2011 In Review- 11 Question Interview

What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
One of my paintings was accepted into a juried show and shown in a gallery.  

I learned how to snowboard.

I went para-sailing and learned how to ride a tandem bike.

Did you keep your New Year’s Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I dont think I made any resolutions last year.

This year I would like to-

Finish my BFA in May

Build my art business

Do more yoga

What trips did you take?

Lake Tahoe CA in January

Catalina CA in July

Townsend TN in October

Glasgow, Scotland in November

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Motivation.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? What was your biggest failure?

Getting a painting accepted into a juried gallery show. 

&

Letting my inner demons get the better of me

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Everything- more hikes, more time with friends, and family.

I wish I spent more time on art for me instead of school or other people.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinating, TV watching, Worrying

What was the best book you read?

I read a lot of great books this year.  

My faves would have to be-

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Series

The Travelers Gift & The Final Summit

What was your greatest musical discovery of the year?

Adele

What kept you sane?

My family- Husband, cat, and 2 dogs, & my friends. 

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?
It is ok to say "no".

Fall 2011 Review

First off, I must say, I am proud of myself.  This was not an easy semester.  4 classes, 3 of them studio classes.  I haven't done that wacky of a schedule in years.  Thankfully, I made it through though with only a few bumps.  This semester I created a business plan, 4 figure sculptures, and over 100 paintings.  That is a lot of work in 15 weeks.     

Another semester down, 3 more classes to go.  I am soo excited to be so close to finishing my BFA.  I have 1 required course and 2 of my choice to take next semester and I dont know what too choose.  I am kind of thinking Mixed Media 2, Monotype, Relief Printing, Painting Concepts, Abstract Painting, or Studio Landscape. Too many choices.  Right now I am leaning toward Mixed Media 2, and Relief Printing.  We will see what I end up choosing after I talk to my adviser and have my portfolio review.  

I am really into printmaking right now because that is what I am going to be doing for my Christmas presents this year.  Every year I like to make my gifts.  I have done candle holders, ornaments, candles, and you might remember my Winter Bird paintings from last year.   This year I am not going to go as crazy and give everyone an original painting. No, this year i will be creating prints.  I dont want to go into detail but I promise I will post them after Christmas.  I am quite excited about them and will probably sell a few in my shop.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful, happy, peaceful holiday season. 

 Purple Moth Orchid

9 x 12

acrylic on canvas

Final for Quick Studies. Inspired by severe cropping.  I thought since I did a lot of paintings this semester using a palette knife I would do my final with a knife.  From my beautiful Home Depot orchid. Also seen here.

Lady Torso

Lady Torso 

~ 2 feet

 water based clay

For Head and Figure Sculpture.  Happy with this.  I think I may even hollow it out and keep it :)  I like the marbling effect of the two clays. Previous Step.

Ode to Spring, Longer Figure Studies

Ode to Spring

30 x 20

watercolor on illustration board

For Still Life 2.  Large format painting. Ranunculas.  I had lots of fun with this.  I let myself really explore different media.  This is watercolor, pen, and colored pencil. Costco had a big pack of fun colored pens so I was inspired to use those.  I really think I will try more pieces in this style.  

Before the splatter explosion-

Longer Figure Studies 

9 x 12

acrylic on board

For Quick Studies. 1st 2 are 30 minutes and the last 1 is 45 minutes.  More involved studies of figures in action.   

QOTD- Dan McCaw

From A Proven Strategy For Creating Great Art-  

"A bad painting is like taking a journey down a side road and finding it ends in a dead end. 

It may seem you've gone nowhere, but there are gifts you've picked up along the way. 

Just keep your eyes open. 

You'll learn something from each road you take. 

The main thing is to keep excited about what you're doing. 

Think of frustration as the vehicle that moves us forward and persistence as the gas that drives it. 

Enjoy the journey, it's the most important part of the trip." 

~Dan McCaw

Torso WIP

Torso WIP

~ 2 feet

 water based clay

For Head and Figure Sculpture.  This is more of a lump of clay then a torso.  I ran out of clay and will need to buy more to bring this to more of a finish.  2 weeks left of school! I cant do it! 

December Rose, Negative Space Quick Studies

December Rose

10 x 10

watercolor onpaper

For Still Life 2. A square composition. I like what I have done with this but I feel there is much more I can do.  I hope to go back into it and refine it a bit more. 

12 x 9

acrylic on board

For Quick Studies. 25 minutes.  Exploring negative space.  

Freesia

Freesia

14 x 11

watercolor on board

For Still Life 2.  Finished. Previous step.  I love the bright vibrant colors.  I also love the play of cool and warm colors.  I think it is beautiful. 

I brought this piece to Scotland but I was too busy exploring the beautiful country to have time to finish this there.  It is done now :)

Ubiquitous

 Ubiquitous

16 x 8

watercolor on illustration board

For Still Life 2.  Unusual format. 

I have gotten into this awful habit of turning in my work late for this class.  Week after week.  This was due last Monday.  I only have 2 weeks left so I really need to get my butt into gear. 

My reference photo was taken for this at a pub in Glasgow Scotland called the Ubiquitous Chip.  Very cool place.  Nice ambiance.  Looks like a greenhouse inside. I loved the warmth of the candle and the design of the holder.