The Art of Tea

This is the best photo I could get on my own, the real color does not come out, but this gives you an idea, it is very yummy in real life. If you want to see the progression of this piece see my posts below.
47"x 47", 172 rusted tea bags sewed  together,Venetian plaster, oil paint, graphite and cold wax.
I have been calling it "The Beast" while I worked on it :-), but I needed another name, I grabbed a book and opened it at random, pointed to a sentance and it said "The Art of Tea", I am not making that up.
It is a perfect title since it was made with teabags! The Universe is amazing :-). If you click on the image then click again you will see all the yummy detail.
I love to hear your thoughts.
XOXO

Another Sneak Peek

Most of you that come here know I have been working on a large 47"x 47" painting, I finally finished it after 3 months of intense work, I still have the sides and some tweaking to do, but basically it is done. I have not taken it outside yet to get photos of it, but I took a few quick detail shots today.UPDATE: UGHHH, I can't get a good photo of this painting, I have taken it outside all around my yard and played with it in photoshop, I can't even get it close to what it really looks like. I fear I will have to either borrow a better camera, or get it shot by a professional, this could take a while. So for now all I have are these detail shots to give you an idea. If you click on an image then click again you will be rewarded.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
XOXO

Studio Table

This is not a table, but it is my studio and it doubles as my kitchen, though more painting goes on than cooking :-). Seth Apter from the lovely Altered Page blog has challenged us to show our studio table in a mess and link back to his blog, so go here to see more studios. I have included my studio helpers as well, Max my cat and Bella my dog, Zoe has no interest :-). The painting I am working on is in progress and is in no way done. There is much sanding of venetian plaster and tea bags going on at the moment.
The last photo is where it is today.
I also have a tiny spare room where I keep all my art supplies, but it is too small to work in.
To see finished work go to my website here.
Have fun checking out the studios! Thanks Seth!
XOXO

Ganesha

While working on my big painting (still in progress) I also finished this 12"x 12" Ganesha, I think I will be keeping this one, at least for a while as he is the great remover of obstacles and we can all use a bit of help :-).
Also good news, I sold two more paintings and I am definitely on a roll.
Always love your input.
XOXO

Sneak Peek

 I feel a resurgence of my 6-year-old self…that little warrior, goddess of a girl reminding me of who I was when I was little, before the world got its hands on me.- Jennifer Elisabeth

I love this quote, it is how I feel lately :-). If you have been coming to my blog for any length of time you know I have been working on a big 47"x 47" collage/painting. I spent many weeks sewing 172 tea bags together and also making burn holes in much of it. Then like a crazy person I plastered over most of the tea bags and then sanded it down to reveal bits of it. Now I am in the process of adding graphite and paint. I wanted to show you a little sneak peek of what I have so far.
Love your input.
Happy week.
XOXO

Slowing Down

We have a strange anxiety in us; that if we don’t interfere then it won’t happen. Now that’s the root of an enormous amount of trouble. - Alan Watts
I just wanted to check in and say hello.
I am still working on my large painting, 47" x 47" and I have much left to do, but I refuse to rush it, I do however start to get nervous and sometimes work on smaller pieces, so I feel as if I am getting something done :-).  I love this quote, because it makes me smile and slow down. I realize I am not in a race.
I hope that you are all having a wonderful last bit of Summer. Enjoy every moment and slow down.
I also wanted to mention how sad I am about Robin Williams. I lived in San Francisco for 20 years and he was a presence in that town as well as the world. I loved him and will miss him. Prayers and love to his family and friends.
XOXO

Thoughts on Being an Artist

 “Contain your experience with the divine so that it does not escape you but rather shapes you. Be silent. Silence will help you avoid engaging in the games of competition and illusion that regularly seduce us in the outside world. Silence also helps you avoid distraction. It helps focus the busy mind—-the mind that always has to be doing something, thinking something, the mind that always has to be otherwise engaged lest it become introspective and allow the soul’s voice to override its own. The silence I am describing is a silence that you use to contain the grace you receive when you enter the Castle of your soul. This quality of silence allows you to engage in discernment. You carry this silence within you, even when you are with others. It allows you to hold your center amid the chaos of your life; it keeps you clear so that you do not do or say things you will regret or make decisions out of fear.” Caroline Myss

Painting, art, creativity, they are my life. Add in family, friends, animals and nature and that sums up my passions, add in books and movies and the list is complete. *Oh my I forgot to add in spirit or god or whatever you call source, my spiritual practice is so combined with my art practice that I forgot to put that on my list of passions :-). Art is top of the list and always has been, it is why I am not married and why I have no children, not that you can't do art while being married, many have, but to me it was too big of a distraction to really consider seriously, not to belittle love, I also never found the right man :-). To do my art I have given up money, very few vacations for me or fancy cars or fancy houses as I work little, so I can paint a lot, and have not yet made enough on my art to live on, I say yet as I believe that is coming and already on it's way.

I love my life, every minute of it and I would not trade it for anyone else's life. Money and my own family are not too high a price to pay for this life of constant art making and quiet and peace.

I sale my art in many places, galleries, websites, Etsy, Redbubble and something has come up that has been bothering me, a lot. Branding! They all ask, what's my brand! First off I hate trendy things and I hate that name. I am not a cow. I think if you have a clothing line or make cupcakes then yes, have a brand, but for those of us that make one of a kind, handmade, unique pieces of art  having a brand is not something that is possible.

I see so much cookie cutter art out there and it may in fact have a brand, but it does not fit what I do at all.

How do the rest of you deal with this? No offense if you have a brand, this is just a personal feeling I have about such things :-). I needed to rant a bit. Let me also say that there is much wonderful art out there that inspires!

I have no art to show as I am working away on my big 47"x 47" and it is very labor intensive, I will say there is much sewing, and burning of holes going on :-).

Happy Sunday. XOXO