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3.30.2011

I could use more of these...

Many hands make light work. Idle hands are the devil's workshop. The hands that help are far better than the lips that pray. Hand me that bottle. Second hand rose. All hands on deck. Lend a hand. Clean hands, pure heart. Hand it over. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Under-handed. Don't let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. Melts in your mouth, not in your hands. I wanna hold your hand. The hands of time. In good hands.

3.26.2011

a breakthrough?

Okay, what if these images of conjoined individuals are the result of my subconscious working through the dilemma/struggle I face, trying to balance my work (and passion) as an artist and the (fiscally) necessary work I must do as a church-lady office worker? omg! And there was no psychiatrist's couch or years of analysis needed! Of course, these drawings could be the result of a seriously flawed psyche which might benefit with a few years of analysis...nah.

3.23.2011

Self portrait on a Wednesday afternoon

A rare mid-week post. Feeling a bit bugged, bothered, and beleaguered today. Counting the minutes until I can get outside, as the sun is making a rare appearance.

3.21.2011

Sows ears and silk purses

Some of the sketchbooks I've filled over the years have become treasures. Turning the pages is almost like looking through an old photo album with each page, doodle or drawing evoking memories and reminding me of where I once was. Occasionally I peruse these sketchbooks and find inspiration for my current or future work. Of course, there are also sketchbooks that hold very little in the way of inspiration or pleasant memories. Let's face it. All artists go through dry, uninspired, rusty, dusty spells and the sketchbooks from those periods are usually less satisfying, (embarrassing almost) and thus filed away on a bookshelf. But, I believe it's good to peruse those less satisfying doodles as well, if nothing else than to remind myself that if I keep at it, I will reach the other side of that dry spell. I've been mostly dissatisfied with the content of my current sketchbook and have just a few blank pages left. The easiest course would be to fill the last page and place sketch journal on the far reaches of my bookshelf and start anew with a fresh sketch journal. However, my dissatisfaction has been so great, so compelling, I decided to take a different tack. Instead I'm trying to turn this less than satisfying sketchbook into one of my treasures. I've been drawing on the backsides of some pages and drawing on top of incomplete and/or embarrassing doodles. Some of the results I've found intriguing. In particular the "conjoined" sketches. I've always been drawn to multiples and there is something fascinating to me about these women/girls who are now living their lives on top of, entwined with, inside of, each other. This has been a good exercise and each day this once dissatisfying sketchbook is looking more like one of my treasures.

Conjoined 4

Conjoined 5

3.10.2011

Tradition!

Two years ago, Oysterville; one year ago, Holden Village; this year, Hood Canal; another book group retreat. Half way through the 451 page book. Here are this week's sketches. I'm off to read. And pack.

bodacious black dress

conjoined 3

3.08.2011

Excuses and more excuses!

I continue to live with distractions. Some of these distractions are valid and worthy of my attention...taxes, animals in my care. Some are self indulgent and would be too humiliating to admit to in such a public arena. I've been in this place before, lots of times. And that's why I believe I've chosen printmaking as my medium. Really, it's the perfect medium for me for printmaking allows almost endless do-overs! If this print isn't perfect, there's always a chance the next one will be! Unfortunately I often apply this philosophy to my personal life and then am surprised and frustrated when perfection doesn't follow. But I'm learning. Slowly. Maybe. Enough kvetching. Spring is around the corner, the crocuses are popping up in my yard, the days are lengthening, it's time to refocus! Again.
In spite of the many distractions I'm living with, I am managing to get some time in my studio. I continue to sketch, (albeit not as frequently as I'd like) and work on the triptych continues. It WILL be done by the end of the month. One of my goals for the new year is to produce one print a month. If I fudge the math a little this triptych counts as three pieces.

I still have a lot to do , but so far, so good. The most difficult carving and printing is yet to come.

Still playing with little black dresses...and i have a sick cat who has gone from a robust 14 lbs in her heyday to a mere 5.5 lbs. Not good.

conjoined 1

conjoined 2
Carry on!