home body

Greetings. I haven't written in a bit, I swear it's because I've been busy sleeping-no joke. This time of the year, as it gets colder and the humidity levels are all out of whack (up and down, up and down) I can't get enough sleep. I'm talking about 10-12 hours of sleep per night, required. And I have an insatiable hunger. I suppose my body is getting ready to hibernate, or maybe thats my excuse. I also get into a "nesting" mode, readying my home for the Winter months. Speaking of nests, I found this wasp nest helping itself to a corner of my house. As much as I hate wasps, I really do think their nests are lovely- light, papery, so delicate. Interesting how they're called nests, versus hives. Wasps are often mistaken for honey bees. This is also a sneak peek of my living room. Its very peaceful and cozy. This trunk/crate, that we use as our coffee table, came from my mom's house and I can't say I know how old it is or where it came from exactly. Project for the day, I want to try my hand at finger knitting. So simple, you can teach most young children to do it. But on point with my goal to learn how to knit this Winter, I figured I'd start with the basics. Besides, I have an idea for some nice cowl neck warmer combos. The talented ladies at Design*Sponge turned it into this awesome pillow. Possibilities are endless (can you say Christmas present?????) Yes, it's true, I am already thinking about Christmas presents. My plans are to make or purchase handmade gifts for everyone this year. Alright, but for now, I will focus on this lovely Fall day.

1,2,3

Finished the 'a' and 'c' to my fresh veggie alphabet illustrations I've been working on the past week or so... I am still trying to sort out my feelings about these little babies, as simple as they are, they are so unlike my other artwork I normally create. I haven't incorporated vegetables much in my art, but they are such a big part of my day at the farm, I felt compelled to paint them, just direct and pure as they are. Sometimes I think I create paintings based off art I want hanging in my house. They will look cute above the stove or so I am thinking. Or in someone's nursery perhaps? Get those kids started on the right foot, dreaming of greens. I'm still trying to figure the best route with getting prints made of my work, so soon they will be available in my shop. 

I love looking at  illustrations from seed company packaging from back in the day. Back when advertising, signs, everything were created by hand, by a real artist. There are still farms and seed saving companies that do this.  Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company is one of note.  They have one the largest selections of rare and heirloom seeds available, husband and wife travel the world preserving seeds that are now going extinct due to industrial agriculture. I recommend ordering one of their catalogs, even if you don't garden. I drool over the beauty of all the varieties...rainbow inca corn, red dragon carrots, moon & stars watermelon, blue potatoes... yum. Biodiversity at its best.

Baker Creek has also been a big part of helping small farms fight Monsanto and the rise of genetically modified veggies. If you haven't heard much about Proposition 37 yet, read up on it. If passed, it would simply require the proper labeling of any genetically engineered foods (plants and/or animals that have had their DNA artificially altered by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, bacteria, etc...in ways that would never occur in nature) Shouldn't we already have the right to know whats in our food? Care or not about GMO's, it should be something we have a right to choose or not. There haven't been enough long term studies on their ill effects on our health, but they are definitely cause to many other environmental problems. I hate preaching to the choir, I always tell people to do their own research & share what you learn. Sometimes makes me worried about the future.

little gem

There's this little gem of a spot in my part of the world called Merritt Prairie. I'm surprised more people don't come here. Absolutely perfect day...warm autumn day, blue skies, golden rod going on forever. It's truly a lovely hike through the trails. At the end is a great hill overlooking the nearing farm pastures. There are a group of large flat rocks that make for a great table. I imagine the woodland animals all meet here for tea. (haha) You can just lay forever watching the clouds (we did for about three hours) I think people need to do this more. It should be mandatory. I love seeing a glimpse of the prairie, nearly untouched. The bee's were out and about, they seemed pretty happy. They were being a little camera shy.

That's me, bed head mcgee.

meta

I decided it time to share some of my favorite artists again. I may just start grouping my artist posts based on a theme. I'll call this one 'meta' in honor of Sao Paulo artist, Bruno 9li. He's been on my mind a lot lately. I originally saw his work in a magazine somewhere years ago and then as it so happens, I lost the magazine and forgot his name. This happens to me all the time. My memory is only so good for certain things. I get too busy and distracted or there's too much metal in my brain. Haha (i'm kidding) I hope. Anyway, I never forget the art. And I had been thinking about this artist again recently, but no luck finding this nameless artist online. Until my lovely friend, Curtis, said "hey, you should check out so & so..." and there was Bruno 9li again! I think that is how things just work sometimes. They come to you when they are supposed to. And they may leave if they are meant to leave.

Meta translates to beyond. I really appreciate this in a spiritual sense when it comes to art making. A sort of window into another world that is beyond what we know, both ancient, within us all, and unseen by most.  Maybe in another dimension. A place in your mind that no one else can go. Somewhere outside time and space. A little secret between you and god... A lost language. You either know what I mean or you don't.
( I've been watching too many episodes of Doctor Who lately.) 
It is work of this type that really speaks to me. And its how I want to be moved when I look at an image.

Artist Meredith Dittmar is another artist of note.  She makes these relief painting/sculpture boxes using of all things, sculpey! Her themes on exploring consciousness are really what intrigue me.

There's always so much more... But that's enough for tonight. My bed is calling.

B is for beet. and for all sorts of wonderful other b-words like blessing, bacon, bicycle, brave, bowie (yes, as in david bowie), brainwave, buzz, breathe...etc. Any who, this is one of the first illustrations for a new series I am working on for my etsy shop. It will be posted soon, once i work out some kinks i am now just noticing. I have decided the embrace the separation between my fine art and my more commercial artwork. I enjoy both and do both for different purposes. They can walk down the same path together, maybe even holding hands? In the past I am not quite sure why I had it in my head that I had to choose one way to go with what I make. Perhaps to show consistency in your focus with an idea, to sell yourself better, or so you are taught. I'll be the first to admit that I lack focus. Well, not exactly. I can focus while working, see my project to its end, but my idea's are all over the place.  One minute I want to make myself a dress the next I'm dreaming about decorating cupcakes. A sprinkle of A.D.D. perhaps? Whats that saying...Jill of all trades, master of none? I am alright with that. With how fast the world is moving, how can one help, but not be visually stimulated by a variety of aesthetics? I might as well take it all in and just see what pops out the other end.

As for the beet, I deal with them often at the farm. I think they are one of the cutest vegetables out there. I particularly love golden beets... beet juice is actually great for painting with or using as a natural dye (we dyed easter eggs with them last year, along with using turmeric and blueberry juice) gorgeous!
Here is a great Fall recipe, Beets Au Gratin.   Yummy.

migration

Had a productive day in the studio yesterday. Did this piece start to finish. Got a nice package in the mail from friend and artist Mike McGovern that was very inspiring. Fall is creeping in everywhere, which I don't mind at all because I do love Fall.  But there is also this lingering sadness as things begin to die and the birds will be migrating soon.  The glare is a little bad on this picture due to the clear tar gel glaze.  I've put it on my to do list soon to get any and all new works in the past year professionally photographed.  Or perhaps it is time I treat myself to a nice, new camera, eh?  I'm lost when it comes to choosing camera's. Some people have been telling me that stand alone camera's will be obsolete soon due to the quality of camera's on peoples smart phones.  Well, I don't have a smart phone. I'm starting to feel like one of the last people on this continent that don't have one. I've been resisting this technology. I don't want to be so plugged in all the time. I guess sometimes you just have to say goodbye to what is, and just embrace what's coming. Sigh.

and they're off!

Didn't get the chance to share the pictures from my adventure to Arlington Park Horse Track on Labor Day yet. Let me add, I have never been to a horse track race before...It's one of those things my friends and I have always wanted to do. There's some old-timey charm about it that has always put my imagination into warp drive. Crazy hats, mint juleps, horses. yes, please!

Go Miss Addison! Thank you, she won me $4! Thank goodness for 10 cent bets... I could hardly figure out how the races worked. Way more complicated than one would think.

(Ali, Bry, and myself ). Okay, so we didn't have time to make crazy hats to my disappointment. And I learned that mint juleps have bourbon in them (bleh!) So, I opted out for delicious bloody mary's and cherry mojito's. Bry and I got to thinking that we should try making our own homemade bloody mary mix while tomatoes are still in season. Here is a great recipe that I want to try soon.

Lots of great equine inspired art inside! Sadly, the original building from the 1920's burned down sometime in the 80's, but they had a little history sprinkled in throughout the modern renovation.

Such a gorgeous day... I'd like to go again sometime. I promise hats next time! Can't wait to get my hot glue gun and feathers out.

xoxo