not so sweet dreams

I finished a painting today that was inspired by the creepy whale dreams I tend to have. Had a good time painting in a more relaxed style and letting things just happen. Here's a few pics of the finished piece...

~ eye should start building some wood panels in the next few weeks...think I want to work much bigger soon.

art walks and painting more

Been playing around with several paintings this last week. I kind of like going from one to the next and back again whenever I feel like it. Maybe I'll post some pics when I'm done with them.

Also made it to a couple of Art Walks in the last few weeks (Riverside and Pomona). Nice to get out and see some different art up close. Next month Pomona's should be pretty cool. Hear they're having an all-girl Day of the Dead show, and hopefully the weather will be better so more galleries will be open.

They have one every 2nd Saturday of the month in downtown Pomona, for anyone interested in checking it out. Riverside's is the 1st Thursday of each month.

Here's a few more older sketchbook pics (haven't been drawing much in it lately)...

~ eye should try to finish up at least one painting by next week.

going with the flow

I’m all over the place with my art right now, and I’m trying to just go with it.  Feeling a little pressure to keep on track with getting pieces done, but I’m really wanting to just mess around more, and not worry so much about detail work or accuracy.  I've put my current painting to the side the last few days to sketch more and see where it takes me.

I'm really inspired by Jesse Reno and another similar artist, Mitsi B, right now.  You can check them out here...

I love the way these two paint…going from one feeling to the next, and layer after layer.  I’ve always been into art with this kind of energy, but find it such a hard quality to achieve in my own work.  I usually end up back working details to death.  Don’t get me wrong…I enjoy detail work at times, and find it sort of meditative, but I’d love to somehow combine the best of both worlds…getting all that energy out, and working tighter in spots.

I’ve been taking a Paint Free class (where I came across Mitsi's art) for a few weeks now in an attempt to loosen up my approach.  I think working larger would help me some too, but who knows…I could end up nose to canvas/panel, working on little sections for hours.

~ I’m thinking eye should dig out some big wooden boards that I’ve had in my closet too long, throw some music on, and see what I come up with.

more sketches...

~ eye should try to head to an art walk soon...maybe Riverside's tomorrow if they're doing one.  I haven't gotten out to see some art in person for awhile.

here's a few more pages from my sketchbook...

ah, memories of me and my twin, Jen, with our sideways pony tails growing up..thanks Mom
Ya know, I really miss our Smurfette rubber bands though...
I'd probably find some excuse to sport those now if I still had them ; )