Little Art Notes

Living With It

2011-12-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

I find that I often need to live with a painting for awhile in order to let it tell me what to do next. As an abstract intuitive painter, I don't plan out specific imagery, define the painting ahead of time or draw out a plan on the canvas in an attempt to make it "look like something". When I paint, I am totally in the moment of painting and it happens. But often times, I need to "live with it". So this painting, a 36" x 48" acrylic on canvas with collaged pattern paper is on the wall in my bedroom, unfinished so that I can experience how it feels in my home, to go to sleep with it, to wake up with it. And as each day passes, I see little things in the painting that either need to be there or don't, it speaks to me about what might be the next step in the painting process. And then . . . we go back to the studio and paint some more. Stay tuned for the next evolution of "red in the bedroom".

www.KaronLeighArtStudio.com

Creating With Intention

2011-11-08T06:29:00.001-08:00

Living only 20 miles north of the Mexican border, I am keenly aware of the border issues and the over-exaggerated media press that our area of the country gets in regards to this issue. So when I took a trip to IMFOCULTA, an art and cultural center in Nogales, Sonora earlier this year with a local organization, Santa Cruz Community Foundation, I knew that somehow I needed to help support these kids in continuing to be able to take art classes at the center and that I wanted to be involved in cross border peace projects.

an act or instance of determining mentally upon someaction or result.

the end or object intended; purpose.

intentions,

purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions o rconduct

About A Stone

2011-10-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

Many years ago in college at UNLV, I was first introduced to printmaking processes and fell in love with the stones. I loved printmaking, the feel of the paper, the sound of the ink rolling out on the glass. Stone Lithography was my favorite printmaking process. I loved the feel of the stones, the process of grinding them to a new smooth finish, the ease of drawing and painting the image onto the stone and the history! The history in the stones for me was something magical. How many works of art had been created, printed and ground away and where did these huge stones come from? It was something that the artist experiences in creating the work but not something that is transmitted to the view in the final work. It was like our own little secret.

Art image shown here is a stone lithograph titled "Billiards Player at Good Dog" by Charles Coates.

At a recent art opening that I was participating in at the Tubac Center of the Arts for the exhibit, "Working With Paper", I was impressed by the printmaking of Tucson artist, Charles Coates. I met Charles at the opening reception and had a great conversation about working on Stone Lithography and the history involved in the stones. He shared a story of picking up a crate of stones with a UA professor and finding work from the 1800's still on a stone. They printed the image before cleaning the stone for new works of art. There is something very powerful about the history and letting go of the old and bringing in the new with stone lithography.

To see more of Charles' work, click here to visit his website.

Who's Your Mentor?

2011-10-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

As artists we are often isolated, working alone in our studios, creating the next great masterpiece, at least, that's what we think. Its important to get feedback and critique in order to know you are not just living in your head and also to be able to grow as an artist. In the past I had joined groups and taken classes and workshops to keep me connected and learning. But there was always still something more that I needed that I wasn't getting that I knew would help me expand and move into the next level with my work.

After taking two wonderful abstract painting classes at The Drawing Studio in Tucson which really helped me get out of a rut, moving from 6+ years of almost exclusively painting with encaustic, to painting large abstract paintings on cavas with acrylic, I discovered an artist's website whose work I very much admired. I was very excited to read on her website that she offered mentoring. Ding! This is just what I needed. I happened to be heading back to WA, where she lived to visit my sons and we arranged to meet. For the next 3 months we had weekly skype meetings where she encouraged and critiqued my work. I felt motivated to meet her weekly challenges and produced more work over the last few months with what I feel to be HUGE breakthroughs with my work than in the many years past.

Jeane Myers is a contemporary abstract mixed media artist and a fabulous mentor/art coach. If you need a kick in the pants and some encouraging words along the way, Jeane can take you there.

Creative Beings

2011-08-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

I work the weekends at the Tubac Center of the Arts. I'm grateful that I get to bring my puppy, Maggie to work with me. Last weekend I was working on the computer with Maggie by my side and a man and his 11 year old daughter came in from Phoenix. The man claimed to know nothing about art but came to Tubac for his daughter as she was very interested in art. He was also a dog lover and sat on the floor next to the desk playing with Maggie while we chatted about art and our current exhibit, Summer Gallery, my work and creative expression. He designs computer systems, and shared that there were times that the joy of creating these systems, the simple magnificence of them, almost brought him to tears. We are all creative beings and whether the expression of our creativity is a painting on canvas or a complexly simple computer system, it is the process of creation that can bring us joy. This man left with a hug and a told me that he learned about art that day. A conversation I will never forget.

Inspiration or Obsession?

2011-07-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

I recently read a book called "Molecules of Emotion" by Candace Pert, who in the 70's discovered the brain's opiate receptors. Pert tells her story of life as a woman in the science world where she eventually was tagged a feminist troublemaker. The situation made for good reading but the science somehow stuck with me and I started working on a new series of acrylic paintings titled, "Molecules of Emotion" where I imagined an inner landscape of molecules charging through my body and what they might look like, color, shape, size, depending on my emotional state of being; joyful, sad, depressed, agitated, lustful, resentful, etc. I've been painting these shapes and exploring the emotion of color ever since. At one point I was so obsessed that I panicked when I ran out of every red paint in the studio and immediately went online and overstocked on reds. At what point can inspiration become obsession?

Studio Move!

2011-05-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

I recently moved my studio from the Amado Territory Ranch to a beautiful, well lit casita on the same property where I'm now living in a funky round (yes, ROUND) house. I've been busy moving in, getting settled and organized. Like everything else, its a work in progress.

The Studio entrance.

Front of Studio, windows facing west, front door faces north.

Easel and printing press.

A place to paint

The Encaustic Zone

Even a full kitchen.
There is also a bed & bath for visiting artists & guests.

Outside the studio.

Back door & deck of studio.

Path from studio to house.

Getting here:

My new space is located in Tumacacori, AZ, a few miles south of Tubac and about an hour's drive south of Tucson. Tubac is said to be the oldest town in Arizona. Click here for a little history. Tumacacori is known for the Tumacacori Mission, a national park that protects 3 Spanish mission ruins. The area is a beautiful combination of art towns, organic farming, cattle ranching, horse breeders, mesquite trees, golden rolling hills and mountains. The Santa Cruz River is lined with cottonwoods and its a birdwatcher's paradise.

Off of the east frontage road, a small dirt road runs east.
Here a view northwest towards the mission and the mountains.

Weather and vehicle permitting, a quick dip into and across the river.

Over the railroad tracks.

Down the dirt road.

The entrance to the house is on the left.

This keeps the neighborhood cows off the property.

The Round House

A separate entrance allows for access without having to cross the river.

Workshops will be starting at the new studio this summer.

Visit the studio website for more information.

Wax & Paper

2010-11-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

For years I studied and worked in printmaking. I fell in love with the subtle sound of ink rolling out on the glass plate, of the feel of paper, the mystery of the two combining under the press blanket. In college the history of stone lithography thrilled me, wondering who and what had printed before me.

And then one day I discovered ENCAUSTIC! This edible sensuous medium seduced me away from ink and paper like a new lover or drug. I have been painting with hot melted wax ever since. Like a drug addict I was addicted to the luminous vibrant color and versatility of this medium, with the sweet edible

smell of beeswax and the power of holding fire in my hands. But every now and then, I missed the gentle subtle sound of ink rolling out on the glass. I would visit my old love and struggle with how to combine these two loves.

Finally I found a way to combine monotype and encaustic without reinventing the wheel when I discovered: Paula Roland of Santa Fe who specializes in encaustic monotypes. My two loves collide! The spontaneity of monotype, the feel of paper, the mystery of the result from paper on plate. I feel relieved and fulfilled. I create, both painting directly with wax and with encaustic monotypes and then . . . . that sweet little sound of ink on glass whispers in my ear again. If you love printmaking like I do, you know that sound, you understand. Or maybe you relate because your medium or process sings to you, calls your name, seduces you and you must go to it - and I do. And I find . . . . Elise Wagner in Portland, OR. Elise is not concerned about

claiming to be "an encaustic artist" because it is popular. She's been working in this medium for years, and offers a master's level workshop for serious artists. Its not about the medium, its about how that medium can allow you to create the art that expresses your vision. So combining wax and ink she has developed "Encaustic Collographs", a workshop that I am proud and excited to bring to exPRESSive Arts Studio. Back to the press, working with wax, and the sweet sound of ink on glass . . . . please join me for this exciting opportunity at the Amado Territory Ranch in January 2011.

Encaustic Collograph image by Elise Wagner

The Season Begins

2010-09-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its been months since my last post. I thought the summers in AZ were supposed to be slow and quiet because all the snowbirds leave. Apparently those left behind are busy behind the scenes making all the plans and doing the work to prepare for the upcoming season.

I've been fortunate to have a wonderful position working with a fabulous group of people at the Tubac Center of the Arts and have learned so much about what goes on behind the scenes of putting together ongoing art exhibitions.

I've also been working on bringing visiting artists to the Amado Territory Ranch where my studio is located to teach workshops in all sorts of mediums. Here are just a sampling of the upcoming lineup:

Tubac artist, Kim Edwards Keast (http:www.kekart.com) opens the season with her "Mold Making Resin Lighted Assemblage" workshop scheduled for Tues/Wed Sept 21 & 22.
In October, Kim is back with "Rigid Wrapped Up" - details coming soon. October is also the Southwest Fiber Festival at the Ranch and to celebrate the festival, I'll be hosting an exhibit of Kim's fiber creations. These you have GOT to See!!!

Southwest Fiber Festival is Saturday October 30th from 10am - 4pm. The studio will be open with Kim's creations all day with a reception to follow the festival from 4-6pm.
In November, internationally renown jewelry maker/instructor, Hadar Jacobson will be teaching a 2 day intensive for intermediate and advanced jewelry makers in her workshop entitled "Caning and Mokume-gane in Metal Clay".

All of the workshops are on the beautiful grounds of the Amado Territory Ranch, about 35 miles south of Tucson and 8 miles north of the well known art town of Tubac, AZ. The facilities at the ranch include a lodge style bed & breakfast, 2 restaurants, a salon, artists studios, an art gallery and retreat type grounds that make you feel like you are in an oasis in the desert. You basically never have to leave the property, but you'll want to explore the area for shopping in Tubac and perhaps an outing to the Tumacacori Mission, a national historical park.

In December, a twist on monotype printmaking with Mitch Lyons in his workshop, "Clay Monotype". This one has intrigued me for years and I'm so excited to have Mitch visit the studio and share his unique technique for creating monotype prints with clay and clay slip. How cool is that?!

And this is just the beginning. Its going to be a fabulous season! I'm so excited.

A Trip to New Mexico

2010-04-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

I'm on my last day of a week + road trip to New Mexico focusing on the area between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. My main reason for making the trip was to visit the
En caustic Art Institute in Cerrillos, about 18 miles SE of Santa Fe. As a mixed media artist working mostly in encaustic, I was excited to be able to visit in person after becoming a member of this non-profit organization in January. EAI has been the dream of artist, Douglass Mehrens since he first purchased the property back in the early 90's. Douglass and his jeweler wife, Adrienne built their home and the institute's gallery/workshop space on the 12 acre property and have incorporated recycled materials into the building such as hundreds of old tires filled with rammed earth.

I was so taken with the space and long conversations with Doug and Adriene that I returned a second day.

Nearby is the artsy town of Madrid where I visited galleries and shops and enjoyed a few good meals.

At the Java Junction in Madrid, their motto is "Bad Coffee Sucks!". Yeah - Right On! I agree.

I met some great artists and friendly folks along the way. Stay tuned for more on the New Mexico Road Trip. The saga continues.

Influenced By:

2010-01-29T20:53:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share and give credit to some of the artists that have influenced me in my life and my art. I'll start this series with Wolf Kahn, an artist that greatly influenced my palette and encouraged my ongoing love of painting landscapes.

"The unique blend of Realism and the formal discipline of Color Field painting sets the work of Wolf Kahn apart. Kahn is an artist who embodies the synthesis of his modern abstract training with Hans Hofmann, with the palette of Matisse, Rothko's sweeping bands of color, and the atmospheric qualities of American Impressionism. It is precisely this fusion of color, spontaneity and representation that has produced such a rich and expressive body of work." - Wolf Kahn Website

I really fell in love with this man's art a few years back when my friend Binky Bergsman lent me her book on Kahn, filled with luscious vibrant images of his work. It was difficult but I eventually returned the book and now just occassionally visit his website for new inspirations. I had been working in encaustics then for about a year and created these 2 paintings "A Walk in the Woods with Kahn" based on the inspiration of his work, the colors, the trees, a place I wanted to be. I've since sold one of the 2 paintings and the other hangs in my studio.

"A Walk In The Woods With Kahn"
12" x 36" each - encaustic on panel
Karon Leigh

Who are you inspired by?

Check out this video interview with Wolf Kahn at age 80 - still painting!

Evolution of a Painting

2010-01-19T14:37:00.001-08:00

I love seeing other artist's works in process and how they complete them so I thought I would share my process as well. I often start with one thing and end up with something completely different as I usually let the painting dictate to me how to paint it. I am not one to draw out and stick to a plan, being methodical and tight with what I hope to accomplish. I have an idea in regards to a theme or a vision or even a color pallet - but that is usually the starting place. The ending place, well, you never know with me.

These two 20" x 24" cradled panels are the largest size encaustic paintings I've ever done. I decided for the new year I was going to push my boundaries, in size and type of work (o you should see what is in process after I completed these paintings! That's another post.) I accepted a personal challenge to participate in an abstract show where every piece entered has to be 36" x 36". So waiting in the wings in my studio is a custom built cradled panel board at 36" x 36". I'm working my way up with the pieces posted here.

I started with a few layers of medium, some purples and red. I then collaged in some grass paper and while fusing the next layer of medium over the grass paper, parts of the paper kept catching on fire. (well ventilated studio is important!) I hadn't planned on burning the paper or leaving burn marks in the piece but it worked and it was fun.

Although I was on the edge of abstract, my subconcious love of landscape found its way into the painting with my next brush strokes of orange across the width of the painting, suggesting a mountain range of sorts.

I've done photo transfers in a lot of my encaustic paintings recently but had never done Joss Paper transfer so - the next step was working the bottom of the painting with Joss Paper transfer. I had gold foil Joss paper and when transferred, it looks pink. Did this transfer process with the water method of eliminating the paper backing by dissolving it with water.

I decided to follow the suggestive landscape and incised some shapes into the top of the painting which I then filled in with graphite to define the line work. I also painted the graphite over areas at the bottom of the painting including over some of the foil Joss paper transfer. More layers of medium. I then painted the shapes at the top of the paintings with titanium white oil paint allowing some of the underlying encaustic and graphite to show thru in areas.

Knowing when to stop has often been an issue for me. Is this painting done? Perhaps, for now at least, as I've learned to step back and live with it for awhile. It will speak to me, but now - it says leave me alone, I'm ok, walk away.

Update Jan 26, 2010:
Apparently the paintings weren't done after all. Couldn't connect the top to the bottom and too much open space in between. So the patterns in the background again dictated landscape and these rolling hills and tiny little buildings appeared. A little bit of a Taos Pueblo feeling perhaps. The places I visit in my dreams.

"Alchemy Between Dream & Awake #1"
Karon Leigh

"Alchemy Between Dream & Awake #2"
Karon Leigh

2010: What "ism" are we in?

2010-01-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

During a recent discussion with an artist friend, a question was asked that neither of us were able to satisfactorily answer. My friend, Kim asked "What "ism" are we in? I thought as we start a new decade in 2010, it was an appropriate question to ask and answer. I found this particularly interesting as I am often struggling to narrow down the topics of my almost A.D.D. interests in order to create a cohesive body of work while also expressing a personal yet relevant statement.

Throughout history there have been art movements that are often spawned by a rebellion to current events and defined in a new "ism". Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Modernism, etc.

Currently I feel that I personally can relate to "Stuckism" as I feel "stuck, stuck, stuck" with my art at times. And who decides what is unremarkable or boring in art anyways?

Stuckism:

A neo-conservative movement in the United Kingdom formed in 1999 by the leading founder artists Billy Childish calling themselves 'the first remondernist art group - the stucists.'
They are to be seen as 'opposed to the current pretensions of so-called performance art, pop art, BritArt, minimalism, conceptualism, installation art, video art and anything claiming to be art which incorporates dead animals, tents or beds - mainly because they are unremarkable and boring'.

'The name of the group was derived, in the best art historical tradition, from an insult, in this case from current Turner Prize Nominee Tracey Emin's evaluation of ex-boyfriend Billy Childish's 1,500 paintings over a 15-year period which was:
"Your paintings are stuck, you are stuck!
Stuck! Stuck! Stuck!" - taken from Wildbrush's Art.To.Day

Terry Marks "The Hazmat Question"
Proclaimed "Stuckist Painter"

If our current "ism" is in any way a response to our current social and political climate then surely we would be seeing more angry art, more political art, more in your face wake up call art.
The most relevant comment I found in my search for the new "ism" was on

The Middle Class Art Movement:

Constructed Perfection

"The new art movement will be born out of the most devastating idea to hit America in ages - a retrograde motion in status and opportunity for the middle class. This art will based on the perceived attitudes about what the middle class was supposed to be and represent, its expectations and opportunities either lost or placed askew - temporarily or permanently. It will be unique in expressing the middle class perspective and the current struggle set amid a backdrop of commodities that have either slipped out of grasp or have lost meaning. And most importantly it will be set amid a backdrop of a cultural wasteland centered around consumption, excess, and discontinuity. Eschewing the most meaningless archetypes one should expect these artistic manifestations to be straightforward and simple in their presentation but carrying with them a poignant and loaded message. Born out of frustration and the desire for efficiency and meaning this art movement from the middle-class will be some of the most clear and focused art that we have seen in recent years."

Alternatively, people are more focused on a spiritual awareness moving away from materialism and perhaps the "Energism Art Style" is the new "ISM".

"First Dream" by Julia Watkins - Founder of Energism Art

About Energism Art - from "Free Press Release"

"Ms. Watkins has pioneered perhaps the most innovative new form of art, Energism. Based on Tai Chi, these paintings use large colorful swirls representing energy to demonstrate how man, animal and landscape are all interconnected through a natural flow we can sense, but not see. To see the collection go to: http://www.platris.com/energismpaintings.html

Energist art is meditative. Its goal goes beyond simply creating a representation of spiritual energy. The artist seeks to draw the viewer in so he or she actually experiences the energy. The epitome of Energism Art would be a piece that when simply viewed would give the viewer a profound spiritual experience, a vision of pure energy, love and joy beyond expression."

Perhaps we can be in multiple "isms" at the same time or perhaps we don't have to be defined at all as long as we are still creating, that's what's important.

What are your thoughts on this? What "ISM" do you think you are in?

Creating Prosperity in the New Year

2009-12-29T13:46:00.000-08:00

2009 has been a difficult year financially for many people, myself included. The US economy is in a strange place and what we have counted on previously we can no longer take for granted. (Perhaps a reminder to never take things or people in our lives for granted.)

As the year comes to an end I find myself not reflecting on the past year as a continuation of things to come but as a jumping off place with gratitude for all that I do have, not focusing on what I don't have. In this same thought, creating a New Year through focused thought and positive action.

My girlfriends and I plan to celebrate together with a project to start the New Year with intentions to create prosperity and abundance in our lives. Below are the steps to this simple project if you wish to join us on this path.

The New Year is upon us! Make 2010 your Prosperity Year! What a fun, focused way to start off 2010 with great intentions to create prosperity, abundance, affluence and influence in your life.

From Michael's or your other favorite craft store:

1 - Red Box (be creative, buy or make one and decorate it)
1 - Square of red felt
1 - Mirror (Square, round, heart shaped)

From your local bank:

9 - Quarters
18 - New One Dollar Bills (consecutive, but not required)
9 - Twenty dollar Bands (Purple & White)
9 - Quarter Rolls, flat kind
9 - More One Dollar Bills to exchange (see below)

From Chinese Cultural Center or Amazon

2 - Red Envelopes also known as Feng Shui Envelopes

Directions

Place 9 One Dollar Bills in Red Envelop exchange with a friend, family or business associate. He or she will do the same. After exchanging the envelopes filled with the 9 One Dollar Bills, both individuals will put their intentions in the exchanged envelop. Each will place this important envelop in their own 2010 Prosperity Box which includes all the other items in it!

During the year new intentions can always be added.

Be creative, be specific with your intentions and let the Universe and Multi-verse provide the avenues to achieve your objectives and goals. Stay out of the outcome, so your income can "come in" to you!

Place the felt and the mirror under the box.

Place all the items in the box, including the red or Feng Shui envelope which contains the 9 one dollar bills and your intentions.

With your Prosperity Box ready for 2010, place it in the left prosperity corner of your home, office, cubicle or favorite room. Facing into your home, apartment, office, cubicle and/or favorite room, your prosperity corner is always in the left hand corner as you enter through the doorway.

From time to time throughout the year, check your list of intentions and see how many have come to fruition for you. Be positive, be affirming! Remember...where you place your consciousness and your heart is what powers your energy to manifest your intentions!

To Prosperity, Abundance, Affluence and Positive Influence for you in 2010!!!

Remember to have fun! (Prosperity Box Project from Quantum Pathic Center of Conciousness)

May you all have a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!

Coincidence and Serendipitous Paths

2009-12-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

Serendipity: the effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated.

Coincidence: a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance.

Is it enough to acknowledge coincidence and or serendipity without taking action to benefit from this most gracious gift?

I very much enjoy reading books and have always believed that certain books are presented to us in a moment when we need to hear the message in the book, often an answer to a question we have pondered and put out into the universe. After my last post and discouragement with the marketing results I've had with my artwork, I thought my goal for the new year would be to seriously take action to put together a body of work, a professional portfolio and work to get into galleries (something that I've always found intimidating and therefore procrastinated with every excuse in the world to avoid doing).

Recently at an art group meeting my friend Rae brought the book "Starving To Successful" by Jason Horejs and although hadn't finished the book yet, recommended it to the group. When leaving the meeting, Rae had forgotten the book and although I knew I wouldn't see Rae for probably a week or more as we don't live near each other, I volunteered to take the book and return it to her. I read the book over the next 2 days and then mailed it back to Rae as she was anxious to finish it. In the book Jason provides the biography that he had written for an artist named Bob as an example of a quality biography for artists. A year prior, I was introduced to Bob when mutual friends brought him to my house for a New Year's Eve party. Bob is a quiet man of few words and I learned more from Jason's write up on Bob than I had from the past year's conversations with him directly. By reading Jason's book I now feel I know my friend Bob a little better. A few days after reading the book, my friend Lance from WA called to say he would be in Arizona soon to show his sculpture at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. I had planned to meet up with Lance prior to the festival. He mentioned that he had to meet with his gallery in Scottsdale but then we could meet for lunch after that and visit the galleries in the area. Turns out - guess what? Yes - the gallery was Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale which is owned by Jason Horejs who's book I had just read.

When the answer to your question hits you right in the face - don't just take note - take action! Message received! I"m taking action on this message of Serendipity & Coincidence and purchasing the book, rereading it again and following all the steps to move forward with the business of art.

When All Else Fails . . . I'll Keep Making Art

2009-11-30T12:51:00.000-08:00

Is it the economy or me? When I think I'm doing all that I can and its still not working, (referring to supporting myself via my art - or at least selling enough to purchase more art supplies) I stop and question myself, about everything. I've read the books, followed the blogs, done the work, produced the art, joined the groups, submitted to shows, etc. I feel like I'm doing everything right with my artwork and the marketing of it but after a 2 day outdoor art festival that left me covered in dirt & dust along with my artwork, business cards, tent and my car, both inside and out without a single sale, I start questioning myself. What am I doing wrong? Should I go get a real job? What do I need to change? Is it the wrong venue? Is it me? Does my art suck? Am I just not good enough? You know, all the self doubt starts bubbling up from that insecure place that seems to be in most artist, perhaps in most people at one time or another.

So my horoscope today reads:

"Instead of tying your happiness to the changing circumstances of your life, align your emotional satisfaction to your core beliefs. You can find outer peace if you are motivated by an inner awareness."

A core belief that I hold is that I am an artist and I have to make art. So when all else fails, I will keep making art.

"Make the art you love and seek its audience." Jackie Battenfeild from her book "The Artist's Guide"

Back On Track and The Last Road Trip

2009-09-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

Feeling guilty that I've abandoned my blog for the summer so now that it is late October I really should get back on track. The summer was surprisingly busy and I feel the fall has booked up just as quickly. I was able to attend the International Encaustic Artists Retreat in Carmel Valley, CA and met some great people and even learned a few new things. The 2 days of driving each way was exhausting as I've had my fill of road trips recently but sometimes you make the best of it. In fact, on the way there, my artist friend and traveling partner Sherrie Posternak and I started making up stories based on things we had seen and experienced along the way and had such fun with it we cracked ourselves up to the point of tears. Now THAT'S how you enjoy a road trip.

Karon Leigh, Maria Arvayo, Kari Young, Diane Bailey-Haug, & Birgit Huttemann-Holz

Best part of the retreat for me - the BEACH of course!

IEA Retreat

Eileen Goldenberg & Pamela Blum @ retreat in CA

I very much enjoyed some of the presenters/speakers at the retreat, the philosophical, Tony Scherman and probably my favorite, Pamela Blum with her demo on working 3D.

Mari Marks

A highlight of the retreat for me was finally seeing everyone's work and having the art/gift exchange where I received this coveted piece by artist Mari Marks. I really scored on this one.

So now that the summer fun is over, well, its not that I haven't been working on new work - I have, but have also been pulled in all sorts of directions with other commitments and volunteer work. I did finish the first few pieces in my new series "the women that came before me" where I honor artists and other strong women, with these 2 pieces that include Frida Kahlo. Yes - I know - Frida's been done before but I had to start somewhere and she is just one in a large list of women I am including in this series - so stay tuned for further updates.

Art Opening in Seattle

2009-06-09T14:44:00.001-07:00

Local Color

This past weekend I had my opening at Local Color in Pike's Place Market area of Seattle. The show was hung well and many of my local art fiends came out to support me. I'm very happy with the new work that is showing there. The work will be at Local Color thru the month of June so please stop in if you are in the area.

"Peaks of Imagination"
Encaustic & Mixed Media

Northern CA & Oregon

2009-05-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

I was pleased to see all of the farm land in northern CA and to know that it is not all developed with strip malls and housing developments where every house looks alike. I wonder what type of markers people use to find their homes in those type of neighborhoods. When I lived in Henderson years ago, my neighbors had painted their house blue - the only one in the neighborhood so I was always able to tell people that I lived next door to the blue house.

My favorite part of the trip so far has been the winding roads thru Mt Shasta CA. There were very few cars on the road there Thursday afternoon so I was really able to enjoy the drive. I found myself cruising into "race car driver mode" able to slide easily back and forth into the inside lane around every curve. For a short distance I was the "lead car" setting pace for the mustang behind me. Then a gold honda civic appeared and became the best pace setting lead car I have ever journeyed with. We appeared to be a team, taking the curves at 80 mph with the grace of synchronized swimmers. The breathtaking view of Mt Shasta appearing around every corner - I was elated. He led me all the way to Medford and I so wanted to thank him and tell him what a great job he did - how I enjoyed our cruise together but I guess part of the fun of the event was that he was a stranger - and would remain one - just offering a moment in time - a memory shared.

As we came out of the mountains and a short ways before Medford we passed thru the Ashland area. I've never been to Ashland and will make it a destination on my return. Perhaps it was the time of day, the sunset reflecting pale peachy pinks off of the rolling green hills or the David Grey cd playing, or the high I was on after my "race car driver" experience, but this place felt magical. The colors in the sunset - hmm - another inspiration for a new encaustic color palette.

Speaking of encaustics - I was able to connect with another encaustic artist on my journey who I found via facebook and blogging sites, Rebecca Shapiro. Her abstract acrylic painting style has evolved into encaustic painting. I love her work. Check it out here. Rebecca graciously invited me, a stranger but fellow encaustic artist, to stop in and see her studio which of course I did. A new friend - thank you Rebecca.

My destination for the day was just north of Portland in Vancouver WA to stay with Robyn and Paul. I had met Robyn when we both lived up in Snohomish county. Last year we both moved. Robyn and Paul kindly welcomed me into their home where I have been able to lounge and recover from all the driving. Simple things like a comfortable bed to sleep in and a place to do a load of laundry while visiting with a friend is a great blessing. Thank you Robyn and Paul and all of the great people I've visited with and met on the road trip north.

And now to head out again for a short journey north to see my family, starting with my gorgeous grandson, Cameron.

Leaving San Francisco

2009-05-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Again we start our day at "Progressive Grounds", a coffee shop around the corner from Amber's place. The back patio area is inviting and a gentle space to enjoy our coffee and discuss life and our plans for the day. Beth will head to the airport to return to Phoenix and I will drive north with Medford, OR as my destination for the day.

One of the little treasures I found at the coffee shop was this old fire hydrant hidden in the patio gardens. I am drawn to weathered and worn, rusting metals, in fences, hydrants, old cars, you name it. The patterns and colors created by the elements and time are so beautiful. This hydrant is inspiring a new palette for my next encaustic work - hmmm. Recreating weathered metals in encaustic - now that's a challenge.

I'll head north on 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge again with a stop in Novato to look up another encaustic artist, Sandy Miot. From there I'll go north around the bay and catch I5 for the long day's drive to Medford.

After a few missed turns and an extra 45 minutes of driving I find the Hamilton Art Center in Novato. I should have mapped it before leaving SF but had shut down the computer and went from memory - always a bad thing.

I met Sandy Miot in her studio where she was working with a student, Barbara. Sandy has a beautiful well lit and huge studio space in the Hamilton bldg. Her work is facinating, very dimensional with a mix of embbedded metal objects. She is also working in encaustic monotypes and we had both learned this technique from Paula Roland. I love meeting other artists and especially encaustic artists. We always learn something from each other and find so much in common. Notice the book on the table - yup - that's my friend Trish's book, "Encaustic Workshop" which can be purchased via Amazon - the link is right here on my blog page. Seems Trish and Sandy both took Paula's workshop together. Hmm - small encaustic world - I just love it!

A Day in the City - SF

2009-05-28T09:36:00.001-07:00

Wednesday was a day in the city. We ended up on Haight Street checking out all the little shops - mostly vintage and second hand shops. Amber was looking for vintage cowboy boots - I was looking for jeans and Beth was mostly into tops & blouses. We ended spending most of our time & money at Goodwill - go figure - always the best deal but at least we experienced the ambiance of being in the city.

Very cool architecture - lots of detail and artistic touches throughout the city. As a county chick, I felt surprisingly very comfortable in San Francisco. I loved the variety - in everything, the people, the neighborhoods, the food - amazing!

Point Reyes

2009-05-26T11:42:00.001-07:00

Karon @ Progressive Grounds

We start our days at Progressive Grounds, a pleasant little coffee shop a block from my niece's house in Bernal Heights. On Monday we headed north west over the Golden Gate Bridge and out to Point Reyes where my niece, Amber is working at a cafe/pizza joint. We stopped at the visitor's center and drove into Inverness for more coffee and discovered the local Artist's Studio Tour was taking place. I much prefer a studio tour to shopping or even hikes out to the beach. So we got the map and made our selections and off we went, discovering a wonderful woodblock printmaker - famous in the area named Tom Killion and also a fellow encaustic artist named Paula Fava.

Its been so nice to see green landscape and water again after being in the desert for the last 7 months. The rolling hills around Point Reyes are so relaxing. Its a farming area with cows roaming the hills. They say - happy cows are from California. they looked happy to me.

Amber at Cafe Reyes

Quick Stop in Vegas

2009-05-26T08:10:00.001-07:00

We spent our first night at my brother's place in Vegas. Wow - look at the development that has happened here. Houses everywhere! The city has spread and grown probably 3 times since I lived there 14 years ago. Since I lived in Vegas for 6 years I saw and learned that gambling was a big "looser" thing to do and haven't gambled since. Can't stand to be in the casinos so for me, this was just a place to crash for the night.

The road trip from Vegas to San Francisco is very long and quite boring. Uneventful landscape.
Seems the Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base on Saturday but we must have missed it. Didn't see any additional traffic in the area or things falling from the sky. Oh well.

Probably the best part of this section of the trip was the garlic fields southeast of San Jose. Big trucks of garlic and whiffs of garlic filling the air. A dark grey cloud hovered over San Francisco as we arrived - cold and a big change from our Arizona weather.

Leaving Phoenix - Road Trip Part 1

2009-05-23T09:29:00.001-07:00

Beth & Karon - sisters

I left Phoenix with my sister, Beth this morning we headed to Vegas (Henderson really) to see our younger brother Scott. Scott is a helicopter pilot, living part time in LA, part time in Vegas where he flies tours over the Grand Canyon. Beth and I are 14 months apart and look so much alike - right? HA! Its rare that we get to spend this time together as the last 14 years I lived in Seattle and she in Phoenix so didn't have much time together. Beth is riding with me as far as San Francisco where we will visit her oldest daughter, my niece, Amber.

Stopped in a town called Wikkiup - no Starbucks but the ice cream parlor has coffee - but it really sucks. We spotted Elvis coming out of the AM/PM in Kingman. I don't know why people live in Kingman but they do. Maybe its because Elvis is there. We did find a Starbucks in Kingman but they don't pull long shots - didn't even know what they were. Beth thought perhaps living in Seattle so long that I had NW Starbucks lingo but I arguesd the point that it was common not only to Starbucks and in fact I hadn't discovered long shots until I was in Oro Valley.

We passed thru the Joshua Tree forest and had to listen to U2 of course. Beth posed in the tree - I guess just because she could. Helps to get perspective though. Overall, it was a pretty easy drive, especially with the company of my sister and all of her good tunes from her ipod. And then we got close to the dam and the traffic completely stopped. We thought there must be an accident as we were still quite a few miles from the dam, but after an hour of stop and go traffic where people actually got out of their cars to pee at the side of the road, we finally crossed the dam but the back up seemed to be just from people slowing to cross the dam. Just didn't seem right.

I was shocked at the change in the Las Vegas area since I had lived there back in the early 90's. The housing developments alone were overwhelming. Geez it has grown. Glad I don't live there anymore. Found our brother and settled in for the night. In the morning, we're heading to San Francisco. Yippie! The road trip continues.

New Art & A Road Trip

2009-05-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

"Primordial Spaces of Being"
Encaustic Monotype/Mixed Media on Cradled Board
10" h x 30" w

In March I took a workshop in Tucson at the Conrad Wilde Gallery with Santa Fe artist, Paula Roland to learn her technique of encaustic monotypes. I had been a printmaker ever since I discovered printmaking at UNLV back in the early 90's. I got hooked on the sound of ink rolling out on the glass and the delicate feel of paper in my hands. Then about 3 years ago after admiring the mystery of encaustic for many years, I finally took a workshop in encaustic with my now bestest girlfriend, Trish Baldwin Seggebruch and was immediately hooked on encaustics. For the past few years, I have switched back and forth working in encaustic and then going back to printmaking. Back and forth, back and forth. WELL - at Paula's class something just clicked for me and I seemed to have found my niche. I am now working directly on paper with cold hard encaustic and a heated metal plate.

I have created a series of encaustic monotype paintings, of course inspired by my relocation to the southwest. Landscapes are my love and this "Aggregate Canyons" series just flowed out of me with little effort, an accumulation of a history of memories, dreams and life experiences, always with a deep question and awareness of who I am and how do I fit into this world.

The 9 pieces in the series are loaded into my car and I am heading out on a road trip from Arizona to Seattle where I will be showing this work at Local Color in the Pike's Place Market area of town for the month of June. If you are in the area, please stop by. The opening reception is on Sat June 6th from 6-9pm.

Inspired by Nature

2009-05-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

There are special moments of time captured sometimes with a camera, sometimes just within our memories, an image, a smell, a sound and I find that nature is the most precious and inspiring of all.

As a newcomer to the Southwest I am still in awe of these little moments in the desert, the image from my yard of the moon in an afternoon sky cropped by blooming Ocotillo where the hummingbirds eat and play and the desert blooms under the mesquite tree outside my studio door.

Perhaps its the bright orange red of the Ocotillo blooms that will show up in my artwork, perhaps the blue of the spring southwestern sky, or perhaps just the feeling of complete calmness and joy that I feel from appreciating these precious moments around me that will allow me to be connected to the muse, the higher power or the creative force when I turn on the wax and pick up a brush to begin my next artistic creation.

Workshops

2009-05-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have a small studio in my home dedicated to encaustic and mixed media work - a messy space where spilling wax is allowed. No carpet on the floors to worry about, plenty of light with a back door that opens to the mesquite tree and a flower garden where I often watch hummingbirds at the feeder.

I find great joy and satisfaction in teaching workshops in encaustic here. The class size is kept to 4 maximum due to space and electricity and I find that this class size allows for an intimate exchange of instruction, creative work time and personal attention and interaction. A recent workshop I held included local accomplished artists from the area; a photographer, water colorist, oil painter, and pastel artist all together in a in my studio. Its exciting when we all realize that working in the same medium with the same color palette, the finished results are all so individual and completely different from each other. The Bisbee group was excited enough about encaustics that they spoke of creating their own encaustic studio spaces. Now THAT is inspiring.

info on workshops exPRESSive Arts Studio

Unchartered Territories

2009-05-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

My work was recently exhibited at The Drawing Studio in Tucson in a show called "Unchartered Territories" which was supposed to challenge the artist to step out of their boundaries whether in medium, structure or content. The 2 pieces I exhibited, "Another Birthday Celebration" and "Secret & Sacred Spaces" were mixed media and encaustic which included paper, wine corks, twigs, wire mesh, & ceramic. These were some of my attempts in moving from 2d to 3d work.

"Another Birthday Celebration"

"Secret & Sacred Places"

little treasures

2009-04-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday 2009 - a beautiful day in Southeastern Arizona - blue skies and sunshine, a gentle breeze. Decided to take a walk down to the monastery and enjoy this beautiful day. The Holy Trinity Monastery is about a mile or so down highway 80 from my home.

In lieu of traditional Easter celebrations where I have always hosted the family dinner, now living alone and far from my children, I figured spending a little time at the monastery seemed like an appropriate way to spend Easter.

The trees are all in bloom this time of year and my favorite tree in town is this giant cottonwood. It reminds me of the cottonwood that Georgia O'Keefe often painted with its twisty curvy branches. I definitely have to paint this tree.

During my walks I am often on the look out for little treasures and today was no exception. At the side of the road I found a dead but fully intact butterfly and carried him with me to the monastery and home with a little damage due to the wind and the sweat of my hand. I also found these wonderful gourds on a vine I had passed.

Of course I stopped to visit with my neighbors on the way home.

Happy Easter my friends.

Fear and the Creative Genius

2009-04-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

For years I have struggled with the my true passion of needing to create art while also trying to make a living and be the responsible grown up because being an "artist" certainly isn't responsible in a culture that values financial and material wealth as true success. The reputation of the artistic creative type doesn't seem to hold the same value in our corporate American society as other professions and artists are often considered to be lazy or mentally unstable. I received an email from a dear friend with a link to this video the other day. Elizabeth Gilbert, a very talented author and speaker discusses the "Creative Genius" and it struck me as being so timely and powerful, I needed to hear this NOW. Listening to her speak was like a gift for me. It was so relevant for me that I had to share it with all of you.

Elizabeth's personal experience of now having to live up to her own great success as a writer and how the fear of success or failure about one's work is assumed if one is a creative type. Her statement, "should anybody be expected to be afraid of the work they feel they were put on this earth to do" validates my own knowing that this is what I was put on this earth to do and whether or not I experience the "genius" or "daemons" in my artistic endeavors, I will continue to show up and do my job of creating my art. Thank you for that, Elizabeth.

Please take the time to enjoy this video as Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses:

Encaustic Group Show in Tucson

2009-04-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Our encaustic group, Tucson Encaustic Artists had an opening reception at Details Art & Design last night in Tucson. We had a great turnout and I was very pleased with the presentation of our work. The 10 member group presented a wide variety of work including encaustic monotype, photo transfer, 3 dimensional and sculpted pieces representing the versatility of working in encaustic. I had my encaustic monotype sell and leave the gallery before I arrived. Yippie! The lesson on that one though is to photograph your work before framing and making available for sale.

Artistic Integrity

2009-04-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

For the last week I have been working on an ecaustic painting that includes a photograph of my son and daughter in law for their upcoming wedding gift. For the last 3 days I added, then scraped, walked away, went back, changed palette, added some more, added some more, and kept finding it was never right and probably would never be right by the time I had to pack it into my suitcase and head for Seattle. In fact, I don't even like the painting because it is so not me - I don't do hearts or cutesy, but that's what it ended up being.

detail of encaustic painting

If I don't like the painting, am I compromising my artistic integrity by then accepting it as is and giving as a gift?

I decided that they would like it, or at least appreciate the thought/effort as opposed to a purchase from the Target gift list, which I just couldn't bring myself to do seeing that I was "the artist" .

I also decided that I liked parts of the painting, the way the copper colored oil pastel melted over the wax, the way the titanium white oil paint breaks with direct heat from the heat gun, and so I learned something in the process - what I liked and what I didn't like, what works and what doesn't - for me at least. And I learned that I need to make my art based on what I like, letting a true creative process come from me and not compromise myself for what others may want or what I think they may want. Be true to oneself.

Getting Started or Starting From Scratch

2009-03-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

A new home and life in Arizona and a new direction with my art has inspired me to get started or start from scratch with this new blog. When we take a break from our art or are lacking inspiration, its best to just "get started" or even "start from scratch" throwing out our previous expectations about our work and even the direction of our lives. So with a new direction and expectations, here I will update my artistic journeys with "Little Art Notes".

The new direction started when I moved to southeastern Arizona outside of Tucson in October 2008 and my palette obviously changed by the influence of my new environment. I continue to make landscapes, mostly in encaustic but now after a workshop with Paula Roland out of Santa Fe who visited Tucson last month, I am combining my love of printmaking with my passion for encaustic by working in "Encaustic Monotypes" on paper. More to follow.

New Encaustic Paintings to Debut At The Tempe Festival of Arts

2008-11-30T16:19:00.000-08:00

I have definitely been inspired by my new surroundings since my move to St. David, Arizona in mid October of this year. The landscape of Southeastern Arizona is so varied. I think this state must have the most variety of landscape in one state. Locally, the view goes on for miles and I continue to be amazed at the amount of wide open spaces. The tall grasses have almost a buttery color against the backdrop of the warm mountains. The weather and time of day have a huge affect on the color and hue, changing the mountain ranges from a warm tone to a cool blue and purple as the sun begins to set.

I'm working on a painting of the Grand Canyon but its had a few revisions and I am still not satisfied with it. I'll get there. Of course, I think they look better in person since encaustics are so difficult to photograph. I'll be presenting these along with a number of other new works at the Tempe Festival of Arts, booth# 5535 Friday, Dec 5th - Sun. Dec 7th. I'm also excited to start teaching workshops here in my studio starting in January. Schedule is on my studio website exPRESSive Arts Studio.

"Wide Open Spaces"
Encaustic & Mixed Media on Panel
12" x 24"

Painting above:

"View From My Car"
encaustic & Mixed Media on Panel
8"x 8"

Road Trip - the Destination

2008-10-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

Friday morning we left my sister's house in Phoenix and headed south. Its a short but uneventful drive from Phoenix to Tucson. A few scenes sparked some old memories such as Compton Terrace - just south of Phoenix, where I attended many concerts in my youth - my most memorable was when I took my sister for her birthday to see Fleetwood Mac and we joined up with some childhood friends, a group of sisters - so we were a happy dancing group of young women having a fabulous time with our blanket out on the lawn, singing and dancing to the latest FM hits and at least I - was wishing I was Stevie Nicks. That concert was also the first time I ventured into the men's room after discovering that there was no line at the men's room when the women's had a line so long I would have peed my pants. Stevie at Compton (not the concert I was at)

We were hungry by the time we got into Tucson so decided to stop and find a Mexican restaurant. To our surprise, they were few and far between or perhaps I just didn't know where to look. We ended up at Chewy's - not what I had in mind but they let us have Sonny in the patio area and since it was about 96 degrees - thought this best than leaving him in the car.

Back on the road and I was starting to get anxious about my new digs - only having seen pics over the internet - was I going to hate it - was it a Craig's List scam? Am I totally screwed? Was this all a mistake? Driving into the small town of St. David I was very pleasantly surprised to see an art gallery, A Gallery of Dreams and hoped it also lived up to my expectations. Down the little dirt road and spotting my new home, a smile came over my face. I had perma-grin for the rest of the evening. It was everything I had hoped for. I had always loved the Santa Fe style architecture. There were only 3 houses on this dead end dirt road and my need for privacy was satisfied completely.

Evelia and I unloaded quite a bit of my "oh my gosh I have too much stuff" from the POD which had arrived the day before. I was surprised and entertained by the numerous grasshoppers that filled the lawn and rested against the wall on the front of the house. There were some very large ones, slow and walked only - no
jumping or flying like the smaller majority. The neighbors later told me the nickname for these 3" long grasshoppers was "Little Generals". Different state/climate - different bugs.

We claimed bedrooms and threw down sleeping bags and pillows and then started our arrival celebration with a few margaritas with supplies we picked up at the local safeway (yes - they sell tequila at the safeway). Being out in a small town, away from the lights of the big city allowed for a dramatic view of the stars as the sun went down. The stars were amazing - the milky way a clear streak of white that ran over the front past the back of the house. The quiet, the dark - I hadn't even seen close to this since living in my private 1 1/2 acres in Gold Bar, WA. The last few months of a very public and very noisy living environment made me appreciate this all the more. We were inside when at about 9 or 9:30 we heard the coyotes and went outside to investigate. They were running in the area and practically screaming as a pack - something I hadn't heard before.

In the morning Evelia was outside reading and called me to come see the horses running by. The property backs up to some ranch land that my neighbors/landlords say is owned by the Kartchner's (Kartchner Caverns) and they run their horses and cattle thru the property at different times of the year.

Turns out I actually have a horse corral area on the property and as much as I love horses, I am not in a position or driven to own one - too much responsibility. And as my friend Pat reminded me, the size of the vet bill is relative to the size of the animal - ouch!

So now I'm settling into my new home and enjoying the sunshine and warm weather and solitude and setting up my studio space. New art beginnings to come soon!

Road Trip - Part 3

2008-10-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

After leaving the Grand Canyon at above 8000 feet in elevation, the winding roads took us down about 4,000 feet in and we headed out into the desert towards Flagstaff to rest for the night. We drove thru the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation and I admired the view while my mind raced with new ideas for paintings inspired by my new southwest surroundings. The cd player in my car was broken - I think a piece of paper had slipped in along with a cd a few weeks back - jamming and making it unplayable. This of course meant that a large part of the trip was in silence, a few conversations, some bad local radio stations mixed with static and on occassion, our own musical vocal talents broke the silence and of course made us laugh at ourselves. I challenged Evelia to sing a song in Spanish and she started singing the Macharena. HA! I can do better than that and countered with Ceilito Lindo and La Bamba. We're both more of sing along to the radio vocalists than solo artists so the singing didn't last long.

I was suddenly compelled to pull over at the Cliff Dweller's Lodge in the area of the Vermillion Cliffs. I just needed to stop there and experience this place. It was only 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon and there was plenty of driving time ahead of us but Evelia suggested that we stay here for the night. I was surprised at her suggestion as I really thought she wanted to make it to Sedona but I was easily convinced. We ended up having a fabulous stay and a great meal and wonderful company in meeting the staff. We sat in the outside seating area of the restaurant where Sonny was welcome to join us. The presidential debates were on the tv in the background but we were focused on our new friends, the staff at the restaurant. Bobby, the dinner cook called down his dog, an Australian Shephard named Magee and another staff member's dog, LT also joined us. Sonny tried guarding the stairway entrance and growled at Chris, another staffer as he came up to the restaurant from the small service station store. Jerry fell in love with Sonny and I saw that even more the next morning when we went to breakfast. We missed breakfast as they had switched to the lunch menu but Jerry found a piece of bacon for Sonny. I told Jerry how I had been looking for a new home for Sonny and he said he would talke him in a heartbeat. I didn't want to make an impulsive on the spot decision so I took Jerry's contact info and considered the situation the rest of the trip. That morning I took a few photos of the area and noticed 2 very large crows sitting in a tree. I was reminded of my friend, Binky because she likes to use crow imagery in her artwork.

We made a breif stop in Flagstaff for gas and a pit stop and then headed to Sedona. The Oak Creek Canyon area is lovely and again, we followed winding roads as we descended back down from Flagstaff's 7000 feet elevation into the canyon. We passed slide rock and I had a nice recollection of being there when I was young, sliding down the large flat rocks in the river that runs thru the canyon.

Sedona has some beautiful landscape but the town is way too touristy for me. We did stop for a snack and to stretch our legs. I was surprised at how many people were there on a Thursday afternoon in October. Anyways, again, beautiful landscape - I love the red rock.

We left Sedona and made it to my sister's house in Phoenix just after sunset. The constant and nonstop attention from their Australian Shephard, Newt upon Sonny was more than a bit disconcerning, it downright stressed me out. Newt chased Sonny around and Sonny ended up falling into the swimming pool in the backyard. I was quick to scoop him out as I knew he was not a water loving dog. By morning Newt had found new ways of adoring his attentions upon Sonny (I really can't go into detail on that) and Sonny gave up running from him but was surely relieved when we left and headed south to our final destination.

Road Trip - Part 2

2008-10-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning we left Kanab UT and headed for the north rim of the Grand Canyon. This was the last day the Lodge would be open as snow would soon be expected that would close down access to a good part of the north rim. I was pretty exhausted by the time we reached the lodge area and main view lookouts though and actually had to lay down against a tree and rest for awhile.

Evelia and I lost each other for about 30 minutes as we went in opposite directions. Sonny got lots of attention as you can imagine.

Sonny laying in dirt next to me laying against tree

The veiws were incredible and just one of those places that is hard to believe actually exhists. I had been to the grand canyon once before when I was young, about 21 or 22 but didn't have a chance to spend any time there due to the person in charge of van at the time - and that's another story.

This shot is a close up of the peak in the photo above. If you look closely, you'll see some tiny specs on the top of this peak which are actually some very adventurous hikers. Wholly crap! How did they get there?

So from the Grand Canyon we headed down a some winding roads a few thousand feet on our way to Flagstaff for the evening - or perhaps if I wasn't too tired, Sedona.

Heading South - Road Trip Part 1

2008-10-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Well the journey to relocate to Arizona started on Sunday Oct 12th with my bestest buddie Evelia and my dog Sonny after a wonderful evening with our dear friends, Rob & Cheri O'Brien and perhaps a little too much wine. The first part of the drive was pretty uneventful as we headed over the I-90 pass and over to eastern WA. We became very aware of the lack of traffic and even wondered where all the people were. Our first night was spent in Baker City OR. The next morning my friend called to say they had snow on the ground in the Provo area where we were headed. We were driving into Idaho when we found our first scenic stop - picture to left - but I swear I don't even remember the name of this place - started with an "M".

Anyways, on thru Idaho stopping in Boise just for gas and some food and when we came upon Twin Falls, the area was quiet with a blanket of snow across the fields. The mountains were white and I hoped that there wasn't still snow in Utah. We got to Salt Lake as the sun was going down and the almost full moon was incredible. Evelia stood out the moon roof of the car taking pictures. I'm sure she was a sight for some of the locals. We stayed the night with my friend/ex-sister in law in Lehi and had some impromtu family time with her kids. The snow had all melted and the roads were clear but my mind was racing from being in the area again - not wanting to run into anyone or anything that knew or reminded me of my exhusband - ugh!

Now the real scenic travels begin. On Tuesday morning we headed southeast to see Bryce Canyon debating on visiting Zion or hoping to see both.

As we drove into Bryce we first came upon the
Red Cliffs and I had to imediatley pull over.
This place was beautiful. I had never been to these canyons before even with all my previous trips to UT when my kids were little.

We spent a good part of our day at Bryce and were leaving as the sun was going down so decided we to make it to Kanab for the night. It was so dark that I let a semi lead me through the windy roads of highway 89. It worked great until an aggressive semi pulled in behind me. I had to ditch them both at a passing lane and found my way thru the dark to Kanab. The old woman at the motel counter did her calculations for tax and change with pencil and paper and I helped her with the change part letting her off the hook as she was obvously tired and couldn't do anymore counting.

The moon was now full and was incredible over the Utah mountains. Kanab ended up being one of our favorite stops believe it or not as we dicovered a wonderful little restaurant that had a gallery upstairs. We enjoyed a top quality vegitarian meal and a few drinks and Victor, the owner was a pleasure and we thanked him for having such a spectacular little place in such an unexpected location. the Rocking V Caf e

September

2008-09-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

September is almost gone and it is my favorite month, here in WA and also back home in MI. The trees start to turn color, the skies are still often blue and the sun is shining (well most of the time). When those first leaves start to drop and they find their way indoors, on the bottom of my shoes or a breeze thru an open door, I leave them on the floor as an artful reminder that the days are getting shorter and I need to take the time to enjoy every moment. This photo was taken a year ago when my friend Binky and I took a day trip up to La Conner and the Skagit Valley. It definitely represents the feeling that things are changing, the color of the landscape, the golden light hitting the leaves on the trees. I guess I just needed to post this for myself and say, its beautiful day!

Catching Up

2008-09-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

Its been 2 months since I last posted - shame on me! Life just keeps getting int he way. So here's the latest. Binky and I are showing downtown Seattle at Local Color - check it out.

Pushing into 3-D

2008-06-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

Just got home from a 3 day advanced encaustic workshop with Larry Calkins thru the La Conner Art Workshops in Mt Vernon. First of all, I love Mt Vernon - wish I lived there and if I wasn't heading to Tucson in the fall, I'd move there.

Anyways, took this workshop with my friends Binky Bergsman and Judith Jackson and also met some new friends. I find I don't work well in a workshop environment but if I focus and get into my zone, I can make stuff happen. I'm used to working alone, especially when creating art, so the distraction of others, although often inspiring, oh yeah - you should see some of the stuff that was created there - anyways, the distractions can pull me out of the zone from time to time but it is worth it to learn the new skills and be inspired by the other art being created all around me.

So I had moved a bit toward the 3-d with my window pieces but in the workshop I was introduced to boxes. Larry supplied wood and saws and all sorts of tools and this allowed me to create "out of the box" pun intended, over what I would normally create in my studio. I see now I will have to venture out and purchase a few more tools, including a band saw. Below are the 2 boxes I finished and I have another in process - the third with a window to look in but of course, I haven't figured out what is going to go inside yet. I'll keep you posted of the 3-d developments and my new "box series".

Thanks a bunch to Larry for turning me on to new techniques and to Robyn for hosting the workshop.

Tranquility Box #1 Tranquility Box #2 Tranquility Box #2 detail

PS - box names and I found myself asking for tranquility on the first day as I was a bit stressed and needed something to focus on.

Encaustic Show in Seattle

2008-06-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

My friend and fellow artist, Binky Bergsman and I hung some of our encaustic artwork at Uncle Elizabeth's Internet Cafe in Capital Hill last week. Our art will be there thru July and we will probably be there or in the area next month for the artwalk which is the 2nd Tuesday of the month. It's cool having our work shown together and we will be showing again in September at Local Color in the Pike's Place Market area. What I really enjoy about showing with Binky is that we get to hang out and spend time together. She is a wonderful woman, a great artist and a treasured friend.

I think I've spent too much time in the boonies because Capital Hill was a little funky for me and really - I'm usually quite comfortable with the funk - I'm part funk myself - LOL! But really - when the big city really feels like the big city, you know you need to get out more. HA!

And yes - the walls really were that yellow!

Illustration Blue Devils

2008-06-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

This piece I created in response to an assignment in a design class to illustrate a story called "The Blue Devils of Blue River Avenue" by Poe Ballantine. The mixed media encaustic piece includes imagery from the story including flies, venus flytraps, cigarette butts and of course blue devils, a popular drug of the sixties.

I am such an anti-smoking person that it was difficult and disgusting to collect the butts but I have found them to be interesting collage elements for my work. I am drawn to more 3d work and will be leaning in that direction on some new pieces I am working on.

encaustic windows

2008-05-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

Trying to get back on track with the blog thing and post my art. I've been creating these new "window" pieces combining my photography, other mixed media, and of course encaustic. These are on 12 x 12 pnaels and I finish them in black float frames. I have 3 of them finished now - 2 are hanging in my studio and one is at the Monte Christo building in the Arts Council of Snohomish Co gallery store for the month of May. Arts Council Website

Of course it is not the image they have on their website as Liz who is in charge of the gallery likes my circles piece that has written affirmations on it.

Blog stuff and where is Bridgette

2008-05-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

friends blogs and websites -

sitting here in Ballard with Binky - hmm - that should be a song title and we're going over how to use the blog.

I've already linked to Binky's blog so now we are going to link to Wendy's blog

http://badabling.blogspot.com/

Wendy Le Lynds Blogspot

Darn - we are in Ballard and don't know how to get ahold of Bridgette. Shucks!

More Jake

2008-05-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here's Jake again, as I've continued to print his image. I'm moving from printmaking into a 3 dimensional piece that also includes Jake - wll post soon - or later.

the Studio Evolves - "Where Is Home?"

2008-04-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

Its been quite awhile since my last post and I've neglected to keep up on my commitment of posting every Sunday. My bad. Darn - that life keeps getting in the way.

So the studio has evolved and the classes are going well - happy students make a happy Karon. The gallery is what really surprises me - and we are getting ready for the 2nd show with new artists and new artwork. The show for April is theme based and is called "Where Is Home?". This idea came from the same source for my inspiration of the "Jake" series and has also been something I have been dealing with over the last year. I sold my home and know that where I live now is temporary. So I wondered - is it the physical space we surround with our treasures and family that make a house a home? Is it the city, the state, or the country that is our home? I was also recently involved in an art project that helped a women's day shelter, http://www.womenofmarysplace.org/ www.exPRESSiveArtsStudio.com

a series in progress

2008-02-15T14:09:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that a legendary icon from my home town of Ann Arbor Michigan, Shakey Jake Woods had passed away this past November. His passing left me very contemplative about "home", "where is home" and "what journey I am on" so I decided to work on a series that included the imagery of Shakey Jake - to share the story of how he impacted my life and others in our community - how he will be missed. Here are the beginnings of two pieces I am working on in my studio. Hard to find the time lately to dedicate to making my own art. Hope to have these completed by next weekend. I work on about 3 or 4 pieces at a time and they all evolve differently and at different rates. Who will finish first I wonder.

News for the New Year

2008-01-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

I went to visit my friend Evelia Sanchez at the open house she held for her pottery studio, The Pottery Loft at the end of the year. I hadn't been to her studio since she moved into this building and was quite impressed with her new and improved space (new to me - she has been there a year already). Anyways, she shared with me that the artist that was in the space next door had moved out and the space was now available. She gladly showed me the open space and when we walked in I noticed a large rectangular shape cut out of the linoleum floor in the front room. DING! A bell went off in my head. This is a perfect spot for my printing press! My poor printing press has spent more time in storage and in my cold garage with boxes stacked upon it due to my numerous moves over the last year and a half. So I called the landlord, signed a lease, moved all my current art and supplies out of my Lowell Art Works studio and have spent the last week cleaning and next weekend will finally move in the press so I can get back to printing.

Turns out this space is so large that I felt it needed additional use than just me creating my own artwork so I decided to offer monotype workshops. I have created a schedule, class descriptions and a registration form and am ready to start teaching at the end of the month.

I'm excited to announce the opening of my new printmaking studio, exPRESSive Arts Studio at 3710 Mukilteo Blvd Everett, WA 98203.

Yippie!

Reflections on the end of the Year

2007-12-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

Last night I was reflecting on the last year as it is coming to an end. As I thought about the year to come I was aware that I was in my 50th year on this planet which had me thinking about where I came from and who I have become.

I was born and raised in Ann Arbor Michigan and although I have been gone from there longer than I lived there, it is still in a way for me, "home", because it was such a significant part of my life and partly because I still have family there and am able to visit on a regular basis.

At the end of 2006 we lost one of our Ann Arbor icons, UM football coach Bo Schembechler. As a child I spent many a day at the UofM football games as well as local high school games as my father was the head football coach at Pioneer High ever since I can remember. It became part of who I am.

In September of 2007, we lost another Ann Arbor icon, our legendary Shakey Jake Woods. If you are not from Ann Arbor you may not have heard of Jake. He was not in the national spotlight as Bo was but to us Ann Arborites, he was a local celebrity. As a young teenager I had split my time between Ann Arbor and the California Bay area due to my parents divorce. When I was in CA, I made sure I had my golden yellow Shakey Jake t-shirt so I would remain connected to my home, Ann Arbor.

Jake was a musician playing his often out of tune guitar for the community at festivals and even on street corners. It wasn't his musical talents that impressed or attracted us to him but his stories and words of wisdom and the fact that he didn't care what people thought - he did his thing and he impacted our community with his spirit.

Over my almost 50 years, there have been only 2 other deaths of non family members that have impacted my life as an "end of an era" as Bo and Jake's passing has impacted me and that was the death of John F. Kennedy and John Lennon. Their spirits and memories and contributions to the world live on.

Shakey Jake has left the building. Goodbye 2007!

Post Breast Show Update

2007-11-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

The Breast of the Northwest was a blast! It was as one friend quoted, "boobalicious!". Boobs everywhere! But seriously, it was a successful show with a variety of artwork and well put together by a Lowell artists, Jules Anslow.

Although I didn't sell any of my "breast impressions", I'm happy to say that I did sell one of my encaustic pieces. Lowell has been not only a dedicated space for me to work on my art, specifically my encaustic work, but a great venue for exposure in the area.

PS - Who wants a "boob" for Christmas?

Breast of the Northwest

2007-11-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

This month the Lowell Art Works Building is hosting an exciting show that will surely put us on the map as a "best bet" for the the local art scene. Fellow artist, Jules Anslow is curating, "Breast of the Northwest", a show consisiting of over 40 local artists with works in oil, acrylic, mixed media, and sculptures in metal, stone and ceramic.

Please join us for the opening party on Sat. Nov 17th from 4pm - 9pm-ish at the LAW building, 5205 S. 2nd Ave., Everett WA 98203

My work in the show? Well, at a recent get together of my Snohomish studio group of women artists I set my girls free and created original Breast Impressions with acrylic paint on black printmaking paper. No images will be posted on this blog so if you want to see those babies, you'll have to head on down to the show. The show will run thru Dec. 15th with a closing party on the 15th.

Baring it in front of my girlfriends was surprisingly easy and was found to even be entertaining. The topless event actually inspired one of my studio mates to go get a mammogram after procrastinating for 3 years. I guess it was a good thing afterall.

Fall is Upon Us

2007-11-04T09:57:00.000-08:00

I recently took a trip up to La Conner and caught this beautiful image of a full moon on as I was heading back home. I love the landscapes of the Skagit Valley and think if I was going to stay in WA I would seriously consider living up there.

Well Fall is definately upon us and I am grateful for the clear skies we have had recently compared to the outrageous winter we had last year that started with floods all over the western part of the state this first week of November last year.

My new committment to this blog and to myself is to post once a week, with new art or an update on something that is going on or at least something that I am grateful for. Sunday mornings I will give to this blog development.

If you enjoy this image, check back soon as I am working on a cafe press site with other seasonal landscapes I have photographed that will be available as cards or prints.

Unconscious Landscapes

2007-09-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

I recently joined the Lowell Art Works studio group and had a show at their FortNight Gallery - perhaps the last show in that soon to be NOT a gallery space. The show consisted of 5 totally new pieces that I had created in the 2 weeks prior to the opening of the show since joining the studio on Sept 1. The show also included my recent aerial landscapes and with the mood of the recent pieces, I decided to call the show "Unconscious Landscapes". It seems to fit. The reception was Sept 15th which coincides with the 3rd Saturday Everett Art Walk. Six new artists have joined the group this month - very exciting! 5205 S 2nd Ave, Everett, WA 98203

Post Fresh Paint

2007-08-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

Well the one and only show/festival I do each year was last weekend, fun but unsuccessful in terms of sales. I always enjoy the people and especially the kids, except for the boy that wanted to stick his hand under the heat gun to see how really hot it was. When I mentioned that I didn't think his mom would want to be taking him to the hospital today, he backed off. Ah, kids . . . I was working on encaustic and found that direct sunlight really DOES cause the wax to melt.

The image here is one of the new mixed media pieces I'm working on and infact I think I photographed it before it was completed. I have since added the words "reflective", (also the title) in goldish brown lettering along the green horizontal bar near the bottom. I guess I should remember to photograph my work when completed but BEFORE I frame them.

Encaustic Show

2007-06-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

I was joined by 2 other local artists for our encaustic show entitled "Melted" at the Arts of Snohomish Gallery in Snohomish WA. The images here are from my landscape series including and especially my aerial landscapes which I am quite drawn to. I find that landscapes reflect how we fit into the world.

New to this

2007-05-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

OK - so I've never been a blogger and never really been interested in reading other blogs until I saw a blog on a local artist named Bridgette Guerzon Mills which was sent to me by my art mentor and dear friend Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch. Very Inspiring.

http://www.bgmartjournal.blogspot.com/ - Bridgette's Blog, Contemplating the Moon
www.pbsartist.com - Patricia's website

So I dont' know if this is a big step for me or a baby step on the way to bigger and better things but here goes . . . . .