Phases of Conception

I'm a firm believer that bigger.. really is better. For some reason, all of my larger paintings really don't take that long for me to execute. In fact for my latest art show, I at the last minute, decided to add a larger piece (in this case a 48" x 48").. and gave myself 24 hours to see how far I could get.

This painting is a part of my 3-D series that I'm displaying at The Happening Gallery in Marina del Rey on December 12th. Each piece is specal because when they are viewed through paper 3-D glasses, the imagery comes alive. These works where a process of painting, scrubbing, and layering some more,,, and then I finished them off with a clear varnish which really makes each color "pop".. I've posted the process of the larger piece below. I may add a bit of color to it, however at this point I decided to stop and take a break. There's so much going on, my eyes began to cross!

Drunk Series

Nov. 18th at The Happening Gallery in Marina Del Rey, I'm displaying my "Drunk" series of 3-D paintings. This series was inspired from a Biology book that I never used in college. Ever since then, my abstract work has been very circular and "cell" like. They were described by the curator Jason Canning as "whimsical". For me personally, when I create these pieces, I start off with a shape... and continue until I'm literally crossed eyed from all the movement and color I've applied to the once blank canvas.

I can paint for hours, and once I'm focused its really hard to pull myself away and stop for the evening. I'll paint until the weeeeee hours of the morning (for example I went to bed this morning at 3 am; only to get up again at 6:45). With my lack of sleep (as well as being overly saturated on bad coffee) I become so delirious -----> I can't see straight. I feel "intoxicated" with ideas, and emotion... And all I can think about is painting some more. Stupid?

These paintings are also special because they are 3 dimensional. When looking through glasses, the layers of scrubbed shapes come alive. It's highly entertaining.

If you get a moment, check it out this month until December 4th.


The Happening Gallery
4047 Lincoln Blvd
Marina del Rey
CA 90292

www.thehappeninggallery.com


Preview....

Speaking of Coffee

It's been some time since I've written a new post, but I wanted to talk about coffee for a minute. There’s a reason that I named it as part of my blog. First of all, I love it. I drink coffee for several reasons:

To socialize
To kill time.
To concentrate throughout the day.
To cure a hangover.
To feel comforted
To feel warm up when its cold
To feel productive.

Coffee is something that I doctor differently every time I get it. Sometimes with just Splenda, or milk…..I get it iced or hot; I even opt for instant coffee when I’m feeling desperate. Coffee is such a part of my day that even my co-workers know me as being “that girl” that walks in the office every morning with a fresh cup --- followed by the 3 o’clock run… it’s become a part of my personality… sad?

So, while flipping through a magazine, I came across an interesting artist: Susan Jane Belton

Like me, Susan takes a good cup of joe to heart. In fact she makes it the center of her artistic inspiration (I personally think this is genius) ... She paints coffee cups in oil. I can picture the several paper cups that shes collected throughout the day and uses them as still life models... you not only see where she’s been, but what kind of coffee drinker she is… or maybe her art is just another good excuse to buy take-out coffee, which to me, isn't a bad idea at all.

Mr. T Designs... Who Knew !?

For those who grew up on the A-Team TV Show or are big fans of Rocky, Mr. T will always be a memorable personality which is simply larger than life. Although you do not see him as much in TV or movies these days, he is still a personality to be reckoned with.
This collection of Mr. T designs includes various pieces of art, design, products and more which prove that Mr T is still popular today, and if you don’t agree…then I pity the fool.

Oink!!!!

Long before Swiss banking and online account management..... “Swine Banks” existed. They are better known as PIGGY BANKS!!!!

The beauty of these money containers (besides no overdraft fees)... is that they're generally made of ceramic or glass material. In order to get your money back, it comes with a sacrifice -------> you have to kill the pig that has been nicely sitting on your bookshelf for the past decade. To this day I still have my piggy bank that I've yet to break. That said, I started Googling "piggy banks" and got amused by what I found. ...

THE MUTATED HELLO KITTY (MEOW)

Some scientists probably made a laboratory experiment and tried to create a new species out of a cat and a pig. The result is this mutated ‘hello kitty’ piggy bank above.

SPIDERMAN-BANK

Pork, spider webs, and money. Now that’s a perfect combination! This superhero might just save the day, especially if the ATM is offline.

THE MOO-OINK?

This bank has dominant pig characteristics, except for cow-like spots all around its body! That’s why it’s called Moo-Oink! A splendid union of cows and pigs. Random.

THE CREEPY JAPANESE VERSION

Because the above piggy pair came from Japan, let’s assume that their names are Yamamita and Sokagoku. They seem to have animated eyes, and there’s a certain cheerful but meditative calm about them that surpasses all pig culture. These kinda scare me.

THE NERD

Many people have complained that this piggy bank is an insult to human intelligence. Despite the harsh criticisms, “nerd piggy” has stood the test of time and reached vintage status. Standing 8 and 1/4 inches tall, he has enough money to regularly buy new glasses and overalls.

THE WILD HOG

Beware, this is not your typical cute little Oinker. This animal is wild, ferocious and menacing. Because of its size, it can make you more money than the other piggy banks too.

THE FIRST SLIM PIG

know, I know. This pig looks like Snoopy or Odie (Garfield’s dog friend). But in actuality, this is the first pig to ever succesfully lose weight and eliminate a bulging tummy. Look at that ribbon around his neck. That’s an award from his ancestors.


I decided to paint my very own piggy bank. Color and floral designs was a fun way to cover my little guy!!

Mammoth Painting 2010 ... the Stages

So apparently, you have up to a year to provide a wedding gift for a couple. Well, My very best friend, Kelly Duffield, tied the knot this time last year in Mammoth Lakes.

To be honest, I wasn't the least bit excited about the 7 1/2 hour drive out to the mountains for the small ceremony. But the wedding took place outside in the woods with just a few family and friends. The smell of the pine trees, and the pink mountains at sunset -with just a sprinkle of snow left over from a fantastic winter season-- was such a visual experience..... I will never forget it. To this day, Kelly's wedding as one of my most favorite celebrations that I've been a part of. I'm so thankful I went.

So, when I thought of a gift for "Miss Duffy" and her husband Chase, nothing seemed more appropriate than to give them a painting that captured that very weekend. I had gone through my pictures and found an image from when I went hiking that Saturday. I knew that would be my inspiration for their art piece.

I documented the process of my small painting (it measures 12" x 8") ... I always begin my paintings the same. I paint it one color and layer it with details until it seems appropriate to stop.






"Mammoth Lakes" -2010 Acrylic on canvas 12"x8"


Actual Photograph taken of Mammoth Lakes

Beach Art

Jim Denevan's beach art is so impressive due to its HUGE scale. His simple images of circles and swirls have a new impact when photographed. Enjoy. They are so lovely.