Abstract Art Blog

A Year of Making Art, Day 181: Flowers Are Amazing Creatures

October 17, 2007  Day 181

Today I made two drawings, both of which are fairly loose.  The first is a playful abstract made mostly with brush pens.  The second is an abstract floral design which was simply fun to make.

  Drawing #184  9" x 12"

  Drawing #185  9" x 12"

If I were going to paint and draw from life, flowers would be my first choice in subjects.  I find them absolutely amazing creatures, and they often influence my painting and drawing.  I did a series of abstract florals a year or so ago at the request of one of my dealers.  Today, I finally put up better photos of them on my website:

    Floral Seven 18" x 24"

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 180: Art Trail Analysis

October 16, 2007  Day 180

This morning's drawing is a study in black and gray.  I used a combination of calligraphy and brush pens to complete it.

  Drawing #183  9" x 12"

At last night's meeting (see previous post) we reviewed everyone's experience with the past weekend's Art Trail open studios.  The number of visitors ranged from 20 to 100, and cash sales were under $1,000 for everyone, but most of us felt we were developing interest and clients who might purchase art in the future.  Everyone said it was a great opportunity to talk to people in depth about their art and the art process.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 179: Not Facing a Blank Page

October 15, 2007  Day 179

This morning I finished work on the drawing I started yesterday, and that made me realize something:  it is much easier to finish a drawing that's already started than to begin one from scratch.  What a brilliant idea, I thought.  From now on, I'll start a drawing one day and finish it the next.  Much less pressure!

  Drawing #182  9" x 12"

We have our art marketing meeting here tonight, and after a day of administrative bungles, I have to quick make an early supper and get ready for the group's arrival.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 178: Love What Is

October 14, 2007  Day 178

Today it was rainy and cold, keeping down the numbers of Art Trail visitors, but I enjoyed talking to the ones who showed up.  In between, I read or worked on my drawings.  First, I did a geometric design using a ruler for the lines and a template for the circles.  Then I worked on an abstract landscape with brush pens, and began a third drawing that I will finish tomorrow. 

  Drawing #180  9" x 12"

  Drawing #181  12" x 9"

One of the perks of this Art Trail weekend has been the opportunity to read Byron Katie's book, A Thousand Names for Joy.  I don't  usually allow myself time to read during the work-day, and the message in this book is one that I sorely need:  love what is.

Recently I heard about an exhibit taking place in my old hometown, Newark, New Jersey.  The Red Bad of Courage will take place at The National Newark Building from October 28 to December 9.  Artists from New Jersey, New York and abroad will show work based on the writings of Stephen Crane, author of the book titled The Red Bad of Courage.   For more information, check out Open Doors 2007.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 177: First Day of Art Trail

October 12, 2007  Day 177

This morning's drawing session was fairly peaceful considering the Art Trail Open Studio weekend started at 11 a.m.  I woke up at 5, so I had plenty of time to get ready.  I just worried about being able to stay awake throughout the day.   

  Drawing #179  9" x 12"

I am writing this at the end of the day.  About 40 people came between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., all oohing and aahing over my work, which is always nice to hear.  Did I sell any paintings?  No, but lots of cards, calendars, and a few books.  Two couples looked like they wanted to buy a painting.  And maybe they will in the future.  Everyone took my card so they can check out my website.

It's always hard, as an artist, to know whether to participate in local gigs like this.  We may not make very much money at them, but it's a way to open up our studio and work to a local audience.  Other artists and art teachers came by, also, to ask about my work and tell me about theirs.  It's more a matter of being part of the community than a great sales opportunity.  In an affluent community, this might be different, but in Ithaca, you have to keep your expectations low. 

Now I am really beat after being "social" all day.  Ready for a glass of wine and a relaxing evening.  Early to bed.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 176: Breaking Point

October 12, 2007  Day 176

I didn't realize how tense I was today until my brother Bob called.  After he told me that I should start imitating the impressionists in my painting, I hurled a few expletives at him and hung up the phone.  Bob is always coming up with ideas for other people to execute, and usually I just let him go on about it and then ignore his advice.  I think this habit is his way of trying to connect with people.  At least, I hope there is something positive behind it, because it is continually annoying at best, and today drove me to the breaking point.

Adrian just stopped by to chat, and we laughed about the phone call with Bob.  I know Bob won't take offense at my hanging up on him, but will use the incident as material for a good story to tell the next person he talks to. 

In my drawing today, I used a variety of black and gray pens--fine point, calligraphy and brush.  It took me a while to get into the groove.

   Drawing #178  9" x 12"

Tomorrow is the first day of the Art Trail open studio weekends.  Myabe I am more nervous about it than I had realized.  That could be the cause of my tension.  Or maybe it's because I'm hyper this week and have been getting up at 5 a.m.  Or all of the above.

Now I will pick up Mike and Rachel.  An afternoon with grandkids is always good for reducing tension.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 175: Are We All Hypochondriacs?

October 11, 2007  Day 175

I'm going to live after all! 

We laugh at Woody Allen's hypochondria, and I often think that Adrian obsesses too much over his health issues, but I'm as bad or worse.  Two weeks ago when I took my blood pressure, the monitor indicated I had an irregular heartbeat, and the manual said "call your doctor" if this happens.  After I did, the doctor's nurse told me to cut out caffeine and to come in for an EKG.  I immediately went to straight decaf in the morning and a single cup of green tea in the afternoon.  I also doubled my blood pressure (BP) meds because I couldn't seem to get the numbers down.

But what I didn't realize was how worried I had been about it all.  Since I got home from the doc's office this afternoon, I feel immensely relieved.  He said that we all have an irregular heartbeat occasionally and that if I don't have symptoms, such as palpitations, then I shouldn't worry about it.  He even said one cup of coffee a day was OK.

In this morning's drawing, I comfortably drew with black and gray pens, both fine point and calligraphy.  Then I used the brush pens to fill in some highlights.

  Drawing #177

Last night Adrian arrived in drizzling rain at the Ithaca airport, back from his California trip.  It's great to have him back even if life is more chaotic than when I'm home alone.  He is out walking Roxy now.  The poor dog has been pining away for him all week.

In two days the Art Trail open studio weekends start.  I'm keeping my expectations very low, but it's good to know my studio is clean, organized, and ready for the hordes.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 174: Must Be Hypomania

October 10, 2007  Day 174

Adrian is coming home tonight after an eight-day trip to California.  It will be great to have him back, but I'll miss being able to work 12 hours a day if I feel like it.  My studio is just about ready for the Art Trail weekends coming up, so I can take it easy tomorrow and spend most of the day with Adrian.

I need the down time.  Each day this week I got up earlier, waking this morning at 5 a.m.  Am I getting a bit hypomanic?  I'll have to watch it.

Drawing does seem to be easier on a smaller sheet of paper (see previous post).  I enjoyed this morning's blue-green exploration with calligraphy pens, using the brush pens to fill in spaces:

  Drawing #176  12" x 9"

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 173: Approaching The Half-Way Mark

October 9, 2007  Day 173

It is amazing to me that I am approaching the half-way mark in this Year of Making Art project.  It gives me hope that I will make it all the way!

Yesterday I finished the last sheet of paper on my 11" x 14" pad, and my two choices today were a 9" x 12" pad or an 11" x 17".  Naturally, I chose the 9 x 12.  A smaller piece of paper is a lot less intimidating.  If you waste a sheet, it doesn't feel like such a big crime.

In fact, I settled comfortably into this morning's drawing, using calligraphy pens to draw, and a couple of brush pens for filling in spaces.

  Drawing #175  9" x 12"

Then I continued my organizing, cleaning, and other prep for this weekend's Art Trail (see previous post).  This afternoon I'll take a walk in the woods with my neighbor.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art, Day 172: The Tao of Time

October 8, 2007  Day 172

Today I woke up at 6 a.m., with huge to-do lists facing me.  I am trying to be more "in the moment," living NOW instead of in the past or future, but it's hard when I'm trying to remember to do a zillion things.  OK, that's how everyone feels in today's fast-paced world, isn't it?

Mostly, I'm just trying to slow down and focus on what I'm doing at the moment.  I've been browsing a book called The Tao of Time, hoping to find a more peaceful approach to my life.  It's really geared to people who have jobs with meetings and all kinds of appointments.  Now THEY are run by the clock.  I shouldn't be, since I am self-employed and have very few meetings or appointments.  I theoretically can paint all day if I want to. 

So much for theory.

I thought I was crazy starting to get ready for the Art Trail on Sunday, when it isn't happening until this coming weekend.  But today, after I have been breaking my back preparing, and see how much is left to do, I'm glad I started early!  The reward will be a sparkling clean and organized studio.

What can I say about this morning's drawing?  Whimsical? 

  Drawing #174  11" x 14"

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting in order to give me time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)