Inspriations and work space

I have begun a new series of paintings on canvas. It is strange for me to not work on paper as I have done for many years. I want to experiment with these canvases and use them as studies for a larger piece. As you can see my work space is rather messy. I try to keep it tidy, but things keep piling up but I think the piles add information to my work somehow.

My daughter's workspace looks very similar. She also did a painting on one of the canvases. Hers is Itsy Bitsy Spider. Some inspiration for the new work is all around me. There are many geodes and fossils surrounding the stream in my forest. I have become fascinated with these rocks, they are so mysterious and ancient. My daughter and her cousin are standing next to a pile of them that we collected.

I have been thinking of ships again and the traveling that happens in my dreams and nightmares of when I was ill. This rough paint by number is hung in my studio and I reference it often.

The beautiful weaving of roots and plant life that is found in the forest floor and its ever changing nature.

Coyotes on my mind

Finished this drawing today. After a few small works, I am ready to go a bit larger.
Materials used: Graphite, Watercolor, Ink on rag paper.
Size: 9 X 12 inches

Detail: Coyote

Detail of recent drawing of Coyote.
Materials used: graphite, pen, ink, watercolor and watercolor pencil on rag paper.

Ludovic Le Couster & Sébastien Preschoux Forest Art

Now that I live in a forest, I have been brainstorming ways to incorporate my surroundings into my artwork in some way. Above is Superficial by Michel de Broin. It is a big rock enveloped in faceted mirrors.

I really love the work by Le Couster and Preschoux in the Auvers Sur Oise forest in France. Very inspiring and lovely.

Found on pablogt.com.

Untitled Drawing

This drawing is made of graphite and watercolor on rag, then cut out creating a delicate wreath shape.

Here is a detail of the drawing. I will get some photos with some decent lighting for my website, but until then these will do.

Little Drawing

Here is a small little drawing that I have been working on for a few days. It is near completion, but I have to think about it a little bit more.

Back to work

After a LONG summer of moving to a new state and into a new home, I am happy to say that I am back to work in the studio! It has been a slow start because of time I have spent away, but I am thrilled to be making work again. Detail of some of my new drawings in process. I am starting with some small studies.Beautiful view out of my studio window offers me much inspiration. If you would like to see some of my efforts to make my studio child friendly visit my personal blog.

David O'Brien Drawings

Found David O'Brien on the blogosphere and I was really inspired by his drawings. Beautiful line work and amazing color. Data Collection

Validated Scribble #1

Klara Kristalova at SITE Santa Fe

This past week I had the great pleasure of visiting SITE Santa Fe in New Mexico. They were exhibiting three artists but I was entirely enchanted by Klara Kristalova's ceramic work. Her work approaches the sinister side of her imagination and dreams. The ceramic pieces were very simple and straight forward and obviously hand made. I found them incredibly inspiring and beautiful.

Bloomington Studio

My studio is slowly coming together. After a few days of work it is getting more organized and I have found the floor again. I have a few more boxes to unpack and need to buy some more tables and storage solutions. I will post some better photos when it is all the way unpacked and ready for work. Computer table, printer, rolls of paper, boxes, and dog.

framed artwork leaning against the wall, record player, more storage.

paper flat files, drawing storage, bookcases with and without doors.

How the studio looked on the day we moved in. "We just finished unpacking the last moving truck and this is how my new studio looks. I wonder how I will ever find some sort of organization and sense of peace I am hoping for. The view out my windows is amazing and I can't wait to make some new work here. "

Yarn Tricks install for Collected at the Anton Art Center

Some of our pieces from the collaborative Yarn Tricks will be included in the Anton Art Center's show Collected. The opening reception will be May 15, 6-9 PM. Julie is hanging some of the last pieces for Story 4. Big thanks to Julie, Sarah, and Alison for helping us pull it all together.

Cache Magazine: The Herald Journal

To see the entire article visit the news section on my website.

Goodbye Ann Arbor Studio

I have started to pack up my Ann Arbor studio. I need to clear the space for visitors and also to get my house ready to sell. I thought the studio deserved a tribute. Although the studio was often messy and unorganized, it provided me with a lot of physical and emotional space to make my drawings. I am moving to a bigger studio and it has a beautiful view, but I will always love all the time I have spent working at this table.

Yarn Tricks: Collaboration with Julie Prokop

These past few weeks I have been working on our collaborative project called Yarn Tricks with Julie Prokop. Our work will be included in "Collected" at the Anton Art Center in May, 2009. I have included a few photos of some of the drawings from Story One in process.

Jim Stoten's Sketchbooks

I just ran across some inspiring sketchobook drawings by Jim Stoten on Book By Its Cover. They are so colorful and detailed, they are really amazing.

Austria For Beginners

I have been invited to participate in the show, Austria for Beginners, at the Museum of New Art in Pontiac, Michigan. I will be showing my thesis video, Beguiled. The opening is this coming Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 6-9 PM. I hope that you are able to join me and some amazing artists for the opening!

New Drawing

Minkyung Lee, friend and inspriation

Minkyung went to graduate school with me and now lives in Korea. I learned so much from her and continue to be inspired by her new work. Min states: Through the process of becoming a small miniature from an actual room, the room is more simplified. As consciously personal criteria of social and cultural status are removed, places reveal their authentic structure to role frame conveying human beings life.

The work is thoughtful and beautiful.

Tiger's Breath

Tigers Breath is a small drawing I am working on. It is done with watercolor and graphite on a digital print.

Ann Arbor Women Artists Winter Exhibition

Ann Arbor Women Artists is a wonderful group that I have joined this past year. The Winter Exhibition recently opened at the University of Michigan League and I am excited to be included in the show and to receive an honorable mention. It was wonderful to meet more of my local colleagues at the opening.

Michigan Annual

Join me for the opening reception on Friday, Jan. 23rd from 6-9 PM. I am excited to have two digital prints in the exhibit and know that the other work will look great!

Collecting Objects: The Timeline Project

#481004, The Horn Forest of my Timeline Project for the Art House Co-op.
Materials used: graphite and watercolor.

At the Art House Co-op in Atlanta, Georgia; my timeline project will be displayed in an opening on January 23, 2009.

Unicorns for the Timeline Project

Materials used: graphite, watercolor on digital print

New Year, New Work...

Today I went with my Dad to my new studio and did some work for the first time there. Here are a few photos from the set. I have a lot more new drawings to work with, so hopefully I will have a number of new images this week.