First Blog Entry …

After a long weekend of snow and ice here in southern Maine, I'm setting about the tasks at hand in my studio, preparing a canvas for one exhibit, securing the backing on another, for another exhibit, and feeling so blessed with the opportunities I have! This piece shown here is my largest painting yet. 4'x4'. I've named it Juxta-Pose. It started as a sketch I did on a painted background, my typical gold hue that I'm so fond of lately. But then I became enamoured with the sketch itself. I couldn't bring myself to change it, or cover it up. It occupies such a huge part of the space in my small, in-home studio, that my eyes were on it day and night. What to do, to bring it beyond a sketch into a painting, using the skill I have, interpreting it further, letting it grow and breathe? And after a few weeks my local abstract artists group was able to reserve the walls of a popular local restaurant for a group exhibit. Tall walls of brick, a place where many local artists have shown their work. This piece, unweildly as it may be, spoke up and said "Use me; show me off!" The little rascal!! So that's just what I'm doing. There is one wide open space that can hold two large paintings, and sweetly enough, my little sister will be exhibiting her 5'x4' painting right next to mine. I know our late Jazz musician dad would be so very proud of us!! Just a day in the life of an artist who has, late in life, committed herself to her artistry in full force!