Sunday, September 23, 2012

newest obsession

Here's my tank of fancy goldfish. I've become obsessed after watching that Japanese artist paint goldfish on resinI'm trying out this technique of painting on resin (which I just scratched the surface on with my little bezels - but nothing as large as this!) 

I was so inspired, I researched the heck out of the goldfish and watched loads of videos on youtube. I have a collector's nature, thorough and obsessive, which can be good, or really weird. Of course, I'm obsessed with so many things, its hard to pick a favorite, my top three would be dolls, goldfish and maybe gemstone beads, or books. Shoes and bags would make the list, but its hard to say. I am really into chocolate too. And super into art supplies. Ok, forget top three's, because I can't decide. 

Oh! The super cute fuzzy green moss balls are alive! They are called Marimo balls and they are from Nano Lake, in Japan. They are popular 'pets' and kept on desks for good luck. They are propagated by splitting up larger balls. Kind of like the fuzzy creatures on my favorite Star Trek episode. I like to imagine them rolling in huge herds on the bottom of the lake, getting as big as Volkswagon Beetles. Anyway, its become the meditation station in the house. 



making things

 The last month has passed so fast, I feel like I've skipped forward weeks. This happens when I'm in 'work' mode. The stuff I make is fun, but its work when I have to manage my time so carefully. I finished these wings a couple days (I mean weeks) ago to fill my little etsy shop. Eventually they will make it into the shop. 
 These are the latest batch of bezels, some of which are already spoken for (the owls, the bluebird and the big octopus is for me). I used Susan Lenart Kazmer brand of resin and I have to say, I flippin' love it. Its super clear, self doming, low odor and bubbles barely form at all. I highly recommend it.


I set up a little studio area between the living and dining room, so it would be easier to watch Max and get some things done at the same time. My upstairs studio that I love with all my heart is a death trap for my boy, who is very experimental and likes to test things by taste. The paintings on the bench are a different technique for me, layers of resin and paint, to form dimensional images that appear sculptural. Its pretty time consuming, so hopefully I can finish a few before I fly out for the opening and a painting vacation.

I started getting into aquariums and have two bettas on my desk. They are like flowers, they are so colorful and graceful. I also set up a tank for goldfish, but I'll have more on that later. 
This is a painting for my upcoming show with Jessica Wiesel, called Wondrous Creatures. It will be held throughout October at Hotel Biron, in San Francisco. The paintings are done on birch wood panels, in gemstone watercolors from Daniel Smith. Its hard to see from this picture, but the pigments have a luminous, sparkly quality that I love to work with.
To see more of the work and Jessica's sculptures, go to our facebook page.

last remnants of summer




It's getting cooler here in Asheville, the days tinged with a coolness that both delights and brings dread. We hang onto summer around here as hard as we can, cooking out, taking walks and going on as many adventures as possible. As soon as it gets cold, I hunker down and don't emerge until spring, if I can help it. 

The first three pictures were taken a week or two ago when we rented a pontoon boat on Lake Lure. That place is magical. There's a mysterious quality about the lake, like it wouldn't be surprising at all if a giant trout peeked its face up at you. My brother Dwayne is keeping watch for any unusual activity, while Max helps Greg drive. My sister (the girl in the third picture) and I thought it would be an amazing place to bring our painting supplies and try to capture some of that mystery in oils or watercolors. Ah well, maybe next summer.

The last picture is of Max, wearing his daddy's boots, since he's not allowed outside without shoes on. I like how serious he is.