The Lonely Life of an Artist?

When I first left my job three years ago, April 1st, my husband and I were both concerned about how I would deal with the loss of socialization that would occur due to the many hours that I would be locked away in my studio painting.  I think this is often the stereo type attributed to artists. I'm a social animal and I need my peeps. What I have found is that art can be an extremely social field.

It is true, that there are hours where I am alone in my studio with just the cat and dog to keep me company. I crave to have big chunks of time to paint alone now. When I am lonely I simply turn on a pod cast or call a friend to chat awhile while I paint. See, that's the big surprise in all of this... I love painting with other people.  I still love to put on the head phones and isolate from the world but the surprise is painting in public, hosting classes or meeting people at shows.

I love all the new people that have entered 

my life, all in the name of art.

I spent all day yesterday doing taxes and cleaning palettes. Okay bad example! No seriously, I'm getting ready for my plate painting class at 317 Studio & Gallery on Thursday. I'm finding that I can't keep up with the cleaning of palettes because of the many classes that I have been doing.

My last class was at Wesley Willows at the end of March. What a delightful group of women I met. They actually get together every Wednesday to paint and I'm looking forward to joining them soon for an afternoon of friendship.

     

 











This weekend is Spring Art Scene in Rockford!

With the temperatures expected to hit the seventies after several days of April snow storms this will be one incredible city wide party. Art scene always is a great place for the community to take to the streets and visit the 25+ places that are displaying art, food and wine. I will be a 317 Studio & Gallery this time. I've been told it hosts one of the best parties with live music, food, wine and of course, art. I can't wait! Art scene is a great way to connect with friends and there is always some kind of surprise or bonus meeting. One year I met a childhood friend that used to live 3 houses away. Can you believe it - she moved to Rockford.
 Here is the FB page.

 

Let me pour you a glass of wine on Friday night between 7 - 9pm and introduce you to many of the fine artists I have come to know. 



 
One of my new friends is Lisa Loudin of Soul Spa. We're joining forces on a few new projects coming your way next month and in July. I'll tell you more about that on Thursday. Or maybe I'll just hurry up and write my post today. I'm so excited about it I can't wait to tell you!





With all these art parties is there any 
time for family? Always.
I just spent a whole week in Columbus enjoying the company of my five beautiful sisters.  

Top: Lynn, Jill, Terri, Kim. Bottom: Diane, Karen

On Monday of that week, my daughter, Beth and her fiance returned from a weekend in San Diego. Matt and I got to spend a few days with them. We presented Beth with a "bride to be" kit to help her plan her wedding.

Beth and Matt

So I guess I'm socializing enough... awwww. What's enough? Give me a call... we'll paint together sometime.

Next week it's on to Unforgettable... another great art event that takes place in Rockford.

An Unforgettable Day

A good cause and a great day at the

Unforgettable Art - an Affair for Alzheimer's event.

This year's UA was held at U of I Medical Center, such a beautiful location. I had the best seat in the place where I could almost see everything... and what incredible work did I see! I couldn't believe the talent and so wanted to run around and talk to everyone but didn't.
My work typically takes several days so I was anxious to get going.

Cristi Kniess

Beverly Broyles

 My piece started out slow as I first drew it out with masking fluid.









I bathed the canvas in color and so started it's ugly phase.  I learned something when Cristi came over and said,"Let's get some chocolate". Now Cristi is probably 100 pounds if that and I'm pretty sure rarely eats sugar. But she wanted sugar. I always knew almost every artist's work will have an ugly phase- I just didn't know it was at about the same time in everyone's works.





Interestingly enough even Jim, who's work I had been admiring all day was going through a period of frustration. I certainly didn't see it in his work. Anyway, everyone managed to push through it, whatever challenges they may have had and the night went on.

The band started playing, the people started coming and the wine and h'orderves were served. We all finished our
 pieces. I had about 15 minutes to spare.

 

Matt and Mark

R L Webber

Marsha

Ron Clevenger

ChuckGregory

The evening ended with the auctioning 

off of everyone's works. 

Very exciting.
And all for a wonderful cause.

My Composition Remains a bit Forgettable

Unforgettable Art is in two days and I'm still playing with the composition of my painting.

Samantha and Mark felt this one had too much grass so I'm leaving this one as it is for now and trying another piece with less grass and bigger flowers. I'll get back to it later - after the show.

I realize that I don't have to have this perfectly planned out before the event. For me, finishing a painting of this size (12" x 24") in one day is a bit unusual. Besides, it sounds like a great party and I'll be wanting to go around and see what everyone else is painting. There will be a lot of artists to meet and that's all before 6PM. At 6 I"ll want to be finishing up the work and available to talk with the guests. And let's not forget this is a fundraiser, so I'll want to produce something people will be willing to buy. I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures to share later. It should be great fun.