A PAINTING DAY. . . .

"Connections  Red"        50cmx50cm      oil,wax on  wood panel

I've been away from the studio for weeks now.  Working for the annual Bazaar sponsored by the American International League of Florence which aids local charities in need.  It happens every year at this time and I enjoy it I  admit.  We fashioned some fun hat/headbands with a lot of fru-fru ribbons, tulle and sequins. Hope they sell. I also made lavender sachets using old embroidered linens and tulle (check my facebook page). Soo, because of this time away from painting and household duties, today was programed to be ironing day.  . . . but, I never made it to my ironing board.  Started out early making the changes, additions to the last, almost finished panel I have been contemplating in the studio and there it is. A time to absorb and (as Janice Mason Steeves, my mentor, says) a pause to listen to your painting is  important  for moving on. I know that this pause has given me a stronger urge to get back to the studio, to continue.  I have several other paintings waiting to be finished. Nothing will stop me this time. 

Feeling "at home" in my NEW studio

my painting space

About 4 months have gone by since I made the big move from the studio in the city to my studio at home.  I'm not settled in completely, but then there isn't any real hurry. My painting area is fine and I am working steadily every day.  There is no "schedule".  I paint when I have the time, whim, or urge.  Some days I start in the early morning forgetting about breakfast or brushing my teeth. Other days I just look, judge what I have done and think about what I'll do next. I know this isn't the best way to work but, for now, it suits me.  I knew that there would be challanges for me here at home,  a mixture of responsibilities to meet, things I like (gardening) and things I have to do (cooking and cleaning). But I am happy and enthusiastic.  I am even searching for new spaces to show my work and at the moment am in two shows,

Show at Gallery ART-ART, Impruneta

 

 one in the Gallery ART-ART in Impruneta that will close Nov. 1

and another, a juried show, in Arezzo that closes Oct. 26, this Sunday.

So, you see, I have been preparing these and am looking for other spaces in the future. The reason for showing my work is only to have a deadline, a date that I have to respect, a date when I have to produce a painting.

It spurrs me on, gives me a point to focus on.

Coming Home. . .

My new studio: this is where I paint with all the natural light immaginable

 There have been major changes  in my world these last couple of months. There  hasn’t been time to write.  Since my last post, I have slowly dismantled my studio in the city and returned to my "roots"...my home. . . where I started out years ago. A sad and difficult decision but necessary.

As time goes by, I realize that my needs are changing and logistics as well as comfort are much more important than the physical place where I work. When I started painting seriously many years ago, I had a family to care for with all the obligations that involves. I reached a point when I desperately needed a space of my own to create a studio...a place where I could  concentrate my thoughts and energies on making art...somewhere where domestic chores wouldn't interrupt me. I was very fortunate to have had that beautiful space in the city for so many years with many thanks to my husband...my years of learning, experimenting, and growing. I will miss it.

But now the city has prohibited  entrance by car into the historic center. At first, I would ride in from the country with my husband directly to the studio. Then, when traffic was first limited, I had to walk back and forth from the nearest point allowed for our car to enter. It wasn't that far and would be good exercise for me, I argued. But soon the problem grew out of hand and I realized my painting time was slowly diminishing to almost nothing.

Now that family obligations have diminished, I can plan free time for studio work right here at home without having to go into the city.  The space that I can count my own is almost as large as the old studio, it’s just articulated in a different way.

I’m afraid I will be prey to  some of the old distractions and will have to work out my new schedule but, on the other hand, if I am working on a painting, I have it right there to examine, judge, and work on, even at 6 or 7 in the morning if I like!

Right now I am adjusting to this new situation, putting my materials in order… AND painting! Will soon post something new!! It will work out I’m sure.

Please take notice: I have changed the area where comments can be made. I would love to hear from my visitors, even just to see if this new method works.

My best to all.