New Gallery

Hi All :)

I Hope you are having a great day (even if it is Hump Day :)

Well, a few weeks ago, I told you the exciting news that I had my work, both Mixed Media Abstract Artwork & Photography, hanging in a new gallery, "MAISON DES ARTISTES" in Lake Oswego, Oregon, YAY!!!

At the opening, I forgot to take photos of my work at the gallery and then time got away from me, you know how it goes. 

But last week a girl friend wanted to get together for lunch and then visit the gallery (it was really great to see my girl friend it has been way too long since the last time we got together) anyway, that gave me an opportunity to snap a few quick shots of my work so I could share it all with you :)

So here goes :)

reflections are always a challenge when taking photos of artwork under glass and esp. when the sun starts to shine (seriously, this is Oregon, it is usually "liquid Sunshine", lol!!! :)

so I moved around until I could get one shot of one piece without reflection (well, ok, maybe a little less at least :)

and then tried to take a shot from a sideways angle

here is my vintage desk and suitcase, very useful  for display purposes, don't you think :)

a couple of smaller pieces from me (trying to show a little restraint, lol :) , I LOVE to make big art pieces :)

I wanted to get a good shot of  "Shadow Spirits" (top right) as it has a lot of layers (which is something I do to build up texture and movement in most of my artwork :)  But again, in person you can see the textural qualities much better :)

These smaller (12 x 12) square art pieces were great fun to make; I was playing with acrylics and inks on canvas instead of on large heavy duty watercolour board or paper, again abstract (what else would you expect from me, He! He!) I love to see how different surfaces hold up after a soaking in inks :)

I have just started to put some of my Photography onto canvas the "Orange Dahlia" is the first to be displayed, I am really happy with the quality and colour, I haven't gotten around to putting them into my ETSY SHOP

 yet :)

I hope you like my little display and the mix of Mixed Media Abstract Artwork and my Photography (which can get abstract sometimes too, lol!!! :)

If you are in the Portland, Oregon area, I would LOVE you to stop by and check out all the other amazing items in the gallery; there is an eclectic mix of goodies from hats and pillows, to pottery and glass, to art and photography, to facial and body care products, jewelry and so much more :)

First Friday's there is music and lots of the Artists to meet :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

A New Year, will it be any different?

Hi All :)

I Hope you are all well and enjoying life :)

So, I hadn't really thought I had given much thought to New Year resolutions until I realized that I had promised myself, some time last year, that in the New Year I would blog more, well.............um, I think I totally failed on that one already, LOL!!!

Then I thought I really see resolutions, for me these days, as more like wishes. So here are a few I have been wishing for a while.

I wish I could be well and healthy. (Totally accepting and grateful that I am still around to wish for that :)

I wish I could earn money. ( I totally feel guilty for being constantly challenged healthwise and therefore am not employable in the ordinary sense of the word and can't contribute to our family's income) 

I wish I could travel farther afield. (Haven't had the energy to travel to England for a very long time, which is rather depressing but am grateful I can at least tolerate 2 hrs flights)

I wish I could expand my business. (I am working on that, albeit slowly)

I wish I could keep everyone safe. (This is a bigger challenge but I wish all the crazies would hop on a jet and go to another planet) 

2012 was not such a good year for me in many respects, healthwise. A LOT of challenging testing and no conclusive results or some rather vague diagnoses, a  LOT of health repercussions because of those tests and also some out there treatments that left me completely wiped out for weeks. It truly doesn't make sense to do that over and over again to myself because some arrogant Neurologist has the attitude "it's my way or the byway :(.  
So, as 2013 started I had a chest infection, then a cold and then a relapse, (Woo Hoo!) I realized it was time to start again, to regroup and look at what my options are. I will keep you posted.

But.......

2012 definitely had its lovely moments. Time I got to spend with my amazing family all together; the trips I did get to take were awesome.
 And when I was able, I got to work on my Art and Photography which truly brings me great joy and being able to share that with others is so amazingly rewarding and uplifting.

This is one of my Favs. from last year :)

SOFT AND GENTLE (Peony)

The subtleness and beauty of nature blows me away all the time and gives me the strength to stay the course. :)

And Knowing that my supportive and amazing Blogger Buddies are there is totally incredible. :)

WHEW!!!!!

OK, then, moving on :)

I also wanted to share with you this beautiful giveaway from one of my Blogger Buddies :)

This wonderful piece of artwork is up for grabs, so amazing, her work is truly inspiring :) Check the giveaway out HERE :) (ends on Wed. so be quick :)

K. has also inspired me to do my own blog giveaway very soon, I haven't done one in forever, so come back soon and see, but don't hold your breathe as I seem to be only blogging every 10 days or so, LOL!!! :)

Have a lovely Monday :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Book.

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Well, hasn't blogger been fun the past few weeks. Not being accessible, losing postings, not being able to add comments  etc., but thankfully it seems to have sorted itself out and actually some of the posts that I lost now miraculously, if partially, returned weird but YAY!!


So, I was really excited when my blogger buddy Jaime at ArtsyFartsyMe Blog announced the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Book" giveaway.

(This cute original artwork by Jaime at ArtsyFartsyme blog :)

So, I quickly signed up to participate in this fun giveaway with a twist. I was fortunate to be the first person picked to receive the book, read it and past it on. (Unfortunately, life has been getting in the way of that and I have been VERY SLOW :(

but..........


The book, "Making Room for Making Art" by Sally Warner couldn't have arrived at a more crucial time. I have been questioning over the past year how to move forward with my Art and believe it or not I have not created many 2 D art pieces in the past year. One of the reasons is that our family has been coming and going so there is no fixed time to apply to my art (as I use the dining area of our kitchen as a studio) and with young adult males there is always someone in the kitchen looking for food (He! He!) Another reason is that my art pieces have gotten so big and I have also been wanting to do more sculpture work that I have completely outgrown my space. Yet another reason is that I have spent most of the past few years working really hard on my photographic work and there just isn't enough time to go around. This has left me more frustrated than ever. Add to that the complications of living with an illness that can wipe the wind out of my sails in a heart beat and leave me in recovery for weeks or months at a time, sometimes is gets harder to pick myself up and start all over again.

Some of the things the book helped me consider were;


1). Focusing on what and where I really want to use my limited time and energy. (I added a few quotes from the book :)


"Obstacles to creativity pile up as life becomes more complex."


 "Did you know that even fractured studio time adds up when you're consistent?"


"Every choice you make has a consequence." (exactly what I used to "preach" to my kids! :)


"Another thing that is difficult for many of us to learn is to limit the number of things we do" (definitely one of my biggest challenges)


2). Encouraged me not to give up. "Don't lose confidence in your artistic vision"


3). Reinforced in me that being an Artist is what I am on this planet to be.


"How we keep making that art in spite of everything."


"Art is so important that Artists can't feel fully alive without making it."


"this is what I'm doing; this is what I believe in; this is what I really want to be doing"


"when you're alone with your art you're probably the freest" (this is so me)


"I've begun to feel lately that just being able to do what I want to do is the greatest gift I have in this life"


4). Others (possible all) artists struggle.


"Even lifelong Artist's can get lost."


"don't be put off by the feeling that a real artist wouldn't have these doubts, these struggles, it's simply not true"


5). Keep working; "the creative urge is such a strong one"


6). To create for myself NOT others.


"I want to make Art regardless of conventional ideas of failure or success."


"and then there is the pressure that results from going against society's general view of what constitutes a productive life"


"when you're talking about trying to spend a lifetime with your art, no other approach than focusing on your own vision is worthwhile"


7). I am not alone in my sense of isolation as an Artist.


8). And the down falls; "Financial security and art do not often coexist"


"A degree doesn't make you an Artist"


"We often measure ourselves against some faceless ideal artist"


"For most artists, though, commercial success never happens, no matter how much they deserve it"


What came to mind while reading the book is that;


I'm a Doodler, always have been, my mind used to drift off in school and as I gazed out of the window at the trees, my pencil would take my hand on a doodle run. I often got into trouble at school for "Daydreaming" but this has been such a valuable part of my life and my art now, I doodle as a kind of warm up exercise, like stream of consciousness writing or practicing scales in music. It is powerful stuff, the very essense of my art, of who I am and how I create.


I never really thought of myself as a "REAL" Artist until I was able to go to college as an adult and study art. I have always been creative but not 'til I sold my first piece of artwork 14 years ago did I call myself officially an "Artist."

I get into a "Zone" while creating art. It is the only time in my life that I am completely consumed in the moment, it is truly amazing. "I see art as the 'outward and visible sign' of creatvity, which is the (reflection of) inward and spiritual grace." (I lOVE this quote from the book! :)

Sometimes it is good to take a break, re-evaluate, refocus and take a deep breathe and try again. That is just what I am doing after being inspired by this book.

So, now I need to pass the book on to one of the "Sisters" and that would be Jennifer@Jewelry by J.P. Blog Enjoy!


Thanks Jaime for doing this :)



And finally....... :)


I wanted to share a few photos with you that I took recently;

Evening Light

Tranquil Blossoms

Glowing Rhoddie

I hope you enjoyed these :)

I always love to hear what you think! :)

Have a Wonderful Day! 

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Art Shows.

Good Morning Everyone! I really hope your week has gotten off to a wonderful start. :)

Well, as Fall quickly approaches so does the build up to Fall Art Shows. I am now in a scurry to get artwork finished, photos printed and packaged and sewing completed.

I know I am not going to get everything done that I had planned but I think I am on track for most.

Here are some canvases prepped and really for some paint and frames waiting for photos :)

On the table piles of packaged photos (still have a lot more to do) and artwork with a background color but no subject as yet!

A print of one of my larger pieces of art, matted, foam core backed and packaged in a clear sleeve, these seem to be a popular and affordable option these days to buying larger original art for a lot of people :)

What to work on next???????

Then I have to decide which larger Original pieces I will finish and can I afford to get them framed? Oh dilemma!

Here is a larger piece I have been working on for a while. It is a  4' x 5' canvas. It has been a long time in the making because our family had to eat all the candy and open all the Christmas Crackers before I had the materials to create this piece. (He! He!) I have had fun making it (also, lots of fun eating the candy etc.) it is still a work in progress maybe it will be ready for a show next Summer?????? 

It took a long time to glue every one of those pieces on to the canvas and yes, I did wash the candy wrappers :) I have a few more spaces to fill in and then a few more layers of paint before I will feel it is finished but I wanted to show you one of my larger pieces in process. The final product could look very different or not depending on the process I decide to go with but that to me is the adventure of art :)

So that is a bit of what I have been up to and will be for the next few weeks, I keep thinking I have it all organised, so fingers crossed it will all come together in the end. :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Bear Fest, Grants Pass, Oregon.

Happy Wednesday Everyone! :)

Continuing on our trip in Southern Oregon, we stopped in Grants Pass for a few hours. I love it when we stumble across unexpected treasures and this for me was one of those days.

Bear Fest is a public outdoor art display. Local artists create these amazing Bears and they are displayed thru out the local area.

I Hope you enjoy the 2010 Wild Bunch :)

I couldn't decide whether the Pirate or the Monumental Bear was my fav. They are all amazingly detailed (click on images to see closer detail)

Apparently, these guys live for part of the year at the "Bear Hotel" I am definitely planning to go see that the next time I am in Grants Pass :)

I am a big Harley Fan and to see these big Art Bears on Harleys was amazing. It really made my day. Fun, Fun, Fun!

I Hope they added a little joy to your day.

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Monday Meet and Greet and another Giveaway! :)

From Time to Time I like to profile, new to me, Artists whose work I just Love :)

And so, I would like to introduce you to Amy. I bumped into Amy in the forums on Etsy a few weeks ago and was immediately drawn to her amazing Artwork. She has a wonderful sense of whimsy and her work draws you in to find the beauty using colour and strong images.

I sent Amy some questions so we could get to know her a little. This is what Amy replied to those interview questions :)

1). What do you love about being creative?

I love using my Imagination! I love the random ideas that pop into my mind out of nowhere and I love it when those ideas work! I love creating things that make other people smile.

2). What is your Greatest achievement?

Having lived a happy, content life with my Partner for the last 5 years, I wouldn’t change that for the world.

3). What is your idea of happiness?

Having a loving family and a supportive Partner. Being able to paint and create as a career and live life for the now. Doing what makes YOU happy.

4). What is your Greatest extravagance?

Pistachios!

5). What do you think is overrated?

Wealth. The best things in life are free.

6). What do you most dislike?

Animal Cruelty. I hate the thought of any animals being mistreated in anyway.

7). Tell us 4 things about yourself that would let us peek into your world or that you think define you.

1. I adore Alice in Wonderland. I absolutely love the nonsense and all the whimsical characters, the creativity and imagination throughout the entire movie is wonderfully inspiring!

2. I am a perfectionist. I like things structured and in order, even while I’m painting!

3. My five favorite things are Imagination, Rain, Touch, Autumn and Teddy Bears!

4. I love the Little things in life… When my partner gives me a wink, Rainy Days, A Cuddle from my Cat or Getting Mail. Never take the Little Things for Granted.

8). What would be your dream life?

The life I'm living, I'm lucky enough to have love, laughter and happiness and wouldn't have it any other way.

9). When you Die what would you like to come back as?

If I was to come back as something I think it would be a house cat... I look at mine sometimes and think we are alot alike, content, curious, lazy and demanding... but oh so adorable! (hehe)

That was so much fun, Thanks Amy :)

Here are a few Art Pieces from Amy's Etsy Shop :)

Golden Afternoon - Alice in Wonderland Art Print

Mid-Winters Dance - Upcycled Art Print

Little Red Riding Hood - Original Art Print

So, I asked Amy if she would be interested in doing a Giveaway to go along with this interview and she was really up for it.

So, here is the info.

The prize will be ANY one of Amy's original prints from her Flickr page www.flickr.com/photos/artofamy

Here are the rules for the Giveaway :)

Make any purchase from ArtofAmy and receive 9 extra entries!

Link to this giveaway on twitter and receive 3 extra entries!

Link to this giveaway on facebook and receive 3 extra entries!

Follow this blog to gain an entry and leave a comment here saying which artwork you would like to receive if you win.

Make sure you leave links to your twitter, facebook or transaction in a comment so Amy can add up the entries!

I think Amy has made this Giveaway fun :)

Go check out her beautiful Artwork and come back to tell us which piece you would love to win :)

Good Luck to everyone. :)

There is still time to enter to win an Art Card in last week's blog giveaway HERE :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Art Show.

Here are a few photos from the Gallery Art Show I am participating in :) I belong to a group here in Oregon called Three Rivers Artist Guild or TRAG for short. It is a group of talented professional and amateur artists and crafters. They run the gamut from photographers thru 2D artists, metal smiths, fabric artists, weavers, potters to knitters, sculptors, Etch a sketch artists, clock makers, jewelry makers and more.

I love the "Ants" they sold on opening night. I talked to the Artist and he said they are very popular, I asked him if he had anymore because I wanted one, thankfully he does :)

I think the hanging committee did a great job. Sometimes when you have so many different mediums coming tog. it is difficult to have a cohesive whole.

Does that photography on the little table look familiar :) (Hint: Magnolia Tree in my Garden :)

The Gallery has a nice light, bright feel to it. Very Welcoming. The Artists who are on display will take it in turns to man the Gallery.

These are the pieces I put in the show. I usually work pretty big, 4 x 5 ft. but because of space restrictions I had to come up with smaller pieces which is a challenge when you work as big as I usually do but it was a good exercise in containment. Some are pieces I worked on last year and some are new for this show.

The last piece is called "Ladybug" but when I took the photos I realised you couldn't see her, so here is a close up of the "Lady".


Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Thank you.

I just wanted to say a BIG "THANK YOU" to everyone who wished me a Happy B.Day, that was really sweet :)

Small section of artwork by Brian Miller.

I would also like to say "Thank you" to my Blogging Buddy Annette at So Many Memories blog for posting about my Photo Giveaway! Still time to enter :)

And lastly, I am intrigued to know how people feel about blogging. So, I posted a thread in the Etsy forums just to hear people's thoughts. Mainly, I am interested to know if anyone feels there are any unwritten protocols or etiquettes to the process of blogging. Here is the link to the thread or please leave me a comment with your thoughts here on this posting :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.