Friday, June 14, 2013

Not a painting

Pine Needle "Sconce"
7" tall x 5" wide at largest points
Opening is 3" deep by 4" wide at top
Hanger is reinforced with wire

So the secret is now out.   You thought I was only a painter.  Nope.  I do this in my spare time.  Ha!  Believe it or not, I actually, have all my basket making supplies right beside all my painting things.  It sort of breaks things up for me - especially when perhaps a painting is not really going the direction I want, or if I just get burned out, or whatever the case may be.  For some people, this would be torture I know - they have told me so.  But for me, it has a therapeutic quality. 

I had always been interested in pine needle basketry, and it seemed a logical choice considering we live in the woods where pine needles are plentiful. . . .and free.  My grandmother's generation made things from pine needles, and I've been told that at one point the skill was even taught in school.

I met a wonderful lady at an art festival several years ago who makes amazing baskets.  She also gives lessons, so I signed up, and that was the beginning.   I sometimes go for months without making anything, but I have recently picked it back up, partly because I didn't want to forget what I already knew.

I will post more as I complete them.  They are verrrrryyyy time consuming.   My best guess would be that this little guy probably took about 10 - 12 hours to complete - could be more.  I really don't keep track.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Just Beachy

Sold
8" x 8" on canvas panel
Acrylic applied with palette knife

This is just a little ditty that is fun and bright and sold at Blue Ridge.  I love painting big, but these little guys are also fun to do, and almost anyone can find a spot for an 8 x 8.  I reckon I'll be doing some more of them!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Sold!

Three of a Pear
40" x 30" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

It was a great weekend in Blue Ridge, Georgia!  The weather fully cooperated for a change - well except for the huge gusts of wind on Friday while trying to set up.  Other than that, it was great.  In fact, because it was about 92 and 1000000% humidity here in FLA when I left, I had not anticipated it being 39 Saturday morning.  Luckily I did leave a pear - oops - I mean a pair of legging in my suitcase. 
This painting went to a young couple who were visiting the festival with their 4 beautiful blond girls - the oldest being 12.  I was very happy and excited for them to have it.  I finished this painting about 6 months ago, and even changed the shape of the right pear a little after this picture was taken.  Anyway, this particular painting received a lot of attention from other artists, from judges, and from patrons, but  I couldn't seem to find the right buyer for it - until this weekend.  I had a great time in Blue Ridge, and in Murphy, NC - where I stayed, but I have to say, even just after four days, I was already starting to miss the palm trees.   Back at home now and will be doing mostly local stuff until July. 

Monday, January 14, 2013

A Painting

I was at a beautiful little show at Coquina Beach (on Anna Maria Island) this past weekend and brought my paints and a few canvases with me.  As I was working on this little blue boat behind my tent, unbeknownst to me, someone was watching me.  She came around to the front and said - how much?  I want that one.  I wasn't finished with it.  She and her friends had looked around the show, eyed a few things they wanted, and were now going to go to the beach (just a few steps away) for a while and think and talk about them.  She said I could finish it while she was gone.  Pressure was on now.  I did finish it, she did come back, and she did purchase it.  It was a really gorgeous weekend here in FLA - the beaches were pretty full since it was around 80 degrees during the day.   (And this is part of my 30 in 30, although I've lost count as to how far behind I am - I doubt anyone is counting!) 

Sunday, January 6, 2013

THREE & FOUR/THIRTY



Trying to catch up, and unfortunately - NOT keeping with my goal of doing only knife paintings.  Oh well - the story of my painting career.  Once I think I know something. . . . I don't.  I overworked these boats - and it shows.  I'll try again of course, after the frustration subsides some.  These pears were a complete re-do.  They hung in my booth the last two shows and I was never happy with them.  I took them down and painted over them last Sunday while at the show.  Then - yesterday I tried them with a knife and came "this close" to putting the knife right through the canvas.  Instead, I went outside to the water hose and hosed and scrubbed all the paint off.  I put them in front of the dehumidifier to dry and started over yesterday afternoon.  I guess I had calmed down by then, because I was much happier with this one.  I guess you have to know me to know about some of my meltdowns. . . . Luckily - I snap back pretty quickly. . . Hope to have numbers 5 and 6 by the end of the day.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

TWO/THIRTY

TWO/THIRTY

Well I'm 2/30 of the way there.  I am frustrated and struggling - but not necessarily with my painting - it's a long story for another day.  All in all, I am enjoying this 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and am really enjoying all of the other paintings being posted, most of which are nothing short of awesome. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

One/Thirty

ONE/THIRTY

I committed to do this challenge, and I'm going to do it if it kills me.  After a bit of thought and changes of my mind, I decided a couple of days ago (or was it yesterday???) that I would do nothing but knife paintings for this challenge.  I have several reasons for this decision, and I will save those reasons for later posts, so I will continue to have something to talk about as time goes on!  haha - like I ever am at a loss of something to say.  Sooo, anyway, here is #1.  I'm not particularly pleased with it - it was an experiment basically, but since my power was out yesterday, and I was not home all day today, and I don't want to get behind (which is bound to happen), I wanted to post something.  This is mighty child-like if you ask me, but at the very least it gave me practice with the knife.

I realized that I posted this assuming everyone reading my blog would know what I was talking about.  This is part of Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  It's not a contest and the rules are flexible.  About 250 artists have signed up, and we are all basically challenging ourselves to paint more.