Sucre- Crazy [Loner EP]

I have been so obsessed with this song that I thought I should share it with the rest of you.  Listen especially at 2:11 forward.  Stacy King's vocals just float over the scale, and I love the way her voice breaks over the word "how" at 2:20.  Just beautifully powerful.  P.S. the true name of the group is Sucré.  You can find also find Stacy King's lifestyle blog on Instagram at @sucremusic and her lifestyle website is http://sucre-style.com/

Sheila Had Become A Wine Head

"Sheila Had Become A Wine Head" 

Sheila quickly brought her hand to her face, desperately trying to block her eyes from the free grocery store wine samples. She suspected she was becoming a wine head. Moments later, as she clutched her purse closely to her chest, slinking away from the now empty wine bottles on the shelf, she confirmed her dreaded suspicions.

Night Flight

A little fantasy in oil.

Muhammad Ali

When I first heard Muhammad Ali had passed, I drew a quick pencil sketch of him.  I wanted to reflect his intelligence and sense of humor which I thought were just as brilliant as his boxing.

I started...and then I stopped. I was intimidated by the task and thought I could not do him justice.  Finally yesterday, July 31st, I thought, don't let another month pass without paying tribute to him.  So, I dug deep and finished his portrait.  I hope you like him.

 Ali--the quick sketch where he lingered for nearly 2 months.

Conserving Calder's Circus -The Whitney Museum

A friend and fellow artist, Julie Jenkins, made me aware of this great video clip from the Whitney Museum on Alexander Calder's Circus.  It's an amazing, incredible piece of performance art.  In these days where we fling through hundreds of images on Pinterest and Instagram at the speed of light, I'm hoping some of you will be able to slow down enough (it's 13 min.) to enjoy both the original unique and fantastic imagination of Calder and also the care and love of the conservators as they preserve this man's work, mind, and imagination.  Truly amazing!  Long live ART,  I love you in all your forms!!

Something Was Holding Him Back

Something Was Holding Him Back

Red and Gold

Red and Gold

Oil

Tessa Got Her Best Baking Insights

Tessa got her best baking insights whilst riding her bike in broad daylight.

Unbeknownst to Carlo

Unbeknownst to Carlo, his ex-girlfriend had just been hired at his favorite barbershop.

This was actually Day 35, "Unbeknowst to Carlo," but remember, I'm still catching up posting about 20 more pictures, and since then, I've posted current paintings, and well, I think I'm just going to give up on the number game--I'm all out of order now, and really, you don't mind, do you?  I fear I've been scrambling your mind by listing a day number then not.  So, I hereby decree, I'm stamping out the confusion, and just posting creations!

Seymour Wanted to Be A Cowboy

Seymour had wanted to be a cowboy even before he had heard of Kid Rock. But he loved the Blues, too. After torturing himself on picking a life path, he put on his 10-gallon hat & decided to be both. He changed his name to Tex, wrangled cattle on horseback, and played the blues circuit like his idol, Albert King, at night. Let's just say he was very lucky with the ladies (oh, and in fulfilling his life, too.)

By the way, I cut out the word "Blues" and the little stars under the handkerchief from strips that were used to wrap up a Hatch Show Print poster that I bought from that famous Letterpress printer a couple of years ago.  Here's a link to their website and if you're in Nashville, make sure you go visit them!

Debaters

I called this by it's true name, "Debaters" on Facebook and then because it seems like such a political hotbed over there, I changed the name to "Talkers."  Help me!  Nothing was meant by it.  I could have called it "Conversationalists" or "Contemplaters" or "Cafe Yappers." ha!

Anyway, here it is, "Debater."  Enjoy!

Hardworkin' Cube

Hardworkin' Cube

Have enamel in this one to give it some cool shimmer which the camera does not pick up.  I'm loving this little cold fellow.

Embrace the Shake | Phil Hansen | TED Talks

Here's an excellent TED talk by Phil Hansen speaking on embracing our limitations, not only in making art, but in going through life in general.  Through-proving, inspiring, and heart-lifting.  I hope you like it, too. (-:

New Weekend Look? Nailed!

New weekend look needed?  No problem for Rita.  She nailed it!

Although They Were Conjoined Twins

Although they were conjoined twins, Mimi did NOT share Midge's love of Pasta Carbonara.

Seriously, this is one of my all-time favorite pieces I've ever done.    Makes me crack up every time I look at it.  Yes, my sense of humor is twisted, I know! ha!

Flock of Finches from Nowhere

Flock of Finches from Nowhere

Here's something surprising, even to me, and I'm the person who experienced it!  This particular drawing led me to being paralyzed artistically for awhile.  About a month ago, I had drawn that object to the right--well, I filled it out much more in this final creation--and then didn't know where to head with it.  I liked it so much, I didn't want to ruin it.  Never a good thing, really.  I would stare at it.  I would pick it up and think, where am I going with this?  I wanted to use it desperately, but couldn't move forward with it.  I didn't want to work on anything else, so it just sat on my table.  

I finally did get with the program again and was inspired by other thoughts and ideas and made different art.  But it wasn't until this past weekend when I was walking my dogs that I finally knew what to do.  I was walking past some low-lying purple-flowered bushes in an alley, and they were loaded with yellow jackets.  I wasn't afraid, but rather happy to see bees in this world and at work.  I tried to count them, but there had to be at least thirty.  Their plump black and yellow bodies made me happy.

Later while walking on a sidewalk on a different street, several yellow-breasted finches flew by me in a flash!  I know hummingbirds are way faster, but these babies were MOVING.  Where did they come from?  They were there and then then were gone.  It was almost like a mirage, but I saw them.  I saw their brilliantly-colored chests!  What is it about that beautiful yellow that widens the eyes, and makes the heart jump a little?  Contrasted against jet black, it causes even more of a distraction and elation.

The black and yellow bees and the yellow and black birds of the world--I felt like they gave me a good omen, moving at the speed of light.

Gary Loved A Good Foot Massage

Gary never understood the obsession with manicures. He did however love a good foot massage.

Day 34 The Mystery Dude

Back in May, yes, that's how far behind I am in posting my 100 day project, I was part of an art show that included some local artists and local bands.  It actually was quite a fun night.  At the end of the night, however, I found myself wedged in between a van containing a bunch of guys and other vehicles.  I finally wiggled by car out of that area, only to drive about a 100 feet and find that there was no way I was going to squeeze in between a truck and the venue's wall.  I asked some random guy if he could back me out and he kindly did.  I'm not sure who he was, and he left quite a strong odor of beer in my Beetle after he left, but I was eternally grateful for his driving skills.  Thank you, Mystery Dude!

Some scenes from that night.

 Above, my friends, Peggy Clydesdale (owner of White Trash Peg Art Gallery),

 and Matt Redbeard

Great picture of Jack Nicholson above.

Hmm.  This was a video, but I could only get it to upload as a photo.  Some of my stuff...

Did She Only Want A Summer Romance?

Did she only want a summer romance or was she starting to see the lifeguard differently?  In any event, Gretchen's conflicting emotions were causing her unwanted angst.

(Here's a more recent drawing in my 100 day project - 100drawingsonpaper).

Happy Fourth of July

Here's to a Happy Fourth and to your first sip!  You're free to drink as many cups as you want!

My Little Free Library

Well, I had a super busy day yesterday!  My Little Free Library, which I painted for a nearby town last November, had it's official unveiling with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Three other local artists had similar ceremonies throughout the day.

If you're interested in doing one to help the readers of the world (you take a book, you leave a book--it's all free), go to https://littlefreelibrary.org/

Here are pictures of it in it's new home as well as a picture of it in my living room from last fall (I posted this before).  You'll see my blue-haired Seattle friend, Cassie, in there who just happened to be in town.

I used metallic paint on the front and inside of this door/window which I don't think shows up too well in these pictures.  I had to do a million coats of it for it to show up in the depth I was aiming for.  Had to reapply that white paint over and over again as well--it was solid white, although it doesn't look that way here.

My friend, Cassie.

Here it was in my living room last November.  I had to hoist it up on plastic ramps and shine a spotlight on it to paint it.  My beagle ended up with bright orange-yellow paint on the tip of his tail which he carried around with him for quite some time!

Day 33 Pawel Had a Bad Day at the Gym

Pawel had a bad day at the gym

Well, I only have about 30 drawings to post to catch up to where I should be!  Why did I let myself get so behind?  Ugh.  There were reasons.  Stay with me.  I've got some good ones coming up.

Making a Kebaya the Traditional Way

Hey, please check out this beautiful video about Heath Yeo making traditional Kebayas by hand.  He dedicates himself to making it the old-fashioned way.  I love when he says his sewing machine gives the embroidery/cloth a certain "spirit."  I love when people/artists/craftsmen and woman dedicate themselves to art over monetary gain.  Thank you, Heath, for bringing beauty to this world.  He is a testament of the work it takes to create original pieces of artwork.

Heath Yeo making Kebayas the traditional way.

Day 32 View from a Cafe Window

Quick Sketch - Colored Pencil

And now for this public announcement

Hi Peeps--

I'm still alive and am currently on Day 47 of my 100 day project.  I know I have a lot of catching up to do.  I will explain more in a bit...