Virginia, United States
I guess you could say I was born an artist! My intrinsic artistic abilities appeared around the age of 1½ years old when I began scribbling colorful imagery on my bedroom walls, later carving designs and cryptic messages on my parent’s fine furniture. Over the years, I have continued my artistic endeavors working as a monotype printmaker, painter, mixed media artist, and jewelry maker.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Firefiles


Today, still iced in here, I decided to clean out the stack of papers I have added to all year. You know, the papers bits you scribble 'important' notes on, or little tid-bits you want to save for whatever reason. Over half of these notes that I scribbled to myself meant nothing at this point.

Maybe some of the notes were things I was supposed to do, people I should have called, email addresses with no name (who's was that?), and names of really great songs I hear on the XM radio (I jot those down to delve into on i-Tunes). I found scribbled fragmented word groups like 'sparking eye', 'you missed it', 'focus on the clouds', or 'gigantic dot'. Perhaps these are poems in the making, or titles for paintings, who knows. What an interesting pile I have assembled here.

Then at the very bottom of the pile, I found it! A 4" x 6" watercolor...FIREFLIES! I remembered sitting on my front porch in late July watching the millions of fireflies dancing through the woods and darting over the creek. I was going to add this to my journal, but it never made it. Perhaps it was at the bottom of this paper assemblage to take me back to those warm moments of summer, sitting on the porch and watching fireflies.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Something worth reading from Art Biz...

I just visited Art Biz. com. Alyson Stanfield wrote an amazing article on Art Marketing, What Will Your Year Look Like? I really think it is a great boost for all of us, not just for the Artist.

http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/12/decide.html

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Check out Alpha Stamps!

http://www.alphastamps.com/blog/?p=512#comment-485

Alpha Stamps is offering free Give-Aways daily for the next week. I use their supplies and hoe to get lucky and win a give-away!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas Day


I woke to a day of rain, cold rain beating on the cabin roof. I stayed in bed a little longer, thinking of Christmas Days past, tracing back the memories. Memories fond and not so fond, no matter. I woke slowly and started this Christmas day feeling blessed. Blessed to have good health, a house, a job I love, someone who loves me for who I really am, friends with beautiful souls, the silly cats, and other wildlife around me, and some remaining family. I feel blessed to have the memories which have shaped me in to the person I am. I am blessed to be able to give something of myself back to the world, with hopes that somewhere I can make a difference. With all of these gifts, I want for nothing else.
I hope you and yours find the same delights in the gifts around you every day, and that your hearts are warm.
Here is a quote that I would like to share.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

New Watercolor

Emerging Spirit watercolor (C) gls


I have been snowed in since Friday and I really love it. I am not under the pressure of getting up, moving at someone else's expected pace, and I have time to create. I have made several pieces of jewelry and have been painting the watercolor Christmas cards I like to send out. In the midst of all this, I was looking out at the snow thinking about what a beautiful spring we will have. Underneath all the snow, this new watercolor creates a vision of what is happening down below.

Emerging Spirit can not in-vision the colorful and aromatic world around her, yet she is still wrapped in its beauty. I am sure that all this moisture gently soaking into the earth will bring us an astounding spring!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Mixed Media Artist: Yay for Gina!

Mixed Media Artist: Yay for Gina!

I just found out I won one of Cyndi's give-away books! Thanks you so much! YAY!

...and boy, did it SNOW!

Just a few altered photos to enjoy!

First Snow

The snow
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what
the meaning; such
an aracular fever! flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb, never settle
less than lovely! and only now,
deep into night,
it has finally ended.
The silence
is immense,
and the heavens still hold
a million candles; nowhere
the familiar things:
stars, the moon
the darkness we expect
and nightly turn from. Trees
glitter like castles
of ribbons, the broad fields
smolder with light, a passing
creekbed lies
heaped with shining hills;
and though the questions
that have assailed us all day
remain– not a single
answer has been found–
walking out now
into the silence and the light
under the trees,
and through the fields,
feels like one.

Mary Oliver 1983

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Today's News

Ah, a winter storm approaching.
The news folks say we could expect an estimated 20"!
Golly Gee Wow!
Hopefully the power will stay on and I can stay warm and toasty as I paint in the studio, watching the snow fall.

Stay warm and safe everyone!
Enjoy the beautiful moments surrounding you!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Winter


Looks like Old Man Winter will be here in a few days. We have already seen snow and had freezing rain. Christmas will be here too...faster than we know it.

A special thanks to everyone who viewed and purchased art from the sale!

Now, it is time to get into painting again.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Water Works Show, Blacksburg , VA.


I hear this is a great show! The theme is water, and it is a varied visualization of what water means to us. Congrats to all the winners!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November first, I can not believe it is November already. Wow.



November 1, morning


November 1 mid-day


November 1 mid-day
(See that patch of gold on the mountain? Well, that's where I grew up as a kid and teen.)


Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Here is one of my Halloween collages!



Great Saturday!


So far it has been a beautiful Saturday! I got up rather early and raked leaves. It looks like I will have about three more weeks of raking to do. That's not too bad; I love being out in the yard, listening to the creek and watching the birds and other visiting wildlife.

I hope tomorrow will be quiet. I plan on painting more little watercolor landscapes, and maybe baking some treats. Next week, I will be anxiously waiting the rest of the new encaustic supplies to arrive, then I will start experimenting with them soon! I can not wait!







Monday, October 26, 2009

October on the Blue Ridge Parkway


Yesterday was a freebie...or at least I took a day off to go on the parkway. What inspiration!!!




Sunday, October 25, 2009

October

I sure have not gotten into creating much, but I have been enjoying one of my favorite months, October. Here are some photos I took yesterday around my yard. Enjoy!









Sunday, October 18, 2009

Loving the Fall Colors


Well, it does not look quite like the peak, yet. Maybe the colors will be in their vibrant full mode by next weekend. I was, however, inspired to do a few little watercolors. Here is one of my favorites from the Blue Ridge Parkway. (SOLD)

Monday, October 12, 2009

Getting Ready...


Part of my creative process is cleaning. Cleaning out my studio space to prepare for what's next; This fall and winter, I plan on trying my hand at using encaustics. Yesterday, I sorted, organized, and tossed things. The rest of this evening is about starting that part of the creative process, finishing what I began yesterday.

Just a while ago, I stopped at Penny's only to find a new flat surface griddle for 19.99 (after rebates). This will be perfect for the encaustic set up which I am in the process of organizing. As I was cleaning, I found a whole new roll of rice paper! It will be perfect for trying encaustic monotypes. Sometimes I fuss about having too many cats, but their empty cat food cans will surely come in handy to melt the wax in. Yes, part of the process is, cleaning things out, but it is also about filling the studio back up. I guess that is something only a creative person would understand.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Fall Colors and Thoughts





the fall of life

young leaf
pale, fresh, crisp green
dancing on a pallet of blooming colors
from the longest of days to shorter days
blistering sun, beating rains, whipping winds
day after day, week after week,
months of pleasure mixed with pain
old leaf
a skeleton of a life
a shell that once held color and life
resembles grandmother's cherished lace.

(C) gls 2009

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Art for the Earth 2009



The Art for the Earth Show art Gallery 108 is a fundraiser for the Sustainable Living Center in Catawba. 50% of all sales go to the center. Please come and show your support! The show hangs through the end of October.

http://gallery108.biz//

Monday, September 21, 2009

Encaustic Workshop

I got a wonderful email from my friend Dreama telling me about an encaustic workshop that was going to take place. I was tickled when I found out there was still space and I got in the workshop! I had always wanted to know more abut encaustics because I felt they would be conducive to the imagery I create and help me enhance the atmospheric quality in my landscapes.

While these are my first attempts, I plan on doing more of these. I am sorry the photos did not show more of the rich color in the mountain portions of the pieces, nor did they show the wonderful textures created by using the wax. The possibilities are endless here and I have only just begun.

Jeff Juhlin was the instructor and he was fantastic. He shared his talent and knowledge with all of us. You can see his work along with two other nationally known encaustic artists at Dialog Gallery in Downtown Roanoke. ( It is a wonderful show, please check it out!)
Thanks Jeff!
http://www.jeffjuhlin.com/

Also, at Dialog gallery until the 30th of October,
THREE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ENCAUSTIC ARTISTS ARE SHOWING ENCAUSTICS!
"LUMINESCENCE", new encaustic work by Jeff Juhlin, Daniella Woolf and Jane Guthridge.
These works will be on display from sept 11-oct 30.
New gallery hours: Wed-Sat noon-5p.m. or by appointment

Encaustic one (C) gls







Workshop day at Ed Dolinger's Studio
I met some wonderful new people and got to catch up with old friends.

Encaustic two (C) gls


Encaustic three (C) gls


Encaustic four (C) gls



Tuesday, September 15, 2009

New River Art Juried Show


Autumn Lights monotype (C) WON Best in Show! (SOLD)


Davis Campground Monotype (C) NFS


I just got an email from David Eakin telling me I got two pieces in this show! I am so excited! I am so fortunate! There were so many fantastic artists that entered.

• September 14, 2009: Jeffry Cudlin selected thirty works by twenty six artists from 199 entries by 68 artists.

Here's the link
http://www.newriverart.org/shows/2009/2009slide-show.html
Dates:
  • Saturday, September 26 – Work delivery deadline
  • Saturday, October 3 – Reception and Awards
    Ceremony 6-8pm
  • Saturday, November 21 – End of exhibit, work pick-up







Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Monotypes part 2

Just a few images from the fruits of my labor this past weekend.



Red River monotype (C) gls (SOLD)


Sunset Over Sugar Loaf monotype (C) gls


Ripplebrook Road, Fall monotype (C) gls


Fall Fireworks monotype (C) gls

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Monotypes

Just a few more monotypes. Ah, it feels good to be productive!


Stray Cloud monotype (C) gls


Eagle's Nest Lake monotype (C) gls ( not available for sale, yet.)