Hwy 78 Memories

My current series of art is inspired by things I have seen while traveling in the Southern US. If you take Hwy 78 in MS, you will notice these water towers and cotton fields. There was a water tower near our home and one of my childhood memories was going there. I think my brother’s friends were going to try and climb it but I was little so I was just along for that ride to look up at them. I have always been kind of drawn to the towers. I remember going to NYC and seeing a modern art display where one was put up as art. I love to see where city’s paint them or make them into design objects like the Georgia peach. The cotton in the field has a rich history to it. I will never forget going to the pilgrimage play in Natchez, MS and the lines spoken about the cotton. When you see little tuffs of white all along the side of the road that’s not trash, but the cotton that has flew out of the bin. When I see a field of cotton I think of the history of those plantations, I think of civil rights and of the things that field has seen. However, that is not the only stories I see in that field. Since I worked in apparel for many years I think of the cotton from a textile approach as well. I think of the texture of the weave and the breathability of the garment. I think about the crisp sheets hanging on the line that are made from that cotton. Currently I am exploring making textures on my canvas. I am using acrylic paints with a palette knife and also a brush. I am working toward an abstracted approach. I like to allow the viewer to complete the details. Some of this process comes from my many years of working as a theatrical designer and finding it is better to allow your audience to come along on the journey with you rather than being too realistic. It is better to allow them to fill in the details with their minds. Maybe my collectors have similar stories from their childhoods and this field might hold their stories

Happy Florals

My painting has been taking a shift this year back over to acrylics. My current work is a series of happy paintings featuring florals and other southern adventures. I often use my collection of photos as a reference point. Below 8X8 bicycle, 34X26 Kite Flying Spring (SOLD), Spider Tulip 8X8 for sale at the Women's Exchange in Memphis, TN.

Tiny Encaustic Painting

Encaustic Monoprints

Just a few Monoprints made with Encaustic wax.

Encaustic Work

This weekend I was able to take a class locally which helped me to concentrate more on Encaustic Wax techniques.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

Just wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MMFA Workshop Day

Today I participated in a one day workshop. Below are some of my experiments with Encaustic Wax and Image Transfer. The first three show the process of one piece.

The next two-

Sculpture

Memories of Grandma- Front and Back of sculpture Cloth, buttons, fiber, paper, quilt, encaustic

Mono Prints

Experimenting with Encaustic Mono-Prints on Mulberry Paper and Watercolor Paper

Frog Baby Quilt

This is a baby quilt I made recently. I have been saving this Frog fabric for a really long time. I always loved it, but I was waiting for just the right quilt. I felt this one was it as the Mom made her home in LA and taught swim lessons. I choose the star fabric for Hollywood. The Mom is also a wonderful actress.

Waterfall in Work Continued

Back in July I posted the beginning of my waterfall. Here it is today. Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Baby Quilts

Baby Quilting continues-

Abstract continues!

Here is the latest piece 24X36 called Break. It is acrylic on canvas.

Recent Encaustic Art

Both pieces are 12X12 The Ikat Inspired piece has deep sides, the other In Bloom has a smaller frame only 3/4 inch on sides. They are both Encaustic wax painted on cradled board. Since they are encaustic these photos look a little darker- in real life encaustic takes on the light of the room. The In Bloom piece is made to shine when the light catches it.

Theatre Time

If you are wondering where I have been I went and took a little visit to Memphis and did a little costume work. Currently I am trying to finish two baby quilts then I can get back to painting. Canvas is unfinished!

Waterfall in Work

So I had in my mind this beautiful impressionist waterfall. Not sure if I have seen something like it somewhere? I started it last night. My husband thought that it was a big pore- you know like you see in the tv adds for acne! HA!

This is where it was when I finished last night. This piece is still in work. Acrylic on 20x20 gallery wrapped canvas.

To Sunset or NOT

Well I got the bright idea I would try my hand at a sunset. This was a follow along of a palette knife tutorial that I quickly decided I did not want to palette knife. I still painted it and never felt it looked like something I would do. Usually if I watch a tutorial 1/2 into the process the painting takes on a life of it's own and I am free to continue painting in my own style. In other words, it looks like me not the tutorial and really the tutorial is only a starting point for proportions or color balance. I took this photo of the process. I then showed it to my husband and proceeded to the kitchen where I took out a scrub brush and washed the canvas. I got alot of the paint off and I now love it. Of course he says it is because it is mostly yellow,my favorite color! I doubt I will leave the canvas like this as my intention was to paint it over.

Full Moon

I think I have finally finished this piece. I am calling it full moon for the moment. 16 X 20, lots of texture- bead gel used

Happy 4th!

Here we have a tiny abstract and the update of the one posted yesterday which is 20X20. I think it has the colors of a Dr. Seuss book. Very much Oh, the places you will go.

July Abstraction!

Here it is the middle of summer. I just received a large order of Art supplies and I am ready to paint. I am still working on my abstract painting. Here are two in work.