Back in Texas

I have returned to Texas(Weatherford area)...still enthused with the art world.  However, a change of events lead me down another art path.  My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and after he passed away I pursued my finishedware ceramics because it didn't require a lot of thinking or creative effort, at least what I chose to do.  I picked projects that had instructions on what color to use and step-by-step.  Still reading art magazines, but upon reading all the credentials, i.e.-this degree and that degree, I thought to myself I would never get that good because of lack of education.  I now see that as a very wrong thought and wish I had that time span back--but hind sight is always there.  I did the craft malls and shows with my ceramics and that was good therapy.  When my next adventure moved me to the Canyon Lake area, the craft malls were fading out, and I had joined the local Canyon Lake Art Guild.  Such a great group of ladies(and some gents)!  Seeing all their art work and hearing about classes available--I wanted to be a part of that.  I wanted to be more creative--my ideas, my expressions of my ideas, etc., etc.!!!  But where do I start?  Just somewhere--anywhere.  I was on my Art Journey, again, and it hasn't stopped.  So much time to make up.  How exciting!  I feel like I will be learning for the rest of my life(good for the brain).  The order in which I did painting is a little unsure, but I have come up with a few photos(of older paintings) and the paintings themselves.  I have just decided not to show all--boring!!  But while browsing through some of my earlier attempts, I did notice that there are some I can still improve.  That is what we are suppose to do from time to time.  Some are lost causes, but still good teaching aids.  I can really see what I hadn't learned and improve it based on what I know, as of now.  How about if I post a before and after, and any suggestions are welcomed.  Let me know what you would do.  Today, I will post one "before", work on it, and then post the "after", but probably at a later date, in between other posts.

 
"Primrose", Oil, 5" x 7"

Just working on this post today has really gotten me spurred on.  Besides seeing how I can improve this painting(definitely better cropping and more shading, contrast, and the list goes on...), I know I want to do more flowers, and maybe even in oils, and small sizes.  Can you see how just doing "something" in art can motivate you with ideas--it is amazing how those creative juices start flowing!

Moses and Santa Fe

Before I tell you about "Moses", I wish to tell you about the first workshop I took in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  It was "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", by Betty Edwards, also mentioned in my art books list.  It was an eye opener, and turning point for me, in drawing.  She now has a revised edition with workbook, and I have both old and new.  I highly recommend it!!  My instructor, Lesley Meyer, was both a friend and mentor to me, while I was in Santa Fe.  Now, to Moses.  This painting was started in a portrait class, and I actually finished it(out of class) within two weeks time(the fastest one to date).  I am not sure I could accomplish that, again.  It is pastel and done on Mi-Tentes.  At the time it was started, I was also doing a bible study on Moses, and the photo was on the cover.  Well, while in the process of getting it matted and framed, people kept asking me if it was Tommy Macione.  I had no idea who that was, but soon found out, he was an artist living there in Santa Fe(and quite eccentric).  A couple of weeks later, my mom and I were in a local coffee shop, downtown, and who walks in but Tommy Macione.  Talk about getting excited!!  couldn't miss him--looked just like the painting, only a little scruffier.  I did go over and introduce myself, and told him I had just done a painting of him(forgetting that I had a photo of painting in my purse--too much excitement!).  He told me that he had done an interview with National Geographic some years earlier, but didn't know if anything had been published(I found out later that, yes, it had been).  After that encounter, I would frequently see him painting along side the road, and very impressionistic.  To see a photo of him, google Tommy Maccione Santa Fe (the name is spelled wrong), and then click on Plaza Artist.  There is more info. on him.  I really didn't do very many paintings while living in Santa Fe, as I started working for a gourmet food broker, thus enjoying getting to know the owners and managers of most of the shops and restaurants in Santa Fe--a very enjoyable job!

At this time, I was living in Austin, Tx., still playing with my pastels, but also doing finished-ware ceramics(mostly decorative collectibles).  It was fun, but I kept wanting to get out my pastels.  I took my first pastel class from a lady in Pflugerville, Tx., and did my first portrait.  This is Brooke, my niece.  I really enjoyed painting her(again, from a photo), and realized how much I loved doing portraits.  Soon after finishing "Brooke", my husband came home one day and asked me if I would like to live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a couple or so years.  Can you guess what my answer was?!!  This is where I'll start off on my next blog.  I did another portrait, and it has an interesting "Santa Fe" story.