EVOLUTION

Back in June (Father's Day) I started my first reverse painting on an old window. Dad had just passed away a few months before. He had Alzheimers. It's such a terrible disease and I was here in Michigan unable to help my mom with him down in Florida. That was killing me, but I can only imagine the pain she was enduring as she watched her husband of 60 years fade away. I'm so thankful that when he did go - it was relatively fast. And so very thankful that he still knew who I was, and most importantly that he knew I was there when he passed. 

They say that you can help ward off that disease by improving and exercising your brain. And so with that thought in mind I challenged myself to paint in reverse. Kind of fitting that I started on Father's Day. 


I haven't done anything with pastels since then. Am I evolving to this new art? I don't know. But I am enjoying it. I've painted quite a few windows and although I generally paint each one for myself - someone sees it, wants it, and I sell it. No, I'm not complaining. I'm enjoying learning this new artform, and I am excited to see how each one turns out. One thing I realized though. I don't think I can make prints of these. With the reflection of the glass - I cannot get a decent image to make reproductions. Until I can figure that out - each one is most definitely, and without a doubt, one-of-a-kind.






WORK IN PROGRESS: Birches 

Saturday:
Large two paned window. I start with a pencil sketch of my idea. This one being a stand of birch trees blanketed by fresh snow.

WORKING ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE WINDOW:

At this point here, my foreground is nearly complete on the right pane of glass. (your left) Before this painting is done, I will have painted another 35 or so trees, and then last I will paint the background.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

 

 As seen from the front - Right side foreground nearly complete. 




















It's Monday evening now... and more progress done on this window. Tomorrow the paint will be hard enough that I will be able to clean the glass before painting in the background.

Tuesday.. and ready to put in the background. I didn't want any brushstrokes.

 

Yep - you got it - finger painting!

A close up of an area that is not meant to be very prominent - yet it is there. A message. 

My heart and soul is literally in this painting. It has deep meaning to me and it's my hope is that it touches someone out there.

Painting complete.

"The Forest for the Trees"

54 1/2" x 26"

600.00

Upcycled - Repurposed - Window Art

After painting the window on Sunday, I've been thinking about doing more. Last night I jumped on another and painted some birch trees. This window is in a bit more disrepair, so I will be giving it a new coat or two of paint before installing the hanging system. 

Art a'La Mode - The Vision

You may have noticed the name Art a'La Mode associated with my artwork. My son Andrew came up with this name, when we started talking about how we may be able to give back, and what we'd call the business. 

I see this cute little two story cottage (it’s blue with white trim, a picket fence and a nice big wooden porch) sitting on the edge of main street in a quaint little artsy tourist town. An arbor covered with flowering vine beckons you to enter, while a wooden sign gently sways in the breeze. The words, “Art a’La Mode” tell you that waiting inside, is comfort for the soul. Yard art adorns flower beds, metal sculptures grace the manicured, front yard. A flagstone path winds through a park like setting and invites you to relax in a  gazebo and continues on to the steps of the home.  Inside, the front rooms are filled with the scent of cappacino and ice cream. A few tables and chairs sit in “the parlor” where patrons are enjoying some ice cream or coffee. The other room is filled with quirky artisan crafts and artwork. The back rooms are loaded with art supplies, work tables and easels. A kiln is in another room with shelves full of pottery ready to be fired. In the evening, a small band sets up in the gazebo. Locals and tourists alike pull up a piece of grass and relax in the night air, listening to the music being played...


This isn't just an ice cream store, or coffee shop, or even an art gallery for that matter. Sure, that's what it looks like on the outside. On the inside though, it's hope, encouragement, and a step into the future for kids with mental illness. Here, at-risk teens will be given the opportunity to work in an environment that is understanding of their unique personalities. Creativity will be encouraged, even rewarded. Family support groups will be held in the form of creative workshops, bridging the communication gap and creating unity in the family unit. Scholarship money will be raised to give a creative student an opportunity to further their education. Artwork sold here, will be consignment based, and created by people with mental illness or by those who support mental health issues. 


Yes, although this may only be a dream, to me it's a vision of a better future for many kids plagued with an illness that do not receive the support they desperately need. 


In 2007, I attempted to start a non-profit organization and called it Artrageous Minds. I'm not sure what I was thinking - a single mom, barely making enough money to make ends meet, trying to start a nonprofit. Alone? (shakes her head) Life took a couple of nasty turns and I had to let that go. But my vision has not faded. Every day I look at my son, and every day I'm reminded that there are millions of children and families out there who are suffering through this illness. I've begun to share the vision again, and I'm finding people who wish to help. We're venturing into yet another new year. Perhaps 2011 will be the year that big doors will open, making the dream a reality.


I've been spending the last few months helping to launch a new local art guild and gallery. With the help and support of the guild, we'll be able to hold some creative workshops. It's not the blue cottage with the gazebo, but it's a start. 

Art in the Park

Happy customer purchasing the three-legged table at Swartz Creek Art in the Park.

This past Saturday was Swartz Creek's Art in the Park. What a beautiful day it was! This is probably one of the best little juried art fairs in this area. Of all the shows I have been in, this one is my favorite. The organizers really treat the artists well here - from their "drive up" check in, many volunteers helping set up your tent - to an endless array of home made baked treats and fresh veggies, tent sitters stopping by frequently offering water or a break - yes, this fair is definitely the best. There was a constant stream of people coming by, so I'm afraid I only got one photo all day long. But, I suppose that's a good thing! And, not only did I do well, but my son made and sold gourd birdhouses and got himself a tidy little bit of cash in his pocket as well!  All in all - a very successful day for us both! 

The Guitar Player

I having been working on another small work of art - and while I didn't quite think it was done - I posted it on my facebook page to get some reaction. Perhaps to see what others thought it needed. I had the picture in my cellphone, and showed it to a few people at work yesterday. Coolest thing happened. Someone said - "oh - it's done! Put your signature on it and I will buy it."  :)  Wow - way to make my day!


So here it is - the same "WIP" (blurry pic from my cellphone) that seemed to have touched someone enough to want it for their mantle.

"The Guitar Player"

4" x 6"

SOLD

Want to win one of these stickers?

Here's how to do it:
Become a fan of my page on facebook. http://facebook.com/artalamode
Share my page with your friends by reposting on your facebook page, website or blog
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(Comment here too!)


The first FIVE will receive a window sticker for free (sorry - US only)


You will need to provide me with your mailing address if you're one of the first five.


These are available for purchase for $5.00 
tax, s/h included

Sunflowers

This coming Saturday, I will be in the Flint Art Fair. I wanted to create a new piece just for this show, and while wandering around in Wet Canvas I ran across this image for inspiration. 




14 x 11 Soft Pastel
110.00

New Season

It's a new season - and I'm not talking about Spring. This is a new season of my life. It's been rough going for the last few years. But now - I am renewed. This is my new season.

I just moved recently and haven't painted anything for months. Today though - I felt a new energy inside me and so I dug around through a file folder I keep of beautiful pictures and pieces of art that give me inspiration. I was stopped by a painting that I had saved from another artist. It was this painting that motivated me to get out my pastels and play in the dust.

This is my interpretation of Kit Mahoney's painting. No - it's not for sale. (sorry)

I call this one "New Season"

10 x 8

Soft Pastels

Silent Grace

I subscribe to a number of newsletters and journals, blogs etc about pastels, tips and techniques. I recently read about a new paper that was just made available to the states and just had to try it and find out for myself if it was as they claimed. Oh... this stuff is awesome! It took a minute to get used to - but it does hold layers of pastel easily - and i didn't wear my fingertips off! As you can see this is a highly blended piece. I think it turned out quite nicely, and is a great recommendation for "Pastelmat".

10 x 8 $125.00

Playing with Whimsey

SOLD

I have always loved whimsical and/or folk art. This week I started playing with my watercolor pencils and these two pieces emerged. Loving inspirational quotes, I think this is a fun little project to fill the days when my pastels need a rest. They will be available this coming Saturday at the Farmer's Market.

5 x 7 Watercolor and marker on clayboard

$15.00

Artrageous Minds

I started a nonprofit organization a couple years ago called Artrageous Minds. Raising a bipolar son on my own has been a difficult road for both of us. For many years he was misdiagnosed, and wrongly medicated. Our organization hopes to bring awareness to bipolar disorder and other mental health issues through art. (and music, poetry, dance...) There have been a number of setbacks in getting the organization off the ground - including a car accident that put me out of commission for 6 months, and then my home invaded - and computer stolen not just once.. but again after it was replaced. (rotten thief!)

So finally - two years later we're back in business. I am co-hosting an event in Troy MI, where we have Brian VanderArk from the Verve Pipe coming for a private performance. If you are in the area, and interested in coming please contact me! We will be having a silent auction as well as some art up for direct sale. I've also got a 5 foot hand carved black bear that will be raffled off that night. 

If you - as an artist are interested in donating a piece, contact me.

Also, my booth at the Farmer's Market is open to any individual who is in support of mental health issues. I will "rent" space for a nominal charge in my booth for you to sell your art or craft. Please contact me for details. 

Interested in learning more? Our plans include opening a working studio/gallery, and in the future a camp for families who deal with mental illness in their lives. Our goals are lofty, but our passion runs deep.

Visit my websites: www.artrageousminds.net
www.myspace.com/artrageousminds. I hope you will join me there too.

Ruby

Who doesn't love hummingbirds? Truly a magical gift from God.

8 x 10 matted, framed $125.00

prints from $15.00

Tres Bleu

5 x 7 Soft Pastel $55.00
I love Spring. Here in the north you spend months in the cold, everything buried under the snow. Most of our wildlife is hibernating, or have flown south for the winter. As the days begin to get a little longer, and the air begins to warm our skin, I watch for signs of life. Seeing a bud on a tree, the first Robin, hearing the frogs chirping - all the sights and sounds of Spring are a miracle I look forward to each year.

"Sunset Lake"

I paint to escape the daily hassles. It soothes me. Prior to ever picking up a pastel, any kind of creative "thing" would help ease the stress and tension of the day. Today was one of those days. It didn't take long for my stress to start subsiding when I began working the clouds in this painting. This scene reminds me of my youth - spending weeks at our cottage, the rickety dock we'd jump from, or sit and fish for hours on end. I think I like painting clouds and water best.

I am still working from 2 very small packs of basic pastels and found I'm missing a lot of colors while I did this one. And being rather pleased with myself at the outcome of this painting, I broke down and ordered up a more complete set. This painting is done on 400 grit sandpaper and totally ripped up my fingertips!  LOL... i'm going to get a new supply of 600 tonite. And then?  I think I may be ready for the big girl paper - I would love suggestions of what to buy. 

"Reflections"

I had been sharing my painting by email with my parents in Florida. They seemed to be impressed with what I was doing, so I painted this one with them in mind. Back on the canal in Foxton England...

I took the photo of this painting and noticed a few things that bothered me, so afterward refined it a bit. Sorry, don't have another photo to show those changes. Trust me, it's a bit better!

Flower Study

I still don't think I have any particular style. It's still only been a month though since I picked up my first pastel. I study the paintings done by other artists, and am truly inspired by the work they create. This painting is my first attempt at trying a more impressionistic style. I was quite pleased, and although loved it as it was, I cut it in half and mounted each into it's own frame. Popped it up on ebay and it (they) sold! You have no idea how that made me feel....

"Foxton Canal"

I spent a couple weeks in England, and absolutely fell in love with the countryside there. As soon as I came home this was the first painting I did. The canals there offer a new painting at every turn. This may still be a little primitive? but I liked it enough to mat and frame it, and have it hanging in my own home - my little piece of England on my wall.

"Rapid River"

I bought some pastel pencils after watching a couple of videos on You Tube. I love how you can get some more intricate detail with them. Trees have always given me fits, and after removing most of them - I think I captured this alright. The original photo was a complete forest, and left nothing for the eye to travel to. Now not only does the eye travel through the water, but also into the woods upstream. It is the artist's interpretation, isn't it? I gave this painting to my friend in England for his hospitality.

"Cowboy"

Nearly every day I want to try and paint a new painting. This one looked very interesting to me, and similar to the fisherman one. I liked doing the mist, so figured dust rising from a horse's hooves would be similar. I still need practice in figures though. I ended up giving this as a gift to my good friend's father on my trip to England. He fancies himself an American cowboy, and he really liked this. I felt honored they actually hung this on their wall.

"Sand Pipers"

I'm torn on this one. Because I'm posting these a month after I started, I see how juvenile they look. I do want to put them all on here though, just to keep track of my progression.

still hoping for comments, good and bad.