NEW DECISIONS

desktop full of proofs

the basic idea for logo

2014 went out with a huge bang

(many bangs if you remember). We in Florence were hit by a "swarm" of unsettling earthquakes that

led all to think that the new year had to be better.

 

Then with the New Year, not the first day but shortly afterward, the FLU decided to hit our house. First my husband then me. Today was my first day out.

 I was on the verge of consulting my friend Suzanne White, alias High Priestess of Chinese and Western Astrology just to assure myself that these "Influenza Days" will have no bearing on what will be my destiny in the next year.

ButI've answered my own question remembering my resolution in my last post about scheduling my time more efficiently in order to apply myself for longer periods in the studio.

Believe it or not, sneezing, coughing, feverish or

not, I did some heavy duty work during this sick leave.

A week prior to the New Year, an article appeared in our newspaper publishing a public competition for the township of San Casciano V.P. They were asking for participants to design a logo for a newly formed group of museums in Chianti and Valdarno. This attracted me, why not? I wanted to participate. Illustration is not my strong point. There was little time, the deadline was on the 8th of January, but I did what I could.

It wasn't the final outcome that was important to me. It was the fact that I was putting myself into play, "sticking my neck out" as they say, trying a new possibility . . .

a new horizon, reaching out to new adventures.  The same will be happening in February when I will be applying for a juried show in Pontremoli, a sea- coast town near Carrara, where Michelangelo selected his marble.

I have a sudden feeling of freedom. . .a revelation for the new year!

PRESENTING A NEW YEAR resolution

.

 I didn't intend to start the new year by showing  an unfinished painting but I don't  have much time left to do anything about that now. My time has been used up with holiday trimmings and anticipation of the new year leaving my painting by the wayside as often is the case.

But this is where my NEW YEAR RESOLUTIOIN comes into  play. As of tomorrow, January1st, 2015,  that long awaited painting schedule has to be formulated AND respected. More than time, it is the waste of time that I have to combat.. . A revolution  within the resolution. My wishes for happiness and resolutions of all problems to all in the new year that is upon us.

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. 

A SPECIAL DAY. . .

Entry in " XXIII Premio Nazionale di Pittura" di Città di Civitella 2014

What made this day "special?  I was just supposed to go to Civitella to retrieve my painting, an ordinary procedure when you participate in a show outside of your own territory, and then return home. And since the town is in the vacinity of Arezzo, city famous for its goldsmiths and more, I was convinced that it was in a flat valley.
 It was a beautiful, sunny day, crisp temps but not cold.  We decided to make a day of it. . .to eat out somewhere nice and wait for the cerimony of awards at 3o'clock and then head for home. The drive was south toward Rome on the state highway. . . the warm sun though the windshield  made me  drowsy. Until


slowly the  road through a dense wooded area started to climb and we saw Civitella far ahead at the peak of a hill in front of us.

Civitella dates back to the Roman Empire and became an important fortress in defence during the many battles between Arezzo, Siena and Florence. It is important for its cultural  manifestations including this show as well as a sculpture show in the spring.

The medieville walls of the town are still visible

We stopped in the first piazza where we found a lovely wine bar-restaurant.

The restaurant is at the lower righthand corner of the photo next to the stairs that take you to the center of  town.

From the window of the dining room the view was amazing taking our eyes over vineyards, olive groves and breeding farms as far as the peaks of the  lower Appennine mountains

This area, the Valley of the Chiana, is the official zone where chainina cattle are raised and bred. Chianina beef is the only meat that can be used to prepare  the official "Florentine Steak".

Town Hall of Civitella nella Valley della Chiana home of a lovely modern art gallery.

 So this was my "Special" day. No prize but just a lovely, quiet day to remember.

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.

WORKING, Working, work i n g.

Connections  50x50cm   oil and wax on plywood panel

This is the painting that directly follows my last post and . . . I have a couple of others under way.
I am doing more than usual having many panels prepared and ready for use. It's good for me to have more than one painting in the works at one time, allows for more continuity. This is not finished yet but almost.
have  a  good day and thanks for visiting!

Finishing Up . . .

   There is little difference between the first and the final draft of my new painting. . . just did a little "cleaning" up and toning down where I felt it was needed.                          

"Connections"
oil and mixed media on canvas.  50x70cm 
final version

This canvas was first prepared with a base of gesso and stucco to give texture  and relief to the surface.

I continued using broad spatulas and large brush stokes to create  color fields and to blend colors one  into the other.

As always, my interest is in the anatomy of the human body, the internal anatomy, and, in this case specifically,  the spinal column.