Thursday, August 29, 2013

day 16~the itinerary!

Exclamation point? I used that like I have any idea what the itinerary is for this trip. In actuality, it's time for us to plan and come up with a road map.

The last couple of months while I was traveling, I started making some notes in my sketchbook. Here's a list of the ideas that keep waking me up at night. Ideas are like that. They sit there in the corner of your room like a pair of sexy shoes you never wear.....Taunting you..."Take me out...
Take me out!!

Phew. Wipes hand across forehead. sorry.

Here's my sexy shoe list:

  • work less flat, incorporate more relief and 3d sculpture
  • return to irregular shaped "canvas"
  • revisit my textile design background
  • work more narratively
  • paint new 'intuitive' pieces a la portraits from a few years ago
"along the paved roads" 30x40 c.2009-2010

guidebook: metaphorically speaking, where would you like to go with your artwork?

"home"work: brainstorm ideas. Make a list of anything and everything you'd like to try artistically. Don't be dissuaded by what you think you are capable of doing. Just dream big. Now...which ones make you the most excited? What is the idea that says to you "I have to make this RIGHT now!?" Which idea makes your sexy shoes look like sensible flats by comparison?

I'm getting excited to try on my new sexy shoes. Maybe I should go get a pedicure:~)
Staci



Monday, August 26, 2013

day 13~zane and the quacking flowers

these first few weeks of my year long project tracking my creative process, i'm concentrating on all of the 'stuff' that is swirling around inside my noggin that works it's way into my artwork. i'm just taking stock. i encourage you to do the same. (teacher nudge:~) (incidentally, do you think they let you use words like "noggin" when writing for real publishing houses? i bet not. i also bet i couldn't get away with my poetic use of lower case letters for this post!)

ok. so here is the story of zane and the quacking flowers...

showy lady slippers from  www.nature.org
zane, my grandfather lived in a mountain town in upstate pennsylvania. he was retired from the coal mines and had a barbershop in the front room of the house he shared with my grandmother for the 62 years that they were married. rose, my grandmother, worked in a clothing factory that made children's dresses. she was the floor manager, i believe. the spare bedroom of their house was filled to the gills with bolts of fabric and trims that she would get from the factory whenever they were cleaning out old inventory. it's no wonder i ended up a textile designer early on!

anyway, zane had a 6th grade education but was a pretty smart guy and just like most of the men of his generation, he was no slouch when it came to woodworking and fixing things around the house. while rosie's domain was upstairs in the spare bedroom with her sewing machine and fabrics, zane's laire was down in the basement where he built furniture and turned wood and tinkered with just about anything he could grab. as i'm writing this i wish i had the chance to go back to that house and view it thru eyes with a different sense of appreciation.

he also had a love for the outdoors. i can't say for sure but i suspect he went for walks in the woods as often as he could, if not every day. so when i was little, like 3 or 4 little, he used to take me for walks with him. it's where i learned about peace and quiet and just "being". out there in the woods above their house, at the base of one of the mountains, zane built this outdoor "room" for himself. it had a chair, and a set of wooden shelves that i'm sure he built from scrap wood down in the shop. on the shelves i have a picture in my mind's eye of pinecones, pretty rocks with crystals in them, and interesting tree pieces. there was also a small brick fireplace he built and a teeny tiny stream running right thru the middle of the room. it couldn't have been more than 12" wide because i could walk across it fairly easily and i was just a squirt at that time!

so one day i was visiting with my grandparents and grampop (that's what i called him), grampop asked me if i wanted to go hunt for lady slipper flowers. i'm sure at the time i thought he was talking about house slippers and somewhere in my mind i pictured shoes hanging off of flower stems.

lady slipper orchids are very rare and while looking for a picture online to include in my story, i saw where people actually post pictures of "sightings". anyway, we would go searching for lady slippers out in the woods near his sacred spot nestled in the base of the mountain. but since these magical flowers were so difficult to spot, zane figured we needed to use a little magic of our own to call to them. yes. you guessed it. it turns out that only the quack of sweet youngsters can speak to elusive flowers and coax them out of hiding. so there we were, me quacking like a duck, and my grampop guiding the way. works like a charm every time.

turns out zane was not only good with his hands, but he had a wicked sense of humor as well!

some day i'd like to recreate that magical spot in the woods in an art installation and hang the walls with paintings of fanciful flowers and woodland animal sculptures covered in calico fabrics and embroidery. and i suppose i'll have to create a small stream running thru the gallery.

and heard in the background will be chirping birds, crunching leaves, and a small child quacking like a duck.

Here's your assignment for today. Write down your favorite childhood memory. Start thinking about how it could work it's way into your art making. Maybe in a literal sense, or maybe something a little more subtle. Post your thoughts. I love to hear from you!

xoxo
staci



Thursday, August 22, 2013

Day 8-visual introspection

I haven't painted in several days. Looking forward to returning home tomorrow and getting back into the swing of things. And I want to paint lady slippers. Because they are the quacking flowers...
I don't usually consume caffeine although I love the taste of coffee. This morning I may make an exception.

Good Morning!

-staci

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Day 6- traveling to teach

I'm going to keep this short because I'm on my phone. I'm not a big fan of blogging from my phone because I can't tweak things like I can on my computer. I'm control freakish like that. But I'm at the airport and this book I brought isn't holding my ADD interest so I thought, "hey!" ( Si voice) "maybe I'll just throw a quick picture up to keep things moving along."

These are photos I admit to finding online ages ago and I refer to them often when I'm thinking about my roots. I love the women in these photos. Enjoy. 
I suppose in the spirit of the Internet I will have to try and research where I found these photos and post a link to their origin. But I left my laptop at home and so that will have to wait. I'm pretty sure it was a blog about Slavic textiles. Except that first photo. No idea there. 

As for how these ladies inspire me. Hard to say. I just feel connected in a universal way and when I'm working they are there in the back of my mind. Maybe not these gals specifically but their likeness embodies that which I hold in my brain. All churned up with loads of other crap. (Can I say "crap"?) 

I know I promised the story of Zane and the quacking flowers but I really want to write that one from my laptop so I can include some sketches etc. 

So for now you're stuck with my random musings about inspiration. So? You? Do you have an ethnic heritage that inspires you? I think this is so important when finding one's own artistic identity. You may not use it literally in your work. But you need to recognize it and embrace it. Even if its just a little tiny nightlight in the recesses of your imagination. 

Buvaite zdorovi!

Ok Daniel Silva. Entertain me!
-staci

Monday, August 19, 2013

day 5 ~ an explanation

At dinner the other evening a friend of mine asked what I mean by "the red road" so I guess I'd better explain. In Lakota culture it is a metaphor for living a spiritual and true life. They believe that there are many roads we travel in life and on those roads we are faced with decisions, good and bad. You can read more about it here: The Red Road

Journey into Native American Heritage has a poem about the red road. There end sums up what I especially love.

"If you walk the Red Road,
you know that every sorrow
leads to a better understanding,
every horror cannot be explained,
but can offer growth.
To Walk the Red Road
is to look for beauty in all things.
To Walk the Red Road
is to know you will one day
cross to the Spirit World,
and you will not be afraid."

Obviously I am not Native American. I'm of eastern european decent, thru and thru--Hungarian, Czech, etc. And maybe that's why the connection to the earth of the Native American culture resonates with me. There are strong similarities in these ancient cultures in terms of spirituality.

What does all of this mean to me? It's my life's blood coursing thru my veins. It's the choices we all make in our daily life. It's life--the red road. And I'm dancing along, trying to be the best person I can be. Trying to recognize the lessons presented to me and trying harder to learn from them. (Although, let's be honest. There are times when I make awful decisions. Damn if that doesn't cause me to trip over some ditch in my path! Quite a few twisted ankles and stubbed toes behind me to be sure!)

So Happy Monday! I've got to go put on my dancing/walking shoes. Busy week ahead. How are those journal entries coming? What sweet memories have you unearthed? Let us know what you've uncovered!

Next time I'll tell you a story about my grandfather and the quacking flowers:~)

Staci




Thursday, August 15, 2013

dancing along the red road~day 2


Good Morning sweet creatives!
Sitting here in my jammies with my slippers up on the coffee table while I write.  It's gloomy grey and rainy outside and my Yerba tea with lemon and honey is piping hot. I'm actually thinking about lighting a fire since it's like the Arctic out there. I mean it's 64 degrees or something! Brrr :~)
Anyway...what better way to start my journey? Cuddled up on the couch with my cyber-pen mapping out my journey into creativity. I'm calling today's entry:

What's in my suitcase? 
An assessment of my baggage, if you will. Artistic baggage. But let's not think of this "baggage" as a bad thing. More like looking inside my closet before packing to leave and taking stock of what's there. 

1.a strong desire to make art with personal meaning. I want to make art that is personal to me. It's all well and good to look to others for inspiration, but if there isn't any personal connection to the imagery being made then it's merely pretty pictures on the canvas and decoration. 
2. stronger desire to make "art for art's sake". Often I fall into the trap of making art that I think will sell and I forget to just make what's in my heart. Time to play and return to the very essence of "play".
3. iconic house images. Right now I'm fixated on these folksy houses and barns. Aside from my ridiculous need to "nest", I grew up in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. Red barns, stone barns and houses, rolling countryside and fields. You get the idea.
4. use of Slavic textile designs. My grandparents and ancestors were of Slavic decent. I grew up writing on easter eggs (pysanky) with my grandmother and mother. When I was 11 I got to wear a traditional Hungarian costume while appearing on a tv special about writing on pysanky. This left a lasting impression on me.
5. I'm fascinated with the image of women with antlers. Strong women. I could write a book about that symbolism but for now I won't bore you with all of that!

Think of the next section as your guidebook
Where are you in your own artwork? What is the main theme? Write down what is working. Focus on the positives! Forget the crappy parts. This is all about what makes you happy. What are your influences? Where does your imagery originate? Are you relying on other people's designs or do you create your own?

"home"work: Investigate your personal story. Where did your ancestors call home? Recall family stories. Fill the pages of your sketch book with design details from your family home, your grandmother's china, a favorite flower that grows naturally in your part of the world, your uncle's argyle sweater etc. Let your mind wander. Remember to smile and feel the presence of people you love while you are working. 

I'll be back in a few days with pictures of my current/past work. Can't wait to hear from you!

dancing and smiling,
staci



Tuesday, August 13, 2013

dancing along the red road~day 1


The last several months I've watched my artistic process from outside of myself. It seems I tend to work in a theme, allowing it to morph and transform over time. There've been animals, portraits, trees, and now houses and barns. I love looking back over the work and seeing what's transpired and it's exciting to think where it might go next. 

And then I got to thinking...

What if I chronicle the journey in a thoughtful manner, out here in the public eye? And what if I invite my creative counterparts to join me on my journey and hopefully inspire someone to expand upon their own ideas and processes? After all, I spent 10 years in the art classroom and some habits die-hard! One of the greatest joys of my life is witnessing the creative lightbulb go on above a student's head and I'd love more than anything to hear what's going on with my readers if you choose to travel along this red road with me. 

I will be posting my own thoughts and images as well as how I got there. I will also include questions and assignments for the reader. If you are traveling with me, let me know and I will put a link to you on my sidebar. And please provide a link to this journey on your own pages. Let's see how many travelers we can pick up along the way!

Tomorrow I will post the first of my journal entries and the first of your assignments. Who knows where we'll end up...a year is a long time in the life of an idea!

Care to dance?
hugs
staci

Monday, August 12, 2013

Schedule Schmedule

I am my own worst enemy when it comes to getting things finished. I'm a very results oriented person and too many 'open' projects drives me insane. Almost to the point of paralysis. 

Back when I was a classroom teacher my days were highly scheduled. So much so that when I got home in the evening I couldn't even think. I'd eat something upon walking in the door then flop down in the couch and be asleep by 8o'clock. 

Fast forward two years of self employment and I realize...

Wait for it...

I'm terrible at time management! 

No wonder I rebelled against the system.  It's not that I don't get anything done. Far from it. In fact I probably accomplish more before 10am than most gov't contractors do in a week! 

But everything in my head and on my list of to do's is a priority, at least that's how it feels. Do I clean the bathrooms or paint? Restock the fridge or work on that book I'm threatening. The dog/pony needs a walk but the garden needs water and there are dishes in the sink and this sculpture sample won't create itself, but the bed's not made, and if I don't send in that paperwork I'll never resolve that issue at the bank, and I really need to get my online class open... They all have their own voice and they are all screaming at me inside of my head. (Lord. I sound like a schizophrenic. Someone call my shrink!) And here in lies the problem. 

"Make a list, idiot," you say. I do. I have lists of lists. 
"Number the items in order of importance," you say. Done. 
And yes, I love checking things off and drawing a bright bloody line thru the finished items, symbolically triumphing over the chaos of my day/week/month. I just can't seem to quiet the chaos. Like medusas snakes (or was it Hydra? I can never keep my mythology straight!) I  finish one project and another 5 spring up in its place. 
Deep breath. I know I'm not unique in this battle. Although somehow taking a minute to recognize the beast within has made it all better for the moment. 

Maybe I'll get a little writing accomplished for the magazine. Or sit and watch the storm roll in over the lake that is my backyard. Or take my laptop out to the porch and write from there...

color me multitasking :-)
staci

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

birches for dad


"ashes seek heaven"
A few months ago my dad passed away after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's brought on by Parkinson's. During that time I was supposed to be getting ready for a show at PB&J Gallery in Atlanta. (I'd like to add that one of the owners, Bob Burkhardt, was kind enough to take and edit the photos of the finished pieces and I'd like to pay credit where credit is due.) Well, as you can imagine I put off the work, and put it off and put it off to the point that I had 10 days to complete 6 paintings for the show. This could have been a total disaster but instead, what ended up happening I was forced to work quickly without thinking. Just go with the intuitive process, balls to the wall, and make art without stopping to question what I was doing. 

The show came and went and I never took the time to talk about some of the process I used to create those paintings. But guess what? It's your lucky day because I'm currently avoiding another deadline as well as a mountain of laundry:~)
I started with a 4x8 sheet of plywood and some vintage wallpaper.


after gluing it all down i filled in the edges and around the papers with white and black gessos.

just checking to see if your paying attention. this is waldo when he was about 6 months old. yes, his paws are still HUGE!

i added red paint and drew over top of the pieces with my usual floral designs. then we cut the board into 16" wide strips and broke them in half by wedging them under the truck trailer and jumping on them. They all range between 48"-52" tall.

as I worked on the pieces I was imagining an old stone mansion that had fallen into disrepair, the roof caving in and trees growing up into the middle of the rooms-nature taking back the land. The finished pieces turned out better than I could have imagined. i incorporated some collage into the tree trunks as well and kept the color pallet much more subdued than I normally paint. After painting I sanded the heck out of them and really softened up the edges. 

Painting these pieces really helped me work through those first few weeks after dad's passing and it further illustrates how art can heal. 
"wheels wander outward"

"sparkle shines forever"

"she gathers rain"

"i'm coming home"

a view of all 6 pieces together
so what's the moral of the story, dear artist friends? sometimes it pays to just work without inhibition and without time to think about it. maybe that's why I'm avoiding working on this next project. Or maybe I'm just being lazy. I'll let the editors decide:~)

guess I'd better get to work.

color me crazy

~staci

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

urban renewal

Seeing as how I'm selling my sweet cottage in Old Towne, I think it's time to reshare some of the home makeovers I did a while back. All of these houses exist in one reality or another and my only contribution to their renewal was all in my head and on the canvas. (The house in the middle, the one with the sailboat, is not in a state of disrepair as are the other two. In fact, it's in great shape. But I really liked the look of the house and I thought it would make a good subject.)

I forgot how much fun I had creating these paintings! There is something meditative in the illustration layer of the pieces. All of the paintings have quotes on the roofline that came from stories people shared with me or conversations I had with my neighbors. Maybe I should send the photos to the city planners and tell them to get on the stick! :~)

Meanwhile, if you'd like to learn how to create one of these collaged paintings yourself, come visit me in Chicago later this month at Create Retreat. Seriously. Come on! I'll save a seat for you!

"fine. I'll go. But the purple cowbell is mine!"

"let me tell you about the time we were running from the cops. the monkey in the backseat bit the cop"

"well, if you don't want it you'll have to carry it back up the stairs"
I'll miss the little Old Towne Cottage and the neighbors who changed my life for the better. If I could bundle them all up and move them out to the lake to enjoy the country I would! At least I know I can always go back for a visit and a glass of wine. Hey boys...get out that bottle opener!

color me smiling
staci

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Post-vacation let down

Well. Panama City Beach will be another movie in the can for future day dreaming. But for now...we are Jammin to the oldies on the back highways and byways of South Georgia.
back to work monday. Until then,
-color me vintage :-)
Staci
 

Friday, August 2, 2013

Spirit Guides and Houses

The spirit guide sculpture class is such a fun time. Who doesn't love playing with cardboard and plaster gauze? Here's a finished   piece from a student last month. 
This darling was created by Suzanne Streeter. Love his beads! This girl came prepared with plenty of adornments to use in class. 

Earlier that day I taught fantasy house portraits. Here are a few lovelies for you to drool over. 
The yellow one is by Susan Cirigliano. Unfortunately I don't have the name of the artist who did the lower piece. But the papers she used in the sky and background were created at another workshop and WOW, what a great result!
That's all from me for now. Wrapping up our Florida vacation. Back in the studio Monday. 
Over and out. 
Color me TAN:-)
Staci