Winter blahs

Been working with brighter colors for January. I'm hoping these will translate well for Las Olas next weekend.

County Fair

A little inspiration from the petting zoo at the Aiken County Fair. Can't wait to start sketching out my plan for these babies.

Tiny Houses

New for the holidays
Tiny House Series
12x12
$180 each

Houses and homes

Been preoccupied lately with the idea of 'home'. Spending so much time on the road has me weary.

I can't help but smile at the odd places my mind wanders off to while I'm working.

Artist Portrait: Staci Swider | The Augusta Chronicle

Artist Portrait: Staci Swider | The Augusta Chronicle

Rugs

The new bamboo rugs were delivered today. Can't wait to get the rest of the covers sewn and try it all out together.

Hole

Here is how I dealt with the holes for the panel supports. I triple stitched using a zigzag stitch on both sides of the opening.
This cover is for the center dividing wall and fits rather snug. I can see this being a problem on the larger walls. To compensate and save myself a mountain of headache on the road when I'm alone I will only stitch the front edge and the top together. The back edge will be secured using ties I cut from the awl edge of the extra fabric. Will post new pics later. And once I get my new drawing tablet working I will draw a few schematics to help explain for all of my visual learners:-)

Progress update on the new propanel covers:

I have now broken my last needle in my sewing machine. I've been trying to use a regular size because I'm too lazy to run out to the sewing store on the other side of town. Naturally this didn't go as planned. So now, it's out to the store anyway. If I'd have done this earlier I'd be done sewing by now. Obviously I need a heavy duty needle. UGH

Considering background color

I'm waiting for the other clothes to come out of the dryer so I thought I'd set up a mini version of the booth and see what the paintings look like in situ. I like that potential clients can see the work on a color most have in their own homes. I'm a little concerned that the colors in my paintings look too washed out. Overall I'm pleased and moving forward with the plan.

New booth design

Starting work today on my new booth. I purchased 6 of these beautiful natural cotton drop clothes from Lowe's. After pre washing them they shrank an average of 3" in both directions. Need to keep this in mind moving forward. Originally I was going to see them together to make a 6'x10' pillowcase etc. however since they are now shorter than my propanels I think it will be best to use the 9' side running up and down and seam another piece to make up the width. I could have bought larger drop clothes but I don't like having to deal with so much stiff fabric. We shall see if My logic holds or if I should have bought bigger.

bird inspiration

This stylized persian bird is typical of the types of brush work designs to which I'm drawn over and over again. 

www.bestpysanky.com petite bird ornaments
love the flowers

also from www.bestpysanky.com

I thought I'd share a few images of inspiration. I love ethnic design and these birds are no exception. 

birds birds birds

One of the designs I love using in the background of my tree paintings is that of a sweet bird I found on some old Persian pottery. It's an extension of a bird design from pysanky and I always marvel at the similarity of old ethnic design elements. Here are some recent pieces where I've used the bird as subject instead of the trees. What do you think?

Collage and paint

Not finished. Been working on it for several weeks now. Coming along nicely...just had my espresso and time to get back to work.

The more I look at this painting the more I don't like the disjointed background. there are too many singular design elements. I probably need to add more collage. Since I'm not in the mood to look at it anymore I'll probably put it aside for a few more weeks.

Here's a little detail of a large piece on which I'm currently working. I think the 'tree' stripes will eventually go dark and moody in color.

Release your creative spirit

Waiting for class to start in today's 6 hour workshop. Blue skies above...wet paint on the tables...Amos Lee playing on the iPod...gonna be alright...

Create Retreat update

It is so inspiring to be around all of this creative energy. The weather is rainy and chilly outside which makes this even better. I just want to hunker down with my brushes and get to work. Tomorrows first class is my 6 hour painting class. I am absolutely excited to see what my students do!

Happy birthday Mom!

I really wanted the background on this to be pinky mauve since that's my mother's favorite color. But I'm locked in on the cat colors do I think it's going to be soft green. Just makes more sense compositionally.

Got a little carried away laying in some color. I like the pale putty green on the bottom right cat. Time to glue down some wallpaper.

Finally! After 2weeks of blah I feel like painting again. Excited to work on this birthday gift for my mother...3 cats. I think I'll collage some floral pieces into this next. I feel lots of pinks and corals coming...

On the way to Chicago

So we are heading up to the Chicago Tribune North Michigan Ave Art where I will be showing these new paintings for the first time. Almost 9 hours into the 14 hour trip and we are about to go stir crazy. Believe it or not we just made our first Starbucks stop! My traveling companion got tired of country music so we switched to Oingo Boingo. Pray:-)

New pastels

I'm working on a new series for licensing, geared to a younger market. Whatcha think? I want to some textile designs to go with these. The color from my phone doesn't pick up the subtle yellows and greens.

Experimenting

Playing with texture. This is 12x12. I also used a burnt umber oil pastel for the drawing as opposed to the red paint I usually use. I like the aged look to this and the depth in the background.

Been painting up a storm getting ready for the Chicago Show. Here's a new 36x36.

New blues

Experimenting with Golden's new blues today. Very interesting greens as a result. Smalt Hue mixed with raw sienna and unbleached titanium is so mellow. Very nice!

Self employment!

First day at my new job. Optimistic:-)

Self Employed!

Today was a milestone for me as an artist. I officially resigned my teaching position in the public school system in order to pursue my dream as a self employed full time artist. Life is good!

Today's project

Time to finish the pair of trees for my latest commission.

I started the large commission this week. It's been fun and relaxing in the midst of working in the pieces for the June show. However, I soon realized I've outgrown trying to use my house as a studio. I guess it's time to look for warehouse space:-) here's a couple of photos as the canvases stand this morning.

New commission and Acworth Artfest update

The Acworth Artfest was a great time! The weather was nice for spring in Georgia. The temps were warm but not hideous and there was a pleasant breeze. Luckily I was on the shady side of the street since I heard that the folks on the other side and upper level were roasting in the afternoons.
Sales for me were very nice and I sold several pieces for children's rooms which makes me smile all sorts of warm inside. One couple bought the goat king and the painting of Bailey. Another bought the odd shaped yellow and blue horse piece.
The highlight of the weekend was a couple who commissioned me to paint a pair of large birch tree paintings for their great room. I've already started and can't wait to see this beautiful stripe running the length of their 15' wall.
I met a sweet gal, Katie Bush, who writes a blog, www.thedailytelecraft.com. I took a look at it and it's really nicely done. Go over there and check it out. I could certainly learn a thing or 10 from her for sure!!
Time to get back to work painting. Tah for now:-)

National Collage Society

How awesome! The horse sculpture, "grazing along some distant day" was selected as part of the National Collage Society's annual exhibit. The show is the summer up InPennsylvania. He's currently residing at his new owner's home keeping Deacon, the English sheep dog, company:-)

Artsy Me Studios Workshop

April 17&19. $150 6-9
Sign up with a partner and recieve a 10% discount. Here is another example of what you can do in the house portrait painting class. This piece actually combines parts of several buildings that are all on the same block. The third floor does not exist in reality and we added it from a bldg on the corner that has nice architecture. The studio on the side is across the street in reality and is an unused warehouse. The sky is the limit with collage!

Acworth Arts festival

April 14-15 in Atlanta. I'm looking forward to another weekend w/Splash Festivals. Francis and Cindy do such a nice job running their shows and there is always an enthusiastic crowd on hand. We made new shelves for the booth today and I can't wait to see the new miniature ponies perched up there for sale. You can see a preview in my etsy shop...www.etsy.com/staciswider.

Art for Public Spaces

the 3 large bird paintings from my January show are now looking for their forever home. They would look great in a large vestibule or entrance to an office building, reception area, etc. I'll post better pics as soon as I get back to my office.