Plug it in!

"Espresso Plug"
6.75" x 8" oil pastel on paper
2004

Happy New Year everyone! It feels good to be back after the holiday break. My new motto for this month as illustrated by the above painting is "Plug it in!" I'm going to embrace 2009 with lots of energy and mucho creative spirit!

Actually, "Espresso Plug" came to mind as a good image for my post today because it's featured on EBSQ's site as the Art of the Day today. In case you're not familiar with EBSQ...it's a great place for Artists to meet, learn and showcase their work. I've been a member since 2003 and have gained some great insight from the experience. Here is some info about the group in case you're interested in joining.

Hope you're all doing well. I plan to catch up on your blogs this week to see what amazing things you're doing already this year.

Back soon...Maisie says hi! xox

Power and Pots

MinaLeeStudio.com

This is my favorite birthday card...from my friend, Kathleen. It cracks me up! Of course, you get a lot of this kind of thing when you turn 50...along with black balloons, age jokes up the ying yang and my favorite quote..."well, it's better than the alternative!". Oh geez! I think I liked Sandy's comment..."it's nifty being fifty, it's divine to be so fine". Thanks Sandy...you got it!

I've had (still workin' it) a really nice birthday and I wanted to thank each and every one of you for your wonderful birthday wishes. They warmed my heart and made my day!

I've also been spending a lot of time this week trying to fix my website. Seems that whenever I update something in Net Objects...something else goes haywire in the way of links. As I was going through lots of my files...I came across many of my oil pastels that I used to do before using acrylics. The paintings below are two of my favorites.

I'm currently working on a Cat drawing, a Dog painting and an Abstract painting...so hope to show you those very soon!

"Blue Pots"
8" x 9" oil pastel on paper

"Santa Fe Pots"

10.5" x 13" oil pastel on paper

Have a fun weekend!

Plug it in

"Shadow Plug" Photograph

Ok, so I guess I'm into plugs? What I found so cool about this above photo though is that it created itself on some canvas I had just primed the other day. The canvas was on the floor and the light streaming in through the window painted an interesting shadow image from the dangling cord of my overhead lamp and work bench. The image below is an oil pastel painting I did in 2004 which is mysteriously similar. Pretty intriguing!

"Espresso Plug"
6.5" x 8" oil pastel on paper
If you're interested in purchasing this painting email me

**And hey...check out this amazing video that I found at Bronwyn's "Visual Art in Queensland, Australia" blog. Great find, Bronwyn!

Pastel Painting Award

Yipdeedoodaday...I have some mondo cool news! I am one of the Artists featured in the "Best of America, Pastel Artists and Artisans" new book. This was a national competition and my oil pastel paintings, "Teapot" and "Ball Jar" were chosen to be included. The book (along with other books in the series) is available online and will be available at bookstores across the country including Borders Books. Thank you, Kennedy Promotions!

"Teapot" ~sold
6.5" x 8" oil pastel on paper

"Ball Jar" ~sold
5" x 7" oil pastel on paper

And on another note...I'm really excited because I just signed up to take Shari Beaubien's "Mixed Media Collage" class at the Creative Underground in Fort Collins. If any of you live in close proximity to Fort Collins, Colorado...please join us. Shari is a wonderful friend and excellent Artist. You won't want to miss out on this one!