Stacking

Blocks

Of

Color

Simple shapes with layers of color.

A new project that has to be complete by May 22.

April 24, 2012

Day 366

366 Days of Art

"Tell me, what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Mary Oliver

One year ago I wondered if I could paint and complete one piece of art everyday. To prove it I decided to blog it. I wanted to develop a new style and I thought if I practiced everyday, something would happen.

This commissioned abstract was so out of my comfort zone, and I am proud of it.

Things did happen. I had fun. I became addicted to my discipline. I sold my art on etsy. My life subtly changed somehow, in a good way.

These were really fun for me. "How do I feel today?" could be the series.

I did miss somedays, but I carried on. I didn't give up (like when I go on a diet). This practice gave me courage. Guess what, I am not perfect and I can keep going even if I goof up. I experienced a side of myself that I hadn't seen in a long time. And I let myself draw naked people, and laugh like when I was little.

I love this painting.

Luxury. This practice afforded me the time to paint, repaint and paint again, the same thing over and over.

This came from a simple little drawing my 7 years old son had done and I added color. I don't know how many times I have painted some version of this abstract.

I like art that makes me laugh, and this makes me laugh.

I wondered how my friends would feel if I painted them naked (naked is the word kids use and is much less arty than nude, therefore I had to choose naked over nude) and tagged and posted it on facebook. I hoped no one would be offended. Quite the opposite, they all loved it.

Eight months into my experiment my mom received bad news about her cancer and I let it throw me into a tailspin. I quit painting. I quit breathing. One day she said to me, "Kristin, I'm still here, talk to me." It was a wake up call. I still couldn't paint. But slowly the blood started flowing back into my limbs and I recommitted. I came across a quote by Mary Oliver that said, "Tell me, what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

My Mom

I love drawing and painting. When I was seven I announced I was going to be an artist. I am.

"And the day came with the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin

July

I always think of July as the patriotic month, and I love going to our local parade on the fourth.

April 11, 2012

June

June is cherry picking month in Washington state where I grew up. We owned cherry, apple and pear orchards and I spent every June picking cherries. It was hard work but I loved it.

April 6, 2012

May

Well, what if they really did come from the garden?

April 4, 2012

Snow Angels

April 2, 2012

Lisa's Lanai in Estero Florida

This was a little mini job for me while I am on vacation in Florida. An underwater scene on the wall right next to Lisa's pool. It was a beautiful day for painting outside. Kids and dogs played in the pool, splashing my wall many times over.

After the scene was complete I added one more touch, spray painting diamond dust glitter paint on the sand. Sparkly and fun.

This is stage one, getting the base design on, and letting it dry. Then comes the shading and outlining.

What a great color palette. Doesn't it just make you happy looking at all this color. It really is a great drug.

April 1, 2012