Something old

As I was gathering all my art supplies from around the house, to place in my newly created studio. I found: books, papers, and portfolios .I love looking back at old things. Particularly old paintings, it always seems like i have an opportunity to look at it thru fresh eyes. I seem to like some works more, and others less. I came across some very old studies I had done in my Painting 110.6 class in 2005 summer session. This was the last university class I took as a full time student. I was going for an International Studies Major and Political Studies Minor. Which I never completed (long story) Painting 110.6, was a year long class condensed into 6 very short weeks, it was my favorite and the highest marks I ever received in university. I had dedicated myself it, I would stay at the studio until 1:00am every night working on my assignments, and be back in class early the next morning. I lived and breathed painting. Which makes me wonder why I never pursued a B.FA. 

There are 2 self portraits. One is done with "Rembrandt Lighting" For those of you who are not familiar with Rembrandt lighting,
you use A strong light in the dark, to create harsh shadows. The assignment was to use a mirror and paint your portrait only using the shapes you see in in the light and shadows. My prof. suggested to use black and white to paint the shapes and shades, then covered the image with a toned glaze. There was no need to  create all the shades with color and waste a bunch of paint. The background and vines I painted in to fill in the space and show some of the skills we had been taught. The second self portrait was to distort a polaroid photograph of your self and paint it. This was a fun assignment. The task also was to only paint the shapes you see. in this one there was no glaze used. and all the tones are colors mixed.

We had done several still life studies, and used all kinds of lighting, and objects, I am not certain what I did with all my studies, but I had kept this one.The assignment was to paint a still life, and apply one of the techniques we had learned. I painted  pottery and bottles using a "Picasso" geometric "Cubist" style.

Another assignment was to research and create a style  of painting. I happened to have a "how to" book on Chinese painting. For this, I used water and ink and a rounded brush. I did several small studies, to show my process and progress and created this for my final piece. For my first attempt ever at This style I am happy with the outcome. There is a lot of technique behind this style, and it takes years to master. When my class had a critique, I recall a couple of the  Chinese exchange students whispering to each other about this painting. It made me very nervous, and worried I made a mockery of them and their culture.  I was informed  that they would never attempt to do anything like this. And were impressed with my effort. (phew)

The last study I found was obviously an abstract.  The task was playing with color and ways to apply it. I love the color in this one, and had fun plastering it on. I honestly do not remember the techniques i used.  It has been ages since i was in this class. I know i did many studies, and do not know what happened to half of them. I think i gave a lot away, and maybe hucked a couple.

Studious in My Studio.

How lucky am I! I have a Studio. A space of my very own to paint, sew, sit, and just be. How exciting! I don't think I have really had a space to call my own that does not require me to put my bed in. Or even to call a "Studio" for that matter. How professional, and mature... I have a Studio. I could say that over and over, to whom ever would listen.
"Hello sir, I have a Studio."
"Oh really your dog died, but did you know that I have a studio!"
"Yes Mrs. Smith, I understand my son gave another the finger today, but lets not forget, I have a studio!" (true story about the finger, my son i tell ya.... sigh, eye roll, cry)

What a momentous moment in my life. My kids are growing, I am furthering my career as a mediator. (real job not just mom duty) We own our home, and I am gaining confidence in myself as a person and artist. This is just like icing on a cake. Its like non insulated, or winterized icing on a cake. Yeah you read that right. My studio is not insulated. Hot as hell in summer, cold as Antarctica in winter. And darker then a cave at night. There is no power or heat. That is the catch. I HAVE a studio, buuut.... I can't be in there on hot days, cold days, or dark days. Only perfect days, well when else would i want to be in there, perfect days are the best days. Nothing can keep me down. As underdeveloped as it is, it is still MINE. and in time, at the right time, it will be perfect.

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” ― Vincent van Gogh

Back in late March, I was asked if i was interested in setting up a booth at a local visual art show. I jumped at the opportunity! Where I live, there is not much for artists. At one time, La Ronge had a store called "Our Place", they used to sell local arts and crafts for commission. There also was  two coffee houses, they hung local works and occasionally featured an artist in residence . Unfortunately, all three businesses are now closed. So when i was offered a chance to exhibit my work in La Ronge I jumped on it. When was I going to get the chance to showcase and possibly sell something in my town. I  gathered my few paintings and got  got a few prints of older works done.
Saturday May 4th 2013, the day started early, 10:00am. I like sleeping and anything that requires me to leave my house before 10:00 am on a Saturday is an early day. It ran until 5:00, (I left early, what can i say its Saturday) It was located at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre (another reason why i was anxious to get there late and leave early i work there all week, 8:30-5:00) There was no cost to the artist! and was free to the community. YAY!

There were 6 artists:

Corey Hardcastle (Photography) http://www.coreyhardcastlephotography.ca/
Caron Giesbrecht (sp) (Nature Painting) imagesbycaron@sasktel.net
Destiny Schafer (portraiture realism)
Myles Charles (trapoline art, realism, nature)
Kathleen Keating (fantasy, portraiture) KathleenKeatingart.ca
and myself  Harmony Johnson-Harder.

The mix of artists was refreshing, we all contributed something different, and uniquely our own. Destiny Shafer a young painter blew us all away with her talent, and humility. She also was laughing to the bank at the end of the day.  The next show Destiny is at, I am following her. At least I know that when people come to buy her work they will be forced to look at mine on their way. :) I would have made the most money if i charged everyone a dollar for each time they said "I did not know you are an artist"
 
It was a nice Saturday, I visited with other local artists, learned a lesson or two from the infamous Myles Charles, and exposed myself to the community (artistically speaking not physically, you pervert you) Putting myself out there is still a little nerve wrecking, and I cringe a little when I think about it. Hell, this blog still makes me a little nervous....having all your eyes peering in on me and judging me on my bad spelling and grammar.  AHHHHHHH........ But I need to remind myself how else am i gonna get people to stop saying. " I did not know you were an artist" and how else am I going to learn grow and evolve, not only as an artist, but as a human.





I have the following prints for sale:

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00