ART AS THERAPY

I was doing the avoidance thing today…you know what I am talking about…avoiding thinking about something stressful or hurtful. I took my husband to the hospital this morning for his second knee replacement surgery this year and I was still hurting emotionally from a tough issue with a dear one the day before…so I had plenty on my mind! I dodge these feelings by confronting my easel and JUST PAINTING! Standing in front of my easel wielding paint-slathered brushes and swiping them across the canvas has proven the best remedy! I am forced to put my mind to the task and forget to roll my troubles around inside my head. During the physical process of painting I have a multitude of decisions to make and these consume my thoughts: Is the drawing correct? Do I make this warmer or cooler? Is this mixture of paint in harmony with the rest? Should I lose this line or make it sharp? Does this area need to be darker, or does that one need to be lighter? Should I take a break and have a drink? Well….taking a break is useful cuz walking back into my studio and seeing the painting afresh is good critique. As for having that drink…is it 5 o’clock yet?!

First Snow in Seattle

Today was our first real snow of the season and I love it! Last year we had nothing to lay claim to and the winter doldrums were all the worse for it. There isn't much on the ground but enough to gloss over the world for a moment in time. I skipped the gym this morning and took Homer, my trusty Wiener Dog, down to the local park to savor the snow. What I love about this particular park are the 2 ponds, or bogs really, that are separated by a trail and surrounded by natural woods on one side. There are beautiful in so many seasons, but today they were special! The snow gave even the blackberry brambles a delicate loveliness. Snow can be the same as light is to artists....glazing objects in a splendor that normally does not appeal. Even a pile of trash can look attractive dusted with snow! Homer and I relished our stroll between the ponds and through the trail in the woods in a full circle back home, taking the time to breathe deeply in the brisk air and observe the distinctive charm of the snow’s caress!

Once home you can see by the photo that Homer showed the results of his snowy trek. See the snowballs that cling to his feet? If he wasn’t wearing this sweater then his entire chest and underside would be festooned like a decorated Christmas tree…seriously! It would take a bit of defrosting before he was allowed inside. So forcing him to don a silly sweater is not a fashion statement at all…just a practicality. Sorry Homer!

R.I.P. Baby!

I had a phone call this week from a friend....not a call you want to get, but one that inevitably comes. She had to put her French Mastiff down last Saturday and she was very torn up over it. Baby was her pride and joy....a big huge galoot with a heart as large as his robust body! He battled a few health issues from puppyhood but despite it all he was jubilant, always game for a walk or romp....a prime example of what mind or matter truly means! Having plied my trade as a pet portraitist for the past dozen years I have felt these losses all too often....once hearing of a dog's passing while I was in the process of painting the portrait. That one was tough! They are my occupational hazards in this otherwise pleasurable gig. Baby....I was lucky to know you and even more honored to paint your portrait...not just once...but twice!

FIRST EVER BLOG

For some time now I have been told....YOU SHOULD BLOG! I have resisted because we all have plenty of things that take our time up...why add more? Well I have finally succumbed to the craze and I will tell you why: I finally feel like I have a reason to blog. What began as a simple goal to paint more from life has turned into a full-on project which I have dubbed my "FACEs Project". I have people sit for 90 minutes to 2 hours tops for quick, energetic portraits and then have them hold the painting in place of their face for a quirky photo. These are all done on 12x12 inch surfaces. This entire exercise has taken on a life of its own and I am having a BLAST! Not only do I get life experience with my art but I also get to visit with people in what is otherwise a very lonely job. And my models tell me what fun it is to have their portrait done. The wins just keep on coming! I have even begun to form a BIG, HUGE AMBITIOUS GOAL in relation to this project that I will spend the next year training, planning and preparing for. More later on that....