When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

Smile

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More roots

Monday, January 7th, 2008


 
Basil stem and roots - “Fear”

Fear, another root-system garden sculpture from a Basil stem and roots.

Out with the old, In with the old!

Tuesday, January 1st, 2008


Captionless Cartoon by Saul Steinberg, 1961 My studio is filled with all the things I love, including inspirational images and shelves of favorite objects. I still have Art supplies that I used in Grade 2, and hang on to various space-consuming materials like too much cardboard and a bulk of previous work. All this needs paring down at least once a year, and it’s always enlightening to sort through.

Rediscovering things long-forgotten, like this cartoon by Saul Steinberg (1961) that drew my attention years ago, I spot links and relevancy to my recent work, revelations about short and long-term goals, and patterns of recurring themes I still wish to explore.

One immediate association that comes to mind through Steinberg’s cartoon is how our visual sense speaks a language of its own, even completely on its own.  For an artist, what a boost to take a second glance at how powerful images can be. We have high unrealistic expectations for words, speech, and logic alone; as if they are complete and final once expressed and need always be perfect. Beyond that, it’s a curious thing how, even if we speak the exact same language, words can fall short, be misinterpreted or misunderstood.  Personally, I’m grateful to rely on a creative drive that allows for infinite forms of expression.

In our progressive age of high technology and wireless everything, it’s the Human factor that now needs refining. We still need to develop the abilities to effectively communicate with each other. Intrinsic to the intense desire to communicate, creativity thrives… always has and always will. The power of our emotions, usually given values of negative or positive, are all rather the same when it comes to Art and creativity: they become useful in learning, as a means to transformation and going beyond our own personal limitations.

What I thought was going to be a simple tidying and organizing of the studio became a surprising source for renewed perspective and motivation. I highly recommend it, but you will probably be sidetracked by all the old pictures!

Heart Shapes in Nature series

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007


Heart Shapes in Nature, ongoing photographic series

Heart Shapes in Nature is an ongoing photographic series. Love is infinite. Wishing happy holidays no matter what your faith, and Merry Christmas!

 

Song and Dance

Thursday, December 20th, 2007


 

Song and Dance - Basil roots and stems garden sculpture

Alright, three or more constitute a new photographic series: am calling this one Roots Garden Sculptures. This one I see as “Song and Dance”, of Basil roots and stems. It was peeking out of the lawn and garden litter bag and almost made it to the curb without notice. The first three root systems, now garden sculptures, were compelling enough alone to catch my attention, but now I’m going to consciously seek them out.

Some things are Art without any manipulation at all. The roots of creativity too, really.

Pretty Lady

Friday, December 14th, 2007


 
“Pretty Lady”, upside down Croton roots and stem

So many chores at home preparing for the holidays pull me away from typical art work, but that doesn’t stop the old eyes from spotting things! Transplanting and tidying the garden, shaking soil from dead plants, the root systems are very interesting. I call this one “Pretty Lady”. It’s from a dead Croton — one was posted earlier from a more mature plant.

Don we now our gay apparel

Wednesday, December 12th, 2007


 
Don we now our gay apparel!

The temperatures have dropped considerably here today… see what I found on the dining room shades this morning. Don we now our gay apparel!

Peace On Earth

Tuesday, December 11th, 2007


 

Peace On Earth 8 x 10 Pen and Ink

Peace On Earth, pen on paper.

Art everywhere

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007


 
Impatience - Croton plant roots; whimsical garden sculpture, Bearded Iris
While tidying up the garden and shaking out the soil from dead plants I was marveling at the root systems and couldn’t bring myself to throw this one away, it’s so interesting. This one is from a dead Croton plant, stuck into the ground upside down makes a unique garden sculpture.
Below: Croton, 1992 36 x 24 inches acrylics on canvas (private collection, Scotland).

Croton, 1992 36H x 24W inches acrylics on canvas

Anoles in the sun

Monday, November 19th, 2007


 

Anole under the rug, and eating fire ants

 

Anole, Lewisville, TX Anole, Lewisville, TX

Today there were three anoles playing in a warm sunny area by the back door, changing shades of brown and green. There was a lot of rain earlier in the year, so that must be why there seems to be more this year than in the five years we’ve lived here.

‘Tis the season

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007


 

Hey Baby, how’s it goin’?

“Hey Baby, How’s it goin’?”

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