Free-for-All Friday Fortune Cookie Paintings

Okay, last Free-for-All Friday I said I was going to do a little fortune cookie painting. And I had a ton of things going on and I really should have picked something else, like the self-portrait paintings we did at the meeting. That would have been what I was doing and easy. Duh! But, I didn't. And I asked for your input and you came through for me. And I didn't do the painting. THAT has bugged me all week. I've thought about it all week, about why it bugged me. And I felt like I walked out in the middle of the conversation. I just walked away without a response. That happens sometimes but it shouldn't happen often. And somehow it has to be made up. I realize that these conversations are valuable to me. So....

I decided to re-enter the conversation. I went ahead and did the painting. But I did one for each of you who added a fortune. (Well, I have one left to finish after this post) This for me is a gesture that shows I appreciate my blog family because I do. 

Wade - "you soon will be blessed with unlimited opportunities"

Jared - "windows error 404, reboot cookie"

Anonymous - "your life is unfini..."

Leila - "the harder you work the luckier you get"

And Tricia - "live simply and simply live"

I did these in a little over an hour (timed myself so I didn't get crazed doing them) so they are just quick sketches but I hope you think they are fun. So, please accept my apology and I will not make a habit of that. That's today's Free-for-All.

I'll mail them in about a week.  6" x 6"   oil

Think about it Thursday -

You might have noticed I'm not exactly a morning person so all my posts usually end up later in the day. If this were my husband's blog you'd have something at 4 in the morning instead of 4 in the afternoon. How do people so off schedule from each other get married? But, that's not the Think about it Thursday topic - though it could be interesting. No, it's about art of course.

Art and the economy. So, in this economic climate (bad) why would there be any art market at all? Why would people still spend money on art? Should they? Would their reasons for buying art change? Does it change the reasoning of the market at all? Would you be more or less inclined to buy art now? As an emerging artist in the art market this is on my mind. Think about it.

Why I like It Wednesday - Books on CD

OK, so I am thinking, "What happened to Tuesday?!!" My computer is saying that it's Wednesday. I don't think I had a Tuesday. Well, any way I look at it, it is Wednesday, so.........

I am loving books on CD. Since I paint just a bit it is so nice to be able to listen to some of the books that I would like to read. And when I have zoned out a little I can back it up and listen to what I've missed. Then after some time has passed I can listen to it again. Love it, books on CD. 

That's why I like it.

Mini-Monday Painting

1/29/09   This photo is closer to the actual color, taken in better light.

Mini-Monday painting.             Oil            8" x 8"

Free-for-All Friday Fortune Teller

For Free-for-All Friday I am going to do a little painting of a fortune cookie. And of course fortune cookies have fortunes. So for today I'd like you to be a fortune teller. Tell me a fortune (you have to make it up) that has to do with... I don't know... I was going to give a topic but i'll just be surprised instead. I'll use one of the fortunes in the painting.

So, make up a fortune, or two, or.....

I have a dinner meeting tonight at my home (only about 25 people, ha!) so I have a few others things going today so I am not sure when I will sit down to paint. I'll leave this open until I actually do. Plus I have the KCAC donation painting to finish and take to Kansas City tomorrow. Oh, and Samantha's 10th birthday party tomorrow and....  It may be LATE tonight.

Think about it Thursday - #5 Wrath

  

For Think about it Thursday I am posting a painting (not done yet) that I am donating to Kansas City Artist Coalition's (KCAC) Annual Fundraiser. It is part of the 7 Deadly Sins Series (or I might name the series Vice) #5 Wrath. I kinda like Vice #5 Wrath for a title, it's a little shorter, though 7 Deadly Sins is more well known. (Vices - Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride) I've made 2 of the masks for the series already - Wrath & Pride. I am going to do a series of Virtues next. Okay, I am wandering.

Anyway, I've added symbolism in this painting but I wanted to hear what you think about wrath and what symbolism you see. Think about it.

Why I Like It Wednesday - Bassenian/Lagoni Architects

Bassenian/Lagoni Architects

These are 2 books from these designers. I actually bought them. I hardly ever by hardbound large books like this. But... I love this style of architecture and I want a house like this someday. I've always been drawn to the courtyard idea but not too many house plans have that and I haven't seen any as well laid out and beautiful as these men produce. That's why I like it.

Art Talk Tuesday - Drawing

Okay, it's 11:51 pm - still Tuesday - it counts.

                                                                                                  my sketchbook

DRAWING

[draw-ing]

a graphic representation by lines of an object or idea, as with a pencil; a delineation of form without reference to color; a sketch, plan, or design, esp. one made with pen, pencil, or crayon; the art or technique of making these

Here is a quote that sums up how I feel about drawing -

"Drawing is the supreme way of blotting out your ignorance of a subject... establishing wisdom in its place.... Drawing is learning. It is discipline, a measuring stick with which to see if there is honesty in you. It's a confessional; it will reveal everything about you while you imagine you are revealing someone else [in portraiture]. Drawing is the poet's written line, set down to see if there be a story worth telling, a truth worth revealing."

Irving Stone The Agony and the Ecstasy: A biographical Novel of Michelangelo pg 78

Drawing THE basic in art.

Free-for-All Friday HGTV Rate My Space Show Taping

Free-for-All Friday is about doing something new, experimental, unexpected, and out of the ordinary. Well, today was just that - at least for me - but, not so for Dan of Pie Town Productions  (Los Angeles & Chicago). Taping a show for HGTV's Rate My Space is business as usual for him. And he's good at it because I actually had fun doing the taping! (Now that was unexpected on my part.) Well, I can't say much more about it, except that I'll post more around the end of May (if you're interested look for Episode #306) it won't be aired before that.  Again, I can't say enough about how personable and professional Dan was in working with  us. Thanks Dan! (Shout out to Alisha for suggesting that I upload the pics to RMS)

Presentation - CMS Art Classes

 Presentation to CMS Art Classes

Here is the the art instructor over at CMS (Ms. Leeper), Wade and I. We gave an art presentation and demonstration for all of the art classes there. It was really enjoyable and I got about 100 wonderful thank you notes from the kids. These kids were very attentive, practiced some of the art principles, and asked great questions. Ms. Leeper has taught them well. One of the things I learned was that I talked more than I painted which made me realize that I should break things down into 2 presentations - 1) demonstrating painting and 2) talking about becoming an artist. So, next time I'll choose one or the other... or both at different times. But, I am glad I did it. Thanks, CMS Art Students!!!

Think About It Thursday - What's Your Passion?

Think About It Thursday is a Question - What is your passion? Not the kissy, kissy kind. (Though that's loads of fun!) But the kind that makes you want to hurry up with other things so that you can get to it. And when you are working on it, it doesn't feel like work at all. You are excited. You have ideas. You loose track of time. You're in some enlightened zone somewhere. That kind of passion. Where you'd do whatever it is just for the sake of doing it.

Mine is to be creative. I HAVE TO BE CREATIVE. I loose sleep being creative. I forget to eat needing to be creative. I forget I have time commitments in the midst of being creative. I love when my day (and long nights) when they revolve around being creative. I can't not be creative. I've done so many things over the years just to get that creative fix. I love the rush. Did I mention my passion is being creative? Yeah, I'm a little bit of a junkie.

What's your passion? Think about it.

Why I Like It Wednesday - Gary Vaynerchuk, The Wine Guy

I was reading an article about marketing that had a link to this guy, Gary Vay-ner-chuk.  I went to his site and watched his vid on wine tasting - for 12 minutes. 12 minutes! I don't even drink wine. Or anything else he'd sell. Yet I watched for 12 minutes. Amazing. I was caught up in his passion for what he was doing. His wine site linked to his biz site. Now that's something I can get into. And I have and love his videos and inspiration. 

It has nothing to do with art. But, there is tons that he talks about that I have applied to my art biz life. After viewing several of his vids in a row I got out my pen and paper and just kept writing idea after idea I had on things I could do. Here is some of what he's about...

1. He's a little hyped but it works for him because that is him. He talks about being authentic, always.

2. He has short tidbits of info on video. Nothing you have to buy. Just sharing some brain power.

3. He has enthusiasm for ideas. Ideas, ideas, ideas. 

4. He has some great wine spots. Even being a non-drinker I like them. Liked the eating dirt part on Ellen.

Funny, a studio gal subscribes to a wine guy's site. But, what he does helps me, it might for you too. That's why I like it.

Art Talk Tuesday - Studios

STUDIO [stoo-dee-oh]

the workroom of an artist, aka an atelier  [Fr. atuh-lyey]

a place for instruction or experimentation

I am surprised at how pics of my studio seem to inspire so many people. My studio was posted on Addicted to Decorating by Kristi. I mentioned before that it was posted on HGTV Rate My Space as well. (more news on that Friday) With the comments of others I have come to the conclusion that most people need some kind of space to do what inspires them. To be creative. Usually we just think of artisans when we think creative but creativity isn't limited to artists. Everyone needs some kind of 'studio'. Whether it ends up being a suitcase, study, shop, or studio the space isn't as important as the activity that's associated with it. Sometimes we forget that. I haven't always had a studio but I've always looked for ways to be creative in my life. And I think I love my studio more because I haven't always had a space like this. Figure out what kind of little space you can carve out for yourself and let yourself be inspired. 

Mini-Monday Painting - Hershey Kiss

1/29/09 Updated - This is closer to the actual color of the painting. The one below is taken in artificial (warm yellow cast) light. The one above in natural (cool blue cast) north light, which is what I like to paint by.

It's 11:26 pm my time so technically it is still Monday. So I made it. I really like the colors.

Mini-Monday's painting - Hershey Kiss

Gesture of Affection

8" x 8"

oil

Mini-Monday Painting

Anyone looking for my Mini-Monday painting it will be a Mini-Monday NIGHT painting. So I'm still going to do it just much later in the day than I thought it would be. Sorry it's gonna be late today.