Inspiration Book

I decided that alot of the small clutter on my studio walls belongs elsewhere.  I had put it on the wall because there's something about each little piece of paper that I like, and I wanted to keep everything out there to inspire me.  Well, that didn't work, it was all too distracting. So distracting that I couldn't think when I wanted to come up with ideas of my own. 

To the rescue -- an Inspiration Book.  I decided to pull all of those little pieces of paper down off the walls and put them in an book where I could go for inspiration whenever I wanted it.  The book (11" x 14" spiral bound mixed meda paper) has the added benefit in that I can save and display more there than on the wall. Side benefit?  It gives me a place to use some of the many roles of washi tape that I have collected...they are inspirational too :)

Looking at it so far, I can see how it will help me identify common themes, colors, etc that "speak" to me.  How do you collect inspiration material and ideas?

What's In A Name?

The photo below is of a piece I recently acquired.  It is by Judith Meyer, a collage/assemblage artist.  I was immediately attracted to this piece when I first saw it.  It's hard for me to put my finger on exactly why, sometimes I just like something because it "speaks" to me.  In this case,

• it is blue - there is either blue or red or both in most works that catch my eye.  There's even some red in the cord attaching the key to the lock.  
• I like locks and keys -  and the location here is close to the heart 
• the use of an x-ray image is unexpected
• I like maps - woven in and over the x-ray

I still can't say what exactly it is that I intuitively like about this piece; however, when I first saw it, I didn't know the title, but I was definitely interested in the piece.  Then, I went to a showing of Judith's work that included this piece, and I saw the title which made me want it more,"And How Shall I Answer You, and What Shall I Bring?"...I'm happy to say that I bought it.

And How Shall I Answer You, and What Shall I Bring?  by Judith Meyer

One thing this incident made me think about was the importance of naming a piece of artwork. How many times have you looked at a piece and started to move on, but you then read the title of it and went back for a second look? I have done it many times. Unless the piece is Untitled or just some vague number in a vaguely named series or the name of some unknown person being portrayed, the title can add something to the piece. At least it does to me. Usually, I'm looking back to see why they might have named it what they did. If it is a portrait, is it describing what the person was doing or preparing to do or a situation they are in or an emotion they are feeling? With many pieces, I look back wondering, "what is the artist trying to say that I have missed?"

The importance of the title has not really occurred to me before; thus, I have named works simply Masque I, Masque II, ....Masque VI....vague, unimaginative titles. Now, I will put more thought into them. Maybe this is something covered in an art appreciation class or painting 101. I don't know. I have taken neither of them.  But, I have done my research now and found that there are many good reasons for naming your baby something other than "Untitled", among them these 5 reasons.

I haven't had a chance to ask Judith how she came about the title of her piece, above, and what the work represents to her, but I will.   I'll share it here when I find out.

Acrylic Ink Play

On my way to the studio today, I was listening to an episode of RadioLab on NPR entitled "Me, Myself and Muse".  It was pretty interesting.  I really liked Elizabeth Gilbert's idea of externalizing inspiration, talking to it, making friends with it, arguing with it, giving in to it.  It was a good thing for me to hear today.  I was originally planning on just stopping by real quick to pick up something I needed for a class assignment, but after listening to this piece, I decided to stay at the studio and see what Inspiration had in store for me.

I sat down with black Sumi ink and water and started playing.  I enjoyed watching the ink as it spread out from the marks I made on the wet paper. After playing for awhile, I decided I wanted to play with color, so I grabbed my acrylic inks and started making my marks with them.  You can see the result of my playing, below.  It was such a meditative experience, so peaceful and relaxing.  I definitely need to do this more.  If I do, maybe Inspiration will decide to join me :)

Acrylic Inks and Water on Mixed Media Paper

My First Tych and a New Class

I've finished my first "tych".  It's a triptych entitled "Blah blah, I don't know....gibber". I used the same drawing with masking fluid technique that I used before.  Until I have any grand ideas, I think I'm finished with this technique for awhile. 



2/3 of Masking Fluid Removed

Painting in progress

Final Product - Blah blah, I don't know...gibber, 2014 

I've started a new class at the Houston Art League.  It's called "Acrylic Painter's Toolbox - An Intro To Acrylics".  Laura Spector is the instructor (check out her websites here and there).  I've only attended one session but I can already tell that I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this class.  Laura is an interesting person, from the little bit of personal history she has shared with us, and as an instructor, she's very thorough when explaining things and is very patient and encouraging.  I'm miffed that I was sick this week and had to miss the second class, but hopefully that won't cause me to fall too far behind.  The first assignment is a basic still life value study.  Hopefully, I'll post it soon...but I have to do it first : )

I Need a Makeover

Help!  I have only been in my studio 8 months and already it (or maybe I) need a makeover.  I really need to rethink my space...maybe not the space so much as my stuff.  I am totally overwhelmed when I look around and it's hard to think/create.  I have so many materials and tools and books at the ready for whenever "inspiration" hits.  Well, I find it hard to feel inspired in this space.  I have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and this space isn't helping me. 

The first photo below is of my work surface and my "Inspiration Wall" to the left side of the photo.  The idea was that while I sit and work, I would be able to see and be inspired by images hanging on the wall facing me.  Well, they don't inspire me, they distract me.  They are too small for me to really see and draw inspiration from if I'm looking at them from across the room, and there are waaaay to many of them...it's just a lot of visual clutter.  So those are going to have to come down. 

What else do I need to do to bring order to this confusion?  I'm not sure.  I need to have things where I can see them or I will forget that I have them and they will go totally unused...as they do now : /  I suspect that over time, I will weed out alot of stuff related to media and techniques that I thought I was interested in, but really don't have the inclination to try or to take the time to learn about.

I'll post any ideas I have.  If you have any suggestions, by all means let me know : )

"Inspiration Wall" to the left, my favorite work spot on the right

Stuff everywhere!  How could anybody think in here?

Even the sofa (for relaxation?) is covered with stuff.   Aaaaggghhh, Calgon take me away.

If this isn't nice...

I've seen this hanging in a display at Urban Outfitters  each time I've stopped in the store over the last few months.  I didn't see it for sale anywhere in the store so I just assumed it was a prop.  Last time I went there, it was on a shelf for sale and I knew I had to have it and that I had the perfect place for it...in my studio :)  I put it on the wall opposite from where I usually work.  Something about it just makes me smile.  It's how I feel about my studio.  Not that the studio itself is ultra nice or anything, but having the studio and my own space in which to create is really nice.  It reminds me to be grateful for what I have.

Glassell Student Art Show 2013

Each year Glassell has a student art show around the holidays.  It's a great time to find some one of a kind gifts, or if you're like me, it's a great time to acquire a few more pieces of art for your own personal collection : )


I went to the show last month and WOW! there was a lot of art to look at.  I didn't show any of my art, but if I am enrolled in Glassell this year, I will give it some serious consideration.


I was immediately attracted to one of the first paintings I saw.  As I walked along,a couple of other paintings caught my attention.  Each turned out to be by the same artist, so it's fair to say that I appreciate this artist's work.  Since the pieces were fairly large, I told myself that I would keep them in mind and, if after looking at the rest of the art, the first one was still there, then it was meant to be and I would buy it.  Later, after I had finished looking at the paintings, ceramics, drawings, jewelry and mixed media, I hurried back over to where we started and the painting was still there.  I walked away with it while some people were there looking at it...they didn't appear to be discussing whether or not they wanted to buy it, so I don't feel too bad :)


The painting is called Snow by Sabine Juery and I'm happy to say it looks beautiful hanging over my sofa.

"Snow" by Sabine Juery