Mantra 7 - Inspiration of a Memory

I have finally finished my 3 pieces that will be going tomorrow into a group show at the University of PR. I was really hesitant as to whether I would show some older work, or be brave and do something new in my new medium. The new medium won out. I really love the freedom that the encaustic affords me. Since it is quite impossible for me to get really detailed with my big brushes and quick drying medium, I find that I can express myself in a way that comes from my soul and not my mind. I am hoping that one day my mind and my soul processes will meet and become one. But until that time, I will settle for my soul taking the lead. If anyone who sees these images of my paintings and would like to comment or make suggestions, I am so open to hear them.

I just found this really great article about Lucien Freud. ArtNewsBlog Then another from Telegraph here: Telegraph

Mantra 6 (Key to a Memory)

Mantras (Cont.)

Preparing for the Week

Time consuming necessities that help me get into the painting spirit and process. I am ready to begin preparing the panels for wax.

Is it my Imagination or....

What! Traveling lately, which I have been doing a lot of, seems to be more difficult these days. Planes never seem to arrive and leave on time, making it nearly impossible to plan anything on travel days. My latest experience was in NY. I drove in from Wilmington, which should have only been a nice two 1/2 hr jaunt, and ended up getting stuck at the Verazzano bridge for more than an hr, then got stuck in traffic on the Belt Pkwy, reaching my destination at JFK airport 2 hrs later than anticipated only to find, thankfully, that my flight had been delayed. I was supposed to leave NY at 4:50 and arrive back home in SJ at 9:00pm. We ended up leaving around 8 pm and arrived in SJ at 11:30pm. I felt horrible for hubby, as he had to work the next morning. We didn't arrive back home until after 1 a.m. Julio's flight out of JFK the previous week had the same problem as did our friends out of LaGuardia. I am beginning to think there is a conspiracy of some sort going on with the airlines that will cause another huge rate hike soon. My trip from Atlanta in July was a disaster as well.

I spent the last couple days back home just unwinding and unpacking. My box of paintings arrived back yesterday, all in good shape. I was concerned about my encaustic piece, but it fared very well. I have a few more things to do before getting back into the studio to work. A trip to SJ today will keep me out of it today. But I am itching to get back to work. There is a pang of guilt though, as my house is feeling neglected after 2 weeks on the road and there are things that just need to get done.

Off to workout upstairs now for a bit before heading off. My two week journey afforded me 3 more lbs that I really didn't need. And since the wedding is less than two weeks away, I don't have much more time to shed extra weight. I am having nightmares about this strapless wonder I must wear soon.

More on Kiefer

"One always wants to be someone else. I myself would like to be a poet, and use nothing but a pen, But that's not how it is" Anselm Kiefer

Yesterday I ventured off on a journey by myself. I downloaded instructions from Mapquest and drove out to Philly. My mission? The Philadelphia Museum of Art. As I walked up the steps to the entrance of the museum, I was so taken back by the infamous Rocky image of the victory run as I watched two young guys pose at the top of the steps while their girlfriends snapped photos of the event. I laughed and walked on. Once in the museum, I was in heaven as I perused the halls of many European favorites quickly while making my way back to see a Kiefer painting. Only to be disappointed when I was told I couldn't take a photo of this fabulous piece. I was so disappointed, but I went right to the museum shop and was able to find a great book with all the paintings to purchase. Now I can view many of his works without having to travel the world, although his paintings are so much more impressive in person. There is something so raw and enormous about his works that I am really relating to on some level these days.

There was a great collection of Bosch and Bruegal paintings on exhibition also. I would of loved to have seen Garden of Earthly Delights. That will be another time. There was so much to take in. But what a fabulous collection of work they have. There was even Munch's Mermaid painting.

Possibly today or tomorrow, I may venture to the Brandywine River Museum to see many of the Wyeth's collectios.

All invited

Wilmington, DE

It has been a crazy week following my birthday. I spent it packing up my prints and paintings for my opening. We let Sunday morning and after a long day of traveling, we arrived in PA around 7:00pm. We are taking a brief vacation before my trip to Wilmington for my show opening. We got in a lot of shopping and some golf with the dear husband. We left PA yesterday morning and arrived around 1:00pm in Wilmington. We unpacked my work and began hanging and getting everything ready for our 5:30 opening. Kevin and I did a brief video interview that I am in the process of trying to edit. I will put it up as soon as it is complete. The opening was great. We didn't get a lot of the normal art loop group, but I got a lot of positive feedback from those who did attend. Today, after Julio and our friends left, Kevin and I headed over to the Brandywine Art Festival. I was a bit disappointed in the artwork, but they had some great jewelers and and jewelry there. Tonight we are headed out to Chesapeake City, which is in MD, for some wine, dinner and a great sunset. Tomorrow we will head out to the Ocean here in DE for some gallery walking. Tomorrow and this evening promise to be a lot of fun. I must admit though, I am really itching to do some painting.