... Not on the lips, Again! (and a link to the low bid start auction )

I was feeling a bit cranky yesterday so I decided to go work on a pile of paintings.. and I did.  Closer to finishing some commissions, and a few for fun. 

I am not quite sure why I like repainting certain scenes... I am guessing as just a exercise of technique etc.   If you are very familiar with my work.. you would know this wouldn't be the first time that I have painted 'Not On The Lips', and likely will not be the last either.

This original oil painting is on a 6 inch linen mounted to panel.  It is VERY wet and will have to wait a bit before shipping.  When it is dry enough I will coat with gamvar varnish so the winning bidder can display their new painting on a small easel or hang in a frame.  If you want to check out the auction just follow the link,... thanks for looking...btw.. if you want to view the images full screen, just give a click on your choice. 

Table For Two

 I love when oil paint gets that creamy feel and falls off the brush in a way that feels natural and meant to be.   That is how I would wish all of my paintings to happen.   The truth is, it isn't always that way.

 'Table For Two', a 12 x 16 inch oil on gallery wrap canvas, was created with no set intention or design in the initial stage. I love not knowing what the outcome of or subject matter of a painting prior to working the canvas. The process is enjoyable as it holds no restriction and is totally freeing. I only hope the viewer can enjoy the end result as much as I have the process.

Feel free to click on any of the images for a full screen view.  

For more detail information follow this link.  

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...