Bless me, Father.

28 new paintings and counting. I can't quite figure out if that's one finished piece per day or what. Math was never ever my strong suit. However, I feel like I've made a big dent in my goal of 50 new and glorious images for Folk Fest. The best part is that I'm not in any way tired of painting. In fact, it's all I want to do.

I feel like Hansel and Gretel - well, more like Gretel - following the path of bread crumbs to a special place. One painting leads to another, to a series, to a new idea or technique. My own personal workshop. The paintings and process are the teacher.

I still hate the part where I have to measure/inventory/price/photograph each piece. Time consuming,boring and necessary. Painting all day feels luxuriously self indulgent. Fortunately, I get to sell the paintings which eliminates the self indulgence guilt. This is guilt that comes from a '50s Catholic childhood where anything that felt good required confession and penance.

"Bless me, Father, for I have painted..."

Folk Fest 2010

Despite the smothering/sweltering summer heat of Atlanta, I am painting every day. In a nice air conditioned space. Trying to build an inventory of paintings that I can be proud of.

When did the world get so hot? I grew up in a time without air conditioning and don't ever remember wanting to stay indoors to avoid the heat. Now I hesitate to open the front door unless absolutely necessary. A wall of 95+ degrees and hideous humidity slaps me in the face. Gardening is no fun and my deep shady front porch no longer invites me to sit and linger. So I get my run/walk/exercise in as early as possible and spend the rest of the day painting.

I am getting a body of work together for the famous Slotin Folk Fest in August.
That's August 20-22nd at the North Georgia Trade Center - you can check it out at www.slotinfolkart.com.

Folk Fest is a show I make sure to see every year. I leave in awe of the creativity on exhibit. I have a million ideas, inspiration and a sense of how lucky I am to be able to paint and draw.

Now that I'm an exhibitor, I have no idea how many paintings are too much, just enough or constitute an embarrassing shortage. I'll be sharing a booth with the wise and talented artist, Lou Sparks Smith. We both have dreamed of exhibiting at this show. The quality of the exhibitors and the buyers who come from all over the country make Folk Fest a must-see for serious folk artists/collectors. I am really looking forward to the opportunity. In the meantime, there is probably no pile of paintings big enough to give me a sense of security.

The new image at the top is entitled "Mother Hen". The look of concern on her face is most likely a reflection of my current state of mind.

The Tonys and Techniques

It's Tony Awards night and as a relocated New Yorker I love to watch them. Right now someone is singing Jerry Lee Lewis songs and pretending to be him. When we moved to Atlanta in 1996, Jerry Lee's child bride, Myra, was our realtor. She was a smart and wise woman, remarried and still very protective of Jerry Lee. So much for the media portrayal. Myra was an inspiration.

I love the creativity and talent of Broadway. Off off Broadway was more my thing. I was always inspired by the tiny 12 seat theaters that were 3 flights up, offering a production put together with hope and scotch tape. My passion for Glee springs from my old love affair with New York theater.

Creativity takes so many forms. 2D, 3D, mixed media, song, dance, the written word. I am forever grateful for my ability to get it all out with a pencil and paint brush. Now that I'm painting every day I feel like Alice down the rabbit hole - so many options and choices. Drink me. One pill makes you larger, one pill makes you small.... ( maybe that's Grace Slick? )

Today I painted with colors that weren't true to the subject matter (!!!) and without pencil lines. This orphan child is sitting on the hutch behind me. I keep looking at it, shocked that it came from my brushes. I have no idea if I will take it further and have two styles ( more !!!) or it will forever just sit there waiting to be adopted. This is the gift of painting every day and having time to think about it. A lovely intriguing gift.

Following the Yellow Brick Road

I have been on the yellow/cadmium/crimson/titanium white brick road of late. And like Dorothy, I am so hypnotized by the path.

I feel a little guilty when I paint. I sit here and play with colors and ideas and images and sell the finished painting.
C'mon - are you sure?
Yep, it's true.
Eventually each image will find a home. A home with someone who really loves it. What a great way to make a living. I know it's more secure being an accountant or a teacher. (I have a degree in Elementary Ed - and teachers have some sweet benefits!)

Artists have no idea from month to month what their "salary" will be. But the benefits are so satisfying. I don't know if other folks who have a dream and get to follow it feel the same way. Being an artist is kind of a touchy/feely concept. There are no "Idiot's Guide to Being A Working Artist" - at least I don't think so. It's a feel your way kind of profession.

Thanks be for all the generous men and women I've been privileged to know along the way. They share their resources, techniques and wisdom with great heart and generosity. Did I mention that I feel so blessed and lucky to finally just be able to paint?

DUNWOODY ARTS FESTIVAL

I'm taking a break from packing the car and figuring out the aerodynamics of an EZ Up Tent. Love that name.... should be EZ to Curse at Tent.

We will all be setting up in the dark tomorrow morning for the brand new Dunwoody Arts Festival. This show is organized by the same woman who made the Norcross Arts Festival the wonderful event it is today. Check out the info at www.DunwoodyArtFestival.com - the show runs from 10 - 7 on Saturday, May 8th and 12:30 - 6 on Sunday May 9th. A nice way to spend Mother's Day, perhaps?

Come One, Come All

As promised, here is the show schedule for this spring.

I am so excited to show my new work. I love talking to buyers and hearing what they think about the images. The Wesleyan Show is the perfect place for that. Artists get to sit with their work, chat and listen. Not all the private school shows offer that opportunity.

Here we go - websites, dates and everything you need to know. There are some really great artists and craftsmen at each of these shows. It's the fun part for me - checking out other folks' creative work and getting inspired.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL ARTS ALLIANCE presents THE 12TH ANNUAL ARTIST MARKET
APRIL 29,30 & MAY 1ST 2010
WESLEYAN SCHOOL YANCEY GYMNASIUM 5405 SPALDING DR NORCROSS GA 30092
www.wesleyanschool.org - select the Artist Market tab

DUNWOODY ART FESTIVAL 2010 www.dunwoodyartfestival.com
MAY 8 AND 9 2010

THE 2010 CAROLINA FOLK ART FESTIVAL @ THE GREEN AT BIRKDALE VILLAGE
HUNTERSVILLE NC
PRESENTED BY MADDI'S GALLERY www.maddisgallery.com click on Folk Art Festival
MAY 15 & 16 2010

And when these back to back shows are over, I think I'm gonna be ready for a long nap!

Paintbrush on Fire!

One of my goals for 2010 was to add some juried art shows to my schedule. I miss painting for the joy of painting - without worrying if the image will work as a notecard or print and how many pieces of it I can sell.

I have a hard time switching gears as I transition from studio manager/marketing whiz/ packer to plain old Kathleen who loves to paint. In the process there are always some loser paintings/ideas. I'll look at them and say:
"Whew! Ew - what were you thinking?"

I have more ideas than time right now. I'm working in series, which I've never done before. (Except for the Dog Shrines) I love how it's flowing. There's a floral series of fantasy flowers in black and white pottery. I'm just beginning a "Mother" Series - Earth Mother, My Sainted Mother, Stay at Home Mother ... this one could go on forever. And of course my beloved dogs and cats are well represented.

I'll post some of the new images. Would love any feedback. It's always a strange feeling to be surrounded by paintings that no one has seen. I wonder if anyone else will be as excited as I am about them. My favorite painting is always the last one I did. I don't think I have an objective view. That's a good thing - there's enough self flagellation that goes on during the creative process.

Next post will be the show schedule and more new paintings. Off to find the vacuum - another little quirk is that I like to start painting in a clean space. At the end of the day it's a freakin' mess.