Science and the Princess of Paint

2012-01-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

Sandra Duran Wilson

When I think about what the creative process involves, I know that it isn't done in isolation. I am constantly looking and seeing images around me and some I resonate with and some get filed away in the back room of my mind. These feelings, sounds, thoughts, etc that get filed away are many times the ones that influence my work the most.

I create from several different mindsets, often simultaneously. I may be working on a painting that I have already sketched out and done the preliminary color testing. I may have another painting in process that is nearing completion and I need to have a bit of dialogue with it in order to hear where it needs to go to be finished. And then, I always keep another surface around that I consider my throw anything on it piece. I am not attached to the outcome of this piece. Sometimes I have several at each stage hanging in my studio. I move from one to the other. This allows different aspects of my consciousness to be working at all times.

The painting that many times seems like it paints or completes itself, is the one that I am not attached to. As soon as I give it the precious factor, it loses its; spontaneity. Isn't life like that. Detaching from the outcome is the hardest thing that we all have to do. I welcome the practice in my studio so it makes it a little less nerve racking in the rest of my life.

Creative Fear

2011-12-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes creating art is like looking into another dimension. Sometimes fear can keep one from jumping into that dimension. To be successful as an artist we must step into that fear. When you focus on your doubts, fears and perceived inadequacies, you will be haunted by fear of failure. When you bring your focus to your strengths and talents you will find your courage. What you think, is more important than anything else in finding your courage. Practice stepping into the fear and embracing your confidence, it will become easier. Make a daily habit of jumping into your altered dimension where you are brave, successful and able to leap over tall buildings. May the force be with you.

Just Let Go and Flow

2011-11-30T05:30:00.000-08:00

Unity

This painting began life as what I call my throw away piece. I always keep a canvas, panel or paper around that I will add leftover paint and mediums onto. This keeps them out of the sink and trash, a good green practice. I layer colors that I may never have thought of doing in a regular painting. Mediums get layered over what came before. Soon I find myself with a great background. I then finish the painting and it often becomes one of my favorite "masterpieces". Try this. You will find yourself loosening up because you are not so attached to the outcome. You may discover some awesome combinations that you would never have tried. I dare you. Go ahead and let your throw away piece become your masterpiece.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

Infinity

Time is an illusion to keep everything from happening at once. The next time you feel under pressure and are stressed, remember that you are the creator of the illusion. Allow yourself all the time you need. You have Infinity and Beyond. I wish your day to be filled with love and gratitude, many friends and family and great food. Thank you all for your support in this journey called life.

2011-11-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

Flower Evolution 26x26

I was feeling kinda pop, kinda wow when I painted this. The idea was to incorporate depth and flat space. I also like the idea of forms moving from one dimension to another. I am a science geek that loves physics. Who says science and pop can't mix. Rock on.

Layers of Love

2011-11-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

Interconnected 8x8

This happy little painting was so much fun to make. It has multiple layers and the trick that makes it interesting is that only little parts of them peek through. You can achieve this look by being fearless and layering over something that is already there. If you aren't that brave yet, put a clear isolation layer over your painting and let dry. You can then fearlessly proceed, and if you don't like it, simply wipe it off. Go ahead, be brave.

November Daze

2011-11-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

Lightbeams 16x16

This painting, or giclee on canvas, is 16x16". The original painting was a 6x6" acrylic on panel. My art photographer friend, Amadeus Leitner, scanned it and made this giclee. I find it interesting because it changes the scale of everything from the texture of the surface weave to the size of the writing. I am going to be playing with this a lot more. I think it is a great way to give a small painting a bigger personality. You know how those little dogs think they are bigger than the Great Danes. You may have a painting like that. Give it a boost and see. It's fun.

2011-08-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

Web of Life

There is always an underlying support structure. The web that holds our world together exists on many levels. Native stories teach that the spider wove the web of the world. She gave us the alphabet to describe this world. We all weave our consciousness together in the dream state.

2011-08-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

The cycles of life

New Life

This little painting came about after the forest fires. With all destruction there is new growth. The cycles always continue.

2011-08-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Land of Happy Returns

This painting is created over copper leaf. The lower section has a gel transfer that I created from a composite of different images, there is a layer of glaze and paint and then some collage. The top section has layers of paint on tissue and more collage. These look like the Sangre de Cristo mountains above Santa Fe.

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

You Are Invited!

Summer Time 12x48

Here is the new painting for Contemporary Hispanic Market. You are invited to the 25th show in downtown Santa Fe, NM on July 30-31 from 8-5 on Lincoln Ave. I am in booth #58. Please stop by and say hello. There is also a preview and awards show on Friday eve from 5-8 at the Santa Fe Convention Center.

2011-07-21T13:55:00.000-07:00


Song of the Trees

A lot has been happening to our planet. Artist sense changes and it is our job to bring to light these changes. The forests around Santa Fe have been burning. We are in extreme drought and there is record heat. Part of the country floods while the other half withers under the drought. I don't do landscape painting, but several paintings have found their way into my consciousness lately that bring to light the happenings of Mother Earth. I will be posting these over the next few weeks. Today looks like we could get some rain. The fires are under control and tomorrow always begins anew. Many blessings to you all.

2011-06-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

Tantalizing Textures

Bamboo Forest

This painting has texture that you would love to touch. I created a very textured background using gels and pastes to build depth. When this was completely dry, I mixed the blues and whites into a light molding paste and spread over the surface with a palette knife. The reds and pinks peek through. I then added my collage of bamboo, poured on a Faux wax layer, added darks and I was done. Oh yes, there are always those little details to go back in and adjust, also the framing and showing the work and now it is sold.

2011-05-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

The book is out!

Check out our new book on 45 different surface textures and treatments. With all the extra variables you get hundreds of techniques to try.

2011-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Waiting at the Gate of Wisdom 12x10 framed

This is another piece that started as a demonstration. The lower portion has texture from masking tape, then gold leaf is applied over it and painted on. Some water slide decals are applied, another layer of light molding paste, some more transfers and a little brushwork and you have art.

2011-05-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

Soul Windows 24x60

This painting is now showing at Pippin Contemporary Gallery in downtown Santa Fe, NM at 125 Lincoln Ste 114. Please join me for the opening on Friday May 6th from 5-7.

2011-04-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

Bamboo Forest 16x12

This painting grew out of numerous layers of demonstrations. Many of my paintings begin life in the workshops I teach. This particular panel had several different techniques layered onto it. I painted back some areas to give it some breathing room. I then gave it a thick layer of gel matte. I began working on top of that with more layers of color and collage. Some shadows and a final coat finish it up. It has already found a wonderful home. Thank you Ellie and Steve.

2011-03-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Turquoise Forest

I will be teaching a three day workshop in Austin on April 1-3. There are still 2 spots left if you go now to Dragonfly Gallery.

2011-03-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

Lady Luck 8x8

This little painting incorporates stamping, gels and pastes and easy transfer painting. These are all techniques in my new book, Image Transfer Workshop. I received a preview copy and it looks great. It will start shipping in April and appearing in bookstores in May and June.

2011-03-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

Roots 8x8

I will be having a free hands on demo Friday March 18th at the Inn and Spa of Loretto in downtown Santa Fe, NM from 2-5. This event is hosted by the hotel and Creative Santa Fe. Please stop by and make some art. You will be able to take your creations home with you. The painting above has transparency transfers in it. I will have copies of my book Image Transfer Workshop and an advance copy of the next book, Surface Treatment Workshop. Pass the word if you know anyone who will be in town. Thanks and I hope to see you tomorrow.

2011-03-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

Laughter 6x6

This little gem shows how you can add depth to acrylic textures. I have painted multiple layers of color, then stamped a texture onto the surface and also painted shadows underneath the circles. The circles themselves have four additional colors painted on top of the initial stamped image. This makes the bubbles "pop".

2011-02-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

Art and Soul in Portland Blog Hop

I will be teaching three workshops in Portland, OR in September. If you are not familiar with this venue I encourage you to take a look and check out all the workshops available. Also check the blogs of a few of the other artists that will be teaching, they're listed below. Art and Soul is a week long creation fest. You live, work and breathe creativity for up to a week. It's great because you can stay in the hotel and take as many workshops from as many instructors as you like and you only have to get there once. What could be more fun!

Tantalizing Textures

This is the class to begin your wonderful journey into textures. We'll explore some fantastic tips and tricks to jump start textured surfaces that you will be irresistible to touch. These can be a starting point for collage, transfers, layers or they can be completed art work in themselves.

Transfer Image Journey

with Transparencies and More

You may wish to take this class in conjunction with the Texture class and you can build on top of your surfaces. It may also be taken independently. We will learn many transfer techniques, including creating layers with transparencies and how to then leverage those images into a new transfer. You will be amazed at the endless possibilities. I hope to see you in this class.

Not Your Mother's Collage

The third class I am teaching is a fun filled class for all you collage fanatics like me. I'll share all my adhesion and paper creation methods with you. We will learn how to incorporate transfers and textures into collage. Check it out and learn some new tricks.

Now take a look at just a few of the other fantastic artists that will be teaching. Sign up for a whole week of classes and share with so many others. I look forward to making lots of new friends in Portland.

Fun with Depth

2011-02-18T07:33:00.000-08:00


Touch collage on plexi (sold)

I have always loved creating depth in my 2-D work. I am also a sculptor but have been focusing on painting for the last dozen years. I'm feeling the need lately to create some sculptures and I'm also studying glass. Touch was created in reverse on plexiglas using collage and paint. I then painted onto the surface so you get the depth. I will be teaching workshops on these methods and creating more cast acrylic paintings. Stay tuned.

Art and Soul blog

2011-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Art and Soul Retreat

Click on this link above to take you to the Registration for workshops in Portland OR. I will be teaching three.

Textures and Transfers

2011-02-11T07:37:00.000-08:00


Quantum 2010

This painting combines textures and transfers to give your work a double wow factor. The lower part is a glue crackle with several color layers and the middle square is a water slide decal over a crackle paste. You can learn these techniques and more in one of my workshops. The February class still has openings.

You Are Invited

2011-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Earth Waltz 30x30

My painting, Earth Waltz has been selected for The exhibition 18 Days

The gala opening and awards presentation is Friday Feb 11th from 5:30 to 8 in the Munoz Waxman Gallery at The Center for Contemporary Art 1050 Old Pecos Trail Santa Fe, NM 505.982.1338. The exhibition continues for six weekends with live performances and films. Please stop by and say hello.

Tip for the Day

2011-02-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

Here is an easy tip for applying metal leaf. Cut a piece of wax paper slightly larger than the metal leaf sheet. Place over the leaf and rub on top of the wax paper. This will create friction and allow you to easily pick up the leaf. You may then place it on your ready adhesive, gold leaf down and rub. Remove the wax paper and you're ready to go.

Check out My Newsletter

2011-02-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

I am beginning to get connected in cyber world. I have websites, blogs, FB, Fanpages and who knows what else and I am now figuring out how to connect everything. So please check out my February newsletter.

Newsletter

Golden Glow

2011-02-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

Golden Glow 10x10

This is a new painting that began life as a demo while teaching a workshop. All my small paintings begin there. Sometimes there may be a few paintings lurking underneath. I find this makes for an interesting texture. I built on this texture with more paint and I even put gold leaf over some of the texture and painted on top of this. This is an 8x8 painting that is framed in a black floater frame to a size of 10x10 and it is available for $350. The gold really does glow!

Tips and Tricks

2010-12-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

Time Traveler 8x8

This painting begins with a textured pattern pressed into wet molding paste. When dry, gold leaf is applied, sealed and painted. Collage of tissue and rice paper with an etching is layered on top. More paint and layers complete the work.

Music in My Mind

2010-11-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

When I listen to music I see colors.

The sounds are frequencies that activate certain colors. I don't listen to anything when I am painting unless I want to make something to that sound. This is a painting with collage.

Time Warp

2010-07-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

Song of the Water 12x12

Somehow I missed June. I apologize for the time warp, but I am back and I have some new work. This painting is created using acrylic pours, gel transfer, collage and glazes. The sound of flowing water is music to my ears. I will be teaching some new workshops in AZ in August and TX in November.

Collage Challenge

2010-05-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Formula One 8x8

I love combining collage in my paintings. I have used pieces of an old collagraph, painted book pages from a used math text and painted papers to develop my theme and composition.

When I get toward the end of a painting or collage session, I give myself a challenge to create a piece using only what is left on the table. This a fun and innovative way to see new color combinations and composition possibilities.

Alternative Printmaking

2010-03-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

Song to Illuminate the Heart oil and mixed media on paper

I love printmaking, especially alternative methods. I studied in school all the traditional and technical methods for etching. I then began to explore other ways to get a similar result. Collagraph is my favorite. I create a textured plate, much like my paintings, then I apply oil etching ink, soak my paper and run it through an etching press. This piece has multiple drops and a transfer on top. The transfer is plastic heat from my book Image Transfer Workshop.

2010 and beyond

2010-02-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

Quantum 2010

This painting was an older unfinished peice that came together while working on my second book with Darlene. We leave next month for the photo shoot. I have been away, my head filled with new techniques for the book. This painting has some of the new techniques: hide glue, crackle paste and acrylic monoprint.

Time Warps and Wormholes

2009-12-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

Portal 22x15 oil on paper

Time has slipped away at warp speed once again and I think I have fallen through the rabbit wormhole and come out on the other side of tomorrow. If that's not enough to twist your mind try this collagraph work on paper called Portal. For you printmakers, it is a triple drop with a gum arabic transfer collage and silk over that. For all other normal people I think it is a beautifully textured work that is ready to be framed. I am sending out my newsletter tomorrow with a special Holiday invite. Check it out. I hope to post again soon now that I found the key to the time machine. Happy December.

November Gratitude

2009-11-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

Floating Stones 16x20

Lately I have found myself wanting to paint landscapes. Now my landscapes aren't what you look out the window and see, they are more like what you see in your dreams. That is where all my paintings come from, my dreams. I love waking up and having the solution to a technical issue solved or the vision for a new painting. My best work is done in my dreams. I think I will start on a new series called Perspective.

This painting is called Floating Stones because the stones want to join the sky and the sky is cracked like the veins in the stones. The green bands are the Earth's energy waves.

The Nest

2009-10-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Australia is still resonating with me. Cheryl and Helen are here visiting from Braidwood and all the good memories of the opening in April come flooding back. I am very grateful to both of them for being such great gallerists and good friends.

Cheryl chose this painting to add to her collection. It is called The Nest and it is painted on venetian plaster. The initial layer of plaster had pigment put in while still wet. This is a fresco technique. I then layered images and glazes. A transfer of the nest like image was added and more layers of mediums. Reverse painting collage was the final layer, then more acrylic mediums and finally varnish. The painting looks like it is made from wax, but it is all acrylic.

Hot Days of Summer

2009-08-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

Gondwana 12x42

I've been thinking about my friends in Australia. It's winter there and cold. I get the weather reports from Braidwood, NSW where my show was, and it is chilly. Thinking about this helps me stay cool in the dry heat of August. We haven't had our usual afternoon rains to cool us off.

Inspiration even comes from the weather. When it is hot outside, I paint in cool colors, and when it is snowing and freezing I paint in hot tropical shades. I'm influenced by everything around me: weather, sounds, events and seasons. The painting above was inspired by the tide pools at Depot Beach in Australia. We also went to another very special grove of Tree Ferns where I learned about the rivers that ran through Australia before the land mass known as Gondwana split apart to become other continents like Africa, India and South America. The land that remained as Australia had rivers running not to the sea and ancient fossils on the land.

Gondwana represents the land masses splitting apart and it incorporates transfer images taken from photos of the tide pools. The way the orbs look, they could be planets. I like to play with the micro and the macro interchanging positions.

What inspires you?

2009-07-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

Rocks and Drops 16 x 20

You are invited to my opening Friday July 17th with an artist's reception 5 to 7 at Artistas de Santa Fe Gallery. The gallery is located at 228 B Old Santa Fe Trail, the entrance is on Alameda Street. The number is 505-982-1320 and the website is www.artistasdesantafe.com.

Please stop by to say hello, have food and drink and look at art. I would love to see you all.

Image Transfer Workshop

2009-06-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

We have received advance copies of our book, Image Transfer Workshop. It is amazing to see two years of work in print. I have been using it as a reference for some new work. The folks who have had a chance to look at it have run home to order it and so can you. Here is the link to Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Image-Transfer-Workshop-Mixed-Media-Techniques/dp/1600611605/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232977667&sr=8-1
You should receive it about mid July. it won't be in the bookstores until August or September, so order your copy today.
We demonstrate 35 transfer techniques and we trouble shoot what may go wrong and how to fix it. We even have four projects you can do. working on this book has influenced my work and expanded my painting and art making tools. I hope it does the same for you. We will have a website and a blog for the book up this week, and I look forward to hearing how everyone is using the techniques. See you soon.

Finding the Perfect Sheen

2009-06-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

Wave 10x8

These two little painting were part of a demo I did for Artisan Art Supply in Taos. I created two identical backgrounds and then altered the surface using different acrylic mediums. The paint in the lower portion of the painting was a mix of interference and iridescent gold and micaceous iron oxide-all from Golden Acrylic Paints. I put a layer of matte gel over the entire surface. This pushed back the sheen. The painting below was finished in a soft gel gloss medium. You can see the difference. I changed the final sheen by using a satin varnish on the painting above and a gloss varnish on the one below. Sometimes I like to alternate layers of gloss and satin. You can always change the final sheen of your painting with the varnish.

French Curl 10x8

Australian Art Opening

2009-05-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

April 3, 2009

Fyre Gallery

Braidwood, NSW AU

Wow, what a great time we had. The opening and the entire trip was a wonderful, beautiful and an inspirational journey, and it continues.

Pictured from left: AnaMaria Samaniego, myself, Suzanne Bellamy, printmaker and ceramic artist, and Cheryl Hannah gallery owner. We are in front of the signature wall for the opening. Thanks to the hard work and inspirational vision of Cheryl and her partner, Helen McKenna, the show was a fabulous success. Lots of folks came, ate, drank, appreciated art and collected.

We held an artist talk on Sunday and then on Tuesday we traveled to Goulburn to give a talk and demo for the printmaking students at TAFE Arts and Media Department. We even got to go to both Suzanne Bellamy and Marianne Courtney's studios. We were wined, dined and given the royal treatment by all we met. What an opportunity to get to know artists and share inspirational ideas and techniques. I hope to get back to Australia to teach a workshop.

AnaMaria and Sandra at TAFE Goulburn Campus

We were able to travel a bit in New South Wales. We went from the Snowy Mountains to the tide pools and beaches at Depot Beach and the tree fern grottoes of Penance Grove. You will be seeing work inspired by these places. I will post inspirational photos and finished paintings as they are completed.

Tree Ferns in Penance Grove

I would like to thank everyone in Australia that made our trip such a memorable experience.

Dreaming Down Under

2009-03-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

This is a monoprint, etching and collage composition called Dreaming. It is in the show at Fyre Gallery in Australia, where I am heading in a couple of days. You can go to the link
http://www.hannahfyre.com.au/fyregallery/fyregallery.html
and read and see the wonderful catalogue Cheryl has put together.

The show is called Under New Mexico Skies, and there are three printmakers from Santa Fe; Phyllis Sloan, AnaMaria Samaniego and myself, and Australian mixed media artist, Suzanne Bellamy. The show opens April 3 and I will post pictures from the opening here on my blog. Come visit me in Australia.

Playing with Transfers and Finishes

2009-03-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Connect the Dots

I have been having a great time playing with the Golden Interference paints and transfers. This piece called, Connect the Dots, started with interference paints on the background. The lower third got a gel transfer and the middle section got a Lazertran inkjet transfer. The top portion is a heavy texture from ceramic stucco, a product from Liquitex.

The Lazertran will be opaque until you treat it with a varnish to make it clear. The part I really like is that I can control where it is clear and where it stays opaque. In this photo, the pink areas are clear and the blue is opaque.

I wanted to be able to draw on top so I covered the painting in a 50/50 mixture of Liquitex clear gesso mixed with water. Before it dried completely, I wiped most of it off. This left a tooth on the surface that I could then draw on. I sealed it with a workable fix and then varnished.

March Mania

2009-03-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

Earth Dance 6x6

March is here and I feel the seeds stirring under the earth.

I am busy getting ready for three artist demos at Artisans. The first is Saturday March 7th at the Taos store from 1-3. The Santa Fe store has added another day due to high demand. I will be doing the demos on both Sat and Sunday, March 14 and15, from 1-3.

My workshops are filling up for the spring. Please see my website http://www.sandraduranwilson.com/ or email mailto:skwduran@msn.com to register.

Abstract Painting, Layers and Transfers March 20-22 Santa Fe $345 includes materials.

April 18 One Day Intensive for experienced artists $125 includes materials.

I will be demonstrating how to do a transfer on top of a heavily textured surface.

The painting Earth Dance is an example of how to create a textured layer and then put a thick layer of gel on top, let dry and then do a gel or paint transfer on top of that.

Next week I will show you the result from the demo. I hope to see you at Artisans http://www.artisan-santafe.com/.

Creating Layers in a Painting

2009-02-26T18:23:00.000-08:00

I find adding texture and layers within my painting creates a visual history of what came before. I love to lay down colors, let them dry and then scrape another color over that. I also use gampi paper, or silk tissue, to create a layer of text and then draw on top of that. I then build up a thick layer of gel medium, let dry for a couple of weeks and finish off with a satin varnish. This gives the look of wax or encaustic.

Rust to Ridges

2009-02-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

Here is my finished painting that was inspired by my photograph of an old rusted car door. I have used transparencies, transfers, and many layers of paint.

submissions

2009-02-17T14:27:00.000-08:00

For the inspirational challenge, send me images of both the photo and the finished artwork.

2009-02-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a painting by one of my students, Cate Goedert. She is a photographer turned mixed media artist. You can see more of her work at

http://categoedert.com

or visit her blog at http://www.categoedert.com/blog/index.html

This work is called Passage and she has utilized her photography along with transfer techniques. Please see my website for workshop dates.

Inspiration and Creation

2009-02-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

February is zipping past me. I do believe that the time space continuum has folded in upon itself, and I am seeing time condensed. The sun is lingering a bit longer, and I feel the seeds of creation stirring beneath the snow. This is the time of year to look to unusual places for inspiration. "First thought" is a game I like to play. I look upon a blank page or canvas, and what is my first thought. Is it a color, a shape, a number, an idea or a symbol? I find the patterns in the thawing soil intriguing. You may see cloud patterns or shadows on rocks. Take a photo of your inspiration. Play with it in a computer program or collage it into your work. Begin a free association with the photo, see where it leads you. Do the same thing with a color. Think of a color, and use the first color that comes to mind. You can of course mix it with other colors. See where your first thought leads you, and be not afraid.

Send me your creations and I will post them here.

Here is one of my inspirational photos.

Skies and Canyons

2009-01-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

Here is my revised painting using the creative challenge. It is called Skies and Canyons.

Creative Challenge

2009-01-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

Here is the creative challenge for the week. Take an old or unfinished painting that you are ready to rework and gesso over parts of it. Collage and mixed media artists always have bits and pieces of papers and scraps left over from other projects. Grab a handful, or like me, use what's left on the table to create a collage over the old painting. Give yourself a timetable to finish and limit the materials to what you grabbed. The time could be anywhere from one hour to three depending on the size of the piece. Finish it within that time. Have it glued down. You can always go back over it later with paint or drawing, but the challenge is to finish the collage now. Don't judge, just jump in and do it. It is, after all, a creative challenge. Let me see how it goes.

Today's edition

2009-01-13T16:33:00.000-08:00

I am working on the final edit for my upcoming book, "Image Transfer Workshop", written with Darlene Olivia McElroy. The book will be available for pre-order on Amazon in May. I'll keep you posted.

The class I am teaching at ArtXscapes began last night and we have a great group. They all completed collages within the creation challenge deadline. I'll post one for everyone tomorrow. Check back.

More Snow

2008-12-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

It is beautiful outside. I have been out knocking snow off the branches of our pinon trees. There is about a foot of snow and more coming down. I love this time of year, not so much the cold, but how the days will begin to get longer. We were in Albuquerque on the solstice so yesterday I did my intentions and ceremony for the new year. Playfullness, seeing beyond perceived duality and going into the shadows for answers came up in my reading. I look forward to this time of change. Yes it is difficult, but great gifts can come in strange packages. I look for this time to give my artistic voice more authenticity, more depth and greater compassion.

When the days are long and warm it is easy to be outside of oneself, but when the nights are long it is time to go inside the cave and let the eyes adjust to see what is usually not visible in the bright light of the day.

Sales may be low and the economic outlook glum, but that is just the final sum in the artist's equation. Now is the time to go to the source, to refine techniques, to explore new areas and to work alone. In the spring emerge from the cave and share the results. Bring to light that which was hidden. This is the job of artist.

facing the blank screen

2008-12-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

Today is a snowy December day and I feel like sitting in front of the fire with a good book and a cup of hot tea. Instead I am in front of the computer reinventing my business world. I am updating my website, putting together an e-newsletter and beginning this blog. The learning curve is steep but that will change. New ideas and learning are great motivators.

I look forward to creating some large paintings in my newly completed studio. I will post pictures when the snow stops and I can get out and take a few shots. Here is an image of a work on paper that will be in my show in Australia in April.