* Inspired: Brooks Salzwedel *

I just stumbled upon this artist on pinterest. Pretty cool stuff. I love the way he plays with layering and opacity of the background. Plus I have a thing for inky tree drawings.

images from here.

* 12 Days of Art Therapy: DAY THREE *

photoshop

* 12 Days of Art Therapy: DAY TWO *

Pencil and paper

* 12 days of Art Therapy *

Instead of 12 days of Christmas, I'm doing 12 days of art therapy as I process through some personal emotional shifting. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to have so many feelings rush through your body and try to function as a "normal" human being at work and in your community. Art helps me let go of some of my emotions when I don't know what else to do.

DAY ONE:

I didn't have many art supplies around, so I used this styrofoam block, a sharpie, and some scissors. I love that art can be made from so little.

* Norman Duenas Art Prints *

images from here

* Inspired: Gabriel Moreno *

I love ink drawings, especially when mixed with watercolor. These from Gabriel Moreno are really awesome. I love his compositions and selective use of color.

* Inspired: Michael Carson Paintings *

Just some inspiring paintings from artist Michael Carson. He has an interesting approach to how he focuses the eye with his textures and brush strokes. I especially like the way some of his images feel like they are melting and unfinished, adding an element of emotional mystery.

* Extraordinary Bodies *

Some of my favorite photographs are of a dancer's body. Photographer Bertil Nilsson collaborates with dancers and circus artists. His compositions are really beautiful, capturing the strength and grace innately found in a dancer's body. I also really enjoy the subtle color palette.

* Inspired: Egon Schiele *

As an artist, it is hard to have a constant flow of inspiration. I have certain go-to's that will automatically inspire me to get back into my creativity. One happens to be Egon Schiele, my favorite artist. I love how he captures the rawness of humanity in his strokes, and the distortion of his figures allows the viewer to connect to the reality of imperfection. At the same time, you can't help but find his figures beautiful.

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* Sunday Sketches *

I have been way behind on getting posts from my travels on here.

Also, I have a bit of a perfectionist complex, so I tend to not share my sketchbook work with people unless I have a finished product somewhere. But, I'm trying to get out of that, because I understand that the artistic process will inevitably include things you aren't proud of. So, here are some scans from one of my sketchbooks from my trip.

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* Made of Glass *

Last weekend I went to see the Chihuly exhibit at the MFA. It was stunning. All of his glass sculptures were presented in dark black rooms with dramatic lighting and mirrored reflections, so the colors exploded. At first you are so amazed by the color, but then when you get close, you can really see the details of the textures, and the flow of the shapes. I couldn't help but think about what must have gone into creating these amazing works.

In one of the rooms was a long pathway full of intricate glass flora that immediately brought to mind an alice in wonderland sensibility. It was difficult for me to not get right inside it and start rolling around. I wanted to live in there forever. But, of course, it is glass, and rolling around in it would not be the wisest of choices, so I restrained myself. Below are some of the photos I took with my phone, but it doesn't do the feeling justice of standing right next to these sculptures.

While I was there I couldn't help but think about all the amazing museums I'm going to be visiting on my trip, and the "other worldliness" that I'll be feeling walking around these ancient cities. I still can't get over the fact that I have less than a month before I leave. I find myself sitting and staring blankly at a wall, not willing to accept that I'm actually doing this. Truth is though, I bought the tickets, I have the eurail pass, and aside from a bit more research, and maybe a wardrobe trial pack, I have nothing preventing me from going. Only my ego, where all my fears and insecurities live telling me this is a stupid idea, and I'm a loser for not just trying to live and work like everyone else in the world. Why do I need a 2 month long "vacation"?

But, I'm not looking at this trip as a vacation, although I know that is what it seems like to many people I talk to about this trip who are unaware of what I've been going through the past several years. This trip is a journey back to Maria. A necessary adventure to realize who I am, what I want, and find the strength, beauty, creativity, and compassion I know I have. Yes, I could have done this here in America, but traveling Europe is the jolt of the unknown and the unseen that will let me explore myself in ways I wouldn't be able to if I just stayed in Boston and meditated.

I need this trip like a child needs nutrition, to nourish my soul, my mind, and my body.

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* Painting with a Grid *

One of my favorite ways to make a small picture into a large one is by using a grid. I've done several paintings this way. Last year I painted Stevie Wonder for my boyfriend's birthday.

This year I did another one of Bill Withers for him.

I started with a picture found on google.

I photoshopped out the mic stand to simplify it.

I traced the image and drew a 1/2 inch grid over it.

I multiplied the grid by 5 and penciled it on the larger paper. I drew over the grid, following the smaller grid as a guide. This way you can look at the shapes in each square instead of being stuck on what it's supposed to look like. When it was done, I inked in the lines, added some color, and erased the grid.

You can use this system on just about anything. It just takes a little patience and some math.

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* Friends *

My wonderful friend Jess (and avid commenter on this blog) has an interesting and funny post today about sacrificing your own personal vision as an artist in order to make money, in whatever form that would take.

"I suppose this is what every artist struggles with; we can serve ourselves up on a silver plate, quivering and real - or we can wrap ourselves in cheap leopard print and make a couple million.

At this point, I still want to believe I'll make those millions (and I do mean millions) without totally whoring myself out...but if this goes on for much longer, don't be surprised if I'm slipping on those five inch heels and giving them a literary lap dance."

Jess always has a way of describing things that immediately puts a hilarious picture in my head. The "literary lap dance" image is still making me laugh. Check out her blog here.

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* Artfest in Maine *

My mom and I went to Artfest in Maine this past weekend. It is part of a month long festival for Oktoberfest. It consisted of a bunch of open artist studios scattered around southern Maine, including pottery, jewlery, painting, sculpture, and more.

My mom and I only hit up 4 of the many places: Red Door Pottery, the Wentworth Dennett Studios, Just Us Chickens, and Ocean Fire Pottery. It was so much fun! We met a ton of amazing artists who were so welcoming and full of creativity. It was incredibly inspiring to talk to these local artists and hear their stories about their passion for art.

At the Wentworth Dennett Studios, an old school transformed into several artist studios, there is a giant wooden chair sculpture out front. So, of course we took turns sitting in it. I had a great time, and I definitely recommend checking out some of these places.

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