in all her rubyness

A Composition of Frogs: A "Leap" into 2012

2012-01-02T20:50:00.000-08:00

My painting style is shifting toward more stylized, symbolic patterns. While my main muses are Gustav Klimt and Antoni Gaudí, I am now thoroughly enjoying the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany and William Morris.
Tiffany's stylized lilies and dragonflies in transparent jewelled tones mix with Morris's ornate wallpapers in my mind. These are my influences for this piece, my first work of 2012.

When i began this painting, I wanted a repeated form using the scarab / peacock symbol that re-appears in my work.
i follow a very intuitive process where i allow my basic idea to flow naturally as I paint. This method keeps my work fresh to me, always showing me something new I had not thought of before.
To create my design I needed some sort of template to allow a uniform pattern. This led me to the idea of creating a paper "scarab" by using the same method as making paper snowflakes or paper dolls. I folded heavy stock paper and began carving out paper
while adding a few random cuts and when I unfolded the paper, I was very happy with what appeared, a stylized frog!
After marking a grid to the canvas, I rotated the shape until i had a kaleidoscope of frogs. Lily pads were added to embellish the composition.

Symbolic Meaning of Frogs
The frog symbolizes very positive attributes, such as:

• Spring
• New life
• Safe travels
• Good luck
• Spiritual and therapeutic cleansing
• Messenger and a communicator (as frogs can freely travel between land and water)
• Life transitions

In Japan, frogs are good luck symbols, especially when traveling.
Frogs are worn during long voyages to assure safety, particularly across water.

In Totemism, the frog is a symbol of strength, adaptability, and creativity.
"People with frog totems are creative thinkers who can adapt well to any environment. Frogs have strong legs that allow them to hop and navigate the land with ease, however they are born in water and tend to live both on land and in the water. They tend to show up around well-rounded and adventurous people who are both practical, yet creative." (quoted from http://www.totemwisdom.com/frogtotem.html)

My first painting of 2012, "Leap"
(for larger views, click on the image to go to my flickr account)

(full, final painting view)

(room view)

(detail)

(detail)

Painting in progress shots:

Where to purchase - (original painting has been sold, but canvas prints are available)

Canvas wrapped prints are available in various sizes here

"Leap" (painting) 32" x 32" Canvas Wrapped Print by rubydoor
Find out more about canvas digital photo printing

A few products featuring "Leap"
Many more items are available in my Zazzle store

"Leap" (painting) Keepsake / Jewelry Box by rubydoor
Shop for another gift box

"Leap" (painting) keychain by rubydoor
Learn how to make money as an artist online at Zazzle.

"Leap" (painting) Necklace by rubydoor
View other Painting Necklaces

"Leap" (painting) Barely There iPhone Case by rubydoor
Find other iphone 4 cases

editing "sunflower sun" (a work in progress)

2011-08-29T22:53:00.000-07:00

my studio is more of a second bedroom here. it holds a small bed, a clothes rack, and a desk scattered with bins of paint. on the floor is the overflow of what won't fit onto the desk.

my space limitations has changed how i approach my paintings. i can't rotate multiple canvases so i can get breathers in between each work. i now wait for them to dry as they stare at me until i can figure out the next step. it's making me a far better editor of my work, but how those edits can eat away at me. for example, the hours of intricate pattern that end up not working out how i thought they would.

in this piece, i've painted over the petals knowing it will be a stronger painting, but wonder why it took me so long to figure out it wasn't going to mesh with the entire image.

i am very happy with the patterns on the peacock:

the painting has since taken new leaps forward (for the better).
now, back to it!

my fascination with beauty and pattern in oz

2011-06-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

here i am in toowoomba, queensland (australia)!

after five weeks i'm feeling a little more at home thanks to many people...
michael = for putting up with me and helping me find my *must haves* here. your love and support is unending and i am so grateful and happy to finally be with you!
pam & h = you've welcomed me from day one and i've loved the sunday dinners.
you spoil me with monogrammed towels and coffee makers and i feel like a part of the family. that is very special to me.
ryan = for being my constant cheerleader & sending me goodies from the states!
darren and denise = for the warm welcome and friendship. your help with the cafe is so appreciated. thank you!!!
the lost boys at the cafe = all of you (stewart, paul & graham) have been extremely supportive. you boys make me laugh and feel at home. your gracious help with the cafe is also soooo appreciated. thank you!!!

i am still without my photoshop, but wanted to share some photos of toowoomba. these are great shots straight from my camera. all of these are in my sketchbook and paintings are being planned. it's an exciting time here for me... so many new discoveries. each walk i take i find strange and glorious things.
i hope you enjoy my findings, too.
(click on any photo to take you to flickr where you can view them larger if you like)

elegant and happy yellow roses

orange blossom

these are already in sketches for new paintings. just as lovely fallen from the tree. swooooooooon.

dahlia (?)

red hot pokers!
don't they look like candy corn?!

pattern = love

mushroom!

how perfectly beautiful is this pattern?

magpie
my new bird crush (although nothing could ever touch my love of peacocks)

strangeness inside strangeness
fascinated by this and other plants i find. i've no idea what this is. (yet) but if you do, please share. :)

UPDATE: plant has been identified. Monstera Deliciosa
thank you, Joanne :)

series explained : water peacocks

2011-03-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

beyond love and trust, i thrive on order, balance, and beauty. harmony is very important to me.
problem solving brings me calmness.

i think emotionally and visually. my ideas are not so easy for me to verbalize. sometimes i fnd myself drawn to something. i won't know why, but i will allow myself to explore the item or idea until i reach an understanding. i don't fight the magnetic draw in my art.

the "water peacock" series all started with my obsession of these two elements.

my nature is to simplify things. i began drawing the feathers and they morphed into a very simple shape; namely the "eye."

simultaneously i started to watch the flow of fish and people. i saw similarities.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingdomanimalia/

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulbullock/

the "flow" of fish. the "traffic" of people. this idea of finding paths came naturally in my sketches.
i painted one, then two, then three... i couldn't stop.
when i stood back i realized my inspiration. it made sense to me. i myself was trying to find my own path.
i was looking outward to others to study and find solutions. all persons must find their paths.

i find it very odd that it's easier to explain this series here, than face to face. i get lots of sideways glances in person. perhaps it's easier for me to explain with images since that's how my mind processes.

here are a few of my paintings from the "water peacock" series:

the clear path

dark currents

the turning point

exploring an abandoned house

2011-02-27T16:10:00.000-08:00

last summer i finally decided to take a closer look at this old abandoned house.
i'd ridden my bike past it several times. i knew i had to see the inside as soon as i could find someone to go in with me.

this house tells it's own story. or rather, i'm sure each person will come up
with their own tale.

enjoy!

there is a nice rainbow orb in this photo

garbage compositions - i can't stop looking at these

this is my favorite interior shot (aside from the garbage compositions)

Students recreate one of my paintings!

2011-02-22T09:10:00.000-08:00

Year 3 students at the North Sydney Demonstration School (Australia) created an artwork inspired by one of my creations!

My painting, "Revolving Door"

Their creation

They did such a fantastic job! Each shape was painted individually, cut out, then glued onto a larger painted panel. The completed painting was auctioned to earn funds for the school. Here is the progress of their work:

five roses, a peacock, the sun, and the moon

2011-02-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

i thought i'd painted my last canvas before my move, but i can't help myself. ;)
this one started out as a yellow canvas. there's a lot going on here... quite chaotic at the moment.
it will be fun to see how this one turns out!

in progress and on my easel right now:

phase 3

phase 2

phase 1

bright happy yellow - :: awake at dawn ::

2011-02-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

:: awake at dawn ::

sometimes i track my painting progress. i like to study the transition.
i use to photograph the stages soley to support myself when i felt down with a painting. i would look over the progress photos i'd taken and be reassured that i could indeed pull off the finished piece.

over the years i've learned to trust my instincts and let the paintings flow. that's not to say i don't get anxious from time to time. i think most artists do. i'm fully willing to own that! :)

finished piece:

photo 3:

photo 2:

photo 1:

love birds in time for valentine's day!

2011-02-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

i've illustrated one of my sketches in photoshop (which, by the way, is soooooooo much fun!) and now it is available on mugs. i like the idea of affordable, FUNctional art. to purchase a mug, head to my zazzle store.

Inspirations - Vis a Vis

2011-01-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Artist and author Sara G. Umemoto has composed a book of artists that are heavily infuenced by the master artist Gustav Klimt. i’ts an honor to be a part of this project. moreso, it’s been nice to explore work of artists that share my love of pattern.

here are just a few pages from the book:

Patricia Ariel:

Marilia Martin:

Eli Halpin:

my work:

spring green tree mug from Zazzle.com

2011-01-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

spring green tree mug from Zazzle.com

click on this image to view larger:

"moon in bloom" - first completed painting of 2011

2011-01-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

what a long year full of change after change after change. 2010 meant painting a lot less (nearly none at all really) so i concentrated on two main paintings. one of which is now on my easel and has seen some added strokes this week.

this painting kept me company and reassured me during the year. i learned a lot about editing and taking chances. my style was able to grow and for this i'm quite happy.

now, with 80% of my studio overseas, i'll continue to work on my nearly finished painting #2. i've no real idea of when i'll be in australia, but once i am, my studio will be moving with life again. i cannot wait.

"moon in bloom" is about change. it's about calmness during that change. the moon never leaves the sky. the trees continue to leaf, the flowers still bloom. roots grow deep. the stars dance in the night sky.

the swimming stars (at least 8 layers of acrylic gel/with gradual build up of pattern here. i used interference paint for some of the stars which means in the daylight, they actually dance when you look at them from different angles):

close up shots of tedious and loving detail:

and.... i could not go without my famous room shot with model emmy. ;)

maurice is now a tattoo!

2011-01-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

one of my little birdies is now a tattoo :)
maybe i'll get brave one day and get one for myself.

here is the process. i found this fascinating as i've never viewed one in progress.

ornament give-away @ my facebook page

2010-12-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

meet pedro! his body (not attached legs) measures approximately 4" x 6".
he is entirely hand crafted by me. i started with salt dough to mold the shape,
then painted and added rhinestones to give him extra dazzle. he has an attached
chain with leaf and bead embellishments. his legs are beaded as well and
dangle freely.

want to enter for the drawing and take this handsome boy home?
just go to my facebook page, add me and post your interest under
his photo.
www.facebook.com/rubydoor

good luck!

2010-08-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

what a little moonlight can do

here is the blue tree in each phase of creation.

the moon has intricate iridescent silver pattern. when this painting is finished,
i'll update this post with new photos & detail shots.
i hadn't planned on the moon appearing in this painting.
it's a happy addition. the moon is everywhere. :)

aboriginal art

2010-08-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

today i was gifted with a luxurious link to australian aboriginal art (thank you g!!!!).
i've been asked often if my work is influenced by this type of art. i've never really
seen very much of it to be honest. i can now say i find it very inspiring. the abstraction,
the pattern, the vibrant color combinations. these are just a few from a larger collection.
they are for sale at the web site. i hope you enjoy them as much as i have!

"kulama"

"minyma tjukurrpa"

"star dreaming"

"sun shining"

"putipula"

a second life for wood

2010-08-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

i have been salvaging wooden bowls for years. i adore giving them a new life.
as i paint these i become very attached to them. i think it is from cradling them as i paint.
each item is lavishly adorned with unique patterns.
occasionally i get lucky and find something unique. in this case, a very large wooden platter!

8 pointed stars

2010-08-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

i have a deep love for henna art and was happily flickr-ing away and somehow ended up at The Henna Page.

this was pattern joy! i was entirely inspired and started doodling the basic patterns creating my
own forms. my favorite was the eight pointed star.

here are my variations:

food & film for a low-key evening

2010-08-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

over the past 4 months i've been tweaking my way toward the perfect banana bread recipe.
i needed some downtime last night so i baked a new variation and watched a very inspiring french film.

banana bread—here are my discoveries:

i do not need any extracts in my bread.
i've tried butter, almond, vanilla, and banana. they don't seem to add the right flavor for me.
playing with spices is so much fun!
spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and last night's pinch of ginger have made such delicious differences.
using oil instead of butter makes a very moist bread.
the uglier (riper) the banana, the better the bread tastes.

overall i find it amusing that i had over-complicated the basic recipe with a lot of *fluff* and that the basic ingredients
really do stand strongly on their own. (baking imitating life perhaps)

movie:

Seraphine - http://www.seraphinemovie.com/

(it is very worth the sub-titles. i got so caught up in the film that i forgot i was even reading them... so don't let that stop you from watching. i watched via netflix)

Séraphine Louis is a cleaning woman who one day is asked by her guardian angel to paint.
Entirely self taught, Séraphine's paintings captivate with their pattern, movement and color.
her trees and flowers take on entirely new forms.

here is a sampling of her work:

there really is a barbie for all occasions and occupations

2010-01-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

Cat Burglar Barbie by Christian Louboutin
she's quite a hottie!

winter me - monday thru friday

2009-12-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

it's winter. it's cold. i'm working on some tiny pieces right now
through the week. i like sitting in bed painting.

olive likes napping with mr. sock monkey.

however she prefers not to be disturbed. ;)

"blossom" merchandise now available

2009-08-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

i modified my butterfly painting "blossom" into this illustration:

and placed it on t-shirts and mugs which can be purchased here!

:)

another shoe lust post ;)

2009-07-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

Crystal Flip Flops - Lizzie Lou

excuse me waiter, but there is a peacock in my soup

2009-07-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

isn't it funny how you can work with a shape so much that you start to see
it everywhere??

i thought this was so funny to notice while eating lunch. ;)

the apple.....

2009-06-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

just off my easel....my interpretation of the garden of eden.
the vines/snakes swirl around and hold the ripe red apples of temptation.
acrylic on canvas - stretched on gallery bars

title : eve's apples
size : 30" x 20" on 1.5" bars

fashion............. (a max blog)

2009-05-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

Christian Louboutin

these shoes are **so** me. notice the red? and the black petals?
and....there is an evening clutch to match. (!!! red lined !!!)

Jimmy Choo
that is genuine python....

:: midas ::

2009-05-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

:: midas ::
acrylic on canvas
30" x 20"
(clicking on any image will take you to my flickr page, where you can
select larger views)

my first peacock painting in two years. many more to come. ruben, this one's for you. :)

detail:

room:

an artist i much admire... Xcathedra

2009-04-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

"I Thought He Was A Book, But He Was Only Paper"

where to find Xcathedra online...

lint to art site
link to clothing site
link to myspace

evolution of the bird

2009-04-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

i've spent two years exploring my abstracted icon of the peacock. (the eye)
now, it is quite exciting for me to return to the peacock with a
fresh perspective. (yes, there will be many more peacocks)

as always, i welcome you to look at my past works that you can
view on flickr.

phase 1:

phase 2:

earlier works using the eye of the peacock:

one of my most favorite poems by sylvia plath

2009-04-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

Mad Girl's Love Song

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

God topples from the sky, hell's fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan's men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I fancied you'd return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

-Sylvia Plath

_________________________o )

2009-04-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

green green green!

2009-04-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

finally! spring is here.

i love her expression!
she had an entire other bag of candy off to the side... ;)

a happy easter.

yellow - anne sexton

2009-04-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

When they turn the sun
on again I'll plant children
under it, I'll light up my soul
with a match and let it sing. I'll
take my bones and polish them, I'll
vacuum up my stale hair, I'll
pay all my neighbors' bad debts, I'll
write a poem called Yellow and put
my lips down to drink it up, I'll
feed myself spoonfuls of heat and
everyone will be home playing with
their wings and the planet will
shudder with all those smiles and
there will be no poison anywhere, no plague
in the sky and there will be a mother-broth
for all of the people and we will
never die, not one of us, we'll go on
won't we?

(September 23, 1972)

new painting

2009-04-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

untitled for now....
i love the eyes of butterfly wings. this is a triptych made of 18" x 18" panels.

each panel individually:

my deepest apologies

2009-04-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

from hereforth (if that indeed even BE a word) all comments will have to be moderated.
why? b/c *some* persons have decided to torpedo my site in some lame attempt to
gain attention.
thank you for all that continue to read my blog and my eternal thank you for your support.
i appreciate you all.
it is not easy to be a self-representing artist. there is much work involved.
i know you who respond recognize the efforts and i thank you for your patience in having
to wait for your comments to be *moderated*

much love,
ruby

the 4 year painting

2009-03-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

:: hermaphroditic blush ::

28" x 27" mixed media (acrylic, mica flakes) on canvas

once very much a painter influenced by impressionism/expressionism,
i started this painting and lost interest in it. FOUR YEARS AGO.
it was stowed away in my studio's closet, all forgotten by me.
when ryan rearranged my studio space for me, out came this painting.
i thought i'd strip off the canvas and reuse the bars. but there was
something odd to me in that i didn't paint in this style at all anymore
and this was really the only relic i had from this style.
(yes, i use to sell every single painting...i saved none for myself, except 3,
which are pastel paintings)

i had a flash of creative curiosity and decided to simply paint around
the existing tulip. this is the evolution of 4 years. i don't know that i
will ever paint like this again. i would LIKE to. i MIGHT. but i cannot
force it. forcing it goes against my nature and the end result is not my
best work.

this one is staying in my permanent collection. i plan to sell prints later,
possibly prints on canvas.

detail (mica flakes are on the orange petal...they look like tiny gold nuggets)

spring has arrived with butterflies

2009-03-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

we visited the Indianapolis White River Gardens this
weekend to watch the butterflies hatch and fly freely inside the conservatory.

there was a plexiglass box filled with row after row of butterfly cocoons....
of all types and sizes. i was mesmerized by the gold iridescent cocoons.
i've never seen anything like these before. rather klimtish, yes?

as they hatched, they rested on top of shavings until the next release.
it was so spring-like to be among so many beautiful wings and flowers!

enjoy!! :

:: the poppy and the soul juggler ::

2009-03-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

24" x 24" acrylic on canvas

room view:

:: swift sanctuary ::

2009-03-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

24" x 24" acrylic on canvas
from the "water peacocks" series

detail:

room view:

in progress - the poppy and the soul juggler

2009-03-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

i've been so busy painting i have neglected to post anything!
here is one of my many paintings i am working on.

this one's a little blurry. (standing on my tippy toes does that...
i didn't want to pull it off the wall as my floor space is scarce right now)

spring flutter bling

2009-03-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

from valentino's spring line:

i even love this one, which is odd b/c i'm squeemish about pink:

jean richard watch:

"deconstructing barbie" by margaux lange

2009-03-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

here is a link to her website....and her blogspot!
very unique re-constructions using barbie and ken.

the kiss:

:: passage :: 24"x24" acrylic on canvas

2009-03-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

(props to my model & mascot, emmy)

from Roger Vivier's 2009 Spring/Summer Shoe line

2009-02-25T16:14:00.000-08:00

meet "Celia"
i love great fashion!!!

in progress

2009-02-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

the "water peacocks" series is making a comeback.
this one is almost complete.

winged things

2009-02-23T19:49:00.000-08:00

inside this tiny box i painted i keep little treasures. you never know what might be inside.
within this one, i keep my winged inspiration. all of these were found after their demise...promise. :)

:: sunlight splendor ::

2009-02-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

30" x 20" (1.5" sides)
acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

(click on any image to see a larger version)

detail:

:: moon salt sea song ::

2009-02-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

__________________________________________ ) ) )

acrylic on canvas - from my water series
__________________________________________ ) ) )

detail shots:

because there is a hidden story...

2009-02-17T19:17:00.000-08:00

within this...

i see this...

and later developed this second painting...

i LOVE finding images in the wood, but canvas is my true love...
so i decided to "bring back" my wood pattern series in a new way.

with the help of my partner in crime...

we took many photos of wood panels i picked out...

and that's all for now!
:)

:: homeward ::

2009-02-06T20:19:00.000-08:00

larger views available. click on image.

24"x18" acrylic on gallery stretched canvas

a fresh spring painting in the midst of winter

2009-01-22T16:31:00.001-08:00

still in progress....

have more to show, but am busy working on my new website. YAY!!! stay tuned. :)

a "peacock" clutch purse! - it's my peacock icon in purse form!

2008-11-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

R & Y Augousti
Shagreen mini audiere with push-lock closure and red carnelian embellishments.
$900

klimt's danae reinterpreted

2008-11-15T14:26:00.000-08:00

Klimt's original painting:

My painting:

I plan to move forward with figurative paintings and this painting has been monumental in showing me how
to approach combining my figure studies and existing body of work. It's an exciting transition!

Backstory of the painting:

http://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Danae.html

Danae was a princess of Argos in the Greek Peloponessos, a daughter of King Akrisios. When her father learned a prophecy that he was destined to be killed by a son of his daughter, he locked Danae away in a subterranean, bronze chamber. Her prison, however, was easily infiltrated by the god Zeus who impregnated her in the guise of a golden shower. She conceived and bore him a son named Perseus. As soon as her father learned of this, he placed Danae and the infant in a chest and set them afloat at sea. By the providence of the gods they drifted safely to the island of Seriphos, where the fisherman Diktys brought them ashore and offered welcomed them into his house.

Later when Perseus was grown, King Polydektes of Seriphos sought Danae for a wife and, attempting to rid himself of her son, commanded Perseus fetch the Gorgon's head. Upon the hero's return he discovered that his mother had fled to the temple of Athena for refuge, and in anger turned Polydektes and his allies to stone with Medousa' head. He then travelled with Danae to Argos and claimed his grandfather's throne.

really? yes, really!

2008-11-07T19:37:00.000-08:00

this pampered pooch is enjoying(?) a sea clay mask.... appropriately named "klay-9"
nope. i'm not even making this up!
olive tells me not to think twice about it. ;)

gold leaf

2008-10-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

kate bush - love&anger

klimt - muse

my new hat is on it's way!!!!!!!!

2008-10-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Vintage 20's 30's Cloche BUCKET Hat CONFETTI NET w/ BOX

i think this will make a fabulous b/w self-portrait.

i'm most excited about the netting and the box....weeeeee!!!

hiking at turkey run state park

2008-10-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

i live in an area that is flat-land. a 2-hour drive south brings hills,
gorges, tall stately trees and a plethora of squirrels!

i did not spy ONE single turkey. hmpf. ;)

it was such a beautiful day!!!

mmmmmmmmm.....pattern!!!:

oh the peacockery of it all!

2008-10-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

via pottery barn kids....

How to Manifest what you Really, Really Want.

2008-10-22T07:55:00.001-07:00

klimt's daily (summer) work routine at lake atter

2008-10-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

in his own words...

i get up early in the morning, usually at six, a little earlier, a little later -
if the weather's fine, i go into the forest nearby - i paint a beech wood
there (when it's sunny) with a few pines mixed in, that goes on till eight,
then there's breakfast, after that a swim in the lake, as cautiously as
possible - after this a bit of painting again, if it's sunny a painting of
the lake, if it's dull a landscape from the window of my room - sometimes
there's ano morning painting, instead i study my japanese books - outdoors.
so it goes on till noon, after lunch i have a little doze or do some reading -
until snack time - before or after the snack there's more painting -
a big poplar in the twilight in a gathering thunderstorm - now and then
instead of the evening painting we have a little bowl's match in a village
nearby - but rarely - twilight comes - supper - then early to bed and up again
early next morning. now and then there's some boating added to this
timetable to shake up the muscles a bit.

source:
gustav klimt
painter of women
susanna partsch
9783791314280

:: dancer :: (new digital work)

2008-10-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

birthday!

2008-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

some of my favorite things : water, feathers, and snakes!
(the lions and tigers were aloof and not cooperating that day...lol)

in progress painting - acrylic on canvas

2008-09-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

:: chalices ::

what a strange and tiny little world

2008-09-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

i thought i recognized someone from my college days during my first
drawing session. it was his bubbling enthusiasm and strange little
quirks that made him stand out. and after standing beside him in
another class i have definite confirmation of his identity.

i am verymuch impressed. a professor of art that is committed to his
craft and is absolutely in his own bubble while he works....he continues
to draw even after the model has left the stage.

i never attended his classes, but his reputation was/is well-established.
i smile as he throws his arms in the air to *loosen up* and presses
down sheets that are around the model's feet. i swear i think i've
spotted him jumping up and down. :)

anyway. he's a very talented man. and i am watching how he works.
and loving it.

two 20-minute charcoal figure studies from this session:

bullocks

2008-09-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

it's tuesday. which means i can now appropriately talk about sunday w/o having
a tantrum. ;)

after my first studio session rendering the lovely stephanie, this new session
left me moxi-less. no stephanie. in walks kevin.
my first thoughts were all explitives.

i have definite paintings in my head.
none with men.

but then i thought i surely would use these sketches for later pieces. i'm
a romantic after all.

with this revised mindset, i was ready to go.
too bad my skills went from middling to piddly.

i made mincemeat of this obviously gym-devoted model. it is very hard to draw
chiseled muscle.

it is very difficult for a perfectionist to allow three hours to pass and come up
with sub-par work. however, i know this was merely one day. we cannot always
be on top of our game
all of
the time.

this is the best from that session...20-minute pose:
(sidenote: yes, he was very blessed. lol.)

studies for hopper's "hotel lobby" now at the ima!

2008-09-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

ima = indianapolis museum of art
this is on my to-do list for this weekend.

doll face - a short film by andrew huang

2008-09-07T02:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.andrewthomashuang.com/index.htm

:: the peacock mermaid :: from my new "dressmaker" series

2008-09-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

:: golden sheath :: from my new "dressmaker" series

2008-09-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

open studio begins

2008-09-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

last sunday i attended my first figurative studio session.

the sheer thrill of being able to study the human figure in
real-life as opposed to books or wooden maniquins is
exhilerating (!!!!!) there is an energy in these live drawings

that i cannot replicate by other means.

i loved our first model. she wasn't typical of the models i've
drawn from before. she posed in positions i knew were not
easy to hold. interesting gestures such as reaching out and
forward, stretching upward while twisting. beyond this, she
posessed a graceful way of tucking herself very much like
a cat.

later i ran into her in the ladie's while i was washing the
charcoal from my hands. i complimented her on her poses
and she told me it was her intention to model in feline and
faerie form.

i'm sooooooo excited! i know i'm going to create some
paintings that have been swimming around in my head.
these figure studies are pivitol to making them happen.

(note that the longer poses are most always going to be
reclining ones b/c of the strain. this means i need to build
my skill in order to capture these cat-like poses in the
2-5 minutes they happen.)

1 hour pose:

30-minute pose:

the start of something new

2008-09-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

i have the mindset that i should know where i am on my chosen path.
this strong internal compass has it kept me honest and true to myself...
however... for 2 years i've been more than a little lost, which is *very*
unlike me.

i'm here b/c i have felt a growing need to both document my work and
express myself. simply, i want a visual collective of my journey. i think
this will help me remain focused and track my progress.

i am not leaving myspace. <-------------------

this is just another outlet for me. :)