OPTIMISM: One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’ t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. – Lucille Ball

Recently I found this photographer in San Diego who also produces Giclees. His name is Tom Shjarback. I gave him some challenges with paintings that are very textural. Light bounces off where you don’t want it and metallic paint is even harder to capture. He has a great eye, camera, and skill for taking photos. In addition, he is a master at Photoshop. We sat together to get perfect color matches for printing my Giclees and his hands worked so fast in layer files I couldn’t keep up. His web site is undergoing some reconstruction so when you visit it know there is hidden greatness and you have to meet him to see it all: http://www.Shjarback.com.

View my photo stream in flickr, a fancy photo sharing thing.

In the Cosmic Bowl

In the Cosmic Bowl

How can an artist’s work be re-invented, re-newed, and viewed just as we hear music we listen to again and again? Somehow the art must be shown differently to be perceived differently. I drew this picture of my sister when we lived in Denver Colorado. It was a time when we dyed our hair in bright colors, smoked clove cigarettes, and had a clothing budget of zero. A few months after making the drawing someone gave me earrings that were near to the ones I drew. Snake earrings from my imagination materialized.

Though this image was drawn years ago, is there anything that is timelessness? I’ve taken the colored pencil sketch and altered it with my digital software, taking out detail of the line drawing.

This weekend my son and I went to see my paintings at the Mission Cafe in Mission Beach. A long line of Mission Cafe patrons waited outside the doors. When the Maitre De took our name and I mentioned that I was the artist, he looked around and said he could seat us right away. It was a movie star moment, so V.I.P., and it made me feel great. No one noticed our jump to the front of the line, only we knew. We ordered three dishes for 2 people: Mango and Green Tea to drink, Cinnamon French Toast with blueberries, Jalapeños with black beans, scrambled eggs, and rosemary potatoes. Yummie!

When lazyness called, I punched it in the face and ran out the door.

When laziness called, I punched it in the face and ran out the door.

I drew this image in my little note book while in flight from San Diego to Albuquerque NM. I used the Southwest magazine as reference working from an image of a guy riding a surf board. This is how I decided to use the expression for my interpretation. This is a passion expression against my own laziness. In Yoga there is a word for stagnation, tamasic.

Painting Cards held in the Teeth of the Dragon at Mission Cafe

Mission Cafe Menu and Card Display

Raven is a Molecularmuse, a scientist-turned-artist. With her jewelry you can wear the molecular symbol of feel good chemicals such as Serotonin and other elements. See her PEACE necklace, or this favorite: Creativity necklace – three molecules that rock. This resonates with my interest in connecting with 5 elements and our higher self through: earth, water, sound, scent, and ether / air.

serotonin molecule earrings - happiness in 14K solid gold

Serotonin molecule earrings - happiness in 14K solid gold

Street Fair in San Diego. Booth on 30th and Beech shared with  Peaceful Heart Stained Glass artist Sandy Levin.

Sandy and Stephaniebooth display, old house street fair

This past weekend was my exhibit with another artist in an outdoor street fair. The Old House Street Fair took place on a Saturday in 87 degree heat. My son complained the previous day to the extent that all negotiations were off. One more complaint would earn him the privilage to stall all day which is what he accomplished.

Our one day show on June 21, 2008 went well.

« Previous PageNext Page »