Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Arm wrestling myself: the long-term wounds and incredible rewards of self-doubt

Finished a painting today. The strokes just 'worked', and it just came together.. but that's not always the case.

When a painting 'works', you take a step back and try to figure out why, so you can apply whatever the 'magic formula' is next time. When it doesn't work, it makes it all the harder to start the next one. --in fact, it becomes tedious work.

You toggle back and forth wondering whether you had too much self confidence at the start and took the process for granted. Then, I like to blame things that really don't have any affect on the end result-- like whatever crap music Ralph's playing. Because, you know, crap music can ruin a painting.

So, following this line of thought, the formula's the answer. John Lennon had the formula. Babe Ruth had the formula. I just need to get the formula.

But that's not it either. IF there was a formula, it would compromise the discovery and growth, and the whole process would become mundane. That's when a creative process becomes a factory product.

It's a juggling act. If it was all struggle, I'd give up and go get an office job. If it was all ease, well, then I'd get bored and go get an office job.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

New Innovation (Let the Bad Times Roll)

Not trying to paint rosy (that wasn't a painting pun) the recession and bad economy, and I'm certainly not a 'silver lining' kinda gal. But where did all these cupcake places come from?

Lots of them. And they're all up'ing the bar. GREAT cupcakes. I didn't see a cupcake 'specialty shop' 5 yrs ago.

The 'cupcake phenomena' isn't an isolated incident. It's a larger trend of people getting creative and coming up with great ideas to keep things in forward motion despite our economy standing still.
These are the people causing innovative positive change, not waiting for *things* to change.

Here in Orlando, we have great alternative art spaces thanks to curators who show art, no matter what. Frankie Messina, Michael McGrath, Steve Parker, Tre Harris --they MAKE successful art shows- with or without a gallery. Charity benefits and auctions in empty real estate open houses, craft fairs in parking lots.. so why would someone with a long-standing radio career rely on the radio to continue to do what they do best? They wouldn't.

JB WeBB is the newest innovator we've been fortunate enough to work with. Thanks to creative people like him, we all continue to move forward.


Sunday, October 3, 2010

Wine, Art, & Amway series painting auction

The Amway Center's hectic running came to a close with the Grand Opening and festivities.

Several of my pieces from the Amway series are now on display and for sale at Tastings Wine Bar in downtown Orlando, and one painting is being silent auctioned throughout the month of October to benefit the North/Central Florida Alzheimer's Association.

If you haven't been to Tastings, they have an *incredible* selection of great wine, and a beautiful atmosphere, outdoor balcony with a view of Lake Eola, and great appetizer's as well. I couldn't say that without sampling first, of course.

Visit their website: www.orlandotastings.com for Happy Hour details, specials, and a menu preview. Then head out there for a great evening and to bid on an original Amway series painting.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

OK: Let's Go!

Delivered the Amway Center abstracts yesterday. (Yay!)

That being behind me, I can shift gears and focus on several up-coming shows: Next in line is this Saturday night --I'll be live painting at Tastings downtown on the corner of Washington and Magnolia-- it'll be visible from the street, and the venue has a nice crowd-- along with some great wines!!

We were there recently and had a great recommendation from the server. --not a "this has been around a while and we can't sell it-- I think you'll like it" recommendation but a *REAL* "based on your preferences, I think you'd enjoy this" recommendation, and he was ace-on. So we found a new place to actually discover new wines without the guess work.



I'll be showing a couple of my new abstracts from the Magic series as well. You should stop by!!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Amway Center's gonna look all purdy.


I just received word yesterday that my work's been selected for the new Amway Arena. All abstracts.

What else is new? I thought you'd never ask!

New show hanging at Dexter's in Thornton Park tomorrow. Next month is my solo show at Ichiban's downtown.

Our show at Taste! in College Park is taking a break for a few days, and will have a makeover with new pieces next week.

Small appearances: Ralph and I have a couple pieces showing at the Fringe Festival this year, and we still have work at Neu America Gallery downtown, Dandelion, Florida Museum of Art, and Pom's.

So yah, I've been sitting around doing nothing.

'cept this:

Monday, March 29, 2010

New pieces on Zatista!

I have another outlet. I gave Zatista.com a try, and have been very pleased with both the sales I've received and the support from the staff. Please add them to your favorites-- they have some great art on there and have a lot of nice tools!

One of my new pieces available on Zatista.com:

Friday, March 19, 2010

Orlando Arts Magazine


In the March-April issue

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Virginia Woolf selected for exhibition


I just received word my Virginia Woolf portrait has been selected for the Florida Biennial V exhibit at the Florida Museum of Art. The reception will be April 9 from 5-7pm. Yay!!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Thanks Mr. Garibaldi!



Artist David Garibaldi purchased one of my paintings from the last City Arts Factory show, then was nice enough to post about it. Click for more...

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Kurt.

Ralph and I are in re-stock mode, and motivated as ever. Our pieces at City Arts Factory come down this week, but we just hung new stuff in the side gallery at Taste! in College Park-- I added about 10 new music portraits. We're in talks for a new show (details once I get them), and have a few pieces going up at PomPoms downtown for a February show, including a new co/lab. Also, the gallery in Sanford is hosting a 100 paintings for $100 show we'll both be in that I'm really psyched about.

And we've been painting.