My Minions

"My Minions" 12x12 Acrylic on canvas

I dropped off 7 paintings to Synchronicity Gallery in Glen Arbor, MI.  A sure sign of spring, no matter what the weather is. (As it happens, it's quite nice and springlike here today)
Here's to new seasons!

simply and deliberately

6x6 warm-up ; Acrylic on paper

I'm back painting... and I'm a bit rusty. (I taught a 3-day workshop in Aberdeen NC last week...Fun!) I seem to be less decisive after I've had a break from working. ...and I just push the paint around and fiddle more. I just made myself a big sign...

SAY IT SIMPLY AND DELIBERATELY. 

Yup... I'm shouting at myself. There is no room for wishy washy in the studio.

bursting

"Bursting" 12x12 Acrylic on Watercolor paper

This painting is a result of a process that I call... "Make a mess and then cover it up." I start with a mess of reds, and then negative paint (paint the background) with various whites.  I love the smudgy bits that show up in the white areas... mysterious!

circus act

"Circus Act" 12x12 acrylic and oil bar on canvas panel

Repeating a subject pushes you into different places. I'll do anything to escape boredom.

joyful noise

"Joyful Noise" 12 x 12 Acrylic on Acrylic paper

Lots of troubling news lately..... That's when I love to go to the studio and immerse myself in glorious color.

the gang's all here

Lots of little collages all lined up and ready to go

I have framers fingers... lots of picture wire was tied and cut today. These wee beauties will be available at Synchronicity Gallery in Glen Arbor, MI.....other than the two that have sold since I posted this picture on Facebook. (Thanks!)

caution tape

Caution Tape 6x6 Acrylic Collage with stitching

I stole this title. From our youngest son's new song... of the same title. The song is not yet mastered or mixed... if it was I would definitely share.

paper quilting

Paper Quilt 6 6x6 Acrylic collage and stitching

Slightly new direction..... Still playing with the paper printed with the Gelli Plate!

gazing

Gazing 6x6 Acrylic Collage with stitching

I think I'm out of that gorgeous turquoise paper... Time to use the Gelli Plate again... So much fun.

sunbeams

Sunbeams 6x6 Acrylic Collage and stitching

Still at it..... Cutting. Pasting. Sewing. Mini bits of fun.

a good egg

A Good Egg 6x6 Acrylic Collage with Stitching

Slipping into a more vibrant palette.... A bit circus-y?

cabana

Cabana 6x6 Acrylic, Collage, Stitching,

Still using the reams of paper I made using the Gelli Plate. I'm enjoying this process...It's a nice combination of painting, collage and quilting-ish. Some of these will be available at Synchronicity Gallery in Glen Arbor, MI this season.

true confessions

Lake View 2 12x12 collage this is where it is at the moment.....trying to salvage. I'm not sure if I'm done or not...I'm mad at myself.

Where it was yesterday.... after I had the bright idea mid painting, to turn it into a landscape. Geesh.

One of my constant struggles in painting is having an idea or concept, and sticking with it. The smart thing to do when these "other" ideas come up is to write them down and try them on the next painting. Stay the course. But if I'm the least bit distracted.... I veer off course into another idea. 

The trouble with this, for me anyway, is 

1. I never complete the original idea...which is sometimes a good one.

2. Because the base of the second idea is on top of a different idea...it's not a good solid place to start.

I've been lazy. 

The best way to stop this flighty behavior is to actually write the concept down on tape or a post it...and have it right near my palette. 

To remember the WHY I'm painting this in the first place. 

Where's that sticky note pad?

construction site

Construction Site 6x6 Acrylic Collage

I love the smell of sawdust...I'd wear it as a perfume.

balance

'Balance' 6x6 Acrylic collage

Wish it was as easy to achieve in life as it is in collage...... I'm balance challenged.

northern lights

'Northern Lights' 6x6 Acrylic Collage with stitching

Still playing cut and paste and sew with the Gelli Plate papers that I made....You'll be seeing these for a while... I made LOTS of paper. :-)

Muse

"Muse" 6x6 Acrylic Collage with stitching

Still snipping, gluing, stitching... I could stay in the studio for a really long time doing these.

mini collage...with stitching

"No Plan At All" Acrylic collage with stitching 6x6

"Sky At Night" Acrylic Collage with stitching 6x6

I've been in the studio... almost exclusively. I occasionally emerge...blinking.

I've been making papers using the "Gelli Plate". It's a bouncy rubbery gelatin-like substance that allows you to make mono prints with-out a press. I'm addicted! Now I'm trying to use all these amazing  papers I've made. 

pushing and abstracting

Turns out... I can go pretty far with abstraction... I could go a little bit further to a Rothko-esque place, but I won't. (These are all things I'll be teaching in a new class this summer.)

pink rockets and a balloon

#95 Pink Rockets and a Balloon ~ 6x6 ~ acrylic on panel

I have no idea where this comes from... I make a mess... and then cover it up. :-)