Painting Spree

After a week of not being able to get into the studio at all, I spent the last three days in my studio. It has been a long time since I have had so much studio time. It was very productive time too. I am currently working on a series of goddesses, as well as a series with fish. The goddesses are an attempt to find the figurative style I want. Unfortunately, though I like the first of the series, it is more realistic than I am seeking to produce. I imagine there are going to be a lot more painted before I find the look I really want since I have been doing this off and on for about 4 years now. I have decided that I am just going to keep painting figures until I get there. I will publish an image of the first goddess as soon as my husband takes the photos. I plan to show the goddess series for my featured show at Parklane Gallery in November. Knowing how I operate though, I could change my mind in October and have to struggle to get a show together for November. I have not had a featured show at Parklane Gallery since December of 2006, and it is about time I did.

Kirkland Art Studio Tour

The Kirkland Art Studio Tour has now come and gone. It was very successful for me and for my host, Phyllis Ray. I spent the weekend in a gazebo in a lovely backyard, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I got to talk to lots of really nice people, who were interested in art, and, as a bonus, sold 14 paintings. Woohoo! The above is one of the paintings that has gone to a new home.

Another bonus of the weekend was that I actually read two art books. I didn't just look at the pictures, which I often do. I read them and took notes and can't wait to try some of the ideas from them.

Trish

Last Tuesday I had coffee with my friend Trish. The reason I mention it here is that it had been about two years since I saw her last. It was great to reconnect with her, and I hope that it won't be another two years before I see her again. Trish is a great artist and successful author as well. Her book on encaustics has opened many doors for her. She is traveling all over the country to do workshops, and is very close to earning her living through her art. That is always something to celebrate, so I wanted to share. Artists that can earn their living through their art are very rare among my acquaintances. Check her out at www.pbsartist.com.

Kirkland Art Studio Tour

Tomorrow and Sunday I will be participating in the Kirkland Art Studio Tour at Phyllis Ray's home. I will be located in the gazebo in her wonderful back yard. I think this is the 5th, maybe 6th year that I have participated in this tour. Although I do not live in Kirkland, I am allowed to participate since I show my work in Kirkland.

If you are interested in visiting me during the tour, you can get the map and artist information for all the participating artists at www.kirklandstudiotour.com.

Here's hoping for lots of visitors, lots of sales and lots of fun.

With an Open Heart

This is one of only a few recent paintings. Mostly I have been working on a piece for awhile and then setting it aside. If I don't finish these paintings, I am soon going to be forced out of my studio. I realized the other day that the reason this is happening is that right now I am only interested in texture. I do wonderful backgrounds that I love, and then I cannot decide what to do with them. I like the background just the way it is! So, the above painting was one of those that I loved the background so much I didn't want to add anything to it. Then I decided I would just put a heart on it, and that lets all the texture show. If you click on the image, you will get a larger image that shows the texture better. Now I must decide what to do with all the other paintings that are "unfinished".

Floral Paintings

I haven't done this type of floral painting in a long time. I did these in a recent Bob Burridge class. It was the same class where I did the landscapes shown in a recent blog. I actually had a great time doing the very loose florals and landscapes. What do you think?

Busy Time

I am going to be busy with shows for the next few months. First I have the Kirkland Art Studio Tour on Mother's Day weekend. I will be setting up in the gazebo at Phyllis Ray's home. Thank you Phyllis. If you want to come by, check the website at www.kirlandstudiotour.com for the details.

Next I have ten paintings showing at the Shoreline City Hall. They will be up from May through July.

In June I have a show at the Art & Cultural Exchange in Astoria, Oregon. My friend Barb Mallon connected me with the folks at this gallery near her home in Long Beach. Thank you Barb. There will be a cross section of my work, leaning a little toward the figurative.

In July I will once again show at Local Color in Pike Place Market. That is always a fun venue for me, and I am really looking forward to it.

I will let you know details for receptions at a later date.