Triple Galaxy Painting at Octagon Art Center

I'm happy to announce that this painting was juried into the current Community of Artist exhibit at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, IA. 

I previously posted about this painting when I was contemplating whether or not it was finished.  Honestly, I don't think I added anything more than my signature.  I took it to the critique group that I was attending and we all agreed that this orientation of the painting was best.  Sometimes when I work abstractly, I end up hanging the painting in a different orientation from how I did most of the work.  This is one example.  Most of the time while working, this painting was in a horizontal position on my easel.

I haven't been as productive with painting or making jewelry as I'd like.  The Linn Creek Arts Festival has invited me to return this coming July and I look forward to being there.  One of my creative outlets has been making lots of cards...  graduation, birthday, sympathy, etc.  I was introduced to the Martha Stewart scoring board which has been a great tool for creating cards and matching envelopes.  Tri-fold cards are so simple to make with the board.  Heavy scrapbook papers make a great base.  I should have photographed some to share with you.  Maybe I'll do that with future cards and a future post.

Earlier this week we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary by spending an extended weekend in the Twin Cities.  We stayed at the Bird House Inn in Excelsior which is just a few blocks from Lake Minnetonka.  What a wonderful time we had and my artistic juices were renewed as well.  The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is just a few miles away.  The peonies and yellow lady slippers were glorious.  I definitely want to revisit this place.

I hope to post here more often.   Thanks to all my faithful followers. 

Octagon's 43rd Annual National Exhibit



Oh, The Wonderful Cross I

This past week I received the happy news that the above painting has been juried into an upcoming national art exhibit at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames.  I've been submitting entries the past few years, and this is my first acceptance.  Care to join me in doing the happy dance?


Oh, The Wonderful Cross II


To the left is another painting I submitted that won't be in the exhibit.
Both acrylic paintings have a lot of texture.  They started with layers of heavy gel medium that I incised to create texture. I mixed the paint into heavy gloss gel and applied it to the canvas with palette knifes.  I enjoyed the process very much.

The title of the paintings comes from a beautiful worship song that I sing with my church's praise band.
These words are from the chorus:

Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
All who gather here by grace, draw near and bless Your name
 
 
The 43rd National Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood Exhibition will be on display January 28 – April 10, 2011.  The opening reception will be held on Friday, January 28, 2011 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

Home Improvements Disrupt Artist

If you have wondered why I haven't been posting as frequently, this picture is a clue as to why. Our 24 year old house needs new siding and windows! Hubby (such a happy guy) has been doing most of the work, and I do what I can. (I am a skilled clean-up artist, stray nail gatherer, and 3rd hand.) So far he has stripped the old siding and wrapped the house in Tyvek. We replaced window number 4 out of 7 tonight. Between rainy weather and work, it's been a challenge to stay on schedule.
This is our dining room, but it functions as my art studio. I had hoped to complete my latest painting/collage before we got to this point, but it's still in pieces on my drafting table (the corner of which is shown in the lower left corner of photo). Argh! The rest of the week is supposed to be rainy, so maybe I can get it done before the Art Walk in Ames this Friday, June 6th.

The Octagon Art Center organizes the Art Walk the 1st Friday of June each year. The merchants of downtown Ames host artists in their businesses from 5 - 9. The public is invited to view art, enjoy live music and refreshments. I will be exhibiting with my painting group, Artists of the Heart, at Chocolaterie Stam, a haven of European confections. Friday night is also the opening reception for the bi-annual Community of Artist exhibit where I will have a colored pencil work on display through July 27th at the Octagon Center in Ames.

As if this wasn't enough, I just learned that there will be an open house in Story City at Swinging Bridge Studio where I have paintings, jewelry and painted hand bags for sale. This is also being held on Friday evening from 5-7 to coincide with Story City's annual Scandinavian Days festival.

If you live in the area, check out these fun events. Maybe I'll see you at one of them.

(By the way - I found the fun smiley clip art at designstop.com.)