January 18

Yesterday’s horoscope read that I would relinquish logic to intuition. I'm not a true believer in horoscopes, but my paintings beg to differ. There was a certain flow to the process yesterday. Both paint and wax seemed to cooperate with me yesterday as I spent hours in the studio. I don’t always have these days; some days the work is really work. But lately the paintings flow. How it should be. I used to imagine (in my young twenties) living in an artist loft, rolling out of bed miraculously with a cup of coffee in hand, and just painting straight away, only taking time out when absolutely necessary or to meet friends. Meeting friends would actually fall into the "absolutely necessary category". Life didn’t turn out that way. But I am getting closer to that day. There is this need to get into the studio, but life’s inconveniences can get in the way.
I did spend most of the day painting yesterday. I was grounded so to speak. I need to finish the pieces for February 1st. But there is a certain sanctity to my space when I paint. There is only the sound of the paint brush, and an intermediate scratch, scratch at the door from bitch kitty. But the sound is so similar to the sound of my brush it is easily dismissed, and bitch kitty finds some other diversion.
The encaustics are coming along, resolving into a fairly cohesive body of work in themselves. The imagery is more light hearted that the oils. They are more luscious, intimate, the wax thick, shiny and translucent. The encaustics pieces are small, collages of oil and wax, with some relief work. It is less immediate that oil painting and not quite as predictable as oil painting. But perhaps over time I will find my way to a more predictable way of working. But for now I like the trial and error and the experimentation.
It has been years since I took a class from Paula Roland in New Mexico. And I have dabbled with encaustics since here and there. This will be the first time I will actually show encaustic work to anyone. I am very pleased with these first results.

Nearing on the Weekend, Countdown to Valentines

The weekend creeps up sooner than I like. I am fortunate that I have most of my graphics projects completed. But I don't have anything new projects lined up. A lot of "we really want you", and then "lets wait", as I said nothing concrete and a few maybes.
On the art front, the paintings are coming along. I will include a series of some affordable small pieces, collage/encaustic work,  a “Valentines" theme. It’s been a while since I made a hand made Valentine, and the process here is more time consuming.
Personally I always had a struggle with Valentines Day and these paintings are no different. My first recollection of Valentines is of grade school, receiving those ever so mushy cards from boys I did not like. Having barely learned English before starting school I didn't quite get these acts of "like" or "love", I took the words to heart. Does not love mean love? Not quite understanding it was a class enforced egalitarian act in which no child would feel left out. Every one should have the same amount of cards, and back then my young mind believed “Be Mine” meant just that, and that was just loco. I was very careful in never giving out cards that were too "mushy" to boys (I confess sometimes I crossed out the words that might suggest that I liked them). And certainly I cringed on the receiving side if a mushy one came my way. But remember I was young, the years in single digits and I was just getting to grasp my new "home" language.
I took Valentines way too seriously. High school I dismissed it, my boyfriend at the time didn't need Valentines to tell me how he felt, I knew. It wasn't after college that I had fun with it. Throwing some very fun and creative parties. No love interests there, the emphasis was fun, oh and of coarse creativity. Most invitees were in the creative field.
I love Valentines, sweetheart or not. This year Valentines means work, enjoyable work.  I plan to make some of my smaller pieces fun, and affordable. They most certainly are not Hallmark's version of Valentine. The larger pieces are not really Valentines, but are very red, emphasis on passion here. The show should be fun, and beautiful, the wine amazing.

On a Hard Day

There are days when I really struggle to get into the studio. What makes the difference from one day to the next? My studio is over flowing with work right now, canvases from last year. I don't have enough for the next showing, in which I promised all new work. It is perhaps time to clear the studio so it resembles more a blank canvas. Or is it my mind I have to clear? How much of my personal life influences me in my work?

I spent Sunday working, not leaving the house, and giving myself enough breaks from the damar to keep my head clear. The day was not as fruitful as I would like. I ruined two canvases. Small ones, but never the less I had spent too much time on them. It seems my larger pieces are more spontaneous. Is it possible to transfer that time of work in a smaller area?

I’ll be at it again today. February is coming up, I need to get at least three more canvases completed. I haven’t worked under deadlines in years and I’m not sure I like it, the added pressure. But perhaps it will be the disciple I need to get the work completed.