Tongue Tied Tuesday

"Somewhere Between"

12" x 24"

Acrylic and Collage on Canvas

My new studio mascot!

I have a new Gargoyle to introduce you to...I've named him Leroy...and he was given to me by my friend, Melissa of Pugnotes to help watch over my new studio. Thanks Melissa! He sits atop the beautiful (Studio) architectural element that hangs outside...made by the former Owner and Artist of the studio, Nettie Penman. You can see in the photo of Nettie (bottom left) that she is working on another creation, a water fountain...which she so graciously left in our shade garden. She is an amazing Artist.

"Leroy", bringer of good studio juju

The stunning painting below was given to me by another wonderful friend, Shari Beaubien. Shari and I did a trade...I gave her "New Happy House" in exchange for this piece called, "Perfection". I saw this painting when she blogged about a new series she was working on and I had to have it. The text, "I suppose we all have delusions about perfection." really hit a chord with me. Now I just have to find the "perfect" place for it. Thank you, Shari for your inspiring work!

"Perfection"
by Shari Beaubien
5" x 5" acrylic and collage on canvas

Back in a couple of days with a blog about The BARK!

A simple beauty

Thanks for all of your congrats on the new house...you guys are the best! We won't be moving in until mid-August though...so everything you saw inside the studio is not mine (dang it!). It belongs to Netti Penman, an amazing Colorado Artist. Nettie is moving north of here and is building a new studio for herself. I got the chance to meet her the other day and thanked her for leaving such wonderful energy for me. The first time I stepped in the new studio...I knew there was good juju.

The above photo is of our new backyard. The house sits on an acre so Maisie will have plenty of space to chase bunnies and mice and probably dig to her hearts content. There was a quote in our local newspaper this morning that struck me and made me really appreciate the fact that we will have some beautiful land around us.

Hope you enjoy it too. Have a great weekend! xox

"The best remedy
for those who are
afraid, lonely or
unhappy is to go
outside,
somewhere where
they can be quiet,
alone with the
heavens, nature
and God. Because
only then does one
feel that all is as it
should be and that
God wishes to see
people happy,
amidst the simple
beauty of nature."

~Anne Frank

Two Wonderful Artists

"The Gift"
by Shari Beaubien

I have two beautiful new art pieces that grace my house now. The above print was a gift from my friend, Shari Beaubien...from her original 22" x 28" painting, "The Gift". Shari is such a sweet person and sent me this to cheer me up knowing the Maisie Mayhem I've been going through. What a smile it brought to my face and what a talent she is. Thank you, Shari!

"Another Year"
5.5" x 6.5"
paint, collage, paper, graphite, beeswax on wood
by Michele Maule

I recently purchased this beautiful painting above on Etsy from another amazing Artist, Michele Maule. I did a blog post awhile back on Michele's work and when I saw this chair painting I just had to have it. What she wrote about it really spoke to me...

"Since moving to Michigan, and the few months before our move, I felt, and feel, like I am just waiting. Waiting for certain events to happen before I can move to the next step. I suppose most of life is like this..."

This is SO my life the last two months; waiting for Maisie to heal, waiting and hoping for a friend's recovery from cancer, waiting to have the time to do the work I need to do, waiting...waiting...WAITING! Besides all that though, I just think it's such a cool painting.

So did you see the Academy Awards last night? I was a little disappointed that Julie Christie didn't win Best Actress. Her performance in "Away From Her" was really stunning. We usually have some champagne on Oscar night...but this year we're saving that very special bottle for Friday when Maisie gets her cast off. She's gonna get some too! Cheers to Maisie girl!

In Limbo!

"Goat Daze"

Roy DeForest 2005
60" x 80" acrylic on canvas

Oh joy, James and I are in real estate limbo! We still don't know the outcome of the house...so our brains are floating between here and there. In order to get my mind off that this morning I thought I would show you the works of a couple of great artists.

I love the paintings of Roy DeForest, who unfortunately passed away last year. We studied him a lot in school as he was a very prominent Bay Area Artist. He loved animals, especially dogs and he incorporated his own dog in many of his pieces. The whimsical child-like quality of his work is a joy to look at.

Another great painter is Agnes Martin. She is a Canadian-American Artist who is a Minimalist. The painting below is probably one of her most unusual and colorful pieces. Get your Tivo set because tonight on PBS there is a special on her life and work. Looks really interesting.

"Untitled" 1952
Agnes Martin
watercolor and ink on paper
11 3/4" x 17 3/4"

Guess that's about it for now. Time to get down to the studio to try and finish a dog portrait commission today. I'll let you know if we hear anything about the house...but don't hold your breath. Geez!

"I can see humility

Delicate and white
It is satisfying
Just by itself...
And Trust
absolute trust
a gift
a precious gift
I would rather think of humility then
anything else.
Humility, the beautiful daughter
She cannot do either right or wrong
She does not do anything
All of her ways are empty
Infinitely light and delicate
She treads an even path.
Sweet, smiling, uninterrupted, free."

~Agnes Martin, 1973

Emmitt the Pug

Mr. Emmitt

I had the good fortune to have a visit from Emmitt the Pug and his wonderful mom, Melissa this week. Yes, that's his mug above. What a personality this little man has! He talks up a storm and is chock full of tricks. And now he knows where I keep the dog cookies so I'm in trouble! He is quite the cutie so I can see why he was Melissa's inspiration for PugNotes.com

Speaking of inspiration...do any of you remember Laurel Burch, an Artist from Northern California? She created beautiful, colorful paintings of cats, birds and other creatures and was very successful. She was especially popular in the 70's. She died last week at the young age of 61 from Osteopetrosis, a rare bone disease. I always had greatest respect and admiration for Laurel...she was one of the first people who really inspired me to become an Artist. Thank you, Laurel...for your incredible work, your dedication and for paving the way for other Women Artists. An recent article on her life is here. You can also view her website and amazing work here.

Laurel Burch in her studio

"Live from the voice in your heart and each day will blossom". ~Laurel Burch