I can sense it in the air.....

It's the holiday season. Because I've been having dreams of sugarplum fairies in my head. No, not really. My dreams are way weirder than that, but lets not go there.

The commissions are starting to come in. Ebay sales are picking up. I love those folks who realize that Christmas comes every year, and it happens pretty much the same time during the year. Actually the last time I checked it was the 25th of December. (sarcasm?) But this is great for me. I love not only the painting, the shows and the stories that people share with me about their pets, but there's something about knowing that when that day arrives that people are opening up their presents and there's their beloved pet.... in a watercolor.... by me. It gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling that I believe that's what the holidays are all about.

"Retired Racer"

5"x7" watercolor

Above, is a small painting that I did of a greyhound. I took the reference photo at the Bay Colony dog show that happens every year, usually the first weekend of December. They used to have it at the Bay State Expo Center in Quincy, but just found out that it's moved to Providence RI expo center. http://baycolonydogshow.com/ Anyway, this cutie was hanging in front of a Greyhound rescue table. I chose to leave the pillow and the background white because to me it gives a more "airy" effect. Especially when you normally see pictures and photos of greyhounds, they're running on air - not sleeping on it.

So a busy schedule ahead:

November 13th & 14th Allston Open Studios http://www.allstonarts.org/

November 13th through December 13th the Allston Art expo at the Honan Library in Allston http://http//www.allstonarts.org/ Reception is Saturday November 13th. (I will not be at this opening as I will be working at the Allston Open Studios. If I could be in 2 places at the same time I would, but I learned a long time ago on Three's Company that this is impossible.)

November 18th New England Arts for Animals Members Show. Opening reception from 5pm to 8pm in the Fernwood Gallery (430 Washington Street Norwell MA ) The show will run until December 31st.

December 4th First Church of Jamaica Plain Christmas Show. http://http//www.firstchurchjp.org/index.asp

I hope to see you at least one of these events!!

Allston Rock City

So Friday I got the news that long time local club Harpers Ferry is closing it's doors after 40 years of bringing live music to Allston. You don't know how much this breaks my heart. I love going to see live music and I love the fact that I had at least 3 clubs within walking distance to my condo. Harpers was one of them. Some think that the local music scene is dead or dying and I'm here to tell you it's NOT. In fact, people have poo-pooing the local music scene for years. I say: Pish Posh! YOU are the local music scene. The bands are there, and they are playing. It's YOU who needs to show your support by going out!! I've actually talked with musicians about it. The scene is this: Bands play, you go out and watch them. You have a couple of beers while your there and support the establishment that is hosting the show. You might like the band, you might not. But how would you ever know? Hell, the band could suck donkey but the bass player is hot and you just may have a lovely time watching him. You might be the oldest one there (who cares?) you might be the only girl there (Hey - shorter line for the ladies room!) but you got to get out there. There's so many places to see music. Make some plans this Columbus day weekend and get out there! SUPPORT THE ARTS!

So this is what I did this past weekend:

Black Thai

I went to O'Brien's on Saturday night to check out Black Thai and Gozu. I had only heard good things about these 2 bands. Above is a picture of Black Thai that I took off their website. The only name I know is Jim Healy (far left) and have seen his solo stuff http://thepedigreeartist.blogspot.com/2010/04/hey-i-like-what-i-like-everything-else.html

and his other project We're All Gonna Die and am a fan. I was happy to see this band too. They we're really good. The only thing I didn't like is that I really couldn't hear Jim's singing voice and it's really worth taking a listen to! http://www.blackthaiband.com/

Gozu

Gozu found me on Twitter and became a follower. I then checked out their stuff and it is Bad Ass! I now follow them and was ecstatic to see them down at OB's. It's hard, funky, and a whole lot of guitar! Love love love this band. If you like Queens of the Stone Age, Black Sabbath or anything that's Groove Metal, you will love these guys. http://www.myspace.com/gozu666

Okay - back to the art. Christmas is coming and I've already started getting commissions for the holidays! Good sign! I was also able to get in some painting for my own portfolio AND dropped of my application for the Allston Open Studios. There's also going to be an art show at the Honan Allston Library and plan to show works there as well. New England Arts for Animals is having another members show down at the Fernwood Gallery in Norwood come this November and of course the JP First Church Christmas Art Show will be happening the first weekend of December. After that - a painting maniac I will be. Oh - and I still have NEAFA 2011 calendars for all those who are interested. I will be selling these for $10 a piece. Can I say it again? SUPPORT THE ARTS!!

Onyx

5"x7" watercolor and colored pencil

September weekend.....

September is in full swing and after the melancholy that I was feeling a bit last week it was high time that I went out and did the things I enjoy doing. Remember, we're only on this ride once, better make the best of it!

I spent some time at the art table last week. Finished the painting of a Lhasa (maybe a bearded collie - I had taken the photo so long ago!) on Thursday night. Then J came home with the news that Gut is moving their rehearsal space out of Denby Street and possibly getting a space down in Southie! Oh NO! J & I were fortunate enough to go down to Denby (walking distance from the Allston SkyBox) and not only listen to some great metal by Gut but also got to know a slew of great musicians down there.. Dr. Enemy, Planetoid to name a few. Alas, it is the end of an era for us but the music won't stop. And it may be better that we cut down on our cocktail intake during the week :)

Lhasa in Black and White

5"x7" watercolor

This painting didn't take too long to do but I really pushed it over the edge and was able to bring it back. There's a fine line between done and overdone. This may fall into the category of overdone. When I'm not working on commissions, I tend to use things that I normally wouldn't use and in this case it was one big round watercolor brush that holds a TON of watercolor. I had done my "paint lines" in his ear. (I also find that I prefer to paint these types of dogs for the brushstroke mimicking the long hair.) I took the big brush, dipped into some grey tone and went over the ear. Because there was so much water in the brush, not only did the paper begin to warp a little bit but it made my "paint lines" into one grey mash mess. Oh crap. What do I do in these situations???? Walk away. Far away. So I did. Picked up a book on Hopper and started looking at his paintings.... Then went back to the painting, did a dry test with my finger and then went back over the grey mess with more "paint lines". Well, not as dramatic as I hoped I stopped painting after that and considered this work to be done.

Thank God it's Friday rolled around and J, T and I went to go check out Planetoid!! They're SO MUCH FUN!! They also played with Prospect Hill (God, they were awful!) and Onyx (they were fun but in a nostalgia kind of way)

Planetoid

I highly recommend these guys if you like what I like to call GrooveRock or GrooveMetal. Hard enough for the boys to rock, groovy enough for the girls to dance! Their shtick is that they are Time Travelers from outer space and they're here to over come the planet with their music. Yes, they just might succeed! LOL check out the Myspace page for more info http://www.myspace.com/planetoidmusic

Saturday, J, S,R & myself went down to the Guru Room in Plymouth. http://www.reverbnation.com/venue/thegururoom Yes, Plymouth. If you don't know, this is a 45 minute ride to the South Shore and is a townie kind of town. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I think people should move out and experience somethings out of their 15 square miles of comfort. (Both mentally and physically). But we were down to support our friend P who was filling in as the drummer for the Kristian Montgomery project. http://www.myspace.com/kristianmontgomery Thank dog S drove because I needed beers to get through this. It wasn't that bad, just kinda boring. I mean, I like a music that's going to shake me up a bit. Edgy, hard, groovy, spacey..... this had none of that. I'd say they were like an REM on a bad day. Kris is a good singer and the band played well (especially my friend P - but I'm biased) but it had nothing to it. And the Guru room? WTF? The water tasted like rust! And they had this big LCD screen in the back that kept showing a loop of the same 10 pictures of a different band and drunk girls. Shut that sh*t off. It's distracting and doesn't help the band that's currently playing. Oh and speaking of drunk girls, the Guru room was full of 'em! You can dress them up, but you can't take them out LOL

And then it was Sunday

Sunday are horseback riding days and I like to go to Chrislar farms up in Rowley MA. http://www.chrislar.com/index.html I swear to God, riding is better than therapy. There's something about horses, getting dirty, riding them and being in control. If you've ever thought about riding and you live on or around the North shore, give them a call. Let them know you heard about them from me :)

This week is J's big bday!! Happy Birthday to my main man!! We're headed up to Vermont on Thursday after watching the triple bill of Deftones, Mastodon and Alice In Chains. So a short work week for me and it's going to be a hell of a good time - Yee Haw!

Does anyone go to art shows anymore???

If you keep up with this blog, you know that I was at the Charlestown Arts in the Park this past Saturday selling my wares and pitching my art along with about 30 other artistsans. And we all had the same question: Does anyone go to these art shows anymore???? The weather was beautiful, it was a Saturday in Boston. I think I saw at least 30 Duck Boats drive by throughout the day. Don't get me wrong, there were some people there and from those people I received a great interest in my work. And I'm not complaining... I'm just confused. Is it the economy? Is it the Internet with sites like Etsy, Zazzle and Ebay that makes it just easier to shop online? When I spent some time in Montana we were fortunate to come across the Sweet Pea festival in Bozeman. That was pretty packed. Maybe it's that there are so many around here (I know that the Boston Waterfront was having an arts fest the same day) that it doesn't seem so special. But then I went to the Allston Street Fair on Sunday afternoon and granted, there wasn't a lot of art and the stuff was there well, lets just say not the same caliber as mine (can I say that? yes, it's my blog) but there were plenty o' people there. I just don't know. Can you please comment on this blog and let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear from you.

Fortunately, I brought my sketch book with me and across from my booth was a couple of park benches. When someone sat down, I donned my sunglasses (so they wouldn't see me STARING at them haha) and sketched away.

Those that moved to fast or got up as soon as they sat down, turned more into doodles but there's nothing wrong with that either.

I'm currently working on a commission for a woman who is a returning customer. Her friend's dog, Glover, recently crossed the rainbow bridge and she's getting a pet portrait of him. He was such a chunky dog, but so cute! She said that he loved his fluffy chew toys and would always greet you with one in his mouth, so I kept one in the portrait. (it'll be between his front legs, still white paper here)....

Glover

Phase 1

A Somber Moment

I love the fall. I used to not so much because it was a time about going back to school (which I hated primarily because I HATE getting up in the morning). But now, for me it's a lot about reflection and the upcoming year. It's the whole school mind set, new school year... etc. I still dislike getting up before I'm ready but I'm realizing more and more that these days are numbered and we have to make the best of what we have.....

Two years ago today, my friend and coworker George died of a heart attack. I remember driving to work and it was 9/11/09 and on my way I pass an elementary school and all the kids were outside standing under a flag at half mast honoring those who died in the 9/11 attacks. I remember thinking that those kids weren't even born when it happened. It really depressed the hell out of me. And then about 20 minutes later I got the call about George. ....

Yesterday, I found out that my mom's cousin received a call on Sunday afternoon. They had found her husband on the side of the road (he had been on his daily bike ride) and was not breathing and they didn't know how long he had been there. They airlifted him to Dartmouth Hospital and there they kept him alive on machines. When they had spoken to the neurologist he said that J would not be able to breath with out machines and had pretty severe brain damage. His family decided to end his life.

Why am I telling all this? Maybe it's to make myself realize over and over again that this life we live is brief and fleeting. One second and it could change for the worse (or better!). You only have one and you better make it worth it.

*side note: J & I have been watching 6 Feet Under via Netflix. Great great series, but death is the constant underlying theme.

It's this weekend!!

This weekend is the Charlestown arts in the Park!

http://www.artistsgroupofcharlestown.com/docs/Art_Park%20web%202010.pdf and I just checked the weather and it's supposed to be Bea-U-Ti-Ful!!! Let's keep our fingers crossed that it stays that way!! I haven't done this show before and I plan on showing new artwork in snazzy new frames and have more prints and magnets to offer! Hopefully I will have my New England Art for Animals calendars in hand as well. I have 11 left - with the proceeds going to NEAFA, what are you waiting for? :)

Luna

5"x7" watercolor and colored pencil

So this past Labor Day weekend, J & I spent some quality time in lovely upstate New York, particularly in the central region of the state. We visited Pateria and Milton state forests. With hurricane Earl just passing through to the east of us, the weather wasn't rainy as it was windy! We decided to eat out one night and happened on a restaurant in Oneonta. In the foyer there was a bulletin board for flyers and business cards. There we saw 2 posters one for Dex and another for Holly. 2 kitties that were looking for a new home because their owner was moving out of state. :( I don't know this person's situation, but I think that sometimes people are too quick to give up on their pets. Please, when you take an animal in your home make it a forever home. Best wishes for Dex and Holly.

English Setter

5"x7" watercolor and colored pencil

New Artwork! Getting ready for Fall!

Hey All! Just wanted to remind you all that the Charlestown Arts http://www.artistsgroupofcharlestown.com/docs/Art_Park%20web%202010.pdf in the Park is coming up... September 11th in the City Square Park (rain date 9/12). This will be my first show of the year, so I will have new artwork, more prints and plenty of your favorite images in a magnet for dare I say it..... Christmas gifts!! I've already started shopping myself and Jiminy Crickets it'll be here before you know it!

glass study in watercolor

So last Wednesday T, R and I did a Creative Wednesday and again, I wanted to touch on the subject of texture.... Especially glass. So we did a still life of all glass things. I put the plant in there so we have some color through the clear stuff. Of course I think the plant and the pot it's in are the best out of this piece, but I believe the blue glass is the most convincing. Incidentally, the yellow glass chicken I recently found in the barn attic at my parent's house. I believe it belonged to Gramma, but neither of my parents could confirm this. Could have been the previous owner to the house...( My folks moved in to the Boxford house in 1968). But whoever she belonged to, she's my glass chicken now and I love it.


And yes, Finally I was able to get some new work up. Although going back through my portfolio it's only 5 pieces! Wow, I've apparently been busy! Back in 2003 (granted, I was unemployed) I would crank out a piece like every 2 days and at the end of a season have about 20+ pieces! But, alas, this is not the case now. This piece below is I think my best of 2010. I really experimented with the medium. What I started was going to be a strict black and white....

but then my paint tray got a little crowded and the black poured in with a light blue color ( I don't know the name, don't have the tube in front of me). So I just went with it and did the background. Then I took some Prismacolor pencils and went over it making the orange and brown marks in the fur of the kitty. The purple on the blanket is all pencil and then went into the back ground again with a light blue pencil.

This will be on display along with other works at the Charlestown Art Fair. Come and visit me!! :)