One step forward...two steps back

Some artists sketch out their paintings, doing studies and organizing their thoughts on paper or canvas ahead of the actual final product like wise, wise people-NOT ME! I just dive right in-some days that works like a charm...creating fresh, unpretentious ideas and concepts...and some days, like today, I curse myself to tears for not preplanning...after the self loathing, I scribble over everything, throw my paintbrushes in the sink and retire for the night...that would be right now.

On days like today, I realize I've spent hours creating something that seemed perfectly on track for a while and somewhere...along the way...things. went. terribly. wrong. One step forward--two steps back--urghhh. What was supposed to be a very warm piece turned into a TOO warm piece...or maybe I just got into a gradually cooler mood, who knows...anyway, the painting got gradually cooler until it ceased making sense and now, except for the part shown above, it's just a big mess *sigh* ...Well, maybe, just maybe I can get a nice underlayer out of it later, we'll see.

This is exactly what I mean when I say I challenge myself to find my interesting stopping point...it's knowing where to stop that makes the artist...and sometimes, when we're at that crossroads, we take the wrong path and do a full circle....better luck tomorrow.

Rainy Day Bliss

We've been getting some awesome thunderstorms here in Austin. I love them, bring 'em on! Rainy days compliment all my favorite things...hot coffee, wildflowers, watching movies, good conversation, cuddling, roaring fires and of course...PAINTING! I have been in the zone all weekend getting things done, primarily my last series of paintings where I'm taking metallics and mixed media an extra step forward. Can't wait to post them....

The Galapagos

I just got back from an amazing journey through the Galapagos Islands. This wildlife lover's paradise has been unspoiled by the footprints of mankind and remains an enchanting eco corner of the globe...minimally changed from its origins thousands of years back...

There is something very minimalistic about the scenery here....wide open blue skies..framing the rocky, volcanic island floor...it's all so hypnotic.....yet, look even closer and you'll see more endemic and unique species than you can possibly take in during one trip....a constant battle of the senses....between the overall landscape versus the beauty of details.

This land, for me, emphasizes the importance of negative space....and how important it is to leave room to appreciate the tranquility and the precious gems of the land.

It was a worldly, sensual experience that is certain to stick with me for some time. See my new travel blog to read more about it:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/11f645/

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New York Art Expo... & The Art Pilgrimage

It's been a while since I've written; lately I've been doing a lot of soul searching...trying to figure out what direction I need to focus on in my career going forward...should I focus more on art shows versus internet sales versus retail venues etc?...it seems like there are so many different roads you can take as an artist, especially as a self represented artist. And, after wearing 10 hats, when you're at your most tired, the ever present thought of just handing all the grueling details over to a third person gallery is always looming there in the not so far distance.

Being an artist is a lonely job. You spend 90% of your time working alone...or with the guys at Fed Ex or the art store folks...blah...solitude can be a necessary evil if your art requires it...but...then we crash...and realize that it is absolutely essential that we get out of the studio to seek new inspiration, new artistic visions......absorb it...all types, forms and mediums....and ultimately fan the artistic flame....Introducing new thoughts to ourselves, seeing artists breaking the rules...awe, the courage...it can be very freeing...healing...even if you don't purchase a thing...

In the last couple of months I've dipped my muse into the oh so enlightening artscape of New Mexico which is so far my #1 favorite place to go when I need a good kick in the butt of artistic inspiration. I'll tell you more about that later....

Then last weekend I made a pilgrimage to the 2009 New York Art Expo, looking to find the holy grail of artistic talent.

Now, holy grail it was not...New Mexico still far outweighs the Expo experience, as far as I'm concerned, but there was definitely a lot of art to be seen-a couple of artists that I really admired-and many, many networking possibilities. A few more "cheap, painting mill" stuff out of China than I was expecting but...for the most part...

Has anyone out there tried exhibiting at New York Art Expo? If so, how did it work out?

Going to extremes

Ok, for some reason I can't pin down yet, I find myself in the mood lately to make really, really tiny paintings and really, really HUGEMONGOUS paintings...like some of the biggest yet....wonder what this means...hmmm???....in any case, I am going to be starting and finishing a whole series of both in the coming weeks so if you are curious, stay posted to see what these turn into.........

अर्त्फुल न्यू इयर!

Artful New Year to all my fellow art loving friends! One of my New Year's resolutions for 2009 is to blog more, about art, about life, about travel...whatever...it's just nice to be able to ramble...to connect...to throw caution to the wind....let down the guard a bit...tune in to see if I can keep this one.....