Glass Drunk

Hello my name is Dawn & I'm a glass-aholic.

 

Sometimes I save, sometimes I purchase but now I'm on the wagon.

I can't tell you when or how it began. All I remember is one day....

I realized...I had a lot of glass.

 

I have "collected" & "stored" several pieces in kitchen cupboards, just waiting for the right moment to use them in fused glass art projects. I'm not sure if "saved" household glass is something that can effectively be melted & fused but I have a friend that will support my glass habit in conducting this experiment.

 

Sometimes my glass reminds me of my great grandparents.

Other times it's my glass that may remind my great grandchildren of me.

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[CLICK ME]

Herb & Dorthy Aspirations (sort of) & A 3 Day Paint Job

How can one not find art in the garden? OK...in my case, containers on the front porch with plants in them. Nature has a skillful process of producing perfect color palettes. In the case of the tomato plant, a hue of green that has a close value range paired impeccably with it's complimentary yellow orange in the cherry toms. Blackberries develop into a deep rich purple (slightly shifted to the red side in my opinion yet maintaining a strong blue) contrasting it's green surroundings. This time of year they are a light value of green w/a bit of yellow but representing blue in a delicate way. Mid August will bring delicious berries gently warmed by the sun, of which I will flash freeze and enjoy all year long. In the PacNW we have a love-hate relationship with these aggressive fruit barriers. They are monsters that consume all vegetation, buildings and space. There's no stopping them. The birds "release" seeds after they are finished dining on their sweetness, which covers just about every bit of land. They are everywhere and grow in an instant. After harvesting this summer I will put on protective gear (nasty huge painful thorns) and hack them down as far as I can. 

As I've been spending a lot of time on my front porch these past few weeks, I decided to fill a space on my home above the porch swing with a canvas. I have a habit of seeing voids and filling them. I am careful not to cover every inch of space, rather, create a balance in conjunction with the voids. Only time will tell if I can maintain this practice. Who knows, in 30 years I may have filled every square inch, inside and out. My imagination recalls the story of Herb & Dorothy Vogel. My space will be filled with my own art and the hope of it being worth even an eighth of their collection. In the mean time I will paint when I'm inspired and rest in the space until the process cycles to fill another space.

This painting is on top of another, one I didn't care for and even taped sheets of paper over areas I was so displeased with. This canvas was resurrected well after a year. With a closer view (or a more skilled photographer) hidden textures reveal shapes of the old mixed media painting. I think I've stumbled upon a concept for my next creation after zipping through this free flowing piece. Having no expectations and releasing the mind of clutter is an amazing place to create from.
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A MINI ART NOTE

 On my flight home from a recent AZ trip I busted out 

my sketchbook. I think the first sketch pretty much states 

my subject and the other....I was wingin' it (no pun intended). 

The image is clickable so you can get a closer look. 

I capitalized on my captivity in the middle seat 

while listening to this [C L I C K ME!!!!]. I find my 

sketchbook to be a great source of inspiration for I am

typically creating (read doodling) without an intent. 

Being sandwiched between a solo eight year old well 

rounded traveler and an older gentleman who seemed

to enjoy my progress, made for 

the perfect recipe for 

uninhibited 

masterpieces.

Does this have to have a title? I don't think so.

The kitchen chalkboard is a forever evolving substrate of random creativity by heterogeneous artists. It always begins with a grocery list and my own impromptu sketch. It's handy exposure is like a magnet to my children and their friends. Little by little the space gets filled with bits and pieces of peoples minds. As I've mentioned before...the grocery list, in time, gets buried in the artiness of it all. 

My lavender is just about to fully explode! I tried to capture this visitor but am still getting to understand the many functions of my new camera and didn't get as good of a shot as I had hoped.

I've added a little reuse-sculpture above my fence mural. I'm so attracted to things that rust. The bright contrast of it's coiling wire against the black post pops with interest. It's one of those things that will patina in time, forever changing how it exists in the space. It's neighboring post calls for something more substantial. My mind is churning for the perfect elements...in rust of course.

Mid month during the full moon I spent some time on my front porch...with my camera of course. After the one I love turned in for the night, I was left to explore one on one with my new toy/tool/appendage/eye/?. Most images turned out blurry (could the vino have been an accomplice?). Too intrigued to go upstairs and get my tripod I found that holding my breath while leaning against something sturdy pacified my need for a clear, flash-less, glowing composition. Next time...the tripod.
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A MINI ART NOTE

Above is a final for an Art History project I did
at the end of last semester. I chose 1920's soft-cubism
artist Tamara de Lempicka to represent an artist
between the Renaissance and WWII in a composition
depicting a modern use (a cover of Portland's Willamette Week
news publication). I used my 20+ years of graphic
design skills in Illustrator to complete the piece. I was
informed WW's editor Richard Meeker became fond of
it as it was displayed on a gallery wall at school. The
school purchased it and gave it to him as a gift.

Such a cool thing.

I am truly honored.

What is it? What's it all about? Who cares.

I have an old 1920's bungalow home that provides the perfect canvas to create amazing works of art on, in and around. The whimsical fence mural now rests on my fence, basking in the summer sunshine. I have no idea what it is, all I know is that I had no expectations with the process and tried my best to keep my mind clear of thoughts in any direction. I was on auto-pilot. Perhaps from a psychodynamic perspective (Freudian) this concept came from my subconscious. Even so...I still have no idea what it is. I do know it is balanced within the space with it's wiggling multiple lines heavy on the left-view side and it's solid open deep black space on it's right and it has texture in it's many black intersecting lines which sends your eye back allowing the vibrant yellow-green to jump forward. 

So who really cares what it is? It's one of those images that has people looking at it in wonder. The kind of public art that breaks up a person's daily routine providing them with a brief moment in time to focus on something other than where they have to be and what they have to do next in order to be producing responsible organized time. It's almost like a psychological mini vacation and they don't really realize exists. Of course this is my subjective interpretation of what it could be for others and I'll truly never understand how it places in the dynamic of it all. For me it was a process of letting go of expectations and authorizing myself to be in the present moment. If it can alter someones chaotic day for just one minute of peace or creative thought, then all the better.

I have a new camera (on the art barter system!) and had fun snapping shots of random Portland things over the weekend while getting familiar with it's functions. I was on Mississippi Avenue exploring it's wonders when I came across some hens in a quaint garden shop. After returning home, the inspiration remained strong and I captured small spaces of my own garden. The mural photos were taken with my phone. I'm still getting to know my new Canon but so far we're getting along just fine.

Un-hung Art.

What does one do with un-hung art? I seem to be stashing mine under furniture, on top of art storage bins and neatly filing those that fit next to one another against the wall in my studio. I recently sifted several pieces out to display for a friend in hopes of hanging the un-hungables in local windows this summer.

The charcoal and graphite tree is still a work in progress (as most art can be). However the bottom two panels can be omitted if I were to chose this piece to hang. It was designed to fit into a corner of my living room where a kennel once was tucked away for our Basset Hound Bogart (RIP Aug. '10). I created it for a final project in a drawing class fall semester.

The encaustic collage diptych was another final project in a 2D Design class this past spring. I am bartering the right panel for a camera. The process these panels provided was one I hope to practice more often. The careful planning and assemblage of the lightly painted water color paper rectangles brought a sense of productivity to my work. Encasing each shape in encaustic wax and carving details to enhance their depth and character was hypnotic. A definite present moment experience. It's not often I do just one thing a a time.

I've been working an afternoon each week this summer in a friends flower shop. The stunning selection of floral and fauna never fails to inspire me.

Process, Texture & Self Reflection

 

My busy life has not allowed for much time to share what I've been up to via this platform. Now that the summer schedule has begun I'm hoping to get back to typing out my artful thoughts on random topics and the beauty I find in everyday happenings.

This last semester I have explored acrylic paints in a much different way than I have ever used them in the past. Above are some experiments in color and texture.

My self portrait represents what springtime weather is typically like in the Pacific Northwest on any given day. I remember pondering what I was about to accomplish with my five classes nearing the end of spring semester. It was a lot to think about but came with a calm sense of appreciation for the opportunity to be present in my life in such an astounding way.

My last entry is a collage assignment I had in a Visual Elements: 2D class. All the charcoal textures are from rubbings from various surfaces all cut or ripped to come together in a photo inspired composition. I would definitely do this again and incorporate elements and concepts from this process into other mixed media works. I did spray fix the final piece, which darkened the value but was worth the sacrifice rather than the piece get smudged entirely during transportation. Yes it took a very long time. Yes I enjoyed the process. I found I got lost in the "do one thing at a time" space it allowed me to be in. Something I do not practice often but should.

Sunday Sconeday

 

This weekend kicks off my spring break from school. Although I will be working two jobs plus creating artwork for a gallery submission and completing a few homework assignments it will be a welcomed "brain" break from my otherwise normally chaotic schedule.

Saturday was "veg" day. A movie on the couch was about all I had in me, plus a few loads of laundry; a walk to the store and a chat with my love at his place of work.

 Today is Sunday. A quiet morning with fresh baked scones. Canadian bacon w/grilled onion & aged white cheddar cheese (plus a little whole wheat flour to lessen the guilt) are a savory start to the day with a delicious cup of coffee.

These blueberry-strawberry vanilla scones are waiting their turn in the oven. Savory first...dessert second.

The scone aftermath in the kitchen is so worth the effort, don't cha think?!?!

This is the most perfect scone making music on a lazy Sunday morning.....

February Snow & The Nines Hotel

I have photos and no words. Except for these...

February snow in the Columbia Gorge and

an Art Auction Fundraiser st The Nines Hotel [click me] in Portland. 

Besides school and incomplete sentences that's what I've been up to.

Oh yeah and a whole lotta this...