Archive for March, 2012
I thought I’d t post one of my newer paintings, not yet listed in my shop. Since I slowed things down in the business of art selling (not art making) I have enjoyed a little more freedom to experiment. Experimenting brings its share of failures and believe me my trash can has seen a lot more artworks than usual. This one was sure to kick the bucket but as I went on I became attached to it and now I like it too much to toss.
In the spirit of experimentation I got a wild hair to create some cookies with the fresh basil growing in my window. I have never tried making shortbread before so this was the perfect time to go wild; no preconceptions, no let-downs. Shortbread is terribly easy: butter, flour, sugar (I used this recipe). Add some fresh basil and lemon and ta-da…delicious cookies that have a healthy quality what with the earthy grassy tinge and all. Never mind the butter. Don’t think about the butter….
munch munch munch….. Happy experimenting 
Perhaps less a secret and more imaginative garden….
I don’t know what it’s like in your neck of the woods but here in the Midwest it is full on springtime. The allergies are flare’n up, rain every other day, the trees are blooming like it’s mid-April up in here and I’m craving spring time food and outdoor projects. This year I hope that I can become truly obsessive about starting a garden. My backyard is huge. It’s got two giant walnut trees, two decks, some kind of pine-tree thing, and even a raised flower bed currently over-run by weeds. And for the past two years that we’ve lived here it has sat lonely with no real character. But plenty of dog poo.
It’s time to change all that so I did what any person in need of inspiration does and got on the Pinterest. I even started a garden wish list board to imagine the greatest backyard I could have ever hoped for.
So help me out folks, what have you learned about gardening? I’m sure I’ll make some newbie mistakes. Share your wisdom with me. Or direct me to a place of backyard genious-ness. Please. I’m desperate.
It’s Spring Break. And for once in a long time, the break feels like Spring. It’s 80 some degrees today and flowers and things are blooming everywhere. Including some sort of seasonal allergy that has camped out in my sinuses. But nasty nasal stuff be damned because WE ARE ON A BREAK and it’s gorgeous, calm, and peaceful in my house. I’ve been painting some new little things and getting ready to go out of town again – this time to see my grandparents in Oklahoma City. It’s been a long time since I have seen them and I am excited to have my daughter meet them for the first time.
Were you curious how my NAEA trip to New York City went? You can read about it here.
A few weeks ago I opened up my new store to sell the things that I enjoy making the most; original watercolor paintings. This weekend I’m having a Grand Opening Sale and would like to offer you some great deals on small but hugely cool paintings:
Ink Painting by Bill Traylor 1852-1949 at the American Folk Art Museum
Back in my home sweet Kansas home and if I had to pick just one artwork that I saw (among a series of exciting events) that had a big impact on me it would have to be this drawing above which is very poorly photographed by me. It is found inside the American Folk Art Museum in New York.
Why did I enjoy this image so much? All my favorites: contrast, shape, space, cartoons, people, animals, humor, fear; it’s all there in one small image. A man named Bill Traylor made it. Born into slavery, he worked as a farmer for most of his life in Alabama. He did not have training or art supplies but he found his way with materials given to him. He did thousands of drawings and was never recognized in his lifetime for his artwork.
I think these kinds of stories are important because it reminds me that wanting to make things is a reaction to experiencing things. I teach large groups of kids art lessons and struggle with my successes and failures every day. Note to self: every student is different and has their own series of exciting events to draw from. Literally.
