Research at the mall

I hate the mall. I don't have anything against it particular- I just loathe shopping. I am also not a very "fluffy" lacy girlie person. So, I am off to the mall to look at lace and frou frou.

(Frou Frou always makes me laugh. Sounds so silly- and is also the name of a rather randy, rude magazine at the turn of the last century >:D)

Catching up with the new painting- I'll not show all the steps- too tedious. I'll post again when it is completed.

KB

Finished (part 1)

This canvas is finished for now. Like most things with me, I'll need to sleep on it for a day or two (or ten) and then look at it with fresh eyes. I've already started the next one, though. It also features one of these rounded doorways. They are quite deep sometimes, as I recall. The doorways I mean. Brings to mind the words of the original hippie, William Blake:

"If the doors of perception were cleansed
everything would appears to man as it is, infinite"

Thanks to The Doors, most have heard of that line. The next clarifies:

"For man has closed himself up, till he sees
all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern."

Here's to looking at the answers in plain view!

KB

Getting there

Painted for several more hours today- it is getting there. I hope to finish by Monday -and start the next one.

Y'know how sometimes you need a vacation from a vacation. I'm feeling this. I can't remember working this hard OR getting this much done!

KB

Two Days Closer

Two more days of working on the St. Paul painting. Getting closer, but still not done. Too HOT to be outside any later today- will start earlier tomorrow.

Time is Flying!

It is tough to find time to read everything on my wish list. I cut TV out about 25 years ago and watch less than an hour a week. Still, its a challenge. I've been reading a lot these past 5 or 6 weeks- about a book and a half a week. Right now I'm reading a great book: The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles by Martin Gayford. If you have loads of time, I'd recommend reading Letters to Theo first, but it is awesome.

I LOVED Arles. It is a dinky little OLD Roman town in the south of France, but there is something magical about the light and the atmosphere. Ah yes, and the site of the painting I'm working on is in the same region. Interesting connection.

I can't believe midterm grades were due yesterday. Time is flying for me! Books, Paintings, Writings, Exhibitions and Lectures, and the book illustrations. My mind swirls with ideas and information.

I miss AiCh- coworkers, students, creative energy. It'll be good to go back.

Acting on that idea

On July 19th, I dreamed of interpreting some photographs I took years ago in the south of France. This is the first day in a couple of weeks that isn't obscenely hot (I prefer to paint outside) so I have returned to the canvas I started. I remember the spot vividly- St. Paul de Vence.

I have a long way to go, but already know which scene I want to paint next. Nice.

Seems like a dream instead of a memory. Next week it will be my 21st wedding anniversary. Fitting to be painting this- I met him on that same trip over 23 years ago :)

KB

(BTW, it isn't huge.: 3' x 4')

Laura Ingalls I ain't

I took the girls to a presentation at the James K. Polk birthplace. "Threading the Story: The Form and Function of Spinning and Weaving". Very interesting- I hope to look into spinning lessons this week. The whole process from plant to clothing is really something.

Just outside this photo: a cell phone and a bottle of water. Laura Ingalls I ain't :)

Be careful?

Attended a lecture in Spencer NC at the Transportation Museum today. "Moving into the Carolina Backcountry: Colonial Era Transportation in the Carolinas and Virginia 1585-1785" by military historian Tom Magnuson. It was GREAT. I have spent many hours hiking and generally walking in woods. He opened my eyes to so many things one might think I would have noticed before (but didn't). He touched on politics, economies, laws, changes in technology, evidence left, etc. I feel full of new information and ideas. Nice.

(Gotta love that the NC Transporation Museum welcomes you with a great big BE CAREFUL)

Sculpture Exhibit fan

Salisbury, NC is hosting a sculpture exhibition all around town. I highly recommend it! Here are some of my favorites. If you can't get to Salisbury, you can see them through the link -but my shots are better >:)

http://www.visitsalisburync.com/things-to-do/artworks-galleries/salisbury-sculpture/default.aspx

Many are just so playful! Be certain to at least look at Doug Makemson's Bear. It is in front of the Farmer's Market. Love the "No Pets" sign behind it!

KB

(I think it is okay to post my images since they are outside and I'm not making any money on this.)

Tears for a guard and Hans Hofmann

This week, I went to Weatherspoon Art Museum for an Andy Warhol exhibition of polaroids (good), and an Andrew Mesches show (very emotional and interesting).

The other show was the real draw: Hans Hofmann. Two large rooms of his paintings- including some preliminary drawings and studies. AMAZING!!! He produced 50 paintings that year. FIFTY. Even with my trips for exhibitions and lectures, my book illustrations (which are kicking my butt!), my paintings and writings, I'm feeling a bit inadequate.

Hofmann's work is passionate and layered. Expressive and immediate. Lyrical. I actually shed a few tears. The guard kind of laughed at me and said there had been a man in the other day who reacted the same way. Then, he quietly asked me to explain what it was I saw that he was missing. His words are still ringing in my ears.

Tonight, I'm filled with gratitude. For those of us who taste color, feel music, hear lines and shapes, etc. we are truly, truly blessed.

K

Reference

My reluctant model (unpaid hostage/daughter) has agreed to let me post a couple of vague reference shots . . .

No sense of timing

Dropped off my younger daughter at day camp early this morning and sat down to sketch for 30 minutes or so. Four hours later, I realize I ran over a little. Errands will have to be postponed- this is too much fun.

Don't you love it when time and space allow you to get carried away?