The distant beat of drums - artistically speaking...

Well it's winter and we're getting hit hard. There's not much to do except escape in my mind and paint it on paper. With chin tucked to my chest, my new glasses to help me see the small bits (*sigh*, yes I'm officially old) and my collection of 750 mp3's - I am transported elsewhere.

I've stated previously that I'm in a transition phase - and it's starting to really come through in my paintings lately. I took a jump into "movement" which previously was absent in my work. I also seem to have come away from the subject of architecture as the sole focus of my work, but it is still making appearances.

My first venture into the concept of "movement". The tree still bears my scroll work but is clearly in motion as well as the sky and laundry on the line. I felt really good after finishing this piece because previous works have been static! Believe it or not, the catalyst for the movement in this painting was my latin music collection which I'm now able to listen to thanks to the new iPhone. It literally lightened me up and the swing of the music quickly came into my work. LOVE IT!

My second piece in motion. I am obsessed with scene in my back yard which is this painting! I am constantly watching the night sky through the pines and marveling at how bright the stars are out here where there is no light pollution. Living in the boonies has it's nature based benefits for sure. The undulating landscape, moonlight and trees bending in the wind adequately depict the constant movement of the scene around me. This is to date the piece I am most proud of...

My third piece seems to have dragged back in the architectural theme of previous paintings. However the sky is in motion and the twin hills of Rutland give the painting the true feeling of undulation you experience when you drive through the center of town :) My love for the little houses along Main Street and the cemetery at the base of the hills that beckons me regularly are all present. There are many days when I drive through town and wish I had a soapbox go-cart to ride this course - all the time wondering just how far up the second hill I'd get ;)

I hope you enjoy my latest as much as I am enjoying allowing it to come through me. I'm excited to see what the future holds for my work!!

mountains paintings

The latest news...

I am participating in 'Pay it Forward in 2011.'  Basically, I have committed to sending something handmade to the first 5 people who left a comment on my Facebook page. They in turn had to post the offer on their Facebook page with offer to send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status. The rules are that it must be handmade (by you) and has to be sent sometime in 2011. Have fun!

Since my Circle Journal project only has a few months left, I decided to opt into the PIF 2011. I have enjoyed the monthly work and all the better that my friends get to benefit! 

I've opted to keep it regimented so I don't forget, etc so I've assigned each person to a month.  My Pay It Forward 2011 Project schedule is: 

Feb=Lisa Swanger- Farber - I'll be doing a painting of Lisa's house :)

Mar= Doreen Aucoin O'Neil 

Apr= NancyAnn Hurley 

May= Sandy Milewski Gregory 

Jun= Jennifer D'Amico O'Connor 

Jul= Kathy Cousineau 

Aug=Jamie Amina Teal 

Sept= Lori Guenoun . 

Here is the text from the project if you'd like to post to your page and participate:

"is participating in 'Pay it Forward in 2011.' I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here. They must in turn post this and send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status. The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011. Have fun!"

 

ENJOY and send good things out there!

abstract paintings

December Circle Journal

So the December Circle Journal arrived. The owner, Corine, chose the theme "Faith in Every Footstep" for her journal. It's a beautiful suede 8x8 album with magnetic closure. 

December Circle Journal

Corine's introduction

 Sherri did a beautiful and intensely colored 2-page spread expressing her faith. And she says she's not an artist. BAH!

Sherri's entry

 

 Rosanna's entry is beautiful and feminine - as usual!

Rosanna's entry

 My entry begins here..I decided to use a title page this time as I'm starting to see a trend in the journals - the transition from one artist to another has blurred. A title page with a bit of info (name, date, etc) seemed like an easy solution!

 Corine provided Bazil irridescent paper (8x8) for us to journal upon. As it turns out it accepts watercolor VERY well and gave the added benefit of making the watercolors glittery! Nice effect that I think I'm going to use in the future.

I pulled out the paper so you could see the shimmery quality

My inspiration for my journal entry is an old song I love, entitled "I believe" by Frankie Laine. It so old that probably only your grandparents know it. But it sticks in my head because the words are true for me.

 

My inspiration 

Transitions..

I admit - I'm wired different than other folks. I seem to not only be oblivious to so much of the big picture of life, but lots of times I just don't comprehend what is terribly fundamental for the people around me. Conversely, I'm also tuned into the fine frequency of life. Lately, that fine frequency has left me the understanding that I'm in some sort of transition. As usual (and with much apprehension), I have gone with my visceral urge to follow - probably the same way a caterpillar feels the urge to weave its chrysalis. Every time I'm in this state, I reflect upon the past and worry about the future. Where am I going? What should I do? I never get the answers and I don't have any answers now but what is interesting is that I can see the transition this time because I paint now! I don't have a lot of words for it and really, it just is what it is. There probably isn't a need to put a name on it or define it or even to have an explanation. Growth is growth. But here is my growth on paper. :)