Thursday, March 31, 2011

Working away...

This is what I am working on for Sunday. I finished the small quilt painting that I was working on last week which will be posted tonight on EBay.   Jesse's Tree that I posted a couple days ago is not for sale.  I am having a lot of fun in the studio this week because, I am working on a class schedule for my drawing class. I want to include a lot of the exercises included in "Drawing on the Right side of the BRain" by Betty Edwards. This book has made the connection from the brain to the paper.  I can't wait to share this with my classes.
I am still working on starting the online drawing "skype" classes. They should be up an running by the fall.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

My new adventure!


This is a picture I made years ago featuring my nephew Jesse. Jesse just celebrated his twenty first birthday on Sunday. So I went down to visit with him in his new bachelor pad.  This might all seem very normal except for the fact that Jesse is severely mentally and physically retarded. He has been in a wheel chair and totally dependent on other people his entire life. He doesn't know any other way to be.   When I drew this picture, I wanted it to be a representation of what Jesse was probably doing in his mind at the time. You see he has very little communication skills. So, I always wondered what was going on in there.   Was he dreaming of jumping and playing outside?

I guess I will never know. He lives in a group home now, with three other guys. He seems very happy there.  I seriously worry a lot less about him than I do any of my other nephews and kids. He is very well taken care of and safe.  When you sit with him, I think you get the communication that you need. Life is more simple than you think. In some ways he has already achieved many of our goals in life, a carefree lifestyle, hanging out with your buddies and freedom from financial worries.  God is good. All the time. God is good.

My dream is to be able to teach other kids what Jesse knows. How to bring your thoughts to life outside your mind. Get that down on paper. I think the most primal way to do that is to draw it. It seems simple but, often isn't. We get caught up in what other people think. Jesse doesn't have that problem. He just doesn't care. We are burden sometimes with caring, too much. Which may be something that we can create from to share with others. 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

What is to become of me....

If you haven't checked it out already please take a look at my brand new site at moonfruit. I wanted to redo it to be able to offer more services. Also, if I can be truthful. I can't resist those flash options.  So, darn cute.
Lately, I have been doing a lot of design work which is a nice change but, I can't seem to shake my need to express myself without boundaries like I can with my FOLK ART.  Granted that when I say that it probably brings to mind Avant-garde and edgy artwork; Pushing the boundaries of the moralities.  Well that might be the true expressions for some people but, not me. I think "Erin" from NBC's "The Office" expresses it right when she said that her favorite parts of scary and sci-fi movies is in the beginning when every one is happy and life is perfect. Give me all the happiness and none of the sad. I know that is not how life is but, it can be that way in my paintings. 
Here is a "work in progress" for Thursday. I am very happy with the changes taking place at Ebay. From what I can understand. It is more of a you only pay if it sells. If that is true, you will be seeing a lot more paintings from me.



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

My Oh My!!!

It sure has been a while since I have posted! That is not normal for me. I did have a major meltdown of my beloved Mac though.  Oh how I loved and still love that computer.
Two weeks ago, as I was out doing the supportive mother thing, my husband decided to use my computer. This is not permitted.  He found the keys laden with some sort of sticky substance (syrup) which is another no, no. Blake!
My dear husband decided to clean it for me. I don't know why, he never wants to clean anything else! He did so by pressing down on all the keys on the keyboard while it was on.  Needless to say, I had a very quirky computer when I arrived home.
I am glad that Mike broke it because at least he has the money to buy me a new one!
Here are a couple of paintings I am working on for this week. The house painting is a new take on an old design for me. I heavily textured the canvas before painting to make the painting look as though it has movement to it; like it is in motion.
The top painting is a oldie but, a goodie for me. My followers really seem to enjoy this primitive folk art style and I love painting them.  I match made in heaven.
Until next time,
Kori