An Artist's Journey

Autumn Path, completed

2011-12-18T16:54:00.002-06:00


Autumn Path, 30" x 30", oil on gessobord

As promised, here is the finished painting. But....due to the light fading before getting a good shot, this picture is a bit on the glaring side and doesn't show the true color of the mountain in the background. I'll work on it and get back to you.

Finishing up ... Autumn Path

2011-12-18T16:23:00.001-06:00

Autumn Path...almost done

Autumn Path...just beginning

Well, it's been awhile hasn't it? Sorry about that. My paycheck job at The Lodge at Deadwood has been keeping me hopping. Way too tired to paint by the time I get home.

This particular piece has been completed, but my last shot of it really sucked. So, my significant other (from now on known as S.O.), Jack ran to his office in Deadwood and got his camera. He just got home and will try to take a shot of the finished piece with what light is left in the day. I'll post that shot when he's done.

This past mid October, we went for a walk with our black pug, Frank, along the Mickelson Trail in Deadwood. I deliberately left the shot unfocused and wanted to paint a softer, looser landscape.

Currently some of my work is on display and for sale at the Spearfish Arts Center in Spearfish, SD. I'm enjoying meeting new people and getting to know the Black Hills arts community.

Have a great holiday season everyone!

Getting all wired up!

2011-09-28T21:13:00.003-05:00

I finally took the time to charge up the drill and got the new paintings all wired up for the First Fridays Artist reception at the Spearfish Arts Center in Spearfish.

Jack loaded them up in the car for me tonight. I have a 6 a.m. shift at work tomorrow and didn't need to be doing that in the dark!

If any of you are in the Black Hills area of Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead, etc., stop by Friday night, October 7, 5pm to 7pm. I am one of 3 artists featured.

Finished spring floral just as fall rolls in...

2011-09-11T19:29:00.006-05:00

"First Peonies"
24" x 24"
oil on cradled gessobord

It took two weeks, but I got back in my studio to finish this floral. These are my first SOUTH DAKOTA peonies. It was our first spring in this house and I didn't know I was going to have a nice big peony bush growing next to the fence.

Fall is just starting to show its glorious head in the Black Hills. The temperatures are much cooler in the evening and mornings. The afternoons are still in the seventies and low eighties, but those days are numbered!

Once it gets too cold to play around outside, I'll be back in the studio more often.

I'll be one of the featured artists at the Spearfish Arts Center in Spearfish this coming October. October 7th actually. I finally have more pieces featuring SD stuff. They like that around here.

Back to florals

2011-08-07T21:58:00.004-05:00

"Mary's Allium"
12" x 36",
oil on cradled gessobord

It's been awhile since I've done a floral. I don't know why I don't do them more frequently. Maybe spring and summer go by so quickly OR because I no longer have flower gardens. My gardens in back in Grand Detour, IL were a constant source of material.

This floral is comprised of large allium. This photo was taken at my dear friend's garden. A very unusual, but stately flower in the late spring garden.

The next painting will be a still life floral of peonies. Stay tuned.

Despite cowboy season, I finished a painting!

2011-07-31T20:17:00.003-05:00

"Yates Shaft Sunset," 30" x 40", oil on gallery-wrapped canvas.

A couple of weeks ago, I started 3 different paintings. Today I finished one of them. It's the only landscape of the three. This view is from my backyard. Can you believe it? Being a girl from northern Illinois, rolling hills are the closest to high altitude I ever got to.

It's been a very busy 2 weeks with work being very busy because of the tourism season in Deadwood and surrounding areas. In fact, I saw my very first rodeo yesterday in Deadwood during the Days of 76 rodeo. Those people are a bit nuts to torture themselves like that, but it was oddly exhilarating also. A woman sitting next to Jack and I gave us the ins and outs of the rules and regulations of the different rodeo events. And the cowboys weren't bad either.

Any way, I hunkered down today in the studio before the heat of the day set in. The picture shown is not really doing the painting much justice, but it's tough getting the right shot in the light I have in the studio.

Next up...Alliums.

toodles.

3 Canvases started today

2011-07-10T22:52:00.007-05:00

"Peonies"

"Alium" starting out.

"Clouds" in it's earliest stages.

"Clouds" about 50% done

Beautiful day in Lead today (pronounced "lEEd.")

Sketched out 3 different size canvases. One large landscape and 2 florals. Once they were all blocked in, I started laying in the color of the large landscape...a sunset scene taken from a photo I took from our back yard.

Also, Frank, our black pug, decided to keep me company the whole time. He's a bit of a snorer, but good company.

"Lilac Road," from start to finish

2011-04-24T19:23:00.010-05:00

"Lilac Road" 16" x 20" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

Finished product.

Almost done. Blocking in colors and values.

Starting out with the cad red background and putting in the values.

This painting painted itself. The hardest part about the piece was getting my butt to the easel and DOING IT.

I woke up Easter morning with no plans on my plate and the sun shining. Since I don't live near my family, there were no Easter obligations and the day lay before me unencumbered with social appointments. On this past Friday, our lovely town of Lead, SD got a good 8" of snow. Yes, snow. But, the last 2 days have been back in the 50s with the snow melting quickly.

So...here is my newest painting. It's the final in the series of the 3 spring lilac pictures I took when I first moved to South Dakota. This is a small gravel backroad in the Johnson Siding neighborhood of western Rapid City.

I LOVE lilacs. The smell brings me back to my childhood and last year the lilac season was a full month behind northern IL...so I got TWO lilac seasons.

Here is "Lilac Road" in its progressive stages. Enjoy.

Maybe if I paint about Spring, it will come sooner!

2011-03-08T18:48:00.003-06:00

"Meadow at Dusk," 16" x 20," oil on gessobord

Think Spring.

Here is another in a short series of images I'm doing during late Spring in the Black Hills. This meadow is in the Johnson Siding neighborhood of Rapid City.

This painting was done a bit looser than the last. Probably because when I finally got the time to paint, my light was starting to fade. Had to move fast! Actually, I prefer the more subtle, loose brushstrokes, with an occasional finger smear here and there. Finger painting is a good thing.

The weather in Lead and Deadwood continues to be real snowy. It will get to 40-50 degrees and some of the snow will melt, but then a dumping of snow comes around the corner and we're right back where we started! So.... I have one more in this series. Hopefully, I'll get a start on it this week.

Until then....

Back in the groove...

2011-02-27T19:54:00.007-06:00

"Late Spring in Johnson Siding," 12" x 16", oil on cradled gessobord

Finished with the final touch ups on the painting I started last week. When it's dry, I'll paint the cradled sides and wire her up.

Once finished, I got cracking on the next oil on the next late spring landscape I captured last year. It's almost dusk with the sun setting over a meadow. I got a good start, but then needed to finish the laundry and start supper. Oscars on tonight and they start at 6:30 p.m. here in the mountains! See the progress of the meadow painting below...

Meadow ... part 1

Meadow ... part 2

Meadow ... part 3

Back at the Easel

2011-02-21T19:28:00.007-06:00

one

two

three

Well, it took me almost 9 months, but I picked up my paintbrush again. It's about time right?

Sunday in Lead was very snowy and cozy. No need to go anywhere. Jack had his own creative projects to work on and I made a huge chicken pot pie the day before that we could snack on....so NO cooking responsibilities.

My studio still isn't quite set up here yet, so I moved my easel and paints into my bedroom (it's a nice big light-filled room) and started on a 12" x 16" cradled gessobord panel. When I moved to SD last spring (late may), I took some shots of the beautiful landscapes.

So, this one is of this HUGE lilac bush at dusk. I got two springs last year. One in Illinois and then another one in SD. Who doesn't love lilacs?

It's an oil and I've shown it in 3 progressive steps. I think it's 95% done. I've gone kind of loose with it, but need to pop the lilacs more. The oils were getting a bit too wet for me to fuss with anymore. When I think it's 100% done...I'll post it.

Oh....had my little buddy, Frank laying on the end of my bed watching the whole time. He's Jack's dog, but he's become my shadow around here. Nice having a sweet little pup around again.

If you're in Spearfish area....

2011-02-08T14:02:00.004-06:00

Painting #1 being shown, "Laying Down on the Job," 30" x 30" oil

Painting #2 being shown, "216 W. 1st St.," 30" x 40" acrylic

As mentioned in my previous post, I have two pieces entered in the 32nd Winter Art Show at the Spearfish Arts Center/Matthews Opera House on Main St. in downtown Spearfish, SD.

Attendees to the 4-day exhibit can vote for their favorite piece.

So come on by -- you can view the artwork in the Opera House:

Thursday, February 10th through Saturday, noon to 6 pm
Sunday, February 13th from noon to 2 pm with an Awards Ceremony at 2 pm on Sunday

The weather is going to be in the 40s on Sunday, so that's when I'm going!

Climbing back in the saddle ... SD style

2011-02-04T08:14:00.003-06:00

The Spearfish Arts Center

After moving to South Dakota almost 8 months ago, looking for a good job (check!), moving again to a bigger place (check!), I've finally taken the big step of entering my first art show in my new land (check check!).

Yesterday, Jack and I took a couple of my paintings to the Spearfish Art Center in Spearfish for their Winter Art Show. The public can view the show Feb. 10-12 and the awards will be given on Sunday, Feb. 13.

If any of you are around the northern Black Hills, stop on by!

The next big thing is to finish setting up my studio and to start painting in my new surroundings.

Dry spell over

2010-09-09T10:01:00.002-05:00

Pears from Above, 30" x 30", oil on board

Sold!

Whenever money is tightest, a painting sells. This is one of my very favorites. Thanks Dennis and John.

Haven't done anything since moving to the Black Hills, but I'm gathering great photo references for some of the gorgeous landscapes around here.

SOJOURN opens tonight in Dixon

2010-05-08T12:43:00.003-05:00

This is the postcard for this 8th Crystal Cork Arts Quarterly opening. The painting featured is called "Iowa Drive-By."

It's hard to believe, but tonight is my first solo show. I've been in juried shows and stuff, but this is a first for me. Also, on my Facebook page, there was a post that one of my pieces has already sold..before the show. Yeah! The show starts at 6 tonight at the Crystal Cork. What is great that this is also a SECOND SATURDAY evening in Dixon. The whole town will be open for art and music events.

It's also bittersweet. My time in Dixon, IL is coming to an end. Hence, the name of the show, "Sojourn." Memorial Day weekend I will be packed up and driving to Rapid City, SD to start life anew and start love anew with Jack. We've made it through a rough year of separation (852 miles to be exact), but soon that issue will be over.

The bittersweet part? I love Dixon. I mean it is the greatest little town with the best friends I could ever have. I'm also leaving my two grown daughters, five sisters (a multitude of great bro-in-laws, nieces, and nephews), and of course, my mom. She has been a true rock for me during the tumultuous couple of years with the ending of my long marriage, being laid off from my job (never had THAT happen before), and other emotional issues.

Good thing is, I will be living in the beautiful Black Hills and getting involved, hopefully, in the arts community there. My art will take on a new look and feel and I hope you will hang in there with me while that transition evolves!

Until later....

I could have been outside enjoying the weather....

2010-04-11T16:42:00.003-05:00

"216 W. First St.," 30" x 40", acrylic on canvas

Beeeaaaautttifulll day in Dixon, IL today!

So what do I do with this day? Stay inside and finish this painting. It was a tough one folks. Went out of my comfort zone. I like painting fast and not worrying about the little details. In most landscapes and still lifes, artists can get away with playing around a bit with the details...like ignoring them altogether!

This painting of a building in Dixon needed me to stay on point. Now...for the engineers and architects out there, don't get your undies in a bunch if all the details aren't perfect...like straight lines. This is a painting after all.

I still wanted my touches of saturated color and the play of shadow and light to be the main stars of this work. I have a bunch of photos of buildings in town that I took when the shadows and light were at their peak.

I hope to have one more painting of this type for my show that opens on May 8 at the Crystal Cork in dixon.

Finished 2!

2010-03-21T16:18:00.004-05:00

"Spring Lilacs on Yellow Cloth," 24" x 24", oil on cradled gessobord

"Afternoon at the Garden Center," 12" x 16", oil on cradled gessobord

Well, it took me a bit, but I finished two different paintings that had been started a couple of months ago.

Better late than never, right?

Feels good to get them done. Every time I walked into the studio, they would be sitting there staring at me with (I felt) sad, neglected eyes.

The lilacs were really hard. Maybe that's why I procrastinated on them. Lots of value and color changes going on.

The smaller painting was from a photo I took at Anne's Garden Center in Dixon last summer. I've always wanted to do something like this. I also started on a black background on this piece, where normally I start on a warmer red toned background. This painting is also looser with less attention to exact detail.

Finished paintings for Art 4 Arts Sake fundraiser

2010-03-20T10:55:00.004-05:00

Debbie and I painted next to each other for the fundraiser for The Next Picture Show. Both of our paintings sold at auction for good prices. Woot.

Oil Painting Worshop finished!

2010-01-17T18:55:00.004-06:00

Class is nearing the finish line.

Judy is giving it a final look-see.

Saturday was my one-day intermediate oil painting workshop. We did a landscape together. The class was small, but lots of fun. Lots of witty banter throughout the day.

I don't have many pictures because we all got involved in our work that frankly, I forgot to pull out my camera until near the end!

I will post more later.

My next workshop is this Saturday, 1/23, and will be the Intermediate Oil Painting Still Life session. There is still room for students. Sign up here.

Oil Painting Workshops added!

2009-12-21T09:43:00.002-06:00

Two intermediate oil painting one-day workshops have been added in January, 2010! Both workshops will have supplies, but if the students already have favorite oil paints and brushes, please feel free to bring them to class. The classes will be located at The Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon, Illinois.

The classes are Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 and Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010. Both classes will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a lunch if you'd like or just step out to one of the little restaurants just steps away! Snacks will be provided.

Since I paint with water soluable oils, I will be demonstrating with them. However, the class will be provided with traditional oils to work with.

Class size is 8 people MAX. To get complete information on the workshops go to my new WORKSHOPS/CLASSES page on my website. Each class will have a link that will take you directly to The Next Picture Show's class signup page.

It's a blur...

2009-12-15T16:20:00.004-06:00

"Driving Home," oil on gallery-wrapped canvas
12" x 24"

For being unemployed, I'm awfully busy. But I'm doing stuff that's actually interesting.

Getting a lot more painting done. Not posting much because, well, it is Christmas time and some folks wouldn't be surprised, would they?

Today I did finish a smallish landscape in oils. Kind of a fun painting. Forgive the photo. I finished this around 3:30 and the light in my place gets a bit wonky and causes glossiness on parts of the work.

I took this photo when I was driving north from Peoria after a food show I attended (for my place of previous employment). Took some back roads and the light was just starting to get low. Surprised I wasn't pulled over because my car tends to weave when doing drive-by photos. As with most of my work, I covered the canvas in cad red first to create a warm glow through the following layers of paint. You may see some of that read peeking through.

I will be posting this on my etsy art shop page and on my website. Be sure to stop by both places as I have updated them. On my website, I have added a new section called "Workshops/Classes." My upcoming classes are now listed.

Acrylic Workshop #1: DONE!

2009-12-12T17:32:00.008-06:00

Starting out. Laying in the first layer of colors. I made them all cover the canvas in cad red. I do that a lot and since I was the teacher...I got to be the boss! (Notice that Santa stopped by ... in the back)

They're getting into it now.

Dawn is getting near the finish line. Looking very good.

The class and me with our works of art! Not bad, eh?

Well, another milestone for me today. I thought I would never teach a class or workshop. Basically I just paint and really don't know how I do it, I just paint for goodness sake!

But, times change and it was time to conquer another fear. And as most fears go, once the fear is faced, it really not as big a deal as you think it was. Weird huh?

Anyway, the class was full to capacity. Only wanted 8 maximum students. It's hard for me to concentrate on too many questions at once. Also, I decided that a still life in beginning acrylics would be easy to sketch out with simple forms. So, the whole class and I worked on the same photo that I took. Some folks teach class with everyone doing something differently. To avoid my head from exploding, I chose to work on one simple subject.

The class ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and almost everyone finished their painting!!! They taught me more than the other way around. Pretty cool, huh?

Next workshops: Jan. 16 and Jan. 23. Will probably be in oils. Stay tuned.

Finished 1 - Starting another

2009-11-30T08:08:00.007-06:00

"Leaving Peoria," 18" x 36", oil on gessobord

I finished the lanscape I started a couple of weeks ago. The holiday really cut into studio time. Last week was my last week of working at the hotels. So, I guess I now have some time for painting. People keep telling me that. Only problem is that they have to sell to pay the rent!!!

This piece is titled "Leaving Peoria" because I was driving back home from a food show in Peoria at the end of September this year. There's mostly country highways on the way back to Dixon and the sun was just starting to get low. This painting is definitely more illustration in style and I don't know how I feel about it yet. Kinda like working with the oranges and bold blues. They do bounce off each other.

in progress

Getting back into still life too. After finishing "Leaving Peoria," I started on a floral still life. Haven't done this in ages. This photo I shot over a year ago...almost two! So far I have just the blocking in stages started. I'm enjoying a bit of spring while winter is starting to gain foothold here in the midwest!

In Progress

2009-11-15T17:15:00.004-06:00

A work in progress, 18" x 36," oil on gessobord

This is another drive by painting. I was on the way home from Peoria at the end of September and decided to hit the back roads.

I've taken a more illustration approach to this painting. The subject begged for bright bold rendering rather than a more subdued realistic approach. I still have more to do on it. The trees suck right now and part of the rolling landscape got too wet for me to work on. Lost the light at the end of the day too. 4:45 p.m. comes early for sunset these days.

Yesterday I sketched out and undercoated two more paintings also. Worries about getting a real job go away when I'm in the studio.

Update on last painting

2009-11-12T20:59:00.003-06:00

"Iowa Drive By," 24" x 30"
oil on gessobord

Note: this is a better image of the painting I posted last week, but I had misplaced (yes, that's what I did) my handy dandy camera. Well, she's back and I am now replacing it with a better image.

Got NOTHING done today. Can't concentrate. Although I did put away all my summer clothes, put away my laundry, and made homemade chicken stock. God, the place smells great.

Also, canceled most of my comcast cable, switched internet providers, argued with my ex husband (but not a lot...just a little), found out my daughter's car was vandalized in Chicago (damn kids), went to the Dixon Chamber of Commerce's BAB (business after business) at Sauk Valley Bank (fun), WON a door prize (some beers and peanuts in a bucket), had some laughs with friends I haven't seen in a long while.....

See...life is full of interesting stuff. Just gotta pay attention.

Oh...and "The Mentalist" is on now. Simon Baker is a god and this show is wonderful. Toodles.

Iowa Drive By

2009-11-06T13:20:00.005-06:00

"Iowa," 24" x 30"
oil on gessobord

Did a painting in one day. Kinda cool when that happens. Please forgive the quality of the photo. For those that know me, I have misplaced my camera again. It'll surface. It always does.

So, anyway, all I had to use was my IPhoto on my Mac laptop. Color is a bit off and very low resolution. When I find that camera (and I will dammit), I will repost.

This image is one of my "drive by" photos. I was coming back from Lake Okoboji in NW Iowa and the fields of corn and soybeans were all in their golden glory. Storms were just finishing and clearing out with the sun soon coming through.

These drive bys can be dangerous. Almost ran off the road a couple of times.

Getting organized

2009-11-01T15:06:00.003-06:00

Last week I was given notice that my job position will be cut by the end of November. I'll work part time until then. Was pretty disappointed, since as with most people, I need the money.

So, while looking for other employment, I have been trying to update my website, www.jaynerose.com and finally published my painting fan page on Facebook. See Fan Page widget on the right.

Also, created some small Christmas ornaments for The Next Picture Show in Dixon, IL as part of a fundraiser.

All in all, I'm moving rather slowly, like my feet are in molasses. Can't jump right back into painting and I don't know why. But, I'm gonna figure it out dammit!

Fundraiser paintings both sold

2009-10-17T09:37:00.008-05:00

"Soy Beans in September," 11" x 14", acrylic on canvas
(color is a bit off because I took the photo of it while it was hanging in the gallery)

"Pine Creek," 11" x 14", acrylic on canvas

Last Friday, the Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon had a "Secret Artist" fundraiser for the gallery itself.

Artists were asked to paint on gallery-provided 11" x 14" wrap-around canvases, but not sign them. All paintings were to be sold for $200.

Here are both of mine. Happily, both sold. Haven't heard how the gallery did that evening. The gallery is great, but it is very slow on reporting how fundraisers turn out.

Life is SO BUSY!!!

2009-08-27T15:46:00.004-05:00

Daddy and His Girls
Morgan, Jeff, Erin

I'm probably not the only one amazed at how fast August has flown by.

My oldest daughter, Erin, got married on August 8. It had been a lovely cool summer here in the midwest. Until the day of the OUTDOOR wedding! It was at least 95 degrees and high humidity. We had large amounts of rain that cleared up late the day before, but then the humidity set in. Luckily we had shade for the ceremony and a nice breeze helped.

Erin was absolutely gorgeous and we had a great, unique wedding. She married a great guy that she met while in school in Savannah GA. He's originally from Sweden and is of Serbian descent. Brilliant, funny, and fits right in with both sides of the family. His immediate family came in from Sweden and Canada, with only a few speaking English! It was a truly international weekend in corn country.

My ex-husband's niece, Becca Pierson, is a fabulous photographer and she provided that service during the wedding.

The picture above is one that I JUST LOVE!!! Thanks Becca.

Meanwhile the weather is cold and rainy today and I turned on my car heater for the first time.

First Sale through Etsy

2009-07-21T21:28:00.003-05:00

I was quite surprised last week to receive a note from my PayPal account that a payment had been received for one of my favorite paintings, "Flower Power." (above)

At first I thought I was being scammed. But, when I went to my Etsy store, sure enough, she was sold.

Kind of a nice ending to the week.

3rd Painting Project completed for the Juvenile Probation Dept.

2009-07-18T23:22:00.007-05:00

This is a closeup just below the Dixon Arch with the top portion of the old Nachusa House below it.

Debbie and I were asked to work with the kids in the Lee County Juvenile Probation department for the THIRD Time!

The last two times were murals, but this time we created 3 large scale paintings. We also had the kids work with us in the lower level of The Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon.

This is the Presbyterian Church i Dixon at high noon.

We created paintings of 3 different Dixon buildings/landmarks. Totally different from what we've done before. They are 48" x 60".

Two teens and an artist worked on each painting. The third artist being, Arin Thompson.

Treins Jewelry on First St. in Dixon

Soon there will be a gallery opening for these 3 paintings. The kids and their families will get to experience an art show opening. After the show, these paintings will be installed permanently at the Lee County Courthouse.

Life Changes

2009-07-17T23:36:00.003-05:00

It's been some months and those who follow me I apologize.

Life does take turns and mine has done that.

At the end of January, I left my marriage and our business. No matter what anyone says. The restaurant business is harder than anything I know. People praise and honor teachers, doctors, nurses...but those jobs are not as hard as being in the restaurant business/ b&b business. No vacations, no benefits, no anything.

In the meantime, my oldest daughter is getting married on Aug. 8. Not that far away! She is getting married on our front lawn and the reception is on our back lawn (yes...it's still my front and back lawn cuz the sale of the inn fell through...arrrgh). Her dress is beautiful. She got it on Etsy.

Ya know...I have shop on Etsy. Sold my first painting this week on Etsy! Woot.

I did start painting 2 weeks ago. But, with summer, work, and my Erin's wedding, that is so on the back burner.

Interesting form of grafiti

2009-03-27T08:38:00.004-05:00

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!

2009-02-28T10:11:00.003-06:00

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

2009-02-14T13:17:00.017-06:00

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!

2009-02-06T21:49:00.003-06:00

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

2009-02-05T07:24:00.006-06:00

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

2009-02-02T16:48:00.003-06:00

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

2009-01-25T07:52:00.002-06:00

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.

"In her Shoes," in progress

2009-01-22T21:58:00.007-06:00

Step 1: All sketched in and intial toning blocked in.

Step 2: Initial colors

Step 3: One pair down, four to go.

I started this painting on Saturday and got back to it today. Above are the first three steps of this painting. It is 18" x 36" on ampersand gessobord in acrylic.

There is a women's exhibition coming up in a couple of months at The Next Picture Show in Dixon called "Dos: Equis." This is one of the paintings I plan to enter into the jurying.

Lots going on besides the art stuff. There are several committees I'm on, plus family stuff starting to rear its inconvenient head right now. Makes me dizzy. Literally. I've been really dizzy the last couple of days. Probably just stress. Funny, but if I have a glass of wine the dizziness seems to right itself. hmmmmm...interesting.

Reflecting on Andrew Wyeth

2009-01-19T10:26:00.003-06:00

I saw this video on YouTube and wanted to share it with you. With his passing this past week, another American artist is gone, but not forgotten (hopefully).

It was a very long weekend for me. Men can really suck sometimes. Thank goodness for my bestest friend in the whole world. Saturday, we drove (in her husband's brand new big red truck) to Freeport, IL to the Freeport Arts Center to pick up free art supplies for her school, The Next Picture Show gallery, and the Phidian Art Club (all in Dixon, IL).

Boy, was that a job. Many very heavy boxes to take down two flights of stairs then many steps in between the center and the truck. And the snow on the ground didn't make it any easier. We were pooped, but the physical exertion was just what I needed to work out my crappy mood. Plus...afterwards we went to lunch and I had the best pumpkin pancakes in the world!!!

We delivered the art supplies to the gallery, with the help of John (bff's husband -- so maybe men aren't all that bad). We went to her school and dropped off the last of all the art stuff.

Went home, peeled off wet jeans and soaked boots (from that darn snow), crawled into bed and took a 3 hour nap. Naps...they do a body good.

Yesterday, I got to go to a birthday get together for my bff's daughter. It was so nice and fun.

TODAY I am setting up still lifes for a show I want to enter (a women's show) called Dos Equis. So, I need to get off this computer and get cracking on doing some art.

Here is another video of one of my favorite painters, Carol Marine. She's a "painting a day" painter and a very successful one at that!

A flurry of activity

2009-01-13T13:16:00.004-06:00

"Transfixed," 16" x 20", oil on gessobord

It certainly has been a busy week ... for being unemployed for the first time in almost 30 years. Don't worry, hopefully, if the planets align perfectly, the unemployment situation will clear itself up by next week. More on that later.

The weather has truly been challenging around here lately. Good thing I don't need to commute much. So with the weather being snowy and blowy, the easel has beckoned again. I have so many photos on my computer tucked away waiting to be painted.

The painting above is from last March when the Thompsons and Roses went to Phoenix for vacation. We went to the art museum in Phoenix and I took photos of people looking at paintings. I got away with it until this grumpy guard yelled at me. Since I don't use flash normally, the camera is pretty quite, and I continued on as soon as he went off to harass someone else.

Tonight is a night out with the girls. I just have to wear many, many layers. It's gonna get dangerously cold.

Andy Goldsworthy.... a new discovery

2009-01-06T23:13:00.007-06:00

Well, my BFF Debbie and I had a bottle of wine tonight and discussed the issues of Illinois (can you say Blagojevich?) kids, husbands, and favorite artists.

She mentioned Andy Goldsworthy, a man who makes things from nature and then they just disappear. Here is a youtube video of some of his work.

Aww darn it, here's another one. Appreciate the photographer of all of his work.

2009 will bring big life changes

2009-01-05T15:31:00.004-06:00

"Living behind a Glass House," 18" x 24", oil on 2" cradled gessobord

Guess what? A bug got up my butt and I actually forced myself to get back to my easel yesterday. We have closed our restaurant and inn for a bit (we have a contract, but it may take awhile for the sale to go through) and I have officially resigned from that part of my life.

So, the first week after the holidays was rather surreal for me. My girls are gone now. The oldest is in Sweden/Bosnia with her fiance. It's his home(s) and he hasn't been there in years. My youngest is starting her last year at University of IL at Chicago. That's not so far away, but she doesn't get home much. As I said in a previous post, my dog passed away this fall, and now my employees (which I used to complain about) are gone. Be careful what you wish for.

The web work I've been doing for a company out of South Dakota has cut my hours way back. Crap. Sorry about the pity party. I'll snap out of it. So, anyway, I did sell a painting the other day and it made me realize that I can't depend on other people for my livelihood. So, it's back to the easel.

I do love still lifes and for some reason had gotten away from them. This still life is from a photo I took a few months ago. I love the challenge of glass and reflections.

The main lesson here is to not look at the glass as a glass, but as an abstract and to paint it as I SEE it, bit by bit. All of a sudden it becomes real. I paint most of my paintings over red cad medium. This one I painted rather quickly (for oils) and left a bit of the red peeking through.

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T13:03:00.003-06:00

I'm working on a couple of clients websites right now, but got bored and started reading some of my favorite blogs.

Tracey Helgeson, mentioned the other day a blog written by two older (in their 80s!) women, Margarate & Helen. Helen writes the most and doesn't hold back. BEWARE: If you happen to be a fan of Sarah Palin or the Republican party in general, you might not like this, but for the rest of us....woot! Read some of her earlier rants too.

Anyway, I resolve that 2009 will be a whole helluva lot better than 2008. We closed the restaurant until the end of January. We both needed a break. So this is my first New Year's Eve that I'm not working in 15 years - double woot. We have been invited to my friend Debbie's house for a fun, but refined *wink* evening. We are the Korbel providers. I'm already thirsty.

Happy New Year

Trying something new

2008-12-19T17:40:00.003-06:00

"Iris Field," 24" x 48", oil on canvas
One of my paintings on Etsy

My daughter, Erin, just moved home this week from Savannah GA. She graduated in 2005 from SCAD with a degree in Illustration.

She's always nagging me to get back to my painting because I could be making money. (easier said than done).

Anyway, she mentioned that she likes to buy (from Etsy) and many of her artist friends use Esty as a way to show and sell their work. I have heard of it and have seen other artists mention it on their blogs and websites, but never got around to doing anything about it.

Since my work with a web company is slowing down quite a bit, I have a bit more time to do this kind of thing.

So...I did it...I've added a mini Etsy shop right under my profile pic to the right. Direct link is jaynerose.etsy.com.

Other than that, Christmas is 6 days away and I've only gotten 4 presents purchased. I have never been so far behind in my entire life as I am this year.

If, I don't post before the holidays...may all of you have a safe Christmas and Happy New Year.

After a long hiatus, I'm back

2008-11-20T09:12:00.009-06:00

"Summer Home," 20" x 24", acrylic on canvas
commission

Well, the summer/fall of 2008 has been a trying one to say the least. I haven't picked up a brush in almost 6 months.

Personal life issues, professional issues, and worst of all....my beautiful black lab, Annie, died. My heart just wasn't into being creative.

Fortunately, a painting customer of mine, commissioned me to do his mother's place with flower gardens and to have it done before Thanksgiving. This project finally got me in front of an easel again. Finished painting is above.

This past July, I did manage to get a small painting done for my best friend, Debbie. It was a birthday gift and is a study of her viewing a painting at an art gallery in Phoenix. Sure is easy to paint subjects ya love, isn't it.

The Fields Project

2008-06-25T06:38:00.006-05:00

From the air...3 field designs. Very cool.

One of the artists wrapped a corn silo. Double cool.

Well, no studio time again. And the sad part is, it didn't bother me. Hope this doesn't last too long.

However, this past Monday Debbie and I went into the courthouse to finish the last few details of the mural we created with her daughter, Arin (off to Southern Illinois University to pursue another masters in writing), and a whole bunch of young people of all ages.

The last of the pictures are still in my camera. Just can't seem to finish anything these days. The mural blog so far is themuralproject2.wordpress.com. When you can, jump to it and see the process. Today, I promise, to finish that blog. really...I mean it.

This past Sunday was the final day of The Fields Project also. It's a collaboration of artists and farm families. Bringing agriculture and art together...two completely different worlds colliding. It's awesome and has been going on for almost 10 years.

One of my favorite artists, Anne Leuck Feldhaus of Chicago, has been a participant for several years. She says it all, both in word and pictures, in THIS POST. Get a cup of coffee, sit back and view her Flickr slideshow.

until later...

Six trees in 2 weeks...gone

2008-06-18T07:53:00.007-05:00

one of the smaller trees we lost.

2 downed cables of live wires going across our main walk to the inn.

Last Sunday at 6 a.m. I was awoken by my living room fall blowing out the window onto the floor.

A microburst is what they call them. My husband, who had been at our inn (right next door) getting breakfast started for our guests, came in and said that we had lost 4 trees and the live wires for the inn and restaurant were down again. Yes, the Sunday before we had another storm that knocked down the wires. It's been a ComEd couple of weeks.

This spring has been a doozy to say the least. We live by the Rock River (one block to our west and three blocks to our east) and it has been closed to river traffic due to the high waters. Luckily, our section of the village sits high enough up, that only the bottom lands get flooded.

We don't have problems with direct flooding or dry wells!

All in all, painting has been on the back burner for me. Painting for me that is. Yesterday, we finished the Lee County Juvenile Probation mural at the courthouse. Came out better than I thought it would. It got pretty sloppy at one point. Some of the children we worked with were a bit young or didn't have their hearts in it. But...in the end, with the help of a couple of the older kids and Mary (the leader of the probation dept.), we gotter' done!

More pics later.

Here is the blog I created for that project. I haven't loaded the last pics yet, because I've been so busy. Will try to do that today.
http://themuralproject2.wordpress.com

Sorry...Overwhelmed is the least of it

2008-06-15T18:27:00.004-05:00

This is the initial watercolor sketch by Debbie Thompson for the background of "The Mural Project 2"

I've been going in three different directions these last few weeks and haven't had time to blog. I know...sounds ridiculous, but what can I say?

My job with Affinity AV (now a division of TDG Communications in Deadwood S.D) has been giving me lots more hours and taking up my only studio time. As an artist, it sucks, as a person with bills and a daughter in her senior year of college, it's a Godsend.

The inn, my other business, is picking up because of tourist season, wedding season, etc. So on my days off from AAV, I work there and do their website stuff. Don't know why I say "their stuff." It's my other business! Tells you how I feel about it anymore. The thrill is gone. You know, it's the job where you stomach hurts more the closer get to it. But, once I'm there and working with my clientele, I actually enjoy it. It's just putting on the cute clothes, heels, makeup, and smile that take the toll.

Debbie, Arin, and I started the 2nd Lee County Juvenile Probation Mural a couple of weeks ago. We're on our last week now. It's been a real task, but very rewarding. Most of the kids seem to enjoy it .... others, not so much. Oh well, different strokes for different folks. It beats picking up trash on the highway in 90 degree heat. I've started a mural2 blog to show our project.

Go to: themuralproject2.wordpress.com

After the mural painting tomorrow, I have been asked to show my work at a Sauk Valley Bank's newest facility in Dixon for the upcoming month. So I have to go hang a show! I'm pulling out as many paintings as I can find since I haven't been producing much in the last month. There are a lot sketched out, but that's about it.

AND FINALLY.

The freakin' weather. The midwest has been deluged with rain, bad thunderstorms, tornadoes, and now flooding. We've lost six, count 'em, 6 trees and have had downed live wires twice.

Crap.

Although we haven't had to water. And my tomatoes are going nuclear!

Students "Address the Earth" through Art

2008-05-24T15:50:00.005-05:00

photo from Sauk Valley News
Reagan Middle School students gather around an etched copper panel that will be put on display in the school. Each plaque was designed and etched by the student through the help of local artist Mike Mcnamara and teacher Debbie Thompson. (Alex T. Paschal/photo)

My two friends were in the paper again with their work with students and art-- Debbie Thompson and Mike McNamara! The unveiling of the copper piece was yesterday, Friday at Reagan Middle School in Dixon.

Since Jack (my boss) and I had a prior business commitment at the same time in another town, I wasn't able to personally attend the unveiling ceremony. Luckily, we were able to stop by Debbie's classroom earlier to take a sneak peak and to take some close-up pics of the individual pieces (those will be published later). She had it hidden from the kids by putting in her classroom bathroom. She rushed me into the john (so I can take a few pictures) because she didn't want the kids to see the assembled piece until the unveiling.

Read below the newspaper's account of the event.

BY MALINDA OSBORNE
SVN REPORTER
mosborne@svnmail.com

DIXON -- It's earth-friendly artwork made from scratch, and on recyclable material to boot.

"Students Address the Earth" features more than 120 3-by-5-inch copper sheets, each with an eco-themed etching done by a student.

Reagan Middle School art teacher Debbie Thompson held an unveiling ceremony Friday for the 100-pound piece, which will be displayed near the school's cafeteria entrance.

Students used permanent marker to make a drawing on the sheet, and guest artist/sculptor Michael McNamara of Dixon dipped the pieces in ferric chloride, which eroded part of the copper, leaving the hand-drawn designs slightly raised.

Images of pandas, hands and stars dot the copper landscape, forming a shiny metal patchwork.

Fifth-grader Jessie Scheck, 11, drew mountains, trees and grass on his copper piece. He said he had never worked with the material before, and that it was a lot of fun.

The project was part of Thompson's yearly guest artist program for her fifth- and sixth-grade art students. Most of the materials and McNamara's expertise were paid for with a grant from a private foundation.

"We wanted to do a group project with students dealing with the environment, to teach them what their part might be in recycling," McNamara said.

Kreider Services staff also gave a presentation on its recycling facility.

Kreider trains disabled adults and teaches them job skills.

Jul Adams-Watkins, the nonprofit's public relations coordinator, explained how they collect recyclable materials from local businesses, which they process and sell.

"It's not just a commercial situation," Adams-Watkins said. Recycling "is a personal decision."

Reach Malinda Osborne at 815-625-3600 or 800-798-4085, ext. 526.

Two more flower beds and one more Painting...done.

2008-05-18T17:53:00.004-05:00

Aqua Vase with Daffodils, 24x24, oil on gessobord

Last evening, since the restaurant wasn't overly busy and we had staff-o-plenty, I decided to get into my studio to finish up the painting above that I started last Sunday. The weather was going to be perfect today (sunday) for working in our gardens, like just around 60 degrees or so. I don't mind manual labor if sweat isn't involved!

As I finished up the painting, I decided to do a small series of work with this same vase but with different seasonal flowers. Today while gardening, I cut several branches of lilacs to compose a similar still life set up in the same vase. Lilacs...are one of my favorite flowers and fragrances. Lilies of the Valley run a close second...both of which are now in full bloom. In the early evening the scent just wafts through my open windows. Looking forward to starting the next painting.

Busy week coming up this week. Jack, my web boss, is back in Illinois for the week and we're meeting with both potential and current clients throughout the next few days. Very busy these days. Hoping to land a chocolatier's account. Now, that will be a nice change from the 3 cancer treatment sites. A bit more uplifting! Although, I didn't think I could ever learn so much about the different options in treating cancer. Never want to have to use that knowledge, if you know what I mean!

Also, hope to get one day in for a canoe ride. The river seems to be going down a bit and the weather is perfect for it. Do you hear me little Debbie?!!!

until later
.

A sunny side to a rainy Mother's Day

2008-05-12T07:17:00.004-05:00

1st stage of still life, oil, 24x24

2nd stage of still life, oil, 24x24

Yesterday I woke up to a windy, cold, rainy and dark Mother's Day. Now, you may think this is weird, but those kind of days are some of my favorites. You know, snuggling in a warm bed, with a cup of coffee.... But, being in the restaurant biz, Mother's Day is a big deal and an appearance there was necessary. My youngest daughter, Morgan, took the train home from Chicago for the weekend. We did the sushi thing, bought some popcorn, came home and watched a dorky comedy together. Really nice.

On Saturday, my sisters, some nieces, nephews, and one brother-in-law (he'll get his reward in heaven), went to Mendota to my mom's to get her flower gardens in order. Laurie, my sister, was the project foreman and all went well, but we were pooped! During a work break, 5 of the worker bees decided to make reservations at the restaurant. So, now I really had to make an appearance! That was fine. We had a great dinner, lots of laughs, and they all went home by 3!

So, with their early dismissal, and the day still dark, I surprised myself by getting to the studio for the afternoon.

Above, you will see a start of a 24" x 24" floral still life. I haven't done a floral in a long time. These daffodils are from my garden. The vase was from a birthday bouquet from my oldest daughter. As soon as I saw the bouquet, the vase is what caught my eye...the cool aqua color and I knew that it would be a part of still lifes to come.

Normally, the first stage I will put values (shadows) in before adding the color. But, this time, I started adding color once the sketch was set down. Don't know why....guess I didn't want to waste another hour. It's been awhile painting something for me.

Must have been enjoying myself, because before I knew it was after 8 p.m.! With sunset coming so much later, the afternoon flew by. So, the painting will be done the next time.

Today is a Y day and a hair appointment day and a weeding day. The rototiller is all primed up and the sun is supposed to be out most of the day...woot. Jeff's Monday golf league has officially started. He is taking Morgan back to Chicago before that. Time for some bonding. You know what that means? I have the day to myself ... completely. Yeah baby.

until later
.

Magical Trees and Gardening

2008-05-05T20:10:00.009-05:00

A couple of the finished "magical trees."

I misnamed the tree mural we were working on last Friday. They are called "Magical Trees," not "Happy Trees."

So anyway...last Friday afternoon, around 10 talented young ladies helped Debbie, Arin, and I paint the tree drawings done by Debbie's students. Debbie and I sketched them out the day before.

Once we got the tarps down, paints doled out, and instructions given, the kids went straight to work. Most of them were a riot. Girls are talky, talky creatures and boy, when they start raising their voices in a cement stairwell, it causes ringing in the ears!

We always keep the color black out of any kids' hands. Children seem to love to overdo black or mix it in every color, thus making a muddy mess. This little rule does have an advantage also. "Well, how do I make this purple darker, etc.," kind of questions give us the chance to teach them how to mix complimentary colors and such to get a much more desirable dark of any hue they are working with.

More trees.

They tend to remember this too. Don't know why...but they do.

We finished up around 4:00. That's when their rides came to pick them up at the hospital.

After the kids left, Debbie, Arin, and I did some highlighting and outlining of each of the trees...a final polishing touch. Then we were off to Debbie's veranda for a couple of cold ones and some Thai and sushi.

Sunday, after the last of our inn guests checked out, Jeff and I headed outside to start (finally) on some of our flower beds. The weather and timing have been working against us this year. So, on this day, it was sunny and just the right temperature for busting our butts weeding, splitting over grown perennials, and composting. I think it got to around 70 degrees. After around 7 hours of that nonsense, Jeff got to burn stuff (his favorite thing) and I made a big old fat pizza.

So, we finished 3 long flowerbeds by the restaurant. We have another 12 or 13 to go. Groannnn.

Today, we worked on the 2 big beds in front of the inn. That wild ginger is a curse. It can't be pulled out, but has to be dug up and they are all intertwined with some of the perennials. Curses. Only lasted a few hours today.

Got another special bonus from gardening...my upper-butt area got good and sunburned. The only place I didn't put sunblock. You know the area, between the bottom of your shirt and the top of your pants.

After that, I thought a visit to my studio and doing some varnishing of some of the finished paintings lying around was in order.

Tomorrow is the Spring Luncheon for the Phidian Art Club. It also is the awards ceremony for the Literary Competition that takes place each year. I am the chair of this year's competition and will have to speak at this thingy. I'd rather get teeth pulled than speaking in public. But, the women on this committee with me are the best and we have a great time together. So, we're all taking turns doing some of the speaking and presenting.

Another good thing....I get to wear one of my new spring dresses. It's so girly and cute.

Until later.

.

It's going to be a "Happy Tree" kind of day!

2008-05-02T11:15:00.004-05:00

Debbie in deep concentration on the "burning bush."

Yesterday afternoon, Debbie and I went to KSB Hospital and started sketching out some of her students "happy trees" that will be painted today by the kids and artists, side by side.

We just used black marker to draw the images. Any goof-ups will be covered by paint. Gotta love opaque paint.

A couple more trees.

We left the kids' paintings taped to the wall for the evening. Figured not too many people would actually be mean enough to steal these. The people of KSB are some of the nicest I've ever met. This is the 4th mural we've done with the kids at the request of the hospital.

More trees...

I forgot how many kids were helping today. Sometimes when there a few too many, it gets a little bit hairy, with paint going everywhere, noise level rising (especially in a cement block stairwell), and general goofiness will ensue. But, of course, that's half the fun.

Stay tuned to see the finished work!

.

Grist Mill illustration

2008-05-01T14:16:00.004-05:00

Franklin Grove Grist Mill: illustration for Lee County Courthouse

I meant to post the illustration above earlier, but my meeting last evening ran long. Actually, it probably ran the right length of time, but when one of our committee members mentioned she wanted to be home in time for "Boston Legal," there was a general concurrence among all of us that this is one great show.

So, we happened to have a bottle of cabernet available and our lovely hostess made some popcorn. All in all...a lovely impromptu evening. Boston Legal was great too.

The Lee County Courthouse mural is in the final stages of organizing and getting grants and such. So, before we get our hands dirty with that one, Debbie, Arin, and I are undertaking a volunteer project with some of her middle school students.

A few of the students "happy trees" paintings spread over my office floor.

KSB Hospital has asked us and the students again (for the 4th time!) to continue a new set of paintings in one of their stairwells. We already have done two sets in this particular stairwell. The intention is to provide incentive for their employees to take the stairs instead of the elevators.

This year's murals will be inspired by the kids' paintings of fanciful "happy" trees. Debbie came by my office late morning today to help her pick out the most expressive trees. This afternoon, I'll be joining her in the hospital's stairwell to draw them on the walls.

Tomorrow, Debbie's daughter Arin, will join us along with several students to get these puppies painted! We'll get this done in a day...a long day, but still just a day.

Until later...

.

Another mural illustration

2008-04-29T09:02:00.002-05:00

Illustration #3 for Lee County Mural: the Dixon arch

This one didn't take as much time as the other two (see previous post), obviously, but the hand sketching took some time because folks, arches are HARD. And trying to make it a bit funky and cartoony is even harder.

Have to go into Dixon to work today...have my graphic design hat on today. When I get home, I hope to start on the Franklin Creek grist mill. Here is the photo of it below.

Stay tuned....

.

In Illustration mode...

2008-04-28T16:01:00.003-05:00

Sketch of Nachusa House in Dixon.

Debbie, Arin, and I are getting ready for our 2nd commissioned mural to do for Lee County Juvenile Probation department. This one will be quite a bit larger.

We also will be working with several young juvenile offenders hand-picked by the probation department to assist in creating this piece of art.

The last time we did this, we totally depended on the actual kids' work (which we enlarged on the wall). This time, the work will be more of the three artists' work. The mural, which is quite long, will depict an aerial view of Lee County's countryside, with the Rock River flowing through it. Along the way there will be buildings/landmarks of several towns in the county.

Sketch of Amboy Depot in Amboy, IL.

Yesterday afternoon I started on the buildings. I wanted them to be more quirky/funky, but still look recognizable. The Nachusa House in Dixon was my first attempt and the Amboy Depot was my second.

I found pictures of the buildings and hand sketched with pencil my vision of each building. Then I put the sketch into Photoshop and using a Wacom tablet, sketched and "painted" them.

I still have several more to go. These will then be enlarged on top of the aerial landscape and painted by all of us.

This is kind of a nice break from painting. It sure is a heck of a lot easier to clean up. Just sitting at my kitchen table and smelling the aroma of a slow cooking pot roast, has made this a very good day indeed.

Oh yeah...I'm making winter comfort food because the weather turned to crap again. We actually had snow/slush falling at different points during the day. That is so wrong on so many levels.

Until later.

.

A weekend of art obligations

2008-04-21T12:09:00.010-05:00

"Auction Apples," 24"x36"? (a guess), acrylic on canvas

Step One....

Step Two...

This past Saturday, Debbie Thompson, Todd Lorenc, and I participated in a charity benefit for Alzheimers in Rockford, Illinois. Fifty artists painted on site from start to finish. The paintings were then auctioned off. It's a long day of standing on cement and trying to pull off a completed painting in such a short time. But, it's also a fun day of networking with lots of artists of all different styles. Doesn't hurt when the wine starts flowing when the public arrives. Oh...there was a chocolate vendor that made the sore legs all worth it!

My finished (?) piece is the top picture. Really could have used a bit longer, but that's the way it goes. I've also included the beginning/middle stages of the apples.

There's Todd just above working on his funky guy. It was fun watching him bring this piece to life.

Debbie did an impressionistic fall landscape. Thought we were going to lose her to panic for awhile. Todd and I had to talk her down. The piece came out great...as we knew it would.

We left around 10 p.m. to drive back to Dixon. Got home around 11 and visited with Debbie's houseguest, Katie (in from Florida). Katie was in town and she helped out at The Next Picture Show by announcing the winners for the "Sculpture, Clay, and Fiber" show opening.

So, we sat and talked (they drank more wine...I was a good monkey) until almost 2 a.m. Crap. I was pooped. But a good pooped, so to speak.

I was going to work in my studio today. Even went out and picked some daffodils to set up a still life. But, I have 3 pm meeting at the courthouse today. Debbie, Arin, and I are doing another mural with some of the juvenile offenders again. This mural will be larger and more complex. It's our first meeting with the kids, their parents, and the probation department.

I'll report more on that in the near future.

Now that the feeling is back in my arms....

2008-04-14T17:33:00.004-05:00

"Grand Old Apples," 16 x 20, oil on gessobord

This morning I started a new session at the Y in body sculpting with a different instructor. I've taken her classes before, but just usually during the summer because my exercise buddies are teachers, and they can't take this in the a.m. Unfortunately, the 5:45 p.m. sessions were getting blown off with too much regularity during this winter. Either conflicting meetings, worked too late, or just lost motivation when the weather was really crappy. Also, the night time instructor, although a wonderful girl, was not as intense and her exercises rarely changed.

BUT, and this is a big BUT, the morning session is like boot camp and I relearned the intensity of this workout. After arriving home and downing a bowl of Special K, it took an hour before I could lift my arms comfortably. Seriously.

So...the apples on stripes got finished today. Almost quit about 2 hours into it. Cause I wasn't into it! Always happens. So looking for inspiration, I flipped on a DVR recording of Oprah to help me get my butt in motion. My tv girlfriend. Then the 2nd wind kicked in and the crappy part of the painting started to make way for the good stuff. It's kinda bright, isn't it?

Now dinner awaits preparation. Huh....my arms are getting hhhheeeeeaaaaavvvvyyyyyy.

Insomnia 101

2008-04-08T04:44:00.004-05:00

In progress ... no title yet. 16" x 20" oil on gessobord.

Finally, a Monday I can work in my studio. I was messing around at first because deciding on my next subject to paint was proving rather daunting. So, little things were accomplished. First, the painting below, "Crossroads," was done last week but it didn't feel finished. So I went back in and changed the sky color and hit the lightest lights a bit more.

Feeling better about it now...it's a different style for me...an experiment.

"Crossroads"
16" x 20", oil on gessobord

Then all those paintings that haven't been varnished, got varnished. Maybe that's why I can't sleep...all those fumes. Of course, having a husband fall asleep while watching the basketball game finals last night with the tv going full blast and every light on didn't help. Our bedroom has french doors off that room (small cottage). He came to bed around 2 a.m. and guess who woke up and never went back to sleep? Don't you hate that when that happens? So, at 4 a.m. I just got up, put on a pot of coffee, and decided to update my blog.

After varnishing 4 paintings, I went through my digital images reserved for future paintings and decided to do the apples at the top of the blog. This photo was actually created for the 3 day workshop with the middle school kids. I think I had 6 photos of different still lifes for those classes. So, this time I decided to do one of these in oil (the classes were in acrylic) and take a bit of time and finish it all the way.

This is about 3 hours of work. One more half day should do it. Just got to find that half day.

...

Some Graphics work

2008-03-31T23:18:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted much of my graphic design work in the last year or so. Don't really know why because I almost spend as much time doing this kind of work as my painting.

As I've written many times before, I volunteer at a local non-profit art gallery in Dixon, The Next Picture Show by doing most of their graphic design work (show postcards, website stuff, etc.). The one above announces the upcoming 3D show. The area has many fine sculptors, fiber artists, etc. and they don't get the chance to strut their stuff as much as the area painters and photographers. The back of the card describes the show, the judge, the month's featured artists, and the show running concurrently in the lower gallery.

Today was a back to work day for Affinity AV, now a division of TDG Communications in Deadwood S.D. Weird working all by myself. The place was a royal pig sty when I walked in. The landlord is having all the brick walls cleaned and sealed. Most of the 3 floor building has red brick interior walls and they have been sifting red dust for quite awhile. Unfortunately the workers left the scaffolding up on the top landing along with my desk and office machines in the middle of the room with everything unplugged. Lots of wires every which way. Never fear...managed to get up and running within half an hour.

Jack left quite a mess in his hurry to get packed up for his move. I'll deal with that a little each day. As soon as the walls are finished, this little girl will be vacuuming like there is no tomorrow!

Back from Phoenix and Back to Winter

2008-03-30T16:54:00.004-05:00

"Crossroads"
16" x 20", oil on gessobord

We got home last night. Great vacation. Recommend it highly. Everything went so smoothly until the last leg of our trip. Almost got bumped and thanks to a good Samaritan, who gave up his seat, we made it back to Chicago. Unfortunately, Jeff's golf clubs and ALL of the Thompson's bags went on to Cincinnati! My two big bags made it home....yeah.

Sedona was wonderful and beautiful. I'll post some pics in another post. Tempe was fun. Went to a great brew pub.

Slept in like a baby today.

I managed to paint a quick barn landscape using very little detail and thinned down oils with Liquin. I didn't want to bog myself down today with loads of detail and just wanted to ease back into working at my easel. Don't know if I'm crazy about this piece, but I do enjoy the feel of light on the objects. You know, just noticed that the title of this piece, "Crossroads," is exactly what my life is right now...at a crossroads...hmmm.

Monday is my first day working without my boss Jack in the office. He's now in South Dakot a with his family and starting working at his new office. But, from my business email, I see he's currently sending me files and work directives (on a Sunday no less). Oh well...it's a new day tomorrow and life is full of changes.

Phoenix, Cubbies, and Betty

2008-03-25T10:01:00.006-05:00

Chicago Cubs Spring Training Still Life

Our trip has been a blast with a capital "b" so far. We left on Sunday from O'Hare. The flight and the connecting flight in Salt Lake City went off flawlessly. Everything has been as smooth as silk so far.

Yesterday, Monday, we went to Mesa to see the Cubs play the Texas Rangers. Earlier that morning we had the BEST BREAKFAST ever and then when the husbands (the boys) went to the golf shop to do boy stuff, we wandered over to a day spa and had the BEST PEDICURES ever. Mine was a Chocolate pedicure. Yep...that is what vacations are all about. As you can see in the photo above, I composed a still life of our lovely feet on the GREEN grass of our lawn seats at the game and of course, the beverage of choice.

Young Cheerleader

This little girl was the hit of our section of lawn seats. Not a peep out of her, just running up and down the small hill where we were sitting and chasing a rubber ball. Simple joy.

The new, other woman in our lives, "BETTY."

This past Christmas I bought this Garmin GPS unit for my husband. Debbie and I named her Betty. She has been a real trooper getting us everywhere since arriving in Phoenix. She got us turned around once during rush hour, but she "recalculated" quickly and we were right back on track.

We be lovin' our Betty.

...

Phoenix Bound

2008-03-16T14:34:00.003-05:00

"Left Leaning Lily"
18" x 24", oil on gessobord

It took two weeks, but I finally finished the Lily painting above. This lily was one of the flowers in my 26th wedding anniversary bouquet. Believe it or not, that green wall is my studio wall and some may feel that's a distracting color for a studio, but I find it stimulating, especially when the day is particularly dreary. No napping here!

My husband and friends (yes, the Thompsons), surprised me this week with the announcement that we are taking a one week vacation to Phoenix. We'll be there in time for the last week of Cub's spring training! Cool. It's my husband's present to me for my 50th birthday. This absolutely blew me away because last Saturday, 3/8, almost a week after my birthday, he threw me a surprise party. I've never, ever had a birthday party before and this one was a doozy. He, my daughters, and the Thompsons, all were in cahoots. It was held at the Thompsons. All 5 of my sisters and my mom were there, my inlaws, and close friends. Oh yeah, lots of wine and food too!

So...I won't be doing much posting Easter Week. We leave Easter afternoon.

Tomorrow Debbie and I are to go clothes shopping...I've got a bit of a cold today, but I'll muddle through it...heh. Also, busy week with meetings (a couple of art boards) and it's Jack's (my boss) last week in Illinois. The week we're in Phoenix, he and his family are moving to South Dakota. So we have lots to do client wise before we're both out of commission for a week.

Until next...
..

Regional Art Survey coming up

2008-03-13T08:27:00.006-05:00

Postcard for show opening Friday, 3/14/08.

Receiving award for IAAE Artist of the Year. Shakin' in my boots.

Debbie Thompson and some of her art students. Dixon received Featured School for the amount of great work that comes out of there.

Quick post today. Have lots to do and still haven't fixed my hair!

From the postcard at top, you can see a new show opens tomorrow at The Next Picture Show. I maintain their website that has a "Now Showing" slideshow on the main page. So far I have only a few images of artists' works and need a few more, so it's an early morning run in to take a few more pics. Will work on the slideshow tonight. Two of my paintings are juried into this show.

Affinity AV has become very busy also. My boss, Jack, has merged the company with TDG Communications in Deadwood, SD. Oh yeah, he and his family is also MOVING there in 2 weeks. The AAV will retain its name and I will be the interface for our local customers. Big changes and lots of work. We have an afternoon meeting out of town today. Gonna miss my Y workout tonight...darn.

The awards ceremony in Springfield, IL on Tuesday was very interesting. Lunch was the best part. Debbie's husband, John, drove. He got a ticket on the way home. heh

Well...gotta finish putting on the final touches and get my behind into Dixon. I PROMISE to get painting this weekend.

Big day...Public Speaking...torture

2008-03-11T07:26:00.003-05:00

"Cherries in Shadow," 18" x 24", oil on board

Well today is here. The Thompsons and the Roses are getting ready to leave for the capitol, Springfield, IL. It's Arts Education week and I am receiving the Artist of the Year award and Debbie is accepting (on behalf of her principal) the award for Featured School.

You know what that means don't you? A speech. Public speaking. This is SOOO out of my comfort zone. Last night at 9:30 I finally wrote something up. It's short and sweet. I believe the crowd will be happy with that, don't you think?

Also, I was to get two paintings into The Next Picture Show for the Regional Survey of Art Show IV. The show opens on Friday. Don't know when that is going to happen. In fact, one of the pieces juried in seems to have disappeared. I'm hoping it's at the gallery already. It could have been left there for another function. This scatter-brained stuff is getting on my nerves.

A good thing is that it's going to be over 40 degrees today. Almost wore my halter top...heh.

Creature Comforts presents "What is Art"

2008-03-07T08:17:00.003-06:00

Saw this video on Alyson Stanfield's ArtBizBlog yesterday. Funny, sweet, and makes you think about the central question that so many people ask, "what is art?"

The SLUG is back.

2008-03-02T12:15:00.007-06:00

Step 1. Toning with acrylic over my pencil sketch.

Step 2. Orangey acrylic wash applied over top of sketch. No more white.

Step 3. First level of oil color blocked in.

The Slug is back. That has been me for over 2 days. Friday, I didn't even get out of my pajamas, or bed, for that matter. Kind of a flu/cold thingy. Nature's way of saying that burning the candle at both ends never works. So...today I'm in clothes (not very cute clothes, but clothes nevertheless) and needing to do something but watch the food channel and taped episodes of American Idol.

I'm posting the acrylic part of this lily still life. Once it's dry, I will start working in oil. It's on (as usual) gessobord. The size is 18" x 24". I like working with glass reflections and lately the itch to do one or two has been getting the better of me.

So, stay tuned while I'm busy scratching that itch!

If I'm painting, then it must be snowing.

2008-02-25T19:26:00.003-06:00

"Apples on a Path," 16" x 20", oil on gessobord

First time in 2 weeks that I was back in my own studio doing my stuff. This piece isn't signed because I think it needs a bit more work. Lost my good light because, as usual this winter, it got very overcast and started snowing.

In fact, it's been snowing on and off for the last 2-1/2 months. A tourism board strategy meeting was scheduled for tomorrow, but it has already been canceled. (not complaining)

Back to the painting....after uploading the photo, it seemed more done then when I put down my brushes. I will check on it in the morning light (if we get any light ... heh) and see if it indeed can be called "complete."

Hope it isn't a "snow day" tomorrow. Have lots of work to do for Affinity AV. Big deadline coming up. My boss has 3 little kids and if school's called off, he works from home. Seems like we get a lot more done when we're working in the same location. You know...questions get answered a lot faster and that kind of stuff. Also, I've been in my house for 48 hours and am getting a tad stir-crazy.

Fundraiser a Success

2008-02-25T19:01:00.010-06:00

My painting for the fundraiser -created on-site
24" x 30", acrylic on canvas

Well, it's finally over. Last Saturday was the Art for Art's Sake fundraiser for The Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon, IL. The committee worked our butts off and it was well worth it. The artists that participated (40 of them!) seemed to enjoy themselves. We made sure they received a bucket of goodies (art supplies, coupons, snacks), a fully stocked break room, lots of volunteers to fetch and carry, a catered artist supper, wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Joy Meyer, creating a beautiful silk painting.

Beverly Garcia halfway through her painting.

Almost done!

People were silently bidding on each piece while the artists finished their pieces.

Live music performed by Flying Fish.

Todd (on right) also is an artist and had just finished his painting before getting on stage!

The silent auction turned to a live auction at 8 p.m. The highest silent bid on each piece was now the starting bid for the live auction.

Some of our art patrons waiting for their favorite paintings to come up for auction.

Kimberly Clark and me by the end of the night. Two pooped, loopy artists.

Road trip with Ethel

2008-02-18T18:33:00.004-06:00

Didn't have a painting to show this week, so I will share "Harry."

Long day today, but fun. Most of our acquaintances call my friend Debbie and I, Lucy & Ethel. We HAVE THAT MUCH FUN together almost all the time.

This coming Saturday, 2/23 is the "Art 4 Art's Sake" fundraiser for The Next Picture Show. We're both on the planning committee. Lots of work and details to take care of. The whole committee is praying for a great turnout.

Anyhooo...she and I drove up to Rockford to pick up a few last minutes paint supplies for the event (discussed here). First we stopped in Oregon, IL at the Dragonfly Studios. Kim, the owner and wonderful jeweler, decided to close the gallery so she can get back to working on her art. I had 4 paintings there and needed to get them.

By the way, the temperature is around 12 degrees and windy. Brrrrrrrr. So then we continue to Rockford and start filling up my van with all our shopping stuff. Stopped at Five Forks for a great lunch (and a little bit o'wine!). We heard about a great new grocery stop way north of Rockford and headed up there. I tell ya, the van was bursting at the seams and the weather was getting windy and colder.

We got back to my house by 4:45, unloaded all of Ethel's stuff into her car and then I made supper for the husband and myself.

Not a lick of art done today. Sorry about that.

I did pick out my subject that I will be painting for the fundraiser. Most likely will be some kind of barn and landscape. They sell pretty well in this neck of the woods.

If you're in the area, drop by and purchase a ticket!

Doing basics today

2008-02-11T17:12:00.000-06:00

my studio with some of the painted gessobords
note to self: clean up this space!

Today was a boring day for blog readers, but busy day for me as an artist. This is the totally uninteresting, unglamorous part of being an artist.

I had ordered a bunch of gessobords awhile back. So today was spent underpainting a bunch of them, both the panel itself and the 2" cradles (sides). They were done in an orangey color. My paintings never start on the white background. Then I painted some of the finished paintings sides black...no frames needed.

Then, I set up a whole mess of different still lifes and took a bunch of pictures. I may have gotten 2 or three good images (or interesting anyway) out of 50 set ups. So, those will have to be edited and played with before they even start getting near a painting surface.

Also, most of Sunday afternoon and part of this morning was spent adding to my mailing list and art records on the computer. I recently purchased eArtist as my database software. So far, so good, but this requires a bit of discipline of sitting down a certain time each week and logging in all that stuff.

This week is going to be a ball-buster (and that's saying something since I'm a girl). Our restaurant is VERY busy this coming Valentine's Day, we also have b&b rooms on and off all week. At my other job, Affinity AV, we are finishing up one big website client and will be training some of their folks on the new site, and then we start on our biggest website ever. The Art 4 Art's Sake fundraiser is coming soon, and being on the committee, we have a big meeting tomorrow night to get all the final details locked in, and then on to the Y for a workout...much needed I might add.

I'm feeling that over wrought feeling again. Truly hate that feeling because it makes me a little bit bitchy.

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Painting on site & LIVE

2008-02-09T12:14:00.000-06:00

Art 4 Art's Sake Fundraiser for The Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon, IL
Saturday, February 23, 2008

Along with 40 artists, I will be painting on site and live on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Commerce Towers in Dixon Illinois.

The artists will start arriving by noon or so, and will be set up to start on paintings (or jewelry, etc.) ranging in size from 20" x 24" to 30" x 40". Each piece of art will cover the broad spectrum of styles -- abstract, impressionism, to realism.

By 6:00 p.m. the ticket-paying public will be arriving to watch the artists in full throttle of their creations. Most people never see this happen. We artists can be a solitude bunch. So, from 6-8 p.m. the public can start bidding silently on each piece of work as they are being created and then just after 8 p.m. each piece will be brought on stage. The LIVE auction then starts at the silent bid high of each painting, jewelry, etc. All of the paintings will be done in a water media or some sort, so they will be dry when the new lucky owners take them home.

Live music by "Flying Fish" will be going strong. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and great appetizers, and sweets will be provided all evening. My restaurant, the Colonial Rose Inn, will be one of the food vendors that evening.

If you're in the area this particular weekend, come by. Tickets are currently being sold at three locations AND you may purchase them at the door that day.

CLICK HERE for more detailed information on the event, ticket purchasing info, and a map of course. FYI...the Quality Inn and Comfort Inn (in Dixon, just off I88) are offering discounted rooms to anyone who mentions at the time of reservation, The Next Picture Show!

Oh yeah...don't forget to subscribe to my blog (to the right).

You can now SUBSCRIBE to my blog!

2008-02-07T13:38:00.000-06:00

Yep. All grown up now.

Just click to subscribe to my blog (it's right under my profile picture on the right).

What does that mean? Whenever I publish a new post, you will be emailed or notified of the that I have been busy updating my blog with news of events, finished paintings, etc.

I've been getting comments sent to me personally by "lurkers" out there who see that some of my paintings sell very quickly and that they wish they could have known when I was posting them.

Problem solved.

Go ahead. Don't be shy. Subscribe today.

Landscape, Evil Weather, and unexpected Honor

2008-02-04T16:59:00.000-06:00

"Passing By"
24" x 18", oil on gessobord

Didn't get into the studio until after 1 p.m. today. My youngest came home from Chicago Saturday and I drove her to the train this morning to catch the 8:49. The weather, as usual, was unbelievably disgusting. We got another 5" of snow yesterday evening...which by the way wasn't even in the forecast. Imagine the surprise of people leaving their super bowl parties with all that snow. We were smart and stayed home.

By the amount of cars in the ditch on the way to the train, the roads must have been pure evil.

Today, it's foggy and we're having thunderstorms. Spring seems so far away!

The landscape above was done in one studio session today. My ease with landscapes is getting greater, but this one, although I like it, seems a tad off. It's signed, but we'll just let this little puppy sit for a couple of days and maybe the reason it seems off will become evident. If it's just me being a bit on the whacked side, then I'll just leave it be. Just below is the painting with the first stages of painting.

Okay...a bit of bragging is about to happen. Last Thursday I came home from work and found a letter from the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE). It announced that I am being awarded the IAAE Artist Award for my work with the Authentic Artist program with 5th & 6th graders of Reagan Middle School and mural work with the Juvenile Probation Program (both of Dixon, IL). I was nominated by teacher and bff, Debbie Thompson. Awards will be presented at the IL state capitol on March 11. Pretty cool.

Museum of Modern ICE in Chicago

2008-02-02T11:52:00.000-06:00

A closeup of one of the pieces of "watercolor" ice.

If you're in the Chicago area this month, YOU HAVE TO check this out! Go to Museum of Modern Ice's website to see the photo gallery of Gordon Halloran's (a fine Canadian) work. Here's an article about Halloran!

Read below some details on this work of art in ice!

Situated behind Millennium Park’s famous Cloud Gate sculpture, Halloran will create his largest and most spectacular installation to date, a monumental and colorful ice wall measuring 95 feet long and nearly 12 feet tall.

One side, visible from Michigan Avenue, echoes the city’s renowned skyline. The other side—full of color, complexity and variety—is meant to be interactive and seen in close proximity. Inspired by a glacial wall in its final stages of movement toward the ocean, the installation will evolve over time with natural and planned changes, encouraging visitors to return frequently to observe the activity.

Halloran’s ice paintings use portable refrigeration technology: modular aluminum plates that efficiently conduct the cold. These tabletop-size plates assembled into different configurations help in crating, displaying and maintaining the ice works, regardless of temperatures.

Art Biz Coach

2008-01-30T19:24:00.001-06:00

As promised a couple of days ago, here is the short and skinny on the workshop I took this past Saturday. It was called "I'd Rather Be in the Studio." The speaker was Alyson Stanfield from the Denver area. Her blog and newsletter have been a daily read of mine for about 2 years (give or take). Her website is ArtBizCoach.com and her blog is ArtBizBlog.com.

She helps artists to become more focused in their business and marketing needs. Her new book of the same name, "I'd Rather Be in the Studio," was just released and made its debut at this workshop. Yep, I bought one and she even signed it.

Learned that your mailing lists need to be up to date, be technologically adept or hire someone who is by getting a website and a BLOG! Well, two out of three ain't bad. Gotta work on that mailing list thingy!

The workshop was put on by the Deer Path Art League at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest, IL. It's one of those north shore suburbs...old money and beautiful. I used to work there in the late 80s and both my daughters were born there.

I met some great, talented people that day. The workshop was also something totally out of my comfort zone since I didn't know a soul. Forces you to stretch your wings and reach out. Unnerving at times, but necessary.

Oh, and getting a Garmin GPS unit for my husband for Christmas, was another way of getting me to drive somewhere out of my comfort zone. Jeff probably thinks that gift wasn't really for him! The little lady in the Garmin guided me all the way to the North Shore in absolutely horrible weather.

Once we sell the restaurant and inn, I hope to delve more into the business and promotional side of my art. I promise. Really.

Sitting still for Cherries

2008-01-28T16:13:00.001-06:00

"Cherries in Shadow," oil on gessobord
18" x 24"

Back to still lifes again today. This one was definitely going south about half way in. My goal (without knowing I set this internal goal), is to try to do at least one complete painting per studio session.

The palette for this piece was cad. yellow light, cad yellow medium, a smidge of cad. orange and cad. red medium, thalo blue, ultramarine blue, diox. purple, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. For the first time ever, I didn't have any kind of green. It was a mistake actually, and I didn't notice until near the end.

My show at The Next Picture Show gallery will be finishing up on 1/31, so I will have to go take that down this week. Also, another gallery will be closing up at the beginning of March that has a few of my pieces. So, I have to go get those too.

Our restaurant has been looking pathetic because I've had to raid it to having paintings for these galleries. Thank goodness for my own private venue for times like this.

This past Saturday, I attended the "I'd Rather be in the Studio" workshop by Alyson B. Stanfield. It was very good and I'll post later on that experience.

A step towards a New Year's resolution

2008-01-24T08:21:00.000-06:00

This year I decided (in my mind) that I am going to do more workshops, either hands-on painting workshops or art business workshops. So, this Saturday I will take my first step in doing that.

I will be attending a "no excuses art marketing workshop" with Alyson B. Stanfield in Lake Forest Illinois (about 2 1/2 hours from me). This is put on through the Deerpath Art League in Lake Forest. The workshop is called, "I'd Rather to be in the Studio, But I have to Eat!"

Alyson Stanfield has a blog called ArtBizBlog.com. I read her stuff everyday. In fact, to keep up with my favorite artists and gallery owners, (and I use Firefox as my browser), I made a bookmark folder with all these blogs and then when I click on the "artist blogs" bookmark folder, at the bottom of the drop-down list is a command, "open all in tabs." Love that. I sometimes can click through 15 blogs in 5 minutes or 3 hours, depending on how many of them made recent posters to their blogs. It's great.

Back to landscapes

2008-01-22T08:47:00.000-06:00

"Anterior Road"
12" x 16", oil on board

As promised yesterday, here is picture of the 2nd painting I did yesterday. This piece went faster than the smaller painting I did yesterday (6" x 8", King of the Hill). Landscapes, for me, are much looser in style.

With still lifes, I still tend to tighten up. Need to work on that.

Going small

2008-01-21T18:04:00.000-06:00

"King of the Hill"
6" x 8", oil on board

I didn't get in the studio until 1:00 today. My youngest daughter came home from Chicago for the weekend and I had to get her to the train by 8:45 a.m. in Mendota, IL. That's about 40 minutes away. Then I had to get myself back home for a 10:00 meeting. Made it with flying colors. The meeting took two hours and hopefully, I will be able to report some good news on that in the near future. Gotcha curious didn't I?

So the first painting I did today....did I mention that I completed TWO paintings today? Well, I did! While I was painting, it started to snow and it was so peaceful, that I got into a real zone. Couldn't stop.

The second one is a 12 x 16 landscape. I'll post the picture tomorrow, because the light for photography had deteriorated.

Ice Jam at the dam in Dixon, IL

On Sunday, yesterday, my daughter, Debbie, and I thought it would be fun to go to an open house. I had my eye on this one home, and was curious to see it. Oh, the agreement on this adventure was unanimous. So, we get to the house, and ring the bell, when a sinking feeling came over me. Where is the "open house" sign? The homeowner answered the door and said the open house was the day before. Duh

Well, we brushed that moment of stupid off and just did what any 3 healthy American women would do. Lunch.

Just before going back home, we stopped to take a picture of the ice dam on the river. You can't see the real dam anymore because of the ice. Flooding is starting to occur to the north.
Today it warmed up quite a bit, 20 degrees. I was wearing my tank top. heh

Gotta love friends

2008-01-14T15:00:00.000-06:00

"Oranges over Dots", 16" x 20", oil on gessobord

As an exhibiting artist member at The Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon, IL, we are given at least 2 weeks each year to be the featured artist. This means we can show our work at the front of the gallery. My 2 weeks start on Jan. 15 through 31, 2008.

My work featured until Jan. 31, 2008 at The Next Picture Show

This past Sunday, my friends Debbie & John Thompson, and my husband, Jeff, and I went to the gallery to take Debbie's featured artist show down (she sold FOUR paintings) and then they proceeded to help me get my show up. Two birds with one stone you know. We did all that and packed the cars up within one hour's time. Not bad at all. Gotta love friends.

We then walked down to Books On First, a wonderful independent books store, for a coffee and general chit chat. We were killing time before a 3:15 movie. We went to see "Juno." Everyone enjoyed the show, which is saying something when going with 4 people who all have different movie tastes! Then a quick supper at a local eatery and then home. I was pooped. It didn't help that it got really cold and blustery. Seems when it gets that way, I use a lot more energy just keeping warm. Heater car seats are a beautiful thing.

Today, I did a quick still life of oranges on a polka-dot cloth. SEE TOP of post. Did this in one afternoon. Blue and orange seem to go well together...really pop against each other.

My studio dog, Annie, was lonely and did a rare climb to my 2nd floor studio and plopped herself down between my easel and stool. I didn't have the heart to move her, so I painted the oranges straddling an old fat, farty, black lab.

Multi-tasking is a good thing.

What's next, locust?

2008-01-07T15:15:00.000-06:00

"Order Up," 24" x 36", oil on gessobord

Last Wednesday the weather was zero. Today it's 65. It's thundering and hailing. Tornado warnings are being announced now. My snow is all gone. It now looks like Beruit outside. Keep an eye out for locust.

Finished up the painting above and named it "Order Up." The kitchen staff in our restaurant were plating up a dinner party of around 50 ppl when this was taken. My husband is in the white ball cap.

Just cleaned up my studio so I can start dinner. Hopefully, I can run back up to the studio to set up some still lifes. Knowing me however, that might just fizzle after supper. You know, full stomach and all. But I hear there's ANOTHER football game on tonight. Boredom may get me back to work.

I am featured exhibiting artist member (for the local gallery) from Jan. 16-31. I want to get a couple more new pieces ready for the show. We'll see.

Another weather alert just came over the radio. I will never have a house without a full basement. Oh, I just remembered...my husband left a couple of hours ago to go hit some balls at the golf course. It's been raining. Where the heck is he? geez

I almost slept through it!

2008-01-05T09:30:00.000-06:00

"Rock River Sunset," acr/canvas, 24" x 48"

Yesterday was a busy day capping off an incredibly busy 2 weeks. All my kids have gone back to their lives, the restaurant is back in business after the New Year's holiday, and I got one "big mamma" head cold. I hadn't been back at Affinity AV for almost 10 days and decided it was time to do some non-artwork, non-restaurant stuff for a change. I worked there cleaning up the admin side of the business, had a conference call with Jack (the owner) and 2 old retired ad guys from the Chicago area (another story altoghether!!!) and then it was already after 5:00!!!

I had to be at The Next Picture Show gallery for the opening of the "River Reflections" show. Two of my pieces were juried in and my BFF (debbie) is featured artist at the front of the gallery and she had folks coming in for that also.

So, I hustled my snot-filled head home to drop off my laptop...way too cold to leave it in the car all evening, feed the dog, say "hey" to the staff and husband, and have a quick bite to eat. Did all that and decided to rest my eyes for a few minutes. Well, I zonked out and woke up at 6:39! Awards are given out at 7! I am the unofficial photographer for this kind of stuff at the gallery and I am the keeper of their website also.

Thank the good lord the cops weren't on the highway as I sped to Dixon! I made it and had to park a block away. The place was packed. Wonderful turnout.

The good news?

I placed first for the painting above AND it had a RED DOT on it when I walked in. Woo hooo. Debbie sold FOUR of her paintings also. The husbands were happy. heh heh

Debbie and her husband also had a gathering at their place after the show, which of course, I had to go to. Fortunately, since I have such a cold, I only had diet Pepsi for the evening. Which made it great driving home at 10 p.m. and waking up feeling good (besides the cold).

Tonight is pretty busy for the restaurant and I'll be making an appearance to make sure everyone shows up. Sunday could be wonderful. No b&b guests tonight and I'm going to work on the figurative painting that has been on hold for quite some time.

Until next....

New website is up!

2008-01-05T09:01:00.001-06:00

I have finally published my newly redesigned art website. The hardest part was changing the server information from old to new.

SiteKreator is the company I went with. It allows me to have a more up-to-date look and also allows me to do all edits and updates through my brower -- no downloading software. Now I can update on any computer -- anywhere. Cool.

Previously, I was using Yahoo SiteBuilder, which was fine to start with, but only allowed me to edit only on my PC (that had the software on it). I now use a MacBook Pro laptop almost all the time and SiteBuilder didn't work on a Mac.

There are still some things I'm learning and small kinks to work out, but all in all, I really like it. When you have a couple of minutes, take a look!

2008: New Year resolutions

2008-01-02T11:18:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year from the Rose's in Grand Detour, Illinois!
This is a view of the front of our inn and our little cottage (far left).

Well, it's 2008 and time to get my rear in gear. I've been away from my easel because my studio became a bedroom for one of my visiting daughters. Plus, with running the restaurant and inn these last 2 weeks during the NEVER-ENDING holiday season was a big priority.

We had lots of snow at the end of the year and particularly on New Year's Eve itself. Only one table canceled, which was amazing. We were sold out otherwise. The roads in Ogle County were some of the least plowed, but the customers were very cool about it!

Today, I have to take 2 paintings to The Next Picture Show gallery that have been juried into the "River Reflections" show that opens on Friday, the 4th. Also, I have 2 meetings at the same gallery, back to back. Volunteer stuff.

2008 Resolutions

Get MORE time in the studio. Whatever it takes.
Sell the restaurant and inn. We have a good realtor, now it's up to them to get it done!
Take workshops with artists I admire from OUT of the area. Maybe Carol Marine or Karin Jurik.
Find a paying job that will assist me in doing some of the above.
Drop some volunteer work and NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT.

It's coming along....

2007-12-17T14:22:00.001-06:00

untitled, 36" x 24", oil on gessobord
2nd day's work

After a really snowy weekend, the sun came out and I got an early start in my studio today. This is my second day of work on the painting above. There isn't a name for this piece yet...just can't seem to get a title to pop into my head. It will come.

I mainly tried to finish covering the surface and didn't touch the faces this week. Mainly, I was concerned with the values and blocking in the objects. I took a lot of the smaller objects out...too much detail. However, the bottle looks a bit on the lean-y side. Need to straighten it up a bit. Hopefully, I'll get this done in one more session.

When that session takes place will be the unknown factor. Both kids (and boyfriend) will be home for Christmas and my studio will turn into a bedroom. I purchased the Aero bed last week. Can't wait to see that puppy inflate all by itself. It's a full size bed and that will take up all my floor space.

Today, I'm finished doing studio work a bit early because I have a committee meeting at the gallery in Dixon at 3 p.m. It's 2:30 now, so it's time to get my rear in gear and on the road.

Happy holidays to everyone.

Plein Air in the snow

2007-12-14T09:31:00.000-06:00

Just saw this video from artist, Michael Chesley Johnson, doing a winter scene en plein air, outside....brrrr. The video is very nice compared to some artist videos. Found it on Artist's Magazine's blog.

Well...time to get off this laptop and on to the real world. Jeff just handed me a grocery shopping list for the restaurant and instructions to pick up his sous chef on the way back (that's what happens when you get too many dui's...bosses have to pick you up for work----ahhhh, the restaurant business...).

This afternoon, I have a meeting at the Lee County Courthouse (with Debbie and Arin) to find out about a new mural project! Post later on that job.

Ice Storm vs. Snow Storm

2007-12-10T18:44:00.000-06:00

the sketch

2nd stage...that's it for today, 36" x 24", oil on board

I vote for snow storm. Much easier to drive in! Last Thursday, Jeff and I catered a local Chamber of Commerce Christmas party at the director's house and it started snowing just as we left our place with all the food to go to their place. By the time we got there it was almost whiteout conditions and we started worrying...like, what if no one comes?

There we all were -- the 5 of us -- sitting there with all this great food and cases and cases of wine and beer. I think we would have been fine if no one came...heh heh. But, almost everyone came and a good time was had by all.

Today we're in the midst of an ice storm that's supposed to get really snarky tomorrow. So, I'll spend another day at the easel instead of driving into Dixon to work.

Speaking of easel, I started on a figurative study (above). It's Jeff (in white baseball hat) and some of our staff plating up a private party in our restaurant kitchen. I don't do too many figurative paintings, but do them occasionally to keep me from getting rusty. I would have gotten farther along, but I decided to make my Italian gravy today and that takes a bit of time...it's called procrastinating about going into my studio.

2007-12-03T16:21:00.001-06:00

"Last Blooms of Summer"
20" x 16", acrylic on board

Wooo hooo! Made it into the studio today and actually got to paint. I had about 4 finished paintings that needed their sides painted (they are all 2" cradled gessobords) a nice rich dark color. It really sets off the painting from the wall.

Painting the sides of these things is something I tend to put off, like getting them wired for hanging. My cordless screwdriver bit the dust and now I have to use an old-fashioned screwdriver! I know....crazy, right?

Today I finally got around to painting the featured piece. I sketched it out at the end of September. Its an acrylic instead of my usual oils. Needed a change and it was fun to do a painting in one session. Although I think I'll need to work on the background transition a bit more.

Don't know when I will be able to get back in the studio. Christmas parties in the restaurant start full swing this week.

Thanksgiving done...Christmas well on its way.

2007-11-26T15:27:00.000-06:00

Well, trying to do any painting is certainly becoming impossible. I was hoping to do some today, but I had to finish the xmas decorating.

Front parlor...the tree skirt is somewhere in the house!

Saturday I did our restaurant's bar/lounge, and 2 public dining rooms. Three trees, 2 fireplace mantles, lots of window stuff.....no pictures of that though. After the last bit was done, I just poured a glass of wine and walked out the door to go home! The day before, my husband, and 2 daughters (both home for the holiday) went to a local tree place and purchased an 11' Frazier Fir for the front room of our bed & breakfast. The ceilings are 12' in there.

Front parlor mantle...the Santa collection is actually put to good use.

So, today I did that tree (almost 900 lights!) and the mantles of both the front parlor and formal dining room. The dining room is where we serve breakfast to our guests.

Looking into the dining room.

We have the whole place (restaurant and all) up for sale and I hope and pray with all my heart that this is the last time I have to do this. Shall we say that the joy is gone and when that happens it's time to get out.

Might be moving this blog!

2007-11-18T22:31:00.001-06:00

I've been working most of the evening in redesigning my website. I'm using SiteKreator and so far it's working out pretty well. As with any new process, there are bumps along the way.

I figured out the gallery slideshow and customizing the header banners to reflect my work. The email forms are giving me fits. They have a forum and that may be my next avenue to get help with.

The new site gives me the option of including a blog within the site, which means I have to eventually transfer all my stuff over...if I can. Keep an eye out!

My husband and I are hosting both sides of the family for Thanksgiving. So, this week will have not painting for me. Grocery shopping, cleaning, and my hair color could use a touch up!

Old Boys Club Wannabee

2007-11-11T12:22:00.001-06:00

"Old Boys Club" 16" x 20" oil on board

On Saturday, I attended a "free paint" one day oil painting workshop by Michael Gerry at The Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon.

It was the first time I could attend one of these because Saturdays are not normally available for me. But this time, I disregarded that and decided to take my art life back and actually put it on the front burner!

The class was a lot of fun where I got to meet some new people and get reaquainted with Mike. Mike used to be a neighbor of mine here in Grand Detour. He is very well know for his large, detailed closeups of flowers. Click to go to one of his galleries to see some of his work.

There were five of us in class with a wide range of experience levels. We got to paint what we wanted, which is what I really wanted to do. I picked an onion still life on a 16" x 20" board.

My challege was to do an oil in one sitting. The challenge was met and accomplished. Debbie attended the class with me and she did her first ever color oil portrait (of her son Chris). The finished piece is fabulous. She caught the likeness of Chris amazingly well.

This is (I think) a 36" x 36" oil of a peony by Michael Gerry. Cool huh?

The other 3 students did landscapes and they all managed to finish (well mostly) and their pieces are excellent.

We gabbed and laughed a lot. At lunch we ducked out the back door to the Alley Loop...a local bar/deli. We got to know each other over Crazy Cuban sandwiches....mmmmmmmm.

By 4:00 we pretty much wound things up. All in all a great day. I look forward to other workshops.

Her Majesty completed

2007-11-05T17:00:00.000-06:00

"Her Majesty," 24 x 24, oil on board

She's all done. Worked on her today. This one was harder than I planned on. I don't like to use small brushes very often and this painting forced me to do that. Painting more loosely is my goal and the during the last half of working on this piece I was married to keeping things crisp and tight. But, the composition pushed me to do that. If I had not cropped into the subject so tightly, I could have painted more loosely. I still like her though. She's one of the fine old farmhouses just outside of Dixon, Illinois (northwestern illinois). Debbie and I took a farm hunting/picture taking drive around May this year and snapped a bunch of images just as the sun started to get low in the early evening sky.

Debbie and my daughter showing joy over free sample beverage.

Jeff and I met my sisters (3 of the 5), my beautiful daughter, my mom, brother-in-law, and of course my bff Debbie in Chicago to see Wicked yesterday afternoon. My sister, Judy, was the ticket getter and we met at her place and went to a nice lunch at an Italian place not far from her and then we caught a couple of cabs to the Ford Oriental Theatre. The play was wonderful. I wish I could hold a note that long.

My sister, Judy, showing joy over Pinot Grigio at lunch.

The evening was beautiful and we decided to take the el instead of cabs because my mom said she had never taken the el before. So we did. It was fun...yeah, it was! We got back to Judy's and had a little wine, watched the end of the Indiana/New England football game, and raided Judy's shoe closet. She was cleaning it out to make room for more! We're helpful that way.

Then we hit the road back to Dixon. Home by 9 p.m. A really nice day. Slept late this morning and got into the studio a bit late, but who's watching?

This weekend I'm attending an "open" oil painting one day workshop with Michael Gerry. We can bring our own subject to work on and not be in a more traditional class. I haven't done one of these in a long time because Saturdays are normally out for me because of the inn and restaurant. Nov. is slower in that area and I'm taking advantage of it! I'll probably do a still life.

Studio time scarce these days

2007-10-30T09:05:00.000-05:00

"Her Majesty," 24" x 24" oil on gessobord (unfinished)

Getting into my studio these days has been a problem. Fall brings on more activities that pull me away from the easel unfortunately.

This past Sunday, while the Bears were being absolutely pitiful, I did get into my studio to work for a couple of hours on the painting above. Adjusted some values, and tightened up some of the lines. Although I noticed as I was prepping this photo for today's post, that the window on the lower far right is still not right. That's why I love oils. Once it dries a bit, I'll go in and adjust it a bit. Really don't want to spend a lifetime on this and make it too fussy. It's not meant to be an architectural study.

Today, I'm getting packed to go to on an overnight to Galena, IL for an IEZA (Illinois Enterprise Zone Assoc.) event. I helped with the development of their website earlier this year (and continue to maintain and update it), so one of their members invited me to this function. Doesn't hurt that the member is my best friend's husband. Thanks John.

So, we'll be back in Dixon VERY EARLY due to Debbie's a teacher and I am supposed ot be assisting in a video shoot for a local client. It's my first time doing that, so we'll all have to be good monkies tonight in Galena. Just in case, I'm taking my BIG jar of Advil. heh heh

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Heard through a little birdie that Debbie, Arin, and I might be getting another mural project. Will hear for sure in a couple of weeks. Lots of work, but very rewarding!

Starting on Her Majesty

2007-10-22T20:05:00.000-05:00

Step One...red cad underpainting with quick sketch painted in.

Next step and end of day 2...blocking in colors. Where there is red showing is where I need to paint.

Started a 24" x 24" oil on board with red cad underpainting. This farm house is somewhere out in the country around here. Debbie and I took a drive in the early spring during the evening looking for interesting barns/buildings/landscapes. My memory doesn't allow me to remember where exactly this was. The painting right now is about half done. The windows are all cock-eyed and stuff, but accuracy wasn't my main goal today. That will come later.

I only got in a couple of hours of work today. This past August Debbie, her daughter, Arin, and I participated in "The Mural Project" with 4 kids in the juvenile probation system. They were looking for new ways for juvenile offenders to work off their community service in more productive ways. We all created a 10' x 20' long mural of "magical trees."

Today we were invited to a reception honoring all of us and the kids. It was very nice. Rumor has it that there are more murals in our future. Cool.

Then Debbie and I and our husbands went to Kelly's in Sterling for some tasty food and a couple of beers. Hit the spot.

Quite day in the studio

2007-10-15T16:46:00.000-05:00

"Pine Creek Autumn"
24" x 30", oil on gessobord

It's been two weeks since I've been in the studio and it was productive. Finished the landscape above. Wish I could get more studio time but since it is autumn, the bed & breakfast and restaurant business is in super busy mode. We've had 2 weddings, big baby shower (wish I had one of those when I was in pregnant mode!), and a big birthday party, along with rooms, and busy public restaurant dining.

The fall colors have been slow in coming this season. Normally by the end of the 2nd week of October colors are hitting their peak. This year, colors are just slowly appearing. It has been warmer than average, but who knows? It really is never quite the same every year. Or else my memory is fading faster than I thought!

Until next...

Guest Artist Program -- Day 3

2007-10-11T16:26:00.000-05:00

Student getting expert instruction from art teacher, Debbie Thompson.

Wooo hoooo! The paintings are signed, brushes cleaned and paper palettes thrown out. Canvases are everywhere (almost 150 of them).

Today was the easiest and most relaxed of the project. Mostly because the kids were very used to the system and we just really needed to do some minor detail work and sign the paintings. I have the kids just initial the paintings because, as most kids do, if they signed their whole name, most of them would use most of the lower half of the canvas to accomplish this task. So, we did the 3 initial system. Only one child signed it kind of in the middle. I just looked away and kept my mouth shut. heh

Wrapping those stripes around the canvas sides.

They really accomplished a lot for 11-12 year olds. Each class is around 42 minutes, then subtract initial set up, teacher talk, artist talk, paint .... paint .... paint....questions...answers, refill paints, paint... paint...clean your brushes...empty your water, clean your space...bell rings AND OFF THEY GO.

Another honor awaits some of the young artists. Five to six paintings will be selected from each class to be displayed at The Next Picture Show gallery in Dixon. The gallery has a lower level that showcases student artwork throughout the 4 county area. When the gallery has an opening (juried adult art exhibitions) every 6 weeks or so, the student gallery also has their opening to the public. This brings in the students' family and friends who might otherwise not ever come into the gallery. It becomes a way of life to the general public.

Just adding her intials!

I believe the next opening is next Friday, (Oct. 19) for the Color Shots 2 (a color photography show). It will be fun.

The local paper sent a photographer and reporter today to interview the kids. Thanks for stopping by Melinda and Alex.

Well, it's time to get ready for the Y. I'm kinda beat and would like to skip this part of the evening, but a good set of crunches never hurt anyone, right?

Almost finished with the last minute touches.

Line up of artists and canvases.

These are my "as finished as they can be" demo paintings.

Guest Artist Program -- Day 2

2007-10-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

Two down, one to go! Enjoy the pics of the classes below.

After finishing up yesterday, I was really pooped. When I got home around 3 p.m., I did some minor (and I mean minor) housework, online banking, emails, updated this blog, and then did some serious talking to myself about making sure I went to the Y for my workout. I view workouts like a visit to the dentist. Never, ever look forward to it, but feel good once it's over with. Also, Debbie is a Y fanatic and she would be just as tired or more after today's art challenge!

So what's my excuse, right?

Well, Jeff wanted me to pick up an Italian beef for him and Gyro for me at Benny's in Dixon after my workout. Which is VERY conveniently located across for the Y (and McDonald's come to think of it). It's a freakin' conspirancy. So, I figure it's better to eat that kind of stuff AFTER a workout.

Okay, okay....on to DAY 2 with the kids.

A row of paintings of the still life with Anaheim peppers.

The second day is always a bit easier than the first. For one thing, both the kids and myself are more comfortable and familiar with each other. Second, they have picked up some skills, like handling a brush, mixing paint and overcoming the fear of covering a canvas quickly. Which is what we need to do with so little time between classes.

I came in just 15 minutes earlier to help Debbie get the paint palettes loaded for the kids. It's just 15 minutes, but it sure makes a difference. We even had time for a cup of tea! How civilized.

The first day, we only had ONE absence out of 6 classes (and that was after 4 days off for these kids--Columbus Day). Today, almost each class had an absence. Weird, huh? The weather has really cooled also. Monday it was 88 degrees, today it topped out at 54. Kids get sick so easy...today a bunch of them had on shorts, tshirts, and flip flops.

But, I digress.

5 of the 6 paintings that I started the demo's with after one day. Hard to do a lot and teach at the same time. That's really, really hard.

Today was also extra special because Debbie's daughter, Arin (beautiful, brilliant, an artist in both the visual and writing arts) stopped by after lunch to just sit and paint along with the kids. Nice to have another adult...sometimes it feels like it's us against them just by sheer numbers!

The second day on the Oranges on blue-dotted cloth. Kinda fun.

Later, Jenny Bubrick (sp?) a friend, substitute teacher, and quick wit stopped by to help Debbie and I with refilling palettes, cleaning brushes, assisting in the shhhushing, etc. By the end of the day, we were all getting a bit punchy and little comments & jokes, puns (whatever) started to fly amongst all of us, just to see if any of the kids got it. Ninety-nine percent of it flew over their heads (we could tell by the way were met with complete silence) and it just made us laugh even harder. We were getting so goofy.

Cut Apples on Striped (soon to be ) Cloth, 2nd day

In each class, we got to about 75 percent completion. Which is good, because we have to be done by tomorrow. We started putting in the darkest darks and the lightest lights and the kids were amazed when some of their paintings started looking like what they were actually painting!

That is such a cool thing.

Paint mixing...and getting those apples just right.

Time out for middle school silliness!

An updated shot of my work on the second day.

2nd day of the kids' work. Some started adding their stripes. Love the abstractness of it.

Last class of day 2...discussing technique. I hope.

Pears all lined up at the end of the day.