Not far from the tree...Part 1

In honor of Mother's Day.

When my Mom tells people that her daughter is an artist and her son is an actor (and photographer), she always says she doesn't know where we get it from.  Seriously Mom?!  My Mother is one of the most inventive and creative people I know.  She knows how to do just about everything, knitting, crochet, upholstery, cross-stitching, caning (yes, caning)and sewing.  This is just naming a few things, not even mentioning household projects that she tackles.  It's great because she has instilled in me the idea that I really can learn how to do anything!

And they are a great addition to her sculpture garden.  There is an area behind our house where she displays her finds.  She is an avid junk store and antiqu-er.  If I need something between her and her sisters, I put the word out and viola!  (When I needed 200 dessert dishes for my wedding, they had them in under 3 weeks!)

So here is her sculpture garden where she shows off some if her finds. It sits on an ivy covered hill behind her house.

Yep, that's a garden hose.

(Chihuly inspired)

I am so fortunate to have such at talented, adventurous and fabulous Mama!

Happy Mother's Day!

Sidewalk planter

I have discovered I am a creature of habit.  I tend to run the same routes, walk the dogs on the same blocks etc...  But, I am trying to break out of that.  And when I do look what I find!!!

How adventurous and creative!  I came upon it, and thought what a nice surprise.

Happy adventures all! 

Iron Mountain

Yay!  A few hours in the studio yesterday, and two finished pieces. Finally!  Iron Mountain 1, and the Anguilla house are complete.  

The pics aren't the best.  I forgot my camera, so had to take the photo's with my phone.   I played around a bit in encaustic.  This image I attempted in oil a few years ago, and it just didn't work.  Hopefully it will come to life now.  I didn't quite have my sparkle as the afternoon wore on, so I ended up calling it quits a bit earlier than I had planned.  

Rooftop with a Bang

This weekend we finally got to christen our new rooftop furniture. We assembled and set up everything 2 weeks ago, and then we had many evenings of wind and rain.  Finally!  A perfect night, a great group of friends and what will now be considered Big Bang appetizers. (Which were a huge hit!)

(The appetizer recipes are here, and here.)

"Golden" Found Art Friday

Ok, this is unusually abstract for me.  I'm not sure if it comes through here or not, but the gold pigment is really strong, so a little goes a long way.  It's an encaustic painting, that may become a diptych. 

Check out all the other work for "Found Art Fridays" at Cathy Nichols blog tomorrow.  

Rainy weekend

Was a cloudy and rainy weekend here.  Spent a very lazy Saturday night organizing my contacts and then watching "The Fabulous Mr. Fox" (so delightful!)  I have been very inspired by many blogs this weekend in many ways.  Most importantly I was inspired to take this coming Wednesday off for a studio day, since my Monday will be filled with working AGAIN.  I have also been inspired to add to my serious list of wants; which follows my wish for an archival printer is a DSLR.  It was proven both here, and here that I just can't take the pictures I want to with out one.  So I must begin budgeting!!

Sunday we spent visiting our local poultry farm, and stocked up on some herbs and flowers to plant as well.  I started getting some potted.  I can't wait to get our tomato plants going, but I will wait till mid May for that.  I hope to try the earth box's on our rooftop.  They are kinda expensive, but home grown tomatoes are worth it!

I am still not feeling 100 percent after a stomach bug.  I miss running and my active routine, but I still have no energy.  I have to go into work, although I think I may need another day to chill.  Oh well!!  

Here's to a rainy Monday!   

Anguilla House

Ok, the Anguilla house is almost done for my Aunt Laura.  I feel like I post a lot of work in progress, but I am just happy to be able to post some art this week.  The picture I am working from isn't the best so I boosted some of the color, and made the flora in full bloom.  I mean come on it's Anguilla!! The final layer will add a little more precision and deal with the shadows on the porch a but more. Seeing it as a photo, it's even clearer what needs to be tweaked!

I think I mentioned before my "Aunt" Laura's mom still lives here and it was built in The Valley by her great-grandfather.  There are really cool ginger bread details in the woodwork throughout the inside.  My Aunt Sally and Laura are going to visit in two weeks.  I will be there in spirit!  

Now I need to finish a painting for my Aunt Lois. It's a gift, a surprise for her husband.  Boy, my family is keeping me busy!!

Fun with Wax

(fun wax drips)

(fun wax scraps to make base gray with)

 (fun new birch wood - ready for anything, I love that moment)

 I'm still playing with using the wood as an element.  I don't think this is finished yet. 

This guy is finally done.  Now I am not sure weather I want to orient it horizontal like this, or put the circles at the bottom.  hmmmm.

Here is the finished (I think) work with out the drips. 

I also worked on my Found Art Friday piece, which you will have to wait to see! I'll post it on April 30th.  It's been a happy accident that I may be able to use this "Golden" piece for a new business opportunity.  I hope so!

I often wonder if I could get into the studio more often would I be more prolific? Or is it the down time that gives me the energy?  I felt a bit inspired while painting, and hope to sketch out some of those ideas.  I haven't worked through the "rib/houses" idea, but I think it will work best in encaustic.  Above all, I am really hoping to keep the fun going.

F-U-N

I finally had 4 hours in the studio, and as much as I wanted to tackle the must-do's, I just couldn't wait to play with the rock paintings.  So much for worries about originality. I just had SOOOO much fun painting my first attempt.  I had to stop before it was done, and I can't wait to get back to it.  
Sooo...Whadya think?

(detail)

I have envisioned bringing in my house forms some how.  Maybe on the next one. Stay tuned for more studio results.  I have some new encaustic paintings as well as an update on the Anguilla house.

Lots of Dogs, only a little Bull

As I have been saying my social calendar, has been crazy and this weekend was no exception.  We attended a bull roast for a friends charity and they had a mechanical bull!  I regret to say that I didn't ride.  I wish I would have, I could of checked it off my bucket list.

Yesterday Mr. G and I participated in our local SPCA's March for The Animals.  What fun!!  This is the first year that we have been able to go.  There were so many beautiful doggies.  I was very proud of our boys, they got to try the agility course. Dakota was so thrilled, and Bear impressed us all with his willingness to try and he did really well.  (I wish I could of taken pictures of them on the course, but we both had our hands full.) 

Although my plans today have been slightly side tracked today, I have to go into work for a bit.  After a stop by the art supply store, I am headed to the studio.  I am determined to get a least 4 hours of painting in!  Wish me luck.