EBSQ's 'Art of the Day'.....

Screenshot of my 'Pottery Wheel' as EBSQ's 'Art of the Day'.....

What a nice surprise! I woke up this morning to see that my recent little ACEO, 'The Pottery Wheel' was selected to be featured on the front page of the artist community, EBSQ, as their 'Art of the Day' today -- how lovely! (Apparently the theme for this week's 'Art of the Day' is the nouveau classic quote by Forest Gump: "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna to get.") Well, it always makes me feel a little like a 'Queen for the Day' to be featured as the 'Art of the Day'. Thanks, EBSQ...!

Nibblefest Art Contest for June: 'Things WIth Wheels'

My ACEO entry, entitled 'The Pottery Wheel'....(click for auction link)

I had fun with this month's Nibblefest Art Contest* theme, 'Things With Wheels'. One of the first things to pop into my head upon thinking of 'Wheels', was the art of pottery and the pottery wheel. I've had limited experience with the technique myself -- but my daughter will be taking a pottery class later this summer, and I'm looking very much forward to seeing what treasures she brings home....


(*Nibblefest is a monthly themed Ebay art contest that begins on the 20th of each month, with all entries starting at a mere .99 cents).....

'Frida Bohemia'

'Longings from Beyond', my entry into the Bohemia Beer 'Kahlo Challenge'....


Yet another art contest!

Guess I've been on a bit of a contest roll lately, but I can't help it -- I do so adore participating in these things. I just find the deadlines and the general structure of competitions and shows so personally helpful and inspiring. Well, provided that there is at least a somewhat motivating theme or prospectus to work off of that is. But even still I'm really not that fussy, and am usually willing to try my hand at just about anything. Thus you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled across the 'Kahlo Challenge' as sponsored by Bohemia Beer, what with its particularly personally appealing theme (I mean Frida! Kahlo!). From the moment I heard about it, it felt like something that I could really sink my teeth into -- so how could I possibly resist?

The point of this challenge was to take inspiration from the artwork by the great Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo (without violating copyright!), all while incorporating positive reflections and imagery of the Bohemian Beer brand. Yes, very commercial in nature -- but all just part o' the fun....

My accompanying artist statement:

For my entry, I found myself inspired by Frida Kahlo's many iconic and enigmatic self-portraits. Painted on an 18" x 24" salvaged vintage canvas panel I prepared and hand-embellished with layers of paper for maximum texture and effect, I set about to create a personal tribute portrait of the Lady herself. One of Mexico's most esteemed daughters, she wears the colors of the Mexican flag. Her jewelery reflects the rich amber tones of the brewed beverage. The offering of fruit below the portrait is a nod to Frida's work in the still life genre -- I included watermelon, as well as a lemon, to reflect both the sweet and bitter nature of Frida's troubled yet full and passionate life. Included is an opulent rendering of a bottle of delectable Bohemia Beer, so appealing and refreshing in appearance it has caught even Frida's eye...!

"Little Blue Dress" for EBSQ's 'Mid-Century Modern Chic' Show

My Entry for the "Mid Century Modern Chic" Show (click for link to the show)


As per my personal moratorium against buying any new art supplies for as long as I can hold out, I've been creating/constructing my own painting supports recently, in lieu of retail purchasing of pre-stretched/wrapped canvas or canvas panels, et al. In some of these instances I've been able to incorporate a frame into the piece as an overall 'element' -- which serves two purposes really...., that being (1.) to make the painting ready-to-hang and 'finished' in appearance, But also... (2.) to utilize an old. salvaged, homeless frame, that no one actually wants, but at some point a tree was cut down for, and which would likely only add to our present national waste-stream if a use for it weren't somehow fandangled. Such was the case for this little piece I recently conjured up....:



My accompanying artist statement:

"Little Blue Dress".....

Back in the day, in the '80's when I was in high school, my girlfriends and I developed a penchant for vintage clothing. We would often comb thrift stores and garage sales, searching for particularly good specimens, and showing off our precious scores. I can well recall one dress in particular, that I estimated to be from the late 50's/early 60's, which I felt incredibly lucky to have stumbled across by chance at a rummage sale, and dearly loved. Baby blue, with a sweetheart neckline, a full skirt and wide white sash -- this is my homage to an elegant Mid-Century dress I once thrifted, wore, and adored...., and which has long since been lost.....

Painted in acrylics on a hand-fashioned canvas-panel I constructed myself with salvaged materials, and with a built-in frame incorporated into the painting as part of the overall piece......

EBSQ May Show Entry: "The Salt in Sugar: A Portrait of Shug Avery".....

'The Salt in Sugar', My Entry for the EBSQ "Alice Walker" Exhibit.


I recently entered the 'Alice Walker' show on EBSQ.com, with a piece I painted and titled 'The Salt in Sugar: A Portrait of Shug Avery' (click here for a link to the show, and here for a link to my entry)....

The following is my my artist statement:

When I first learned the theme for this particular exhibit, I knew immediately from which Alice Walker's renown and respected works I wanted to draw my inspiration....

I read 'The Color Purple' in college, and can still well recall, even now decades later, the strong impressions it made upon me at the time. The tale, with its sweeping narrative, rich characterization and intimate portrayal of African American womanhood in the Depression-era rural south, truly made me appreciative of the insights into a world so very different from my own, and within a few pages I found myself absorbed. Particularly engrossing to me was the fiery character of Shug Avery, a passionate free-spirit and non-conformist who refused to submit to the social conventions, limitations and rules set upon her sex and race by the culture into which she was born. A sassy, sultry blues singer, Shug, with her confidence, glamor, pride and unwillingness to suffer fools gladly, represents freedom and empowerment to her friend, Celie -- Shug's shy, insecure and long-suffering counterpoint. Though Celie and Shug's relationship gets off to an initial rocky start thanks to Shug's jealousy, with Shug eventually offering Celie the excuse of "That's just the salt in Sugar..." for her previously rude behavior, in time the two become inextricably linked together, and create a bond so long-lasting and strong it builds Celie's self-worth, giving her a precious sense of identity, and in turn allowing her to liberate herself from an unhappy existence of chronic mistreatment, oppression and pain.

For my entry, I wished to create a portrait of Shug Avery to truly express the many complexities of her most extraordinary character. Celie is first introduced to Shug via a photograph advertising an upcoming blues gig -- a portrait of Shug that both compels and fascinates Celie long before they actually meet. I imagine a creased, vintage, hand-colored, black-and-white publicity still, tattered and torn but chock-full of the jazz-age glamor of the time, complete with an expression and style for the fictional Shug to boldly reflect her complicated nature and conflicting personality traits. This is my attempt to represent her in all her glory of confidence, pride, beauty, strength, sexuality, temper, humor, intelligence, irreverence, compassion, and loving selfishness.....

--Painted in acrylics on an 8 x 10 Paper Canvas-Panel I constructed myself, with built-up overlapping layers of paper for a highly textured and dimensional effect....