Acrylic paints on 400 series Strathmore Mixed Media paper. Used my own stamps and stencils and some commercial stencils..just having fun.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Jan. 31,2012
Acrylic paints on 400 series Strathmore Mixed Media paper. Used my own stamps and stencils and some commercial stencils..just having fun.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
online class..doodle mania Jan. 28,2012
weeks 2 and 3 of the free online Strathmore class
got all the paintings matted and framed for the library show to be delivered tomorrow! Only a few mishaps..
broke the glass from 2 16"x20" frames, poor fellow at the hardware store had a devil of a time cutting the glass for me, I had to walk away!
Then I find out he cut the pieces 1/16 " too long. So today I took them back with the frames and got them trimmed.
I decided to play some today, finally got the laptop to work at the studio so I could watch the online Strathmore class and do some fun play.
The good news is Hubby should only have 1 and 1/2 weeks unpaid until cleared to go back to work. He ruined a tendon in his ankle and even though surgery would have been preferable he has to wear a walking boot for 4 weeks so the tendon can scar enough to hold. It is pretty involved but without Workman's compensations ok..he would have had to stay out for 12 weeks unpaid after surgery. So no surgery.
It happened at work and we hoped it would be covered but the few fakers have ruined it for everyone. If they agree to cover the surgery then he can do light duty at work with the walking boot...but without the ok then his company will not allow him to do light duty. I know..it stinks..but if Hubby hadn't frittered away his vacation and personal time...we might have been ok. He got discouraged and would just sit at home in front of the tv. Yes he was depressed and refused to take his meds....so under threat from me he is back on meds and easier to live with.
But just as we start to get some where better with our finances..something happens.
Enough of that..I am really excited about seeing my colorful paintings all hung together. The library uses a really good fellow who professionally hangs the shows.
Have a great weekend everyone
got all the paintings matted and framed for the library show to be delivered tomorrow! Only a few mishaps..
broke the glass from 2 16"x20" frames, poor fellow at the hardware store had a devil of a time cutting the glass for me, I had to walk away!
Then I find out he cut the pieces 1/16 " too long. So today I took them back with the frames and got them trimmed.
I decided to play some today, finally got the laptop to work at the studio so I could watch the online Strathmore class and do some fun play.
The good news is Hubby should only have 1 and 1/2 weeks unpaid until cleared to go back to work. He ruined a tendon in his ankle and even though surgery would have been preferable he has to wear a walking boot for 4 weeks so the tendon can scar enough to hold. It is pretty involved but without Workman's compensations ok..he would have had to stay out for 12 weeks unpaid after surgery. So no surgery.
It happened at work and we hoped it would be covered but the few fakers have ruined it for everyone. If they agree to cover the surgery then he can do light duty at work with the walking boot...but without the ok then his company will not allow him to do light duty. I know..it stinks..but if Hubby hadn't frittered away his vacation and personal time...we might have been ok. He got discouraged and would just sit at home in front of the tv. Yes he was depressed and refused to take his meds....so under threat from me he is back on meds and easier to live with.
But just as we start to get some where better with our finances..something happens.
Enough of that..I am really excited about seeing my colorful paintings all hung together. The library uses a really good fellow who professionally hangs the shows.
Have a great weekend everyone
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
a good news bad news kind of week!!!
Shane and Alisa got the house they wanted to rent. Room for her 2 children and the dog! Shane is way excited to have a garage. Typical man thing.
Hubby and I qualified for a temporary mortgage modification. I know you have heard the horror stories but we went with our current servicer and we have it on paper that foreclosure will not happen as long as we make our required payments..which are a lot lower. This may be too much information, but most of our friends know that we struggle financially when I am out of work..who doesn't? Also..I am rarely embarrassed by much. Financial struggles are not the sum of us. I know this may sound flip..but it is only money after all and although we have learned many money saving tricks over the years..sometimes Life just happens. So our Mortgage company has been super with us and really has worked hard to help us get to a better place. I never thought that could happen, after all the bad news on the market..but so far we are ok.
It is currently raining cats and dogs here and snowing in the mountains..which is good news also. It was 54 degrees here yesterday! An unusual January.
The bad news is my Hubby ruptured a tendon at work in his ankle and workman's compensation is refusing to cover the necessary surgery. Now normally we would use our insurance benefit to pay for the surgery..but this involves 12 weeks of casts, walking boots and therapy and unless Workman's Comp oks the surgery then Hubby is not allowed to do light duty and would have to go on temporary disability which is only 1/3 his regular pay for the whole 12 weeks plus of recovery. And we cannot afford that.
Now his Dr. is unwilling to clear him for work without a support boot and He cannot go back to work until we convince the Dr. that he will be ok until hopefully our appeal to Workman's Comp goes through. It is a mess. His disability benefits wouldn't kick in for 6 weeks which means that his personal time and vacation time would have to be used then we would have at least 4 weeks of no pay. All the work we have done to get our mortgage modification and catch up every bill would be null and void.
So that is the bad news.
More good news. Although I had to cancel the first workshop..an artist friend got me a paying gig of giving a demo at Intermountain Society of Artists meeting in Feb.
I did not get chosen to participate in a show I have wanted to do for a long time..but I can reapply next year.
My paintings for the show in Feb. are done, and mostly framed. I need to cut some mats and I am ready to deliver!!
The worse news though came on Jan. 19,2012. My Mother's best friend, June, died.
She and her boyfriend in high school introduced my Mom to my Dad. Her brother Bill and his family, her family and ours camped together for years. She had 4 children, Bill had 4 children and we were 5 kids and we all played together. June was such a sweet lady. She had an infectious laugh. She truly loved her grandchildren and great grand children. Up until the day she woke in pain with a pancreas infection she was driving, visiting friends, hiking, babysitting at age 86. The infection laid her low and after a month it killed her. My Mom of course is devastated.
Here is a photo of them together on a hike in 2008. Never at a loss for something to talk about, like sisters they were. I was privileged to know her.
June has the reddish hair, my lovely Mom is wearing the sunglasses.
Hubby and I qualified for a temporary mortgage modification. I know you have heard the horror stories but we went with our current servicer and we have it on paper that foreclosure will not happen as long as we make our required payments..which are a lot lower. This may be too much information, but most of our friends know that we struggle financially when I am out of work..who doesn't? Also..I am rarely embarrassed by much. Financial struggles are not the sum of us. I know this may sound flip..but it is only money after all and although we have learned many money saving tricks over the years..sometimes Life just happens. So our Mortgage company has been super with us and really has worked hard to help us get to a better place. I never thought that could happen, after all the bad news on the market..but so far we are ok.
It is currently raining cats and dogs here and snowing in the mountains..which is good news also. It was 54 degrees here yesterday! An unusual January.
The bad news is my Hubby ruptured a tendon at work in his ankle and workman's compensation is refusing to cover the necessary surgery. Now normally we would use our insurance benefit to pay for the surgery..but this involves 12 weeks of casts, walking boots and therapy and unless Workman's Comp oks the surgery then Hubby is not allowed to do light duty and would have to go on temporary disability which is only 1/3 his regular pay for the whole 12 weeks plus of recovery. And we cannot afford that.
Now his Dr. is unwilling to clear him for work without a support boot and He cannot go back to work until we convince the Dr. that he will be ok until hopefully our appeal to Workman's Comp goes through. It is a mess. His disability benefits wouldn't kick in for 6 weeks which means that his personal time and vacation time would have to be used then we would have at least 4 weeks of no pay. All the work we have done to get our mortgage modification and catch up every bill would be null and void.
So that is the bad news.
More good news. Although I had to cancel the first workshop..an artist friend got me a paying gig of giving a demo at Intermountain Society of Artists meeting in Feb.
I did not get chosen to participate in a show I have wanted to do for a long time..but I can reapply next year.
My paintings for the show in Feb. are done, and mostly framed. I need to cut some mats and I am ready to deliver!!
The worse news though came on Jan. 19,2012. My Mother's best friend, June, died.
She and her boyfriend in high school introduced my Mom to my Dad. Her brother Bill and his family, her family and ours camped together for years. She had 4 children, Bill had 4 children and we were 5 kids and we all played together. June was such a sweet lady. She had an infectious laugh. She truly loved her grandchildren and great grand children. Up until the day she woke in pain with a pancreas infection she was driving, visiting friends, hiking, babysitting at age 86. The infection laid her low and after a month it killed her. My Mom of course is devastated.
Here is a photo of them together on a hike in 2008. Never at a loss for something to talk about, like sisters they were. I was privileged to know her.
June has the reddish hair, my lovely Mom is wearing the sunglasses.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
January 18,2012
I had 7 people signed up for my workshop but then things began to fall apart. Five had to drop out for various commitments and so I was left with two and had to cancel. I need at least four to make it work financially. But actually, although I needed the money, I am ok with it. I was kind of having some anxiety and trying to get things done. I will do this workshop in March and a different one in February (which I already have some signed up). It is going to be a bit harder to get commitments than I thought. I am thinking of putting a Paypal thing on my Facebook page so people can pay as they sign up.
Yesterday I wired up 18 frames for hanging in the February show. I am getting excited to deliver the paintings. I just need to mat some small works and the four 16"x20" works. I currently have them in the frames without mats and although they look good...they need to fit with the smaller paintings already matted. I borrowed a mat cutter from a friend who bought it unused from someone for $20.00! Now I need to figure out how to use it and hopefully there will be no more bloody fingers!
Supposed to get snow this week, and rain! It got bone chilling cold over the last two days and today it is in the upper 40's. Strange January weather.
My oldest son, Shane, has decided to rent a house locally for a few years instead of moving to California. He still wants to be there but wants to go in a better economic climate. I hope he and Alisa get the house they have applied for.
My son Thomas has written a review for an independent film. He is a good writer and was asked to review this unreleased movie. His blog is meezookeewee.blogspot.com
Yesterday I wired up 18 frames for hanging in the February show. I am getting excited to deliver the paintings. I just need to mat some small works and the four 16"x20" works. I currently have them in the frames without mats and although they look good...they need to fit with the smaller paintings already matted. I borrowed a mat cutter from a friend who bought it unused from someone for $20.00! Now I need to figure out how to use it and hopefully there will be no more bloody fingers!
Supposed to get snow this week, and rain! It got bone chilling cold over the last two days and today it is in the upper 40's. Strange January weather.
My oldest son, Shane, has decided to rent a house locally for a few years instead of moving to California. He still wants to be there but wants to go in a better economic climate. I hope he and Alisa get the house they have applied for.
My son Thomas has written a review for an independent film. He is a good writer and was asked to review this unreleased movie. His blog is meezookeewee.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Jan. 5th,2012
It feels strange writing/typing 2012.
I signed up for a free online Strathmore class with Tracy Bautista. It is a lot of fun so far..still time to get in on the first week everyone! Just go to Strathmore website..you will find it there.
Posting pics of what I did the other day..it is mixed media on Strathmore 400 series artboard. I had some hanging around..got it for a steal because the packaging was dirty. Turns out that this is the support that Strathmore is promoting through these free online classes. So I didn't have to buy it or try to figure out a substitute. I did have to change out a few materials because I wasn't going to the store with no money!!! But since I am an art supply hoarder..then I was ok.
It is a class I am using to get me busy. I always thrive under deadlines or assignments.
I call this one "The First Birds". The birds are from stencils I made for another project. The feathers started out as stencils using my chicken and dove feathers.
Of course the stencils got covered up because I was having fun spraying fluid acrylics around!
the others are details. Then I decided I wanted to try out some crackle glaze I picked up a while ago...never stop when you can add just one more thing!!!!
So I can see me doing more of the doodles as Tracy called them but it seems similar to what I am already doing.
I have never been a fan of Strathmore papers..prefer Arche it takes a good lot of abuse..but I am impressed with these 4oo series boards. They have a smooth surface and did not want to warp..of course it never got real wet..I will put it to the test on my next one.
I signed up for a free online Strathmore class with Tracy Bautista. It is a lot of fun so far..still time to get in on the first week everyone! Just go to Strathmore website..you will find it there.
Posting pics of what I did the other day..it is mixed media on Strathmore 400 series artboard. I had some hanging around..got it for a steal because the packaging was dirty. Turns out that this is the support that Strathmore is promoting through these free online classes. So I didn't have to buy it or try to figure out a substitute. I did have to change out a few materials because I wasn't going to the store with no money!!! But since I am an art supply hoarder..then I was ok.
It is a class I am using to get me busy. I always thrive under deadlines or assignments.
I call this one "The First Birds". The birds are from stencils I made for another project. The feathers started out as stencils using my chicken and dove feathers.
Of course the stencils got covered up because I was having fun spraying fluid acrylics around!
the others are details. Then I decided I wanted to try out some crackle glaze I picked up a while ago...never stop when you can add just one more thing!!!!
So I can see me doing more of the doodles as Tracy called them but it seems similar to what I am already doing.
I have never been a fan of Strathmore papers..prefer Arche it takes a good lot of abuse..but I am impressed with these 4oo series boards. They have a smooth surface and did not want to warp..of course it never got real wet..I will put it to the test on my next one.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
The hopeful and dreaded 2012 is here!
Here is to the hope that it will be a wonderful adventure and the weird ones who think the end is near are wrong. Even if the Mayan predictions are true..oh well..I hope I have lived my life to the best of my abilities!
That said, I posted an event on Facebook of a one day workshop making art papers for the last Saturday of January. Already have 2 students and just need 2 more to actually hold the class!!! Of course one is an artist friend and the other my son..but I was totally surprised by their desire to come and pay to play!
This particular class will be making and taking some papers that can be used in a lot of ways..from scrapbooking to book binding,journal making, collage and painting backgrounds..I will try some marbling effects so I can offer that. There will be mediums used and textures made, some collage. I read an article about Penny Brown who has done some interesting things with watercolor and other things on Rives BFK printmaking paper. So more things to experiment with.
I am even going to make some jewelry from bits of colorful 300# arches paper that was cut off some bookmarks I made to make them a better size. I kept these bits because the colors were so beautiful..and I am going to incorporate them into some jewelry.
So I will demonstrate many things and then we will go at it and play and make grand messes.
Also I will be providing lunch.. I figured this would be a good way to get people in too. It will be very healthy and taste good too!!! We can have lunch out in the lobby area which has a refrigerator, microwave, table and chairs and a nice counter area.
My studio will have to be moved around a bit but very doable.
I need to organize my thoughts because I get excited then don't know where to focus first.
I will be holding workshops on the last Saturday of every month this year unless something happens.. 4 students at the minimum my rent is paid and then some.
The other plan is developing..I have run it by Hubby and he is fine with it..
I have been researching Crowd Funding, for those of you who have not heard about it..it is a way of getting funding for projects that you want to do.
There are several sites, 2 of the most well known are Kickstarter and Indiegogo. They give you 90 days to 120 days to get the funding you ask for on their sites. You provide the dream..be it helping children with an afterschool program of some sort to renovating the local park, to taking a trip to research your next art project. You create the vision and get people on board through the site you choose and also you bring in as much interest from your friends, peers etc. leading them to the site where you have hopefully presented your dream in a way that gets them excited to help you achieve it. If after 90 days or 120 you have not received the goal funding through donations, then no money has changed hands and there is no risk to investors.But if you do get people to donate up to and beyond what you have asked for then you can get the funds with a small fee to the site and proceed with your project.
Now I need to do more research but it seems the more visual you make your vision to site goers then the better your chances are of getting funded. People apparently can donate in any amount that is comfortable for them. So videos and slideshows of your ideas are a good thing, along with a gift to donors of a minimum amount. I would think that would also cement the ideas and plan for the artist/person with project. Even if it doesn't get funded..then you have a plan you can refine, and possibly present elsewhere.
So I was trying to come up with ideas..and this is my favorite. Our house needs lots of cosmetic work and I want it to be beautiful in an artistic way. Colorful, a mural on the North wall, outdoor sculptures. Something that won't upset the neighbors too much but is enough to make people who pass by happy.
(Not this house, but cute!)
I need to go to the city and make sure what can be done within the boundaries of what is allowed but since the house is not a part of any subdivision or PUD development and on a State Highway..well we should be free to use color the way we want. Of course we want it to be tasteful but it has to be fun too. (A gallery of sorts) I have many sculpture friends whom I hope to enlist in borrowing their outdoor pieces they have no where to put or at least help me build some of my own.
This all will involve making a detailed "storyboard" of what I envision and hopefully a fun video. I don't plan to become a kitschy roadside attraction but with all the drab taupe/beige subdivisions going up all over..there needs to be some color introduced!
( not these but wouldn't that be awesome?)
So if nothing else the idea has made me happy to think about even if it never actually happens the way planned.
The sun is shining here..have a wonderful New Year!
More outdoor or just wonderful sculptures
Here is to the hope that it will be a wonderful adventure and the weird ones who think the end is near are wrong. Even if the Mayan predictions are true..oh well..I hope I have lived my life to the best of my abilities!
That said, I posted an event on Facebook of a one day workshop making art papers for the last Saturday of January. Already have 2 students and just need 2 more to actually hold the class!!! Of course one is an artist friend and the other my son..but I was totally surprised by their desire to come and pay to play!
This particular class will be making and taking some papers that can be used in a lot of ways..from scrapbooking to book binding,journal making, collage and painting backgrounds..I will try some marbling effects so I can offer that. There will be mediums used and textures made, some collage. I read an article about Penny Brown who has done some interesting things with watercolor and other things on Rives BFK printmaking paper. So more things to experiment with.
I am even going to make some jewelry from bits of colorful 300# arches paper that was cut off some bookmarks I made to make them a better size. I kept these bits because the colors were so beautiful..and I am going to incorporate them into some jewelry.
So I will demonstrate many things and then we will go at it and play and make grand messes.
Also I will be providing lunch.. I figured this would be a good way to get people in too. It will be very healthy and taste good too!!! We can have lunch out in the lobby area which has a refrigerator, microwave, table and chairs and a nice counter area.
My studio will have to be moved around a bit but very doable.
I need to organize my thoughts because I get excited then don't know where to focus first.
I will be holding workshops on the last Saturday of every month this year unless something happens.. 4 students at the minimum my rent is paid and then some.
The other plan is developing..I have run it by Hubby and he is fine with it..
I have been researching Crowd Funding, for those of you who have not heard about it..it is a way of getting funding for projects that you want to do.
There are several sites, 2 of the most well known are Kickstarter and Indiegogo. They give you 90 days to 120 days to get the funding you ask for on their sites. You provide the dream..be it helping children with an afterschool program of some sort to renovating the local park, to taking a trip to research your next art project. You create the vision and get people on board through the site you choose and also you bring in as much interest from your friends, peers etc. leading them to the site where you have hopefully presented your dream in a way that gets them excited to help you achieve it. If after 90 days or 120 you have not received the goal funding through donations, then no money has changed hands and there is no risk to investors.But if you do get people to donate up to and beyond what you have asked for then you can get the funds with a small fee to the site and proceed with your project.
Now I need to do more research but it seems the more visual you make your vision to site goers then the better your chances are of getting funded. People apparently can donate in any amount that is comfortable for them. So videos and slideshows of your ideas are a good thing, along with a gift to donors of a minimum amount. I would think that would also cement the ideas and plan for the artist/person with project. Even if it doesn't get funded..then you have a plan you can refine, and possibly present elsewhere.
So I was trying to come up with ideas..and this is my favorite. Our house needs lots of cosmetic work and I want it to be beautiful in an artistic way. Colorful, a mural on the North wall, outdoor sculptures. Something that won't upset the neighbors too much but is enough to make people who pass by happy.
I need to go to the city and make sure what can be done within the boundaries of what is allowed but since the house is not a part of any subdivision or PUD development and on a State Highway..well we should be free to use color the way we want. Of course we want it to be tasteful but it has to be fun too. (A gallery of sorts) I have many sculpture friends whom I hope to enlist in borrowing their outdoor pieces they have no where to put or at least help me build some of my own.
This all will involve making a detailed "storyboard" of what I envision and hopefully a fun video. I don't plan to become a kitschy roadside attraction but with all the drab taupe/beige subdivisions going up all over..there needs to be some color introduced!
So if nothing else the idea has made me happy to think about even if it never actually happens the way planned.
The sun is shining here..have a wonderful New Year!
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