Sisu much?

To zoom click on image

Prop pieces in progress for a new product line debuting at the FinnFest Tori Market
Student Development Complex
MTU 101
MacInnes Dr Houghton,
 
Wednesday June 19th 1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.
Thursday Friday and Saturday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
(my paintings will be at the Rosza gallery MTU)


The older I get the more I know, ... or think I know???
 Though it hasn't come without experience, I do know how to make a mess!   

Today amongst several other errands I had to haul a load of donations over to Sebeka and then managed to hit a jackpot on the way home. I think the other half may finally agree that those yard sales are not half bad. 

I almost cruised on by but did a quick change of  mind and pulled in the long drive... didn't find any thing else that suited my need... but the goldy was begging me to take her home.  Well, I hope the old owner doesn't cry, and I am thinking goldy won't (she will get lots of lovin from now on) ..  I grabbed a titch of sisu (it really was a perfect frame) and carved the back end off  of one side first with a kitchen knife and then a bit more with an exacto... which is, I might add, proof that I do know how to make a mess.   

for the non Finish type...sisu is translated as guts.   

Point Of View

                          I love creating work using a limited palette of color, and painting subjects that makes a view wonder, and sometimes even me,... what is she thinking?  This painting again was created with similar methods as posted on my painting demo.      

                        'Point Of View' is an 8x10 inch oil on a cotton canvas panel. 

                         I will be soon be painting again full time and am doing a bit of

                         experimenting with a limitied color pallete and technique. 

                       

                       Click on any of the images to see a full screen view, or follow

                          this link to check out the auction.

                             

               Proceeds donated straight to the peanut butter fund, and maybe a tube of paint.

                                          (The kiddos say thanks, and so do I.)

Finn Fest 2013

Happy to announce that I have been invited to show my work, along with 4 other Finnish artists (I assume) during Finn Fest 2013 which will be hosted in the Copper Country this June at the Rosza Gallery on Michigan Technical University campus.   Looking forward to creating new paintings with a bit of that Finnish flair :)

The other artists are: Chris Koivisto, John Lundeen, Marlene Wisuri, and Marlene Ekola Gerberick.

Use this link for more information on Finn Fest 2013. 

Rosza Gallery

Thin Ribbed

Up for auction is another fun painting created in a similar manner to the speed demo video I have previously shared. I love this method because what ever painting 'happens to show' was an unknown to me... love the unknown... it lets me wonder... what is 'she' really thinking? too. another little prize titled 'Thin Ribbed', an 8 inch gallery wrap canvas with 3/4th inch deep sides, ready to hang or display on a deep easel.     View the auction here.

'Thin Ribbed' 8 inch oil on gallery wrap

Repose

For roughly the past 9 months or so I decided to try an experiment.  I had wondered what would happen to my artwork if I wasn't pressured to sell.  Would I find new enjoyment or a new style of passion in painting?  Don't get me wrong, painting has always been relaxing for me... I love every bit of the process.  The part that was getting to me is sharing every part of me.   To make that a bit clearer, it isn't that I share every detail of my life... but, in a part that truly I don't well understand, my art work defines who I am.  Somehow I feel they become an open book for all, which sometimes can be difficult for a somewhat private person.

I took a part time job working at a home with elderly residents.  I really enjoy the people.  I love knowing that I can add a happy moment to a someones long day just by being myself.  It is the schedule that is getting to me though.  I only work at 'the home' roughly 3 days a week, but still, being mom, secretary, taxi driver, cook etc... gets to be just a tad too much with trying to paint  and blog etc...on top.  Plus, I am anxiously wanting to get some painting projects finished so I can move on to the next.

The results are in, I am thinking it is time to move on, and take the best parts with.  I need to focus on what needs to be done, prioritize without drowning.  As part of my Minnesota Initiative Arts Grant this year I need to work on roughly 20 new paintings for a solo show as well as prepare for the Powderhorn Art Fair in August..

I am currently working on some commission pieces. I thought I would put a few of pieces up for auction to reassure myself that life will be ok without a 'regular' paycheck.    Repose tells my story
well.   

'Repose'  9x12 inch oil on linen panel  (click image to zoom)

catching up..

Since yesterday was a good day for shooting photos outside I decided to do some catch up... these ones are all 6 inch square or 5 by 7 inch.

On Her Side

'On Her Side'   Click on images to view full screen

I have decided to put 'On Her Side' up for auction.  To be fair to those who follow my blog I thought I should give a shout, in the case someone may be interested.  You can view the auction and detailed information here.   'On Her Side' is a signed original oil painting on gallery wrap canvas.  The sides are painted, and comes complete with professional hanging wire system on the back.  It is 16 inch square with a 1.5 inch depth.   There will be a wait period of approximately 4 weeks as the gamvar varnish will need to be completely dry before shipping.  When a painting is ready to ship, I forward the tracking and insurance information. 

... narrowing things down...

One of my goals this year is to try narrow things down.  Life just never seems to slow down so my only option is to try make things a bit easier... not so here and there.   I am hoping a website might help with this, as well as working again with a sales rep who I have worked with in the past.  She had moved out of the country for awhile, and soon will be moving back.   She will be handling most of my online sales, as I will be working on other projects.  Which hopefully will help in the way of easier.    The website I am working on, which still needs more tweaking, is on the scale yet... undecided.  The link to visit the in progress site is here.

Pondering Polka

6

... Ok... I may as well just admit it.  This time of year is making me nutty and mad.  Oh, you don't need to be concerned for your well being... unless you are worried that polka dots may just drive you insane.  And if that really is a problem, I would highly suggest not even heading over to the auction because the start bid is only a quirky penny AND free shipping!  But if you like polka dots and loose, painterly, original works of art.. which, like this 6x6 inch oil on linen panel (mounted on wood frame)  with sides painted totaling 1 inch deep.   Ready to hang or display.  "Pondering Polka" is fresh off the rocker and will have to sober up a bit before she can ship anywhere.  I would give her about a month.  If that all checks out, take a look over here.

.. Officially.

  9" x 12" oil on linen         'Repose'  (click image to zoom)

This painting kind of says it all for me.  I am wiped out, exhausted, officially sick of winter and ready for some fun in the sun.  We don't really have much of the later just yet, but hopefully you will find this a bit fun.   I could use a bit of what she is having (which would be fun)...

To spice things up a bit I am going to offer some quirky paintings at a quirky price.  just ride this link over..

Self Expression ?

'Hot Potatoe'  6 inch oil on linen mounted to panel.

.... it has been WAAAAAAAAAAY too cramped busy around here with WAAAAAAAAAAAY too many things that I don't even want to talk about and I am sure you really don't want to hear about either... so I thought I would drop in and add a little painting that I did sometime in the last few months.   You know how they say painting is an expression of ones self? ... Well... hmm.     Thought it would be fun to paint a different kind of face for a change, ala prime.   You can view the auction here.

A few fresh paintings...

oil on gallery wrap ... approximate 22 x 30 inches

... oil on gallery wrap canvas/ not sure if I am quite finished yet...

...a simple light... (a Christmas message)

 I remember as a small child, I would often wonder how was it that those wise men could follow that star to find that beautiful baby Jesus, born in the manger on Christmas Day. I could never quite understand how they could pick one star out of the sky and knowingly find that precious gift that was given to all.

I suppose it is only natural, that as one grows to become an adult, these questions are forgotten and such.  It was He who remembered, and answered when the time was fit.  You see, it was very late one Christmas Eve, some years ago.  After finishing the things a parent of 6 might do, admiring the stars seemed a perfect fit on that blessed morn.

What happened next, a miracle to me, a message confirming that God does answer- in His own time.

As I sat there,enjoying the brisk air, a light shone on the road at the end of our drive.   Glowing from edge to edge as though every pebble was shown.  I thought this beam perhaps to be from a car,  I waited, while looking to the left, and then the right, there was none to be found.  Soon the light began to fade, obvious now the beam was cast down from above.
.

How beautiful that moment was, a sign to me, that His simple grace message is indeed pure and true. Have a very blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Fun With Frames...

SOLD/ Fort worth Texas

SOLD/ Fort worth Texas

SOLD/ lafayette, LA

..... Just thought I would share a few photos that were sent today... It is always fun to see how customers frame them.  I just love the framing on the three 6 inch pieces!     I am hoping I will see how Betwixt is framed ... which will reside in Lafayette LA, at least for a while. (click on images to view full screen)

Betwixt

BETWIXT  16 x 16 3/4 inches  oil on masonite

*click on any image to view full screen

Betwixt... between.

The greatest challenge as an artist, for me, is simply revealing myself.  Blame it on my Finish heritage. Some claim we cling to a bottle rather than open up.  No, I can't say that I cling to a bottle,
 I guess one could say it is replaced with a brush. 

As time goes by I find it increasingly difficult.  Perhaps it comes out in form of a picture.

Today is a difficult day.  When I hit a rough patch I try remember simple words of inspiration.... usually ones I was taught as a child.  Things like 'with only a grain as small as the mustard seed'...

When I began painting 'Betwixt' I was in a mood set of not looking forward to the cool Minnesota winter.... Again, I remember words that my mom always said, ..' It's a good thing there is only one winter in between two summers.


This morning I went to my studio to work on my new painting ... but this picture kept hounding me.  Well, maybe not exactly the painting.. but the whole picture.

One of my friends, who is also a mother of 7 young children, the oldest is in 9th grade, has been at the U of M since early September battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.   The family lives in our town which is about 4 hours from the U.    It crushes my heart when I think of it all...  Simple words I so want her to be able to tell all her children, words they will remember down the road.  I feel so helpless, all I can do is pray.   She is for certain- Betwixt.   Life will get better and it does, with only a grain.

'Betwixt' will be on auction for 10 days with all proceeds donated to her family.  (link to auction)