On Dasher, On Dancer

Yup, it's that time of year. I normally don't get too excited by decorating for Christmas (Halloween being my favorite holiday) but Bruce has been busy putting up lights and threatening to put up Santa and the reindeer that we inherited with the property. They are looking so sad that I am giving them a face lift and it's a job. Why do there have to be eight reindeer? Quick, can you rattle off their names (Did you grow up with Gene Autrey's "32 Feet and 8 Little tails, one of my favorite Christmas songs and infinitely superior to Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer?) Now that will date you!!

Dancer Series ?

This is a painting based on a photo of one of the lovely ballerinas that modeled for us during the Wiltzen workshop. I rather like the color blocking and want to pursue that effect in some of the other paintings that I hope will become a dancer series. Wish I could stay home and paint today instead of dragging into town for supplies. Still, better to shop on a thursday than enter the madhouse Christmas shopping on the weekend.

Troika---or having fun with paint

This little painting evolved in the Burridge workshops. I laid down a layer of juicy blue paint then pressed a paper towel into it and immediately lifted it up creating an interesting lacy pattern. The three figures seemed to appear like magic. I just colored in their outlines. I did a lot of folk dancing in college and the whirling energetic troika was one of my favorite dances. I like the look of the word "troika" so I put it in at the bottom.

Abstract in Progress

Headed somewhere with this. I wanted to make a yellow painting. Textured gesso, crackle paste and washes of fluid and heavy acrylic.

I need more crackle...I guess I need to put it on thicker.

PLAY

After the pressure of accomplishing a couple of commissions, I am determined to loosen up and play. Honestly, I came to this conclusion after spending several hours yesterday trying to make a few paintings for an upcoming sale but all I achieved was crap, crap, crap.! Time to play. I find I choke up if I try to paint to sell (most times) It's better if I just paint and not worry so much about the outcome.

I am reading "the Creative Edge" by Mary Todd Beam. Love her work. Inspires me to try more abstracts.

This is a substrate composed of texturized molding paste, applied charcoal, and then a thin glaze of burnt umber rubbed on and off, to draw up the texture. I am happy with all the groovey bits, now I just have to develop this into something.

Juicy Pear #1

I made a number of these as a warm-up for the Burridge workshop. It's fun to use a big brush, get real loose and a little wild with color. I'd like to paint some big ones.

Goal this week: TAKE RISKS

One to Keep--Nymph

I made this painting a couple of years ago and have become more and more fond of it, so I think it will no longer be for sale. It reminds me of my Mom, not that it looks like her but there is something in her expression that makes me smile.

If anyone out there has prayers to spare, My cousin Charlene is gravely in need of them. She is not recovering from heart surgery as well as expected and we still need he, if possible.