Heading out of the studio shortly but posting a few images of my progress this week. I probably won’t return this weekend as we have much planned including an evening of Dia de Los Muertos festivities at Hollywood Forever cemetery tomorrow evening . I cannot wait.
Since having my press dropped during my recent studio move I have psychologically avoided it and print making in general . Not too long ago John Greco from Josephine Press in Santa Monica ( John is not a relation but a talented artist and excellent fellow) made a visit to my studio. After tinkering and calibrating he determined that aside from some superficial dings , she was ready for business .
The following are the my first stabs at relief printing , it is amazing how rusty one feels in just the shortest amount of time . The two following prints are quick little cuts:
Moonscape
Relief print on paper
9 by 12 inches , series of four artist’s proofs
ID-iot
Relief print on paper
9 by 12 inches , series of six
The above print , “ID-iot”, was inspired as is so often the case by an absent minded doodle that happened to tickle me. I work fast to capture the spontaneity of the original .
I was eager to fiddle about with lesser prints because I am about to start a more complicated composition and wanted to feel a little more confident before I put knife to Lino. It is going to be multiple plates, I’ll post when completed.
Peaceful day at the studio, added sweetness as my Rose is my studio mate today. She had an appointment at the vet and tagged along afterwards . She loves the one on one attention and I love having her here.
I cut some Lino plates today , will run proofs tomorrow – frankly I didn’t want the mess as I have been working solvent free today with acrylic . This is a section of the large Philadelphia canvas I have been wrestling with since my return to LA. For now I am finished ; hooch ( and the dogs) beckon me home .
Made about nine inches of progress today…not sure what the hell to think of that. This is Judas, part of a complicated composition.
Calling it a day, will be back at it tomorrow .
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.
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 .
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 !
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.
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 .
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
Boondocks Babylon 