Friday, February 24, 2012

Big White Van

Ok, excuse the language, but it is a big damn van! When we pulled into one of the hotels where we stayed, a guy said to us, "Wow, that's a big damn van!" Mike replied, "Well, yes it is." It wasn't too fun to drive in Miami. Boy, do those folks drive fast and there are a lot of 'em too! The show was fine, made some nice sales and got the first response to the new interior figurative pieces. That was great and interesting. Seeing the work through others peoples eyes a bit and hearing some reactions is always informative.

We had lovely neighbors all around at the show which makes all the difference when you're in such close quarters for three whole long days. All went smoothly taking down the show on the last day. On Tuesday we headed to Key West. Not another place in the country farther from home! We stayed at the Westin Hotel there which was a late birthday treat. The valet guys decided not to move our truck and just put a couple cones around it. Funny and fine with us, since we really didn't want them driving it!

Valet Parking the Sprinter, ha, ha!
Tired but satisfied!
Tons of street performers. This guy juggled big knives!
Perfect picture sunset from our room!
We were in Key West on Fat Tuesday and while people didn't need much excuse to party, there, they seemed like they were using it as an excuse to up it a notch or two. Can't say we minded...we enjoyed the street performers, a couple galleries, an awesome sunset view from our room...Thanks to the folks at Westin for a sweet upgrade to a corner ocean view!!

From Key West we headed back North and are enjoying a bit of a break, catching up on computer work, sleep and doing a bit of plein air painting of some Florida scenery. So different from home! I'm looking forward to teaching for the Central Florida Pastel Society on Tuesday thru Thursday.

Meanwhile I'll be practicing my oyster eating technique....

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Leaving Things Behind

I'd meant to paint today...but I found myself wandering around my studio, cleaning up and preparing to leave and at the same time, preparing to return. Things are left undone. Things are left alone, incomplete. Never before have I felt such a deep commitment, obligation to my work. I leave, sorry that things are not finished, but excited that they'll be ready, waiting for my return, like sentinels. I locked the doors, shut the blinds, unplugged the heaters and I stood at my doorway and read the quotation that I have hanging on my door:

This is a place
 where you can simply experience
and bring forth what you are and what you 
might be. this is the place of creative
incubation. At first you might find that
 nothing happens there.
But if you have a sacred place and use it,
something eventually will happen....Your
 sacred space is where you find yourself again and again.

-Joseph Campbell



I so look forward to returning to mine. It holds me and nurtures me. Is my private space to muse and contemplate, to paint and draw, to dance, to cry or to simply be my most authentic self. I'm so grateful so have the warm loving embrace of such a space. When I return to it, I will let out a deep grateful breath and be home.

I wish for all of you a sacred space, whether you are seeking one, nurturing one, or settling deeply into one....


Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Couple Things Before I Hit the Road!

 Just a couple thoughts before I head out on my humungous road trip:

Numero Uno; a couple tips on organizing your pastels (for my workshop peeps);


1.Try to have all the wrappers removed from your pastels. That way you can best take advantage of what each stick has to offer.

2. Next try to have them arranged roughly by hue, value and intensity. I have a section of neutrals. See the attached photo of my  travel box. When going about this task, remove all the duplicates or very, very near duplicates to make room for more. I also snap my sticks in half to make more room. Snapping works better than cutting.

3. Clean them up. Hard to make good choices when you can't see what color the sticks are! I use a tupperware container filled with cornmeal to clean the really dirty ones. Also a dusting with a feather duster can work, (use a mask and do this outdoors).


Numero dos: I've decided to offer two workshops in the fall.

#1 "Just Nuts and Bolts" a one day materials workshop dealing with the "how to's" of toning paper, making your own ground, organizing your box etc., etc.

#2 "Embracing Your Slippery Stream" a two day exploration of intuitive pastel painting.
 
Dates TBD, but will be in November/December at my West Linn Studio. I'll make these back to back so you can come to one or both. If you're interested let me know and I'll put you on a list!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Camping on Steroids!

So, we are headed to three shows in Florida, a 3-day workshop in FL, ending with a show in Scottsdale, AZ. We'll be leaving the household in good, capable hands, but for us this has been a big undertaking. By Tuesday, our full sized Sprinter van will be completely full! Friends often ask if we sleep in the vehicle or camp on our trips. I chuckle, 'cause camping is the very LAST thing I'd want to do at the end of a long day at an art festival. Doing the shows, hauling the gear and the art and setting everything up is like camping, only on steroids without also sleeping in the truck, thank you very much! I look forward to a warm hotel room and nice hot shower. I don't think it's too much of an indulgence!




Packing, packing packing...I need artwork for a total of four shows, with three separate bodies of work; figurative interiors, landscape oils (large canvases), and pastel landscapes. Also, two booth set-ups and all the ancillary equipment that goes with that and gear for one 3-day pastel workshop.  Also, we need clothing for different climates across the country for about four weeks; cloths for working, for selling and for playing. Food and supplies. Books to read, computer devices, printer, and all the proper power and connection cords for said electronic devices. Good thing that truck is BIG! And I think I'm now ready!! I don't know how exactly, but I am!! I've just been working away at getting everything prepared and it's all coming together. We'll be posting pictures and stories from our trip. Hope you'll follow us and cheer us on!