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.

Untitled

I think the most difficult part of painting (for me) is coming up with the perfect title for the finished piece! Sometimes I get so frustrated, and find myself sitting here staring at it so long that I just totally go blank. I really wish the title would come quickly like some do. I guess this poor little butterfly will just have to be nameless for the time being.
Pastel, 9 x 12

Ruby

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

8 x 10 matted, framed $125.00

prints from $15.00

I took the plunge and have committed to 6 Saturdays this summer at the Flint Farmers and Artists Market. Today was my first of the six. This is my tent, and then a few photos of the sights at this market. It's really much better than I had expected, and comes across as a neat little weekly art fair.

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.

Woodland Blues

11 x 14 Soft Pastel on sanded paper
The peaceful tranquility of a bluebell wood.

Gentle Wakening

April 24, 2009
As I gaze into this painting, I see the morning light easing it's way through the trees and gently waking the forest.

5 x 7 Pastel on Sanded paper SOLD

prints and notecards available

Cherokee Wildflowers

April 19, 2009
Not only is Karen Margulis the pastel artist that I admire so much that I find myself copying her style, but it seems that she and I tend to gravitate to many of the same places. I ran across a painting of hers and realized that I had nearly the exact same photograph from one of my trips to the NC Smokies. This is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I love looking at this daily as it hangs on my wall.

First Light

April 13, 2009
This piece is a copy of Larry Blovitz' painting "Velvet Fog" from his book Pastel for the Serious Beginner. As I hone in on my skills, working from books, watching tutorials and creating paintings by using other's artists' work is my way of learning. This piece has been donated to a silent auction.

8 x 10 Pastel on sanded paper

Sanibel

April 12, 2009

Drawing inspiration from another pastel artist, this is my version of one of her paintings. This is one of my favorite little paintings.

4 x 6 soft pastel on sanded paper

Life is a Beach

Originally this was done in miniature - 2x3. This particular painting though is a bit larger at 4 x 6. I do love the beach, the ocean - the sun and the sand. This little painting takes me to every one of my favorite spots on the coast.

Sunshine

April 8, 2009

Another of my tiny paintings to be part of the coaster set, only 2 x 3.

I love the feeling of warmth from the sun captured in this little flower.

A Little Rain Must Fall

April 8, 2009
This tiny little painting is only 2" x 3". I created it as part of a set of coasters for my daughter's birthday. Just a reminder that a little rain must fall to appreciate the sun...

Field of Dreams

April 4, 2009
I've been playing around with a more impressionist style, and drew inspiration for this piece from a painting I ran across on the internet.

Alone in the Night

March 28, 2009

This sunflower just looked so lonely in the dark.

6 x 6 soft pastel on sanded paper.

Flight to Freedom

March 28, 2009
Determined to do better then the previous fiasco, I set upon this painting. I have a daily inspirational calendar, and this was the image for the day. Still not really pleased with the outcome, but once again I am publishing this anyway. It is a smaller painting, and looks pretty good framed. Now that I'm done with it, I'm actually quite pleased. 4 x 6 on sanded paper

Blue Ridge

Most of the winter I had my pastels tucked away while I busied myself creating gourd bird houses and bird feeders for gifts and for sale. I was also busy playing with various different jewelry making ideas. But then as the cold days of winter started fading, and spring was just on the horizon, I got the urge to bring out my pastels once again. This first one after my winter hiatus, I'm pretty ashamed of. But I'm posting it anyway, just to show what happens when you put your toys away and don't get them out to play with! Painted in soft pastels on sanded board, 11 x 14 3/26/09

Ben Lomond

I belong to an online group of artists, and this month's challenge was a beautiful photo of Ben Lomond, Bavarian landscape. Soft pastels, 10 x 13

The Gathering

This painting is simply blackbirds on a fence. It feels peaceful, warm, yet with a hint of autumn in the air.
8 x 10, pastel

Blue Ridge Sunrise

I just spent a week in North Carolina, where I hope to move soon. Although I should be doing laundry, and getting some food in this house - this beautiful image was stuck in my mind. This is the Blue Ridge Mountains as seen from the parkway early in the morning as the fog and clouds were beginning to lift from the mountains. I hope you enjoy the view too.

Pastel 4x5