Red it is!!!! The title..."FUEGO". Translation...fire, but a good, purposeful fire. Fired up, burning passion. Another way to look at it, and as believed by the chinese (please don't quote me, I'm not sure, just think I remember something like this in the back of my mind) "Baptism of fire" is a burning away of the bad, and restoring purity back into our lives. All I know is that I had a million thoughts running through my head when I started this piece, and half way through, they had all melted away.
This piece was intended to be a bright and cheerful WHITE, something else entirely!! But we all know how these things go. They seem to have a mind of their own, or at least a part of OUR own mind that we are not aware of. The female image here is a rubber stamped image, I think from 100 Proof Press. I then used a graphite pencil to outline and shade, white paint, lace, paper, etc. etc., oh and the frame is an actual picture frame that I painted and aged. The windows on the frame I think lend a bit more to the story. She "thinks" no one can see.
Anyway...I know that todays journal is telling me something that I was not consciously thinking about. Well, off to ponder that.
I'm back, and it didn't take more than a second after scanning this piece for me to realize what I was trying to tell myself.... ...SELF...take this little piece of art work you've just completed, and place it directly on YOUR refrigerator door. ASAP!!!!!! :o(
PS. I know the scan is lousy. From here on in I'm going to have to learn how to take good digital photo's and upload those instead of direct scanning. My colors are not showing up as they should, and the light from the scanner casts bluish shades onto everything.
Hi Misty. Green it is!! Or maybe not so much. Once I scanned the painting, it appeared to be more blue than green in the uploaded image. So we'll say GREENish-blue, but a happy one. I hope that qualifies.
Another page done!! Today's theme was orange. Here is my attempt.
Here is today's journal page. I don't know where yesterday went. I often lose track of time, days too. Waaayyyy too much going on lately, but not complaining. Yes, the days are full, but they are full of inspiration as well. What more could I ask.
Here is my (self) portrait for today. Read the journaling written directly onto the painting, (place the cursor over the image then right click to enlarge) and it will explain the resemblance.
I'm participating in Misty Mawn's daily journal painting. This week it is self portraits. Oh my!!! Not such an easy thing. It's funny how we tend to see ourselves (or not). I had to look into the mirror for this project, and true to the words I wrote on the journal... I wasn't to sure who the heck was looking back. (and yes, I do wear lots of make-up, it's just easier to apply onto paper these days) The years sneak up on us very quickly. BUT, I 'm happy to say...I'm pleased with the changes. My deeper smile lines, crows feet, and wrinkles. They speak of experience; of life and living. Comfort in my own skin.
Well, although the "embracetheface" theme has not been officially announced for January, it appears that "grow" has won the challenge, by a very slight margin. Last month, a talented artist, S L Greek, contributed her artwork to the blog, and it brought to mind a piece I had done in the past, but never shared with anyone other than the recipient; a new mommy.
In the original painting, the background sky is a much lighter variation of blues, but I decided to change the scanned image with a "paint" program in order to create a darker, star filled night.
So it is now (slightly) redone with digital enhancement. That's my new thing!
I will be using my painting of "evening moon" as my "face"contribution for the "grow" theme on Embrace the Face for January 09. I hope you stop by.
P.S. I'm dreaming of entering the 21st century by learning Photoshop. Then I'll really be over the moon ;-)
This is my homage to the New Year. I have never used any of the "paint" tools before, so please overlook the major flaws. In any event...this technique took me back to the days of the "etch a sketch". What fun!!!! May the New Year bring everyone peace, health, love, and harmonyin abundance.
What a wonderful time my family and I all had, and are still enjoying. I wish the same for all of you, and so much more for the coming New Year. My grandson will be three years old tomorrow...continuing our celebration. Here is a photo of he and I together on Christmas eve. He fills my life with love and joy.
I was so excited to find the "embrace the face" challenge, that I immediately signed the guest book without reading all of the instructions, and so uploaded incorrectly. Oooops!!! My apologies. I will do my best to submit an appropriate "FACE" for the month of December. The theme iswhite. I can't wait to get started. I've always loved sketching and painting faces, so this will be tremendous fun for me. I'm so grateful to all of you bloggers/artisans. Not only do you provide incentive, but you generate so much creative energy for the rest of us. Thank you all so much.
I've completed my little quilt and will be mailing it off to Monica by tomorrow, but in the meantime here's a look. I hope I've done justice to the other artisans, who's squares I chose to use. I 'd love to give them credit by name, but the names were not labeled on their art. Well, if you happen upon this blog, you know who you are, and I thank you. The black strap you see on the left hand center of this piece, is the back hook and eye closure of a brassiere. I thought it to be fitting. It opens to reveal a bit of text. Sorry about the slight distortion on the bottom face, and stripes. That must have happened during the scanning. Anyway, the art, joy and optimism of Monica and the Pink Artists has encouraged me to spend more time tending to my creative side. I sincerely thank them for that, and for all they've done for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Here is another small segment of the fabric collage I'm currently working on. Possibly my favorite snippet so far, as it was inspired by Gustav Klimt.
I feel that the majority of Klimt's paintings are visual explorations of the truths that we all identify with. He successfully portrays, reveals and defines the paradox of beauty in ugliness. Those things which we must unavoidably experience, in life, in death, in global humanity. As perfectly stated in the book “Essential Klimt” by Laura Payne, his perspective continues to provoke serious contemplation, and his work creates a brooding, almost melancholy atmosphere while tackling a grand theme.
I have provided a copy of his painting “Tragedy. This one never fails to stimulate my senses. Please click on it to to view a larger more detailed image.
And,
so as to redeem myself in the eyes of the critics with regard to my own personifications and what I dare to call my art, it is my philosophy that…..
the degree of one's skill is NOT what should prompt us to create our own personal idea of art, but purely the degree of passion and desire for expression, thought, provocation, and motivation.
Through the creation of this humble and primitive little piece of my heART, I aspire to convey my philosophy.
I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted on this blog!!!
Once again, as motivated by the Pink Artists project,
I 'm currently working on creating a 10x10 inch collage quilt which will also showcase a few of the smaller 2x2's lovingly handmade by other artisans involved in this crusade (impeccably synchronized by Monica Magness.)
Here is a sneak peak at one of the segments I have completed so far.
I hope it doesn't offend anyone, but I'm compelled to speak in objectionable tones to this devastating disease the best way I know how, visually and spiritually.
I'll keep adding photo's as I go on, so please stay "posted" ..pun absolutely intended!
