Sunflowers through my window

Summer Love

'Lucy in the sky with diamonds' - sunflowers

this latest painting reminded me of the Beatles song "Lucy in the sky with diamonds"

for kids or "kidults" (those adults who can still remember what it's like to be a kid and secretly still are lol)

It looks like a quilt but it's not, just paint, I love quilting but am too lazy to do it myself, so iI just admire the work of others & make mine with paint :-)

Love grows in the garden of the heart

dream garden

fresh funky flowers :-)

having trouble catching the colours and the detail with my camera today. The original is brighter and some of the subtle detail is lost in this photo. So this is more of an impression of the painting.

'heartful'

had fun doing this 'heartful' little painting :-)

Although it's a relatively simple design, I've use a variety of painting techniques to add interest and texture. With this painting I experimented with stencilling, stipple brush work and blended colour, as well as my trademark dot work.

Flowers

just a little pic I did for my neighbours grandaughter, I liked the flower technique I used in my previous painting, and wanted to play with it some more.

Taking time ....

made a decision when I began the last painting to take more time with my paintings, beacause the ones that take longer, are more satisfying to me personally. So although in a world where bills need to be paid, the temptation is to churn the work out, I find for me resisting that temptation leads to work that is more potent. Less is more ( I hope! )

I've been working a lot with layering paint. Putting patterns on top of patterns, and creating textures with application of colour and different kinds of paintwork. I want to experiment with layers a lot more.

This painting has the feeling of a quilt, part of my "fabrication" series. I have always admired quilting and mosaics, but have come to the sad realisation that I will never be a quilt, or mosaic artist because I can't be bothered lol. My commitment is to paint, and developing in that medium, but it doesn't stop me from borrowing from other art forms and mediums in my work :-)

I like the way quilts have been used traditionally to tell womens stories, and pass on these stories to others. Painting is how I tell my story. I also like the way quilters put together fabrics, and fabric designs that wouldn't usually be found together, but they weave them together with a magic that I love.

it's all part of the "fabric" of society. Throughout history we have used fabrics to express our values, our identity, our heritage and our culture. We use fabrics to express ourselves, to harmonise, and to rebel. I may not be a fabric artist, but I love fabrics, and the way that paint itself can only ever produce a "fabricated" version of reality.

A couple of close ups of "what happens when your world collides with mine"

been a while since I had anything new to post...

been working on this painting for the last couple of months, now it is as close as to being finished. It's called "what happens when your world collides with mine"
It's not just about the impact of a lover, although it could be that, but about the powerful transformative impact that happens when our world collides with anothers, and we let ourselves merge and grow through that connection. Sometimes the effect is beautiful and the collision is more like a dance, other times we get broken up for a while by the impact of another beings world on ours. I like the idea of marbles crashing into each other...but I like the viewer to find their own meaning in my paintings, so the impact my world has on you may be different than I planned or expected :-)

Slide show

Made a slide show of my work today on slide.com

Hearts in Motion

Surprised myself by finishing a painting today - and listing it on trademe. I felt a hift in my work lately. After cutting loose and being freer with technique, I'm feel more enjoyment in some of the more laborious aspects of painting and feeling a focus that is free of the conflict that was there before.

house paint heaven

Well, I'm coming and going on whether to sell. I painted the edges of wildcrazy Love today. Strangely, after some doubts before, I'm really liking it today. Like it more the more I look at it. Hope the buyer likes it when they get it. Always hard to really get an accurate impression of a work from a photo.

Anyway have moved from resenes little test pots to bigger dulux ones. Partly because I want to use a lot of paint, and quite thick textural and marble effects. I feel like I can splash it around and experiment and that I don't have to worry too much about the cost. Dulux is about 2x the paint for only a dollar or two more.

Resenes definitely has the best coverage, so you use less to get the same results but dulux is great for playing with.I consider proper "art paints" to be a luxury that as an artist...I can't afford lol But actually I've come to prefer house paints. They flow in a way I like and they are exceptionally hardwearing and long lasting. They're made to take a bit of punishment. :-)

I also bought some pva glue. plan bubbling around in my head is to experiment with dripping,marbling and generally playing with paint on paper, and then cutting shapes out of the (dried) finished results. I feel like a kid at kindy, give me the scissors and the glue lol

Wildcrazy Love

Click on the pic to see a larger image

Just finished the latest painting, was going to post a pic but the camera battery died, so will post one after it's been recharged.

I've been battling with limitations in my work lately, and this painting feels like the beginnings of a breakthrough. Feel like I'm regaining the freshness and life of earlier paintings when I was in love with the process. I've had to put money concerns on the backburner and focus purely on the creative process, and it seems to be working.

like many of my paintings this one had it's stages, sometimes getting really stuck with it, and then finding a new direction to take. I've enjoyed exploring the paint, finding new ways to apply it, and enjoying the freshness the new techniques I'm using bring.

It's more zappy than anything I've done for a while.with a range of paint surfaces. Have tried to create a real intensity in some areas, and contrast that with flat colour in others.

Feel like I'm back at playcentre, (the highlight of my early years, school never hit the same highs lol)the same kind of feeling that fingerpainting and play dough used to gave me.

But to give myself credit, I remember many a finger painting that quickly went from awesome to mud, as I just didn't know when to stop playing around with it. - have slightly more control now :-)

crazywild 2 be called something else!

Well, still working on Crazywild 2, now to be called something else because she is no longer crazywild1's twin, mre like second cousin once removed because it's morphed in an entirely different direction. Not finished yet, sometime I will take process pics, so you can see jus how much one painting can change from start to finish. I'm a bit reluctant to share uncompleted paintings, because sometimes people prefer the earlier stages of a painting to the finished result. So I feel, what they don't know won't hurt them...but it's nice to share just how much exploration goes into the finished result. I feel like I'm an explorer as a painter, because my process s very much a result of asking "what if" what if I do this, try that, and often I'll rip through something that looked Ok to see if I can create something more satisfying, risking destroying the whole thing in the process.

back into it

played a lot with crazywild 2 today. Was really fun, looking forward to getting it finished (tomorrow I hope) so I can post it. Am enjoying using a much looser style of painting, and just letting go and having fun

the dots return...

I may have spoken too soon, Crazywild 1's twin, is definitely bringing out the beloved dots again. More wild than before though. I had reached a peak of controlledness and there wasn't any where to go but further into control, which was kind of killing the joy for me. Although I enjoyed some of the results -I wasn't enjoying the process so much.
So swinging more to the wild side now, with a few dots returning here and there.
What I've always liked about the dots is the vibrancy and contrast they bring. By breaking up lines they make them jump out more, and can give a feeling of movement.
willpost pic when it's finished.

Crazywild 1

Travels in The Wilderness

I seem to have very little control over my art at the moment. I can't direct it, it just seems to go where it wants to go. I've given up trying to please myself or other people, just gonna "go with the flow" since it's not possible to go anywhere else anyway. So I'm calling this period "the wilderness period" don't know where its leading, but just have to keep going till you out...(which may not happen :-)
I guess my art is reflecting my life, i'm going through a period of introspection, where I just want to find myself. I can't please anyone, not even myself in this process, it's about finding what's authentic, who is authentic, why am I here kind of thing??

I'm dropping all the dreams, ideas, and borrowed concepts of who I am and asking who...really am I? why am I here?? it's a spiritual quest into the nature of self.. I may have to go right back to basics, and do very primitive, primal art. Give up trying to create beauty or even art in the eyes of others, stop seeking approval or recognition and just paint purely for the journey it takes me on. I can't do it for anyone else anymore, it has to go deeper now, and risk being rejected. it doesnt matter, it's not about pretty or perfect or anything, even cute original or appealing.

I want to explore a relationship with paint that has no agenda, no goal, no objective except to face what comes up in the process. I feel the need for a long explorative phase with paint where the process is more important than the finished picture & I want to post what happens here. From now on, it's about trusting my inner guide to get me through the wilderness, enriched and inspired.

Angel V

thought I had posted this ages ago ..ooops here she is now, latest in my angel series

if she doesn't sell first time, I'm going to keep her!

I'm making a map to my soul...

The whole art thing has been a bit crazy lately. Finding it a challenge to get back the flow that was happening during my last creative period. In the meantime I've been working in a very challenging and "character buiding" but sometimes soul destroying job. This little painting is an attempt to reconnect with that vibrant fresh flowing energy. On a break from work at the mo because it's seasonal, still have another month or two of freedom so making the most of it :-)

Angel IV

Click on the pic to see a larger image



ooh where did she come from? - hair straight out of the 70's, eyes from the 80's with a stretch velvet robe??? my "retro" angel

- and that wallpaper??...no actually that's the sky....reminds me of Oscar Wildes last words, spoken on his death bed - something like "that wallpaper is terrible, one of us has to go"

ok so had a little bit too much fun with this one, I like it, hope someone else can appreciate my "strangel" (strange little Angel)

who am I??

Realised that I'm still defining myself, and finding myself as an artist - developing my unique flavor as an individual.

Been painting more than ever lately, but not necessarily better. As art becomes more "work: and less play...it becomes more of a challenge to create that playful freshness that is attractive in a work of art. Some of the art I've been doing later is more an exploration of media than expression of something deep and soulful. But that doesnt mean that each step isnt important. each painting is a step in a journey towards greater depth of expression, and more powerful and potent work.

It's not possible to go to that really deep place in every painting, at least for me. Sometime a series of paintings can be exploring territory that will come together further down the track. each painting has a little piece of a puzzle that will come together months or even years down the track.

Another challenge is to keep putting food on the table while making a deep and serious commitment to "seriously playing with paint". The quest to create art that has commercial value...that's a whole other dimension to work with. I think that the public usually recognise authentic art and appreciate it.

But as an artist it's hard to know what tangents will bring rewards and recognition, what will alienate and what will attract. more importantly what will have meaning and touch peoples hearts?

I feel such a beginner as an artist, and it can be very frustrating at times. I tell myself, it's not about being "the best", only- the best I can be. To take my journey one step at a time and to work at extending the limitations I work with each day.

Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever break through to another level? Sometimes feel like I'm going backwards instead of forwards. One step forwards, two steps back....

I'm trying to get through to a place of real joy and aliveness, and to express that in my work, returning to the freshness and innocence of a child. It's not just about art, but about life & finding a place of freedom and light within a sometimes dark and challenging world.

I hope that if I can find that magical, childlike place in my work, that I can share it with others and spread it around.

on top of the world

Painted this pic ages ago, and have just done a bit of a revamp on it, pimped it a bit "anjilala" style :-)

Taranaki dreamscape

This dreamlike painting has been done in the style of a quilt, to fit the night time theme of sleeping and dreaming under Taranaki stars.

Angel III

both together

Angel II

Angel I

(Click on the image to view a larger pic)




haven't done an angel for a long time, first started on the angel theme when I was going through a rough time, they gave me hope and inspiration. I know they are pretty stylised, almost cartoon like, but I really felt like they helped to connect me to something higher, and to peace and serenity.

sweet & sour

Swirl

sugar & spice

(Click on the image to view a larger pic)

Sugar

Spice

Brigit

(Click on the image to view a larger pic)


Brigit (or Brigid) is the celtic Goddess of fire, she rules fire in all it's forms. The fire in the hearth, the fire in the forge, and the fire of inspiration. Nowadays known as Saint Brigid.

I gave this one to my neighbour who suffers from the winter blues,

Irish Fiddle jam

Ok That was cool, here's some fiddle, may have to start a music blog. Like a music diary.

"delicious"

(Click on the image to view a larger pic)


mmm could eat those colours....

Finished this pic in a nice warm cozy room, the fire is cool in a hot way :-)

(or hot in a cool way ?)

Ok so I didn't cut my firewood today :-( but not so cold tonight...but did replace the photo of street with an updated one.

STREET - ART

(Click on the image to view a larger pic)



Street contains a lot of ideas that I will play with more - especially the marbling.

f it's cold....haven't got the firewood quite sorted so it's colder than it should be, a lot more fun creating art somewhere nice n warm!

GET IT TOGETHER!!! cutting my wood TOMORROW - Promise :-)

News

some new pics, and new directions coming soon, as well as returning so some preloved themes :-).

Google Adsense and Nonsense

realised that I talk about p a i n t so much in this blog that google is directing mostly ads about house p a i n t and houser p a i n t e r s to my site, when I want ads for art related stuff....things that would interest me and other art aware people. So from now on all references to p a i n t will be disguised and it's just Art art art art art workshops art galleries art materials artists ART art aRT arT Art
ok......

Art

art

art

art

etc

I Love Paint...

one of the reasons I paint...is because I love....PAINT :-).

& the brush is the wand that can transform any surface into something magical

I would like to say that I control my paints and brushes...but I don't -
they control me.

paint always has something new to teach me

day by day it reveals it's mysteries to me

it's a slow - at times painfully slow - process.

Just when I want to whip up something real quick,

theres a lesson in patience and perserverance.

My lastest painting "street" has been evolving over the last two days

it's just a little wee painting, doesn't even deserve all the attention it's been getting

hours and hours of work

layers and layers of paint

intricate subtle details

but whether it'll be worth all the time and effort??

we'll see

it's kind of a learning experience

discovering little wee new techniques and ways to apply paint.

I like my surfaces to have movement and life

to get as close as possible to the paint itself actually coming alive on the canvas

am just a beginner...just a newb in this

but it's a hellofalottafun!

Graffiti

I've been working on a painting tonight that looks a bit like a graffiti type print on fabric. I often create work that is stamped with the influence of other medias...from mosaic art -(LOVE the spanish artist/architect Gaudi!), to fabric art, street art and fashion. been watching the show "project runway" although I'm pretty lazy on the fashion front myself, LOVE the creativity of the designers and the fresh approaches they bring each week.

So tonights work is influenced partly by the New York scenes from Project runway, with a raw fresh treatment of paint and colour.

Once I wanted to do and try everthing - work with fabric, mosaics, sculpture, clothing etc. Now the focus is just paint, but with the love of these other mediums coming through my brush. In fact I love anything, vibrant, alive, innovative, exciting, fresh, creative...etc :-)

Celtic Cross

I AM

Celebration..(Party at my house)

The love affair with circles continues...this time I'm celebrating being at home and having the time and energy to paint!! :-), trying to make this my permanent lifestyle, working towards an exhibition and making the move to being a fulltime creative person.

(colours have come out a bit dark in this photo, will at some time in the future take a better pic).

CIRCLES

If you've been following my art for a while you may have worked out that I've got a bit of an obsession for circles.

From tiny little dots to canvas sized circles, I'll find any excuse to use circles in one form or another. Not sure just why I find circles so satisfying... But I DO!!

when you are a little kid circles are used to represent all those big things like the earth and the sun....(and pretty things like flowers).

The planets all move in a circular motion....clocks and time go round and round....

I just love the look of them, the feel of them...I like to decorate my circles and explore different textures and shapes in circular patterns. Most of all I like to play with circles.

come play with me :-)

Haven't done much art for a while, but have just stacked up on canvas's and paint and am about to launch into some new works.

The idea is to make art - which is my passion... my main work. So you are going to see me upping the production.

Some works will be lighter and more commercial ( I hope :-) , but still with my unique style and flavour.

Others will be deeper, very personal and possibly more challenging for the viewer.

I hope that the works will find an audience that appreciates genuinely original art

I plan to continue to use very vibrant colours in an intense way
...have the shades ready, or come to play!! :-)

(BTW - I have a new camera that hopefully will capture the colours and detail more accurately)