Gin and Tonic

Every now and then, not very often, I volunteer for the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. I'm not sure why they let me do this. Maybe they'll figure out how easily distracted I am someday, but until then, I'm a very enthusiastic and friendly (but easily distracted) volunteer.

It just so happens that I volunteered to help with their annual fundraiser last week, Martini Madness. (It was SO much fun.) When the guests arrived, they were to select a hand crafted martini glass for the evening -- sort of a grown up party favor. One of my jobs was to make sure the glasses were easily reachable and neatly arranged on the table. Piece of cake.


Another job for the night was to bus tables. Again, a super easy job, but a surprisingly social one. I kept bumping into people I knew and chatting with those I didn't....which made the "work" fun.

Now, I'm not a martini drinker, but I do enjoy a good gin and tonic, which, when I asked, were not available. Turns out that I wasn't asking the right person. When the right person found out that I like gin and tonics, within 15 seconds, a gin and tonic was in my hand. Since my dad reads this blog, I'll go ahead and confess that I had my first gin and tonic when I was in high school. (Dad, thanks for sending me to Our Redeemer Lutheran. Good Lutherans sure do know how to drink. I can literally hear my dad groaning and saying, "Oh, my.") Really, I was only going to have a sip, since I was a volunteer worker and all, ah, but that was the best gin and tonic I've had in years. So good.

My last job of the night was the final clean up. But by then, I had been visiting with a table of friends, and that gin and tonic was on top of a glass of wine or two (or three). For whatever reason (?), I kind of forgot to be a diligent helper at the end of the night. And besides, one of my new friends wasn't drinking, and when she offered to drive me home, which was a need, I gratefully accepted.

That was a week ago. Tonight, there's another event at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and I volunteered to count the people who attend. I have absolutely no OCD tendencies AT ALL. And I'm easily distracted (but enthusiastic and friendly). I just hope that I can focus long enough to count people coming in, smile, be friendly, have ONE glass of wine, and not get fired from this volunteering job. Oh, I've got to be there in 30 minutes....better get ready.

Heart 2 Heart

For those who have been following my art heart slow progress, it is no longer pink. The background was pink for a so long that it started to look like a giant candy Valentine. It screamed, "BE MINE!" I just couldn't leave it that way. So, now the background is blue, AND happy.


It's drying for another day or two before the final clear coat gets sprayed on it to protect it from the weather.

Tilly, the Wonder Dog

Tilly, the Wonder Dog, actually smiled for her volunteer badge photo at Methodist Hospital today. She's becoming a pet therapy pro. Even though we've gone on a dozen or so visits with the Faithful Paws group -- we've also gone to a couple of assisted living facilities and DePelchin Children's Center -- this was only our second time to go to Methodist Hospital.

The last time we went to Methodist, Tilly did a great job of propping her two front paws on the bed to let the hospital patient pet her. This time, there were no special requests to go to particular rooms, so we went to the surgical waiting room. From the outside looking in, it was obvious that everyone was on edge, tense with worry waiting to hear that all was well with their loved one. The mood visibly lightened when we walked in with our pets. It was remarkable! You could see the tension melting away as we walked our dogs around and visited. Over and over, people thanked us for bringing our pets to the hospital.

It's really fun to take Tilly places that people don't normally go with animals. She is so sweet, gentle, beautiful, and well behaved. People can't help but fall in love with her. She seems to understand that she goes to these places to let people meet her, pet her, and maybe scratch her under her chin. She was especially good today. It's like she knew that people needed to be comforted.


We live about a mile from Methodist, so we walk there and back. It's still quite hot here in Houston -- about 95 degrees today (feels like 100) -- so by the time we got home, poor sweet Tilly was exhausted. She is taking a well deserved nap. Good girl, Tilly. Good girl.

Reese Hazel, Actor

My husband, the Amazing Reese, is a movie star! Well, at least he has his own IMDb page from a movie he was in in 1992. (I Googled his name. You know you do it, too.) So cool.

Retabl-oh!

Oh! This is the fifth year (five years -- wow) that I will participate in Lawndale Art Center's Dia de los Meurtos Retablo Exhibition. Each year, the artists are given an 8" x 10" piece of sheet metal that must be used to create some sort of retablo, or tribute to a loved one.



When creating a traditional retablo, one becomes emotionally attached to it. At least I did. For that first retablo,(seen here -- 2007), I painted a portrait of my grandmother who died when I was 10-ish. Of all the art I have created over the years, THAT is the one piece that I would like to buy back. Well, maybe some day.....

My idea of how to incorporate the sheet metal in the retablo has evolved over the years. That first year, my retablo was very traditional in thought and execution. The subsequent years retablos are here -- 2008, here -- 2009, and here -- 2010. This year, I'm "sort of" copying a painting of own....it's an interpretation of childhood.

Help Sarah Buy Art Supplies

Don't know what to get Aunt Edna for Christmas? Run out of ideas for hostess gifts? Be my patron!

For a $20 donation to the Help Sarah Buy Art Supplies Fund, you will get a lovely 8 piece set of Sarah Hazel Art note cards. Seven of these sets are available.

For a $25 donation, you receive a 5" x7" painting of an oak leaf.

For a $35 donation, you receive a 6" x8" painting of oak leaves. Two 6" x 8" paintings available.

For a $45 donation, you receive an 8" x8" still life painting. Three 8" x 8" paintings available.

For a $55 donation, you receive an 8" x 10" still life painting. Two 8" x 10" paintings available.

For a $65 donation, you receive a 9" x12" painting. Four 9" x 12" paintings available.

For a $75 donation, you will receive a 12" x 12" still life painting. Only one 12" x 12" painting available.

These smaller paintings really are lovely wedding, birthday, hostess, and Christmas gifts. They can easily fit in a bookcase or on a smaller wall. All paintings are done in oils. Of these, there is a variety of linen and cotton canvases. Any possible shipping costs are the responsibility of the donor. Yes, that's my left foot in the photo. Yes, I'm standing on the dining room table.

Heartful Thinking

Well, this is a start....for the heart. The American Heart Association asked me to turn this heart shape into a work of art for one of their "Go Red for Women" patrons. This is what I've done (so far) based on the patrons answers to some very basic questions I asked her -- things like what's your favorite flower, color, artist, etc. (Guess what her favorite flower is?)


Because I painted a practice study (seen on the wall behind the giant pink heart), it was not quite as scary to paint these rather large calla lilies on the art heart. And because I painted another giant heart not too long ago, it wasn't as scary to get started painting this one.


As ridiculous as it might sound, it took every ounce of my brain power to come up with what you see in these photos. It isn't finished. It's in a let-the-paint-dry-for-a-few-days-before-I-do-anything-else phase. My brain is working overtime trying to think of what to do (and how to do what) next. This quote from Mohandas Gandhi seems to go along with how I feel about this project at this point, though I'm pretty sure he wasn't talking about a giant six foot tall Styrofoam heart shape:

Culture of the mind must be subservient to the heart.

Gesso You Know

Every now and then, instead of painting on an already prepared surface, I need to use something raw. A raw surface can be anything from board, Masonite, unprimed canvas -- you name it. Raw surfaces need to be prepared so the oil in the paint doesn't absorb into the surface and therefore change the composition (and color) of the paint.

But I never remember which product to use -- gesso (pronounced jess'-oh) or primer. (?) So I Googled it. This site, Spaces Between the Gaps, was full of particularly helpful information. In the "all about gesso" section toward the bottom of the article, I more or less determined that Liquitex acrylic gesso would be the right thing to use for what I was doing....more or less. (It was a long article -- lots or words.)


For this particular art project (in the works), I bought a sheet of hardboard Masonite from one of my favorite hardware stores. (I love hardware stores.) After measuring, I used a skill saw to cut the Masonite down to size, and then lightly sanded the smooth surface. After sanding, I applied two layers of Liquitex acrylic gesso, with drying time in between.

By and large, the general impression of the life of an artist is a romantic one. Even though all of that prep work is part of the artistic process, there's nothing creative about doing it. It's very basic and even mundane. Before a runner races, she/he exerts considerable sweat, effort, and miles in preparation for a race. Just like the runner, SO much of being an artist is hours and hours of basic prep work. Hopefully, it all adds up to something wonderful and truly creative when we finally reach the finish line. In the meantime, it's gesso much work.

Just Practicing

Thinking that I might paint calla lilies on the art heart, and having never painted them before, I thought it might be a good idea to practice. The blue practice canvas was a hand-me-down leftover from my oldest daughter who (I think) got it from someone else.


FYI, the calla lily is a very sexy flower to paint, similar to painting the naked curves of a beautiful woman.

Twice the Heart

Someone at the American Heart Association must be really good at their job....because the Circle of Red has several new donors that came about directly as a result of the awareness raised from the art heart tour. These new donors were especially excited about the art hearts.

So, I'm pleased to announce (and immensely honored) that I've have been asked to create another art heart for a brand new patron of the Go Red for Women movement.


The six foot tall heart shape was delivered this morning, and I've already put an undercoat of pink on it. The image on this one will be entirely and completely different from the last one. The idea for what to paint on it is coming together....I'm nervously excited to get started!

Art Working

There are two things of note in this photograph. To the left of the goofy face, which is also actual left (mirror image), I am holding a small piece of sheet metal. It is provided to artists from Lawndale Art Center to make a retablo for their annual gala. It's become one of my favorite art projects every year. (This is my fifth year to participate.) Also, notice the ceiling in the studio. I finally finished caulking the cracks in the beadboard ceiling! Whew. It took six tubes of caulk and just over two weeks (not working everyday) to finish the job.


The two paintings on the easels are in process. I'm trying to figure out what to do next. (?) I know what I want them to look like, just not sure how to achieve it.


Pottery smashing has begun for my new mosaic project. Every time I do a mosaic (all three of them) I swear that I'll never do another one again. They are complicated, messy, and time consuming, not to mention the wear and tear on my fingertips. The design and idea for this mosaic is only in my head. It's an ambitious project (for me) so I don't feel at liberty to discuss what it will be, yet, because what if it's a complete flop? It happens.


There's one more big art, time consuming project that hopefully will begin next week. It's big. More on that next week.

Vincent

Much to my delight, I've been reading a book about Vincent van Gogh by Marc Edo Tralbaut and Edita Lausanne. It was published in 1969, and is a big, thick, heavy book with wonderful color reproductions of some of his paintings, and first hand, rich descriptions of van Gogh's relational style and personality from those who knew him. Reading the book, I couldn't help but be reminded of a BBC Dr. Who episode, and this wonderful scene.



His friend, P. C. Görlitz, writes this about a young Vincent:

"He was a singular man with a singular appearance into the bargain. He was well made, and had reddish hair which stood up on end; his face was homely and covered with freckles, but changed and brightened wonderfully when he warmed into enthusiasm, which happened often enough. Van Gogh provoked laughter repeatedly by his attitude and behaviour -- for everything he did and thought and felt, and his way of living, was different from that of others his age. At table he said lengthy prayers and ate like a penitent friar: for instance, he would not take meat, gravy, etc. And then his face had an abstracted expression -- pondering, deeply serious, melancholy. But when he laughed, he did so heartily and with gusto, and his whole face brightened."

Projects....

Beginning to gather supplies for a new art project....do any of y'all have some old broken pottery to donate to the cause?


Long overdue -- caulking the cracks in the bead board ceiling in the art studio. Hopefully it will help keep the studio from collecting the summer heat. Every little bit helps, right?


I thought that it would be easy, like decorating a cake. It wasn't.

How to Inadvertently Ruin a Good Pair of Shoes

Last week I read a blog that offered seven reasons blogs fail and what to do about it. Mistake #4 is "you don't produce useful information." The solution was to demonstrate ones expertise by offering valuable content. Well, here is my valuable content....how to inadvertently ruin a good pair of shoes.

Perhaps it's a little eccentric that a 47 year old woman considers a pair of pink chucks to be her good dress shoes. (And the fact that I only paid $6 at a consignment store for them is beside the point.)

As a color to use when painting, phthalo blue is beautiful. Sort of a bluey green, it becomes a rich delicate shadow when mixed with white. Mixed with red, it becomes almost black. It mixes well to make gray, and is lovely to use for an overcast Texas late winter sky, when applied correctly.

As an artist, I am aware that phthalo blue, once applied, is impossible to remove. This fact was discovered, rather discouragingly, after a young child touched one of my wet paintings and promptly proceeded to clean his hands on the nearest soft surface -- the yellow sofa. That stain is a daily reminder to practice what I preach -- that people are more important than "things" -- but in this instance, I see the sofa more than I see the child. It's just easier to blame the child, because the sofa was an innocent victim -- a bystander -- who was in the right place at the wrong time. (In vain, I try to cover the stain with a throw blanket.)

Yesterday, when Hilary announced that she was going to run a few errands, I jumped at the chance to tag along. After not painting for nearly two weeks, I was back in the painting spirit, but tired and ready for a break.

While shopping with Hilary, I noticed some paint on my hand. (Uh oh. How'd that get there?) Then Hilary noticed paint on the front of my shirt. (What?) There was paint all over my shoes. I had taken off my shoes and socks to try on some sandals, which is how the paint ended up on my hands. (and shirt?) That also meant that the paint somehow got on my socks, which means that the paint is inside my shoes. The paint that was on the inside of my right big toe was kicked all down the side of my inside left foot, and consequently back up the inside of my right foot. In short, the shoes I was wearing, my pink chucks, my good shoes, are covered in a paint color that refuses all forms of stain removal.

It must have had something to do with gravity, because how else would the phthalo blue Texas winter sky have ended up on my shoe?

The helpful advice is this: gravity causes paint to sometimes fall toward the ground. If ones shoe is in the way, and the paint is phthalo blue, this could be an insurmountable problem. Be very careful of gravity (and small children) when using phthalo blue.

Sweet Heart Ride

The art hearts have moved again. The one I painted is now on the northeast corner of West Gray and South Shepherd in the River Oaks Shopping Center. It will be there through the first week of August.


Not too far away is Archway Gallery where the painting that was inspired by this art heart is on view.

An Ice Cream Social on July 31st from noon to 6pm will close out Archway Gallery's Third Annual Juried Show. Chicago Kim will be on premises with her Sweet Ride ice cream truck. Purchase your favorite frozen treat, walk through the gallery, see the art, and enjoy a free beverage. It should be fun for all ages. I mean, come on, who doesn't like an ice cream truck?

Inventory

I gave myself a personal goal a year ago -- to paint 35 paintings. At the end of completing those 35 paintings, I would assess their cohesiveness and see if there is continuity and an emerging style. If there is continuity, at that point I'll consider what to do next, as far as continuing to pursue art as a career. "Hilary in a Gray Shirt" was my 32nd painting since setting that goal, so I'm really close.

"Hilary in a Gray Shirt" was also my 218th painting to date....whatever that means.

There are 97 paintings (of mine) in our house right now, which means that more than half of them live somewhere else.

According to my research, it appears that my paintings live in at least 75 different homes or offices.

My paintings have been in 21 different galleries.

Approximately two dozen paintings have been donated to various causes. I'll continue to support the causes with good will, just not with paintings for their auctions. However, I'll consider donating a painting if the artist gets a percentage of the auction bids, gets to meet the winning bidder, and gets a free ticket to the event.

The last time the website was updated was 50 paintings ago. There's got to be an easy way to keep it current. Any web designers out there want to barter a professional, easy to update website for a painting?

There are ten blank canvases in the studio. I've no clue what to paint next.

There are at least three paintings (of mine) that I'd love to keep forever.

This blog entry is my 505th post.

All of this has happened within the last six years.

Hilary in a Gray Shirt

Close up of the portrait of my 3rd daughter, Hilary.



20" x 24" oil on linen portrait of "Hilary in a gray shirt".

From a Fan's Point of View, the Best Opening Reception EVER

This past weekend was the opening reception for Archway Gallery's 3rd Annual Juried Competition. It was SO much fun.


The Amazing Reese and I got there relatively on time, which gave us time to take the requisite photo of the painting and me posing in a gallery setting. Expecting a crowd, the gallery very wisely had fans positioned throughout the space in order to facilitate air flow, which lent itself to more than one Marilyn Monroe moment with my full skirt.

The juror for the show was Bert Long, a Houstonian and internationally acclaimed artist. As stated before, I've long been an admirer of his. When Archway Gallery sent out the artist call for this show, the main reason I entered was so that Bert Long would see my work. Then when "Cottonwood" was selected, I was beside myself because here, finally, was my opportunity to meet Bert Long.


(Can you tell how excited I am? That's Bert Long!) Devotedly, I followed him around like a puppy dog waiting for the opportunity to introduce myself and thank him for selecting my work for the show. Had I been an actual puppy, it would have looked like my tail was wagging, but that was just the gallery wind blowing up my skirt.


I'd like to think that we became fast friends the moment we met, but the grown up in me knows better. He very graciously spent some quality time with me talking about the painting, the technique, the brush strokes, etc., and how he selected "Cottonwood" not only because it's worthy on its own today, but because he sees promise in my artistic future. (!) The critique was very humbling and affirming at the same time.


The gallery had the right idea about the fans. The opening reception was absolutely packed. Several groups of our friends came out in support. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the art -- not just "Cottonwood", but the whole show. Bert Long did a fantastic job of selecting the pieces in the exhibit, showcasing artistic skill, heart, soul, messages, and variety -- lots of variety.


It just so happens that Bert Long and I have mutual friends, he's a neighbor of some of our long time friends, and I'm a neighbor of one of his long time friends. Of course, as this was pointed out to him, he briefly and silently studied me, peering over his glasses, like he couldn't decide if I was crazy or not. (I'm not -- really.) Bert Long didn't know it, but we've been one degree of separation for years.


The delightful evening wouldn't have been possible without the Amazing Reese. Not only is he adorable arm candy, without his supportive enthusiasm, it wouldn't have occurred to me to consider being an artist as a "career". It's incredible to think that all of this has happened in the last six years. (And that Bert Long talked about my FUTURE as an artist! So cool.) Thanks, Amazing husband Reese.


At the end of the evening, the very approachable Bert Long, with a little nudge from his lovely companion, Joan Batson, agreed to pose with me in front of "Cottonwood". I couldn't have been happier.

Joy at 19

Delightfully, sweet daughter Joy agreed to pose for me yesterday. I started with a quick sketch on a toned canvas, just to make sure the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair were all in the right places, more or less. They were a little less than more, but the general idea was there.


Then, as I started applying color, the shape of the face became more defined. The eyes, nose, and mouth all found their way to the right part of the face, too. At this point, it was getting late, and Joy was tired of sitting...maybe I should say tired of sitting still...so I took a few reference photos to finish the portrait later.....


....which I did this afternoon.

This was one of those paintings that I dreamed about in the night, so finishing it was easier than some of the other paintings I've done. I don't know why that happens sometimes, the dreaming, I mean. (?) Why do some paintings flow, and others languish in painter's purgatory? It's a mystery. Funny thing, though, just a week or two ago Joy posed for me. That painting (on this exact same canvas) was so horrifying that I wiped it off before anyone could see it.


Joy is happy with this portrait, as am I. It's always a huge plus when the subject of the portrait likes the finished work. It's a 14" x 18" oil on linen.

Coming Up!

"Cottonwood" was selected for Archway Gallery's Third Juried Exhibition!


Bert Long was the juror, which is very exciting for me, because I've been an admirer of his for some time. (We've never met.)

The opening reception is July 9th from 5-8pm at Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy (in Houston). A portion of the proceeds from the sale of any artwork in the exhibit benefit the Houston Area Women's Center. Bert Long will also auction one of the photos from his collection with all proceeds going to the Houston Area Women's Center.

Lauren

Since it's been a while since I painted a portrait, I asked her if she minded being an art guinea pig. She replied, "Honey I don't care a whit about the risks and dangers of being an art guinea pig. I'm just coming because you asked for sitters, and sitting is something I can do. Just play with it!"

Sure enough, she was great at sitting. You'd think she had done it all of her life. Well, besides the obvious that she HAS been sitting most of her life, she was a very good art guinea pig, I mean model.


The bottom photo was taken after two hours of painting. The top photo was taken after letting the painting dry for a couple of days, and then going back with a reference photo and touching up the finer details in the face. She was fun to paint.


At this point, the paintings will stay in my collection. (I'm working toward building up a cohesive body of work. The last time I painted a portrait from a live model sitting was last September, unless my self portrait counts, and in that case it was last November.) It's such a blessing and never ceases to amaze that people will come sit for me. Much thanks to Lauren. After two hours of intently studying her face and enjoying good conversation, I can say with certainty that Lauren is beautiful inside and out.

What She Said

In spite of not painting all last week, I have been busy with art related stuff. The best part of the week was visiting with my art friend, Joan. Besides the fact that she is WONDERFUL, we can talk "art" for hours....and did. It was incredibly refreshing for my soul to have her here, and she was especially gracious to stay and visit considering that the downstairs a/c is on the blink. It was 84 degrees in the cool part of the house when she left. Sorry about that, Joan.

Believe it or not, I consider reading (and since it's art, looking at pictures) part of my continuing art education. And because it's been so hot downstairs, I've taken the opportunity to "read" (look at pictures) upstairs where the a/c works just fine. (Why didn't I think to take Joan upstairs for our visit? Oh, right, the bedroom was messy.) For the first time ever, I learned about (in American Art Review) and fell in love with an artist's work, by the name of Robert Henri. In particular, I like his portraits of Irish children. The portraits were painted toward the end of his career and are poignant and beautifully rendered; not too fussy, but not too loose, either. Beautiful.

I also read an article in Professional Artist magazine by Jack White about earned success. He states, "Earned success is when you do something to the best of your ability and are pleased with the results." It is very easy, as an artist, any profession really, to get caught up in the amount of money one makes or awards received. Not that there's anything wrong with achievements. Plus, awards are huge confidence builders. And Lord knows without commissions I'd have a hard time paying for paints and canvases. But "art" is so subjective that to spend too much energy worrying about every professional rejection would be foolish. So, in this instance, have I painted to the best of my ability, and am I pleased with the finished painting? More and more, the answers to those questions is YES. In fact, I'm so confident that I'm on the right track with my painting that a recent professional rejection hardly stung at all, (though it is a little hard to admit it to you, gentle reader.)

Apology

This is a public apology to the blue tree painting from the previous post.

Dear Blue Tree painting, formerly known as "Exhibit A,"

As you sit on the easel waiting to dry, much to my delight and surprise, I actually like you. Please accept my sincere apology for referring to you as a crime scene. The fault lies with me for being unaware of the quirky beauty of your blue trunk and limbs. It is my sincere hope that you live in light, happiness, and comfort on a wall, not in a sad, dark closet.

Thank you in advance for providing cool shade for my soul, never ending branches for my thoughts, and deep roots as I continue to grow as an artist. Thank you for sharing your life with me.

With much respect and affection,
Sarah

Crime Scene

The other day I was looking though a closet trying to find a pair of work boots, and saw this..... well, a version of this. The version I saw was at least the third version of the painting, which makes this one at least the fourth, maybe the fifth version of the same scene.

I don't remember the first time I painted this or even where it is. It's one of the paintings that was troublesome from the beginning. Why? Who knows? But it was. Still is.



It's a mess up close. Even now I'm shaking my head in disbelief....that so much effort could go into something for so little result. (It's probably going back in the closet after it dries.) The only reason I'm not throwing it away or burning it is because the canvas was so dang expensive. It's fancy Belgian linen and the Scottish in me can't bear to waste it.

Daughter Hilary looked at it and said, "You're trying too hard." She's right, but believe me when I say that it looks better now than it did a few days ago. (not saying much)

I'm calling it "Exhibit A."

Wiki Wow

Daughter Anna wrote a Wikipedia page (about me) as a gift to me for Mother's Day. It was a complete surprise. Friends on facebook have teasingly suggested some revisions....

For the record, I like real craft beer, not "lite" anything.

My sister's name is Elizabeth. She's 10 years younger than me and super cool.

My first love was Running. Though I have fond memories from our time together, we split up quite a few years ago. Running and I were no longer in a relationship at the time, but it didn't stop me from going to meet running icons Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. Frank and Bill even signed my old running/training logs (which I still have -- why?) Big, big thrill.