Exhibit, August 2 - 30, 2012 "Unnatural Abstractions...Naturally"

Just around the corner, here sooner than expected, getting loose ends gathered....It's going to be hectic up to the day of the exhibit opening, I can tell. Haven't signed the newest paintings (at least 10), no wire on the backs for hanging, edges around the stretchers needing to be painted a neutral, dark color, etc..... Price lists, brochures, wine, music list. All will get their day in court. The present exhibitor has the keys to the gallery, and I need to get them when she is done shining up the place. So, I guess I am not going to have any thumb twiddling days in the near future. Let's just hope that after the opening, and about in the middle of August, there is a steady stream of curious art lovers dropping by to take a look and either consider buying or spreading the word that this is something their friends should have a look at. I am always glad to see some of the same people pop in that always come. I am, though, ready to up the exposure group to a higher level. Marketing skills....not always a strong point in the life of an artist, but we're getting there. Hope to see you there sometime in August.....

SPRING ANTICIPATION, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40 cm.

The days are flying by. To many things want my attention, and I have said YES to many things other than creative work. Plenty of 'to do's! out there, and believe me, a guilty conscience is just a single word away.  That word is NO.  Not good at that one. We love our families and friends and need them like flowers need rain.....but unless I get to release the mess of info. that my brain absorbs by putting marks on paper or canvas, I get downright twitchy (new word, I think....related to bitchy).  With an exhibit coming up in August, I NEED to concentrate some serious, sustained effort on some half-way finished paintings. At least I am not oblivious to my situation and will not be caught in the headlights come July 31st. Saying 'no' is hard, but having understanding, encouraging people around me gives me the courage to let the dust bunnies party and turn over the dinner planning to less competent, but enthusiastic substitutes. I can do ice cream for dinner........

Weathering the Storm

Sometimes I want to sell everything I own and move to Hawaii, or Fiji, or some other little island in the sun. The thing to do when I get in that kind of mindset is to head off early in the morning to the studio and lose myself in the process of creating. Don't always have a plan when I get there, but as soon as I smell the dried fish in the walls (!!) and then see the work from the last session, I get drawn to the paint like a moth to a flame. Often, a good night's sleep will give my brain the process time it needs to work out some quirky problems that my conscience, analytical self couldn't see before. Taking breaks is a very important part of working hard. Without pauses, I don't see the forest for the trees sometimes.  Tonight I am going to think about the current paintings that are swirling around in my head, and as I fall asleep, I will ask for some insight.  I have often done this, and the next day I get a couple of 'a-ha' experiences. I'm not afraid to give up some control and ask for guidance.  I love it when I just 'go with the flow', and wonderful things appear. It's what keeps us artists coming back for a refill, when we're sure that we have used up our last ounce of 'the gift'. Can't wait to go in tomorrow. Have a great day, you too! C.

After having spent the past couple of weeks grounded in Bergen, I have been at the studio regularly, and it's a kick to see what has come about. Seeing my work with different eyes after a break is a valuable thing. Reading lots of inspirational and educational books and re-running some of my art academy videos has encouraged, and challenged me. Color, being the subjective thing that it is, has been in my sights, because I have come to the conclusion that I need clearer colors, but not to the exclusion of beautiful greys. As a matter of fact, without the greys, blacks & browns, real color impact is wasted by a fight with the other colors. It's funny how I learned things decades ago, but info. only sinks in after a long internal fight and much trial and error. I mean.......it's amazing how information overload when you are young gets filed for later use and only pops up again when you have nearly given up, and re-scanned your inner depths for answers.  Books that I have owned for 10-15 years are just now giving up the info. that I didn't GET when I first read them. Amazing. I'm headed back there for a new round of 'remembering'.  Cheers!

CENTERPIECE, acrylic on canvas,  30 x 40 cm.

SUMMER OPTIMIST, acrylic on canvas, 90 x 70 cm.

Out from Under the Dark

Whoa....the past couple of days have included sunshine and blue skies, and I just don't know what to say. I guess what artists do when they don't know what to say is.....paint, make music, write, skulpt, etc.  This kind of weather, at the end of January, just lightens my heart and makes me want to throw YELLOW paint everywhere. I have been up in the mountains alot in January and parts of December (2011), and the white snow has blocked out most colors and given my eyes and mind a needed boost of light. Now, I think I am seriously needing some color to go along with that light. Blue sky is nice....pink sunsets are nicer.  Hoping for some more days like this so I can actually lighten my palette and paint colors. Dark blue is getting sooooo heavy.  White.....with some traces of color...............or pure color with some traces of white.........Sunshine does wonderful things for us. Off for a walk and a trip in to the studio afterwards.

2012-where do I go from here?

Really!! Where?? Forward? Sideways? Up? All of the above? None of the above? I have been traveling and collecting inspiration for the upcoming work period for the last 6 months. How will I do when it comes down to putting paint on the canvas? Will there be anything there worth telling? I have made decisions several times along the road, and tossed them out just as I came up with new ones.  One thing is certain...nature and organic forms will continue to play an important role. Perhaps in another, less obvious form...and in a more decisive format. Last year's paintings were a compromise in format. I listened to a type of reasoning that said  "smaller formats have a better chance of selling" --- !!###%&()(&(/R&>!!!! Learned the hard way that the ONLY reason to chose a format is because it answers to the needs of the painting's subject. I tried to capture nature's majestic scenery on canvases that were too small and consequently had no impact. I will not make that mistake again. This year will find me following my intuition and heart. Size IS important. Can't wait to start stretching canvas and throwing gesso around the room. To be continued!!