Spring

These are rough draft ideas for a large painting I would like to work on soon. I guess because I am sketching and doodling means there's no "soon" about it, I am working on it "Now". I got the idea for it while watching a really bad 80's movie. There was a part in the movie where actress with bad hair #1 is at a singles joint. At one point she and her huge freaking hair look to the side, over the shoulder, all "meow" like. The pose is what was rad, acting and actual hair and attire, awful. But the body language and the way her hair shaped her entire pose... that was the ticket! Spring is Seductive. There's "Spring Break" "Spring Fever" "Spring Cleaning" and other Spring derivatives. Everyone gets a little crazy and we start spending more and more time outdoors, like real mammals. Spring is romantic, haphazard, moody, unpredictable and full of growth! We love it. I am no expert on anything, really, but I do know what the thought of wearing cute dresses and being able to be out without rain gear does to me. Not to mention seaside campfires, camping, hiking, waterfalls, new plants, gardening... the longing for Spring is like missing a long lost love.

So, I sketched a little sketch in my journal, and then thought of her being part rabbit. Like my version of "Spring Jessica Rabbit", which is the smaller sketch in the corner. Then I decided I wanted to see the idea in color, so I drew another "Spring" in color. I realized then that I am in serious need for markers and supplies... I am going to have to figure that part out.

Anyhow, I look forward to getting said supplies and working on the larger version of "Spring". Bright and green, beautiful and rich... I hope I am able to capture those qualities in the final piece.


I also am adding a few other Spring photos. One I took of Casey while he was cutting off his hair before shaving it. Another of the plants showing signs of Spring and the work we are doing the little patch of yard downstairs. I made Seitan yesterday for St Patrick's Day. It turned out great and I will be adding a separate food blog soon. It was devine, with potatoes, cabbage and carrots. I also made a berry cobbler that beat all!

Today I am cleaning house and working on my grocery list for the cooking class I am teaching on Friday. It's my first class and I am really nervous. I will be making homemade butternut squash ravioli, Mmmm! It will be fun and I will learn a lot about slowing down. I always cook on autopilot, and in order to better share, I will really need to slow down and explain a little. Maybe I will learn some new things too!

Spring is around the corner, luring you toward growth and progress, whether you like it or not...time to wake up!

You've been missed...

I have been very excited about creating new art and starting this blog. It's been inspiring to dive within myself and spend time there for a while. Yesterday I worked on the yard, which was just nasty. So much junk. The owner of this house has obviously given up on the poor old place, at least for the time being, but since I live here... I am taking responsibility. I would rather see the ground being used to promote oxygen, flower, veggies, herbs and make the soil stronger than to see it trashed and neglected. It was nice to work in the sun and to clean things up.
After that, I threw the headphones on and had a day of Dub.
Actually, it started with Stevie Wonder, just to get the party started, then it turned to good, heavy bassin', Dub. The good stuff.
It was nice and kept my emotions in a safe spot.

I made a pretty good pizza, wheat flour, fresh basil, Italian sausage (veggie-nat.), fresh mozzarella and a balsamic tomato reduction. Not bad.

Art wise, I worked like a mad woman on a doodle. I have learned very recently that one CAN indeed doodle just as long as someone who is working on an oil painting. I've been cheating on Painting lately with the Camera and Photoshop. I JUST got Photoshop for the first time and what can I say... listening to Dub (via headphones), tummy full of organic goodness, and Photoshop after a day of gardening and cleaning is pretty rad.
Anyhow, I created the above pieces last night, and was up until 3AM doing so. I just had to get it out. The combination of another approaching birthday, Spring Fever, and the anniversary of losing a friend...along with a few unmentionables... I had to get it out.

My completed idea is this:
Make prints of all of the above, throw frames on them and hang them together. It's a process piece and was a process to get out.
I was in my own world, my bubble, my zone... and it was great.
I also want to paint the last piece, Pt 3, on a huge piece of wood-making Pt4.
The thing I love the best about them are the colors used.
Even with the digitally enhanced pieces, all of the colors and where they are placed, each texture, movement... all chosen initially by me, thus keeping it 100% original. Each part captures my mood completely.
I was happy to lose a little sleep over it.

I am warming up for my 34 in 30.
Getting all of my supplies ready and checked-filling my journal with thoughts, ideas and goals.

Today I will be recording samples from the bass, through the space echo.
I love the Space Echo.o.o.o.o.o.



I am going to see if I can sell the completed samples on Etsy!
I mean, why not?
And if not, I will use them for my own music.

So that's it. That's my Friday the 13th of March in a nutshell.

Is there an appropriate way to end a blog? I feel as I need to wave or thank you for coming or something...hmmmmm. I've never been good with endings.

34 in 30

Hi.

Hello.

Hola.

How can someone with so much to say have so very little to say today?
I blame the full moon, certain personal anniversaries and my head.
I need to clear my head.

(Segue segue segue)
In order to clear my head, I have this blog. (Because lawdy knows that a Facebook blog and and 4 different Myspace blogs aren't enough!)
But wait, THIS blog is different. This is Amy's art blog.
Only art, all art, art.
However, being an emotional type, a "feely" type, a Renaissance type even I am sure my art will come action packed with emotional statements. Such is the life of an artist, or so I hear.

I currently live in Astoria, Oregon. 2 blocks south-ish from the historical and massive Columbia River. I love and hate it here. It's pretty, tough, lonely, challenging, and completely has my life turned upside down more often than not. I paint for myself right now, and I suppose that is where I am at. It's a little frustrating that certain galleries don't do more to promote artists. Or maybe my artwork stinks. But seriously, a certain trendy gallery didn't even have the audacity to respond to my email wanting to share/show my work in their local section... Instead they send me email informing me of new shows. Because lawdy knows that Portland artists need more exposure, rather than artists in Astoria.
Ah well, Artist Snobbery is something I have never understood. I mean, great you are talented and you work hard. Well, my dad helped make the paper you use for 40 years and was quite good at it, and he's the nicest guy I know. Artist Snobbery completely defeats the purpose of creating art, in my book.

Let's get on topic, I could rant all day....

My friend Heather recently started something called 30dayartist. http://www.30dayartist.com/blog2/
She inspires me so much. The goal/point? Well take a gander at the blog if you really want to know, but in short, 40 pieces of work in 30 days. I will be working on a goal of 34 in 30. One for each year I have been alive. That's some serious soul wrenching, self testing, motivating stuff right there. I was so moved by her passion that I submitted my registration last week.
34 in 30.... can I do this?
I mean, that's a lot of faith and such a test of personal strength/willpower.
It sounds really empowering to take on such a feat and to share it online with the rest of the world. Amazing to me, really. Whether I am ever chosen to be the next 30 day artist or not, I feel like I should really do it, for myself.
Here.
Right here.

I think I will start the first day of April. April is my birthday month and I love a good challenge! My artwork will and can include anything. Paintings, doodles, sketches, photos (which is my new love), and music accomplishments. I do all things, and love them all too. It's a personality trait, I do believe.
I may not do all things well, but I try and have a genuine thirst for passionate moments of creativity followed by sessions of thinking about what I've just created and what emotion I released/captured. <---- I know, huh?

Oh, also my culinary art. I will post new recipes, old recipes, anything food related that I make. I love cooking healthy food with a passion, and sharing it is even better. Food should be art. Good food should taste just as satisfying as listening to a great song, or loving a piece of moving artwork.
Just like the rest of my lovely hobbies, I cook with passion.

So without further adieu, welcome to my humble blog. I hope you say a while.

Be well and blog hard.