Just a Little Something for Now....

Well, as the title says 'just a little something for now'. I haven't posted for...well, too long...so here is something to hold you over....kind've touching base. I have been under the weather all this week, but I did go to the doctor on Tuesday, and am starting to feel much better (relatively speaking) :). This is a painting I started a few weeks ago but have yet to finish it...no hurry...I had some of those 'Cutie' oranges and decided to paint them...thought they look especially pretty against the stark white linen with the delicate cut work. Have some others started....hope to get back to them soon.

Went to New Harmony (IN), a couple of weeks ago...will tell more in another blog (when I am feeling better)....New Harmony is a great art town, also full of history.

"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet". Anonymous

Thanks for stopping by,

Helen

I think it might be finished???

Ooops, forgot to crop this...sorry. Anyway, this is an oil on canvas (30" x 40")I have been working on and I think I am finished, almost finished....just a couple of minor adjutsments...finished enough to post and for you to check it out as compared to how it was when I last posted at the beginning of March.

He is just looking for a good home....if you are interested let me know!

Hope you enjoy the lovely weather and a Happy Easter!

"I will always want to be a child in my heart, an adult in my mind and a grownup in my wisdom". (Don't know who said this)

Thanks for stopping by, Helen

Trophy

This is a bit different than what I typically post but decided to show it as it is a fun and whimsical project. I painted this recently for a friend/customer - a lighthearted, fun, artsy gal. It is a deer's head carved out of wood. Enjoy the before and after photos.

"Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday". (Don't know who said this)

Thanks for stopping by,

Helen

NFS

Helen

Unfinished Business

Just got back from Mt.Vernon, IL, about 2.5 hours south of home. What a great weekend - got to see a special someone, had great weather, drove some of the backroads of Illinois, and stopped by the Illinois Artisans Gallery in Whittington, IL on Rend Lake. What a beautiful area - southern Illinois. One of the great things about Illinois is the changing topography as one drives through various parts of the state.

I am also an 'Illinois Artisan', have been for a number of years but only sent art to the Chicago and Springfield galleries...haven't submitted any art in recent years so I might to do that again...I was inspired seeing this gallery space, the work of other artists', and after talking with the manager. Another thing to add to my list of 'to do's'.

Anyway, this image is one that I started a couple of years ago at a winery down in southern Illinois (trying to remember the name of the town and winery??) when I met up with some St.Louis artists to paint 'en plein aire'. The weather didn't allow much time for painting - rain (in this case painting with pastels), so we just met up inside and sampled some wines...what else were we to do???? As I said, I started this a couple of years ago...I keep bringing it out to finish as it was left unfinished. But I like it like this....it doesn't seem so unfinished to me. It has the feeling of a study - kind've a preliminary sketch/painting I do to prepare for a 'finished' painting.

Soooooo, maybe it is finished - I am coming to that conclusion. Not unlike life in general, sometimes unfinished business really is finished.

I know there is more to say on this subject. If I had some wine I would most definitely go on some more but I think I am 'finished' for tonight.

"I love living. I have some problems with my life, but living is the best thing they've come up with so far". Neil Simon

Thanks for stopping by, Helen

Art Futura (addendum)

Just a small change to add to my post from a few days ago about the art event 'Art Futura', the venue has changed to an equally great site/setting. I am pasting an email below that states a change of venue for the show.

Hi Helen:

You will note that we have changed venues to the Portals gallery! This is an amazing space and will be a great fit for Art Futura....Everything else is the same, but please tell your friends...we hope to see you there too!

Thanks for stopping by, Helen

Simple Joys of Life

Okay....here I sit, thinking about what exactly it is I want to say. I have an assortment of people that read this blog, a number of people are not artists, so I try to mix things up a bit. Mix things up in as far as what I post - what I want to post and what I think will be of interest to the different folks visiting my blog. There is not much point to this for me if it does not engage viewers....I tend to be traditional in some ways and would much rather write in a journal if this were mainly for myself.

Okay, so, with that in mind I decided to post some photos of a painting I am working on...have been working on and hope to finish soon. This is a 30" x 40" oil on canvas...just something fun I wanted to paint. I enjoy painting children and water/beach scenes and just simple things in life. Often people ask me how I go about creating a painting, well, I don't have a standard way. Well, rather it is has changed back and forth over time and it depends somewhat on what I am creating and the materials. With that said though, I do generally just roughly block in or loosely sketch what I am going to paint - or what I think I am going to paint - this too, can easily change once I start painting. For me, a tight, detailed rendering would be too restrictive and limiting; It is just not how I work and is probably a reflection of how I live??? I don't want to invest a lot of time and energy in sketching as I find it is not necessary for the way I work. I tend to draw, paint, and sculpt my paintings during the actual painting. Also, I might be bit too eager to get into the painting for I like the process of painting - tactilness, the smell, etc...And I suppose I am much like a child with a package before them - the anticipation as I open the package and find a surprise before me. I can't wait to see what develops by my hands and before my eyes.

So, back to how I create my paintings. I generally have a pretty good vision of what I want to paint, whether 'en plain aire' or working inside from sketches, studies, reference photos, models, etc...I roughly block it in as I feel more free to change my mind as I paint. I try to get a loose image or layout, and some sense of the colors, lighting, values, temp, etc...laid in too. As I paint I will step back often or leave the room for a bit as I think it gives me a fresh perspective, not unlike life, eh? If something doesn't sit well with me it will jump right out, although sometimes I will take photos of the piece or view it in a mirror or upside down (the painting, not me) as it gives me a different perspective and another accurate way to see what is not working. If I get things early on as I like than it seems the rest of the painting tends to go smoother and just come together better.

I must say that I have found that the paintings that are more spontaneous, some of my plein aire work or ACEO's, sketches, etc...are sometimes my favorite pieces because of their spontenaeity...they are not overthought, nor over edited, and just seem to come purely from the heart and soul.

Well, I will add to this discussion as I finish the painting. I will post an image of the finished piece and some close-ups too. If anyone has questions, comments, or observations, please feel free to post or email me.

"The path to your heart's desire is never overgrown". Kigezi proverb

Thanks for stopping by, Helen

P.S. Stop by again as I will finish this post and painting, also plan to discuss getting back on task with art we have abandoned/given up on (can be applied to other areas of life); discussion of creativity (inspired by a very creative M.D. I know), maybe an interview with some decorators I know; and getting back to topics I started in old blogs....artist-in-residence, ACEO's, my murals, etc....

'Another Chicka'

A 12" x 12" oil on gallery wrapped canvas...I painted this little gal awhile back when I painted working girl (2008?) and thought I would go ahead and post as I have not shown her much....she's just coming out into society :). These paintings are fun...lighthearted but enjoyable to paint as well. She is available...hmmmm...I've been thinking about the title...something fun along the line of the 'Working Girl' painting....maybe 'Single,Available Blonde', or something....?? 'No More Blonde Yolks'...okay, okay...has to be something fun. Send me your suggestions for her title. And as I said, she is available for the right price.

"Hope is that thing with feathers perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops...at all". Emily Dickinson

Thanks for stopping by, Helen