Art Attack!

I miss being an artist. I suppose I am still one but my creativity has been a bit lacking, recently. I won't beat myself up about it, though, because my life has been kind of wacko for the past several months and my living situation is not completely stable.

Happily, I have just recently started doing very small watercolor pencil works again. I probably got inspired when I picked up the check for a small piece I created about 5 years ago. It had been hanging at Art F/X for a long time. When I felt the creative urge, I went into Daniel Smith's artist supply store. If that place doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will! I think I finally found a solution to my paper problem. The handmade watercolor paper I used to use had been discontinued. See, I use a LOT of water when I make my paintings. I draw, add water, over soak and blot off excess paint and water. Then I start over later, with another layer. Adds dimension to a piece. Perhaps I'll complete a small (5 x 7 inch) painting tomorrow.

On Friday, I attended my second session of paint dancing, held in that cool studio in Wallingford. Matt had the 70's and 80's funk and R&B tunes playing and I was in a blissful state, painting with wild abandon and dancing like a fool. A fellow paint-dancer was mesmerized (or confused) by my movement and asked me why I was dancing like that (not the greatest compliment, I suppose). I answered "THE MUSIC!! It makes me move!" Really, I have to state again that I can't understand how people can NOT be inspired by music. I totally wore myself out that night and I made some colorful abstract pieces that I kinda like. Might try and frame them and put them up at Art F/X.

Saturday, as it turns out, I was called in to work for a few hours at Art F/X and then after a wonderful dinner with friends, I went to an 'open studio' in Ballard. A large building, that houses several artist studios had a monthly opening. I loved it. I got to meet several successful local artists and talk about their creative processes with them. One man, named A.J., distresses his canvasses, like I used to do. I did it with layers of paint and sometimes glue and putty and wax. He uses solvent and scrapes the surface up with Brillo Pads. Then, I found my old Art/Not Terminal colleague, Claude Utley. I've always been intrigued with Claude's work. Some of his work is very naive at times, but wildly colored. Some might call it child-like and abstract and absurd. But make no mistake, he is highly skilled and can work in a very intricate mosaic style, too. We had a very nice chat and I bought a very, very small piece that I quickly put in a frame and hung on my wall.

When I was a little girl, I was always drawing, making paper dolls, coloring, etc. Then, that side fell away, as art teachers demanded precision. It took an experimental drawing and painting class, when I was 31 or 32, to bring out my visual artistic side. I will be forever thankful for my wise left hand, that picked up the telephone receiver and dialed the number to sign up for Peggy Zehring's class. In just a couple of days, I learned to mix colors and experiment and trust my inner-guidance. We painted blindfolded and there was no place to judge ourselves. It was a life-changing experience.

I have painted off and on now, for about 18 years. I can't believe it has been so long! Back when I had my old condo off of Lake City Way, for years I had a clear plastic tarp covering the dining area carpet. Paints and brushes and canvases were strewn all over and there was always a painting in the middle of completion. It looked chaotic but I have many fond memories of waking up and feeling creative at 3am, getting out of bed and throwing paint at a canvas. It was very meditative and therapeutic. A couple of my pieces felt "channeled" Especially the one that looked like the Earth on fire. I don't have that piece now. Last I checked, it was trapped in a storage shed in Hillsboro, NC, behind Ginny Tyler's old rental home. The lock was jammed and we could not open the door when I moved back West. I don't even know if that place still stands (it has been 5 years now). I sure miss those paintings, though and wish I could get them back!