Outside The Lines

FAREWELL MY SWEET GIRL

2012-02-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

Boomer 2.2.96 - 2.15.12

Our hearts are broken, but we will never forget you, our beloved girl.

NEW WORK; NEW ATTITUDE

2012-02-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

Untitled 2012-4 18" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

Things seem to be coming together in my painting practice. The process of painting layer over layer is actually becoming more enjoyable and I am realizing that my process is one of "painting over" so to speak, until there is an end to the "painting over"...if that makes sense at all :o) ..... I have discovered something about my work that I call "the rhythm". The "painting over" process is actually a search to find the "rhythm", and when I do finally find this co-called "rhythm", then there seems to be an end in sight to the "painting over". I'm not sure if any of this makes sense..I am still contemplating it all..... I also just want to say thanks for all the encouragement I have received from my dear blogger friends....your kind words really mean a lot to me!!! XO

Not Giving Up

2012-01-13T12:47:00.000-08:00

Untitled (2012-1) 14" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

I have been painting now for about two years, and I rarely post the fruits of my labor here because I am never happy with the results, and I usually always paint over and over, and over the same canvas. I have to quell the little voice that says, "just give up, you can't really paint"....and remind myself that it is about the process. Recently my persistence has been rewarded by small revelations or epiphanies. Hmm, another epiphany?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011-12-25T08:41:00.000-08:00

"Bernard" by Cynthia Monica

GONE......But not Forgotten

2011-11-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

Cynthia Monica

I shot this image a few years back in downtown Portland, on Second Street, one of my favorite parts of town. It had recently rained, the sun was glimmering off the cars and big rain drops looked like sparkling diamonds. And, to top it off, there was the mural of Bob Marley! The composition and the elements of the black building and the mural, the red building next door with the funky yellow and red windows, the cars, and the shimmering drops made this one of my favorite personal shots.

You may know where this story is heading... a few days ago I was walking down Second Street expecting to see Bob, and to my utter dismay, the mural had been painted over....what a loss...what a disappointment.....Second Street will never be the same....

de Kooning

2011-10-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Untitled V 1982

Just finished reading, de Kooning: An American Master by Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan, in preparation for the de Kooning retrospective at MOMA. It's a great read, I highly recommend it. I am much more an admirer of his work since reading the book, which is quite comprehensive and really gives one a sense of his life, his struggles, as well as his process and work ethic. He really did live to paint. Even as dementia began creeping in, somewhere in the 80's, he continued his daily routine of painting for hours on end, but sadly, by early 1990 he was unable to work, and he passed away in 1997.

Untitled

2011-09-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

Untitled 16" x 24" Acrylic on Paper

Untitled

2011-09-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

Untitled 16" x 24" Acrylic on Paper

New Work

2011-09-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Untitled #1 12" x 16" Acrylic on Water Color Paper

Just returned to my studio after a 10 day holiday followed by entertaining out of town guests. Working at a faster pace on paper instead of canvas seems more freeing and less constraining some how. My goal is to quiet all the thoughts and just let the paint flow.

LUCKY ME!

2011-07-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to be the blog give-away winner of this beautiful silk art book hand made by artist, Noela Mills. Along with gorgeous artists' books, the lovely Noela also creates beautiful paintings and jewelry, as well as exquisite scarves and fiber pieces. The little book has many "pages" made from delicate silk that she has waxed, and each features lovely hand stitching. It is all bound together with driftwood, sewn with tiny beads. It really has to be seen in person to appreciate its delicate nature and beauty. Oh, what excitement and delight when I opened the package sent all the way from Australia, and unwrapped the little book, and hand made card! What a thrill! Thank you Noela! Lucky me!

Ok, I admit it, I'm obsessed with Cy

2011-07-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Cy Twombly Untitled, 1992

Ever since I learned of Cy Twombly's passing, I have been not only saddened at the lost of such a great artist, but I have found myself scouring the internet daily for images of his work and glimpses of his life. I fell in love with his sculpture, which was all new to me and his death seems to have affected me in a more profound way than the deaths of other great artists that have occurred in my lifetime. Maybe these words by Jeff Jahn of Port express my feelings best:

"Yes, somehow this American who lived in Italy since 1957 managed to make art for the long haul... whether patina or paint, scrawl, crayon or blackboard his work exemplifies the palimpsest of time better than any painter or sculptor since. Perhaps Twombly is the glue of 20th century postwar art? Perhaps Twombly was like the river itself rather than the banks, which contained yet always eroded next to its persistence? His work will always inspire me."

Small Works Exhibit Vancouver, Washington

2011-06-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

A few of my mosaic pieces are in hanging in this show, opening tomorrow night for First Friday Art Walk in downtown Vancouver. Should be a fun, art filled evening, with all the galleries open late....

ABSTRACT ART My Passion

2011-06-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Ellsworth Kelly, Study for “Blue, White,” 1960 (ink on paper)

Abstract art is my passion and it has also, it seems, become my obsession. I am constantly searching the internet to find abstract painters that inspire me, and when I find someone unfamiliar and new, I saturate myself with their work, post them on Tumblr, and then the journey continues to find more, more, more. I find abstract art a glorious mystery and I am always trying to figure out what attracts me to a piece, it would seem so simple, but it is oh, so difficult. As for my own practice, I am still trying to "learn to paint", abstract, of course. Does one learn to paint? I don't know. I just paint, but nothing I paint is what I want it to be. I paint every day, and I just keep painting over things. Even if I sort of like something, I end up painting over it. I try new techniques and study painters that I admire, but to no avail. I love painting, and I aspire to be a good painter, whatever the hell that means, but in the end, I guess I only have to please myself, and therein lies the impossibility.

These words speak to me....

2011-05-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

Saw this on Tumblr and these words seem to be speaking directly to me. After spending several years with the medium of mosaics, I decided to turn to my love of painting about 14 months ago. And, in that time I have not produced one piece that I am happy with. Every painting seems to be a struggle, and I can't find my bearings. However, after reading these pearls of wisdom by Mr. Glass, I have renewed energy to paint. I will just keep fighting the creative fight, so to speak and just keep putting paint to canvas.

MADE ME LAUGH!!!!!

2011-04-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

Found this on Tumblr, unfortunately no indication of the photographer, but I had to post it because it is so hilariously funny!

LOVE THIS.........

2011-04-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

via...

Smile

2011-04-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

via www.busybeingfabulous.com

A FUN PROJECT by Michael Harford at Coffee Mesiah (www.coffeemesiah.blogspot.com)

2011-03-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Mail Art Call

The World Is A Town

Mail Art Call

Based on the Novgorod Codex book
found in 2000 link here

Examples from the found texts:

The world is a town in which unwise people

are excluded from the church.

The world is a town in which disobedient people

are excluded from the church.

The world is a town in which blameless people

are excluded from the church.

The world is a town in which innocent people

are excluded from the church.

The world is a town in which inflexible people

are excluded from the church.

The world is a town in which people

not deserving of this exclusion are excluded

from the church.

Theme:

The World is a Town,

using your own interpretation.

You can either incorporate
text or not, you decide.
Do not feel you need to follow
the original text, create what
feels right for you.
Yes, children are more than welcome!

Size: 5 x 7 inches (USA)
5 X 7 = 12.7 X 17.78 cm
(Thanks Guido)

There will be:

no jury,

no fees

no return of artwork.

Submissions must be original work created by you.

ON THE BACK OF YOUR WORK:
Your name, full mailing address.

EXHIBITION:

I'm working out venues for free public viewing.
Outlook is for late summer,
early fall, but may be earlier.
Will acknowledge here when I find out for sure.

DOCUMENTATION: Each piece of art, as it comes in,
will be shown here At the end of the call, I will furnish
a printable and Free PDF document you can download and print.

Send to:

The World Is A Town

Michael Harford
207 N Wayne Street
North Manchester, In 46962
USA

I'd appreciate your passing the
information along to any
people you know that would
be interested in submitting.

Thanks & Cheers!

NEW WORK

2011-02-13T12:11:00.000-08:00

RAIN

Mixed Media on Canvas 12" x 12"

Am I Blue?

2011-01-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

It seems I am always thinking about color. I have been thinking alot lately about Blue, no, that is not quite it, the fact is it seems to be more of an obsession of late, as I find myself drawn to vivid blues in every aspect of my daily routine, travels, studio work, and internet fores. Picasso and his famous "Blue Period" comes to mind, but these are not the "blues" that I seek out. It is not the dull blues of melancholy, but it is the saturation, intensity and luminance that I crave in my search for objects of blue. A few months ago it was purple, in all its splendor....... Hmmmmm....I wonder what color will be next........

HAVE A HAPPY AND BLISSFUL NEW YEAR!

2010-12-31T21:20:00.000-08:00

Chris Everard

If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.
— Joseph Campbell

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-25T21:12:00.000-08:00

via cherryblossom

Cobalt Blue Bit

2010-12-13T13:46:00.000-08:00

Cobalt Blue Bit 16" x 12" Acrylic on Paper

I recently came across the website of an artist whose work I admire, who describes her work as thus: "ideally my art is about abandoning self, rules, habits and ingrained concepts. My art is about allowing and trusting something inside...". Her name is Laure Heinz, and that is the mindset I strive for when I work, for me her words describe "creative purity". Another of the artists I admire is Agnes Martin, and I heard her speak about meditation and how it trained her to clear her mind when she worked. She talked about waiting for inspiration to come before starting a piece, then she was able to clear her mind and focus only on the inspiration as it came to her.

SATORI

2010-11-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

Satori

acrylic on paper 12" x 16"

Eeeeeek...its been raining and dark and cloudy here in Portland for days, and I usually photograph my work outside in natural light. This was the best I could do for an indoor shot....so frustrating....where or where is the sun?

PICASSO IN SEATTLE !!!

2010-11-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

The Seattle Art Museum is featuring a Picasso Exhibit . We are going next weekend, and I am so excited, I can barely wait. I was lucky enough to see a Picasso Exhibit at the LA County Museum of Art about 10 years ago that featured paintings of the women in his life, including Dora Maar. It was such a profound experience, I'll never forget it. This exhibition features over 150 works of art from the Musee National Picasso in Paris, including this one titled Wounded Bird and Cat completed by Picasso in 1939.

COVER UP

2010-10-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Mixed Media 12" x 12"

Wow, this piece has been a journey of several weeks. A week or so ago I posted the same piece as a wip, but then removed it because it was not near finished, but I hadn't posted any work in such a long time, I just wanted to post something...I had lost my footing for awhile, but I was determined to finish this piece, no matter how long it took me. It has many layers, (as I just kept covering up what I didn't like) including acrylic, collage, thinset, cardboard, and house paint. So, after struggling with it on and off for about 6 weeks, I am finally happy with it....whew! This is the final of four pieces in my excavation series. I had four 12" x 12" canvases that I wanted to use...so now I can work on something a bit larger- yippee skippy :o)

MAYA

2010-09-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

12" x 12" Mixed Media on Canvas. The third in my series about "Excavation", this piece has many layers both literally and figuratively. The title, "Maya" refers to the concept that was introduced by a Hindu philosopher of the ninth century, Adi Shankara. The term means illusion, specifically illusion of the physical reality. When one reaches spiritual enlightenment, the veil of maya is pierced and ultimately destroyed with true transcendental knowledge.

PLUMB THE DEPTHS

2010-09-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

Mixed Media on Canvas 12" x 12"
This is the second in a series I am doing about "excavation". There are many materials and layers of collage and paint that I put on the canvas, then I "excavate" to see what emerges. The process is what I find so fascinating, and how things emerge from the depths.

The Sea

2010-08-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

I have been longing for the ocean, so I thought I would post a few photos of one of my favorite things...seaweed. I'm not sure what I find so intriguing and beautiful about these plants from the sea, maybe its that they appear so strange when compared with plants grown in soil....they seem so mysterious and almost alien, as if maybe they came from somewhere out in the cosmos. Just one of the many beautiful treasures from the ocean.

NEW WORK

2010-07-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

Mixed Media - 12" x 12" on canvas. I'm having such fun trying new materials. This piece is quite textured, as the canvas is covered with thinset, among other things. At first I thought the thinset was a big mistake...its difficult to paint over, but I kept at it for a couple of weeks, and finally came up with something I liked. I think I might keep going with the thinset and see what may come of it. Have a great weekend!

Re Post - MINE ALL MINE!

2010-07-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

This is a Re-Post and my contribution to Burried Treasure 2010 via Seth's blog here I love Zombies!

Did I not tell you my dearies? Yes, now they are MINE, all MINE! I know you will be coveting them, desiring them, so if you have to have Zombies of your own, maybe you can bribe the Great Mosaic Master of Hilarious Creatures, Eve Lynch to make your own custom Zombies....hmmmmmmm....you could offer her a magic potion, that just may do the trick....he he he, if you are lucky, that is. Bye for now my dearies.....I am off to my antechamber to drool over my Zombies.....

TO THIS

2010-07-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

DETAIL 1

DETAIL 2

DETAIL 3

TO THIS: FINISHED PIECE FROM LAST POST

WIP...Just trying different things...and having fun

2010-07-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

From this

To This

This piece is about learning and discovery. Any feedback would be appreciated....critical or otherwise....thanks!

THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST

2010-06-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

BIG SUR

CALIFORNIA REDWOODS

CARMEL BEACH, AT SUNSET

Just returned from a 10 day vacation, driving along the beautiful California Coast, where we saw the magnificent Redwoods in Northern CA; stopped in Sausalito for breakfast; drove over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco; had dinner along Cannery Row in Monterrey, then stayed in Carmel. We drove through Big Sur and stopped at Nepenthe for brunch. Then on to San Simeon, land of Hearst's Castle, to collect moonstones on Moonstone Beach at Cambria Pines. We took our dog Boomer with us, and we had a grand time. Each time Corbett and I return to the Northern California Coast are spirits are renewed by the beauty and tranquility. Visiting the redwoods is a spiritual journey in itself. These magnificent trees can tower to a height of 350 feet, and they can be thousands of years old. Walking among these giants, smelling the dampness of the fog, and experiencing the absolute stillness of the forest is for me, an experience of transcendence and the divine.

New Work

2010-06-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Mixed Media 12" x 12"

Detail

I have been working on this piece for a couple of weeks now, and I have a bit more to do before it is finished. I am drawn to old peeling billboards, and decrepit walls that have been painted and repainted, with peeling paint and bits of old paper still apparent. I find these scenes beautiful and alluring, and this is the subject of this piece.

NEW WORK

2010-05-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Since I have been struggling with mosaic work, I decided to work with paint and mixed media. I deconstructed this piece from an old collage I did that covered over a painting I did that I did not like. Later I wished I hadn't covered over the painting.... sigh .... so as I was trying to get down to the original painting underneath, I decided to leave part of the collage that remained and added some paint. Not sure if this piece is finished or not, but I thought I would leave it set for a day or two, and work on a couple of other canvases. I am having fun working with paint and collage and mixed media on canvas, so I think I will do this for now and see what happens next.

FIVE FAVS -My photos - I am playing with Pip at Meet Me At Mikes

2010-05-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Summertime in Hood River

My favorite Rhododendron

A surprise visitor

Bob Marley in downtown Portland

Jonathan Borofsky, Hammering Man, Seattle Art Museum

1992, 48' x 30" x 7"

I am playing with Pip at

Meet Me At Mikes

A MORPHING of sorts

2010-05-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

The work in my previous post "morphed" into this. On the old piece I stuck everything down with thinset, then I wasn't happy with the MDF substrate, or the tinted brown thinset I used. So......I chipped away at the thinset, removed everything, then decided to use one of the pieces of old wood from my collection as the substrate. I am much happier now, but this piece may be a morphing of sorts from the realm of mosaic to the realm of mixed media. Nothing is stuck down yet, it is just in the beginning stages...but I am happy :o)

Finally....new work in progress....

2010-05-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling as of late on what to do. I have been trying to empty my mind of all the chatter, however it has been difficult. I don't usually post WIP photos, but I wanted to have something concrete to blog about, as for a few weeks there has been nothing. This piece is just at the outset...but here it is....a start....

EMERGE #3

2010-04-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

This is a piece from my Emerge Series. The title is reflective of my journey, as with this series I returned to my love of working in the abstract. The work is spontaneous, as I began by laying down one central element, in this case, the large yellow stones, then let the materials guide me as I proceeded to place each subsequent piece, and color shape/section. The small pieces are smalti which I painstakingly cut into as many thin "slices" as I can; then using tweezers, I place each slice on end in thinset.

In the close-up you can get a better idea of the materials, and the texture created by using the smalti in this manner. This piece also reflects my love of bold and vivid colors. Coral is also used in the work, along with glass beads, and the yellow stones are known as African Jade.

EAGLE

2010-04-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

Eagle, 1971
Painted steel
Alexander Calder
American, 1898-1976
465 x 390 x 390 in. (1181.1 x 990.6 x 990.6cm); estimated weight 6 tons

Today is a very grey day here in Portland, so since I am in a grey state of mind, I decided to post a shot I took on another very grey day in Seattle, when Corbett and I were visiting the Sculpture Park. If you are in Seattle, I highly recommend a visit; you can easily walk there from Pikes Market. I think Calder would have been delighted to see the sculpture in this spectacular setting....the Eagle really does soar.

STRUGGLE

2010-04-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is a mixed media piece, titled "Struggle", that I did using my old paint brushes and dried out tubes of paint. I just could not part with these "old friends", that I lovingly stored away in a box and carted around with me for many years. This piece is about my personal struggle on many levels, and I guess I'll leave it at that.

A COLLECTION

2010-03-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

Part of my collection of old wood and shells (among other old things). I love the texture of the wood, and the old abalone shell looks like it has been through a lifetime of living in the sea and washing up on the shore....showing its wear like wrinkles on a face. What is it about old pieces of wood and old shells, I ask myself that I am attracted to? Maybe it is their essence, it is almost a calm presence that these objects seem to possess, so tactile, and real and beautiful in their nakedness. There are no airs about them, they just exist and seem to surrender to the aging process...unlike we humans, who seem to resist aging at all costs. I wonder why it is that we don't see aging and its effects on the body as a natural process that can be beautiful in its own way....

I am still pondering ideas to incorporate some of the pieces in my collection into my work. I started painting yesterday with acrylics, and it felt so free and uninhibited, unlike mosaics, which take so much time, and are unforgiving as far as mistakes...when you paint you can just cover your mistakes or brushstrokes that you don't like, with more paint, but to remove mistakes in a mosaic is not an easy task and takes the physical work of prying up the tesserae and chipping off the grout.....not a fun process at all, as I can attest to! Somehow I have it in my mind that I can not work with different mediums at the same time...I tell myself, I should either mosaic and concentrate on that, or paint and concentrate on that. A silly rule, it seems, I made up for myself. Well, now maybe I will just have to break it!

Margaret Mellis

2010-03-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

As I was surfing the internet I came upon the most fabulous artist, Margaret Mellis, who was previously unfamiliar to me. It seems so serendipitous as this time, in my quest to use found wood, not as the substrate for my mosaic work, but as the main component of my work, that I would come across the most fabulous assemblages of old wood found washed up on the beach by Ms. Mellis. Apparently, this wood was originally intentioned to be used as firewood, but she could not part with it, and began storing it in her studio. I recommend reading the Michael Bird essay The Transformed Total: Margaret Mellis's Constructions to find out more about how the assemblages came together, as well as more about the life of this wonderful artist.

Wood

2010-03-09T15:46:00.000-08:00

I found this old piece of wood at the park down the street where I walk our dog Boomer. I saw it laying in a pile of refuse, and felt the need to rescue it and cart it home. I am attracted to old wood, as I love the texture and the feel, and I always think I get a sense of the tree from whence it came. As an example, this piece of wood just seems to exist so simply in a zen sort of way. Some would just see flaws, and wear, and in this case, a "mistaken cut" someone made. But I see a proud piece of wood....maybe the last that survived from a grand old tree that once graced this earth.

I have been thinking of working with wood in a new way. I realized I have been covering up its worn and aged beauty with mosaics, only letting the sides of the wood show. Some months back I took some of my work to a gallery and I received a comment that the substrate of old, thick wood did not make a good marriage with the "tightness" of my mosaic work. But, I thought to myself, it is the wood that inspires me, it is the wood that is my muse. Why then, am I covering it up? I really don't know........

Ahhhhhhhhh.....Spring!

2010-03-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

The first signs of spring seem to be unfurling everywhere, from the blossoming cherry trees to daffodils, to sunshine and blue skies. Winter seems to have left silently making way for gardening and enjoying the outdoors here in Portland. With spring comes magnificent bursts of color, a topic which I have been thinking quite a bit about lately. I love color, and it is always a challenge for me in my work to juxtapose colors in different and unexpected ways, and I love the vividness of both cool and warm colors when they are at their deepest and brightest. But, I also love muted palettes with little or no color. I love pastels. I love brown, and all its various shades of beige, sand, stone, and gray in all its wonderful tones. I really love all color palettes I can think of. So, I have been thinking about experimenting with pale or muted tones in my next creative endeavor. I am also longing to experiment with more of a variety of mixed media, and not limiting myself to the medium of mosaics. While I love mosaics, it can be very limiting in a way; you need an appropriate waterproof substrate, glue or and/or thinset or some other affixing medium, and you need glass, stones, or some other appropriate material that can be cut or broken. There are always considerations such as appropriate substrate and glue for interior or exterior, and the process is very labor intensive, one piece can takes many weeks to complete. So, as spring is a season of rebirth and blossoming, I am thinking of that metaphor for my work.....

MUSE "Vermiculatum" by Sharon Haddock

2010-02-21T17:04:00.000-08:00

My good friend and talented artist, Sharon Haddock made this adorable muse for me. Her name is "Vermiculatum", and she puts a smile on my face every morning when she greets me in my studio. She keeps me company and inspires me as I work, and I just adore her! Sharon makes these adorable muses in two sizes, and she also creates gorgeous fused glass jewelry, and fabulous mosaics for both interior and exterior settings. Click on Sharon's name and it will take you right to her Etsy Shop where you can see more of her fabulous work.

MINE! ALL MINE!!!

2010-02-11T10:26:00.000-08:00

Kim Grant Mosaics

2010-02-05T12:28:00.001-08:00

Mermaid Mural - Done!, originally uploaded by KimboRock.

This is the work of one of my favorite mosaic artists, Kim Grant. Kim's work is so bright, beautiful and vivid, featuring incredible graphics. Each time I see her work, I get a sense of joyfulness and wonder. As I am such a fan of Kim's work, I am honored to be part of her Artist Watch series on her blog. This mural is only one example of the joy and wonder in Kim's art! Thanks again Kim for your kind introduction and for having me on your blog....my first time being blogged, very exciting!

IRIDESCENT HEART

2010-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

My latest piece from my Heart Series. Not sure if this will be my last or not. I used vitreous glass and iridescent shell beads. The heart extends about 2 1/2" inches above the base, so it is quite 3D. Measures 6" x 5". Been sick for abut a week, but feeling better now, so I will get back to work. I have a piece I started about a year ago with a bowling pin as the base, titled "King Kong". I'm thinking I will re-start working on it and see what happens...

LAYERS OF THE HEART (Re-worked)

2010-01-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

I wasn't quite happy with this piece, so I added more layers of Abalone and Coral, and we finally had some sun so I was able to get this shot in natural light. I'm happy now :-)

LAYERS OF THE HEART

2010-01-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

New work. Abalone, coral. 6" x 5". I became somewhat obsessed with creating layer after layer of abalone, I finally had to stop. I am leaning more and more toward sculptural work, and I'm percolating some ideas of 3D sculptures, organic in shape. This piece will probably land in my Etsy Shop soon.

2009 Work In Review

2009-12-29T09:27:00.000-08:00

Interesting to look back at work completed this year. Not sure where my creative path will take me in 2010, but looking forward to new work!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2009-12-23T12:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! Wishing Love, Peace and Blessings to All in the New Year!

ICY RIVER

2009-12-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

We woke up this morning and this is what the River looked like. It is 10 degrees here....can't remember it being this cold here in Portland since we moved here 11 years ago...they are calling it The Arctic Blast!

MEANDERING

2009-12-02T09:43:00.000-08:00

This is one of my most recent pieces, and I guess one that I am happy with. It is small, 5" x 7", but I spent about one month working on it. I started with the red coral element, but I tried so many materials and different things around the coral, I became really frustrated and thought I would never finish it. I chipped off so much cement and different materials, my fingers became sore. (Ahhh, the trials and tribulations of an artist) ; ) I guess sometimes you just need perserverance......

LITTLE THINGS

2009-11-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

I went to a Bead Show in Portland yesterday and took some street shots on Alberta. This is my work viewed through the window, at the Guardino Gallery.

"LITTLE THINGS SHOW"

2009-11-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

Last night was the opening of the show "Little Things" at the Guardino Gallery in Portland. All work is 7", or smaller. This is my work hanging in the show.

URBAN DECAY

2009-11-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

This work involves discarded, rusty, objects, as well as natural materials such as shells, fossils, and semi-precious stones. It addresses the conflict between humankind and the natural world. I am interested in exploring aesthetic judgments: are they objective, subjective; and should the intent of the artist, and/or the reaction of the viewer be a considered in determining these judgments. The rough cement adhesive I use becomes part of the composition, and serves as a metaphor for questioning the beauty of manmade materials. The found objects I incorporate into my work symbolize the detritus of our culture, suggesting that our insatiable appetites for consumerism cannot continue inexorably without having tremendous consequences on our planet. I use found wood as the substrate for my work, because it inspires me and carries the spirit of the tree from whence it came.

SHORT SANDS on the OREGON COAST

2008-06-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

This is the most beautiful spot...definitely a must see if you are on the Oregon Coast between Manzanita and Canon Beach. This is Oswald West State Beach, also known as Short Sands. The easy hike down from the parking will take you through a magnificent old growth forest, and when you reach this cove, the beauty will take your breath away.

SPACE SHIP?

2008-05-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

This is an image from my "Public Art Series". It was taken in Hood river, and I think a space ship has landed....or is about to take off. What do you think?

MY BELOVED KALI

2008-01-29T10:50:00.001-08:00

This my beloved Kali in our backyard, on the Sandy River....in the snow! This is not typical weather for us, so, what a beautiful surprise it was to wake up to a blanket of white everywhere. At any rate, I don't know where this month has gone, and I havn't been blogging, so here I am today. I've been having fun creating small collages, three of which I've posted in my Etsy Store. Compared to the tedium of working in mosaics, which take a month or more to complete, I am really enjoying the medium of collage, where I can actually finish a piece in a day....amazing. As a kid, I pasted photos from magazines on the back of my bedroom door. I've been a "magazine freak" ever since I can remember. I used to collect fashion mags from Vogue to Bazar to Mademoiselle. I had issues mostly from the 60's - 70's and I carted them around every time I moved (which was alot). I remember at one point my magazines filled almost an entire spare bedroom. Well....a few years ago I finally parted with them. But alas, I started collecting Gardening and Design magazines, and now I am well on my way to another unmanageable collection. I've always loved magazines that use high quality paper, they seem so luxurious, with gorgeous images. I've love the images....that is what I love about magazines....the images.

COLLAGE

2008-01-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

This piece is a work in progress. I started experimenting with bees wax, and I think the next step will be encaustic. I have been fascinated with encaustic painting for a long time, and after working with beeswax, it will be an easier transition for me. It stopped raining today and the sun is out...cause for celebration.

TRAM

2008-01-02T14:32:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy....this is the first image on my blog. It took me awhile, but here it is. I hope you enjoy it....that is, if there is anyone out there in blogland....The view is downtown Portland from the tram at the South Waterfront.

FIRST BLOG POST

2008-01-01T23:34:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
OK, I am new to blogging, and for me this seems to be quite a learning curve. I'm hoping this blog will be a journal of creativity. Today, I am creating this blog, and each day I will create something new, or.... add to something I previously started creating. Thats it for today. Over and out.