For The Time Being

I haven't written much in the last few days, however there are quite a few things in the works!

First, I have begun the first painting in a triptych inspired by a lovely verse in Ntozake Shange's poem "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf". This was really fun to set up for, I did a little mini photo shoot in the bath in order to create reference photos.

I also got in touch with Local Artist Prints to see about getting set up to sell prints online. Soooo, you may be able to get some affordable prints of my work, and I can keep buying art supplies! It's a win-win in my book :)

Lastly, I have a stack of books on Palaces, Castles and Gardens of Europe to start sketching for the kitty condos. I really hope this project comes through, and I am also hoping to secure a mural gig in a Mexican restaurant.

I leave you with my prayers that your dreams come true and your hearts stay wild today!

"to wash away the glitter

to watch the butterflies melt in to

suds & the rhinestones fall beneath

her buttocks like smooth pebbles

in a missouri creek

layin in water

she became herself

ordinary"

Whatever floats your boat

Today I met with a groomer/ pet boarding facility regarding painting some "kitty condos" in the coming months. These will have a castle theme; I'm thinking gardens, fountains, stone walls and romantic flowers. On my way home, I could feel the excitement to start sketching grow inside, the anticipation to get to the library and do my research and meditating on which medium to use for my sketches.

I would like to rest with this emotion today. Adulthood has brought a lot of changes in my heart and mind. I have taken several different paths only to turn back when it became inconvenient or just plain depressing. For whatever reason, the world of art does not run that way for me. Any setback is small and easy to overlook when I consider the larger picture, and my passion.

I have been asked "what" I paint, or "what" I do. The truth is that I paint and do whatever I want, because it is too hard to say no to what inspires me. Below is a painting I just finished and some other little sketches, drawing on my love for comics and also inspired by a newfound artist hero Raymond Pettibon. He has taken what we sketch and feel in our hearts, blips that could have come straight from a diary, and made dark, somewhat titillating and often humorous art. It captures the angst and confusion, the cynicism of a thinking person, without bothering to whitewash it with sophistication. So, Mr. Pettibon, this one's for you!

The Sun Always Shines on the Maghreb

I have reached completion of the mural at the Birch Bay Hostel and Guesthouse. I am quite gratified to see my designs on such a large scale, and to be receiving so much positive feedback. My hopes are that this exposure will further my own accomplishments of course; but am equally excited to have travelers sleeping under my art work. I can recall these moments on my own excursions, of stumbling on some small and unexpected treasure which served to enrich my experience.

I am also quite surprised, that no other artists have taken the initiative to volunteer. The place is buzzing with activity. Each day that I return, Linda and Ken have news of more excitement, more developments. Today, after the Blaine Chamber of Commerce held their meeting in the hostel's mezzanine, I was given a referral. So maybe it's to my benefit that no other artists have ventured on this task :) On a more serious note, I would Strongly recommend any artist who is looking for experience, guidance, and exposure to consider this project. Linda has so much painting knowledge to share, and the dynamism of coupling with Ken's music experience creates an unmatched enthusiasm.

In light of some comments regarding the nature of the mural, specifically its depiction of N. Africa, I feel that it is necessary to address my initial inspiration and motives in choosing this content. The designs were originally submitted in October of 2010. The use of the symbol for freedom, aligned with the map of Libya and surrounding countries, was purely a nod to Islamic calligrapher Nihad Dukhan, as well as a signal for freedom for all the world. Freedom from strife, violence, dehumanization, in order to create and fulfill individual potential. This is a non political statement in my eyes. It is a human statement. Anyone who believes that this could have been designed and completed within the span of time it has taken for the recent changes to have occurred is giving me way too much credit. 

The subject matter was actually inspired quite idiosyncratically. I was reading one of my favorite authors, a short story called "The Adulterous Wife" by Albert Camus. I happened upon almost a box of travel brochures on the region outside of Michael's Books downtown, I studied what I could from the library (including a travel diary by Michael Palin) and took my own long dreamed of journey through the region.The mystery of these desert dwelling cultures, the foreign nature of a culture so different from our own, the nomadic life of the Bedouins, and the richness of an area steeped in history's co-mingling of powerful empires, are all much more accurate indications of my thought process.  A land where the horizon extends forever, where coffee is spiced with cardamom, the romance of the French language sits comfortably beside the mystery of Arabic. It is the home of Ali Baba, saffron, mint tea and cardamom spiced coffee. Who wouldn't be inspired?

On that note, I have posted some pictures below. I hope the coming months can compare in the satisfaction of this project!