Charlotte B. DeMolay, Art Studio

Blow off the Dust

2009-10-01T08:30:00.003-06:00

Art

Woosh! Fall has flown in at the speed of falling leaves! I can't believe how long it has been since I've even been able to THINK about this blog!

I wanted to share a painting I did for the Dallas/Ft. Worth Lab Rescue Club's annual fundraiser this coming weekend. Ready? is a 10" x 10" acrylic and will be available via silent auction this Sunday at the Sporting Chance Golf Tournament in The Colony.

If you can, head out to The Colony this weekend and support a really great group dedicated to improving the lives of our little furry friends.

I've updated my Etsy shop CobaltBlueD reams with some brilliant fall paintings like Two Pumpkins, a 5" x 7" acrylic. I must love orange more than I thought because I've got quite a few pieces in fall colors (or maybe I just miss having a colorful fall like my home state..North Carolina!)

Life

I've been busy..busy..busy lately with school. As much as I love to read (and I'm pretty darn fast!) I'm have quite a time keeping up with the volumes of reading assignments. I'm not complaining though because I absolutely love it! The biggest draw back is not having time in the studio as much as I'd like. I'm settling into a routine though and looking forward to some upcoming commissions and working on some new painting ideas.

This weekend I'll be doing my first ever bike really for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. I'm not ready for the 100k yet, but a friend and I will be doing the 30 mile portion of the course. We've been training for this all summer and I'm really excited!

Enjoy the cooler weather and stop to take time to enjoy the changes around you!

The Art of Words

2009-07-20T10:12:00.003-06:00

Maybe I'm just gearing up for going back to college mode or maybe I'm just acknowledging my inner writer that has always been present, but I'm starting to merge writing into my art career.

Facebook Fanpage

First..a shameless plug for my new Fan Page. I originally created my first Facebook page as another marketing tool, like my website. As I quickly connected with friends, both old and new, I decided I really didn't want complete strangers seeing so much information about my life, especially my kids' lives. So I took the link off my e-mail signature, closed down the privacies and didn't worry about it. Then along came Fan pages..even better! Now I do both..keep up with friends and have a spot for my art! So..if you reading this on my blog..just look to the right for the button to my fan page. If you are reading this in a reader, click here to join my fan page.

The Writing

First, I'm now a writer (yes..paid writer!) for a website called Empty Easel, which is a magazine/blog for artists to help with both creating artwork and selling artwork. If you look down at the bottom on the right side..I'm even listed as a "EE writer!" My first series is all about teaching art to kids. I've been teaching art to kids in some form for over 10 years now with the last 3 years in my own studio. If you like to know how I got started or how to get started yourself, read Teaching Art to Kids for Fun and Profit: Part 1 - Is this for Me? The title is a little tongue and cheek humor but the content is serious stuff! Part 2 will be published in a couple of weeks.

The Poetry

Second, I'm starting to integrate the printed word in to my artwork. I've written poetry for years (first publication..6th grade yearbook!) but lately I've re-awakened my interest in haikus. It started, oddly enough, with the workout website I blog on.. SocialWorkout.com when the May challenge was titled "Push ups, Handstands, and Haikus: 26 Days. No Tears." Well..I didn't do any pushups or handstands but I started writing haikus for each workout. It was silly but fun. If you really love haikus or you are really bored..feel free to read them. I am Tsitra on that site.

May ended and I still had the urge to write haikus. So I bought a little journal, attached a pen and started writing. Bits of imagery started to work its way into the journal so I started playing around with collage elements and Pocket Poetry was born. The first three are pictured here and on Etsy.

I have visions of making some small, limited-edition prints of these both original size (7" x 5") and as ACEOs but I'm still researching printers (any advice?). To purchase any of these just click on the photo and it will take you to my Etsy shop.

Summer Heat Too Much? Fast Forward to Fall

2009-07-14T12:52:00.003-06:00

Here is Dallas it is a toasty 100 degrees and has been (plus or minus a few degrees) for most of the past 2 months. I'm still uploaded artwork from my bins to my Etsy shop so I decided to give myself a visual cool front and pulled out fall and winter themed work. These are all pastels and watercolors and most are small, collectible and affordable.

So sit back, listen to the leaves crunching under your feet and feel a cool breeze whispering by. Enjoy! To view larger or to purchase, please click on a painting.

The Summer of Projects

2009-07-09T07:49:00.004-06:00

This is the first summer I've not taught art classes in several years. My husband and I decided that with me going to graduate school this Fall, it would be good to take some time off to "get things in order." Basically..that means 10 bazillion, gillion projects! Some are husband-requested, some are blatant neglects that have been piling up, and some are just self-inflicted. However you look at it..I've got lots to do!

Artistically Speaking

First..Fall Class Schedule will be out VERY SOON! I already know the schedule..I'm just cleaning up my mailing list before I send it out.

I'm still uploading art to my Etsy shop - CobaltBlueDreams. I can't believe how much smaller work I've done. It all fits so nice and compact in the bins! I also want to get some more notecards and small prints done. I'm in the "research" phase right now but some smaller Affordable Art will be out soon.

I'm also going to be a writer for Empty Easel, an on-line magazine/blog for artists. My first article Teaching Art to Kids for Fun and Profit: Part 1, Is this for You? will be published next week.

Will I create any new art? Summer is usually my slowest time for painting..the kids are home and when I pick up a paintbrush..they descend upon me like flies to honey! BUT....I'm working on a new collage series and I have some totally awesome photos of jellyfish from an aquarium in North Carolina that are begging to be painted..I mean begging! To the left is The Pursuit, an 14" x 11" mixed-media collage that I finished at the beginning of summer.

Moving that Body

I'm still working on Social Workout's Feats of Summer Challenge. So far I've worked out 11 days since Summer Solstice (June 21st) and completed the cartwheel feat (my mom has some amusing videos of this..hopefully she'll never really figure out how to use You Tube!) You can check out my workout blogging here.

On the Homefront

We decided this spring to add a pool to our backyard. This was something we've wanted for years and finally feel like our children are old enough that we don't need to panic if we hear the back door open. The building of the pool itself has been wonderfully problem free thanks to the great crews of Riverbend Sandler Pools. It's all the stuff around the pool I've been responsible for..affordable furniture, bags & bags of mulch (50 so far!), plantings and the upcoming 'laying of the sod!"

I've also got lot of little things I've "been meaning to get to" all over my house, like hanging curtains in the bedroom, bathroom, etc. I've had the supplies for a lot of these projects, just not the time to do them.

Lots going on so I'd better get off the computer and get busy!

The Pursuit, mixed-media collage, 14" x 11", available on CobaltBlueDreams

Body Image Evolution

2009-06-20T16:51:00.006-06:00

This post was going to originally be titled "Body Evolution" and discuss how my body has changed over time. Given my new found obsession with physical activity, I feel a post explaining its origins could be fun...also embarrassing and a little painful...but still..fun! After digging through 36 years of photos, I realized my body did not change much..but my mind's image of my body did.

For my entire life I have viewed myself as fat. Not hugely obese, but not attractive either. By my "whole life" I do mean all the way back as far as I can remember..I thought I was fat. Yes, I had some "chubby" moments, but at no time was I really, really fat. Let's start at the beginning, this blurry photo clearly shows some cute little rolls on my arms..but nothing to be alarmed over. I even remembered this pictured differently. I told some friends last week who have the immense pleasure of being new parents that I could show them a picture of a fat baby. Hm..guess not.

Next is an equally blurry picture of me when I was about 7 or 8. This was about the age I really started to consider myself "fat." I think my body image was created around this time by a combination of my peers and a belief in stereotypes. For most of my school years I was 2 years younger than all my peers. Being labeled "smart" also came with the label "bookworm" (which I was definitely was!) and athletic just didn't get added to my image. It didn't help that not only was I younger, I was also short even for kids my own age!

Around 9-11 is when I really felt physically inadequate. I was always the kid to be picked last for kickball, I got "Most Improved" on the 6th grade softball team...you get the picture. I was sure I was a whale at this point in my life..but, again, reality is not so fat..although I am loving the flipped hair and rolled cuffs!

The next picture is from what I call my only "normal" era. The summer between 9th and 10th grade I had my "growth spurt." I shot up a whopping 2 inches to bring me to my current height of 5'2" (if I'm standing really, really straight) and I concurrently lost about 10 pounds. That is also the time in my life when I really discovered physical activity. I got a 10 speed bike and was given the freedom to ride it about anywhere I wanted to in our little suburban town of Clemmons, North Carolina. I also joined the girls soccer team in 9th grade and discovered the joy of running. In 10th grade I completed my first race - the Titan 5 miler (I came in 2nd place..but only because there were only 2 girls competing..still I was proud!). Look at this photo of me at about 13..no fat..yet I was sure I was huge, especially my stomach! Oh..I'm making a weird face because that innocent looking cat had made a swipe at the fish I caught, only he missed and scratched my leg!

Fast forward a few years, I stayed with running and switched to tennis in high school (moved to new high school in 11th grade..no soccer) so I felt fairly fit. The last two years of high school was probably the most confident I ever felt about my body. Then after a too-young pregnancy and some non-supportive people in my life, my self-esteem plummeted. Here is me at around 20 or 21. My self-consciousness at there being a picture taken of me in a swimsuit is almost painful. See my hand trying to cover up my (in my mind) extremely fat stomach? The cutie next to me is my first-born. Needless to say, most pictures during this era of my life were of her!

During 1995 I was the heaviest I've ever been outside of being pregnant. I quit smoking at the beginning of the year (best health move ever!!) , graduated college (no more multi-mile daily walks to class, parking lot, etc), and got a desk job. The combination of the three sent my weight up rather quickly and I signed up for my first "commercial" diet program, The Diet Center, and tried to get active again with roller-blading, tennis, and sporadic running. The funny part is that although I'm obviously over weight, I viewed myself as being about double that size. Side-note: The painting I'm standing beside is an original by my favorite painter, Toulouse-Lautrec at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

During the next 10 years, I had 2 more kids so I gained and lost more weight than I cared to think about. After baby number 3, a friend convinced me to join Weight Watchers which I've been a member of off and on for since including now. I also have read about a zillion books on health, fitness, nutrition, etc. I'm a bit of a health food freak at times but I live a normal life with its usual temptations. I've also become an avid runner (between baby 2 and baby 3), joined several gyms, played a couple of seasons of adult soccer, and even belly-danced for a few years. I've grown more confident in my body's abilities, but I've always felt "fat." I was 32 when this picture was taken, certainly curvy..but not fat.

Now, as I still struggle with reaching my "ideal" weight (20 lbs lower than I am right now) I am fascinated that I am probably in physically the best shape I've been in since high school. I did a 10+ mile hike with scouts in February, I exercised 26 of 31 days in May, I'm getting my running back up to par (knee surgery in 2005 slowed me down a few years) and I'm training to do a 30 mile bike ride with a friend this October. I eat a fairly healthy, varied diet (although I am a sucker for good beer and chips & salsa) and health-fully home-cook probably 90% of my family's meals. So why am I so obsessed with a number on the scale or on our clothing tag? I asked my husband.."Why did I think I was fat all my life?" his reply, "Because you're a girl." Extremely sad, but probably true.

This is a photo of me taken 3 days ago, sorry for the odd angle but it is the most recent photo of me. Again..not fat. I'll never be mistaken for a fashion model or Olympic athlete, but not too shabby for 36. I'm also starting to work harder at and celebrate each 5 minutes I add to my run more than a pound lost on the scales. After 36 years I'm finally starting to realize, I'm FIT not FAT!

Tomorrow on Summer Solstice I am starting the SocialWorkout.com 's Feats of Summer Challenge. This is the same site that did the 26 Days in May Challenge. They've added some pretty serious stuff, definitely aimed at the under 36-not had 3 kids crowd. But, I'm going to give it a try. I may not complete 20 of the Feats as required, but I'll celebrate each one I can do.

I'd love some encouragement and teamwork during this Summer Challenge, either virtually or in real-life. If you are planning on doing the challenge, let me know and we'll keep each other motivated!

Summer Reading

2009-06-15T21:22:00.003-06:00

Book Reviews
I love books..fiction..non-fiction...magazines..okay, magazine aren't books but I love them too!

I read a lot so and mostly unconventional non-fiction stuff so I thought I'd share some interesting reads and get some suggestions for new stuff.

After reading an article in the magazine that Lifetime Fitness sends out, I got on a simplicity, non-consumerism kick. I started with Giving It Up!: My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less by Mary Carlomango. This is a quick read that I didn't identify with very well. She is single (with boyfriend) living in New York City and living a very urban lifestyle not at all in sync with a suburban wife and mom of 3. Ms. Carlomango picked 12 vices and gave one up each month. I'm not quite sure if her lifestyle is excessive or mine ultra-moderate but I think I could give up taxis, chocolate, high-end shopping and newspapers with much greater ease. I did like the premise of the book though and may make me rethink how I handle my New Year's Resolutions for 2010.

Next on the list was A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy by Sara Bongiorni. This was definitely a more entertaining read but also a bit scarier. Ms. Bongiorni along with her husband and two young children decide to not buy anything made in China for an entire year. It is frightening to learn the amount of consumer goods that this eliminated from her shopping list. Even more frightening was that she resorted to a bit of "cheating" to even survive the year. This book was a good read and I'm definitely checking labels, but unfortunately with a bit of feeling of despair and futility!

I'm currently reading Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping by Judith Levine. Although this book got lower stars in the Amazon rating, I'm enjoying it more. Ms. Levine is definitely putting some philosophical thought behind her decision and the impact on her life. This is a deeper, more thoughtful book and thus not as quick as the other two.

Twitter Book Club
Concurrently with Not Buying It, I'm reading de Kooning: An American Master by Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan. This is for a Twitter book club host by Alyson B. Stanfield ( @abstanfield ). This is a thick book (600 pages) but the goal is 100 pages a week and it started last Monday. I'm about 30 pages behind but I'm enjoying this biography so I'll catch up quick. If you are interested in joining the Twitter club, read about it here on Ms. Stanfield's blog.

Add to My List
I've got a few more on the bookshelf but I always love suggestions! I do read fiction (mainly sci-fi or modern off-beat like Alice Hoffman or Jodi Picoult) but I tend to stop the rest of my life when I'm in a good fiction so I have to limit my exposure. My husband still hasn't quite forgiven me for the week I was lost in the Twilight series. Thus non-fiction is more managable while trying to function in society!

On Art
I've finished a collage last week but I haven't signed or photographed it. I'm also working on a new project with art and haikus..more on that later. This bright, summer-ready painting is from painting en plein air (outside!) at the Dallas Arboretum last Spring. California Poppies can be purchased here in my Etsy shop.

Yummy Green Beans

2009-05-28T09:08:00.005-06:00

This is one of those non-art random posts I warned you about in Blogs, Business, Books & Beaches. I bought some Texas green beans from Sprouts yesterday and made up this recipe as I cooked them. It turned out great!

Ingredients:

Green beans
2 Tbl butter (or olive oil would work)
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 Tbl Red wine vinegar
2 Tbl brown sugar
1/4 cup pecans, broken up and lightly toasted. (or skip the toasting and toss them in anyway)

Clean, trim, & break green beans into 2" pieces. I'm not sure how much I used but it filled a 9" saute pan. Probably a bag of frozen would work just as well. Don't used canned green beans...canned green beans are very gross!

Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil, add beans, put on lid, turn down heat and simmer for 10 minutes (watch the water to make sure it doesn't boil away)

Remove lid, add butter & olive oil. Cook for 2 minutes, add remaining ingredients and cook for another 2 minutes.

Yummy!

I don't have a painting of green beans but I did a quick search on Etsy and found these adorable earrings from a French artist. Glutamate's shop carries these earrings and other quirky designs.

Self-Portraits continued, Grades 2-4

2009-05-27T21:06:00.002-06:00

Grades 2nd - 4th, including one advanced 1st grader. I also forgot to mention in the last post that they could do whatever they wanted for a background with 2 colors plus white. Some kids sweet talked me into another color and some used their color-mixing skills to made a secondary color. ALL of them demonstrated a wonderful amount of creativity!

First Grade Self-Portraits

2009-05-27T08:35:00.002-06:00

Spring session is when we study animal and people portraits. Towards the end of the session the students paint a 20" x 16" self-portrait in acrylic. The work this year has been fabulous!!

This 4 are from my K-1 class, but all 4 happen to be 1st graders.

Reflecting on Reflections

2009-05-25T16:27:00.003-06:00

Reflections took about six months from beginning to end. I took photos along the way to share my painting process.

Step 1: I apply flexible modeling paste mixed with a little paint (the blue) with a palette knife to create a stucco-like surface on the canvas. Then I use paint thinned with water to draw out the basic composition.

Step 2: I block in the major colors in a medium value (except for the figure).

I started with a photo of my son I took right at sunset at Topsail Island, North Carolina several years ago. I always liked the very monochromatic (one color) look of the painting. It is that point in the evening where all the light turns blue and everything is very calm and relaxing.

Step 3: Working from the background to the foreground, I work the painting into a loosely, realistic state.

After getting the back waves painted in, I decided I didn't like the composition of the diagonals. I added another layer of water in the middle picture. I felt it also helped keep the focus on the boy in the center to have the waves converging behind him.

For most of this painting I kept my palette to a bare minimum: Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Orange, Titanium White, and Mars Black. When I got to the shading on the boy, the orange was just too harsh, I add several more colors at that point to get the look I was trying to achieve.

Step 4: The figure. The first image is getting the shape and middle value blocked in. In the second picture, I correct some proportional imbalances in the arm on the left and the shape of the stomach & hips on the right. In the 3rd picture, I realize that my limited palette isn't going to give the depth in his body so by the 4th image, I've expanded the palette to sharpen the focus on the boy and his reflection on the shallow water on the sand.

Reflections is about reflecting, the light on the ocean, the wet sand & the boy. The boy on the wet sand. The final painting, Reflections, 36" x 24" acrylic on canvas.

Blogs, Business, Books, Beaches

2009-05-23T07:58:00.004-06:00

Blogs...

This one is going to be more active, maybe not always about art, but, hopefully, interesting. I've wrestled with the personal vs. business and the getting-to-know-me vs tmi (too much information for those not...um...blessed?...to have lived with a teenager).

I've learned over the past 4 years that my customers are not just interested in a pretty picture for the living room, they want to 'know' about their art and about me as an artist and person. I've also found myself drawn to art or other things based on getting to know the person. So after picking the brains of some close advisers, I'm going to get a little more informal (but not tmi!) with this blog.

Business...

Art classes are almost over for the Spring Session. The kids have done some fabulous work. I'm taking the summer off and will have Fall's schedule up in July.

I've re-arranged the gallery portion of my website to showcase my work by medium. I've also removed smaller paintings and put those on my Etsy Shop, Cobalt Blue Dreams. It is easier to add new work as I finish it and I have a lot of work from my flip bins to add so there is something new each week in the shop!

Books...

I've been reading a lot this year and want to share..some book reviews coming soon. I'm also up for any suggestions, read any good books lately?

Beaches...

Summer is almost here! Can't wait for my annual trek to visit my family in North Carolina. As always, I'm expecting to take a zillion or so photos to inspire me in the studio. Speaking of studio, I finished Reflections, a 36" x 24" acrylic painting of my son right at sunset walking on the beach. This painting is available for purchase on my website.

Does Your Love Have to Be Your Life?

2009-05-05T10:37:00.004-06:00

I have a cousin who was an unbelievable swimmer. When we were kids, his mom signed him up for the swim team each year and he always won medals and ribbons. Just as soon as he was able to choose his summer activities, he dropped swim team like a rock. I never understood why, because he LOVED swimming and was so GOOD at it. He told me being MADE to swim instead of CHOOSING to swim took the joy out of it for him, regardless of how many ribbons he won.

I've been struggling with this love/hate relationship with my art. I LOVE doing art, I'm fairly GOOD at it (won ribbons, sold paintings), but I've not enjoyed DOING it for over a year now. I don't want to rant or whine about my art career during the past year, but I can wrap it up in two words..It Sucked. By a business definition, it was a "successful" year: I had more art students and full classes than ever before, plus my art sales almost doubled from the previous year. In terms of personal satisfaction, it was out of control freight train careening down into the canyon. Art became work, not joy. Every act of creation was second guessed and analyzed.... "Will it sell?" .."Is is too big?..does it need to be smaller & more affordable?" .."Can I paint this subject or do I need to paint more flamingos/chickens/etc?" .... whoops... sorry, the whining is slipping in... but you get the picture.

I decided last fall to take a good look at my life and do some thinking, praying and researching. I realized that I didn't like the art I was starting to create or the way I was trying to make a living at it. The guilt was (and on some days..still is) overwhelming..here I was living most artists' dream...nice studio space, supportive spouse...but maybe it isn't this artist's dream.

I'm still creating art..better art now that the pressure is off. I'll still be selling my art, but I'm not worried about business terms of success anymore. Art can be my voice again instead of my living. As for teaching, I've found I have more time to concentrate and I enjoy it more than ever. The students are an inspiration to me and I'll continue teaching as long as I can over the next couple of years. As for my making a living, I'm heading back to graduate school for an entirely unrelated career (another post..another time!).

As I said, I'm still selling my work. The walls of my house don't seem to expand at the same rate my art creation does! Instead of art shows, I'll be concentrating on internet sales and word of mouth referrals (always my best source!). I'm shifting my website to showcase my large (and more expensive) pieces and Pet Portraits. For my smaller works and reproductions (prints), I've opened an Etsy shop. It is called CobaltBlueDreams and I'm adding work weekly to it. I'm starting with new works and prints and going backwards through time. I chose Etsy mainly because it is easy and fun. I love browsing Etsy and my smaller works and collages fit the "browsing" style of shopping at Etsy. My larger works will remain on my website, not many people impulse buy a $1200 painting or Pet Portrait.

So check out CobaltBlueDreams today, and then check back next week, and the week after...you get the idea! If you see something disappear off my website, check out the shop..I may have moved it over.

This painting is a fun piece inspired by an amaryllis that was given to my daughter for Valentine's Day. Valentine is a 12" x 6" acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped canvas and can be purchased in my Etsy shop.

By the way, CobaltBlueDreams isn't just a random name. Cobalt Blue is my favorite painting color and appears in most of my skies (the ones that are intensely blue!) Dreams got added on because it fit. I'll send a random pack of 5 of my notecard prints to the first person who can tell my what else is significant about the name of my shop!

Lessons from Lent

2009-04-14T08:51:00.003-06:00

So I've had 40 days of minimal internet contact. I didn't un-install my browsers like I had planned, although I should have because I cheated occasionally.

The first week was definitely the hardest. I'd check my e-mail and keep hitting the send/receive button thinking..there has to be more! My computer is upstairs and before Lent I'd come up to check e-mail and browse from 7-10 times during the day. I found the time between e-mail checks began to slow down (only so many times I can hit send/receive til it sinks in there is no new e-mail!). I even *gasp* went a full day here and there without checking at all!

I mentioned that I cheated occasionally. Not once did I log into Facebook, my blog reader, or Twitter but I did give myself permission to do check things here and there that I felt necessary. My son moved from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and the new troop I needed to do some on-line training, get permissions slips, etc. The worse times for me was when Russ & I would be researching something. At first I'd just look over his shoulder..that got annoying real quick. Then I just "jump on Google to check" for myself and I'd find myself wandering around on tangents again. But..as soon as I realized what I was doing..I would stop.

Probably one of the hardest things was getting friend requests from Facebook and Twitter follows. Some of the people I had e-mails for and was able to explain..the others I hope will not think I snubbed them.

Anyway..so what did I get out of this? quiet, lot's of quiet

No, I don't need to turn my speakers down. I mean mental quiet. I love information..from people, books, blogs..anywhere. I still read books (lots in fact..I got a lot of reading done the past month and a half) but I'd have quiet interludes during the day to just think (while catching up on much needed housework!). I could get an e-mail and not immediately jump to Google to find 20 solutions to the problem..I could just think for a while, figure it the solution myself. Which is probably the same solution I would have come up with after 40 minutes of web-surfing anyway.

How did this fit in with my word of the year - Renew? It definitely helped:

Intellectual - As I said before, I did a LOT of reading. Some educational, some just fun (I read the 4 books from the Twilight series last week). I also got my acceptance e-mail (and then letter) from the University of Texas in Arlington. I'm heading back to school to work on a Masters of City and Regional Planning. More on this later.

Artistic - I did get some painting done. I finished a pet portrait commission and a flower painting. I'm finally starting to relax when I think about painting instead of the "who would want to buy this" panic I'd go into. Again..blog fodder for another day.

Physical - This is going well but slow. After doing a 13 mile hike with a group of scouts, I decided I'd really start pushing my workouts to the limit. For almost a month I did weights a minimum of 2 times a week and did some sort of cardio (running, elliptical, biking, etc) for 30 minutes to an hour 5-6 days a week. I really felt the difference in my body but my weight loss ground to a halt. Mentally, I need to see some progress so I've back off the intensity. I'm sill training to run a 5k though.

Spiritual - My Bible in a year goal is still going too slowly for my own satisfaction. I found myself writing arguments against the workbook author in the workbook I was using so I decided to switch tracks. I bought The One Year Chronological Bible and the guidebook. I haven't used the guidebook but it does help to have daily goals (that I can see I'm missing ;)) I'm almost to the end of February and I'm sure I'd be much further along if I wasn't so engrossed in the Twilight books last week. The mental quiet I talked about above also gave me a lot of time to think, ponder, pray and a philosophize which is one of the main reasons for breaking bad habits during Lent.

Emotional - Getting stronger every day. I've made the choice inside myself that I will change and hence my life is changing to fit.

So..enlightened, lightened, and lit up! Ok..so that's corny but I can't think of a funny or sage way to end this blog but from my several "more on this later" comments..I'd better sign off and get to work!

Fitzi, 7" x 5" acrylic on canvas, sold

Why You Won't Find Me On-Line Until April 12th

2009-02-23T12:15:00.005-06:00

You'll have to read all the way to the bottom to find out why....

New Spring Class Schedule is Online
Enrollment is now open for Spring Session Child Art Classes. This is always a favorite as we study Animal & People Portraits for 10 weeks culminating in an acrylic self-portrait (plus lots of other fun projects!). Registration is for current students only until March 5th. If your child is not currently enrolled, I will put their name on a list and pull from that list first on March 5th.

Deadline is March 11. I've always been loose about deadlines in the past but I only have 1 week in between sessions this time and I need to order supplies before Winter Session ends. Deposit of 20% is required of ALL students to hold a spot.

Changes
Some may notice changes in my class scheduling and my art schedules this year. I am currently shifting a lot of my emphasis as I prepare to go back to school this coming fall to work on my Master's degree. I am shifting my art sales to be on-line and studio based instead of through shows.

As for my classes, at this time, I do plan to continue teaching while attending school in the fall. I am cutting back and altering my schedule (no more during the day classes) to prepare for and accommodate my own studies. Afterschool classes will continue as normal during Spring and I'll have to wait to closer to Fall to see what changes I will need to make. I do plan on teaching and I'm working out several scenarios to accommodate the greatest number and age span of kids.

Painting
Stress and indecision can wreak havoc on anyone's life and artistic inspiration is no exception. I take it as a good sign I'm on the right path that I am starting to get the itch to paint again. Duplicity is my first finished piece of 2009. This small collage is a reflection of the direction my art has taken over the past several months. I've toyed with combining painted images and collage elements for several years. Look for more to come! This painting is a 5" x 7" x 3/8" acrylic/collage on canvas board and priced at $35. (Note: 2/24..changed painting slightly, this is the updated version.)

Now...Why You Won't Find Me On-Line Until April 12th
It started in Sunday School about a week ago when the teacher was talking about the things that separate you from God...tv, internet, etc. My husband leaned over and whispered, "So you are going to give up the internet for Lent this year?" I quickly whispered back, "NO WAY!" I am a notorious e-mail checking, web browsing junkie. My "I need to check my e-mail real quick." always turns into 15 minutes to an hour. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Woot, Amazon..I'm on them every day...usually several times a day.

So I started thinking about his comment and decided not only was the internet keeping me from God, but also my family and other things I need or even just want to do. At first I decided I'd do it all cold-turkey..no e-mail..no internet..nothing. But, I'd have a few committees that meet by e-mail that would be pretty upset with me, not to mention all the parents like me who enroll and everything else via e-mail.

So, I'll check my e-mail (although I am going to try to limit how often during the day) but I'm uninstalling my browsers and will not be a part of the web for 46 days starting this Wednesday (yes..I know Lent in only 40 days..but you don't get to count Sundays).

I'll give a Renewal update then and, hopefully, I'll have lots to report with all the extra time I'm going to have!

Renewal Check-In - February

2009-02-04T00:54:00.003-06:00

So it has been one month into 2009. Wow..can time go by any faster? I have spent one month in living my word of the year..Renewal. So how's it going? Here's a check-up:
Intellectual - I alluded to some changes in my initial blog and while I'm not quite ready to tell all (no jinxing allowed!) I can provide some update. On the 22nd, I took the GRE which is an examination used for admission to graduate school much like the SAT is used for undergraduate admissions. So a small cat is out of the bag as I am looking to possibly return to school this fall. More on that next month!

Artistically, I have done a big fat ZERO. I have a pet portrait commission to work on but as for any other creations, other priorities have taken over.

Teaching began again this month and I have a great group of students. I'm enjoying myself, especially with the removed pressure of obsessing over selling my artwork.

Physical - I opened myself up to a new experience...rock climbing..and promptly pulled a muscle in my shoulder. I'm not sure if the two are related but they happened the same weekend. I've taken it easy the past couple of weeks trying to recover but Weight Watchers is going well and I'm losing weight even without regular workouts. More camping this month but I'm going to go easy on activities!

Spiritual - My church attendance has improved although we are still struggling with times for Sunday School, Service, etc. It will work out over time. My "Bible in a Year" has been slow going so far though. At this rate, I'm doing 1 week = 1 month so I'll be "Bible in about 13 Years." I'm going to work on this in February! Anyone want to try this with me and give us some accountability?

Emotional - This area of my life has improved but not before my body began to suffer from stress. I'm trying to get a handle on both high blood pressure and IBS, both of which I'm sure are stress related. I'm currently reading Coach Yourself to Success : 101 Tips from a Personal Coach for Reaching Your Goals at Work and in Life by Talane Miedaner and it is phenomenal. My mom recommended it to me and it is affecting all areas of my life.

So do I feel Renewed so far? Actually, yes, I do! I'm currently trying to catch up some things around the house (can we say..clean sock drawer?) as well as push myself in new directions and I feel I am on the right path.

The painting is from the en plein air series from the Dallas Arboretum. Red Yucca is a 14" x 11" acrylic on canvas priced at $155.

25 Random Things About Me

2009-01-25T21:34:00.002-06:00

This post came about from a post from Lisa Call's blog called 7 Things You Don't Know About Me. She put out a challenge for anyone else to post that has exactly 2 "a's" and 2 "e's" in their first and last name. I fulfill that request and she posted this on my birthday, I took it as a sign that I should post too. We'll...I sat on it a while and then around Facebook a new thing has been posted my some of my friends called 25 Random Things About Me. I thought 7 would be tough..well 25 was quite a feat, but it was fun.

On Facebook, I'm supposed to "Tag" 25 people to answer this as well. I have my blog linked to post on my facebook account so all my friends...consider yourself tagged!

25 Random Things About Me:

25. I hate shoes..ok..not all shoes but I prefer to be barefoot and I always kick off my shoes as soon as I enter anyone’s house.

24. Follow up to 25, I love painting my toenails. I have short, stubby toes that remind me of playdough, but when I grow the nails slightly long and paint them..they are transformed into beautiful little extensions of me.

23. My hair is naturally red and naturally curly. Sometimes I add highlights & the past 2 years I’ve colored it purplish the month of December, but basically it is almost always pretty close to what God gave me.

22. I wasn’t supposed to grow up to be an artist. I was a nerdy, brainy, bookworm kid in school. I started at 4 and skipped 3rd grade so I graduated when I was 16. My favorite subject was math & I planned on being a mechanical engineer.

21. God likes to laugh at me. Not that I really mind, I like to laugh at me too. After 16 years of living #22, I got pregnant at 16 (yes, I was using protection). I found out right after graduation, sort of explained the nausea during graduation rehearsal though.

20. I really changed my values in life after #21. I knew from the start I wanted to be with my children as much as possible during their early years. God knew what He was doing with me.

19. I’ve discovered a lot about myself through my kids..my most recent discovery is that I LOVE camping. Each time I go there is a new adventure for me: scorpions, below freezing temperatures, no bathrooms…I never know what to expect. I get stronger physically and mentally with each trip.

18. I am a bit of a control freak, although I try not to impose my will on others (too badly, at least.) I hate being given any sort of anesthesia & not fond of being a passenger in a car if I don’t have some level of trust for the person I’m riding with. On the positive side, I do enjoy being in leadership roles and have no fear whatsoever of public speaking.

17. I used to belly-dance. I took lessons for a couple of years before my knee surgery. I wasn’t anywhere near good but I did do a few public performances. It was extremely fun and I’m sure this is one of those things in life I’ll regret not doing if I don’t get back into it one day.

16. Speaking of knee surgery, I’m a runner Not that I run very much these days but I firmly believe that will change…eventually…I hope. Even if I never get back to running 4-5 times a week, I’ll always consider myself a runner.

15. I love water. I used to think I was going to retire at the coast but now I’d settle for a gorgeous lake view. Something about water calms me and makes me happy. I find it very ironic that I have a pond right in front of my house that I can’t see because it’s up a small hill.

14. I’m a cat person. I like all animals in general and may have a dog someday, but I’ll always have a cat. I like their independent natures and their random cuddliness. I expect if I outlive my husband I’ll be one of those weird old ladies with a zillion cats all over the place.

13. My husband, Russ, is my best friend. We are a bit too much alike on some things (read that as ‘butt heads often’) but we can always talk about it and eventually end up in a hug, which is one of my favorites places to be.

12. I’m a bit of a loner. I’ve learned to overcome this the past decade or so, but it takes effort. I learned how to small talk from my oldest daughter who could discuss the weather with strangers on an elevator when she was 3. I’ve discovered I really like having friends and being around people, but taking the first step just doesn’t come naturally to me.

11. I really, really love my kids and being a mom to my 3 kids (even to the one that has already left the nest). I’m still not sure what some of God’s plan is here for me during this life, but I am absolutely certain that being a mother was a huge part of it. I am also extremely grateful to my husband who made it possible for me to be home during the early years with our kids.

10. I’m addicted to popcorn. Seriously..theatre popcorn, microwave popcorn, Target popcorn, Boy Scout popcorn..I love it!, Not hot-air popcorn..that stuff is dry and gross, no matter how much butter & salt you add to it. I bought myself a Christmas present this year from Linens & Things going out of business sale....a popcorn popper that use a little bit of cooking oil, its pink & I’ve used it on average of every other day.

9. Speaking of pink, that is my favorite color, usually light pink but hot pink works too, even shades of coral count.

8. I have a large amount of faith. My dedication to organized religion comes and goes but my faith in God has sustained me through both good and bad times. I have some weird ideas about our world’s history, mythology, and magic but at my core is an unshakeable belief that we have a creator who is still present in the universe and our lives.

7. I love to cook. I’m not particularly great at it but there are some things I can do well like grill and bake. I also love cook books and have too many of them (see #1). My latest thing is experimenting with outdoor cooking with camping. I’d really love an outdoor kitchen with a brick grill that I can try out recipes.

6. I love gardening and being outside. I don’t mind digging in the dirt, hauling a heavy wheel-barrow, or sometimes pulling weeds. I am NOT fond of loud things like lawnmowers & weed-eaters.

5. I think Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts are two of the greatest organizations kids can join. All three of my kids have been involved in scouting and it has taught us all many things about ourselves and each other and led to quite a few adventures.

4. I’m a computer geek and have been most of my life. My uncle got me started on his Commodore vic 20. I learned how to program in Basic and would spend hours writing code to create a game that would do something insanely simple like guess your birthday. My husband and I met while playing an on-line computer game called a MUD (multi-user dungeon) which was a non-graphic precursor to games like World of Warcraft. We still play computer games (like World of Warcraft) together.

3. I love all types of games, not just computer games. I have a ridiculous competitive streak and love card games most of all (Spades, Rook, Hearts, etc).

2. I’m a beer snob. I blame this on my aunt Lee who got me a mixed pack of German beers for my 21st birthday. Plus, I’ve got some great beer connoisseurs for friends. The richer and darker the better the beer..non of this “light” crap! My current favorite is 1554 made by New Belgium Brewing Company. Sam Adams Black Lager is pretty good too and much easier to find.

1. I love to read. Fiction or non-fiction, all subjects, all types, it doesn’t matter. I have 6 full bookcases of books (some are for my kids) plus my cookbooks on another set of shelves. Books are the one luxury I would have a very hard time living without if I ever decided to truly simplify or down-size my life.

The Making of Einstein

2009-01-14T14:06:00.002-06:00

A previous client commissioned me to do a pet portrait as a Christmas gift to his parents. The subject was a beloved family pet from his youth. Einstein was affectionately described as a "big pile of fur." I worked from 4 photos taken about 15 or so years ago.

I tried to take photos each time I stepped away from the easel for a drying session, but towards the end, I got time crunched and forgot.

Step 1: The base coat of Flexible modeling paste and acrylic applied with a palette knife. Water-down acrylic is then used to draw the outline.

Step 2: Paint background. I chose a neutral, non-objective background to keep the subject prominent.

Step 3: I blocked in the basic color and value of the subject paying attention to large masses of color.

Step 4: Fur and details start to emerge. From this point until the end, I forgot to photo. After I got slightly past this point, I realized the background was too vague and needed almost a "wall" or implied space behind the subject. I deepened the colors and the shadows around Einstein. I also spent several sessions getting the fur right around the face. Towards the end, the client viewed the work in progress and made suggestions towards fur coloring, facial shape, etc. The final step was to take a small, liner brush and add spots of tiny fur ends to really help the fur take shape.

The final Einstein is a 20" x 16" acrylic. The recipients were so pleased with the result that they have commissioned me for another family pet.

Einstein, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 16"

My New Year's Resolution...sort of

2008-12-31T15:16:00.002-06:00

I'm a pretty avid resolution setter, I even drag my family into my..um..game? But this year, I decided to try something new. I'm a follower of Christine Kane's blog and she has come up with a much more inspiring and meaningful way to approach a new year...Word of the Year. She calls it a Resolution Revolution and I agree. Read more about it in her post here.

So my word for the year...Renew

edited from dictionary.com:

re.new
to restore or replenish ~ to revive; reestablish ~ to recover (youth, strength, etc.). ~ to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.

2008 wasn't my favorite year. The tail end of 2007 sort of set the tone and I think I've been going downhill from there. I've done a lot of soul-searching and introspective thinking the past 3 months and I've started taking the steps to change the path I'm currently on.

I don't need a new me...just a replenished or recovered me. I plan on focusing on the following areas of my life: Intellectual, Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional.

Intellectual - This is by far the biggest area of Renewal this coming year. I've really struggled the past 3 years with being an artist, an art instructor, and a homemaker. My quality of life has deteriorated over the past 3 years with the effects reaching into every other area of my life.

I'm not entirely certain of the solution yet. I've done a great deal of research over the past several months and there is no easy answer in sight. I'm close, but until I'm sure about the changes, especially involving the teaching aspect, I'm going to hold off divulging much information.

Artistically, I do plan on spending a great deal more time on exploring some new ideas as well as working on areas in which I want to be a stronger artist. More details on some steps I'm taking will come very soon!

Physical - get out of my overweight rut, push myself to a new level with exercise..not sure how to set this as a goal...knees may not put up with running training for a 5k. I'd like to tie it in with my new found love of camping....maybe a rack up some hiking miles? I'm open to ideas here.

Spiritual - I've gotten very slack in this department. Not only has my church attendance been very poor but my own development, reading, and exploration has come to a standstill. I plan on starting a year long study in reading the bible (I have a workbook to go by) and work on waking up on Sunday mornings!

Emotional - This one is too raw to go into details. I have some issues I'm trying to resolve in my family life. I'm also hoping this is one of those areas that will benefit from "trickle down" renewal from the other 3!

Renew...not so much as a reinvention of myself as a climbing out of the mess..discovering what was always there but forgotten.

So what's YOUR word in 2009?

About the painting: Songbird, acrylic & paper, 12" x 12" is a portrait of my youngest daughter that I completed while taking Paulette Insall's All about Faces web class. This wasn't quite my style of painting but she is an excellent instructor and by stepping out of my box..I was able to make a breakthrough in my own artistic cowardice. Guess what? Yep...that'll be another blog!

Top 10 Reasons to See Me Tomorrow!

2008-12-05T11:19:00.002-06:00

Top 10 Reasons to visit me at my Holiday Open Studio & Sale this Saturday:

10. You can see ALL of my art (pastels, watercolors, collages, acrylics, etc.) not just what I bring to the art festivals.

9. I’ve been cleaning like a nut all week and someone needs to come marvel at this once-a-year wonder. It will definitely be less stressful than a trip to the mall at this time of the year!

8. It is a great time to check out my classroom space & some class projects if you are considering classes with me.

7. You can browse my Limited Edition Reproductions from 2008, giclee prints of 4 of my most popular paintings scaled down to an affordable size and price.

6. Saturday will be the last day I will accept commissions to be completed by Christmas.

5. You can see what my large paintings looks like in their natural habitat. (ie..they are not as large as they look in my booth..you DO have the wall space!)

4. I have an awesome apple cider recipe that will be on the stove in the kitchen.

3. I have some new works on the easel I’d love to share with you.

2. Art is the most unique gift you can give even to yourself!

and finally, the best reason to come visit tomorrow:

1. ALL the artwork will be 20% off!! This is the only time I discount my artwork.

Nitty gritty details:

Saturday, December 6th from 2pm-6pm

The studio is located at 7112 Vista Hill Lane, Sachse, Texas. All other studio hours are available by appointment only.

Foundations II, watercolor, 29" x 17" - $470

2008 Holiday Open Studio & Sale

2008-12-03T21:20:00.003-06:00

Winter Shows & Classes

2008-11-20T22:37:00.003-06:00

Fall is settling in here in Texas with occasional chilly days and falling leaves. While we don’t get the wide palette of leaf colors here, we do get more days of beautiful blue skies and no-jacket-required than the rest of the country.

Art News

My last two shows of the year are coming up. This weekend I’ll be at the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas for their Winter Art Mart. It will be open on Friday from 7pm-9pm, Saturday from 12pm-7pm, and Sunday from 11am-6pm. This is in a historical building right on the edge of White Rock Lake. It is a wonderful show with a beautiful setting. Admission is free. More details and directions can be found at http://www.bathhousecultural.com/ .

On December 6^th, I will be hosting my 2^nd Annual Holiday Open Studio. It will be from 2pm -6pm at my studio/classroom in Sachse. Open Studio is a chance for you to see all types of my artwork instead of just my “booth” work as well as view works in progress and projects from my classes. The atmosphere is casual and fun!

This is also the ideal time to commission a painting for a holiday gift. I would love to paint your child, a special pet, sentimental vacation memory, or a unique piece for your home. Please contact me for more information.

Class News

Winter Session is now enrolling for my Child Classes. Classes will begin January 6^th and run for 10 weeks. Please visit my website at http://www.demolay.com/childclasses.html for the full schedule.

I will be creating the adult schedule after the first of the year. If you are interested in drawing, pastels, watercolor, acrylics, or collage, please contact me and let me know. I have found it is easiest to keep a list of interested students for each medium and create a class that works with everyone’s schedule.

Other

Dallas in is in the spotlight right now for its King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art. I plan to visit it during my children’s holiday time so I can not give you a review right now but I’ll definitely post here when I do. King Tut mania has taken over Dallas and I’m expecting

The above painting is Meeting Under the Red, 20" x 16" acrylic.

Happy Fright Night!

2008-10-30T21:48:00.004-06:00

Happy Halloween to all. Maybe it is my artistic/fantasy side but I have always loved Halloween. There is nothing like stepping outside of yourself and adding some face paint, hair color, wild clothes..whatever and recreating yourself..even for just a night!

Enjoy these treats compliments of my students (the webs) and my family (the pumpkins) and be safe out there amongst the clowns, goblins, ghosts, superheros, etc.

And, yes, I did dress up this Halloween..as Medusa..but the coolest pics are on my phone and I don't have a card yet to get them off my phone..but I've asked (and ordered it and thrown it in my husband's 'In' basket!) so after November 10th I'll show you my cool costume!

EDIT: oops! Forgot to explain the pumpkins. The grinning face is from my youngest daughter (age 7)..her first pumpkin carving! The middle pumpkin is actually a medieval chain mace weapon from my 10 year old son. The last is in honor of my Medusa costume done by my husband and myself.

Fall Fever is the Color Orange

2008-10-22T21:25:00.005-06:00

This has been an extremely busy month in the
classroom part of my studio for me. I've been teaching art to my son's Cub Scout den every Monday night and I have my adult watercolor class going every Wednesday morning. This is in addition to my normal 5 other kids' classes.

I wanted to showcase my adult watercolor paintings. They've been working on a pumpkin still life for two sessions. I'm very proud of their work! I have 3 students, two I've taught before, 1 new. 1 students is really trying to advance her skills in watercolor, one is a pastellist that is trying to branch out, and one is brand new to painting!

Here are their paintings. Enjoy some Fall colors!

Pen & Ink Sketch & Self-Cleaning Cats

2008-10-07T12:33:00.004-06:00

I was trying to get some quick pen & ink sketches of my cat for a collage. Being the true cat she is, she took that moment to clean herself in ways only dogs and cats can.

Sitting on the floor with a pen holder and knib, a bottle of ink, and a sketchpad while grumbling at the cat aroused the curiosity of my kids and their playmates. Not wanting to let an opportunity go to waste, I quickly had willing models for my sketching.

This was the third and I'm most pleased with. It only took about 5-7 minutes and really captures the bored, pouty look of my youngest child.

I'll do you all a favor and not post the sketch of my cat.

Pineapples & Adult Classes

2008-09-24T20:52:00.004-06:00

My first show of the season (and last outdoor show of 2008) is done. Artscape had a nice crowd and I sold a few pieces but all artists are feeling the effects of a slow economy! On the bright side, my booth looked great and I met some wonderful people that I'll, hopefully, see again!

I'm into my 3rd week of Child Classes and every session I am amazed at the talent and creativity of these kids. We are studying Line: naming, describing, contours & gestures. Here is a pineapple rendered in charcoal from Rebecca, one of my 3rd graders.

Adult Classes

I've got an adult watercolor class starting next week.

Watercolor, Basics Made Fun! – Wednesdays, October 1 – November 5th, 10am – 11:30am - $135

This class will provide an explanation of basic watercolor materials and techniques. We will explore composition and color theory as it relates to the watercolor medium. Several paintings will be completed during this 6 week course. I’ll supply the paper, you supply paints and brushes. (supply list available)

I've also had several requests about "Ladies' Night Out" Art Evenings. I put on my gender correct hat and called them "Adult Night Out" classes..but you get the drift! Check out the Adult Classes page on my website for more information.