slight snag

Slight snag.


Turns out I may not be able to utilize the prayer chapel as an art studio. Or rather, the verdict is still out. We're waiting to hear from the funder of the aforementioned building to see if he is okay with the projected use of it.

But, I may not be getting that space after all.

Which, at first, was a big blow. But, then I realized that the opportunity that small little room presented to me is what made me finally understand that creating art isn't just something I enjoy doing, but something I really want to pursue. So, art studio or not, place to work or not, I'm going to make it happen and I'm going to try because now that I know it's what I WANT, I don't see how I could do anything else.

I put in my two weeks notice at work this past week. Letting go of consistent income was a difficult decision to make.. it's going to mean I'm moving home and letting go of all the extras for a while.. but it means I have TIME to work on my own projects.. I just have to remember that is why I'm doing this and that it will be worth it.

Also, I went under contract on an interior design project out on the coast. My first "big world" project out of school... exciting and completely nerve-wracking at the same time. I spent 5 hours with the couple on Thursday discussing their vision and gathering all the information I needed to get the ball rolling.. it's going to be a challenge, but I'm amped.

Good things are afloat. Change is in the air.

And the sun is out :)
It's a good day.

color bubbles

dare to dream

Thank you Mom.
This was part of my college graduation gift from my parents.. it now lives on my wall right next to my door. I see it every morning when I leave for the day.

I think she gave it to me because I'm not inherently a risk taker. I'm not adventurous.

I wish I were.

Those are the qualities that are so appealing to me in other people, but are so hard to find in myself.
I think she wants me to try.
To take chances.

I'm starting to realize what I want. Starting to DREAM.... next is exploring I guess..
Here goes nothing.

dom + us

"Spraypaint" - Print
Photo of Dom - Reference

CMYK monotype prints... this is one of my favorites.
It's a one of a kind print. The ink was applied directly onto a plexiglass plate and passed through a printing press. Each additional color was applied this way, and printed over the top one at a time, starting with yellow, then red, blue and finishing with black. Where the colors overlap is where the secondary colors (orange, green and purple) come out.. where all three overlap is where you see brown.


I enjoyed the process so much I continued on to make a set of three 8x8 prints for my mother of my brother, sister and me.

friends that blog

I have very talented friends..

photography:
Layne Haley
Lauren Hurt

art:
Dom Cardoso

general life/culture/art/love:
Megan McD
Lauren Bet

mornings in SF

last summer, when I lived/worked in the Bay Area, I would cross over the Richmond Bridge every morning into San Rafael and stop at this little pull off to drink my coffee and decompress before heading into work..

I kind of miss this spot.

pros/cons

I was making a list the other day, as I tend to do.
the pros and cons of my current life... vs the pros and cons of what my life could be, different paths I could take.

but all I ended up doing was writing my name over and over and over and over and over.



decision making is not my strong suit.

the prayer chapel

I have a studio!

Or I WILL have a studio.



When we began our church building project about a year ago, the first "building" that was constructed was this tiny prayer chapel.


It was constructed as a place for people to go and pray over the property, pray over the building process, and pray for every one who was a part of the construction as well as those who will use the facility in years to come.

Now, the building is constructed and this little chapel stands at the corner of the lot.. somewhat ostracized.



When I was home painting last weekend, I expressed my deep, long-standing desire for a studio in front of my Dad.

Dad: "well, you can probably have the prayer chapel. I think we're trying to find a way to get rid of it."
Me: "really? because I want it"
Dad: "really"

so... I think I'm going to convert it into a studio for ME
and I'm really excited about it.


the orange carpet has to go though.... :)

paintings for the church

I was asked to do a couple of paintings for the lobby of our new church up in Hood River.
This past weekend, I decided that was going to be my main focus and I tried to knock them out in three days.

The photos below demonstrate the process, and the changes, they underwent before I deemed them "finished"

let's begin!

(sorry for the "lighting change" I had my camera on the wrong setting, and I'd moved indoors to work the next day)







finished & hung below:

"Grace Flows Down"



and set #2

I decided it was too.... graffiti-esque, and not appropriate for our church lobby.. so I made the executive decision to scrap it and prime over everything . . . . . . .

but the letters still poked through.. the primer didn't stick where I'd mixed in metallic paint with the other water-based pigments.

so I left it.

and I love it.

"The Fruit of the Spirit"

r.i.p.

A little bug flew straight into one of my canvases and got covered in paint this afternoon.
At the time, I thought it was really cool and I took his picture..

But now, the picture kind of makes me a little sad.
I'm sure the bug died... and this captures his final struggle.. trying to get the paint off.

R.I.P. newly green bug.




pictures to come of the paintings.. I'm hoping to finish them tomorrow evening or by Monday. They are for the lobby of our new church building and I'm really exciting about the way they're coming along.

sarah

i love these drawings.
You look at your object.
Put your pencil to the paper.
And draw.
Without lifting your pencil, or looking at your paper.

art night

our 2nd "art night" was officially held last night at my apartment.. we almost didn't have it, but my friends convinced me it was necessary and I'm so glad they did.

I was much more productive than I thought I'd be, and knocked out some paintings I really love.

I had some paint left over from a screen printing class I took, and basically applied it mostly with pieces of cardstock, a technique I haven't used before, but that was so.. freeing.. and allowed for so much more movement. 

More to come!


for Mallory


for Collin


hoping to get prints made of these to sell in the near future!

mother's day cards

for Mother's Day, I made some heart shaped cards to attach to small assortment boxes that we were selling as a promotion at the cafe. I wasn't sure how they were going to turn out but I'm really pleased with them!

flight

The other day I saw a flock of birds take off and wanted to remember to do an illustration of birds just SOARING.

Hopefully soon. Kind of a scary thought.. it reminds me of the title Kelly Rae Roberts book Taking Flight, which (I think) chronicles her journey into becoming an artist..

ahhh!

foamcore fireplace

For Christmas last year, when I was working at Brown House, we decided to create a faux fireplace out of foamcore for one of the window displays.

I love how it came out, and I wish I'd stolen it back once we took down Christmas decorations.
I'm tempted to make one for my apartment, with a shelf mounted above it to act as a mantle... loveee.


the sketch:


and the completed "fireplace":