leftovers and a little olive oil

 poppy leftovers on the easel

Thanks in part, to a severely overcooked bird, none of our guests returned for seconds, and we were rewarded with an enormous amount of Thanksgiving leftovers. The leftovers were turned into all sorts of turkey related concoctions. Some edible.

"a very large meal" 12 x 24

Same thing with poppies. After completing such a large body of poppy paintings, I found the studio filled with bits and pieces of cropped images and odd-sized boards. 

detail from "a very large meal"

I don't usually like working with smaller sizes, but I also wasn't anxious to jump back on the computer to develop new large imagery. And the beauty of working small, is that it gives me a sense of freedom to work on new techniques. 

detail from "a la folie"

The details above illustrate how I'm developing my mark making through scraping and rubbing. Keeping in the spirit of the season of cooking, I used olive oil to rub off excess paint. Reheating the area with a heat gun caused the paint to separate in areas, adding texture to the work. 

"a la folie" 12 x 24

Inspiration From Architecture

"and the leaf is singing still", 32.5" x 30"

This is the final painting ready to deliver to Patricia Rovzar Gallery for the annual group show this December.

I'm planning to explore bamboo in depth in the months leading to my June 2012 solo show. My husband is naturally the best architect in Seattle, but this particular inspiration came from a visit to my neighbor's house, designed by another talented local architect, Tyler Engle. 

front entry with view of bamboo through window beyond

As you walk toward the entry, you are greeted by a soft glow of light  filtered through the front door. Immediately opposite the front door is a frosted glass window, which looks out upon a contained area of densely planted bamboo. During the day, the bamboo is lit naturally, and the forms take on soft silhouetted forms. At night, the bamboo is lit, and the soft forms present different colors and patterns. These patterns are constantly changing throughout the day. The way some leaves press up against the glass and others fall softly into the background reminds me so much of how wax reveals and hides the image in photo encaustic painting. It was a struggle to join the conversation of the party, as I found myself wandering to the hallway for glances of that beautiful scene throughout the night. A magical box. I must find a way to intrude on my neighbor for more visits, and potential photographs.

If you find yourself downtown in December, please stop by the gallery and then let me know what you think of my new work. 

above: details from "the leaf is singing still"

The Fall Palette

 "the constance of change", 32.5 x 30

It's fall in Seattle, and the colors outside are astounding. I just completed this painting of the changing seasons. It's amusing to me that the image I started with was taken in summer. As I painted, I found myself so influenced by my surroundings, that no matter how hard I tried to paint summer colors, my palette kept taking me into the golds and rusts of the moment.

detail

This year I've added a new technique to my toolbox, which I think enhances the depth and color of the finished painting. It's impossible to show the results online, so I hope you'll come visit the gallery artist group show this December at Patricia Rovzar Gallery where you can see the new surfaces in person.

detail