I have not been very attentive to this blog of late.  I have, unfortunately, been nursing a rotator cuff injury that has put a crimp in my artistic endeavors.  Physical Therapy starts tomorrow.  But, I now know which of my pieces has been juried into the Michigan Fine Arts Competition.  The opening artist reception and awards ceremony will be at the BBAC (Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center) on April 1, 2011 (hopefully this falling on April Fool's Day is not a bad omen).  I look forward to attending.

I am S L O W L Y finishing another provocative piece that will (hopefully) speak for itself.  I hope to finish it this week and present it soon.

Waiting for spring

I sometimes find it difficult to stay on the sunny side during these long Michigan winters.  I did manage to muster enough optimism to finish my party girl piece.  I do like the way the background turned out.  I am into bright colors recently, probably an unconscious attempt to compensate for the vast white blanket outside my window. 


 While I am pleased with this piece in general, I have to point out a flaw which will probably serve to relegate her to a permanent position in my home.  While adding the final touches, surface bubbles appeared...

I have to admit, this has happened to me once before and I did manage to camouflage the blunder.  I thought I had pinpointed my error but will have to go back to the drawing board on this issue.

But...I did manage to finish these sweet crocheted ducky slippers for the little jester, who immediately demanded to put them on so he could waddle around the house, quacking all the way.

On a Lighter Note

The tenor of my art changes frequently.  After I create one of my fiery pieces, I often feel the burden lift and change gears to create something more amusing.  I have finished the subject for my next piece and am nearly done perfecting her stage.  

I only use original vintage postcards, copyright free pages from well loved books (they are often falling apart as I cannot bring myself to savage a usable volume) as well as pre-1925 ephemera taken from old publications.

I have also been playing with hard molding paste which is what I embellished this bottle with.  It is difficult to see in the above pic but it brings an opaque sheen to the bottle, giving it an interesting appearance. 


I will finish this piece this weekend and post it soon.

Oppression

It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home.
Carl T. Rowan

I realize that this piece is a far cry from my recent work but the turmoil that is occurring in the world cannot go unnoticed.  I created this piece because I believe that nearly everyone experiences oppression in some form in their lifetime, be it physical or psychological.  Turning a blind eye only serves to promote further oppression and makes us co-conspiritors.  So this piece speaks loudly and, I'll admit is even a bit frightening, but if it pushes one person to stand up for another, then it has served its purpose.


Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is everybody's business to interfere when they see it.
Anna Sewell

Nat King Cole

I have been able to complete several new pieces over the last few weeks and I wish to share one of them with you now.  I felt the need to add to my Musical Artist Series and came across a photo of Nat King Cole in the Library of Congress archives.  I am very pleased with the result.  Click on the photo to zoom in.

I have mixed feelings about the recent sale of the above piece.  This piece entitled "Broken"  was sold from Margot's Gallery in Oxford last week.  It is always difficult to part with a piece as it becomes a part of me in its creation.  I am pleased with the purchaser, however, as she was truly touched by it and will, I'm certain, treasure her as I do.  

A Kind Soul

"Be kind whenever possible.  It is always possible." 

-Dalai Lama

Words to live by.

 The kindest soul I have ever met passed on this week.  My dear Aunt Carla (who was only one year older than me and more like my sister) lived her life with kindness.  Her death was not entirely unexpected.  She had been ill and yet she rallied recently and our hope was renewed.  It has been a tough time for all who really took the time to know her and she will be dearly missed.  

Let the sun shine

After a harrowing week (complete with a 4:45 a.m. wake up call on the weather radio trumpeting the blizzard warning), the sun is once again shining on a nine-inch blanket of new snow.  The kids are back in school after two blissful snow days and the birds are on the brink of finishing their third feeder full of seed.  

  

Actually, spending a few days hunkered down with the family in front of a roaring fire was great for the soul and I did manage to spend some time in the studio working on a new project while Emily, my youngest,  painted and embellished a picture frame.  I played with color during the whiteout and dreamed of warmer days.

I'm not certain it is finished, she probably needs to be holding something.  In the original pic it was a fan but I'm thinking maybe lipstick?, a powder puff?   I hung her up and will let her wait awhile while I think about it.  I really like the mirror image thing.  I imagine she is on a train, traveling to meet someone special.  There is a feeling of motion in this one.  

Here is a closer view...

  I'm off to work on something new and exciting.  Inspiration has returned!