Today's reading material. So...keeping my leg elevated is not exactly conducive to making art. It is kind of hard to lay down and draw, especially the whole elevated above the heart thing, sheesh...I did do some reading that I have been meaning to do. I read through two books about mail art...and the yarnbombing book that I bought before our CA trip. Doing a little research for some future endeavors... Then I signed up for a few art shows. I am trying to figure out the best way to keep up with all of the deadlines and show dates...I have my Google Calendar, and that is okay. I found another site, www.findandremind.com, and I like the format, kind of looks like an on-line bulletin board which appeals to me. I signed up for it, might as well try it out. It seems like there are some tools on there for sharing calendars, adding sign up sheets, etc. If nothing else, it could be a helpful tool for coaching next year. After some nap time, and more laying around feeling lame I escaped the house to go to dinner with the husband. Feeling pretty good, I sat down to work on my CED #175. Oh...my. I was working with a picture of Bettie where she has her mouth open...things seemed to be going well...and I kept thinking..this doesn't look right. It...reminds me of..something. Then I figured it out. Caravaggio's Medusa, circa 1596. Now that I have seen it, I can't 'unsee' it. But I went forward with the posting to my CED Blog rather that toss it to the 'Bettie Mishap' pile. Sigh. Sorry Bettie. Artin' and elevatin'...sort of. Moving on...I worked on the Orion Slave Girls again, first time since the ANE show on Wednesday. I alternated between sitting with my leg propped up and standing with my leg draped over the wooden stool. Neither was elevating it above my heart, but it did at least take some pressure off. My original intention was to have these three paintings complete for the show, make prints, sell it all at the show. This did not happen. Instead, I worked on these paintings as my 'live painting' at the event. Now what am I going to do with these? I thought I saw something somewhere about an alien/fashion related art show...could push the fashion a little more...make them a little more alien-esque...just a thought. Well, the ladies are still in progress, here is where I left off:
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Angel Wings, Pacific Beach CA So...continue pity party...me, cats, hanging out at home with Netflix, pillows, Aleve and a heating pad. I decided to work on my June self-portrait while I watched that 80's movie, Heathers.By the way, that is one crazy movie. I digress... I had the idea when I was in California to do a variation on my usual 'angel pic' as the inspiration for my June Self-Portrait. I should probably give some back story on the angel pic...John and I take 'angel pics' every year we go back to visit San Diego. There are some wings painted on a wall just around the corner from our old apartment in Pacific Beach. I think we first discovered them shortly after we moved into that little studio apartment, we were always walking around, reveling in how great it was to have so much cool stuff within walking distance. And then one day we found those wings. It was 2006. We took some pictures, I think that might have been the day that we walked to the jetty. When folks came to visit us, we had them take 'angel pics'. We still have some vertical frames up in our place with the pictures of the people that came to visit us during our short time on the west coast. When we left CA, we each took an 'angel pic' then headed out for the long cross country drive with our two cars and all of the belongings we had out there. I loved living in California. For me, it kind of represented really stepping out on our own. We didn't have anyone out there really, so everything was what we made it. We found jobs, found a place to live, made friends- everything was on our time. I am often torn when I think...would I want to go back? On one hand, it is so far. But there is a certain amount of life that it brings int both of us. So, for now, or from now on, which ever it may be...we promised ourselves that we would go back every year to visit. And we have. We moved in June of 2007 and we have been back every summer since, taking an 'angel pic' at the end of each trip. So that is the story of the wings. And here are some 'angel pics' from 2006-2012. Kind of fun to look at 'em, at least for me. What does this have to do with my portrait? Yes, thank you for getting me back on track. ('You' of course is my imaginary audience) I took my regular pic, but then I had the idea to get John to take a picture of me holding my blank sketchpad in front of the wings with the intention of drawing that picture... My idea was to use that drawing and somehow insert it into the photo to make it look like I was holding the drawing of my picture. Now, keep in mind that I was doing this using my limited graphic design skills. My friend Jessie (yep- the one that I was supposed to be with in Miami)...anyway, she would be my go-to person to get the image inserted and have it high resolution, etc. So...what I did tonight is kind of like a preliminary. I am not 100% about what I made tonight, certainly not the image inserted into the image...but also about the actual drawing...might redo that.
Well, here is what I came up with; Dusting off the cobwebs on the ol' blog here...it's been a bit since I have had time to sit and post. Well, I guess not that long, but long enough. My last post was getting ready for the the ANE Star Trek show. Well, that's all done...and it was GREAT! I was able to complete three Graphite/Watercolor pieces for the show and have prints available and I worked on my Orion Slave Girls at the show...those still aren't finished. The rain and construction by Respectables didn't stop folks from coming out and supporting the arts! Jessie and I both had a great time, made some great contacts, sold work (!!!) and hey, we even got 'Best Returning Artist(s)'. Awesome. All the hard work was worth it. Yay, us! That was Wednesday. Thursday after our shows is always a bit of a bust. At least for this one we didn't have to teach the next day, which allowed us to go our for breakfast and rehash the evening. I didn't get much else done on Thursday. Worked on my CEDs, but didn't finish them...but I did unpack from the CA trip and deal with the msc. 'Jenny Mess' that was starting to accumulate. Unpacked my supplies from the show, straightened up my studio space in the kitchen...I work best when my space is organized. At least, when it starts off that way.
Friday...well, the big news is that when I was out in CA I got a little overzealous with the running/walking...and, well that day we walked to Ocean Beach from Pacific Beach...in combination with running on the boardwalk all the days prior to that, including that morning...caused a slight problem. Got a little problem with my right leg, so after going to the doctor this morning and having an ultrasound to make sure there were no blockages...my weekend plans changed from heading down to Miami for Tattoolapalooza with Jessie and Angela to cover the event for Art Hive...I am instead sitting on my couch, heat pack attached to my leg in a very bootleg fashion and elevated on pillows, drawing on my little TV stand, alternating between Aleve and Diet Mountain Dew. Sigh. I already had fun artsy outfits picked out this morning and everything. But looks like I am staying in. (Lip pouting, arms folded across chest) Superficial thrombophlebitis, you suck. There, I said it. In the meantime...watched an AWESOME documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop. (thanks for the recommendation, Jessie and Tav!) And...I finished up my CEDs 172-174...later on might work on my self-portrait for this month. The night is young...and apparently, I ain't goin' nowhere. It was a little tough to keep this here blog updated on the last two days of our trip...with trying to take in our last hours in San Diego...to the actual travel day, which involved driving to Los Angeles....it got a little chaotic. However...there was time to make some art, even if I didn't have a minute to write about it. Currently...I run the risk of going on a sleep deprived tangent if I start writing...didn't get much sleep on the flight...so, let's just say CA was amazing, can't wait to go back...so glad to be back here in FL...missed Mackie and Scooter tons (my cats)...CEDs 169-170 are done...I have tons of stuff to do to get ready for the ANE show tomorrow night...and now...I will sleep.
Special thanks to Jessie, one of my cheerleaders from last year, for taking care of the cats. They spoke, er, meowed highly of you : ) A visit to Ocean Beach, coffee...thriftin'...pizza...dropping off art work...then off to La Jolla...got to see the seals! And made some art! Bettie in a coffee cup...VW Bettie and CEDs 167-168
Having a great time back in California...it's like we are living here again! Love it! Here are some pics of the trip so far... ...and...my hand is 'working' again. Guess I was having an off day. I decided not to try to salvage any of my 'Bettie Bloopers' and just made two new pieces...these are a combination of detail pencil drawing and watercolor chaos on bristol board.
I have started and restarted...and Bettie is elusive to me today. At best...a distant cousin? But alas...no Bettie. Deep breath. Will see what I can salvage tomorrow...for now...this is three attempts at CED #165...boo.
...still in San Diego...and still artin' despite some changes in our dwellings for the week...hoping tomorrow for a much more inspirational space...but I did manage to create CED #164
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AuthorArtist and Art Teacher
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