31 May Flowers Project

I am an abstract painter. To me this means I can paint anything, but it will be warped to my emotions. My strong skill is design, pattern and color. I couldn't try to draw or paint a person's face or a body or an animal if I tried and I have tried.  However I always get asked to paint flowers.  I love flowers, however they are not my strength. I recently discovered artist Bobbie Burgers. An extremely talented painter who paints flowers, nature, etc.  Her flowers are so beautiful and the pieces have a slight abstraction to them. I thought I want to paint flowers like her.  So I have started a short flower series; 31 May Flowers Project.  I hope to get better. This is the start of my practice.  

"Meet Me In The Garden"

"Dreaming Of Summer"

"May Day"

"May 1st"

"May 2nd"

to be continued...

Goldfish

People always ask me, how long have I been painting? How did you start? 

I have been painting all my life. As a kid you start out with finger paint, water colors, and crayons.  I grew up in house with all that and more, colored pencils, pastel oil sticks, charcoal, markers and the now popular adult coloring books that somehow have a surge. I see them and think I was coloring in those in grade school, how are they now just for adults?! It drives me crazy.

When I was at Columbia creativity and art was everywhere.  Visits to the art institute were regular field trips. I saw paintings, (by Klimt, Picasso, Pollock & Alcalay) abstract art and I felt, in my gut, I can do that. Although fine art, painting was not my major I knew I was supposed to be a painter.  I started painting with the intent to sell paintings in 1992. I began selling in 1996. Those historical figures in the art world helped me to see what direction I was headed.

My most favorite piece by Gustav Klimt is his painting, Goldfish.  Although many, many of Klimt’s work was not just pretty design & shape; they had people and animals, and nature, but what was abstract was the symbolism of each person, place or thing.  A major reason I love abstract art is because, each piece is perhaps a puzzle, a hidden/secret meaning.

"Whoever wants to know something about me- as an artist which alone is significant- they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognize what I am and what I want" - Gustav Klimt

Goldfish has the best of Klimt's traits, gold and symbolism. I am not an art historian, I think I barely passed art history, but Klimt's father was a gold engraver and I think that's where the gold influence really came from. This piece shows the lovely ginger mooning the viewer, the authorities of his life. what a better way than with lustful fiery women seducing one to enter the water. Come join the lovelies of the underwater world. The gorgeous goldfish shining like a gold coin.

The little details is what I love, plus red is my favorite color so the red head getting the spotlight is cool too. The fish has fine, tiny thin lines defining the scales, the detail of the women's hair, each strand long and flowing yet their bodies smooth, soft, warm. The background filled with specs of gold. What was he feeling that created this dreamy image said to be retaliation? It's a beautiful riddle.

Color Inspiration

Practicing photography. Some snapshots and some color inspiration.

How beautiful is blue?! The shades of the sky are continuously changing all day long. My first thought always when I go out to take pictures is "the sky."  Even when it's dark or gray the sky is a good subject. I read recently these photography tips: to look for leading lines, look for your horizon and use the rule of thirds. I'm working on those.

Color inspiration catches your eye. For me, as a painter, even if I hear a color said that perhaps I have not heard in awhile or forgot about. Then I hear it and I become obsessed with it.  Red is my favorite color and I at times I am seeking the perfect red, bright and bloody and full of love. Every year for Christmas I ask for red nail polish, red like blood I write on the list and I have yet to receive the perfect shade; the shade to me that is red, but to everyone else it is shiny, it is creamy, it is orange.  Maybe everyone is colorblind?

When I get a color inspiration, I feel the deepness of the color. I see it bursting before me and I have to capture it.

What's your favorite color?

5x7 Painting Project

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My Edison Park residency has been going good. I have gotten to know the neighborhood and I truly love it here. I thought for a long time I wanted to buy Oktober Studio II  (or is it Oktober Studio 2) in Jefferson Park, but now 6 months in Edison Park and I am finding it hard to choose which one; and yes the search still continues. Real estate is expensive! I haven't in a long while wanted to go see a property in person, but I have been keeping an eye on a few.  I have also realized I really like the neighborhoods Dunning & Edgebrook. I am waiting for the right one to come at the right time, for the right price.

I had started this 5x7 project a while, a while ago and just completed it.  Very simple, perfect for Valentine's Day gifts. 5x7 flat canvas paintings for sale for $5.00 each.  Please take a look at my FlipAGram.  To purchase contact oktoberstudio@hotmail.com. Please include painting number.

View on Flipagram

Crafty

When I'm not painting it can feel like a money burning a hole in my pocket.  I need to do something, I need to make something, I need to create. I went to If An Elephant Can Paint ceramics studio. Since I am living in limbo I don't have many household items, like plates, silverware, etc.  I decided I wanted to stop eating cereal out of Tupperware so I painted a bowl.  In my old neighborhood there was ceramics studio that I started a bowl set, but since those bowls are tucked away in storage and I painted them so very long ago and my ever fading memory could not remember exactly what the set looked like.  So I painted what I thought my set looked like, but a few days later I remembered this was not what my set looked like, but this new addition to the set is interesting.

Next I went to a painting event at a mechanic's shop, EK Automotive. Yes, a mechanics.  It was really great.  There were cocktails and treats and painting pallets and it was all free. I had the nicest time and met nice people and the shop owner, chief mechanic, was a crafty carpenter as well. The body shop was turned into a painting studio. Guests gathered around tables covered in plastic sheets and we were given three colors and the image of the Chicago flag to paint on a pallet. 

 

                                                        

Next I submitted drawings to a t-shirt company, 500Level.  It's a sports themed and artists can submit. If my design is chosen the design is put on a t-shirt and sold.  My designs are about the Chicago Blackhawks. I submitted three designs.

I also made a submission to BucketFeet, which is in Chicago and if my design is chosen it will go on shoes; flip flops, canvas tennis shoes (like Keds) and high tops, but really mid tops. I submitted four designs, including one of the Blackhawks images above.

Fingers crossed, I hope one of my images is chosen.

Art Festivals

Many years ago I was participated in Around The Coyote Art Festival.  It was in Bucktown and Wicker Park.  I was lucky and was in a gallery; Gallery 1633. It was owned by the wonderful painter, Montana Morrison.  Her gallery was one large room with wall windows and small rooms in the back then a backyard. The other half of the building was her studio and the second floor she lived and rented another apartment.  My spot; each year I participated was right out the back door under the deck of the apartment above.  It was small, but I loved it. I could nail pieces to float from the wood beams and everyone had to pass by section twice going in and out of the gallery. The backyard became an art garden those weekends of the fest. The legend I was told from Morrison was that a French artist named Jolly started the fest.  It was in Bucktown and Wicker Park for many years then moved to the West Loop and then eventually disbanded.  This year it was brought back to Wicker Park & Bucktown borders at Damen, Milwaukee and North Avenue.  I was very excited and added it to my ARTinerary© and attended the exhibits at the FlatIrons Building, which in all my years of being a Westender I never went inside.  The triangle building was tall labyrinth filled with the unusual and beautiful. Here are my 2 favorite pieces from the festival both by artist, Kevin Lahvic.  Art season is upon us and this week my ARTineray© includes another festival.

ARTineray©
Friday September 11, 2015
Part 1: 6pm @ A Close Look At Two Exhibit @ Schneider Gallery @ 770 N Lasalle
Part 2: 7pm @ Farmhouse @ 228 W Chicago
Part 3: 8pm @ Lakeview East
Festival Of The Arts @ Belmont & Broadway

I will be participating in an art festival on
Saturday October 17, 2015
Destination Devon Art Walk
2-5pm


Looking forward to seeing how
the northwest side does art...

Edison Park Residency

When I moved out of Oktober Studio in Logan Square who knew it was going to take so long to find a new home.  After a short stay in Old Town I now have begun my life again; my art life, but this time in Edison Park.  I've started to paint again. In Old Town I could not paint (perhaps a little creative block) and I did sketching and photography and a second summer dress project.  I am still looking and hoping to find my final destination for Oktober Studio II. Real Estate is expensive and when you have always been poor it's a long path to get what you want. I am holding out for a place I don't have to move from.  I place with enough space and not too much rehab...so the saving continues. After being outbid on one place and a rejected offer on another. I lost faith, no hope, but Edison Park has renewed me.  The neighborhood is wonderful.  It reminds me of where I grew up the greatest place in the world, Dolton, Illinois. Edison Park has the same vibe and wondering around, jogging, riding the bus I have discovered how much I do not want to leave this neighborhood. I hope I find Oktober Studio II here. It was always on my list of neighborhoods to buy in, but now that I am living here,each day I pray to find my home here. Here is my first painting at this residence.

I am having an Edison Park Welcome Sale for 60631 Residents
$25 Off Selected Paintings
Expires 9/10/2015

Contact oktoberstudio@hotmail.com to schedule a studio visit.