the edge of sanity

let's talk edges.  there are several ways that artists can finish their edges.  you can use a frame, in which you usually want to use canvas with thinner stretcher bars so they fit in pre-made frames or the less expensive frame choices at the frame shop.  if you paint on thicker canvases like i do, you have to use deeper, more expensive frames which look sharp with some spacing but add size and weight to the entire piece.  i don't believe that frames work well with my work because of the range of values and color, no one style of frame will work and it's important to keep everything unified.  if i used all black frames it contrasts with lighter pieces and darkens the dark pieces.  i also don't like the sharp wall, or stopping point on my open, active brushstroke.

another option is to nix the frame and paint the edges all one color, usually black or a color that matches the painting.  i've seen this done successfully and i've seen this done very sloppily and it looked unfinished.  you have to make sure your edges are precise and clean and evenly painted otherwise it doesn't look professional.  

what you're used to seeing with my work is the gallery wrap, or wraparound technique where you just continue the painting around the edges.  i like the look of this for my work, it keeps the space flowing and looks very finished and whole, less like a painting and more like 3-dimensional windows into my little cloudy worlds.  the only problem with this type of edging is if you don't do it while working on the front body of the painting (which is easy to do when your caught up in the energy of a new piece), you have to go back later hoping you have enough matching paint.  many times this process can take longer than the actual painting itself!  in fact, this blog was prompted by a large chunk of my night working on edges and the pain in my neck from painting with my head cocked to the side.  and this ladies and gentlemen is what we call #artistproblems. (if you twitter, search the hashtag, it's rather amusing)  time for a little yoga stretch break...

thank goodness that's over...

2013?!  really?!  wow, ok, well it's starting out good so far.  i've got a new energy, i'm hunkering down in the studio drawing and painting, and i'm focusing on making this a great year for my art.  i had a little blip there where i couldn't paint...nothing i tried worked and i was really frustrated and down.  i guess all artists go through that and i hope it never happens again!  thanks to the support of friends and collectors and a lot of yoga, i've been working again and looking towards the future.  and a shout out to an amazing artist and friend Sandy Keller and her hubby, Jerry, they have been so supportive of me and half of the supplies i have are because of their generosity!

just finished this piece, 30x10, oil on canvas. i'm calling it "Go" because i'm having a little wanderlust and need to plan a trip asap.

i'm also playing with color canvas/gesso and painted this piece black before starting it.  i almost don't want to paint it...there's something so vacant and atmospheric about it...like a window to some other world sitting on my studio wall.  nah, i'll paint it!

happy new year everyone!

ss

Oh hey there blog, long time no see!

Oops...ok, so I'm not a great blogger!  It's been a busy summer, what can I say, that's a good thing.  I'm sure as we hit winter I'll be back on my computer more often.  Not to mention there's lots going on and I'll have to update everyone on new galleries and shows! * 

I went through a little dry spell, happens to the best of us.  But, all you have to do is force yourself to do anything...anything at all creative and it all starts coming back again.  So after some bad drawings and some questionable paintings, I'm back into the swing of things.  Here's my newest piece that is going to Las Vegas to a small woodworking studio space.  Still trying to think of a title...I'll have to listen to music instead of watching Weeds while I paint...lyrics inspire great titles!

And don't worry, I'm still staring at the clouds!

*Look for me soon in Boulder!!!

Catching Up

geez, guess i'm not good on this who blogging thing!  well, i've been busy with my day job, being a good gallery director is no joke!  we just had one of our biggest shows of the year and it's a lot of working going into it followed by some much needed recovery time afterward.  usually i treat myself with a massage, but this time i'm waiting until after june 8th.  no time for that!  i have been doing several works including a large 48x48 during these past few weeks and now i'm hitting high gear and painting everything i can get my hands on.  not everything will see the light of the gallery, but i'll be giving you the best that i've got right now!

i'm playing around with new style options, still including my signature stroke, but incorporating bigger brushes and harder edges.  you may remember a certain cloud piece that i kept teasing you with progress pictures, well i don't think i ever showed you the finished product!  so here's a taste of some new work.  the rest will be revealed for my show!  make sure you have friday, june 8th from 5-8 at Beals & Abbate Fine Art marked in your calendar!

Just Cause It Feels Good

40 x 30

oil on canvas

decisions, decisions....

hard at work right now, but i can't really show you on what!  at least, i'd rather it be a fresh show with work NO ONE has seen before!  even though the show at Beals & Abbate isn't until June 8th, a lot of the advertising is due right about now.  i fear i will lose friends after this, i keep turning everyone down for dinner, movies, and/or drinks!  stick with me people!

such an amazing change in my life from a few years ago.  i used to be working 4 jobs just to get by and rarely having the time or energy to make art.  now it's come to the forefront and it's my job!  i don't think i ever truly expected this, but i'm so grateful that it's happening.  i can't imagine what i'd be doing if i weren't painting.  

now i will give you a peak of one of my latest that just went off to Heath Gallery in palm springs...this is "Sail the Ocean Blue", 40x16, oil on canvas.  had a lot of fun with this water series and taught myself some new techniques for fading and reflections.  also, i love this color scheme, blues and grey's have always been a favorite of mine.  

ok...one more...

"Red Earth", 24 x 24, is currently showing at Rogoway's in tubac, az.  i just recently visited there and it's a lovely gallery.  very proud to be in the company of some great artists.  cute little town, too.  had some amazing fruit burro desserts at wisdom's cafe, i can't wait to get back and have more!

so, if you don't hear from me, i'm in the studio painting like a mad woman and taking occasional yoga breaks!  feel free to come by, i always enjoy company while i work!  hope to see some of you at my show, june 8th from 5-8 at Beals & Abbate Fine Art in Santa Fe!

namaste.

Goldenland  

40x30

oil on canvas

long time no bloggy!  despite the 'slow' season in santa fe, i've been working my gallery director butt off.  but i've also been painting a lot.  i've still got a lot to do for my show in june, but i'm working on some marine/oceany stuff and planning what to do for the show.  planning how to change and grow.  the title of the show is 'points of view', so i want to put the viewer in and out of the landscape.  safe from the storm and immersed in the splatter of it.  how can i make you feel the cold chaotic drops of rain while looking at a canvas?

in the meantime, here's a new larger work that i will probably send to my gallery in arizona.  it's a new green/grey and gold palette that i'm liking right now.  i decided to do a smaller 24x12 that i'll be taking to beals & abbate as soon as it's dry.

look ma i'm famous!

big thanks to jonathan tercero and T3 media for my ARTIST FEATURE VIDEO, very excited to share it with you all!