Hidden In The Hills Studio Tour

Being a member of an open studio group I rarely get to "do the tour." While staying for a week near Phoenix I lucked out as the Local Studio tour (Sonoran Arts League) was going on. This is no small potatoes tour. 178 artists showing in 44 studios. I was able to visit 10 of the venues today which includes 39 artists. Each home studio was very large with the gallery being most of the home. Various tents were utilized in the yards for additional artists. Signs directing people to studios and parking were abundant, greeters with maps, refreshments, demos. Etc. it was amazing. Now I have to go see the other 30!

Found objects all given to me in October 2015

This interesting assortment is from my sister Leslie. There's even a dead wasp! Love the old photo. This all went in my suitcase and one of the glitters opened up on all my clothes. Looked like I was a fairy. 

This package arrived in the mail from my sister Selina. Lots of goodies in here! 

Used canvas and frames from my sister Dana, luckily I brought the big suitcase. 

These were given to me at my open studio event by Laurie Barrera. Thank you!

The Evolution of an Abstract Painting

This all started because I have some friends that are married to each other that have different tastes in art. We sat down one day and she told me what things they have in common in their art preferences and who were some artists that they liked their work.  I took it upon myself to try to create the perfect piece that they would both like based on her description. This was not a commission just a challenge to myself. 

Then I didn't think much else about it until I was cleaning out my storeroom and came upon this print on hardboard that I no longer had room for. I measured it and found it was the exact size that IF they purchased a piece of art it would be this size. 

So as my whole premise of making art is to use up things destined for the landfill and turn them into new treasures. I thought this would be the perfect substrate. 

First I gessoed the whole board. Then added pages from an old engineering textbook to give it some interest and depth. Added some bright colors over that. 

Then took gesso and some muted colors and knocked back the intensity. 

Started adding some more interest with joss papers and stenciled dots. 

More layers with white fluffy cloud like shapes. Some liquid acrylics that I let drip. 

Added back in some brighter colors. 

This is a very different kind of painting than I am used to painting. It's always hard to know when you are finished but with an abstract I think it's even harder to know. After many layers. I just sat with it like this for a week or two and was satisfied so I called it done and painted a layer of matte medium over it. I named it Heaven and Earth as that is what it reminds me of. I have entered this in a fundraiser for The Women's and Children's Alliance. The theme was Metamorphosis and I thought this fit perfectly. My friend that inspired this experiment has no idea I even painted this. Can't wait to see what they think. But my ego is not hanging on that as I know I like it and it gave me a new piece for the fundraiser. 

Cuisine Art

A is for Apples
Encaustic/Found Object 

The Treasure Valley Artist Alliance recently put out their call to artists for their next show, 

"Cuisine Art." Artists can enter up to 3 pieces and usually one is chosen, 

this time I had all 3 accepted! 

C is for Cherry Chocolate Cake
Collage/Mixed Media/Found Object

 Opening Reception

This Friday November 6 from 5-8 pm 

Boise State Public Radio 220 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

C is for Carrot
Found Object/collage/mixed media

If you can't make it Friday, you will have plenty of opportunities 

as the show will remain up until January 15th. 

Stop in during business hours Monday-Friday 9-5.