Thinking of Charles Darwin...And fish

I fell asleep last week at my laptop, doing my Bio homework.  Of course, this class (on evolution and genetics) is centered heavily around the work of Charles Darwin, and the work of his successors.  I was thinking of Darwin's years traveling South America; all of his discoveries.  I dreamed about it while I was supposed to be doing my homework.

Then, I went to make an abstract painting.  I stopped working on the painting.  I got stuck.  Then, I looked a little closer, and saw that yellow fish looking out at me.  This is what happens when I arm myself with oil sticks and conte crayons!

The original is up for sale in my etsy art shop.  Enjoy! 

Artist on the rise

Since my daughter was really young I've been encouraging her to make art.  I noticed really early on that she liked to draw; she was constantly watching me make art, and drawing in my sketchbooks.  Over the past year and a half I've bought her tons of her own art supplies, and watched her skills flourish.  I like the art that she makes.  It's interesting in ways that an adult mind can't always understand.  It's fresh, energetic, and not weighted down with the worldly bull- that we adult artists create.

I've also created an interest in her for photography.  She really likes the idea of photography.  Even film!  So, for a whole day I let her use a 35mm point and shoot camera.  She really enjoyed the experience, and still carries the camera around to take pictures.

She thinks taking pictures of mommy is really funny.

If there's one thing that my daughter has taught me it's that you have to find a different way of seeing the world.  In order to excel in art and photography you have to find the right angle.

I recently bought some Shiva Oil Sticks, and she had a ton of fun with those.  She likes playing with my pastels/oil pastels.  So, we both made a picture using the oil sticks.  She did most of the work.  I just drew in the sky and the clouds/monster.  Mayoree really enjoyed it. 

Now this picture is up on her wall.  It makes her happy, and proud to see her art up on the wall.  The same way I feel when I look at my art!  I've promised myself that I will make an aritsts out of this one.

Hydra--Original 16 x 20 inch Mixed Media Drawing

Another addition to my shop.  I have to admit that I wasn't crazy about this one at first.  But, after being seperated from it during work, I started to like it more.  Then, my husband noticed it, and said that he really liked it.  So does Mayoree.  But they don't count, right?  I think the husband is a little biased anyway.  Blue is his favorite color.

I created this one using acrylic paints, oil pastels, conte crayons and graphite dust.  I also used impasto for some places on this piece.  It's certainly interesting to look at.  I like it.  Since my husband likes it I put it over his desk:)  Hopefully, it will inspire him while he's making music.  This is only temporary, as I intend to send this one off to a good home!  I just like to decorate my house with my art.

 

That's "Love and Beauty Meet" (photograph in my shop), and "Jacob's Ladder" (Original Oil Painting) up on the wall.  That's my side of the bed, and I love seeing them when I first wake up!  BTW, I do not use those weights that are on the dresser:)  Wish I had time...

Having more art in the house has certainly improved our moods.  I can see now that my husband is a little more motivated to clean up, and keep the place looking nice.  I'm so happy.  Finally!  Who knew that a couple of pictures nailed up on the wall would do so much?

This is why people NEED art.  It's not just there for decoration.  It's there because it's essential.  Why else would our ancestors have bother painting in caves?  These weren't just cave paintings either.  They were sacred places.  Places where people gathered to contemplate daily life, humanity, god...

Art is God with an extra 'O', as Kanye West would say;-)

Roll Out

Describing the new work is a little difficult...I admittedly create my art based soley on my emotions.  My new art is a reflection of that.  I've just been feeling like recycled poo.  Not to say that I think my art looks the same, but I wanted to create things that reflected these emotions.  Very moody, and contemplative.

I really felt compelled to create something with a sense of immediacy.  This is how I feel now: hurry up, go, go GO!  I think the art expresses that.  These are all up in my etsy shop, and priced to move.

In the coming days there will be a huge roll out of art that is VERY affordable price, and ready to go.  I'm on a creating spree, and I want this stuff to find good homes.

An Angel

It's important to note that this actually started as an abstract painting.

I'm not an abstract painter, but I wanted to try it again. I first dabbled in abstract painting last semester for my painting class. I discovered that I suck at it!

So, when I started making this painting I was going to make an abstract landscape...or something like that. Then this character appeared in the middle of the painting, emerging out of this hellish rift. I think she's an angel. Or at least that's what I intend to make her. Oh yeah, the city behind her was on accident. I just figured that I would add some type of skyline behind her, and there it appeared.

I've had a lot of fun working on this painting so far. It's a project that started as a way to just decorate the space over my couch, but it's much more interesting now.

This is also the biggest painting that I've ever worked on. It measures 40 inches by 36 inches. Now a perfect square, but close. I really like the square format in my artwork after working with medium format photography for the past couple of months. It's nice to break out of the 2/3 format every once in a while.

Here's another shot of the painting. This time without the mess of my workspace to distract the viewer:)


Unfortunately, work will be halted for the next few days. I got the flu a few days ago, and I still have a consistent fever of about 102 degrees:( It's not fun.