Lynne Simone Fine Art

25 Random Things about ME

2009-04-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

FROM FACEBOOK

25 Random Things About Me

1. I am a native New Yawkah! (born in Mt. Kisco's Northern Westchester hospital)

2. I will kick your butt in a friendly game of ping pong. I'm a pro...no, really!

3. Chocolate, wine and music are the way to my heart...and not necessarily in that order.

4. I miss the mountains so much I would seriously consider moving back North...maybe not as far as NY, but where the change of seasons and landscape and SMELL of mother nature in the thinner air would inspire me to paint, paint, paint.

5. Four years ago I was a finalist in The Artist's Magazine's National contest for a German Shepherd portrait I did. It was the first contest I entered...and the last;)

6. I love to write almost as much as I love to draw/paint.

7. I am an advocate for the Arts here in my county and am the Public Relations Chair and historian for the Spring Hill Art League.

8. I love guacamole almost as much as I love chocolate. Oh, and don't forget the blue chips.

9. I believe people are basically GOOD.

10. I REALLY DON'T care that Michael Phelps smoked a bong! In fact, I think it's really too bad that he won't be able to experience all the ordinary events in early adulthood without being under scrutiny in the public eye.

11. I am more spiritual than religious. In fact, corruption in organized religion has disillusioned me. I believe we are all tied together in this huge universe of ours...and we feed off other people's energy. Positive energy is an incredibly super-charged force. Negative energy will suck the life force out of a person... Finding a balance between the positive and negative is the key and something we all strive for in our own way.

12. I love to spend time with OLD PEOPLE and listen to their experiences. I didn't have much patience for them when I was young so I'm making up for it now.

13. Speaking of...I am helping an incredibly talented OLDER friend put her artwork and stories into a book. It has been a year long project, but one that has truly enriched my life. A group of 5 of us...two artists, one musician, one writer and one of her good friends...have collaborated on the venture. It is in the final stages now and should be out by mid June in time for her 80th birthday. We learned from her and each other and forged lasting friendships through the sharing of stories, life experiences, Friday night dinners and drinks. The Irony of her story is that she is a pen and ink artist who actually dips a quill pen in an ink well....and she has Parkinson's. She adapted to the shaking by switching to a sharpie pen and will use whichever hand is shaking the least. Courage and Determination are her middle names;) I will be both happy and sad when the book is finished. Read Tuesdays with Morrie and you'll get the general idea of the process we've gone through, watching her decline over the last year.Also, what makes this project even more special is that she knew my father some 13 years ago and was in a writer's group with him. She gave me my first opportunity to hang a piece af artwork at City Hall Art gallery next to one of my father's poems 10 years ago. And now I am helping her to document her life's work, including some of that writing.

14. No matter how hard I try, I cannot teach myself to juggle. I just don't have what it takes. I think the key is patience and I'm an instant gratification girl.

15. I was so painfully shy in high school that I was nervous pretty much all the time. I'm not sure how I wound up with any friends, but I did. And those friendships stand strong.

16. Public speaking makes me want to vomit, though I've gotten much better as I've gotten older. I barely squeaked through my college class with a "C." I was interviewed recently for the local Culture TV program and was holding a piece of paper ...the Host had to gently reach over and take it out of my hands because I was folding it and crushing it and just generally making a big old mess out of the situation. I'm thankful they shot me from the chest up most of the time. I will NOT have a career in TV anytime soon.

17. I was born in the wrong time...should have been a hippie. Peace, love and roof envy is my mantra. And only my peeps from girls weekend will understand that one.

18. I think we should be able to eat meat that is minimally processed and not injected with all kinds of crap and chemicals without paying an extra $4.oo a pound...I mean, they're putting less into the meat...shouldn't we PAY LESS?

19. My favorite self indulgence is a deep tissue massage followed by a spa pedicure with a nice glass of wine. There is nothing better...except maybe experiencing both of those on a beach with the ocean sound and smell all around.

20. I am stubborn and thick...must be the Irish in me. Or maybe it's the German.

21. I am a Delphic Dahlia...little sister to the Delphics of Gamma Sigma Tau, though now they are called the Gamma Rubies. I will always be a Dahlia. It took us a long time to come up with the name...a beautiful flower with many layers of petals. I think I can still say the Greek alphabet. 22. I did not get my college degree from where I first went to school in NY. I got sidetracked. Finally got my degree at age 35. I enjoy learning now that I'm older...especially the art history and culture classes and may even go back and get my BFA one day. I appreciate the fact that everyone is on their own time schedule...graduation day found me sitting inbetween a dual enrolled high school student and a 65 year old grandma. I was proud to get my GPA up to honors level and then realized that s no one really cares about GPA's anyway.

23. I can make a mean calzone. Most of my cooking skills came from Michael Ingulli, owner of the pizzaria I worked at in high school. My mother did not teach me... I taught myself by observing in the kitchen at work.

24. I waitressed for many years and have a deep respect for people in that line of work now. It's hard work, but it's what pulled me out of my awkward teenage shyness...I was forced to talk to people and found that the more I talked, the more money I made. A few times bartending also helped...and I was shy no more.

25. One of my dearest friends killed himself 5 years ago. He called me to say goodbye and I was not able to talk him out of it and I have wrestled with guilt on and off ever since. Obviously, there is much more to the story, but the one thing I have learned is that life is short and you should live it to the fullest each and every day. Carpe Diem. Seize the day. I have become a more productive and compassionate person since.

CHEERS

2009-01-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

Here's to all my creative friends!

I'm looking forward to the long anticipated ART CENTER...wherever and whenever it materializes. If there is a will...there is a way and we have so many wills working together, it's only a matter of time before things come together and the county catches up with us! So many ideas, so little time. Weeki Wachee needs a major overhaul and what better people to rise up to the challenge than a bunch of hippie granola types with paintbrush in hand. Or is that Margarita? No, paintbrush. Well, we do have two hands for a reason;) One to get the job done and the other to reap the rewards of that hard work. So here's to change in Hernando County...a little bit at a time. I'm predicting that by this time next year, we will have started the transformation of one of the little used buildings on the premises of Weeki Wachee State Park into a hub for the ARTS. A Mermaid Museum will follow with memorabilia from yesteryear and shelves stocked with Mermaids on the Moon and Swim to Me and walls plastered with Julie Komenda batik merpeople. Then we will rid the gift shop of all MADE IN CHINA chachkas and restock it with the art and crafts of local artisans...Not only MADE IN THE USA, but in good 'ole Hernando County. Perhaps bringing back the flora and fauna and restoring the Springs to the lush tropical wonderland so many remember from their youth...is the key to the ultimate success for all. An environmentally aware State Park that balances the care of the delicate ecosystem with the demands of an ever growing community with selfish needs and the desire to be entertained.

No small task. It can be done.

http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2009/jan/14/ha-a-way-to-weigh-in-on-mermaid-park/

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article969469.ece

LET'S START OFF THE NEW YEAR RIGHT....

2009-01-01T18:47:00.000-08:00

WITH A LITTLE DAVE....!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

2008-12-30T19:30:00.000-08:00

My father wrote this poem in 1996.

I look forward to taking it out each year...

best wishes to all...let's make 2009 the year of CHANGE!

CHRISTMAS COMMISSION

2008-12-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

Finished this just in the nick of time for a friend to give to her daughter as a Christmas gift. Somethimes I work better under a bit of pressure...sometimes not. In this case, I finished the majority in a two day period. Whew! I am going to concentrate on finishing things more quickly in the New Year...consider it a resolution. That and create more, smaller pieces. I have several exhibits coming up...the first being at The Spirit of the Hand Gallery in February. I would like to do some smaller interesting multimedia pieces...especially since it is a high traffic retail store and I will be in there in time for Valentine's Day. There is an opportunity to actually make some money and I must take full advantage! I'll have to reinvent myself a bit for that....whoo hoo the excitement!

SPARKLY LIKE A HOLIDAY....

2008-12-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

FINALLY! The tree is trimmed and the trains are running....my son fell asleep on the floor watching them go round the track 4,000 times.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all...

You Can't Catch Me....I'm the Gingerbread Man!

2008-12-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

My latest project...a life sized (well, life sized for a kindergartener, anyway!) gingerbread house to add to a village for my daughter's elective class. Rachael is a teacher assistant for her kindergarten teacher and is loving helping all the little people with the very same projects I used to help her with eight short years ago. (Where did that time GO, anyway!?) I had helped to make a similar one for a play they did and it needed replacing. The new model has a gumdrop removable roof, candy cane door decorations and enough room inside for William to stand up. Windows cut on the side allow light for reading and a Santa gingerbread man hung on the inside wall will keep the lucky scholar company...tons of fun to create with help from the entire family.

ANNUAL ORNAMENT EXCHANGE AND "GAB BAG"

2008-12-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

The girls and I have an annual Christmas ritual of meeting to exchange pleasantries and ornaments. Both are more enjoyable when accompanied by a glass of wine and , in this case, a pizza. We hold back no carbs when it comes to our friendship!

Painting a day bit the dust and I find myself a bit drained after putting together the GALA fundraiser...I will post photos of that shortly. Am working on a Christmas commission of some family pooches...more to come.

TIME TO PUSH BACK FROM THE PIE

2008-12-01T20:32:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it is a week since I posted last. Well, I've certainly done my share of eating (and cooking) in the last week! About 6 days to lose a few pounds of pie before the Fine Arts Gala Fundraiser Event.

Why do we become such gluttonous fools at the holidays?

I sat back at my overflowing table, thankful for the other cooks who brought yummy side dishes, helping to alleviate some of my stress...

thankful for the loved ones there to share the feast...

and very guilty over the fact that once again, there was way too much food. I suppose the guilt is because I full well knew that some would go to waste, even after doggy bags were sent home with relatives and I managed to make pea soup out of the ham bone and turkey soup out of TOM'S carcass. (DID do both and they are yummy!)

Next year's resolution...

PREPARE HALF the portions and we start with dessert and end with the appetizers, assuring everyone the thrill of pumpkin and apple pie without the tight pants and need to run around the block a few times to make more room for them!

THANKFUL FOR MARSHMALLOWS TOASTED IN THE FIREBOWL!

AMOS LEE

2008-11-24T19:30:00.001-08:00

About a month ago, before the BIG SHOW, I had printed out some interseting pics I found on the websites of some of my favorite musicians. There were quite a few black and whites with interesting shadows and silhouettes...and I vowed that I would do these in small sizes for my "painting a day"...and so here's the first in a series of musical "smalls". 5x7, matted in white, framed in simple black. Haven't even considered a price because I want him all for myself. At least for a little while!

I consider AMOS LEE the male version of Norah Jones...funky bluesy storytelling, reflective lyrics, perfect for disappearing into a painting! I found him while reading about Norah's newest venture and the other artists on the movie soundtrack for Blueberry Nights. Still haven't seen it, but am hoping that one of these two great musicians will venture into Florida one of these days. I am way overdue for a good show!

The SUCKER Award

2008-11-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

HARVEST OF ART

2008

This year's FINE ART judge was very...well, should I say....elusive....Yes, that's the word for her. I looked for her...I know she was real, but I didn't actually see her until the end of judging. She did not engage me in ANY conversation....artistic or otherwise. ...did NOT introduce herself and I didn't see her place the sticker in my booth, though it magically appeared at some point. In fact, the FINE CRAFT judge spoke to me more than this woman. This is NOT just my broken ego talking here, either. It's okay that I didn't win, place or show this year. But I'm thinking that SOMETHING is wrong when Diane Becker, Fred Mannerino, Patty Ritter and Myself don't win ANYTHING! NOT even a simple HM for God's sake! NOTHING!!!!

Isabelle (Art League president) felt so bad for us that she made us each an award with tootsie roll pops and ribbons that Patty and I dubbed "THE SUCKER AWARDS". We are the Strong, the Few, the SUCKERS. And damn proud, I might add. Couldn't be in better company.

We did have some lookers in this dreadful economy...I sold a few prints, one small original and I got one commissioned portrait from the deal.... I also gained some invaluable knowledge about art shows and how to execute them from Paul, the Harvest of Art Extraordinaire. I learned a lot about what it takes to put on a show and how to get over one that is not quite up to the standards that the board feels they have set as an example. LOTS of fun shmoozing with other artists and meeting new art appreciators.

And did I mention that I was practically accosted by a man who fell in love with my pastel eye? Then he fell hard for my real eyes and he wound up spending way too much time in my personal space. Ah, well, it's nice to be appreciated.. ... EYE think!

WINDOW TO THE SOUL

MY BOOTH

VALDORA'S HANDIWORK

Peaceful Reflections

2008-11-11T06:16:00.000-08:00

Whew! Finished in time for the show, this still life has been on my easel for the last week or so. I took the original photo in my living room several weeks ago. The light streams in my front window and I knew it would be awesome on the new bouquet of flowers, but I had no idea the reflection would be so strong through the vase. So beautiful... The arrangement sits on the black piano (which is the highly reflective surface) and the blue of the sky sets the tone for the whole scene. I will frame it tonight...black with non glare glass.

HARVEST OF ART

2008-11-09T18:36:00.001-08:00

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME....

2008-11-09T18:31:00.001-08:00

5x7, pastel, matted and framed in white

PARADISE FOUND

2008-11-06T19:19:00.000-08:00

The Art League's Harvest of Art happens in exactly a week and I'm scrambling to get some pictures ready for the show. I took this out of the frame and sprayed it and added a bit more color to it. It now hangs in the Hernando Today lobby. I'll borrow it back for the show...along with a few others I've sent off to good homes.

Getting ready for the show is both exciting and stressful. I don't really feel as though I have enough new work this year, but I do have few colorful ones that will hopefully make up for that.. Quality rather than quantity....I've also matted a few prints, anticipating the fact that purchases in the under $50 price range will be very popular this year.

I am excited that we now have a Democratic government, though not on the local level. Change is necessary. Taxes need to be addressed and health care needs to be totally overhauled. Paying several hundred dollars for common antibiotics is outrageous and the nauseated feeling I get when I have to ask the doctor to change the script because I cannot pay that amount is intrusive. What do I have insurance for? Cheers to CHANGE!

Coming Down off the Sugar High

2008-11-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

NEED I SAY MORE?

Lynne Simone Fine Art

2008-10-28T20:28:00.001-07:00

Awesome MySpace Comments & Myspace Layouts

JAM

2008-10-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've failed miserably in the "Painting A Day" department. I'm going to make a new category entitled "Produce What You Can ...while juggling a job, a husband, children, after school activities, art related events, public relations responsibilities , volunteer jobs and....oh, yeah, a few hours of sleep. Did I mention the cooking and cleaning (?) There's not much of that going on as of late. Oh, wait, I actually dusted and did windows over the weekend...AND threw away 3 bags of garbage, old papers, etc from one closet, my desk and my kid's rooms. THAT was an accomplishment.

Funny how when you're a kid, being accomplished means something totally different that when you're an adult. I was happy to "accomplish" an afternoon of just listening to tunes when I was a TEEN, now I'm lucky to listen to an entire CD all the way through without someone else in the family complaining about the decibel level or putting on something....ELSE. My ipod shuffle is on the fritz and I am at their mercy.....!

Speaking of music and tunes, I created this today. Inspired by the instruments and jam session last weekend, I took the idea of black and white instruments from the wall hanging in the studio and made my own version, free handing the musicians and filling them in with a sharpie. I left a small white border, cut them out and glued them to a black mat and found a good use for an old frame. I highlighted a bit with a silver pastel pencil and viola...much fun!

MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME

2008-10-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

I was VERY creative today, pumping out two small 5'x7' landscapes. They are framed and ready to go to the HARVEST OF ART in a little over three weeks. I am really enjoying the freedom of painting something small...by freedom, I mean I don't have to commit to a huge project that I know will take weeks. I know each one of these can be finished within an hour or two and I'm throwing myself into each one. I literally have hundreds of photos stuffed in boxes that I am resurrecting and going through. I think flowers will be next...I have so many referrence photos. Tomorrow, a field trip to the Chinsegut Nature Center outside Brooksville with Mary Alice Queiros and members of the Art League to sketch the old historic building and grounds.

Plein Air Painting....

LOVE my creative Wednesdays!

View Toward Pine Island

2008-10-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

Only 5"x7" pastel on board...did it in less than 3 hours, ready to be framed ;)

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO A PAINTING A DAY?

2008-10-19T08:24:00.001-07:00

Not really sure, other than life got in the way. I have been painting every day, with the exception of Sat., but have not finished anything. Spent Sat. playing photographer for several different events. Here's a lovely shot of me in a hoop skirt from Sat. Founder's Day Celebration and Mural Dedication Ceremony in which I allowed a very small but very influential woman talk me into dressing up in 1800's attire. After wearing the outfit for a little over an hour , I very happily peeled it off, thankful I was born in this day and age where I wouldn't have to worry about bending my skirt just right to fit through the doorway. It was fun to dress up....maybe I have found my Halloween costume for this year.

On the Artistic side, I am currently working on some landscapes....and was inspired by a photo shoot I did yesterday for a friend just staring in a band....I took some creative shots of instruments and will put them together in some kind of a collage...probably not in pastels. Is that allowed? That has been my medium of choice for so long, I'm not sure I'll be accepted any other way....;)

I AM THE MOTHER OF A TEENAGER

2008-10-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER WHO IS NOW OFFICIALLY A TEEN.

I'm not sure where the years went to...!
We celebrated last night at Carabbas with chicken Bryan and garlic breath ;)

THE PRINCESS WEDS HER PRINCE

2008-10-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

This was the most beautiful unique wedding I've ever been to/participated in. My niece was a vision of sheer beauty, radiating joy from deep within.

I love watching the groom's face when the bride first starts down the aisle...and Javen was so emotional... This was truly a fairytale.....

They planted a seed...

And finally shared LOVE'S first kiss....

What a beautiful bridal party!

Gorgeous girls! My daughter is to the right of the bride...13 going on 30.

There was dancing...

Guitar playing...(my son, the ham and future lead!)

Great food and family time....

Cousins!

Off to enjoy a 2 week honeymoon in a still secret spot....not even her mother knows where they are going!

BUT, SERIOUS "LEE"

2008-10-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

I have to make this count as my painting of the day, as I did not finish the small painting I was working on. I did, however, finish Mr. Lee and deliver him to his proud mother. He was definitely a challenge...chocolate labs have the slight reddish tinge, but all kinds of color in the highlights and shadows. You have to show enough color to give the 3d effect.

I have one more commission to finish before the Harvest of Art in exactly five weeks. Good timing and hopefully, I will get at least one commission from that show. I am going to bring all the small "painting a day" pictures and price them low and see if anything moves. The state of the economy dictates bargains and I want to be able to make my money back...

My beautiful niece gets married over the weekend and I'm not sure I'll keep my word painting for the next two days, but I'm going to try very hard. Here we are...can't believe she is 20 and about to walk down the aisle.

TWO DAYS IN A ROW AND COUNTING

2008-10-09T06:37:00.001-07:00

This is an 8x10 and took about 1 1/2 hours. I actually did a paint by number and used rubbing alcohol to "paint" the dry pastel background. Love this approach! Used soft pastels over the dry wash to add detail. Definitely going to do this more often.

RED EYED AND BLUE

2008-10-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

I think I will try the daily painting experiment that has been done by many artists trying to dig out of a rut. An exercise in discipline...a painting a day for 365 days to get the creative juices flowing. Any bets as to how many days I will actually go?!?!? (Can I bet on myself, the overwhelmed procrastinator? ) One small 3x5 picture a day...doesn't matter what medium...just GETTR DONE!

Something totally different for me and an exercise in color. This is 5"x7" and the first "Painting a Day" in a series of small works intended just to get me to paint EVERY DAY, no excuses. It only took 10 minutes to fill the sheet with color, another hour to make all the lines flow and put in an abstract design. Wow, that's out of my box, for sure. The title reflects the song I was listening to when inspiration struck, and also my mood on a rainy morning.

SHUT UP AND PAINT

2008-10-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

This is going to be my new motto. Quit talking about it and JUST DO IT!

Sometimes last minute plans work out the best. I was invited to so on an art related "FIELD TRIP" and didn't think I could go because of morning children's activities, namely soccer practice. Well, things worked out...and I'm all the better for the experience. Three amazingly talented artist friends of mine and I ventured to Clearwater/Dunedin area this past Saturday for an Artist's Open Studio Walk where we were able to tour several working studios. I now know what I want to do when I grow up...or should I say aspire to be and to have. (really, all I want is the SPACE to create!)

Patty, Diane, Jana, Me

Our fist stop was the warehouse studio of Robert Schoeller located off Drew St. This converted space had a gallery up front where we met Schoeller's son, Tim. He actually welcomed us and took this lovely photo. He then gave us a tour of the entire place...WITH the press team from The Tampa bay Informer Newspaper. Good timing! We were brought in the back where the rest of the public was NOT invited. Actually, Tim was so busy with the Press, we were left on our own and on our honor to explore...and explore, we did.

Tim resembles Jesus a bit and his father used him for the model of this amazing piece entitled JUDAS' KISS. He crafts all the handmade elaborate frames...from resin. They look like wood...

GOT BRUSHES?

HANDMADE FRAMES

This workspace is bigger than my living room and kitchen combined

The most amazing lifelike portraits...

This is an underpainting. It could stand on it's own as a portrait...that's how amazing it is. There were dozens of these laying around waiting to be finished. Mr. Schoeller has a waiting list of about a year and a half, with portraits costing in the tens of thousands. He was in Austria ( his homeland) at the time, painting a dignitary and having free room, board and entertainment until he was finished. He will be back to give a talk at the Clearwater Ctiy Hall on November 20.

I was just in awe at the size of his warehouse space...room after room after room of creative space. And, of course, the artist spends so much time there, they've made it into home sweet home, complete with witty posters...see below. Also, outside the converted ice house and train depot next door, there is a secluded fenced garden. Once inside, you have no clue you are in downtown Clearwater. While a bit rough in places, it is home to many fruit trees and exotic plants. And a cherub I intend on painting one day...

MORE TO COME...

ALMOST FINISHED

2008-10-05T19:42:00.001-07:00

I have moved the right eye over and am happy now with how it is lined up. I have added lights and darks and now have more of a 3d effect. It is hard to see in the photo, but the highlights are made up of many light colors including pink, blue, lavender and white. Mid tones are pinks, oranges, tans. Darks are blue, purple, green, reddish brown and some black in the very darkest areas. I have only the finest hairs and details to add...and to put a bit of color variation in the light blue background and Mr. Lee will be finis.

RISING SUN RECEPTION

2008-10-05T11:08:00.001-07:00

LEFT TO RIGHT

Lynne Simone, Evie Harper, Robert Hernaiz, Patty Ritter

A great time was had by all...still waiting for more pictures to post!

ANATOMY OF A DOG PORTRAIT.... SIRIUS-LEE (NO, REALLY !)

2008-09-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

I decided to do a portrait from start to finish and document the progress here...this is a commission of a chocolate lab that I am currently working on. First, I choose an appropriate color palette of pastels...

I start by enlarging the picture I am working from, then use it to block in the general shape of the animal. I check and recheck measurements, here. If this preliminary sketch is off, it will be harder to fix it down the road. I have 5 reference photos for this animal, each with a closeup of important parts, such as the nose and/eyes.

I block in the first layer of color, careful not to completely go over the outline sketch. At this point, think paint by number. This is also known as the "UGLY STAGE." (where you would think that this could NOT POSSIBLY turn out to be the likeness of the animal that it will become) Good placement and depth of the eyes is what my goal is. They must resemble two marbles, but be three dimensional and have enough color variation. I put the highlight in for the 3d effect. All other lights go on last.
Then I slowly begin to build layer upon layer of color to get the right shading. I do blend with my little finger and sometimes remove excess pastel with a chamois. At this point I take a step back and measure again. I am finding that the eyes are a bit too close together and will work to widen the space inbetween them without totally redoing them. Also, the head needs to be widened at the widest point, where the ears are the pointiest...

I'll add to this when I have more time....

FINDING INSPIRATION

2008-09-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

I see things everyday that I want to capture on paper...

lucky for me I carry my trusty digital camera with me just about everywhere I travel...

and that is why I have a closet full of tupperware containers overflowing with inspirational photos. SOME DAY... they may be transposed to paper and turned into art. For now, they occupy a compartment in my brain and I access them every so often when I need a reference for a picture. Here's a sampling of the last week's inspirations....

there is no lack of inspirational subject matter, only a lack of time to actually put pastel to paper. Maybe if I stopped blogging so much.....

The sand hills are regular residents of High Point where I frequent about once a week visiting my multitalented friend and fellow artist, Mary Alice Queiros. She is an amazing inspiration herself, a story for another time. The tree photo was taken the same day while I chauffeured MAQ (Mary Alice's nickname) around Brooksville shooting photos of buildings she would like to paint murals on. She actually does the most amazing pen and ink drawings and this tree is perfect subject matter for her.

The next batch is from an impromptu trip to Treasure Island last Sunday. The waves were a little bigger than usual due to Ike and Joe was inspired to take the kids body surfing.

I was, well, not so inspired to be in the ocean because there were A LOT of creatures and whelk shells all in the shallows and I could not get myself past them to the ocean deep because I kept getting knocked over by the larger than normal waves....SSSOOOOOO I read a Nicholas Sparks book on the beach, waving to the fam every once in a while. That's my idea of a relaxing day at the beach! I wandered around the seagrass, snapping shots from all angles.

So many ideas, so little time....

PEACE AT LAST

2008-09-17T08:12:00.001-07:00

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, Jim, on what would have been birthday #41. He was a kind person, always the link between long lost friends from college. Intelligent beyond words, he often put too much thought into things, which led to self doubt and self fulfilling prophecies....he became troubled and withdrawn from an unaccepting society. Sadly, he took his own life 5 1/2 years ago while battling mental illness and drug dependency. Hard to believe he has been gone that long.

This miniature watercolor, measuring just 3"x5" is of Awosting Falls in upstate NY near New Paltz where we went to school. We spent many a day hiking there...and forging friendships. Jim is in the red shirt at the bottom of the falls...apropos, since it really is his final resting place. Our group of brothers/sisters sprinkled his ashes over the falls in a tribute of sorts the summer of 2003.
What I wouldn't give to be able to call and wish him a Happy Birthday...

I mourn him still....

THE SUN ALSO RISES

2008-09-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here is my display at the Rising Sun, ready for the coffee reception next Weds., Sept. 24 from 5-7 pm. (For details about the reception, please see info in right column under ART RECEPTIONS .) John and Lisa , owners, have been great hosts for the Art League and we have many members excited to hang their art there over the next 6 months. They serve great coffee, yummy homemade soups, sandwiches, smoothies and did I mention the BAKED GOODS? (always my fave)
I look forward to seeing old friends...and maybe making some new ones;)
Stop by for some creativity...friends, networking, great art...oh, and did I mention the BAKED GOODS?

I See Lovebugs....

2008-09-15T18:44:00.001-07:00

That can only mean one thing...times are a changin! Pesky as they are, I look forward to seeing love bugs return each fall as it signifies the change in season and is often the only visible clue until the lawns turn brown closer to Thanksgiving.
There is slight drop in temperature.... more noticeable just as the sun comes up (when my faithful pooch Boomer and I take to the street for our morning run.)

This picture is not new, but I felt compelled to post it to mark my favorite time of year when the leaves turn, the air crisps and the cider flows. It is titled PATH TO BROTHERS BROOK and is done from a photo of one of my favorite places in my hometown of Somers, New York. Down the path is a beautiful winding stream where my sister, Kiki, took me when I was young for picnics on OUR moss covered rock under the shade canopy of oaks and white birch. It was also a place where my friends and I came of age, jumping off the falls into the pool below ( never the girls!), told late night ghost stories around the bonfire and solved all the problems of the world. It was a much simpler time then, when parents could let their children wander the neighborhood. We would disappear for the whole day, jump off the rope swing, get caught in the rain and have to negotiate the road home in the dark on our bikes without helmets or cell phones. Imagine that.

Happy Change of Seasons...

ABOVE PICTURES TAKEN BY GEORGE RODRIGUEZ

SOLD A PIECE AT THE RISING SUN

2008-09-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

Sold my first piece at the Rising Sun Cafe'...a watercolor hummingbird I'd done a few years back. Both happy and sad to see it go....
I have 18 works hanging and am looking forward to much exposure and a successful two month display. Every Art League member that has hung there has sold something and we are excited about this partnership with this growing HOT SPOT in the Hernando County Art World! Stop in, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the view...10 S. Main St., Brooksville. They serve amazing homemade potato soup, too.

UNSPOILED

2008-09-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

To Dredge or Not to Dredge...

That is NOT the question!

The question is WHEN, and AT WHAT COST to the environment. Read more on the About Hernando Beach Dredge Blog to the right....

This brand new pastel is hanging in the freshly painted lobby of the Hernando Today office...what better spot for the interpretation of such hot a topic! The view is from my good friend's dock (a photo I took from July 4th celebration) looking directly toward the controversial Manuel property in Hernando Beach, hence the title...UNSPOILED. Certainly a word not consistent with local government.

PEACE, LOVE AND ROOF ENVY

2008-09-01T16:09:00.001-07:00

Ijust realized that one post in a month and a half is not consistent with the goal of a blogger. I will strive to do better and try to keep up with my friend, Karen. How she writes daily, keeps a house, 3 kids (boys, at that!) and a husband is beyond me!

Girls weekend was amazing...I have the best friends who spoiled me rotten and gave me the best birthday weekend ever. Thanks, girls...love you lots. I will never forget my 40th celebration....up on the roof, down on the beach, jello shots in the kitchen (remind me to share the realization of what the ingredients of gelatin are one of these days...I may never do another one;)!!)dinner out, partying in John's Pass, trying to dance in a much too small hole in the wall bar, having Ants Marching played for me...I KNEW he could do it!!! Thanks, thanks, thanks!!!

A Tribute to LeRoi Moore

2008-09-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

LeRoi Moore, saxophone player and founding member of my beloved Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly August 19 after an ATV accident in early July. He was on the road to recovery, or so it was thought, until he flew to be with the band at a concert in LA. I was at the concert at the Ford Ampitheater July 9 and it was a great show, though he certainly was missed. Now his sax is forever silenced and the band will struggle to fill the endless void.....

This is a black and white study of the photo on the DMB website...it just struck me and I had to do it.

MY FIRST POST

2008-07-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

SOOOOOO very exciting!

I am working on a few projects including finishing a portrait for a 90 year old woman who can no longer see to finish her own drawing of her grandchild. I hope to be finished by Weds so I can relax and enjoy my 29th birthday Thursday, followed by the annual GIRL'S WEEKEND trip to Madeira Beach. Three days of peace, quiet and plenty to eat and drink. This is our 5th year...a milestone. We bought matching shirts for the occasion ;) Someone say AAAHHHHH........!

I always take lots of pictures for inspiration...have only done one so far...I'm happy with the way he turned out. He reminded me of one of our many boys....