Day Two Hundred Thirty-Eight
Today we got great news about Sue and her foot -- she can finally begin to put weight on it! It has been seven weeks since she last did that. Sue is making slow progress in her physical therapy sessions and her main therapist was saying things would begin to go a little quicker once she could put weight on her foot. Sue's doctor wants her walking without the crutches in two weeks.
I will have some news of my own tomorrow...stay tuned.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
Day 237 - 365/2014
Day Two Hundred Thirty-Seven
Remember the upcoming show I was talking about yesterday...I have decided (this morning, after much thought) to not submit anything this year. While I really love the 3 pieces I put on the disc, I don't want to just keep recycling the same collages into different shows.
I am currently not able to focus enough attention on anything and I don't want to do anything halfway and then have to make changes later. Things will be back to "normal" soon enough...but right now my attention is elsewhere.
Remember the upcoming show I was talking about yesterday...I have decided (this morning, after much thought) to not submit anything this year. While I really love the 3 pieces I put on the disc, I don't want to just keep recycling the same collages into different shows.
I am currently not able to focus enough attention on anything and I don't want to do anything halfway and then have to make changes later. Things will be back to "normal" soon enough...but right now my attention is elsewhere.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Day 236 - 365/2014
Day Two Hundred Thirty-Six
Sigh...here comes some sloppy writing. I don't know really what I want this blog post to be about. My life is usually my own and I don't have a husband+kids family or 9-to-5 job that I need to deal with. I pretty much set my own pace. I have a certain routine and rhythm that is who I am. When two things happened at pretty much the same time (my sister breaking her ankle very badly + the total closure of "my" section of the street I live on for extended road repairs) it really threw my little world out of whack. I didn't realize just how much out of whack things have become until I had this weekend off and I tried to simply step back in and pick up where I left off. Having a couple of days off has been good but it hasn't been enough to get back into the rhythm...everything (except the road repairs that are finally done now) is ready to start over again tomorrow morning. I can't just flip a switch and turn things on and off again...for me it is all about patience and listening and having time by myself. I am sort of surprised at just how much all of this stuff has effected my creative flow and process...that's all. I am also needing to deal with my own pain management and timing of medication(s) so that I am able to drive, etc...but I digress.
I wanted to work on at least one (or two) of the partially finished collages to submit to an upcoming show that I really enjoy entering...but that isn't going to happen. I chose three other collages and I am very happy with them and if any get into the show I will be thrilled...absolutely thrilled...it is just not what I had planned. These collages will definitely be retired after this show...so, fingers crossed!
In the grand scheme of things all of this feels very trivial and silly. I love my sister dearly and I am more than happy to set stuff aside until she can get around on her own and feel safe about doing it. Nobody plans that sort of thing. She has always been there for me when I needed something and now it is my chance to give her my time. She is progressing pretty well with her physical therapy and her six-week post-surgical office visit is on Tuesday. She will find out then if she can begin to put weight on her poor foot yet. Sue is a very active person and this is very hard on her -- allowing herself to admit that she needs some help -- and taking things slowly -- not to mention learning to walk again.
Anyway...I will eventually be able to go back to my regular routine sometime fairly soon. Until then, I will keep on listening and making notes. I am not done with the blog or my "art" or anything else...all of that is simply on hold for a bit longer. AND, I am honestly not whining or complaining...I'm just sayin'.
Sigh...here comes some sloppy writing. I don't know really what I want this blog post to be about. My life is usually my own and I don't have a husband+kids family or 9-to-5 job that I need to deal with. I pretty much set my own pace. I have a certain routine and rhythm that is who I am. When two things happened at pretty much the same time (my sister breaking her ankle very badly + the total closure of "my" section of the street I live on for extended road repairs) it really threw my little world out of whack. I didn't realize just how much out of whack things have become until I had this weekend off and I tried to simply step back in and pick up where I left off. Having a couple of days off has been good but it hasn't been enough to get back into the rhythm...everything (except the road repairs that are finally done now) is ready to start over again tomorrow morning. I can't just flip a switch and turn things on and off again...for me it is all about patience and listening and having time by myself. I am sort of surprised at just how much all of this stuff has effected my creative flow and process...that's all. I am also needing to deal with my own pain management and timing of medication(s) so that I am able to drive, etc...but I digress.
I wanted to work on at least one (or two) of the partially finished collages to submit to an upcoming show that I really enjoy entering...but that isn't going to happen. I chose three other collages and I am very happy with them and if any get into the show I will be thrilled...absolutely thrilled...it is just not what I had planned. These collages will definitely be retired after this show...so, fingers crossed!
In the grand scheme of things all of this feels very trivial and silly. I love my sister dearly and I am more than happy to set stuff aside until she can get around on her own and feel safe about doing it. Nobody plans that sort of thing. She has always been there for me when I needed something and now it is my chance to give her my time. She is progressing pretty well with her physical therapy and her six-week post-surgical office visit is on Tuesday. She will find out then if she can begin to put weight on her poor foot yet. Sue is a very active person and this is very hard on her -- allowing herself to admit that she needs some help -- and taking things slowly -- not to mention learning to walk again.
Anyway...I will eventually be able to go back to my regular routine sometime fairly soon. Until then, I will keep on listening and making notes. I am not done with the blog or my "art" or anything else...all of that is simply on hold for a bit longer. AND, I am honestly not whining or complaining...I'm just sayin'.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Day 235 - 365/2014
Day Two Hundred Thirty-Five
Sheesh. I have the weekend off -- two whole days/nights -- and I have made little to no progress on anything. I think it has to do with forcing it instead of listening to/feeling it...whatever "it" is. I also decided against posting the things I had half-thought I'd post yesterday.
I'm not feeling defeated or depressed or anything...I just feel like I have been trying too hard today to accomplish something rather than just putting in some good work on existing things. I have several collages that I would like to finish up but they are not ready to be finished yet...and I tried to push it.
Here are two examples of the "she-swings, she-misses" attempts.
This first one isn't exactly bad, it just feels "off". In general I want it to be done, I like it mostly...but I feel that there is something it needs. (It looks different in person.)
Example number two...one more sampling of why this non-painter should not attempt to paint...LOL. I think maybe I should stick to adding color to collages by adding various papers. Tiny areas can be painted maybe, but not major parts...even holding my breath didn't work...ha ha ha.
I swear to you I am not beating myself up about this -- I simply know my limitations. I should allow myself to paint (apply paint to) plaster cloth guys that require painting...but I really need to knock off the "oh, I will try again" stuff because while it does permit me to play/experiment/take up time, it also keeps me from actually doing any useful work on whatever it is I am subconsciously trying to avoid.
And I really just plain do not enjoy painting.
Now. I know how to start to fix things...and I am going to use the rest of tonight to listen.
Sheesh. I have the weekend off -- two whole days/nights -- and I have made little to no progress on anything. I think it has to do with forcing it instead of listening to/feeling it...whatever "it" is. I also decided against posting the things I had half-thought I'd post yesterday.
I'm not feeling defeated or depressed or anything...I just feel like I have been trying too hard today to accomplish something rather than just putting in some good work on existing things. I have several collages that I would like to finish up but they are not ready to be finished yet...and I tried to push it.
Here are two examples of the "she-swings, she-misses" attempts.
This first one isn't exactly bad, it just feels "off". In general I want it to be done, I like it mostly...but I feel that there is something it needs. (It looks different in person.)
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| The giraffe-ish guy's companion "before"... |
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| ...and "after". I only wanted the suggestion of a face...I want the viewer to fill it in for themselves. |
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| Overall view. |
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| Overall view in the honkingly heavy/huge frame that the painting was in when I bought it at the estate sale -- I kind of sort of like the silver/gold leaf-like finish...but there is SOMEthing missing. |
Example number two...one more sampling of why this non-painter should not attempt to paint...LOL. I think maybe I should stick to adding color to collages by adding various papers. Tiny areas can be painted maybe, but not major parts...even holding my breath didn't work...ha ha ha.
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| "before" |
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| One of the few paints I actually LIKE -- Lumiere Light Body Metallic Acrylics by Jacquard. |
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| ...and then I tried to mix up a color... |
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| ...which led to pulling it all back off again...except the Lumiere wants to mostly stay put. |
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| Gah -- what an unholy mess! |
I swear to you I am not beating myself up about this -- I simply know my limitations. I should allow myself to paint (apply paint to) plaster cloth guys that require painting...but I really need to knock off the "oh, I will try again" stuff because while it does permit me to play/experiment/take up time, it also keeps me from actually doing any useful work on whatever it is I am subconsciously trying to avoid.
And I really just plain do not enjoy painting.
Now. I know how to start to fix things...and I am going to use the rest of tonight to listen.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Day(s) 230 to 234 - 365/2014
Day(s) Two Hundred Thirty to Two Hundred Thirty-Four
Whoa. These last few days ran together in a blur. I basically wen to Sue's, stayed with her until her husband came home from work, then came home and (apparently) crashed. I'd get the cats fed, have my dinner, then wake up in my chair in front of the (turned off) tv. Tonight Terri came by after her work and we went up to Tuscan for a quick bite and then back here for some conversation and then she left and I sat in my chair and suddenly I am startled to find that it is a few moments before my midnight posting deadline. Whoa.
I will try to do a recap tomorrow...I actually DO have a few things to post.
This is just an "I'm-not-dead" check in.
Whoa. These last few days ran together in a blur. I basically wen to Sue's, stayed with her until her husband came home from work, then came home and (apparently) crashed. I'd get the cats fed, have my dinner, then wake up in my chair in front of the (turned off) tv. Tonight Terri came by after her work and we went up to Tuscan for a quick bite and then back here for some conversation and then she left and I sat in my chair and suddenly I am startled to find that it is a few moments before my midnight posting deadline. Whoa.
I will try to do a recap tomorrow...I actually DO have a few things to post.
This is just an "I'm-not-dead" check in.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Day 229 - 365/2014
Day Two Hundred Twenty-Nine
I feel like I accomplished something today by working a little on several things I have been avoiding.
First, I went back in to look at the rabbit-like guy's legs situation. I got as far as cramming some of the Scott rags I pulled off of his legs/butt into the plastic drinking cups that I cut and attached to his legs. They don't "give" as much now and I think I should be able to put a first layer of plaster cloth over this arrangement. I will probably just build the parts out of mostly plaster cloth as I go along.
Second, I put another cover up layer of paper on the big blue creature collage. I used a much darker blue and I like it a lot already. I may need to go back and add a bit more paper near his shorter ear, but other than that, I am falling back in love with him again. I really like how the raggedy torn edges of the paper look like fur (a little bit)...rather than me having to try to paint or draw that sort of edge in. The collage is very wet in these photos...I hope it dries as good as it looks now.
Third, I covered up the guy in the background of the giraffe-ish guy's collage. I did not like how the face was turning out. I thought I would just try to add more of the same paper but I couldn't tell for sure what paper it is. I liked the colors coming through but I really disliked the eyes and nose that I inked in. I came across a bag of torn pieces of a marbleized paper that was down to mostly the darker pieces -- lots of black and gold -- and it was not what I had in mind, but I think I may like it (for now at least). It has potential...plus I can already see a face in that very wet paper that I like. It will probably look a lot different when it dries, though.
When I was adding the paper pieces to the background guy I noticed a bit of whitish material that is a part of one of the lower pieces of paper in the collage. It almost looks like a twig. I couldn't remove it so I think I made it less noticeable with a couple of pieces of the light teal paper.
And last...I felt like I needed/wanted to do something to the collage with the three friends in it. I struggled with this for several hours and then decided to try to beef up but at the same time tone down some of the colors. The colors are much brighter than I am used to using in these collages and it is throwing me a bit...but I really needed to differentiate the three guys and I figured color would be the way to go. I am SO not a painter...man! Anyway...I managed to alter the color of the first guy (on the right) but I need to stop for tonight. I am pulling off color almost as quickly as I am adding it. I want to keep the texture and inclusions of the underlying papers without making the colors too saturated. I have no idea what I am doing...I am just making it up as I go along. I don't know...we'll see what happens later.
I feel like I accomplished something today by working a little on several things I have been avoiding.
First, I went back in to look at the rabbit-like guy's legs situation. I got as far as cramming some of the Scott rags I pulled off of his legs/butt into the plastic drinking cups that I cut and attached to his legs. They don't "give" as much now and I think I should be able to put a first layer of plaster cloth over this arrangement. I will probably just build the parts out of mostly plaster cloth as I go along.
Second, I put another cover up layer of paper on the big blue creature collage. I used a much darker blue and I like it a lot already. I may need to go back and add a bit more paper near his shorter ear, but other than that, I am falling back in love with him again. I really like how the raggedy torn edges of the paper look like fur (a little bit)...rather than me having to try to paint or draw that sort of edge in. The collage is very wet in these photos...I hope it dries as good as it looks now.
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| Even with just this small amount of the darker paper added, I'm already falling back in love with this guy again. |
Third, I covered up the guy in the background of the giraffe-ish guy's collage. I did not like how the face was turning out. I thought I would just try to add more of the same paper but I couldn't tell for sure what paper it is. I liked the colors coming through but I really disliked the eyes and nose that I inked in. I came across a bag of torn pieces of a marbleized paper that was down to mostly the darker pieces -- lots of black and gold -- and it was not what I had in mind, but I think I may like it (for now at least). It has potential...plus I can already see a face in that very wet paper that I like. It will probably look a lot different when it dries, though.
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| "Before" -- I am really not happy with this face |
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| I wasn't planning on using this paper, but this particular piece fit the ear so well... |
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| ...I had to use it. |
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| I redid his face and arm. |
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| This is still very wet, but I can see a face in it...I hope it stays mostly like this when the matte medium dries. |
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| Wider view. |
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| A little drier already. |
When I was adding the paper pieces to the background guy I noticed a bit of whitish material that is a part of one of the lower pieces of paper in the collage. It almost looks like a twig. I couldn't remove it so I think I made it less noticeable with a couple of pieces of the light teal paper.
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| Gah -- I did not even see that twig-like inclusion before! |
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| I think it will be hidden under this teal paper. |
And last...I felt like I needed/wanted to do something to the collage with the three friends in it. I struggled with this for several hours and then decided to try to beef up but at the same time tone down some of the colors. The colors are much brighter than I am used to using in these collages and it is throwing me a bit...but I really needed to differentiate the three guys and I figured color would be the way to go. I am SO not a painter...man! Anyway...I managed to alter the color of the first guy (on the right) but I need to stop for tonight. I am pulling off color almost as quickly as I am adding it. I want to keep the texture and inclusions of the underlying papers without making the colors too saturated. I have no idea what I am doing...I am just making it up as I go along. I don't know...we'll see what happens later.
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| The view from my desk today. |
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| These guys. |
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| I added some neutral gray acrylic paint over the mustardy color...I like it better but it isn't on there very evenly...needs lots of work. |
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| All of the other colors need to be punched a bit, too. |
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Day 228 - 365/2014
Day Two Hundred Twenty-Eight
I have the weekend off -- Sue's husband isn't working this weekend and that means they don't need me to stay with Sue...yay for all of us!
Geez -- there are so many things I want to work on and yet I can't seem to get started on any of them. I finally chose to try again with the plaster cloth rabbit-like guy's legs/butt area. Early this afternoon I tried to match up the way I had started on the first side...but naturally, too much time has elapsed and while I remember the gist of it, I wasn't happy with the way it was turning out...tear it all off and get back to the drawing board. Tonight I ended up cutting a thick cardboard tube, then a paper towel tube, then some plastic drinking glasses. If I stay with the plastic drinking glasses at least things will be fairly even if I work on one side and then the other at the same time. I will keep building up the shape evenly until I come up with something I am happy-ish with. This is where I needed to end for tonight.
I have the weekend off -- Sue's husband isn't working this weekend and that means they don't need me to stay with Sue...yay for all of us!
Geez -- there are so many things I want to work on and yet I can't seem to get started on any of them. I finally chose to try again with the plaster cloth rabbit-like guy's legs/butt area. Early this afternoon I tried to match up the way I had started on the first side...but naturally, too much time has elapsed and while I remember the gist of it, I wasn't happy with the way it was turning out...tear it all off and get back to the drawing board. Tonight I ended up cutting a thick cardboard tube, then a paper towel tube, then some plastic drinking glasses. If I stay with the plastic drinking glasses at least things will be fairly even if I work on one side and then the other at the same time. I will keep building up the shape evenly until I come up with something I am happy-ish with. This is where I needed to end for tonight.
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| The "before" shot... |
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| ...my starting point for today. |
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| I kinda sorta evened things up, but I was really not happy with it in person...the first side was very soft and today's side was nice and firm...I couldn't get them to equal out in the end. |
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| That's okay -- tear it all off and start again! |
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| From the beginning. |
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| Cutting up a heavy duty cardboard tube. |
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| Trying to shape some pieces of lightweight cardboard tubing. |
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| Uh...no. |
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| Cutting up some plastic drinking glasses...I have a billion of these. |
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| Well...at least the sides are pretty darn close to even. |
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| This could be a decent foundation to build a shape over. |
Also, for three days in a row I missed three opportunities to make a run out to Rochester to pick up my unsold artwork from the Paint Creek Members Show...stuff kept coming up at the last moment. Sue's husband will be going in to work early on Monday and he is going to drop Sue off over here and then she and I will make the trip out to get my stuff. Then we'll zip back to drop the artwork off at my house and head back to her area to get her to her physical therapy appointment.
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