New One!

This is an acrylic on illustration board with gel medium for some added omph! Lots of layers and glazes. I got a little glare, but you can still get the picture! Ha!

Who Nude ?!?

I love drawing classes. I love all art classes...but my most memorable was the first time I was ever in a class with a nude model. I was 18 and in school at West Virginia University... (go Mountaineers!)...

Of course, our instructor was always surprising us with different ways of approaching drawing, like the time we all had to stand and do a sort of chant thingy (I think it was supposed to open us up to the universe or something like that) and then she would say draw and we all would sit and draw whatever we would feel at that moment. Well, the one day I was a little late, we had an unexpected surprise! A male nude model. So, I come waltzing in and everyone is staring at me to see my reaction...me, totally clueless. I was just looking for a seat and table to crash at and when I looked up there was this totally naked guy facing me. I think I went totally white before every shade of red set in...

I immediately looked away and fumbled for my sketch pad and supplies, while my gal pal secretly laughed her ass off from across the room. I have never had a more uncomfortable day, this guy was some sort of yoga master and some of his positions were just way much more than I care to describe, who knew the body could contort to such positions! But, the best one was when he stood on his head... and gravity naturally took over...need I say more. And this guy kept facing me! This was a 4 hour class with breaks. And he could hold those positions forever. Actually, quite the feat!

But the most hilarious part was whenever we took breaks, he would put on his robe...loosely...and he would seek me out to have a conversation with. And all I could picture was the head stand...

School Daze Memories...I had many classes over the years with nude models and loved those classes. The human body is a masterpiece and every one is interesting...all shape, form, shadow, and light. It is a beautiful object to study, be it in clay, plaster, canvas, or paper. But I will always have fond memories of that first class. And smile!

Is There A Doctor in the House???

Seriously...I took one hell of a tumble earlier...too much to do and not looking where I was going. Too many irons in the fire (ouch), too much on my plate (Geez, I am stuffed)...you get the idea!

My tiny home is also my studio...I have easels and canvases, sculptures...supplies all over. You can tell an artist lives here. But I have the coolest antique and primitive furnishings to house all this "artist stuff." Oh sorry, off track, I think it is the head injury I received....
Yeah, I was going along with some "artist stuff" in hand and next thing I knew.. I went down...on my hardwood floor ( they don't call them hard for nothin'), everything flew out of my hands and scattered. I was too stunned to cry...I tripped over a cord...leave it to me!

I have assessed my injuries...and they are growing and changing colors as I write...left big tootsie, left elbow and left side of my aching head! Now for the right side..knee cap is more like a ball than a cap, left forearm and yes my left butt cheek...I am seriously thinking about planting my ass in a huge bowl of ice...I can barely sit...

Look What I Found!

This is a Dancing Ladies vase with lid that I sculpted/recreated while working for Fenton Art Glass. The original iron mould was lost during the war and I had to reproduce it and only had some vases in the museum to look at. This view displays one side, the other had another woman but in a different pose. This piece had to have some areas made from plaster that was turned on a lathe and then carved with a knife and various tools. The ladies I sculpted in relief using clay. I loved working in plaster and clay. Maybe I should try woodworking?

Letting Loose!

Some more of my abstract work...The second image is a close-up. I love the texture. This is painted on illustration board with acrylics, gel medium, and a paste medium. I added some gold paint for no reason at all! I just like it.

I haven't titled this one, yet. Usually a name just hits me, but I think my brain took off to Mexico or some other exotic place without me!

57 Varieties and Counting...

"To do a common thing,

uncommonly well,

brings success."

- Henry John Heinz

Heinz is located in Pittsburgh, PA, my old stomping ground. I grew up an hour from there in WV. I lived in Pgh while attending art school and after...when I worked at the second largest advertising agency in town. One of our clients was IRON CITY BEER, and I loved being part of the team...the Steelers were used in their advertisements...what a dream! I moved to Seattle for several years, but moved back to the Steel City and bought my first house there. I miss it sooo much. I can't wait for football season....

like a Rolling Stone...

"The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it,

but I don't want to be its prisoner either."

-- Mick Jagger

Happy Birthday, Mick! He still has it, if you have never been to one of their shows, you definitely are missing out. What a group of talent and Mick has the energy of a teenager. I would love to go "Dancin' In The Street" with him any day!

you're not "THE BOSS" of me...

Oh I wish...he could be my boss any day...

Oh...sorry, a little distracted...

anyhoo! I am upset...

yeah, I have been a fan and avid concert goer since "Greetings From Asbury Park" and his Rosalita days...and before Bruce got "goodlookin"..oh yeah! Oh yes, you old fans know the transformation...

God, how I loved to listen to the E Street Band and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes!!!

Oh, sorry I got off track again...I am upset with Bruce these days. He always asks for donations to the local food banks...geez that would be great if we had money left over after paying out of our asses for these concert tickets! I can not afford to see this concert tour and am totally upset with the Boss, who has money to burn. I would have to go at least one month without groceries to afford a concert ticket...he needs to get in touch with reality and help us ordinary folks out who are out of jobs and still wanting to enjoy some great music that we supported all our adult lives.

By the way, my 84 yr. old Italian Momma is one of his biggest fans, I have taken her to 3 of his concerts! Now, this year we can only afford to listen to the CD.

EYE-YiaH-YiaHHhh

Been playing with my digital camera more... I love this pic I took of myself..I was trying for a self portrait series and thought I would show just pieces of me. I made the image more electric with Photoshop. I have really green eyes with gold flecks that surround the pupils, it shows up nicely here. My lashes look a bit funky, though! Maybe I should have put on my make-up!

My Sun is in Leo

If you feel like your potential and powerful personality are ready to blaze forth, it may be because the Sun is in Leo. Master astrologer Jeff Jawer says Sun in Leo is "a time to shine. It’s like a spark that ignites the fire of your enthusiasm, your untapped creativity and potential. Once you access these qualities ... you open the door to your personal greatness."

Hey, I'll go with that! This was part of my astrological reading for today! I have so many projects just waiting for me. I like to work on more than one piece at a time. It is better time management...while waiting for one to dry, I can move to another. And it keeps me fresh. I get away from a piece and come back to it with new eyes!