I awoke this spring morning to the sounds of rain pitter pattering on my window pane. More rain.  Not what I wanted to see today, I refused to allow it to dampen my spirits.  I was expecting a guest.  Not a typical event for my morning routine, which added to my excitement. 

If you will recall a few months back I conducted a workshop on "paint skins" in a local community center.  I have been delighted to discover that one of the participants is still working with medium and has created several pieces.  Her current piece was frustrating her and she had recently contacted me to discuss some ideas.  After a few emails, I invited Nilu to bring her piece to my studio and she and I could work on it some together.  She accepted my invitation and today she arrived on my doorstep, a bit damp with her canvas in tow. A dreary rainy day was not about to lessen our desire to create art.  

After some rearranging and clearing away (on my part) we set up a small table in the middle of my studio floor and set to work. Nilu has no fear of color and working on large canvases. This makes me very happy.  I struggle to work within small spaces and find a freedom to walls and large canvas that most people find intimidating.  After chatting some, I began to better grasp an understanding of what Nilu wanted for her art.  She and I began the process of placing and replacing the pieces of paint to create just that.  We spent several great hours together arranging and then rearranging until we felt we had achieved our goal.  As a final step to her process, Nilu swirls paint over the top of the pieced together skins and it pulls them all together in a Pollack like conclusion.  Below are her results:

I have not shown you my latest surreal tree and I promise I will soon. But today I want to share with you a private commission piece that I am working on.  To commemorate the graduation of their only son, whom is graduating, D, asked me to create this painting for his wife as a gift.  Beginning to prepare, I researched for symbolic meanings which I felt would define what D wants.  

Here is a list of what I have used and why: (you know I don't always do this for you.....)

sitting & head bowed: prayer, meditation (represents her belief and faith)

open book: faith, knowledge (mothers faith and prayer for her child)

clasped hands: comfort, prayer, farewell (both)

candle: life (either)

flame: eternity, love (mothers love of her child)

open door: entrance to new world (for the son)

arched door: victory

fleur de lis: motherhood, and the holy trinity (not on the painting yet)

colors: red-love; yellow-joy, happiness; green-youth, luck; blue-peace, tranquility; gray/brown on the floor to represent security and stability of a mothers love; pink-caring and tenderness of a mother for her child

These symbolic representations are meant to celebrate and honor this time in the growth and evolution of a mother and son as they approach new paths. I hope D is happy with my interpretation.

thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, 

and the life of the candle will not be shortened. 

happiness never decreases by being shared.

buddha

Peace,

Valerie

Just when I thought I was ready to move on from the subject of trees to something else, we visit my daughter in Charleston (SC), and I fall in love with trees all over again. 

The photos I am sharing today come from two specific areas, downtown in the Battery and on St. John's Island.  The entire area of Charleston is overflowing with old architectural beauties, and trees dripping layers of  wispy delicate moss. I can not wait to go back...

Disclaimer: all images below were taken with my phone camera and without any real photography skill, so please! no hate mail about my lousy photography skills!  :-)

St. Johns Island, South Carolina
"Angel Oak Tree"
named after the family who own the property where this beauty lives
she is approximately 300-400 years old
(wouldn't you love to hear the story that this tree could tell?)
Oh, and if you look closely at the main trunk, you will see my daughter examining the details above...

more branches at the Battery....

Downtown Charleston, SC
Across the street from the Battery there are many beautiful, historical buildings  

Just look at these tree branches....

Standing beneath the Angel Tree looking up....

more gorgeous trees twisting and turning......

this image just seemed to say that it needed to be desaturated, so that we could appreciate its wonderful details....

along this branch of the angel tree,

fern, moss and lichen are growing creating shapes, textures and subtle colorations, 

which are so beautiful it is impossible to describe with mere words

who's ready to paint some trees?

Next post I will share more art, these images just seem to deserve their own post!

Peace,

Valerie

...a little sunshine, a birdbath and surrealism

...today the sun shines brightly at my doorstep and I am happy to say hello
-valerie


It would seem that I am feeling somewhat philosophical this morning.  There are many motivating factors and events to make this so, and as usual, they all seem to manipulate my vision as I create art.  With avoidance of the causes, let me share a couple of projects "on the easel". A craft project I recently saw on Pinterest (where else....who is not addicted to that site?) caught my attention and here are my results. 

Bird Bath
made from found plates and vases and tidbits in local thrift shops
the plan is to enclose the bath in lirope or some other grassy type plant
(please ignore the lack of spring yard work still unattended)

A while back I purchased a couple of unconventionally sized canvases when a local craft and art supply was closing. I decided to develop an idea I was thinking about with one of these canvases. The idea, to use oils instead of watercolors seems like a good transition in order to soften the color palette for a change of pace.  The trick, to thin the oils without losing their vibrancy. I am pleased and excited about the current outcome. There is a great softness and subdued quality presenting itself that is very satisfying to my current mood. 

Close Up of WIP
(work in progress)
12 x 36" canvas
oils and ink

Stay tuned for more on this piece. Oh, and if you didn't notice I added a cute photograph of my two terriers peeping out of my studio window....hope you enjoy Abe and Scruffy. 

Until we meet again, peace.

Valerie