one week later...

...I am updating some of the progress in the my studio. In addition to this work I have many new tiny-smalls that I will post once I have a big batch done. Currently there are 9 new tiny paintings, I am hoping to have another 50, 60, or maybe more done by the end of summer. I kinda imagine them as a little army of paintings...lining them up reminds me of being a little kid a setting up rows and rows of little plastic toys. I like to think of them in groups because they begin to fulfill my need to collapse timelines and mix moments from the past. However, I didn't take photos of those this morning, so lets move on to what else has been brewing in the studio over the last week.

After a great suggestion from my sister-in-law, I am going with Afternoon Snack-Time for this painting. I am calling it done today...but that is always open to change.

From the previously posted drawing of the Sunbathers in the Park, here is the small color study and resulting painting. Again, I think this one maybe done as well...but only time will tell.

Due to the high volume of green that I have mixed recently, I also did a very characteristic move of painting on a painting that has been "complete" since last fall. The original painting titled Green Lawn is still green, but a different hue and chroma. I have no idea if I actually like it better, but sometimes I just can't stop myself from tinkering with things. 

                                      before                                                  after

Finally, I started the drawing for a new 24" x 36" indoor painting, taking a break from that crazy hue GREEN! (Imagine me shaking my fist..."GREEN")

I am pretty excited about this drawing, I have transformed my sister's drinking cup into a string-telephone and constructed a tent in the living room. Much to my sister's chagrin this space is loosely based on my mother's parent's living room (to us Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw). I am planning on painting in wood floors and have added wainscoting to the walls, taking away the wood paneling. She always mentions the changes I make and points out where there is missing furniture or a fictional outfit. I enjoy this greatly, because she is the only person who notices (and cares about) the liberties that I take with the photographs. Below is the final photo to post, it is the canvas that is about to get the living room drawing projected onto it. I switch up the canvas color, and am going with a neutral middle tone gray this time. 

new starts

As stated before in a previous post, I am working on planning or solving some problems before jumping in to the painting process. With this plan in action, the basic compositions are now being solved in drawings before any paint is touched. Below is a drawing, a small 5" x7 "color study, and the current painting (16"x 20") that is 80% done (maybe 90%, or 20% you never know).

I am having a difficult time coming up with a title for this painting. Currently I am thinking about the tv-dinner trays that are part of it. So possibly... backyard lunch, afternoon snack-time, or backyard with tv-dinner trays...any suggestions?

I am also starting a new painting today based on the drawing below.

a very nice review!

Rhonda Ervin, a writer at examiner.com wrote a very warm review of my current show at Fifth Avenue Gallery. I talked with her for some time at the opening, and am thankful that I conveyed my thoughts about the paintings in a coherent manner. Creating the work is one thing, talking about the complex and often illusive nature of its meaning is quite another. That is why I am so thankful for her verbal articulation! To check it out click here.

Opening Reception Photos.

Friday June 3rd, was the opening reception for my show: Leaving the Screen Door Open at Fifth Avenue Gallery in Melbourne, Florida. The opening was great, steady traffic, nice complements, and a few tiny-smalls sold! On Tuesday, June 7th, I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. The days in-between the opening and the oral surgery were filled with anxious waiting. The majority of the days since have been filled with aimless sitting while watching bad tv, a little reading, and waiting for the glorious chance to eat solid food again. My husband and my friend R were instrumental in keeping me pacified with food and company, thank you! So, without further adieu here are some shots of the opening. Many of them are minus attendees because I forgot to get Marc to take any until we were walking out the door (at least I remembered at all).

Above is my awesome mother-in-law(to the left) having a great laugh with close friends.

Below are two fantastic photos of my sister Martha and I. I think love them so much because we are so obviously sisters, if there were sound added it would be even more comical. 

Painting, Printing, and Reading

 

I wanted to post the redemption plein-air painting of my mother's sugar bowl from Tuesday evening following the bonsai tree scrap down. I love this little sugar bowl. The top was super-glue back together twice during my childhood, post me clumsily dropping it. Luckily I am a great gluer. I just think it is the sweetest little container ever, and I am so glad that I get to have it in my home.

Tonight is my opening at Fifth Avenue Gallery, and I am really excited to wear a newly altered dress. I always get more nervous than I expect to before social engagements and this week has been no different. While laying awake on Wednesday night, I had a strike of genius to draw on a dress that was unwearable due to a couple of stains. On my trip to buy the fabric marker, I decided to pick the stamp below and proceeded to stamp a pattern on the dress to hide the stains.

            

Finally, this morning I finished Patti Smith's book Just Kids, which was generously loaned to me. If anyone is thinking about reading it, I would highly encourage them to do so. It was a great book, and made me think deeply about Dave Hickey's The Invisible Dragon, which I am planning on rereading soon.