Saturday, September 30, 2006

OCTOBER 2001


These are two versions of a view down a neighboring street. The first with the yellow tree was done in 2001- the orange tree was done over the top last year when I just wanted to loosen it up and see if I could make it stronger. Don't know if I achieved that but it was fun to do. Sorry the photos aren't better.

riding the dragon

I've been reading a small book by Robert J. Wicks called riding the dragon- 10 lessons for inner strength in challenging times.

Here's a quote:

Any occurence that moves us out of taking this life for granted is a gift. Dramatic things do this. So, adolesence, male and female menopause, even trauma, bring possibility with the pain. The question is whether we will listen to and take advantage of these periods of imbalance. Few people do. Just look around. If all suffering led to wisdom and insight without any effort or strength, we would be surrounded by a sea of saints.

There needs to be a sense of faithfulness to the spiritual journey no matter what we are facing...

AMEN to that!


Wednesday, September 27, 2006

LITTLE LANDSCAPES
















These are a few of a series of little landscapes I've been working on (#9, #15 and #18- all sold). I've really been enjoying the immediacy of working on small canvases. I've got another group primed and waiting for the sketches and the paint.... stay tuned! Some people have told me they remind them of my dad's paintings and they do have that kind of vibe. I posted some of my favorites of his on August 6, 2006.

Monday, September 25, 2006

SUNFLOWERS



This is a painting I did last week, 16x20" acrylic on board. I heard that vanGogh loved sunflowers and named each one as he picked them for his still lifes! It was a lot of fun to paint these, but I didn't name a single one.

It was fun to paint these because I was talking to my friend Vee at the time and my hand was on automatic pilot.

Friday, September 22, 2006

RED TREES




Lord, it is time. The summer was very big. Lay thy shadow on the sundials, and on the meadows let the winds go loose. Command the last fruits that they shall be full; give them another two more southerly days, press them on to fulfillment and drive the last sweetness into the heavenly wine.
- Rainer Maria Rilke

I borrowed this quote from Jan Blencowe who has a painting a day website
http://www.janblencowe.blogspot.com/

This is an 11x14" painting that I painted last year at the height of fall color. It's in the collection of my neice Sara.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

FALL ON THE RED CEDAR

This is a 2001 painting from the Michigan State Campus, from when our daughter was just starting college there. There were lovely days of visiting her there and walking on that beautiful campus.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

quotes

I gleaned these quotes today from the Robert Genn letter. If you've never been to the painter's keys, click on the icon on the right side of the screen. He does a twice weekly newsletter that is inspiring.

Dr. Michael Beckwith of the International Spiritual Center: "We are on the planet to wrap our consciousness around the divine treasure within each of us." This implies individual empowerment, responsibility, and the need to be the best we can.

"There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew." (Marshall McLuhan)

Monday, September 18, 2006

LOWELL CORNER


I don't think I've posted this one before. This was painted in October 2005 after a week of driving out to the Franciscan Center for a workshop. The colors aren't this vivid yet this year, but the leaves are changing and there's a snap to the air.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

SEEKING THE TRUTH

This piece didn't go to the gallery. It's hanging my living room. It really speaks to me. It reflects the density and complexity of life which really boggles my mind. Right now I call it seeking the truth, but it could also be which way is the truth? It purposely has no imagery from any faith. The symbols are the knots and the puzzle pieces and the transcendence of time indicated by the grids. What a tangled web this life is!

It was amazing to be among the people gathered yesterday for the interfaith dialogue conference: Art Meeting the Sacred at the Eyekons Gallery. There were remarkable speakers and it was an amazing gathering of spiritually minded people even though we all held different beliefs ~ all pursuing the truth as it's revealed to us through varying venues. My own path is Christianity, but I respect the faithful people who I met this weekend from a myriad of belief systems. Fascinating artists too. The walls were so deliberately designed with amazing work. It was a delight.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

DEVOTION

I sent this image to a friend and since she had just been reading the Magnificat she said that it made her think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She also referred to the people in the upper left as being in a communion circle. Interesting!

The people in my work are: witnesses, the faithful, those who have gone before, disciples, congregations, ancestors or just a mob of folks who jump onto the paper. I love hearing what others see in my work, because often it's a much more profound interpretation than what I'd intended!

This veiled woman has made a number of appearances lately. In Prayer for Beirut she looked like a woman in a burkah. In Morphing Composition, she looked like a nun. How else will she manifest herself. Stay tuned!

This image is framed and hanging in a show at the Eyekons Gallery, 210 East Fulton in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The show is Art Meeting the Sacred and the opening is tomorrow Sept 15 from 5-10pm. It's in conjunction with a conference of interfaith dialogue with artists from many faith traditions. Should be interesting.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

ARISE AND SHINE

Ah, the complexities of life.
Heres' a great quote by Mary Jean Irion and gleaned from Robert Genn's Painter's Keys In Praise of Days:
Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you, before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so. One day I shall dig my fingers into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch my self taut, or raise my hands to the sky, and want all the more for your return.
Mary Jean Irion

Let's get out there and live life to the fullest, people!!!

Saturday, September 09, 2006

A COUPLE SUMMER STILL LIFE PHOTOS

A couple from the archives.

too busy to blog!

Heavens- I haven't had much time to write or post! Still no pictures... maybe tomorrow. I've been busy getting artwork ready to be framed and shown. I also sold a few.

The workshop I attended last week was wonderful- Linda Baker is a great instructor and a there was a wonderful group of artists. Driving an hour each way through construction wasn't the most enjoyable, but it made me appreciate my usual lack of a commute!

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

on the horizon

The 10 days we were up at Camp Tosebo (www.tosebo.com) I did new work that I haven't been able to photograph or download and I can't do it now- I'm off taking a three day workshop with Linda Baker in Grand Haven this week. More exciting stuff!!

Also, the Eyekons Gallery in Grand Rapids will be showing my work (www.eyekons.com) !! This is an honor and an exciting development.