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It's the Small Things in Life!

Sometimes I like the containment and the compactness of working on a small painting. Like this one. It is a tiny 4" x 6" which was inspired by a photo of Key Largo. Then, I get a desire to free up my wings and do something more expansive. So I think I now wanna do more of my sunny sunflowers. I need to think spring. I must feel spring. This wintery weather is taking its toll. Sigh. I can't wait until I can pack up my watercolors and get outside to paint. I guess if I really, really wanted to, I could do that now. But it might be just a tad nippy.

Van gogh was the first of course who comes to mind for showing how expressive sunflowers can be. And while I am so not totally comparing my work to his, I am going to run with his technique of allowing these perky subjects to dance a little for me and come to life. It should be fun and I'll let you know how it all goes. Maybe. :)

May your spirit be light and airy. One Love and Peace from the QuirkyArtiste!

Reincarnated Art Chairs

Hmmmm. Missing when photo was taken? HaHaHa! I was feeling a little stressed so I put on some Adele to unwind and to let some energy escape. Kinda like a pressure relief valve. I disappeared into the Art Studio and this is where the wildness went! I feel much better now. LOL.

You probably have noticed that folks never know what to do with those extra, no longer needed chairs. Very sad to see them cast off. I think I just discovered a neat way to reincarnate them and to give them a new life. Maybe the next one will come back as a butterfly or hummingbird motif.


"I look at something and wonder 'Can I paint that?' If I can't, what can I paint on it?" - Me

A Christmas Commissioned Card

I thought I would share this work which was a change in genre for me. No flowers or butterflies here. I was honored this December to have a special request to create a card that was to be a gift for a sports fan. One who was particularly a basketball fan. More specifically fond of the Lakers. And precisely a Kobee Bryant follower. And there ends my knowledge of shooting hoops. Which by the way is pretty much all courtesy of google. This challenge was very enjoyable for me because it pushed me to explore another world of composition and I tried not to think of failure. Pretty much anything I did had to be better than my last basketball painting. Because I had no other basketball paintings. LOL. I studied the basketball, examined the backboard, picked out the colors for the uniform and thought about a setting for an action shot. Honestly, I now felt quite ready to dribble away. I admit that I had moments of stress and experienced that inevitability that I had a fatality on hand. No, do not tear it up. Walk away, take a deep breath, and come back. Maybe go eat some chocolate. Get a good night's sleep. Everything will look better in the morning. Hmmm. Seems like a lot of applicable life lessons are embedded here. Anyways, I couldn't do the traditional basketball court. You see my trademark blue sky with puffy clouds, cityscape, and my green foliage sneaking and creeping up in the background. There is always a place for nature. I wonder if Kobee learned his game on the playground or neighborhood streets. Well, I decided that he did because it worked for this composition. Here is to looking forward to new and better things in 2014. One love and peace on earth to all from the Quirky Artiste on Christmas Day!

And here's a flashback to one of my fav quotes, shared again with me recently by a friend... "Every child is an artist. The problem is remaining one as an adult." Or something like that. I'm sure Picasso said it more eloquently.   

Witty Kitty and the Blue Rose

Our Changing Galaxy

The Jetsons, George Orwell's 1984, Y 2K and now mobile apps. I just may now be entering into the 20th, whoops I meant 21st century with the rest of the kids today. LOL. Time flies along with incredibly fast and advancing technology. My fingers still cramp when I try to type too long on the cyber keyboard and my obsessiveness (well, maybe it's more my age) makes me cringe at all those shortcuts. So while my heretofore dreadfully long yet entertaining posts (insert laughter) may be more frequent if I use my Blogger App, they will thank goodness for you...be shorter.  If I had any faithful readers, I hope to see you back! One love and peace from the Quirky Artiste!

" Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artiste." -Pablo Picasso

Some of the best inspirations come from Cubists.

 

Sasha and Summertime Fun

Cats and Dogs

The Pittsburgh Arts Festival traditionally brings us rain and this year was no different. The day before it was set to open we saw a whopping 2.25 inches of rain in 24 hours. Things eventually dried up and then it was a delightful production.

 Later, I enjoyed my own little arts festival. Usually, I use floral subjects and watercolors but this time, I was feeling reckless and decided to be a tad more daring. So, I packed up my pastels and trotted off to the nearest park. The benches were all occupied and I had to trot back to the car. I found a few blankets in the trunk that I always knew would someday come in handy  

I spotted a tree under which I could set up my travelling art studio but was a little nervous sitting under the tree with all those dog walkers strolling by. Sometimes the pooches get so inquisitive. Since I was balancing the pastels and sketchbook on my lap, I couldn't make a quicky get away if I had to. Eventually I did have a visitor.  A cute little pug came by and simply stopped to stare. He stood completely motionless. I asked his owner if he was always "like that" and the  owner said he did this because he was friendly. Huh? I found it very strange. He didn't bark. He didn't wag his tail. He didn't move. Perhaps he was lovestruck. You see, I was trying my luck with pet portraitures. Meet Sasha, an adorable Shorkie. I've been sketching her for practice before I try the real thing. And you may also remember Saphire, the Siamese SophistiCat of posts from a time passed. Thank goodness that Saphire was hiding deep in my sketchbook or I fear that funny pug would not have been so motionless. A few microscopic bugs also dropped by and let's just say that they became one with the artwork when I tried to brush them away.

I've also been wasting spending a lot of time fooling around with doodling exploring abstract designs. I found it to be very zen but without purpose until I started to find ways to incorporate it into my work. It has given me a fresh way to look at things as I played around with inserting different backgrounds and color. Yep, you guessed it. Here they are. So, which do you like better, cats or dogs?

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso

Art with a View

Nationally, Pittsburgh is definitely known as a sports town. We have the very popular Pittsburgh Steelers, the winning Pittsburgh Penguins, and the nostaligic Pittsburgh Pirates. There are other sports teams I am sure, such as the Pittsburgh Power and the Passion. However, more up my alley are the ubiquitous art forums that our area has to offer.

 There are literally hundreds of hidden galleries, streets lined with art spaces, gigantic murals on the sides of buildings, mirror mosaics on houses, neighborhood museums, and tons of art and craft shows. The list is endless. Even if you are not an art enthusiast but you are from Pittsburgh, you know that the Arts Festival is right around the corner. It also usually brings with it a share of rainy days. I still do not have my corner booth this year :( but that is OK. I shall have way less stress as a visitor at this event.

Speaking of sports (and art) there is the expression that goes something like this..."I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out." Well, here's a twist on it. "I was on the top floor of a downtown building and an art project jumped out." The view was stunning and I couldn't stop staring and studying the vista. All I had with me was a number 2 pencil and a small note pad but it was enough to get started. Later, that evening I added some color and tried to gain dimension with colored pencils. If you are familiar with the Pittsburgh Skyline, you should hopefully be able to recognize the PPG Building and that little yellow hut at the top left corner is the famous Pittsburgh Incline. Seriously, that was my view from the window. Stunning!

"A day wasted is one without laughter." - E.E. Cummings

Spontaneous Planning

I like to talk probably way too much about my art projects. Recently, I happened to conversationally mention to a friend that I had to plan my next painting. Blah, blah, blah, but surprisingly he was actually paying attention and seriously, listening to me babble. Of course he had to prove it by commenting, "I thought art was supposed to be spontaneous". That simple comment got me to thinking. Again.

I enjoy spending lots of time picking a subject, choosing a medium, playing around with color combinations, and ruminating on compositions. It is what I do when I am supposed to really be paying attention to something way more important. Like the traffic signals on the road. But alas, this is one of the great escapes for me that I can do anywhere and anytime.

But maybe there is an oxymoron embedded here. How can the making of art be both thoughtful and spontaneous? All of these questions make me stop to ponder my own style and technique . While I think it has matured over the decades, becoming more expressive and unique, I am well aware that it still feels way too controlled. Bold and vibrant but yet stilted. How can that be? Sounds ironic I know and difficult to put into words. But it is what I always encourage children to do and with what I continue to struggle myself. Create without being afraid of making mistakes and not to worry about the results not being good enough. Enjoy the experience and relish the process. I guess like most things it is all about finding balance. Laborious practicing so that you can make it look effortless and easy. Spontaneous planning. LOL.

The little watercolor painting above illustrates spontaneous planning well. It is my interpretation of the old fashioned columbine flower. I lost myself in the colors while I worked hard to relax and let them dance.

One Love and Peace from the Quirky Artiste, y'all!

Indulgences

I really savor those moments when your breath hitches in your throat. Sounds indulgent, I know. But let me set the scene for you.... It was probably to be the last major snow fall of the season. The accumulation was that wet, heavy, great snowball making kind. Stacked high, one on top of the other, each snowflake was precariously perched on the tree limbs. A magnificent sight on a windy road, especially when no other car or humanity was in sight.

There are lots of incredible miracles in the world . My mind goes numb when I think of no two snowflakes being the same and the trillions of trillions of them that have rained down on the world over creation. I actually have to suppress a giggle as I release the tension from trying to fathom the total number. My calculations are instantly  interrupted as I switch to ponder the awesome power of God.

"Creativity is the ability to see that which is waiting to exist."

Out of Africa

My last watercolor painting was from my visit of the cold turbulent waters somewhere off of the rocky coasts of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I always like hunting for sea shells and all of the other critters that wash up on the shore. One time I thought I had discovered quite a find of a bunch of miniature conch shells. I gathered them up and took them home only to discover that the shells had yet to be vacated. Yikes, what an odor! But nothing that a little clorox couldn't handle. I still feel bad though because the little slimy occupants belonged in the ocean and not in one of my craft projects.

Anyways, the other evening I ventured out of my imaginary third floor loft art studio to journey once again to Africa. I love feeling the heat, wearing my cool prescription sunglasses to ward off the glaring sun, and painting the exquisite Acacia tree. This time the Luangwa River is set  behind the amazing tree but my two spirit birds continue to soar high in the noontime heat. I thought about adding a giraffe or two deep in the distance but I wanted to keep the solitary feel from that time of the day when the animals are motionless. You sense their presence and danger although you cannot see them. As always I hope you enjoy the journey.

Resolute

First, I just have to say that it is January 12, 2013 and it is 65 degrees. No, that's not the temperature inside. That is the temperature outside and I love it. The snow has melted and the daffodils have been fooled because they are poking up out of the ground. I am pretending that spring is right around the corner, rather than more winter weather.

But alas, it is still more like New Year's resolution time. Every morning I ask God for help with the more serious resolutions and to prep me for the day by granting me patience, wisdom, empathy and productivity. I guess that is probably more like asking for pwep for the day.  Unfortunately, I am sad to say that by nightfall I have usually fallen short with each one but always hope that I have another day to try again and do better.

So, I also like to fool around by coming up with really silly resolutions. Like, trying to get better at doing the wobble dance. You'll have to google that because I can't quite find the words to describe it well. I also figure that I may get better at the wobble if I practice every time for 2 minutes while brushing my teeth. Now that's time management. I'll have to look for that egg timer I misplaced.

Lots of people make that traditional resolution of eating healthier. Fish is good for you so I am thinking of trying Sushi for the first time. And while I am at it, I guess I can throw jello into that category as well. They are both good for you and challenging to swallow because of that squiggly quality. I'll try to get "high school skinny" but for me that goal should probably be more like "junior high skinny." Have to go further back in time for me to get to that "skinny era." So, its time cupcake, to get back into the yoga routine. Taking the recycling to the curb does not count as exercise.

"Gray butterfly! Have you a dream for going. Or are you the blind wind's blowing?" ~Dana Burnet

Around new year's, I had a moment when I just picked up the paintbrush and felt like painting on the wall...freestyle. No planning, no thinking, just enjoying the feel of the paint sliding, sloshing and dripping around on the wall. Well, actually I did have a little bit of an idea in mind. I wanted to give the butterflies a home by starting a butterfly garden. It was fun but if the flowers and leaves look a little stilted and tense, it's probably because I was wearing beige paints while painting. This was such a spontaneous moment, that I didn't even put on a paint smock. Maybe, I'll tend to the garden and add more flowers to keep it growing, but for right now, it will have to do.

First Snowfall

So, I am really not much of a snow person, especially when I have to drive in it. Well, for me that usually means sitting in gridlock, in the dark, trying to slide my way home from work.

This year's first snowfall, however was kinda different. The meteorologists were suiting up as usual and were for days calling for 2 to 4 inches of snow. This depending on when and how fast it comes, might be a tad problematic. But with the warm temperatures we've been having, the final outcome was a beautiful light covering and it didn't happen during rush hour.



It still seems like a hit and miss trying to photograph watercolors.
They get so washed out and you can't see the details.
Still experimenting with the photography.



I just slipped into my sexy furry leopard print slippers which accompanied my weekend sexy drawstring sweat pants and floppy paint splattered tee shirt, scrunched my weekend hair into a ponytail, refused to look into the mirror at the fashion statement results (it's better not knowing that way) and plunged onto the front porch to see if my parsley had survived. I snipped some off for my pot of home made chicken soup that was simmering on the stove. The brisk crisp air was exhilarating and the fresh white snow was breathtaking. Made me think of a painting of course. I snuck a peak to make sure that the evergreens and Christmas red bow on my lamppost were still secured after the gusty winds that we have been experiencing. All in all, everything was looking okie dokie and feeling pretty cozy. I paused to count my blessings in light of the recent tragedy that our nation experienced last Friday. It will be so very hard for some to experience the holiday season this year and probably for years to come.



Here it is framed. Still can't figure out how to eliminate the glare.



This is one of my most recent paintings. For some reason, I decided to try to paint an ocean scene in the middle of a snowfall. Perhaps this one could be the onset of a winter storm. It started out as calm waters but then something seemed to happen. The colors changed and the crashing waves became much more powerful. If you notice though, the 2 sea birds soaring high remain undistressed and continue their peaceful flight.

I wish you a safe entrance into the new year as well!

Peace of the Seasons

When I thought about what I wanted the style and composition for this year's Christmas card to be, I was still whetted to the idea of creating it in traditional watercolors. I wanted however, to try my hand this time at a more cartoon like, light hearted expression while simultaneously seriously capturing the essence of the season. And of course, I definitely wanted it to be Another Original. So I pondered a lot about what the spirit of the season means to me. Here's the story...

Christmas Kitty has returned for this year’s Holiday Season card and this time she is joined by Christmas Mouse. Unwittingly, they work together to figure out a way to get the star to the top of the Christmas tree. And so I call this little painting "Peace of the Seasons." Each element of this scene has a special personalized meaning for me… from the snoozing cat that always found its way under the tree or that would bat around the ornaments on the tree to the snowflakes falling outside of the window.

If you think about it, I am sure that you will find many of your holiday memories in this tiny painting as well.

"Everything you can imagine is real." -Pablo Picasso

Cultivating Your Creative Life

When things get really chaotic and stressful, I think about God and then I think about art. That seems to help. Lately, I noticed that I haven't painted anything major but I have been engaged in immersing myself in lots of smaller artsy activities. Trying to lose myself in the world of color and creativity. So here's what I've been doing. Maybe you would be interested in trying some of these things as well. Currently, I am reading a book by artist Alena Hennessy called Cultivating your Creative Life: Exercises, Activities and Inspiration for Finding Balance, Beauty and Success as an Artist. It is a really easy read with lots of pretty pictures. I was comforted and somewhat surprised to find that many artists share a common outlook about the world around them. That endless obsession with nature and seeing absolutely everything around them as the next potential art project. The book is in our public library system and I would recommend checking it out. It also has lots of inspirational quotes.

I've been making those art cards out of paint chips again. Mainly because I just enjoy playing around with the colors and it is an easy activity to do in the evening when I am usually just too exhausted to do much of anything else. I've also gathered up art supplies for a few children and am trying to dream up suggested art project ideas for them and to keep them inspired with art as well. Haven't gone to the museum lately but I've made it a point to get to a few new craft fairs, art shows, and dropped in on a neighborhood boutique. This is always a relaxing and fun way to be inspired. And then there is the TV show Artzooka. A show for kids but to be enjoyed by adults as well. They make great things out of truly ordinary stuff you will always have laying around your house. I cleaned out the art studio and it felt good to be at least temporarily organized. I was told about the really interesting Pinterest.com web site where you can find all kinds of interesting stuff.  Was really excited to be able to locate and attend a day long training on Art Therapy. Oh, and then of course, I have finally posted on my Art Blog after a long hiatus. Congrats to Pres Obama and if he happens to check out this post, (LOL) I am hoping that he doesn't forget about funding to the Arts in Education.

"You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. " -James Allen

Passages

Does anyone remember the book Passages by Gail Sheehy? I think it was a 70's thing and was pretty popular in its heyday. Speaking of aging, that expression just did it. I don't know where it came from! Some say the saying originated in the mid 1500's and may have been first recorded in 1751. Just trying to put time in perspective for you.

I don't think I ever actually read the book from cover to cover, just the passages that jumped out at me. I always wondered if that was the real inspiration for the title. You can't really digest the whole thing in one sitting. The essence of the book comes back to me now as I focus on how many of my goals and dreams have changed over the years. Sometimes I have even achieved a few of them as one passage leads me to my next journey. The key is to keep our dreams alive no matter in which phase we find ourselves.

Passages and dreams apply to our own artwork as well. Style, preferred medium and subject matter changes over time. Even the way we sign our work can be a metamorphosis. The watercolor painting shown above is no exception. I worked really hard on it to get to the point when I could finally say "I am finished." Trying to capture the mood of the inpenetrable rain forest was easier said than done. But I'll keep trying and maybe some day I shall overcome.

"Without dreams, artists would perish" - Roger Asselin

Summer Art is the Best!

I made it back to the museum for a return trip before the end of the Impressionism Show and the end of summer. This time, I thought that I would be able to study the masters a bit more closely. The day that I chose for my visit also turned out to be Art Camp Day. After I was done pouting and wishing that my job was to work at Art Camp Day, I bravely journeyed onwards. My studious intentions seemed to evaporate for some reason and I wound up playing around a bit more than I should have. I eavesdropped on conversations, tagged along on a guided gallery tour with elementary children, and did a lot of people watching. Very interesting what the artsy crowd wears to the gallery.

I eventually paid attention to the artwork and discovered a new favorite artist when his incredibly colorful floral canvas spoke to me. He is Odilon Redon, another artist to join Gustav Klimt from the Symbolism Movement. And then I was fascinated by the affairs, intrigue, and murder surrounding artist's model, Evelyn Nesbit. Her portraits and photographs were included in this Monet to Stieglitz exhibition. Ms. Nesbit was born in Tarentum, lived a fast paced life, and was a super model, pin-up and Gibson girl. Her multi-millionaire jealous husband shot and killed her lover on a rooftop theater during the evening on June 26, 1906. It became the trial of the century. 

Then I ran across the street to get a huge slice of pizza and snuck back into the museum courtyard to eat it under an Acacia like tree by the waterfall. I prentended I was taking lunch while on an African Safari since the weather was just how I like it. Hot! I felt like I discovered Nirvana from the simple pleasures of life. Peace, imagination, sunshine, art, and pizza!



Below is the 2012 Summer Collaborative Art Project. As any artist must do, I had to first understand my subject material. I watch Quobo and the Zulu Patrol but unfortunately was not hip enough to be familiar with Nick Jr. So, I had to take a crash course on the Backyardigans and become inspired quickly. I watched video and googled coloring book pages and soon started to feel as if I had the essence of the characters. Meet (from left to right) Austin, Uniqua, Tasha and Pablo. Not enough room for Tyrone :(  The best quote this time was from a young child as he held the paintbrush up against the canvas while painting and who remarked "I feel like an artist!" That totally captures the goal of this project. 

2012 Collaborative Art!



A Day in a Bug's Life

The other day, a friend of mine asked me what I had done over lunch. It had been another one of those sweltering over 90 degree days and so I said that I had sat a little bit in the park to unwind. Truth was, it was more like I wanted to see how long I could endure the heat before I was eager to go back indoors and unbelievably I was even eager to return to work. My friend then asked me if I had talked to the squirrels again.

Now you know the moment...when you are not sure whether you should be embarrassed at your quirky behaviors or laugh at your friend's candid humor that was directed towards you. I chose the high road and simply acted non plussed and said, NO, I did NOT talk to the squirrels. Actually, none was around because it was too hot for them to be out and about. I did however, have a short tete a tete with a strange looking bug who came a crawling. I mean a calling.

I was trying to do some sketching which ironically wasn't going so hot in the heat. This intruder had really started to bug me. So, I turned the tables and started trying to sketch him. Suddenly, he decided that he did not wish to hang around any longer. I am still way too hesitant when I sketch and so I figured that this was the perfect teaching moment. I tried to draw more quickly before he got away and gave him a gentle poke with my pencil to keep him moving in the right direction. I even tried a few words of encouragement and of appreciation. Eventually, I released him from his duty and watched as he waddled away. We must have become fast friends because very shortly he decided to visit again. YIKES! I looked over my shoulder and there I saw those familiar antennae waving (hello?) at me. But I was tired of playing our game and really hot by now. This time, it was I who quietly crept away.

 This is what I have been working on lately. I wanted to experiment and to try a more abstract floral design on a canvas bag. Not sure what happened. Well, I do know. I enjoy painting butterflies and gardens too much to give them up. I think that I shall keep this bag for myself and maybe try an abstract design again later. My next project is to begin sketching a huge 3' x 4' canvas for this year's Summer Collaborative Art. And already dreaming what I'll do after that...

"Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and its ultimate expression." ~Isaac Bashevis Singer

A Day At the Museum

It feels like it has been quite challenging to be productive in all of these 90 degree summer days with dew points well over 70. My garden has been somewhat neglected in the heat and I haven't been doing much watercolor plein air painting, though I have stuck my fingers back into the fabric paint. This hot weather also made it quite difficult for me to know how to dress for a recent trip to the Carnegie Art Museum. That darn air conditioning. Such quandaries, I know.

I made my decision to go with the sleeveless peasant blouse but to throw a sweater in the car, just in case. With much anticipation I was finally off for an afternoon of frolic with the masters. I barely made it through the courtyard entrance when I stopped dead in my tracks and was momentarily transfixed by the huge splashes of block colors painted along the corridor wall. Not exactly Michelangelo but the gigantic shapes of color were simple, yet very appealing. I was trying to understand how that happens and hoping to remember that combination for future reference.

Daisies in Fabric Paint. Fun to get lost in their dance. 

Continuing my journey, I felt that I had somehow entered into the DaVinci Code or perhaps A Night at the Museum, sans Ben Stiller. I was bombarded by a myriad of strange thoughts, wondering what the galleries would look and feel like in the diminished light and cool air in the middle of the night. The temperature was already cooler and the lighting lower (as I studied the Ancient Artwork in front of me) creating the oppressive blanket of antiquity. Now I know the true meaning of Egyptian Blue. I'll have to google how they made that fantastic color. And how do they apply that eyeliner that way? Those artistic feats, make the pyramids look like child's play. LOL. Juxtaposed to this experience was Modern Art. Not my favorite but definitely interesting. Got to get up front and personal with a Pollock and a Warhol. So used to seeing these works "around" that I had to keep reminding myself that these ones were actually the originals. Also, got some inspiration to broaden my views of composition and design.

Of course, I saved the best for the last part of my tour. The Impressionists. Dreamland. I sat on the bench and entered an altered state as I stared into the huge canvas of one of the Water Lily Panels. Yep. You guessed it. Mon ami Claude. But I also met Van Gogh, Renoir, Cassatt....Had to keep reminding myself that I could not reach out and touch them, which I desperately wanted to do. All and all it was a lovely escape. And of course, no visit is complete without popping in to say hello to the dinosaurs, study a butterfly collection, and to meander through the Hall of Ancient Architecture. I haven't been able to capture the right words to describe all of the strange sensations that these lost civilizations evoked. All in all, it was a lovely escape for me and I didn't even have to don that sweater.

A Safe and Happy Fourth To All!

An Independence Day Bouquet with our stars and stripes! Hostas, Japanese Maple, Ecchinacea, Hedges, Daisies, Queen Anne's Lace, St. John's Wort, Peonies, and Nicotina Flowers all picked from my yard.  One Love and Peace from the Quirky Artiste.

What Dads Do

The other day I went on what started as a nice, simple, relaxing walk. However, I soon began to discover a variety of dainty wildflowers in the woods. I thought that I could control myself and only pick a few. The air was warm and I felt as content as a cat sleeping in its favorite spot in the sun. Nature was helping me de-stress and my mind began to wander to good memories. I remembered the funny things that we did as kids and wondered what it would feel like to do a few of those things again. We climbed trees, picked blackberries, and caught grasshoppers. My Siamese cat Siam also caught them with us. But he always ate his. Yum.

Much of my child summer was spent in the mountains where our boat was docked. This was way back in the day before cable TV. Rarely, was our little TV ever able to pick up a channel. At nite, if we were lucky, we could get a radio station. So, I took walks and picked wildflowers. Sound familiar?

Presently, as my thoughts continue to wander, the miniature bouquet in my hand has somehow started to grow and I know that my Dad would like this little floral arrangement. I start to smile as I remember the things that we did together. Like the 2 of us launching our 22 foot Signa. How do Dads know how to do these things? He changed the flat tires on my bike (that seemed to happen weekly), kept me stocked in art supplies, and got out the crow bar to lift the grate when my baton inevitably rolled down the sewer. Now that's a dad for ya. I never gave it a second thought when I yelled "Daaaaaad!" There didn't seem to be anything that he didn't know how to do or wouldn't do for me. Happy Father's Dav. One Love and Peace from your Quirky Artiste!

Age of Aquarius

When Venus aligns with the Sun and Earth is in between, then the outline of Venus can be seen against the Sun. Peace will guide the planets (sing with me)...and love will rule the stars . Well, something like that.

By the way, the next Venus Transit will not take place until 2117 so I hope you had set your camera. I kinda missed seeing this sight as my boat to Mauna Kea, Hawaii did not leave on time. And alas, it was too misty in Pittsburgh to see much. When I think of these miracles events, it does become a tad bit overwhelming. Doesn't nature inspire the best ideas for designs? And it does all the work for you in coming up with the best dramatic color combinations for your organic compositions.

The Venus Transit.
Reminds me of the yin and the yang but only in black and gold.

Sometimes, when I look at a flower that I am studying for a painting, I am totally overwhelmed by the complexities and vastness of the universe. The interdependence of everything and the myriad of eco systems is unfathomable.  One cannot but feel the existence of a supreme power. Omnipotence. Omniscience. Omnipresence. Totally awesome.

It is good practice to try to keep learning about stuff that goes on in the world around you. Learning for me, is also a regular lesson in humility. Everytime I think that I am learning something new, I am blanketed by a feeling of how little I will always know. Understanding how the universe works quickly becomes incomprehensible. I guess that's why they call it faith.

"For a painter, nothing is more difficult than to paint a rose, because in order to do so he must first forget every rose that has ever been painted." - Henri Matisse

Rumor Has It

Rumor has it (no, its not the Adele song), that the most expensive painting ever sold was a Jackson Pollock. Said to have gone at auction in November 2006 for the paltry sum of 143.5 million (dollars). There is actually a film called "Who the #^&* is Jackson Pollock?" Not a big hit at the box office. Me and and 2 other people watched it, I think. LOL. Anyways, for those of you who are Pollock fans, this pricy painting was his 1948 one titled No.5. I guess you could call Pollock's work abstract. Though I usually think of cubism and surrealism as more of the abstract arts. Pollock's paint splashes are in a category of their own. Maybe some day I'll be daring, put on a big art shirt, and give his technique a whirl. Looks like fun.

The real (verfied) # 1 most expensive painting on the list is no surprise to me. And this time it is Adele. Sorta. The 1907 iconic work of Gustav Klimt, the Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer sold for 135 million (dollars... tee hee). I'd be happy if I could sell a painting for 135 million pennies. I must admit that Klimt is only a recently discovered favorite of mine. This particular painting of Auntie Adele has an intriguing provenance. And, by the way, Paul Cezanne's The Card Players was sold in February 2012 for 250 million in the private market. Buyer unknown. Imagine having that hanging over the lavabo in your foyer.

More recently, about a week or so ago, the very famous 1895 pastel by Edvard Munch, The Scream, went for 119.9 million. We also had a recent loss in the Art World. Robert Kinkade passed away at the age of 54. I wasn't aware that I really knew who he was. I have seen his paintings around and as I usually do, I study them and go to the left or right hand corners to see who signed them. You have to understand that I would have loved to have his talent but he just wasn't a fav painter of mine. I later learned that he made millions with his commercial art business while simultaneously being criticized by the conservative art world. Just reinforces how diversity keeps so many things vibrant and alive.

Autism Speaks

April was Autism Awareness Month and I attended 2 days of training on the importance of play. Using art to engage children almost always works for me. However, there are times when you must follow the child's lead and participate with them in their behavior to be successful. This approach is based on Stanley Greenspand's DIR (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship Based) Floortime Model. There are those who are quite resistant to DIR, fearing that you will reinforce the undesirable, repetitive, and non-interactive qualities of a child who has been diagnosed with autism. Radically different from the more medical ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) approach,  I think that this is a more strengths based model and feels more natural.


But let's look at what works in real life with anyone. If you express an interest in what someone else seems to be doing and enjoying, well that is a basic fundamental building block to forming an alliance or relationship. For reasons that we do not understand, children diagnosed with autism seem to withdraw from social interaction and disappear into their own world of play. We seem to think that this is their way of self regulating an otherwise anxiety filled, stressful, and chaotic world. Joining with them in their activities doesn't mean we stop there. A skilled therapist can then gently begin to introduce and build on higher levels of functioning.

 Though we call it play and it can be fun, it is also hard work and takes a lot of time and patience. At least 2 or 3 hours a day of directed play is required with the child by a skilled individual, i.e. parent, family member, friend, or professional.


Of course, you know what I was really thinking all the while during my 2 days of training. I am wondering about the role of the expressive arts for a child diagnosed with autism. The old adage "time and place" keeps going through my mind. Art, music, dance...would have to be introduced very slowly and cautiously and only if the child seems to be in a spot to be able to experience and integrate something new into their environment. Remember that the arts frequently have the potential to be overstimulating for anyone.




"May I have this dance?"

 Once again I am reminded of the quote that is attributed to Plato. It goes something like this "Be Kind. For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Horsing Around




Come a little closer. That camera looks yummy.

 

Elvert the Gubknit and I decided to leave the Blog Bog for a day and go down to the park to see the  friendly equines. I don't really know them very well but that did not seem to matter much to them. They poked their heads over the fence to eagerly reach the luscious green dandelions that I had freshly picked and snatched them right out of my fingers. They were very gracious, never refusing any of my offerings.

I was mesmerized as I watched their lips fold up as they nudged me and I couldn't help but think "what big teeth you have." Whoops, wrong story. Sorry.

Dazzle the Dancing Dragonfly did not come with Elvert and me, murmuring something about having to practice her plies. Sweet Pea was also afraid to join us. Something about the horses' fondness for vegetation. Snap. Crunch. Yikes! Princess Sapphire and King Siam stayed back in the Blog Bog World, meowing about that darn Dalmatian who lived in the stable and how he wasn't a very good hostess the last time they visited. Probably the dog chasing cat issue had surfaced again.



 Another painting of the Bog-on the day we left on our adventure.



So. That just left me and Elvert, whom no one seemed to notice. Or maybe they just couldn't tell him apart from all the other Gubknits flying around. But that probably accounts for all the odd looks I was garnering as I carried on an animated conversation with my friends. "You're so pretty" I said to the chestnut mare and "My, you're a big one" to what looked like a Clydesdale Budweiser horse. They were so silly with their head bobs, grinning teeth, and the way they went after my fingers for more snacks. For a minute, I thought Elvert was going to get gobbled up too. But all in all, it was a lovely adventure with God's creatures in paradise. You'll have to come with us the next time!

He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable

He knows when you're confident
And he always knows when you have carrots.


~Author Unknown

Purrfect Princess Saphire Poses

Princess Saphire the SophistiCat is married to King Siam so I think technically that should make her a Queen. Although I am not sure how all that lineage royalty really works. Anyways, Saphire strikes me more as a Princess. Her best friends Sweet Pea the Sugarbug and Dancing Dazzle sometimes call her "So", which is short for SophistiCat. Her kittens call her Meo-So. That is Siamese speak for Mama. It all gets a little confusing and it reminds me of that old Laurel and Hardy skit.

Sweet Pea the Sugarbug: So, who's got the mouse?

Princess Saphire: What?

Sweet Pea: So, who's got the mouse?

Princess Saphire: I heard you. What?

Sweet Pea: So what?

Princess Saphire: You asked me. What mouse?

Oh, all this caterwauling could go on for days in the Blog Bog World. LOL. Anyways, Princess Saphire loves to pose for my portraits and she always looks so sleek and elegant. And of course, you can always hear King Siam in the Blog Bog World singing "Yes I am Siam the Siamese Cat from Siam".

We have had abnormally warm temperatures here in the Bog and I think spring has sprung. Dazzle has put away her leg warmers and Elvert, one of the Gubknits (which is ironically stinkbug spelled backwards, tee hee) is flying around like crazy. Zephora is spring cleaning her lily pad and I may remodel the imaginary art studio again. It's gonna be a wacky ride.

"Be yourself because everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde



So Purr-ty!