::entertaining~entertaining::

this past wednesday evening i had the pleasure of hosting the monthly book club dinner&discuss.  it seems to me that i had stopped entertaining in the last years of being in my old apartment and i didn't know it, but had forgotten what joy and definition it brought to life.  i stopped entertaining mainly because my old place had literally become a studio and because the walls seemed to be closing in so very fast. when i moved i was fortunate to give away and let go of so many things that cluttered my living and working space.  i found in entertaining my friends the other night, that there was beauty again in the things i had decided to keep.  dishes aren't usually something you can do without, obviously.  it just felt nice to have a reason to use them and to appreciate them.  i felt more appreciative of the fact that my guests came, than of what i thought i could offer by entertaining. mainly it just did me some good.  

i also feel, in some respects i had become a little odd.  in the sense that, hanging anything on my walls was something i feared doing.  an absolutely maddening fear of driving in the nail and being so stubborn about it, even after inviting my mother over to help me take the step, hammer and measuring tape in hand.   the fear sounds ridiculous to me.  but it's over for now.  i am not going to hang anything else for a little bit longer.  oh and plus you'd think as an artist i'd have been given a free ticket ability to hang art, not a chance.  the idea(s) are there, the desire is desperate but the skill&love is gone.  

my only cooking mishap of the early evening came when i burnt something i was frying on the oven to a crisp, to a smokey, almost fire alarm sort of crisp.  fans and doors flung open, i started over and won't ever ever try and fry bacon again, probably.  it's not especially a meat i eat and secondly it's just not a cooking or frying me kind of thing. whatever freaky, split second thing happens in a pan, right before the whole of bacon stripes go up in flames, i have no clue, the science is something i'd like to leave in the lab, with a big fire extinguisher.  and yeah, thankfully, for some fortunate reason, no lurking burnt bacon smell in my apartment, no waffle house odor lofting about, just a little garlicky around here.  i am seriously ready for spring, i mean come on, all i want to do is show winter the door.  leave the doors and windows open and not have winter re-invite herself back in for eight months.  

if this has not been the long hard cold winter, i don't know what is, weathermen forecasting flood watches and snowfall, they only wish, chattanooga never sees the likes.  if i'm gonna have to cozy up, i mine as well make more and more art.  hopefully will finish ::telemachos thoughts:: tomorrow.  until then, best weekend wishes to you all.  

::wip::

work in progress.  and a bit adjusted for the sake of keeping some kind of big reveal a secret.  there is just something about exposing the truth, before you're ready.  i am currently working on several new works for an upcoming FACES exhibit.  my guts feel queazy about exposing much too much.  hopefully i will have something complete by the end of the weekend though.  

i am hosting book club this week and will be focusing on dinner prep.  i am going to finally hang things on my walls too.  somehow finishing this piece would be nice before having company.  so i have my deadline.  you'll see it all soon.

::tenderly speaking::

tempting as it might be to forget about trying my hand at something new, i have resisted and will begin a new.  there are more portraits in landscapes to come.  ::tenderly speaking:: is not the first time i have painted a portrait but it is the first in several years.  my forrest has grown and filled a place for a couple of years and i have plans to grow it still, three dimensionally, so to speak, very soon, i hope.  those details have yet to be drawn and stitched together but rather in the works.  in the meantime there is place that i would like to rediscover and build upon here.  there is absolutely no way that anyone can be more critical of my art than myself of it.  there is great relief in knowing there is plenty of room in trying, over and over again.  i have plenty of motivation and enthusiasm at this point.  fresh is better than nothing, not making is possibly the worse.  turns out "tenderly" is not a self portrait, rather a image flashing by like when you faint and there a floating face, a glimpse of someone you know or knew or saw once is there, forever and instantaneously imprinted in my mind.  and so that's it.
i'd rather talk about adding the spice to your valentines day.  i decided to bake a stack of sweetness instead of getting a six pack of beer.  i'll wait.  

and plus i have notice a whole lot going on lately.  and wanted to shout it out, give and share the love.

3191 continues to conquer love, it's rather exciting to see.

there are 1000words of show&tell love. read february's and find a brother's heart for his little sister.  

shelter is now providing home is where the heart is.  immensely wonderful, if i do say so myself.  being that i work for a general contractor and amongst builders and architects, and creative thinkers in general.  i love it!  

and to taste there seems to be a host of delightful treats at bake it pretty.

i am in love with the internet for one, and mostly i love my family and friends.  have a happy valentine's day ya'll.  cupid is calling.  right?

hear with your eyes

do you feel it?

it's in the air.  all around us.  between the cracks and beneath the layers.  it's often loud and often hard to hear.  it's quietly moving in right beneath our noses.  it can be swept under the rug and barely noticed or embraced and reciprocated.  it's the one thing that seems so simple, four little letters that pack a punch. it's surprising and heartbreaking, earth-shattering and mysterious.  it can be a blessing and a curse.  it can be twisted and thwarted, tainted and tempting.  it is the one word we have a "love-hate" relationship with.  we stuff it, we buy it, we hoard it and carry it with us wherever we go.  it makes us angry and turns us upside down and still we hear the beckoning, the invitation, the welcome mat is out, the open sign is on.  it brings us to our knees.  it can be arranged and timed. it can be blind and freeing.  it can change everything.  it's a huge responsibility.  it's not political.  it's what's for dinner, in the stars, a sacrifice.  it's what we wish for, pray for, diet for.  it's under the covers, feeding the homeless, adopting, parenting, creating, and living.  it's all in the details and on the tip of the tongue.  it does not rest.  it will not give up.  do you feel it? 

::spring into step::

i don't know about you but i am thinking and feeling more like spring.  unfortunately, i think we here, still have a ways to go, after all those merryweathermen are calling for snow showers tomorrow.  what? uh?  ought there be some way to urge the warmth back into our hearts and homes?  i would have to say so, no way the frigid temps are going to keep spring from my step.  

between family gatherings, birthdays, late dinners and book club socials, i've found time to finish another little painting, i'm calling 

::to be square::  it took a while because for such a tiny little thing i kept feeling  like there was too much going on and i had to keep loading on the white paint.  i believe i got it and i'm happy with how it turned out.  i'll add it promptly to my etsy shop later on today or tomorrow.  it will cost no less than sixty bucks with no additional shipping and handling. 

  
i stayed up way too late last night to start and complete this sunburst//starburst project.  i was determined and am so thankful.  i'll be working on several more to hang in my large apartment windows.  of course instead of curtains, to replace the snowflakes.  i am so excited about how this turned out.  it was of course not too too easy.  the cones are a little tricky but i found that tacky glue works, dries fast and holds, you know?

i had this other idea to, cover all my my books in this white rice paper that kk1000 gave me like 10 years ago for christmas.  at book club we talked about organization and how we each arrange our books.  i'm not too worried about finding titles or authors, i've read all the books i have and very rarely do i go back to reference.  i end up just letting people borrow but i think it'd be nice to have a white collection of books.  awh!

i also have this pretty large lion painting that is so ridiculously gross, i'm not sure i oughta show it off.  the good news is that it was given to me to paint over.  so that's next on the to paint list.  i'll have a few tiny little canvas squares i think i'm going to devote to paper quilts.  we'll see.  

oh and then there is valentines!  i'm stocked to make my own to send out.  cannot wait!  1st on my list of projects.  yes yes yes!

:have a wonderful unlonely sunday, i'm going to the museum.  it's free today.

::untitled something trees::

ah, a sigh of relief.  yes the kind after holding your breath, after a long winded explanation, after a long silent break.  a sigh that feels like "okay, i've got it, the time has come, the ice has been broken and i might just be back in the swing of things".  no problem.  the table is now where i make my art {thanks jen for the fantastic offer, i might end up taking you up on it at some point} and it worked.  it was comfortable enough.  enough for now.  enough to seek out what has been hidden underneath these wintery grey layers.  and yes, i do keep thinking about the weather and self portraits and the tops of buildings and mountains.  but mostly i want so badly for it to snow in my city and for the snow to sit like dollops on the trees and in drops on the sidewalk.  but there is color inspiration too, the green kind and so amidst the snow there's a little spring mixed with raw earthy dirt stuff.  no more blur.  thank you fine line and indoor plant life again and again thank you.  

::untitled something trees:: is immediately going to find it's place for sale at phantomcrimes.etsy for approximately sixty dollars which includes shipping and handling.  it's small but sweet and such a reminder of new growth.  hopefully, right?  much more in store here, so check back frequently.  i promise i make stuff.  ha!  

hassock collection

hassock image and a terrible awful one at that but, you get the idea.  i like them.  a lot.  and hopefully maybe one day i'll have more than two and one that is red, orange, and perhaps gold.  i won't need them, will just want them.  i'll giveaway something so as not to bulge at the seams.  i am almost through with a new piece of art and will hopefully have it ready to show in a few minutes.  until then well.  have a nice restful sunday.  put your feet up and relax.  

goodbye andrew

most thankful for:

andrew wyeth

green

sunlight

mothership wit

weekends

fine lines

museums

knee socks

indoor plant life

friendship

work

tissue paper

155 safe and sound

mother

fingerless mittens

pebbles

new music

book club

cheez-its

tweezers

southside

rabbit ears

salvation army

afghans

a new day

saving up

there has not been much room lately for blogging.  on the other hand there's been plenty of other activity and a tad more sunlight.  the natural kind.  the kind i like even when the temperatures are freezing frigid.  since the holidays, life has slowed into a pleasant pace and settling in has felt better than making art.  last night i began two new pieces.  i feel like i am saving up the moments, storing up feelings and ideas.  before moving i kept thinking about my new place and what it would be like and now it's here and i live in it.  it is hard to adjust and make a place to create in this new place.  i feel no need to have space outside of my place to create art but it's awkward, trying to figure it out.  i have plenty of space, it's just the trying to coordinate the space in a way that works well for me between the comings and goings and gatherings.  i received an ikea gift card from the guys at the office for christmas, which is so nice, but after perusing online, i'm not so sure, what it is i want to go for.  shelves or tables or rugs or storage or what.  i think i'll figure it out, there's no urgency.  aside from all of this and that.  all is well.  and soon hopefully soon i'll have something new to show for this great pause.   

a little more::to do

i have just a couple more things to get done before i begin making art again. the day after christmas i took a little trip to insyde outsyde with my mom and aunt. my mom found this great little tray cart practically brand new, for only ten bucks. we went to the knitting mills and i found a bright green tiny square hassock too but, i haven't got a good image of it to show. it has come in quite handy, taking down the higher placed christmas decor. i finished writing all of my thank you letters last night and have just a tiny stack of stuff to sort through before i will actually feel like oh nine has begun. for instance; getting a new calendar and address book for one.

the weather has been slightly crumby the last few days. just this dreary overcastness i love only it's been like five days in a row. it happens to be great weather for exercise though, i'm finding out. not too hot, not to cool and a constant fine mist, is just
what the new year ordered. i suppose.

the holidays went by so quickly, i welcomed the rest and relaxation after a more stressful close to the year. i look around and can barely believe i have moved and that i'm making a new home for myself. it has been nice to have the family come up and friends out to break it all in and make it feel a little more comfy home. what else is there to say, as of yet, i'm not up to making any resolutions, at least not until i have a better view of the year via a desk calendar. got any suggestions? it seems to be all that's on my mind lately.

.:merry christmas eve:.

hi people!  just a quicky here.  yesterday i celebrated my 33rd birthday.  i had a full day and for a very brief but delightful moment the sun came out.  i had to jump and get my camera and shoot a few.  the shadows were magnificent.  oh the western sun.  i love it!  as i was leaving to meet my folks for dinner i got stuck in my apartment building elevator.  that's not happened to me before.  i had no idea what i should do.  there is, you know, a fire department button and a 24 hour elevator help line button.  i decided to push the help line button.  i was "rescued" with in 25 minutes or so.  i thought surely i would be in the box for hours.  to make matters just a little worse my cell phone battery was dying quickly and well i wasn't sure if help did not come, i'd have communications with the outside world.  ha!  needless to say i am completely fine.  excellent, really.  just another little adventure.  today i've been wrapping gifts and making secret paper presents for a little niece and nephew.  i'm expecting to get a visitor here in a minute.  a last minute art shopper.  can not believe it!  i'll be back tomorrow most likely.  until then have a very merry christmas eve.  peace and love.

in celebration

if words are not enough or rather i haven't got the vocabulary abilities to describe how a shiny bright cold day can fill and lift my spirits, than i am clearly and utterly without. there is power in the audible, a worship of sound and light that can be so. i am so impatient and cannot believe how little weight i feel. the roads are bumpy and i despise the potholes and have to negotiate with rainy grey days but the darker and deeper and harder they are the more glittery, eye splitting a day like this one is. uh-uh! i press on. to celebrate the beginning. the hope. i want to paint today. probably will break it all out, all at once.

last evening, we celebrated my "33". oh and if you can only imagine. everything is about to change and the more the better. i love my new music. i love my clementines and "S" cookies. i love the warmest socks and the quiet of my new apartment. i love finding what lies beneath and turning itself over in my head. today it all feels good. to throw off the old ways. i'd rather dance. i love a good vacation. and a good internal celebration of all the crazy external feels good. there is room here for you. celebrate with me.

sunny yellow::rain

we've been having rain and more rain and today even more. it seems to feel a little like spring outdoors, warm enough to turn off the hvac and open doors and windows. while i was able to bake some cookies this morning, just wrapped them up, i started to think about how much a great big snow would just make this holiday. i'd love it. i have been trying to imagine seeing the city under a blanket of white. hope for it, cross my fingers and wish. also on the inside i couldn't decide if i'd display my sunny yellow eggcup collection again or not. silly i think to have such a collection when i do not even eat eggs out of cups or ever (unless baked into goodies). i'm glad to have just a small out of the way nook to place this old little corner shelf, it's something i just cannot seem to get rid of. most of the cups came from a big antique store a little outside of chattanooga. others came from ebay. most of them seem old with beaks chipped. on another rainy day a corner like this is a much needed bright spot.

ready for

i am close to feeling ready, finished and more at home. all but a few boxes have been unpacked and things are close to being in their places. it is hard to say because i have no plans to hang any thing on the walls quite yet and i plan to repack things according to usage after the holidays. i think i feel ready enough to have company, regardless of how my to do and to get lists grow. i am enjoying the minimal and am finding i really did get rid of a whole lot of useless, needless stuff. it's going to be complicated when i try and start back to making art. but i have time. i am looking at going back to work at the pharmacy. so far i have not been able to get anyone to hire but i plan to call the dm. i am sold on my new place, especially on the view. it's terribly ridiculous of me to take the same photos everyday but i think i am addicted. though i'm still smoking, there's not a bit of smoking going on on the inside of my new treehouse. so yeah. i'm really tired and never got around to making cookies this week but it's going to happen. and crazy me, i've not done a lick of christmas shopping. it's gonna have to wait until the weekend. goodness.

winter is for...

knee socks worn with flip flops. new ornaments. handmade ornaments. store bought ornaments or more finely handcrafted ornaments. winter is for the chill and for great big cold gasps of air. winter is for cozy and for piles of blankets on the bed. winter is for pinching pennies in order to snap up the best little gifts for family and friends. winter is for reading more, listening to music more, lighting advent and remembering. winter is for cookies and lots of them. winter is for non traditional wrapping, which might be at least my second to favorite thing to do this time of the year.

maybe i'm a little biased about winter, or at least december. it is after all my month and so it seems winter runs in my blood. does that seem right?

corner creep

i will have to space out the scenery, scope out the fine lines and take less from the city.  but when there is a corner that seems as creepy it happens to be difficult not to focus and imagine it's possible inhabitants. and in fact the move has been halted, only because i want the bookshelves in place before i go and decor the "flat".  and a stud finder before i go and nail the walls.  my brothers, and there are two of them, came over to help me welcome this new place into my life.  one brother, a contractor and the other brother, a writer.  we stood on my balcony//deck and looked and talked briefly about building details and readymade magazine writing.  i would like to spend my evening writing letters, updating folks on my new mailing address but i do not think the usps has decided the number.  i think it must be pretty difficult.  the drug dealer on the creepy corner and the church next door and the weird warehouse across the street, they have their place.  i am just here looking and talking about this place and will let you know as soon as i feel at home.  believe me, i am not scared.  the storm last night only made me wake up once and i am not smoking inside so this morning, i met with the rain, thunder and lighting.  when i know more i'll write more.  

p.s.  i received my copy of 'creative paper quilts' last week.  i can finally say without an ounce of doubt that i have been published.  after a year's worth of work and waiting it was difficult not to begin to believe the worse but the book is nice and i think having my art on the cover is something to shout about!!!     

free radicals

i like light for all of the million and one ways it is captured and moved and used.  the instant light is born from the darkness, feelings emerge along lines that change as the sun rises to set and the moon turns it's face.  natural light is intense and filters well through the lens.  artificial light often glows, blurs and frays, especially at night.  light is obvious and so meaningful to me.  good lighting makes or breaks an atmosphere, the environment has seriously got to be just right.  light lifts the burden of having to see in the dark, it reveals the darkest corners and seeps from underneath doors.  it warms and cools simultaneously.  serves me well. so well i like light and like the color that light gives.  it's so worth everything to me to see light and to understand it scientifically.  i am especially thankful for the good christmas party lighting this weekend.  it turns out that i am fairly addicted to light, it is not a silly thing, but light can make me what to cry sometimes.  just maybe that's the reason i love the city, the lights at night, awh!  a city's beauty is often seen at night.  oh boy! 

502 & hello

all of my life i have dreamt of living in the city. i have found that the city breathes and murmurs and whispers just like the country, only there are different rhythms, beats, smells and secrets. i am accustomed to these things and take small comfort in all the city parts. including the new view. this early morning i saw the city in a different light, from a new perspective. it is telling me something only and maybe (when i have time, unpack and get better at it) i can repeat by taking photos, sharing the mystery, if that's what you want to call it. i am so ready for this. i am ready for the balcony and the westward sunset. i'm saying goodbye once and for all to my northern view and saying hello to the west. there are mountains behind the city that i've never seen before and it is all so very welcoming. there are mounds of reasons to move to the city, i'm so glad i found my reason, so thankful i have a heart for the city. i am happy!

Art Sale::50% Off All!!!

Today is the day! All of of my art work will go on sale at 50% off in my etsy shop at 1:00 p.m. EST. If you have specific questions about art work or are interested in commission work please feel free to contact me. All orders made with in the United States before December 15, 2008 will be shipped before December 25, 2008. If you live locally, alternative delivery options may be available.

I want to thank you all for coming out yesterday to Holiday in St. Elmo. Even though it was cold and rainy we had a blast! Your support and encouragement is appreciated and motivating. I will be taking a break over the holiday season from making art. I am moving next weekend so that leaves art supplies to be unpacked at my earliest convenience.

Happy Shopping Folks! See you at Phantomcrimes!