Horses and More!

2011-12-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

What do you think of the Steven Spielberg movie, 'War Horse'? I think it is now in the U.S. theaters. So far, I have only seen the previews and cannot wait to see that movie!

How about the play by the same name, now in New York and in Europe? Aren't those huge horse puppets wonderful and fascinating? I've been so taken with the very idea of them, that I've been finding film clips of them, seeing what they're all about. (No, I haven't seen the play. But I sure did see a short clip of the puppets on the Today show last Thursday---Dec. 15, right after Al Roker's Kids Book Club). The book was "War Horse" by Michael Morpurgo. Four children, ready with questions, were on the show; so was Mr. Morpurgo, who answered each of them and didn't they all have a good time! Yes, they did.

I'll be saying much more about all of this in my next post. There will be a link to at least one clip. Now I need to learn how to get the link onto my blog. It can't be all that hard. Can it?

It will be good to get your thoughts on War Horse.

2011-09-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Fryeburg Fair artwork; my article:"Lovebirds; Lovable---Or Not?"; matting/framing: it looks like, for once, several goals at once are being met, and most of them ahead of time. THAT's what I LIKE, and I'm this happy because usually I don't GET to be this happy about Goals.

Many things conspired against these things getting done as soon as they had to be! There's no point in going into that. It's over. Whatever slows us down or works against us to the point of discouragement---if we give in---gives us the chance to get above it all, to do what we've gotta do, (yes, 'gotta'; it fits the situation) and to feel that nice sense of accomplishment at the end of it all.

See? The quote in my previous post: Function in disaster, finish in style (from Lucy Madeira) fits right into everyday life just fine. There's still time for disaster to sneak in again while I'm too busy gloating to pay attention. I'd better keep that in mind. No gloating. Get on with it. So here I am writing this blog when I'm supposed to be doing art. Well, this is the first post since August 6th and writing, too, is an art. I was working in charcoal and thinking of my very tardy blog, which meant I wasn't getting too far with the charcoal, which is too bad since I really like the picture in progress.

My project, the dog's bath earlier this morning, I wouldn't call disaster. The dog has a vet appointment on Friday. It's nicer for the vet to see a clean dog than otherwise--and she really wasn't all that bad to begin with---now she's drying off in the kitchen. Washing the dog means washing the bedding too, for obvious reasons. This is the best day for it all, as tomorrow it's going to rain.

The lovebirds are listening to the radio, which is their third choice of all music forms in this house. CD's are first, records (yes, vinyl, 33 1/3) are second. First thing, they had records, but now the day will become nonstop, so the radio it is. I don't have time to keep turning over the stack of records, and if I don't, and the music stops, they yell in chorus for me to go fix it. Not in so many words, but I know the tone of voice. The light-rock station has a good variety. They squeak in rhythm with whatever happens to be on, knowing almost every tune so well that most of the time they are a beat or two ahead. They do the same thing with the classical music. They'll be fine. So will I, if I go back to the artwork and finish the pieces one at a time, beginning right now.

I wish each of my friends a good day that ends the way you want it to. What methods do you have for getting that to happen?

2011-08-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

Artwork for exhibition halls at Fryeburg and Windsor Fairs, and for my Space (7) in Fryeburg Fair's Craft Center, is coming together nicely. Along with horses and dogs, subjects will include barns, assorted farm animals, fishing flies and at least one wagon. Fishing flies are fun to do in watercolor, especially the salmon flies and the various "ghosts", grey and otherwise. Fishermen know what I'm talking about.

"Function in disaster; finish in style." So goes a saying (actually two sayings combined into one) by an educator named Lucy Madeira. From the first time I came across the saying(s), including two more that she was fond of: "Make haste slowly"---which she would quote in Latin---and "Keep calm at the very center of your being", I was intrigued by Lucy Madeira. Who was she? Did she live by the sayings she quoted so often? In my research I found that in the early 1900's she founded a private school for girls, The Madeira School, and was a very exacting teacher. As near as I can tell, she used her sayings to encourage her pupils, and seems to have encouraged herself at the same time.

The portrait photo of Miss Madeira greatly resembles my favorite high school English teacher, Miss Dwelley. I was in her classes I learned so much about, and came to love, creative writing as well as reading. She encouraged us to search out answers in the books and stories we were assigned: why did the main character act in certain ways? What were the results of his actions? How were other people affected by what he did? To this day I remember those questions as I read. The material has so much more meaning that way.

As well, she had wise advice for us. One day in class a student said, "I wish I could know what would happen in all of my life." Miss Dwelley looked at her for a moment and then said, "Oh, my dear, if you knew, you wouldn't be able to stand it." Though I wasn't the student who voiced that thought, life has certainly proved Miss Dwelley to be oh so right.

And so, function in disaster. That has been going on for me, for several weeks now. Various factors spelled disaster, but now I am out of the tunnel. I've figured out all of the artwork for the two Fairs, the reference photos are paired with the paper I'll use, and this afternoon I'll finish the preliminary drawings. Tomorrow I plan to finish a portrait that needs to go out very soon. Then, complete concentration on the Fair artwork---and at that, I'm weeks ahead of my usual schedule at Fair time. "Make haste slowly" applies here, as I haven't rushed until my head is spinning, but have thought out each step, determined to enjoy the process.

Wesley Dennis, who illustrated many of the Marguerite Henry books, used to say, "If it isn't fun, don't do it." I can see exactly what he would have meant---if art stops being fun, quit. That doesn't apply to artwork in its beginning stages, because each piece has to go through an ugly stage when you could cheerfully scrumple it up and THROW it AWAY. That's definitely not a fun stage. We have to work through that stage, and gradually the work comes right and we're happy. We've conquered our doubt by working through. If making art in general has become a chore, though, and the joy has gone out of it, no matter what we've done to work around the negativity, I can't help but think it would be time to stop. Who knows? Maybe after a little break, we'll be ready to give things another try. Who of you has gone through this sort of thing?

"Finish in style"---I very well know that for me THAT won't happen until my space in the Craft Center is completely arranged, furnished, and the pictures fill the walls, and the mugs, matted paintings and prints and the packages of note cards are in their places. Then I can sit down with a cup of tea and contemplate the coming eight days of activity in my booth, where old friends and new will stop to see the latest work and the favorites from another year, and we'll do a little catching up. A quietly stylish finish. How have you felt after working through obstacles and finally coming out on the other side, especially when it looked as though things might not come together?

Surprise...Summer Is Under Control

2011-07-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

There IS no end to the surprises around here in the past weeks. The illustrations are finished and everything has been sent out. I hope that what I next hear from the publisher about this manuscript will also be an unexpected joy. Considering that I've made a list of publishers to send to---not planning to let this book sit around after any of its return trips to me---obviously the big surprise can only be that this current publisher will send an acceptance letter. Now wouldn't that be nice....

The remaining surprises:(1.) while going through older art magazines I found a reference photo that's been missing for 6 (!) years---oh yes---and what are the chances of that? (I had used it to mark my place). And I even still want to work from it. The way things can go, and usually do, is that I find some (very) long-lost landscape photo and say, "What did I see in that?" Not this time.
(2.) Everything got done---flowers planted in yard and window boxes; screen porch all ready for summer; lawn gets mowed before it starts looking like a horse should graze on it; "Everything" includes the writing assignment I had to finish, then cleanup of writing area and drawing area, and making out my list of entries for the Fryeburg Fair Exhibition Hall art show. Now summer is under control. Remember I said that. I can make art in peace, instead of rushing. Rushing gets old, don't you agree? Of course.
(3.) There have so far been only 2 Driveway Worms to rescue. Well, they're really earthworms. I think I would call them Nightcrawlers. Usually there are many, especially after a rain, and there they are, all stretched out as far as they can go (I THINK; how far CAN they stretch?) and all wishful,"...oh, where's the dirt...this doesn't feel right...need dirt...there's only this hard stuff...", and then there comes morning, and me, and before they know it, they're in the grass. (There, you guys).

Tomorrow afternoon I am to learn how to photograph my artwork and get it onto the computer in an orderly manner. THEN, I'm told, I can do all sorts of things with it. That should be good, technically challenged as I am. I'll have to take notes. The huge surprise here is that, weeks ago, the photographer checked my camera over and said it can do everything needed to get the job done. Who knew? Tomorrow: a very good time to learn a new way of doing. I'm delighted. There are many more happenings, but I'm sure, by now, I've mentioned enough.

This blog, titled Horses & More, has nothing about horses today, but plenty about More. Chickens. A good topic which will be showing up in the artwork before too long.Thinking about a Main Street restaurant, The Golden Rooster, got me to thinking of the big golden chickens we once had. They'd make good subjects, especially the Buff Orpingtons. Cochins of any color are always good, too. Our most memorable ones were the big white one and several gold ones.It's time to make time for them.

It All Began With Walter Farley

2011-04-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, it did. The man who wrote The Black Stallion series, The Island Stallion series.....and more.
My answer to a reader who commented on my blog, got me started on my own start, which was when I was about 7 years old. Each morning before school, I ate breakfast while listening to The Black Stallion, read by Arlen E. Barnard, on the radio. My mother discovered that program one morning, and from then on it was all over. There had to be more horse books. More.
One Saturday---I had to be at least 8 by then---she took me to the public library and got me a card. I asked where the horse books were, and then, it really WAS all over. There they were, a whole long line of them. That's when I discovered the Black Stallion series and The Island Stallion series. At first I only took a couple at a time. As I got to reading better, I took one or two more besides. Just couldn't get enough of them....
All of that just never stopped. My grandmother helped the cause. Except for the beautiful little dresses and colorful shorts, tops and pajamas she made for us, she would give us other gifts too. Most often, books were what she gave me. Very memorable books that still stand on my shelves. Other books have come and gone (but when it comes to horse books they, too, are here. Once they get into my hands they are HOME. Right next to the ones she gave to me).
Throughout school, I hated math. The pad of white typing paper my folks bought me to do math problems on each year, mainly got used for horse drawings. "It's all gone??! How could it be all GONE? That is for MATH. You used it up drawing horses? No wonder you're failing math."
The horse books found their way to school too, making great reading during geography class. And so, came the day I heard: "Yes you can ride your bike to the library with Anna. It won't make much sense, though, because you aren't to take out any books until your grades are where they should be. (Report cards had come out, mine was obviously lacking, to put it mildly).
Okay, so that's where it began, with The Black Stallion. Much later there was The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy, with such an exquisite rendering, in black and white, of the stallion Midnight--dancing--and his little rider, that I felt I really wanted to draw like that someday. The books by C.W. Anderson affected me the same way. One of them, I took to the weekly art class in high school, and worked endlessly on the head of a thoroughbred in leather halter, facing straight out of the page. That was my first pencil drawing with serious detail in it, and it was difficult. I still have it. (After all that work, I would hope so).
Last summer at the local library's book sale, I found Man o'War by Walter Farley. Had never heard of it. The other day I read it, and it was such a fast, fine read that I almost couldn't put it down.
Now, of all things, it seems that I need to be illustrating the novel I just finished. Someone wants to show the entire package to a publishing house she has worked for, as an editor and illustrator. Rough drafts are in progress. It sure is interesting, pulling the pictures out of one's mind, putting them on paper to match the word pictures already there. I'm off now to do more. There's no telling how all will turn out.....there are always surprises, aren't there!

On Manuscripts and First Impressions

2011-03-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

Reading and re-reading of my manuscript of The Sidewalker, has taken up many of the past several days. This morning before getting down to business, I read a post by Writer Beware, dealing with an author who took great exception to a reviewer's opinion of her self-published book. ( I'm mentioning no one's names here.) If I ever thought (which I don't) that proofreading more than twice is not necessary, silly me, this article alone would make me think several times. Reading this, for me, was more than a word to the wise. Anyway, I'm nearly done with the 4th reading of my manuscript, and have found---how did I miss them, 3 times?---several missing commas, two missing quotation marks, and a paragraph that wasn't indented. In the final 4 chapters, how many more errors will I find? I will have to do another reading to see what else is there. My-oh-my. Well, better me, now, and some more, than the public, later. Once the manuscript goes out, it will have to stand on its own. There's only, ever, one first impression. Everyone knows that. It's a good thing I really like the world that is in this book. Going into it again each time is fun. Seriously. The manuscript began its journey to publishing houses more than a month and a half ago. It is in New York. It's good to keep busy while waiting. Obviously, I am. Eventually there will be either a request to see more of the book, or I'll get a rejection notice. In case of rejection I'll immediately send it out to the next name on my list. And keep busy some more. For as long as it takes. I have a lot of names. An outside chore that I was going to do today, has been eliminated by the Dept. of Public Works. Hearing machines outside near the street, I found sidewalk sweepers, the street sweeper, and some other kind of sweeper that cleans the strip of grass between. My lovebirds were thrilled, as they love noise and new sights. Also they love a good mess. The happenings outside, qualified in all ways. Really, the amount of sand and debris on that grass strip, was larger than I've ever seen. Well, we DID get an extra foot of snow here, this year---a drop in the bucket, compared to some places in this country, I know. I was going to rake (and rake and rake) it all into the gutter and hope that was all right to do. From what I saw, it surely is. That's good to remember for the time when possibly the town budget might be cut. There hasn't been anything said about that here, in any way, but I don't mind being ready for ANYTHING. Just Be Ready, have a plan and an alternate plan, is my motto. Today, after I go through a couple more chapters, the alternate plan is: Grab the chance to take my small spaniel, Scarlett, for an extra walk in the sunshine. On Friday we're getting Snow. Here on the coast, we may only get half a foot as we'll be getting rain as well. The farmers have always called snow White Fertilizer. I'll try to look at it that way. :))

Spring Fever At Therapeutic Riding Facility

2011-03-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

Spring fever has hit the riding community. Students and volunteers at therapeutic riding facilities aren't immune. Today there was a neat post on my Facebook page from one of the facilities I have become acquainted with when doing some research. Titled "Driveway Trail Ride," the 4 photos were posted by Riding To the Top, located in Windham, and show well-bundled-up mounted students and their sidewalkers traveling up and down the long, straight driveway which is still snow covered. RTT is a ways inland from here. We at the coast got rain on Tuesday. They got about 3 inches of snow. I loved seeing this fun-on-horseback, and am sure the students have spent a long, long winter looking forward to the day they could again meet up with a good four-legged friend---and they do indeed form very strong bonds with their horses---and with their volunteers as well.

Today, with temperatures in the low 60's, and 2-inch-high daffodil sprouts in my back yard,we know spring is on the way, even though tomorrow it again will not look that way. The cold will be back for awhile yet. Who cares? We have today. Actually, all we ever have, anyway, is today. Each day is a new Today. Each has something good to offer. Might have to search, some days, but something good is there somewhere.

It won't be long before the screens are again put up, on the screened porch. I won't say I can't wait. Of course I can. Now's the time to complete all possible projects here in the house, and make a list of what I'd like to accomplish, in all ways, once the really nice weather arrives. So, be glad for a little more Inside Time. Look out at the grassy (muddy-grassy?) yard, still too wet to think about raking. Go out and pick up some little branches torn from the maples and the spruce, by the winds of winter. Write to my relatives. Do my volunteer work. Take my little spaniel for a walk on those nice, dry sidewalks she's been waiting for. And aim my mind toward the summer projects that must be planned and finished before the end of September, so my booth at Fryeburg Fair will look as though it has something going for it. That's half the battle.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, there's bound to be time to walk on a beach or two somewhere; to visit a couple of local working harbors with their lobster boats. And put my camera and sketchbook to good use.

Are you forming plans for the summer? For now, do have the best of all possible days.

First Drafts Are Providing Inspiration

2011-03-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

First drafts are providing inspiration today, for what has to come later. And what is that? Two good-size barn paintings, two equine drawings to complete, and an outline and proposal for a nonfiction book about my Great-uncle Byron's farm.

The outline and proposal would come first if I weren't at a loss as to how to begin. What stopped me? The stories of my first horses---all of them---that have clamored for years to be written. There they've been, somewhere in my mind, almost surfacing every time I attempt a new beginning with other material. So. Yesterday I finished an 8 page draft about Chief, the Appaloosa, and began the piece on Rajah, the iron grey Arabian. And, who would guess---early yesterday morning I turned on the bedside lamp, grabbed pen and paper, and the ideas for the beginning of the farm book are down on paper. Funny how that works, isn't it.....

Also funny; here I am---the one who always says a sunny day always makes me ambitious--- tearing up the keyboard, getting all of this stuff down and now really itching to get to some artwork before it just bursts out and goes---where? Mm. Here I am, happy with what got written, on a day when there's nothing but rain.

Well, as I told someone, I'll think about all of it, and think some more, until eventually I can't stand it anymore and out it will all come, and that's exactly what happened. Now, on to the next project. It's best to grab the chance now. Tomorrow is a day of work away from home; can't do any more with anything creative until Friday.

When are you the most energetic? Inspired to finish projects?

I See Real Ground Out There!

2011-03-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, I do; some DRY ground, even! The last time I took a good walk around the neighborhood, only one sidewalk was usable. What I thought would be a fast walk---like everyone else, I really needed a Fast Walk after the way this winter has been---turned into more of an endurance hike than anything else. Well, it all worked out after awhile, with no broken bones to speak of. Really, NO broken bones. I have to joke, because although the footing looked pretty good when I drove up my street in the car, and that's what got me so determined and cheerful (deluded, really) about a Fast Walk in the first place, by the time I was on foot it was a whole other story. Hummocks and peaks of ice, then just enough solid ground to keep a person unaware of the little slick spots that came next. Can't call it black ice, as the sidewalk is brick. So is it red ice? Absolutely.

Today is a whole other story. The driving rains on Sunday night into Monday morning, got rid of all the sidewalk treachery. It's enough to make anyone start their blog. Again. This time I'll keep it going. The middle grade novel is finished and beginning its rounds of publishers. Notes for another are sitting in a little stack right here. Artwork projects are nearly finished, then I can start some new ones, including illustrations. The sun is warmer, higher in the sky, and ambition is getting completely out of hand. I'm grabbing it right now and aiming it in the right direction. Toward this spring and summer's goals.

How did the winter treat you? What are your goals now that nice weather is on the way?

Horse Art and Fiction Writing

2010-03-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

It will be best if the April-like RAIN pouring down today, doesn't give the flowers of May any ideas about growing! It is barely mid-March, not even time for mud season. There's one thing, though, that works for me: turn on some music which could be anything from CD's to tapes OR the oldies station on the radio, and definitely includes lp's.

With the last two chapters of the novel in full tilt, bringing me into Emma's world again (lately it's a hot summer day and a crisis is in the offing), there's no time to mix CD's of favorite oldies, and so---the radio. As for lp's, I kept mine when CD's came in and big-old-vinyl supposedly went Out. Now it's back. I say, "When did it leave?" With the 1970's stack-up turntable there's no limit to the mix. There are six records on there now: classical guitar, Frankie Carle cocktail piano, Glenn Yarbrough and the Limeliters AND Ian Tyson with what I call cowboy-folk.

There. That is good for the energy, today. No, music is not distracting to me.Let the rain pour down if it must. I hear that tomorrow will be better.

2010-03-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

New Horse & Dog Art In Progress. The Middle Grade Novel is Nearly Done

2010-03-12T06:47:00.000-08:00

Horse art in pencil is underway in my studio. After completion of two portraits, I'll be able to give much more attention to the new art, including various breeds of dogs in pencil. The middle-grade novel(for ages 8-12)which features therapeutic riding, possibly with illustrations, is nearly finished, also!
The sunny, warmish (yes, Warmish; what else would we expect in March) are enough to make anyone run right out there and rake the yard, except that the ground is still frozen. Well, it IS March, even if some of these days remind us of mid-April. Speaking for myself, I'll channel my energy into finishing the last half of the book and getting into drawing!

My new little dog, adoped 5 weeks ago, is doing well! Rescued from a puppy mill in the South, she had no idea what a leash was for, or toys either. Or how to do her business outside. OR that she could actually be invited onto the couch, with its own throw, just for her, to cuddle while I read, see something watchable on TV or listen to music. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (nice and small, good cuddle-size, and they need only to be near somebody, get some cuddles, then they rest and wait for the next event. They're perfectly happy, waiting. It's what they were made for. All she ever did, was to have puppies. She loves walking and running on the leash now, and LOVES sitting in the sun, sniffing the breezes. I began showing her 'Outside is the place to Go.' When she suddenly realized This Was Possible, she was delighted at each success. Really. I don't think it was only the dog-treat afterward. Either way......it's working. And isn't she going to make a good model for some artwork.

2010-02-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

How nice it was, to be invited to participate in the first-ever equine art exhibit at the Northeast Horsemen's Conference held in the Augusta Civic Center, January 16 & 17. I was in very good company, because Kathi Peters, Beth Carlson, Penelope Plumb and Katherine Prendergast also exhibited their work. I loved talking with them and enjoying the great variety of styles, use of color and choices of mediums. Oil, acrylic, and pencil were represented, and I think I also saw some watercolors.

The artwork was beautifully set off by the black drapes which formed the backdrop throughout the exhibit area, which was arranged so viewers could stroll, and enjoy, at their leisure. Though located on the main floor with all of the vendor spaces, the black drapes kept it sectioned off and somewhat protected, yet completely accessible to all. I loved the way it was set up.

And now we're well into February. With the days getting longer, and the sun higher in the sky, inspiration increases, so new art is in the works, and my novel for 8-12-year olds is coming right along! Isn't the creative life fun!

What are your favorite ways of preparing to begin a new season of making art?

The Maine Illustrators Collective

2009-11-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

My equine artwork, a cover for "Thunderhead" by Mary O'Hara, has the honor of a place in The Maine Illustrators Collective show, 'The Classics ReImagined' which may be viewed at the Freeport Public Library, Freeport, ME. We all enjoyed the opening.
It was fun seeing the reactions of visitors to the library as they viewed the various reimagined covers! What a variety of media and imagination all of the artists bring to their work. MaineIllustratorsCollective.org

Fall is winding down. That's nothing new. It actually isn't terrible to see it get dark so early now that leaves are mulched and deluged with rain. The ones that were raked, bagged in the free biodegradeable bags, set by the curb at 7 a.m. Monday as directed, were picked up by the town trucks and are doing their thing at the compost heap.
All the outdoor work is finished. Deadlines for writing and artwork are met.(All but one portrait). NOW is the time for closets! I am anticipating this, can you tell?
So: INTO the closets. GRAB all those clothes. KEEP only what truly is flattering. DRIVE everything else to Goodwill. But, don't leave to do that until clothes are sorted again and back on the closet pole, and shoes are organized on the floor. THEN, off to Goodwill.ALL THIS COULD TAKE MORE THAN ONE DAY. IF IT DOESN'T, and even if it does,THERE'S ALWAYS THE OTHER CLOSET. YES! DO THAT ONE TOO. HOW FREEING TO FIND WHAT I NEED TO WEAR WHEN I NEED IT.

And then, off to the artwork and more revisions for 'The Sidewalker", with a clear mind.

Positivity and the Maine Illustrators Collective

2009-11-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

I have just finished reading a piece called, Beware of Your Inner Whining Artist, by Mark McGuinness. Anyone can be a W A. There are lots of reasons to be one. BUT---why waste the time? Instead, start work on a piece you have a good feeling about. Never mind that at some point, probably sooner than later, the Awful Thought comes along:
"Oh. What is the matter with this? Why did I ever start this? It's so ugly. A two-year-old could do this! What a waste of time this was." I do it all the time. If I paid much attention to it, I'd have a trash can full of Starts, and no Finished Work.
I used to get really discouraged, but finally (usually), would start working through the mess. Eventually the art as I had envisioned it, would begin to show itself. Oh joy! Keep on! Look what it's doing now--it's going to be okay.
That's why I liked the piece by Mr. McGuinness. Because positivity---which could also be called persistence---is the only thing that will help the artwork to turn out well. Whining certainly won't. It takes awhile to learn this, and there can be a surprise relapse any time, so I have to remember to be ready just in case.
The classic book cover illustration I recently completed for the Maine Illustrators Collective show, The Classics ReImagined, is the first I've ever done. I worked in pastel, which I hardly ever do, especially when it comes to horses, and the style is different from my usual work. That it is framed and enroute to the show, means that I do like it. I won't know until the other Collective members, and the public, see it, whether it appeals to anyone. That's the way it goes. I will hope. Go to http://wwwmaineillustratorscollective.org for more about the Show, and to see their blog.

New! A re-imagined classic book cover illustration!

2009-10-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

I'm excited. For the first time I have attempted a Real Illustration, not just to see what might be possible, but with an actual purpose in mind. The Maine Illustrators Collective will hold a show at the Freeport Library through the month of November. The title of the show is, The Classics Re-Imagined. What better time could there be, to create an original book-cover illustration of one of my all-time favorites, "Thunderhead", by Mary O'Hara.

In a day or so I will post the illustration on this blog, but for now I just wanted to contribute SOMETHING pertinent, because I haven't written a word since the middle of September. With Fryeburg Fair to get ready for, be present at for its 8-day run, and then to get organized here at home again, who would guess time would fly so fast!

Now to get even more organized, and probably so completely that I will most likely scare myself. Then I'll be back to post again!

Equine Art, Fryeburg Fair, and Writing

2009-09-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

In two weeks my equine and other animal art, done in pencil, and also the pastel paintings, must be finished for inclusion in the art exhibit (Agricultural Exhibition hall) at Fryeburg Fair. The work is coming along well. It's great to see such fine weather this month. Here in Maine, we're finally getting our summer, which was totally rained out. Summer in September. May it last right into November. That seems fair, and it has happened before; why not again?
Every year I look forward to Fryeburg Fair. For the past 8 years I've had my artwork in Space 107 of the Craft Center. It is to be there again., so there's lots of art to prepare and to pack for setup on October 1st and 2nd.
For many years before I ever displayed my work, I knew Fryeburg Fair was the ultimate place in Maine, during the first week of October, for photographing animals, especially the draft horses. There will be time for that this year too, though I will mostly be found at Space 107. Maybe I'll see you there too.

The first draft of my novel for ages 8 through 12, is finished and I'm now working on revisions. This book is a lot of fun! I look forward to concentrating on it after the fair.

Pat Wooldridge's Equine Art and MEIC In Full Force

2009-08-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, they are. In full force, that is. I'm so happy to have learned of the Maine Illustrators Collective, and to be able to offer my equine art as a part of their shows. I've mentioned in other posts, that I am doing dogs as well, now, so will plan on adding those as the need arises.
AND, it looks as if summer is here at last, which only adds to the ambition I"m feeling as I work on artwork for two State fairs---Windsor and Fryeburg. Lovell Arts and Artisans Fair, held last Saturday, August 15, turned out well for so many of us. The weather was nice, and I was pleased with my profits for the day. It was great, seeing my regular customers as well as new faces.

Isn't it great to finally (!) see decent summer weather! It's enough to build real enthusiasm and inspiration for painting, isn't it? (Heat or no heat. There are ways around that. Open the windows at night, close them in the morning, and the shades too, so the house stays cool). Then, work. Work some more. See some good results from all that effort.

With all this motivation going on, I must end my post and go do what I say I do before it's too late today to do it. There.
Do have the best of all possible days.

'Comments' feature now working

2009-07-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

It looks like my blogsite will now accept readers' comments. A friend has just notified me she has fixed this problem! So...do please leave comments. If you would contact me at hckclb@gwi.net, I will answer your comments if you would like.
Another sunny day. Take advantage of it, everyone, to the best of your ability. For me, it's time to be thinking about the small watercolor paintings I'll do for the Lovell Art Fair, Aug. 15, and also to put out for sale in my booth at Fryeburg Fair.
Most definitely I must get going again with seascapes in oil ! There is a wonderful reason for this! I am truly enthusiastic at aiming to get back into seascapes. Enthusiasm is sometimes its own reward. In this case my second reward will be my efforts to follow the sea in oils, a venture begun during the years I lived in Kennebunkport, and never, ever forgotten.
My horse and dog art will not be forsaken. I will continue with it as well, full steam ahead.

Today:Equine art blog; working on why readers are unsuccessful in commenting on my blog.

2009-07-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

I would talk about Equine art and the Working Artist exhibit in Kennebunk, but first of all, my apologies to anyone/everyone who has attempted to post a comment to my blog. I have been at a loss as to what to do, have tried changing a setting or two; that didn't work. Now to get in touch with Google. I'm sure they can resolve it. I am really sorry for the inconvenience to all!

After checking all my settings, reading info from Google Help, I don't see why your comments should not get through. Please do give it another try. If I get more of those Mail Subsystem Delays/Failure notices, I will find more resources and get this corrected.
Meanwhile, feel free to e-mail me at hckclb@gwi.net with your comments on what you have read in my blogs. I will answer all that do actually have to do with the blog subjects. (No ads or offers of work-from-home; get-rich-quite-fast; free computers,etc. In short, no mass-mail, please.)

It has got to be frustrating to send comments that never make it through. I feel for us all!
I want to answer you!

Meanwhile #Two: what an ideal day to work on the stuff I just talked about. It sure beats mowing the lawn in the rain, which is what I would be doing if I went out there now. I love trying to find a solution to our (well, MY) technical difficulty here. I will love it more when I succeed.

Yesterday, a little trip to a therapeutic riding facility in my area, for a short question/answer session with the owner and program director, also one of the occupational therapists. Their answers were very helpful. I need this information so that my novel for middle-grade readers will be credible. The lessons I watched afterward were so interesting and truly uplifting--
I love seeing the students interact with the horses, both when they are grooming and when they are riding. The whole process gives the riders so much joy!
On the way home there was time to take a few photos of barns. We are having a very late haying season here---too much rain throughout June, not enough sunny days in a row (at least 3 are needed, from the time hay is mowed to the time it's baled, to allow the hay to dry properly.If it is not completely dry when baled, once it's been in the barn awhile, spontaneous combustion can occur, destroying everything in many cases. It isn't worth it to take the chance.)

But, though I would love to see good haying conditions, I have to say the tall grasses were pretty in their range of colors from pale green to light gold, with here and there some red-topped grass
(seedheads, probably---Oh No). Sprinkled through, and sometimes in thick clumps near the road, were black-eyed Susans, daisies and purple vetch, which is a sort of vining plant with oval, elongated leaves and a graceful arc of small purple, thin petals. I love purple vetch.
All of this made for good long-shots with lots of meadow in the foreground, the barns far back, and closest of all, the random clumps of flowers in all those colors. A beautiful foreground, even if it all ought to be dry, baled, and stored by now. Got some good closeup shots of the barns, too.

The moods of the seasons affect the barns' appearance of course. Winter shows them stark, with good shadows in early morning or at about 1p.m., when shadows on snow turn purple for awhile.
In early spring they still look stark, but with the interest of new grass beginning to show green among the tan longer grasses and patches of snow.
Autumn puts them among trees with fall colors, and the skies are amazing, especially in October and November, in shades of steel blue, bright blue, with variations of grey from deep blue-grey to lighter, to cream.

Sunny Days = High Energy Level

2009-07-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Whether the sun is out or NOT (mostly NOT, this summer,) there has had to be a high energy level. Work is ongoing, getting ready for the Artists & Artisans Show, August 15, in Lovell, Maine (New Suncook School); also for Fryeburg Fair, October 4-11, Fryeburg, Maine.

Reference photos, sketches and nice new clean paper have taken over the place of framed original art and prints, which now are hanging in the Dyer Library, Saco, through this month.

I'll finish two commissioned pieces before starting anything else. And the last chapters of the novel for middle-grade readers are critiqued and on their way back, so then I'll revise the first half of the book, and get it sent---then work on the chapters just coming back, get them into shape, whatever that shape has to be, and out they go again. Then, out goes the whole book for a final critique. Then, one more revision, following any suggestions sent by the instructor.

It's great to have the whole thing filed on the computer. Everything is so much easier than it would otherwise be! I love working on this book, and not only because the computer is involved. Along with all of the challenges, and probably somewhat because of them, this is a fun story to write. How fortunate that I have this nice course to take, so I can learn as I go, make corrections, and come closer all the time to getting it right. I can't wait to get these chapters back! While waiting, in between drawing sessions, I'll work on a short story.

So, see? Whether the sun shines or the rain falls, energy comes from somewhere, and things get done. I can't imagine what the alternative would lead to!

Working Artists Show

2009-06-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

King Rocky-pencil-by Pat Wooldridge
Just one of the pieces I will be exhibiting in the upcoming Kennebunk Library "Working Artists Show"

It's so great to be included in the MEIC Working Artists Show. Until I was contacted about this, I hadn't thought about what the the term Working Artist might mean. Certainly I didn't dwell on the fact that I have always held some sort of job---or jobs---while also creating art, and that I didn't have an outside money source other than my jobs. I just kept on combining art, and work, writing and family, volunteer work and everything else, into my days, finding ways to meet deadlines whenever they appeared.

When right in the middle of it all, there isn't much time to think about how, or if, it will all get done. We just keep on doing it. And now there's a show about it which will run for the first two weeks of July in Hank's Room at the Kennebunk Free Library. There's a whole list of Working Artists from the Maine Illustrators Collective on their blog http://www.mecollective.blogspot.com/who will be participating. What fun!

The original artwork I would like to mention here is titled "Show Day!". These are Belgian show horses from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. They appear at Fryeburg Fair each year. I took the reference photo while they were competing in the Four Abreast class at the Fair. This work can be seen on my website under Black and White Art. www.WooldridgeEquineArt.com

WORKING ARTISTS SHOW runs July 2nd-July 31st

Artist's Reception is in Hank's Room, Kennebunk Free Library
July 8th 4:30-7:30pm The public is welcome. Come see my work!

2009-06-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

There's lots going on now that the season for art shows and exhibits is on us. A friend and I registered for a Black and White Show at the Freeport Square Gallery, Freeport, ME, and delivered our work on a Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks ago. In the morning she brought her photos over and I showed her how to cut mats, and mount and frame her work. She did fine!
Not knowing how long that might take, and wanting to give her all the time she might need, I did my matting and framing a couple of days before. I had one request: could we stop somewhere if we saw a horse farm where the horses were in pastures near enough the road to take a couple of photos, and would she take the photos of me if I stood with my drawing board and pencil, working. This was to go with my bio for another show.
On the way to Freeport we saw a nice horse farm with white fences, stopped and got permission to take the photos. They came out good. She's a good photographer.
Then, off to Freeport. Once our work was checked in, we went to Starbucks, across the street and to the South, a little way, and bought coffee. It seemed as though we ought to celebrate a little, since this is her first-ever show, and it's my first real gallery show in years and years. I hardly ever drink coffee anymore, so there were two milestones in one day.
The Artists' Reception was last Sunday afternoon. We were very pleased with how our things (3 pieces for each of us) were hung. We saw them across the room and to the right, as soon as we walked in! Loved it! The show runs until mid-June.
I believe I may make up for lost time, somewhat, as the next show, the one that requires the photos to go with the bio, is called "Working Artists", exclusively featuring artists who work at a job besides doing their art; who have not received grants or inheritances, or money from spouses or relatives. I qualified for this, and was put into one of the last two available spots. It's just a good thing I didn't second-guess, and procrastinate, and end up completely out of it.
I have been working quite hard on NOT putting things off; being on time wherever I have to be; and not scheduling SO MUCH in a day that I can't possibly get to where I am supposed to be without rushing unbelieveably. Maybe it's working.
The Working Artists show starts the first of July and runs until mid-July. It will be in Hank's Room, at the Kennebunk Free Library. I will love being in this show.
And, in August there is the Saluting Norman Rockwell Small Town America show, held in the Kennebunk Town Hall. Each artist will create a piece that has been inspired by one of Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers. Just pick one, be able to say why it is inspiring, and do the artwork in any medium desired. The cover isn't to be copied exactly, but there should be some connection to Mr. Rockwell's original. I'm really looking forward to that as well.
There will be a great Artist's Reception at the Town Hall, too.
Besides all of this, I've been learning more about marketing my work, from a motivational marketer named Robert Imbriale. He isn't your average person-of-this-sort. In fact, I have never heard of a person in this profession who is quite like him. He is direct, very helpful, never pushy, and on top of it all, he is kind. How about that. A very good combination. To hear him, you could go to BlogtalkRadio.com/motivational. Give his one-hour show a try; see what you think.
Also, I follow Jay Bennett's blog. He is in the same health and wellness network marketing company I am in (see my LinkedIn site for information about that). Jay has good advice. I love this company. It's by far the kindest company (can there BE such a thing? Yes there can) that I have ever seen.
I have been using their products for over three years. I feel 20 years younger; my sleep has improved, and so has my energy level; my thinking is clearer, too. There's more, but if I keep on, people will think it's too good to be true.
With all of that going on, there are still plants to set out, in pots and in my small gardens, and the lawn to mow, and before much mowing goes on, it will really be the best idea to rake up all the bits and pieces of little branches from the last minor windstorm. There are still a few from winter, too. I know---but look at what-all has been going on. Add to it, a going-away party for a grandson; a graduation party for a granddaughter; visits from another granddaughter and grandson.....two visits in two weeks! Even before they were married and moved away, to some degree, they STILL lived an hour away and didn't get down here much, since they were in high school, with a VERY long bus ride morning and afternoon, so the second time they were here, we took a trip around the area, visiting pretty spots they had never seen, and they loved it. I'm glad. My grandson, Nick, lives in California now, so he has some new memories of Maine to take back with him.
Add to that, a weeks-long visit from an old friend from Scotland. She stays with her daughter while in the States, every few years, and we've had such fun; I've picked her up and we have gone up and down the coast visiting familiar beaches and harbors, and scouting out new ones, and taking photos, making time along the way for tea and raspberry scones at a little shop, for a lunch together when she first arrived, at her daughter's home. Then a couple of lunches here, with those little rides around the beaches, etc., and each time, toward late afternoon, a movie on DVD here at the house.
The first time it was "Mrs. Palfrey At the Claremont" with Joan Plowright and Rupert Friend, both of whom have received awards for their performances in that movie. The next time, we saw "The Enchanted April"---Joan Plowright, Alfred Molina, and others equally good. Give these movies a look. You'll be glad you did. They're a pleasant change from a lot of what's out there lately. A quiet movie now and then (or maybe even all the time!) is a good thing. Calms us down. Makes us laugh. Lets us breathe and relax. Tea and a treat go well, too.
As for me, I will get calm, laugh some, breathe and relax once I've worked more on the final chapters of my book for young readers (ages 8-12). I like the way it is going, thanks to my instructor at the Institute of Children's Literature. What good courses they put together!
Okay. I'm off to take advantage of it!

2009-05-15T05:05:00.000-07:00

The sun is out, which makes a great day even better. It's been awhile since I've written anything here. Preparations for art shows are taking up quite a bit of time. There are three new ones coming up this summer; one, showing Black and White art, will be in Freeport, ME, in June. Another---Working Artists, will be in Kennebunk in July, and I'm working on a piece for a really fun show (does that phrase remind you of Ed Sullivan in any way??) that will take place in Kennebunk in August.
Paperwork, and figuring out how to send jpegs and tifs and all that, as attachments, takes up some time. Especially the jpeg or tif attachments, most of which, with me, do not succeed for awhile. Eventually, one way or another, though, they do. So if you also have problems getting these things to go where they're meant to, you are not alone.
The art website is still being updated, though you can get to it without a problem. The first page has a lot of written info, so it takes some patience to scroll down to the buttons, but come and take a look at the artwork, and keep at the scrolling for just a second or two, and the buttons are at the bottom of the page as usual. Soon they will be at the left hand side also. Much easier for you, then, and a load off my mind for your sake.
Time is valuable! I have to say, I didn't think about the time element when I had my webmaster put that ESSAY (you might as well say!) where it is. I wrote it, asked her to place it there, and for the time being there it is. I will see what to do about it.
This is one gorgeous day, with all that sun! Sometime in midmorning I plan to take a break from artmaking, writing, and meeting deadlines, and get out into the springtime, if all I do is stand there and look across at the neighbors' lilacs next door and the ones down the street, and at my own violets coming up in unexpected places wherever the wind blew the seeds last fall. It's always interesting to see where some of them end up.
A little break in the middle of things makes for more energy afterward. Come to think of it, a walk will be even better than just standing there!

Do have the best of all possible days!

2009-04-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

Although for several years I have had an art website, I hadn't yet listed it on my blog because it is being changed bit by bit, and all for the better. It just occurred to me, why ISN'T it listed? It has lots of good material on it, why wait 'til it's perfect to let more people know about it than already do? On thinking more about it (probably a dangerous thing), nobody's perfect, why would a website be? Life is change. If that sounds trite, okay. Trite sayings are around because they're true. Is that sentence a Trite Saying by now?
After all, the site shows improvement already, and this way everyone visiting will get to see more changes as they occur---kind of like a construction project which, I guess, it is. You'll see it at the head of the Link List www.WooldridgeEquineArt.com
Today's entry is short. Yes. When the sun is out, all kinds of after-the-winter yard work gets started, causing more ambition, so indoor chores--No! No! Projects! Artwork, even---are also finished and more are set up, ready to go. Things just roll right along; a lot of doing, no time for writing. Enough said. I would say 'have the best of all possible days', but now it is evening. 'Good Evening' doesn't seem to work, either.

2009-04-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

It's spring---isn't it? There are 3 small clumps of daffodils (only planted last year) with shoots that are about 3 inches tall right at the edge of where the blue spruce branches spread out, easily seen from the living room window. Plenty of crocus are blooming in yards up and down the street, just not here in my yard yet. They're in the plan for next year. Blue and yellow ones. (How blue are crocus, anyway? Maybe they are more purple than blue. That's okay. It looks like Spring is going to take, here in Maine, now that the flowers are actually UP.

Some of my friends are still visiting in Florida. I can see where Florida could become a winter habit for many. For me, I don't mind the challenge of winter (especially now that it's gone for another few months). Partly, I guess, it's the feeling we get when we go out ahead of a storm, to do all possible errands while the traveling is still GOOD, and have done everything, even filling up the gas tank (!) and we get home again just as the first flakes start falling. Or even better, sleet, which REALLY adds to the feeling that we got away with something.

Actually, speaking for myself, it's just that I have never liked driving on slippery roads, not even a little bit. For years I put up with it, we all do, but now, working from home more than ever before, I have more of a choice. Besides, my car will last longer. I like my car, so there's that to consider. I like all my cars, some more than others. My last car was a good one. It looked good, ran fine, and certainly got me where I planned to go. By last year it was turning 20 years old, and the question does arise..... Just then another car I found looked pretty good. It is 10 years younger, too. The 20-year-old is still going strong for the girl who bought it. She lives in town, so I get to see that car coming and going now and then. It's the first car I've parted with that I've ever been able to say that about, though I remember them all.

If nothing else, maybe the quick before-the-storm trips are sort of a holdover from the days when people had to think ahead to survive. Who knows? Either way, it's rather exhilarating. That sounds as though I don't have a life, but really I do! :)) It's just that most of my life takes place in the house---serious projects, lined up one right after another. They are sitting there right now, too.

The snow-blowing/shoveling is not always the greatest, but not horrible. In the middle of it all, we always know spring is one day closer. The bird feeders get filled once the driveway is done (do the fun stuff last; plus, I can't get to them until some sort of path is cleared). The chickadees stop shouting then, happy to see New Food, and I get to go back in the house, so we all get a reward. There will be no more talk of winter for the duration. That means, not until at least the end of November.

Two days ago the sun was out all morning, then light rain which turned to POURING by late afternoon. The laundry I hung out early was 3/4 dry when I brought it in just as the drizzle began. Knowing it wouldn't dry completely, I hung it out anyway---what I'd get would be better than nothing, considering there aren't supposed to be sunny days until at least Sunday, and maybe not then. It's April! Temp.'s are around 50 now, so we're ahead. The grass will be greening up nicely, with this rain. Three days ago I got out in the late afternoon to rake 2/3 of the front lawn. It's in 3 sections; I did the two that I see from the living room windows and which really were the most covered with little blown-down branches, tiny pieces of the blue spruce branches and leftover fall leaves. Everything is so much easier to deal with, dry. When that rain came, it was a good feeling to know the waste bags were full and waiting to go to the compost mountain at the landfill.

True to form, the sun which was lovely for most of the morning, is gone. I did take time to visit a new (to me) early morning business networking group. To be sure to get there on time, I drove. At that, I was about 10 minutes late. It's really close enough to walk to, which will be good, and 7:30 is a really good time to meet that way one morning a week.

Now to work more on getting the artwork website redone. It's nearly ready. You might like to take a look at my LinkedIn site, which IS ready: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/patwooldridge

And do have the best of all possible days!

2009-03-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's definitely time to be thinking about upcoming shows and exhibits. You can find a couple of listings on my website: http://www.wooldridgeequineart.com/. There are two other possibilities as well, but I'll wait to make sure things will work out with them before I say anything. I hate to backtrack, don't you?

Backtracking has been going on here a lot in the past week. That's just another way of saying Tax Time is here again...and every year, in spite of the best of intentions to start at the first of the year, I find myself in the third week of March, sorting the year's sales slips, putting them in their little month-by-month piles, and entering them in the book. So there I go, all the way back to January. We're all in the same boat. Naturally, I don't begin to think I am alone in this. I'm just saying that if I had followed my plan---my every-year plan that never is put into motion---the book would be completely up-to-date, just waiting for its annual trip out the door to the tax man. My plan? To do what true business people do: enter the income and expenses At Least once a week. More often would be even better. I have to think about it all year anyway, so why not know that it's In Progress. Oh, how great! Just add the columns in January, make an appointment (won't my tax preparer be amazed when next year he gets a call from me, IN January, for an appointment. Yes he will be. Because he will get one.) And then, rather than this nonstop sorting, piling, adding and storing away, I will know exactly, and 'way ahead of time, that all is in place. Think of all the brain space this frees up for better things.

That means I can enjoy the Tax Trip, leaving early to carry out my plan to take photos of the subjects of interest I passed, rushing and cameraless, true to form, THIS year.

Thick and knobby old trees with their shadows, and the old farmhouses and older barns, will still be there next week when I make the repeat trip to pick up the book and a copy of the tax return, though the snow has melted considerably since last week. The snow with purple shadows across it, was half the subject last week. I'll take the photos, as this year's route was somewhat different from last year's, with variations on the trees, houses and barns. I can add snow if I want. Sometimes I think the snow photo is better than the painting done from that photo, simply because the moment captured on film is true, whereas in the painting there might be many changes. (I 'm one of those people who leaves photos as they are, whether digital or on film.)There are some barns I'd better be capturing before they lean a little too much or too many more boards come off. Even a year can make a difference, so it won't be good to wait. A lot of these things will be good to do in pencil.

Most bothersome of all was that there was not enough uninterrupted time to spend on the writing necessary to update my website or this blog, and to concentrate on entering information on two business websites which now, fortunately, are nearly ready.

All of this time-is-so-short whining that's going on, is so anyone reading, who might feel the same now and then, will know they are not alone. I will also say; this tone of things, though it may be realistic, will certainly not be the usual way, here. Life's too short for it (a well-known singer and songwriter wrote a line about negativity: "...I say life's too long" for it---he has a point), and there is generally some good in the most negative situations, if only to give us empathy when someone else is in dire straits.

So---the sun is shining, always a plus. The air is warmer. The yards have debris from the trees, mainly because of the big ice storm this winter. Still, there is debris every year, no matter how much we rake and straighten things up in the fall. That we can see our messy yards means the snow is gone! We're ready for that, looking forward to spring. We'll work with the good.

2009-03-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog. Obviously, I'll be talking about horses and more---and here's the first example of More! These are Bob's mules.

This mule team was part of a sleigh rally held at a lovely farm in Harrison, Maine. During a break in the action I took at least eight reference photos for future use in my pencil art---and became so caught up in getting good, clear details and at least passable composition that I never noticed what they were doing to pass the time as they stood there. When I reveiwed the photos later, I sure found out. They had created new, funny faces for themselves, a different face for every frame. The photo you see, is the one I worked from. The finished artwork gathered some nice awards in a juried show and in a couple of State fairs. A man and his wife bought it at a summer art show and sent it to their mule-owning friends in Georgia.

I like this expression so well that I'm working on a second drawing. From anything I have read, it's all right to draw a duplicate as long as the purchasers know that this may happen.