Inspiration Never Came

Back in late summer, a friend of mine and I met for lunch.  We got talking about food, travels, family, work ... you know, life in general.  Then we got onto the subject of art and paintings.  He said he loves Venice and asked if I can do a painting for him with a Venetian scene.  I told him I would be happy to and was excited for such a project.  He bought me lunch as my "fee" for the commission.  What the heck, he's an old friend.  We left lunch promising to email each other with pictures of Venice and to select the one he would like as a painting.  In my mind, I saw two small frames.  He told me he is remodeling his bathroom and he would display them there.  I am cool with that.  A bathroom gets a lot of traffic and is a key room in the house.  I have one of my favorite little paintings in my bathroom to brighten up the room.  And it does a fine job of it.

Unfortunately, weeks turned into months, and the inspiration of Venice never came.  I don't know why.  Could it be that I have never seen it?  Not familiar with it?  Never thought of visiting it or just not love it as much as my friend, Steve?  Hmmmmmmm.?  Inspiration did come to paint a peaceful sailboat scene.
 

I wrote to my friend and attached a photo, "Steve, I painted you this instead.  I am still working on the inspiration for Venice.  I hope you like it."  He wrote back, "OMG,  I absolutely love this painting!  It's ok.  Artists are temperamental and unpredictable.  I can't believe this is for me and can't wait to get it."

Epilogue - Just a couple of weeks ago, another friend of mine wants to travel to Venice.  I said I'll go along.  We added a few more destinations to our tentative itenarary like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Louvre in Paris.  Wow!  Venice.  I bet you I will surely get my inspiration then.  "Steve, you will get your Venice paintings, I promise."

Chance Meeting and Painting Clear Glass

One day, I attended a training class for my job in another office building. This was prior to my taking up oil painting. The security guard was painting in the security booth. It was not a very high traffic building, so I supposed his employer saw no harm in him doing that. After my training class, I stopped to talk to him. The combination of his security duties and oil painting worked well together. What a nice way to be able to enjoy your hobby at work! Good for the employer for allowing it.

We talked about how he started and what he enjoyed painting. At the end of our chat, he opened up a little drawer in his paint box and handed me a card. It was a picture of a clear glass vase with flowers. "Take this. It's a picture I painted and I printed it on greeting cards."

Not long after that day, I took up oil painting. 

I was intrigued by the image of the greeting card. It prompted me to ask how do you paint glass? I experimented with it. The principle is actually based on optical illusion. Here's my simple explanation - since one sees what is inside the perimeter or through the object, one’s perception automatically concludes that the perimeter shape must be transparent, and therefore, made of clear glass. The mystery of painting glass is solved.

 I have long forgotten what I learned in that job training class. But not this chance meeting. The event and the simple gift of a card came together like a stepping stone of sort which eventually led me to my blissful hobby and journey of self discovery.

That Special Bond - #37

My inspiration

From their eyes you can see -

Sammy

we are their hero, protector, friend.

But I wonder if they know, that

our homes and hearts would be empty,

and our joy diminished

if they were no longer with us.

The gratitude is mutual.

A bond formed deep from within.

Small as they may be,

their love for us is vast.

Molly

The love and care we give them,

is really so that we can last.

LH

Challenge Myself - "Jackie #2"

Painting is supposed to be fun.  But somehow I wanted to test my artistic abilities. If I want to think of myself as an artist, I needed the proof - at least to myself.  If I pass the test, I can go back to thinking that I just paint for fun.  I challenged myself to paint another portrait of Jackie Kennedy.

I started this in the beginning of 2010.  But I wasn't able to finish it.  Somehow I lost my inspiration.   Half way done, I put the canvas aside and worked on other projects.   Jackie had her hair, some of her eyes, her pearls, and neck.  The background was painted also.  But that was it.  She had no nose and no mouth.  Fast forward - driving home from work today, I thought of the unfinished painting.  A surge of energy came upon me.  I set up my easel and got to work.  I was a bit nervous.  The kind of nervous you get when you take an exam in school - without having studied the night before!

Well, I finished my test!  Here's my report card.  "Good job" for returning to finish and learned some lessons and techniques during the process.  My husband gave me a high score - he said he was happy to see Jackie now has her nose and mouth.  As far as thinking of myself as an artist - nah, it is more important that I don't think of myself as a quitter.

(Jackie wore this peach dress and her Channel pearls when she visited India in 1962.)

My First Panoramic of Van Gogh's Park at Asnieres - #27

Here's my attempt to do a panoramic painting.  For the subject, I turned to my favorite artist once again, Van Gogh's work titled - The Park at Asnieres.

I love painting trees. And there are plenty of them in this one. The original has six figures in it. I was only able to get five in my version. A couple by the park bench, two walking, and a lady sitting on the slope. "Sorry lady - I left you by yourself.  I couldn't quite get your sailor looking friend in there."  This is what I love about Van Gogh. The little characters that probably took him all but seconds to paint are difficult to mimic. I have so much to learn!

Lessons Learned and Hindsight - It is difficult and expensive to get a frame for panoramic canvas. Panoramic starts at 48" X 24" or any dimension where the length is twice as long as the height proportionately. From my research I learned that I cannot get ready-made frames because of the odd size - has to be custom made. E-framers are less expensive and I can get custom size online but there is an extra charge for shipping larger frames. I decided to bring it to a local framer. But the painting wasn't perfectly straight and it required taking the canvas off and having it restretched. I didn't want to take a chance of affecting the image and left it unframed for now. Next time I will check the canvas before I start painting to make sure everything is squared.

(VG's)

(Mine)

Jackie's Van Gogh - #9

     I painted this painting for my long time friend, Jackie.  She's the one that turned me on to the work of Van Gogh.  I like the way she and her husband are displaying the painting.  If you read my previous blog, "Selecting and Displaying Art", you will know that this is my favorite way of showcasing your art collection - a wall full of what you love.  People can look at the wall and learn so much about the owner.
     I met Jackie in college.  She was the roaming photographer on campus - friendly and adventurous.   Circumstances brought us together eventhough we were never in the same class nor were we roommates.  We managed to stay in touch through the different stages of our lifes and remain friends for thirty plus years.  I am glad that I am able to give something to her that expresses how dear her friendship is to me.
     This one is from his quite popular "The Poet's Garden, Arles" series.  Van Gogh painted four in this series and this is known as III.   I followed pretty much every brushstroke of the painting.  Even the colors are very close to the image in the book.  I will, however, never know how closed I got to the original.  I was hoping I could see the real thing in a museum but upon research, this one is in a private collection.  The original is listed as 28 x 36 inches.  Jackie's version is smaller, aprx. 16 x 20.   I know Jackie values her personal Van Gogh, and I am so pleased that it is in her "private collection."

"Bev's Tuscany" - A Small Painting For A Grand Hair Stylist/Friend.

Bev is my hair stylist.  Any self-respecting woman knows that having a good hair stylist is more important than having a good doctor.  Doctor appointments can be cancelled but never hair appointments.  They are made months in advance.  Not only is she a talented hair stylist, Bev is so much more.  If you are lucky enough to have this happen to you, you will understand what I mean.  Someone comes into your life, not by chance but through destiny.   The person makes a profound difference in your life by sharing her wisdom and life experience with you.  Bev's wealth of knowledge surpass most people.  And I have benefitted from it everytime I sit in her chair.  I make it a point to bring my questions to each hair appointment.  Home improvement, landscaping, lawn care, insulation, women's health, cooking, herbs, politics, aging, nature, weather patterns, car buying - just to name a few.  Our home is warmer, the garden prettier, and my body less achy because of her.  There is even a saying at our house when we are not sure about something.  My husband would say, "Well, why don't you ask Bev."  For all the horror stories about having hairdresser problem, I am most fortunate.

I was flipping through a magazine during one visit and she commented on a photograph of the rolling hills of Tuscany.  That inspired me to paint "Bev's Tuscany" for her.  I chose a small 5 X 7 canvas.  Something small enough for her station at the salon.  Hair stylists get a lot of chocolates for Christmas.  This was a nice change for her.  She loved the painting and didn't want to leave it at work - hair spray and pieces of hair everywhere.  She displays it on a shelf in her home.  I made the frame for the painting too and painted it to match. 

  

Just a few days ago, I was at the garden store looking for organic weed control.  I was confused with the myriad of brands and products.  I pulled out my cell phone and called the salon.  "Hi, May I speak to Bev for just one second?  I have a quick question for her."  : )

Selecting and Displaying Art

There is no science to choosing a painting. When you find something that brightens your day, or makes you happy, or speaks to you, you simply want it nearby. You find a home for it in your own home.

Some art work has the ability to draw you in while others may carry you far away. It is not true that we haven’t achieved time travel. Some paintings are time machine. I can stand in front of a painting and be transported through time and space. It can carry you to a great distance at a glance.

My favorite way to display art is a wall full of frames – all different sizes. They are hung randomly without first being measured. The wall gives you a very interesting background to explore as your eyes hop from one image to another.

I remember going to an outdoor art festival once. There must have been over a hundred artists exhibiting. I visited each and every booth looking for something I had yet to know what it is. It turned out to be a small 4 X 6 oil painting of an outdoor café in Paris. I think because I painstakingly seek it out as opposed to buying on impulse, it remains one of my favorites today. I knew it would be the moment I took it off the hook and said to it, “You are coming home with me”.

"Spring Once Again Soon" - #34

Every year about this time, we have braved through most of what seems like another endless winter.  Cabin fever sets in.   Some surmise optimistically that only a few weeks of cold weather remain.  While others justify the cold days with the hopeful thought that at least each passing day stays brighter later.  No matter what method of choice you chose to get to the finish line, the icy chill continues to wear us down both physically and spiritually.  To refuel, I daydream about spring.  I plan my yard projects.  Each and every year, the first thing on my list in welcoming spring is to fill two window boxes with flowers for the garden shed.

I am an impatient gardener.  As soon as pansies are available at the local garden stores, I am there.  I haven't decided, however, whether I buy them every year because I truly like pansies or because they are usually the first flowers available each season.  I like lots of different colors and I mix them in each pot.  I often wonder why there aren't any red or pink pansies.  Maybe the botanists and growers will surprise me one day.

Once these boxes are up, there will be no guessing that spring, once again, is here.

A Room Built Around A Painting - #23

     In 2008, it was clear to both my husband and I that our little house was indeed too small for us and our cats.  The thought of moving made me sad.  The idea of having an addition put in was exciting.  We started to shop for a builder. 
     I imagined a spacious family room with minimal furnishings.  Windows carefully planned to catch the best light.  Wall space that would work well with furniture placement and still have ample room to display art work.  At that time, I was not necessarily thinking about my paintings but the ones collected.  Then it dawned on me, why not paint a big painting for the room?  We both wanted something modern and simple.  Surprisingly, I found a Van Gogh painting to copy that is a departure from his usual style.  We both agreed that it would look nice in the new room that isn't built yet.

     In May that year, we contracted with the builder.  The painting was completed sometime in June.  The builder and his crew started the foundation end of August and finished their part end of October.  To save on costs and to experience the joy of doing it ourselves, my husband and I did the finishing work of the room - painting, flooring, wood trim and lighting. 
     Finally, in mid-November, we moved the first piece of furniture into the new room and hung the painting above it.  The feeling of accomplishment words can not describe.  As if we were in our private gallery, we quietly admired the painting AND the room for quite awhile.  Both were exactly what we had envisioned.

("View of Paris From Montmartre")

Stone Mansion in Provence - #5

     Having my blog has brought me back to visit some of the paintings that I have given away years ago.  This time I traveled to my friend Karen's workplace. Painted in 2002, this was painting number 5.
     In 2002, Karen wanted a painting for her office.  She had just returned from a family trip to Provence and its vineyards.  She told me she loved the rustic landscape and the stone architecture.  Everything is old but solid.  The villages “aged” like robust red wine.  I looked through a book of photos from France and found one I think she would like as a painting.
     Revisiting some of my earlier work is a fun experience.  When I saw it, I didn't even remember having painted it.  I did remember, however, that to personalize it for Karen, I changed the house number to reflect her actual - 52.
     With our busy schedules, we don't get to see much of each other these days. But my painting keeps her company at her hectic job.  She has the painting for eight years now and it has traveled with her from office to office.  It has always sat on a stand by a window.  Why by a window?  Karen said she accidentally discovered one sunny day that the light from outside came through the sky of the painting and brought it to life.  Wow.  Very cool.  It faithfully sits by the window waiting to come alive.

"Susan's Home in Maine" - #16

Being in the middle of winter, Maine may be covered in snow and ice right now.   But I thought it would be nice to look at a painting that reminds us of spring in Maine's picturesque waterfront.

     At one point in time, I recall my girlfriend Susan had dreams of moving to coastal Maine.  She and her husband would buy a historical Victorian and turn it into a bed and breakfast when they retire from their "city jobs."   They would make great innkeepers - both are well-read,  interesting and very hospitable.   (Although I never had it, I heard she makes a great Apple Crisp that would be a great B&B menu item as well!)  That was years ago.  I don't think they are leaning toward that plan anymore.  But they still love Maine and continue to visit and vacation there every year.  
     One magical thing I find I can do is that I can grant my friends' wishes via paintings.  So for one of Susan's milestone birthdays, I painted "Susan's Home in Maine" for her.  It was inspired by one of Paul Landry's paintings.  It hangs in the studies of her Connecticut home.
     I hope no matter what season it is, she is reminded of the happy memories of their many Maine vacations and that all dreams, may still come true.

"BFF" - Luigi and Baby

You hear stories of bringing a new cat home and the introduction to the existing resident cats may be slow and difficult.  Well, that was not the case with Luigi.  The moment we brought Luigi home from the cat rescue, he won our hearts, including Baby's, our dainty little long hair cat.  As if they were litter mates, they played well together immediately.  No hissing, no fur flying.  We had two other cats then but Luigi and Baby formed a bond.  I jokingly called Baby as Luigi's BFF - best friends forever.  It's been a year now since Luigi joined our family.  Occasionally, I will not see either one of them and then, they would appear together.  Well, they were probably just hanging out in their secret hiding place, like best friends do.

Lessons Learned and Hindsight - The first time I did a cat portrait, I actually painted her while she sat next to me.  As if she was posing for me.  That was difficult because she moved around quite a bit.  This time I used photos of Luigi and Baby.  Much easier.  Especially true for tabby cats, their individual markings are their "facial  features".  And like people, cats' eyes are their windows to their little souls.  So those are important in capturing who they are in a painting.  Baby usually is puzzled and Luigi is a mischievous little chubby boy.  I hope you see that in them.