New Direction: Redeeming Idea

As a follower of Christ, I fully believe in his power to redeem. I've also become very aware that my perception of what's going on in the world is often wrong. There is a lot to be fearful of, a lot of sadness, a lot of injustice. Despite all that, I have hope that God is working good. These paintings address this idea.

The first two are 2 of 3 paintings that were a final project for an advanced painting class I took at Texas Tech University. They have been sitting in a box for about 5 years now. I decided it was time to drag them out and rethink the concept. I liked the concept and for me it is so relevant to the way I experience life. During the critique for these paintings my professor asked if I had thought about doing similar paintings on a larger scale... which I thought was a great idea. So, here I am.

I am currently working on the 3 painting pictured here. What you see is the back ground. In the original series the background was completely chaotic symbolizing evil in the world. This time around I'm going to paint cityscapes in the background. Love/hate is how I would describe my feelings for 'the city'. To me the city is often chaotic, and in many ways can represent the destruction that man creates. BUT, even in that chaos many many good things happen. Now that the back ground is complete I will create another painting on loose canvas inspired by something that I perceive to be a problem in my life or in the world. When the painting dries I will cut it up and make flowers out of it to attach to the background painting. The flowers represent God's power to do good in all situations. We exist in the mess, and yet we grow and flourish out of it. That is the beauty of being saved...

Sock Monsters: good for illustrating Truth

I'll admit it... I laughed out loud as I stitched my face onto this sock monster. I had a great time making this thing, and I basically whipped it together this afternoon. Next week I'll be teaching a bible class on Ephesians at Camp Blue Haven. I plan to have the girls make their own (with their faces, not mine... these aren't voodoo dolls people). We'll be using the dolls as a discussion point focusing on the truth that God lives inside of us; the God who can do more than all we ask or imagine, and it's about His power. Anyway... we'll talk about how the dolls have to stuffed with something... why not fill them with the good stuff, right? We'll also be designing our own 'armor of God' for the monsters. I hope nobody finds this sacrilegious. I'm simply being creative in my representation of the word. My grandfather didn't find the monster as humorous as I did... generation gap, maybe?

Studio Show and Tell (I always loved show and tell)

Please excuse the mess! My creative sensibilities are neither minimal nor organized. However, Gretchen asked me to post pictures of the studio, so here they are. The area I use is a sun room. The boxes in the back ground ARE NOT MINE (hint, hint, Uncle Sam... come get your stuff!!). I have my desk over to the right, and most of my art stuff to the left. There's also a wood burning stove which I hope to utilize in the winter time. I envision myself staying nice an toasty when the cool weather creeps in, and if one of my artworks is absolutely despicable... I'll throw it to the flames. It will be devastatingly dramatic. There's always something to look forward to around here.

I'm working with acrylic paints right now, which are not my fav, but apparently the turpentine I'd use to thin my oils will kill the bacteria in the septic tank. The bacteria (in this case) are our friends. I have a rule... never kill a friend who makes your life less stinky. So, my plan is to use up all of my acrylics and devise a safe plan for discarding my artistic waist in the mean time. Suggestions are welcome.

Seeking Perfection & Internet Connection

Internet is down at the ranch. The repairman speculates a mouse is to blame, but the beat he can say is that the problem is between here and town. Good luck with that one, buddy. All that to say that this post will be short.

Here's what I worked on yesterday. It may or may not be part of a collage painting. It is supposed to represent societies ideas of perfection. What I'm thinking about is how those ideals might limit our decisions in life & keep us from pursuing our true purpose. So, really this is only a part of the eventual whole.

So, what I want to know is... If you could do anything in the whole wide world, no limitations or pressure to meet another's idea of perfection, what would it be?

Messed up Mouth

I have been in Dallas for the past few days due to gum graft surgery. This is a "do-over," if you will. I had the same procedure done over spring break, but the tissue didn't take as the doctor hoped it would... thus, here I am. Round 2. The experience has been much better this time and I think I'll be heading back home on Thursday. I thought about taking a picture of the graft, but honestly... it's a bit gross. I don't want to unwillingly subject anyone to that.

Here are some projects I plan to start on when I get home:
1. Wire trees with yarn foliage. (I have a huge tub of yarn that I inherited from Merce)
2. Spray painting (I'm going to practice on large pieces of scrap wood and the side of the wood shop if Peeps will let me)
3. Painting a phrase on the shop roof. (I think it would be hilarious to paint random sayings up there so the planes flying around can see it).
4. More flower paintings (except these will be mixed media where I paint on loose canvas, cut it up, and use the scraps to construct 3D flowers on a stretched canvas.)

New Stuff

My studio area is in order (by my standards). There are still several things I'd like to have and have removed from the room, but it's a great starter space. I've been racking my brain... trying to get my thoughts organized so that I can actually produce something. That can be challenging when there are virtually NO limitations. It's a bit overwhelming and I think that is one of the devils favorite tools against me. It may sound funny, but I'm going to have to pray everyday that God will keep me focused and that he will suppress the critical voice that satan uses to make me unproductive. I'm telling you... for me, this is major spiritual warfare. By all means... PRAY FOR ME!!

Here are a few things I've been working on. 2 are collages from my sketchbook. I'd like to reproduce these as large scale paintings/murals using spray paint and acrylic paint. I'm going to have to gain some spray painting skills, but I don't foresee that taking me very long. The more I think about it, I'll probably be well suited to spray painting. It is quick... and I'm all about quick production. Plus, I'd like these paintings to be appealing to non artist types, and people are often less threatened by spray paint b/c it's not 'high art'.

The painting is for Lauren. I often come back to this flower motif in which I always include a geometric form. The best I can explain is that it represents geometric vs organic. The need for both structure and chaos. The desire for structure while longing to be free. Deep, huh? I scare myself sometimes.

Love you all!

EVERYONE has stopped blogging? What gives?

I am officially a resident of a small Texas farm town, population 2000 or so. I won't name the city for privacy reasons. This is the world wide web after all (and I wouldn't want to tip off the paparazzi), but most of you know where it is I have relocated to. All of the belongings are finally in their new place. There's still decorating to be done, but for now I am satisfied.

I have been without internet up to this point and it really hasn't been too bad, probably because I just acquired an iphone. Once again I am connected to a vast array of knowledge, some good, some bad, some productive and some highly destructive. I'll admit, life seems purer without it... and yet, here I am! What a paradox.

So here's my Top 10 list for REASONS ONE SHOULD LIVE IN SMALL TOWN, TX USA:

10) It's so quite you can hear your nose whistle
9) Fresh air
8) Fashion is not a high priority
7) There are guys like gary who tells jokes no one understands and his excuse is that he's "part retarded"
6) For at least a little while you're the mysterious new kid
5) It's quite possible to know EVERY person in town
4) No crazy nightly local news describing drug busts and murders
3) Everybody does the wave as they drive down the street
2) 12 year olds driving trucks around town
1) Restaurants called "Country Pickins" where they have fabulous beans and a stack of VHS tapes in the corner for no apparent reason.