Friday, March 12, 2010
New Horse & Dog Art In Progress. The Middle Grade Novel is Nearly Done
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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 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?
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Maine Illustrators Collective
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Positivity and the Maine Illustrators Collective
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.
"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.
Friday, October 30, 2009
New! A re-imagined classic book cover illustration!
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!
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!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Equine Art, Fryeburg Fair, and Writing
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.
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.
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