of stamps, stencils, & new starts

One of the things I talked with many people about during the recent open studio weekends was my use of pattern in my paintings, and I would show them these stamps, like linoleum blocks, or woodcuts, but which I actually carved from rubber.

Lots of people asked about stencils, which I haven't actually used much in the past, but I found some cool ones this week, & decided to give them a whirl.

I also found this great fabric (hmmm, a certain similarity?)
and see the backside? I bet these will be appearing in a painting soon... stay tuned.

I started a painting last night, really mostly to try out my new stencil.
I feel like the effect is sort of like a 70's style flocked wallpaper. I'm also not sure about those background shapes (which Tony's calling 'lava lamps'). We'll see. I think it has what my design blogs might call a 'mid-century modern' look about it. And I feel it turning into a diptych (ie: second panel is coming) already...

Other People Painting Beauty

Yesterday we sort of spontaneously jetted down to SF for a load of inspiration (more on what we saw to come.) Actually, having not actively painted for several weeks now, we're both feeling pretty inspired & eager to get back to it.
One of the most memorable scenes we saw yesterday, though, was before we even left Graton. Up at the corner of 116, four landscape painters were set up in the apple trees at the edge of the vineyard (click to enlarge image). A warm October breeze was blowing, and the light was magic. Tony had a hard time getting me back in the car & agreeing to continue to the city.
Anyway, I grabbed my little camera, and it turned out two of the painters were people I knew, Paula & Erica, & everyone was doing beautiful work! (That's Erica on the left in the first photo, the second image is Paula Smith's painting on her easel, and third a pastel-ist, whose name I do not know!)

Visit Tony's Blog!

Yep, we're still re-grouping here after crazy-busy weekends, but Tony blogged in earnest last night, so catch his re-cap over at Trout Salad.
It's one of my big teaching days, so... more soon!

some ArTrails 'action' shots, and more

Thank-you to everyone who came out for our first weekend of ArTrails!
If you couldn't make it, here's what was on the walls:










Tony builds his strength with some cereal before it all begins.

framed!

ArTrails is imminent! The first guests-- have arrived already. (okay, they were unofficial) Less than twelve hours.
Last night Tony framed these, my two latest works. I'm pleased with the overall results!
Here's a detail so you can see how well the frame works with the flourishes in the collage background! (click to enlarge)



And here's how they look hanging in the studio. ( many more photos will be coming soon!)







Stripes, and stripes. (All of these gourds
grew as volunteers-- we've never planted a one on purpose!)




This years ArTrails will feature many of my 'stripe' series paintings.

hummingbird piece progresses

The book above is my reference for my hummingbird-- I'm impressed by how this artist conveyed the blur of motion in the wings. Both Tony & I have used this book for bird/animal reference.

Willowwood Show is up...

The Willowwood is this great little cafe, two blocks walk from our door.
When Tony and I first moved to Graton, we put up a show there as a sort of 'introduction to the neighborhood' (which led to our being asked to join up with the Graton Gallery, which ultimately led to Arches Gallery-- but I digress.) Anyways, they recently did a big interior re-model-- the spirit and feel of the place is the same-- but nicer! And it seemed like it might be time to show there again. There have been two excellent shows since the remodel: Victoria Wagner (my former studio-mate at the Atelier!), and Laura Hoffman (You can visit Laura at ArTrails too!) Tough acts to follow.
The work hanging is not my 100% most recent; after ArTrails, I'll probably do some moving around and swapping.
visit Willowwood Market & Cafe for menus, info & more!
(See my fancy new "imbedded' links? Just learned that!)

Incidentally, if you're touring fine dining establishments of West Sonoma County-- have you been to Mosaic in Forestville? They've done a gorgeous job of re-making the previous "Chez Marie" into something beautiful as well; also featuring my work just now! (mostly framed prints).




















(The bottom photo is not one of my paintings, but Tony's "Lucky Girl", which was bought by the WillowWood at last year's ArTrails.)

Patrick Scott sculptures

Remember this? The sculpture with neon that has been gracing our front yard since Art-at-the-Source in early June?. Alas, it is there no more.
You can however, go to visit it on the coming weekends, (during ArTrails) at Patrick's Open Studio, and for a certain price, it could go home with *you*, and live in *your* front yard...
See links at right for Patrick's website, and ArTrails site for maps & more.
Oct 14 & 15, 21 & 22.

inching towards completion

...three of the collages on my french postcard-album pages.
I'm thinking that this may be the series I make small giclee prints from this year...

other people's art blogs

Oh, it's a big, big world out there, and it's filled with people painting, and now, blogging.
Painting more, alas, than you or I . Doing a painting every day.
Remember a while back, I posted some links to Painting-a-Day blog sites? Well, here's the motherlode, a compendium. And still, probably, the tip of the iceberg. It's a mixed bag, granted, of skill levels & styles. Link from there to your favorites...

Daily Painters Blog

Here's a good one:

Alla Prima Painting

(I like his progress shots, and seeing the still-life subjects together with the painting...) And the same guy, his blog for his drawings & watercolor sketches, which I *really* like:

Freehand

And finally:

Paris Breakfasts

...in watercolor, by Carol Gillot. Just go there.
As always, scroll through the archives for so much more.

The Place to be This Friday

Help us to celebrate the end of an era, and the beginning of another, also filled with exciting art, we trust, as Arches Gallery celebrates their final show before turning over to new owners. October 6, 5-8pm.

For more details, and pics! (mine is the panoramic landscape-- 3 x 10 feet) click here:

Arches Gallery Show Announcement

For your veiwing pleasure...

...a short film about the sometimes obsessive nature of creativity...
and knitting!

The Last Knit

by way of Lolo of SpewingForthArt, & YouTube