October and November

I have missed updating once again!  But for October and November both  I completed 12 paintings!  The past few months have been all kinds of crazy.  Moving into a new studio, shows for Christmas time and just the general crazy that is my life.   Sometimes it helps fuel the painting and sometimes it just blocks it.   But, I just keep chipping away at it!  I have 46 paintings total now.  On track if I can just keep up the pace.

Getting ready to head to the studio as I type this to start on December's "quota".  I have been thinking about doing some collage/painting combos and I think I will start with that. I have several canvases that are less than smooth from repaints or damage, so I'll be using them. I also have started collecting quotes about life from various sources that I like and I have so many that I may have to find a way to incorporate some of them. But the verdict is still out on that. :) 

Here's a couple pieces from the past 2 months

Month 2

So for September I completed 11 paintings.  I'm still on track!   I have decided that I am not going to post every painting I do every month.  I'll do a 1 or 2 painting tease. :) 

This month I did alot of landscapes that are done in colors that are abstracted - like a purple sky or red grass, etc.  In the past month I also checked out the Plaza Art Fair in KC and noticed a HUGE amount of art focusing on birds.  And I like birds, but they are all very sweet birds.  I did some birds that are very sweet. And I did some that are not so sweet.    They are kinda walking the line with Halloween, but I just went with it.

This month's entry is short, but my mind is already on October's work which is starting with some more meaningful abstracts.    So - until next month

Month One

So, the first month of painting for the 150 is done.  I have to say, this past month has been the most productive month artistically for me - ever.  I completed 3 paintings for a show in Nov/Dec called "Inspirations", almost done with a fourth.  I cleaned and stained  4 gourds, and finished 4 egg gourd ornaments for a commission.  I completed an altered book for the public library's altered book show in September, and painted 9 paintings for the 150 show.  I was hoping for 10 but I just couldn't get the  last one done. I have 3 more paintings started for the 150.  (I will also use any of the 4 paintings for Inspirations that don't sell toward the 150 since I started them in August.)  So I'm counting that I have 12 completed pieces for the 150 right now. Not bad - I'm on track. :)  Please check out "Angela's 150" paintings to see what I've done so far.

"Libro de los Muertos"

Just for fun, the altered book

A little update - I am only showing in Topeka at the Upstage Gallery and the Collective Gallery now.  If there are any pieces you have seen other places and can't find now, contact me and I would be happy to arrange a time to meet.

Be careful what you wish for! :)

Ok - so again, its been months since I updated... lots of stuff happening!


I put out there into the universe that I would love to try the idea of daily painting with a show deadline to force me to get it done.  And the idea was picked up by a gallery and talked about and altered and I now have a show that opens in 1 YEAR that I have committed to completing 150 paintings for!  AAAA! Thank you Upstage Gallery!  I'm happy and excited but this means I must average 10 paintings a month -  at least.  They will not all by my usual "go big or go home" size. I am sticking to probably 16 x 20 and smaller.  I have completed 3 since August 1!   So far, so good (knock on wood).  I will use anything and everything I painted on or after August 1, 2011.

Another reason agreeing to this show is crazy, is that I agreed to do 4 paintings for the "Inspirations" show at the Classic Bean later this fall. By some miracle, I have also managed to get 3 of the 4 done, with the 4th coming right along. So, I guess if those don't sell I can use those paintings too - so possibly, there are 4 more toward the 150.  :)

All this painting on top of needing to do gourd work - I never know when Taos will call.  Also just finished a commission of 4 egg gourds of the 4 seasons.  They will travel to Italy in October - always exciting to have work go to another country.  I have yet another gourd commission to do, and it seems I am always needing to make new jewelry for various galleries. 

All this is an amazing "problem" to have and I am just trying to keep all the plates spinning or up in the air or however that phrase goes!   Wish me luck!

P.S. I may try to post pics of the 150 paintings as I get them completed. But, since that is yet another task for me to complete, don't hold your breath!

Painting on the brain

Busy month!!  I had pieces to finish for Taos and those are off. I  have a show in Kerrville, Texas that opened on the 26th (www.kacckerrville.com).  I have a new gourd commission to work on, and I'm working on a tattoo design for someone.(!)   I juried a show at the Upstage Gallery in Topeka this month. And another First Friday is around the corner - 3 new paintings will be at the Eclective and probably a new "sculptural" gourd piece.  Plus some new jewelry - always new jewelry...(wow when I type all that out it looks like I have ADHD).

But, what's been on my mind lately is painting.  I have finished 3 large (2 at 30"x40" and 1 that is about 5' x 6') in the past month.  I started 4 little ones that are really 1 painting.  I also have a show in the fall that I have committed to doing about 3 paintings for.  All of a sudden I want to lock myself away and just paint. Hard to do now that summer vacation has hit for my 2 boys.  I know, I know - let them paint with you!  Sometimes that is great - other times - not so great.  We may have to start painting Jackson Pollack style in the backyard!

I ran across a lady today in New Mexico who is a daily painter.  She makes a finished painting EVERYDAY.   And, she is about to have a show open next week that is 150 paintings done in 150 days that are $150 each. I think this is fascinating.  I would love to try this. Right now, I do not think I could pull this off.  Of course, if I lived in New Mexico, I think I could pull it off easy.  Or that's what I like to think.  Reality is probably not the same.... This painter averages sizes around 9x12 and smaller.  That would mean I would have to start painting small and I almost never do that. That in itself would be interesting.  Maybe I should try 150 paintings in a year and see what happens?  If I commit to this (don't hold your breath), you will be the first to know!

Up and Running

Well, The Eclective is off and running!  A week ago we actually got it all pulled together and had our grand opening!  Between us and 2 other new places in NOTO, we had over 1,000 people come through! It was overwhelming! But exciting - I think things will seriously start to change down there over the summer and next year.  Best part of the opening was that all 6 of us in the Eclective sold pieces!  YEAH!

I have been down in the studio working almost everyday, which honestly, is a new record for me I think. I was a little worried I would not like having all my work out of my house and elsewhere, but I am finding that I feel like I need to get down there to work. And, when I'm there, I am getting a ton done.  I think its because its all right there. No going down the stairs and to the garage to clean out gourds.   While I almost make it to the garage, I get sidetracked by laundry or dishes as I walk through the kitchen and laundry room.  There is no phone ringing or computer to distract me either.  Its great.  I also have enough room in the  new studio to have multiple tables up. Now I have one for gourd work and one for jewelry work and I can leave all my messes out since each medium has its own space.

If you haven't been down to the Eclective yet, we are at 900 N. Kansas Ave.  Right now we are only scheduled to be open on First Fridays and first Saturday. But, you can always shoot me an email and come visit!

The Eclective: Eclectic Art Showroom & Studios

Wow! So it's been over a month since I touched this blog.  Bad bad bad!  I could make up lots of excuses like holidays, birthdays, and life in general, but everyone has that stuff don't they?

But - I'm here now and my latest news is that I am moving my studio from our spare bedroom and garage to a collective studio/showroom space in the NOTO district in Topeka.  If you are not familiar with NOTO, it is an older neighborhood in north Topeka that is getting a face lift as an arts district. Check out the NOTO website at www.notoartsdistrict.com.   The building is located at 900 N Kansas Ave and is undergoing some renovations.  We are lucky to have a building in fairly good condition considering it's age.   Our name will be The Eclective: Eclectic Art Showroom & Studios.  The other artists include Renee Johnson, Pat Abellon, Cora Spencer and Pam Renovato.

I am very excited about the move and the ability to have everything so easily accessible and to not be running up and down the stairs, or sweating/freezing to death in our garage.  And if I'm honest, it will be nice to have an "office" to go to. Although NOTO is a good 10-15 minutes from my house, it will be nice to have somewhere to go away from home and have interactions with people.  Other news is that I have recently purchased a jewelry kiln to make silver clay jewelry and I very excited about starting this new adventure. I will still be doing gourds, and the occasional painting, but my love of jewelry has started to split my time with the gourds lately. I also plan on making some of the beads and elements that I will add to my gourds, which is also something new and different.  So keep watching for my sporadic blog updates (I'm much better about Facebook updates), because I will have pictures and announcements and hopefully all kinds of excitement in the upcoming months.

Obviously our sign is not done yet - We are NOT Kaw Valley Health Products ;)