Tuesday, April 29, 2008

EyE Candy


9 x 13 journal page, golden acrylics, spray paint, stencil,
masking tape, rub-ons, Caran d'Ache neocolor crayons

candy is in the EyE of the beholder,
something EyE wrapped up in tape,
a gift EyE gave to myself,
no strings attached, a lace,
and many small windows from which to see.

Thank you for your visits and kind words.

Best to all of you. My other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Self Portrait


colored pencil effect

pop art effect

Having fun with Mac's Photobooth software, for
2thingsphotochallenge "Self-Portrait"

My new header is actually my new business card created in PS, layers my painting and photo of my eye with assorted filters. Another self portrait of types. I left out my name and address but you get the gist.

Lovely weekend to all who visit here and thank you for your kind comments.

Cheers! My other blogspot:" The Way I See It"

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Revival


12 x 12 canvas, Golden Fluid acrylics

I had painted this canvas once before and it was awful. Awful canvases don't get thrown away, they get revived, resuscitated, a new life gets bestowed upon them.

I am now actually very pleased with the outcome. My initial intent was to use this canvas, as a collage, mixed media background. I struggled with attacking the surface with yet another medium. I couldn't find an opening, I waited patiently for an in, and then it dawned on me this painting was complete, as is. I have since become enamored with the color and randomness of it all.

the struggle
the patience
the willingness to let go

Thought I'd revive some 'old blue eyes' for your listening pleasure.




and I leave you with this final thought:
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

Have a wonderful week! My best to all of you.

My other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Life, it's Ephemeral


11 x 14 gallery wrap canvas, Golden acrylics, spray paint,
stencils, game piece, collage fodder, paint pens

fleeting moments,
give way to new experiences,
enriching our lives beyond measure. -ThE ArTfuL EyE

For curious minds, wondering how I come up with this stuff, read on.
When working with collage or mixed media, I generally do not have a pre-concieved idea as I begin a piece of work. I have an extremely overactive mind which works overtime, thinking, thinking, reflecting, daydreaming and the cycle repeats over and over. No rest for the weary here, but I would not have it any other way.

I usually begin by painting or placing random images down on paper. I pay attention to the color, and try to mix up my palette. Lately, I'm really trying to force myself out comfort colors and more into experimenting in color palettes that are more foreign. I find this helps me to be a better painter and expand my knowledge for color mixing.

Sometimes ideas will begin to develop along the way and my overactive mind will attach a thought to something I have placed on the canvas, or the lyrics to a song will come to mind, leading down a path of reminiscing, and reflection. Most times it isn't until the very end, when I look at the piece and hope it speaks to me.

As I was nearing the end of this piece, I was reminded of an old song by R.E.M.
"The Man on the Moon" and it all came together. I realized that this song was about embracing faith, even when you think you should know better. It's about the game of life, pop culture, fact or fiction, which made me think that life in itself is ephemeral.

Hence the name, "Life, it's Ephemeral"

Ephemeral- translated from Greek εφήμερος - ephemeros, literally means"lasting only one day, transitory, existing only briefly

In the game of life, we make up our own rules and then there are some rules already in place. Our lives are ephemeral in bits and pieces- each transitory moment, experience, each day touches us briefly, fleeting and make up our todays, give us our yesterday's, provide us our memories. Like most ephemera some things we won't ever experience again and some things will stand the test of time. Each of these moments is a part of our whole life experience, some moments richer than others, while some won't be worth remembering, yet all will be meaningful.

For your listening and viewing pleasure,

R.E.M. - "The Man on the Moon"


I'll leave you with this quote, "Ephemera is the window into our past."

Thank-you for enriching my life, by your visits and kind words.
Don't forget to mosey on over to my other blogspot: "The Way I See It"