our student artists: Joel, Abby, Molly

Debbie showed pictures of old-time radios to her classes of 5th and 6th graders. They then drew them out and painted them as imaginatively and colorfully as they wished.

Debbie and I then sorted through them to find the most appropriate for the office wall. We then sketched their drawings in pencil on the wall, composing them into a flowing and interesting mural.

On Friday, at noon, after filling up on Al's pizza, Debbie, me, and 3 great kids (Joel, Molly, and Abby), took to the wall and painted each radio. Once we all got accustomed to what we were doing, it went along like a dream.

After the kids' parents picked them up at 3 p.m., Debbie and I continued on outlining and highlighting the radios.

This makes 8 ... count'em 8 ... murals we've done around the city of Dixon.

Below are the pictures of the day. Click on any image to enlarge.

Debbie and Joel getting started.

Debbie & Abby trying to stay out of each other's way.

Completed mural view 1.

Completed mural view 2.

It's gonna be 50 degrees tomorrow!

In Her Shoes, 18" x 36," acrylic on gessobord

It's Friday evening and there is absolutely nothing on television after 9 p.m. (U.S. Central time). As my dad used to say, "Television is a VAST wasteland."

Got up early this morning all rested and refreshed and had every intention to dive right in to finish my shoe painting. But first I wrote out bills, went through 3 different email inboxes, and in general, pissed away most of my day.

Well, there was a bit of personal drama, but thanks to some very good friends and family (sister and mom), I managed to get by without shedding a tear, well almost anyway. You all know who you are and I will never forget you guys.

After that little bit of strife, I actually finished the shoe painting. The photo is just okay, since the sun had set already and I had to take the photo in less than ideal lighting. I don't use flash when photographing my art ... glare - ugh. So it may be a bit blurry. I will retake the photo tomorrow and will post that pic to my Etsy Shop and my website.

Tomorrow is errand day in Dixon and then to my bff's for a great dinner. We love cooking and laughing together. Her husband's pretty funny too! He had better be, cuz we never hang with Negative Nellies.

Art 4 Art's Sake meeting and a dog named Lady

Yesterday was kind of weird. But I guess it beats being bored.

"Lady" in the window

Had to drive into Dixon for a Y class (body sculpting) and then a fun coffee date with a bunch of the women I take the class with at McDonald's across the street. We were sitting at a booth next to a window being very sophisticated and worldly when we noticed this sweet beagle sleeping on the dashboard of a truck parked right outside. We worried that it was dead ... I know, aren't we a bunch of upbeat fun people. When we saw a tail twitch we all sighed a breath of relief.

One of the gentleman at a booth across from us said it was his dog and he was keeping an eye on her. Her name is Lady and is 3 or 4 years old.

After the interesting coffee, I headed into town to run errands and then out to Grand Detour to meet my daughter so she could use my laptop. She's getting her graphic design/illustration portfolio ready for job hunting. Unfortunately, I don't have InDesign on my laptop and she needed that program. I have CS3, but it's the web package and InDesign wasn't part of it.

We then ran back into Dixon to check out a used furniture place to see what kind of stuff they have for their new apartment in Chicago. And yes, the place was closed. So we ran into Books on First for a quick coffee before I had to get to my meeting at The Next Picture Show for an Art 4 Art's Sake meeting.

Finished wine glasses

This is a large fundraiser coming up 2/28 and we wanted to do something fun as a committee. So we decided to paint wine glasses that can be sold or auctioned off at the fundraiser. We used stained glass paint and several of the members had never painted anything at all. They expressed some nervousness about doing anything like this, but once we opened a couple of bottles of wine and "sampled" the vino, everyone went straight to work. It was so much fun. We finished 48 glasses!

Today, I'm training the Dixon Tourism group on the new website. Wish me luck with that! Once that little job is done, I will be heading home to finish that darn shoe painting (see previous post).

Yep, "shoes" are still in progress

Well, the shoes are slowing taking on lives of their own. Got to my easel again and did my water shoes (for canoeing and kayaking), the blue ones, and got a good jump on the black sling backs. My sexy fun heels.

It's harder than I thought working in acrylics again. since this is 36" wide, the color dries before I can get back and mix and blend. But, I am adjusting. heh

Well, have to run. I heading back to the Y for my kickboxing class. Did the body sculpting this morning. After eating way too much crap at a super bowl party yesterday, I felt a bit of disgust everytime my "muffin top" pushed over the top of my jeans.

Until later...

Margaret & Helen

They are the funniest (well Helen anyway) women. Best friends for over 60 years and decidedly Democratic.

Check out their latest post from their blog.