it's time for a summer party...I am just craving some nice pink raspberry flavored cake and lemonade. This piece is brand new for the Fifth Ave Art Gallery's upcoming show, "Cups, Bowls and Recipes" the show will open on July 3rd. Stop by the gallery for wine and food from the gallery cookbook. It will be wonderfully ful-"filling"
I will have several other brand new food inspired art works at the opening.
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery 5:30-8pm
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
3Crows
I am wondering why the neighborhood blackbirds have decided to ravage the little baby lemons on my Meyer lemon tree. This is the second year I have noticed groups of blackbird converging and pecking, pecking...why? I love the blackbirds, crows, grackles...all those lovely creatures. You can see the painting at http://shop.reneedecator.com/products/three-crows
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
envelope
love and hearts...envelope the next 4"x4" for the Arthouse co-op canvas project
a little collage with this one
a little collage with this one
Oral
The next piece for the Arthouse co-op canvas project. "Oral" I was given 5 words to express on these 4"x4" canvasses. this is one big-mouthed boy...
output
Finally finished a piece for the Arthouse co-op canvas project I signed on to do. 4"x4"...so small makes it difficult, there is no room to waste. 4 more to go...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Mothers Day
I am revisiting this Mothers Day post from several years ago, with an update. I hope you enjoy!
With Mother's Day approaching I thought I would share my most memorable one with you all. I think three years have past since the beauty parlor chair incident.
the update...I did get the legs refinished and put it all back together. There are still plans to "customize" it...do a little painting inside the dryer top...perhaps. I love seeing it in my studio! It inspires me to slow down and observe all the exciting possiblities each day brings; and to, not forget to have fun and smile whenever possible.
I like unusual things...things with unexpected possibilities...and chairs, I love chairs.
Driving through back streets on my way to church, I noticed a chair sitting in the side yard of a little block house. The neighborhood is one block from the beach, lots of rental homes most of them built in the 50's and 60's. I was immediately intrigued by the beauty parlor dryer chair with a elongated bullet-shaped dryer; definitely "vintage". I continued to notice the chair, week after week, and commented to my sons that I loved the chair...and wanted to have the chair. I lamented on rainy Sundays, that my chair was getting all wet. I said that I was going to ask for the chair. Many months passed by and on one Sunday...no chair. The chair was gone.
Driving through back streets on my way to church, I noticed a chair sitting in the side yard of a little block house. The neighborhood is one block from the beach, lots of rental homes most of them built in the 50's and 60's. I was immediately intrigued by the beauty parlor dryer chair with a elongated bullet-shaped dryer; definitely "vintage". I continued to notice the chair, week after week, and commented to my sons that I loved the chair...and wanted to have the chair. I lamented on rainy Sundays, that my chair was getting all wet. I said that I was going to ask for the chair. Many months passed by and on one Sunday...no chair. The chair was gone.
I was so distressed...physically, when you heart starts pounding and you get that pit in your stomach.
I believe it was the following day...I drove to the house, knocked on the door and introduced myself as a local artist, who had noticed the chair that "used to be in the yard" and inquired if something had happened to the chair. Well...the young surfer "dude" that I was speaking with explained that they had moved the chair to the back patio, "yea it's still here...why"? As nonchalantly as I could reply, I said I liked old things and thought I could do something with it. He said that the chair belonged to his roommate, who wasn't home, and I should check back. I nervously wrote my phone number and handed it to him...I asked him to please have his roommate call me about the chair. I was trying not to get too excited...look too anxious.
I believe it was the following day...I drove to the house, knocked on the door and introduced myself as a local artist, who had noticed the chair that "used to be in the yard" and inquired if something had happened to the chair. Well...the young surfer "dude" that I was speaking with explained that they had moved the chair to the back patio, "yea it's still here...why"? As nonchalantly as I could reply, I said I liked old things and thought I could do something with it. He said that the chair belonged to his roommate, who wasn't home, and I should check back. I nervously wrote my phone number and handed it to him...I asked him to please have his roommate call me about the chair. I was trying not to get too excited...look too anxious.
I waited for that phone call...at least two days. I drove back over, but no one was home. The Friday before Mothers Day I got up early and couldn't stop agonizing over the chair. I woke up my two sons, Jay and Tom and asked them to pay close attention. "I am your mother, and Mothers Day is this Sunday, I want one thing for Mothers Day and I will be disappointed if I don't get it". I remember this moment...I am not proud of it...but I remember it. My oldest son was still in college and the youngest one was in high school; neither of them had any money. I had recently sold some art and still had some of the cash in hand. I counted out $115 and told Jay to take the money and drive over to the chair house and negotiate the procurement. I suggested he see if they would like to give him the chair to humor his mom...and to take it from there. Tom was going along to help with loading and delivery. They returned with a tale of the garbage truck showing up...and the chair was in the truck and they followed it but it turned...a lie. I could tell by their faces, a mother knows. No, no...they had the chair! I was sooooo excited.
How much did they charge for the chair, I asked? Well, Jay says, I asked the guy what he would take and he asked what I thought it was worth...and before I could start with a low price, Tom says,"didn't mom say she would pay $115? Sold...$115.
I still have big plans for the chair...I have had it upholstered in hot pink glitter vinyl, and the elongated helmet top has been repainted, I still need to re-do the chrome legs. I want to call it the get plugged into art chair, or something like that and give it a prominent place at my studio. Regardless...I love the chair, I love the boys who got me the chair, and I can't imagine a more wonderful Mothers Day.
the update...I did get the legs refinished and put it all back together. There are still plans to "customize" it...do a little painting inside the dryer top...perhaps. I love seeing it in my studio! It inspires me to slow down and observe all the exciting possiblities each day brings; and to, not forget to have fun and smile whenever possible.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
moving forward
Sometimes things seems to progress soooooooo slooooooooowly. In the past, while preparing for an upcoming exhibition, I have been able to maintain a crazy schedule of working feverishly to create new pieces of art. It surprises even me when I think back to last year and the Road Trip exhibition. I sketched, painted, collaged and printed almost 30 new artworks in the span of 5 months. That was pretty crazy.
Everything comes in cycles. After completing a large series of work, I have to take a break. Put down the brushes and paints and spend a little time in observation. Explore the art world around me and let the creative juices rejuvenate.
I am still playing around with new techniques for acrylics. I want to be challenged and expressive, always learning more about how to communicate through paint and paper and canvas.
Seascape
start and nearly finished
I have overcome the fear of showing unfinished work, too. I hope I convey just how much I love what I do.
Comments Welcome.
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