Thought this too surreal an image not share, all in my pursuit of shadowy composition . Yesterday was a frustrating day (let’s just say home ownership taxes studio time) but when I did finally make it to my cell I was productive . Sadly I am here at the Little Hermitage until new pipes replace ancient plumbing worthy of the Romans; not what I had planned. I will draw and be at home with the beasties today but I am eager to return to make more progress now that I have some inkling as to where I want to go. The use of mannequins is not new , Poussin I think, fashioned little figures as did some Renaissance painters, but it all seems so fresh and exhilarating to me.
Author: babylonbaroque
I am a painter and printmaker working towards creating a body of work that reflects my own developing aesthetic.
New work ,first link.
The second link is an on-line portfolio.
In Pursuit of the Shadows…
In my desire to improve my paintings I am trying to make more effective use of shadow. I am hoping to create convincing space while preserving that sense of otherness. I am still digesting the feedback from PAFA (not to mention my friend, the artist Judithe Hernandez) , namely the uniformity of light and lack of obvious shadow in much of my work. I have defended this in the past as some tribute to early Renaissance paintings, and there is truth to that, but it is also true that I really just do not understand shadows that much.
To remedy that I have constructed a cardboard mock-up of the painting I am working on.
Obviously I would need quite a large cardboard box ( and many more mannequins ) to get a truly accurate sense of space and light, but editing the image into in monochrome has clarified things quite a bit. I have also translated the image of the painting into black and white (thank you Judithe!) and that should be enormously helpful as a roadmap; already I see area I would like to heighten and diminish.
I will fiddle around some more but feel I have a better inkling of where to go. Kind of.
Just another twist in this journey of self discovery, it is often very humbling how little I know…
The Procastination Comes to an End
With my new studio finally set up , I haven’t any more excuses to not get back to work. I have filled my days with organizing and seeking order out of what was mad chaos . I think I have pushed the chaos back and now must face the most frightful demons , my fears that I won’t get back in the groove.
Taking a deep breath and beginning one brush stroke at a time … Tomorrow .
Until then , a few snaps of my new digs. My studio is in Highland Park, about 15 minutes from our Little Hermitage. Aside from the convenience I have the good fortune of being studio neighbors with the incredible Judithe Hernandez. I’m thrilled.
Wish me luck slaying the demons .
Upcoming exhibition: The Marvelous Minds
Two of my paintings have been accepted in this collection of strange and wonderful work. My new yet already dear friend Liz Huston is curating the show , she is a sensitive aesthete and I know it will be a place of wonder. I’m thrilled to have been invited.
Details follow , should be grand as costumes are encouraged , I’m working on my ensemble this week, thinking the Antichrist. Would love to see my local friends at the opening !
Thanking the printmaking gods …
There was only one causality with this complicated move of home and studio, the movers dropped my print making press. I have been sick about it, imploring fellow printmakers for advice, for any suggestions as to who can look at it to assess the damage ( tradesmen who repair small presses seem as scarce as hen’s teeth).
Facing my fears I ran a proof , and it though it is not on lush paper, so far it looks; my stalwart press may be dinged and less showroom glossed, but she carries on with dented dignity .
Still if anyone knows of a technician I would appreciate the lead.
Making headway in the new studio, unpacking and organizing the increasingly shrinking square footage; my steadfast chihuahua my loyal if sleepy companion .
Heading home so he can nap in a proper bed. Good night.
Onward
Today I picked up my “prize winning ” painting , amazing how validating that is; tomorrow my David and I (and the real laborers ) move into my new studio. New adventures seem just around the corner .
But tonight , it is just the two of us and the most delightful Thai food .
The gods are generous .
It’s in the Cards
I have never had my tarot cards read before- is that even the correct expression ? And yet I feel I am at a turning point in my life, I sense this energy and I am seeking a means to translate it.
This Sunday morning on our way to a yoga class we stumbled by, for want of a better word, a most adorable Gypsy wagon .
Although our yoga class was amazing I was burning to have my cards read. I knew somehow that I must .
What was revealed reduced me to delighted giggles , Erin my reader might have thought me loopy. Pentacles and swords and staffs seemed to be popping up all over the place . And although it seems all a whirl of revelation and confirmation I do recall that after an arduous stretch of work and some darkness I am coming into my full self. My authenticity and vision are to be ( or are being) at last appreciated – with praise and wealth. I left feeling, and the cards confirmed this, that I am on the right path, and my occasionally doubts are old patterns that haven’t any bearing on this new realty ( again, so the cards tell me). I sense a new addiction , having my cards read and at some point designing my own. More than once I have been asked of my interest in Tarot, when I replied I hadn’t any I was met with surprise . I have crossed that boundary and I sense no turning back.
Namaste
To Where I Belong
Mentally, physically and spiritually I’m ready for home, to my adorable David, the beasties , our Little Hermitage,back to the studio ( in a new location ) and to our many many wonderful and supportive friends .
My time at the school has revealed an elusive clarity ; how best to follow my path. And although I have felt a bit bruised at times and misunderstood , my doubts and any negative thoughts concerning my work magically evaporated last evening when my painting Genesis won first place in the California Open exhibition at Tag Gallery in Santa Monica. If PAFA sniffed at my work, the validation from Jim Morphesis ( the juror an artist I ACTUALLY admire!) eradicated any lingering doubt and insecurity.
As my sister Kat said , how many more hints must Heaven provide to see that this is your home?
My darling David with the delightful ( and lovely ) Melanie Newcombe, an amazing artist and dear friend and his date in my absence.
So westward I go with delight in my heart but I leave behind some amazing memories and wonderful new friends. Especially but my no means exclusively ,my studio mates Christiana , Sarah, Megan, Olivia, Camille, and dear Tony who fed my near daily addiction to art supplies at the in-school Blick. I shudder to see the bill.
Tony with the Antichrist.
Memories of Shabbas dinners with familiar and new friends; spending time with my dearest and longest friends Gerilyn and Michael, on and on . But especially time with my incredible sisters Pamela and Kat and my mother.
I feel like a chapter is closing and an even more exciting one is opening. A few more wonderful days here with those I love best,then home with gratitude in my heart .
Playtime in the Labrynth
As I conclude my time here at PAFA I’m left with three as-of-yet unfinished paintings and now one Minotaur doll. As I stashed my brushes and packed away much of my paints I found myself confronted with a large pile of very attractive paint- smeared studio rags. I was loathe to just toss them as they were so pretty .
So I took the logical step and made a rag doll- a first for me.
I immediately became calmer as I stitched away, listening to the radio and yesterday’s downpour . A cup of tea, Schubert and my dollmaking ; it was the most fun I’ve had since being here. I see stitchery being added to my studio practice, alongside painting, printmaking and puppet making.
My Minotaur looks handsome in front of my latest ( unfinished ) painting – I am enjoying this play of multi disciplines all going on at once. Supporting and inspiring one an another.
Culture Shock
As I near the end of this trip I’m still in a bit of culture shock ( strange given I am from the East Coast). First off folks here in Philadelphia tend not to be as warm as I am used to, at least not until they know you. In LA I am greeted with endless smiles almost all of the time . I now find myself not smiling directly at folks on the street to avoid the scowl.
Secondly I haven’t had an avocado since being here. Subway offers I grey mass that they call guacamole but I have resisted.
But most conspicuous to me has been sugar consumption ; across the board, across cultural lines I have witnessed what seems to me insane amounts of sugar intake . My morning ritual includes an excellent cup of joe at Old City Coffee. Consistently high quality coffee, that in my opinion needs only a splash of white stuff . But just this morning as I waited my turn, I witnessed a sweet faced Amish girl sweeten her iced caramel sugary whatever with three packets of added sugar ; the working class fellow after her put NINE packets of raw sugar in his small coffee; and the business man ahead of me poured an endless steak of agave into his Americano.
I was taken aback, I don’t think I have ever seen anyone use actual sugar in LA, fake stuff once in awhile ,in the most furtive fashion, but goodness …
Anyway, soon I will be home, to David, the pups, smiles and avocados.
Closing down my borrowed studio, rolling up the paintings and filling my time with drawings and people judging – I mean watching.
Boondocks Babylon 