Taking a Leap

5x5 fused glass, In Progress (after 2 firings) 

6x8, in progress, not yet fired

6x12 in progress, not yet fired, first attempt with the glass paint I have been developing.

In progress, experiments with glass paint continued (left 2 pieces) Poppies in progress, 2nd firing

Here are a few recent works in progress, most need another firing or two with additional detail.  I've been working on a variety of ideas lately, but I enjoy working from older black and white photographs I took years ago.  I am continuing my experiments with pigments and fluxes to achieve a paint with a viscosity that I am comfortable working with.  It is time consuming with lots of trial and error and failures, but with each failure I eliminate another variable.  As an added and unplanned for bonus, after taking the pastel workshop last month, I was inspired to also try to develop a line of pastels for use on glass so I am also using the pigments and experimenting with various formulas to achieve a usable pastel that can be fired on glass.  I have learned quickly that accurate measurement and precise note-taking are a must, something my ADD brain fights daily.  I owe much thanks to my good friends Gloria Moses, Laurie Mueller, and Trish Lyons Ansert  who encourage and inspire me to keep trying new things, offering much needed positive input and support.  My new kiln will make a huge impact on the direction I am able to go with my art.  And as always, I am grateful to my loving and patient fiance who trusts that I know where I'm going with this thing called art and taking a leap of faith that I will someday make a living with it :)

Finally, great news! (I saved the best for last) 

I received some unexpected news yesterday (coincidently, or perhaps prophetically, while I was picking up my new kiln at the time)  A couple of months ago I applied for a workshop at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning NY, located in the Finger Lake region of Northern NY. CMOG is the world's largest glass museum and home to The Studio, an internationally renowned facility that offers glass making classes from some of the top glass artists of our time. 

I applied for a week long workshop with artist Catharine Newell called "Taking a Leap"  Catharine is renowned for her use of glass powders in her work, a direction I have been taking recently.  The Corning Museum offers a scholarship program to cover the cost of the workshop and hotel costs for the week, including a day before and a day after the workshop to utilize the research library and museum.  I did not expect to be accepted, let alone get a scholarship for $1,500, covering almost all of the expenses of the week long course.  Needless to say, I am very excited for the opportunity!   

Writing, Symphonies, and an Old Man

"Ernie" 8x10 glass

I have often thought that I should have been a writer instead of an artist.  In college, I loved being given a topic to defend or analyze, or a book to try to derive further meaning. It made me feel smart.  One of my proudest moments was when I received my first graded essay back from my English Composition II professor. Mr. C, (I cannot remember his name for the life of me)(yes, that's a cliche followed by a contraction, both unheard of in formal writing, but cut me some slack, it's a blog ;)

 Anyway, Mr. C proclaimed on the first day of class that he does not give A+ grades and rarely will even give an "A".  I was ok with that. I expected nothing greater than a B anyway, based on my lackluster high school performance in writing. As he handed back the papers, I asked if we could re-write our paper for a better grade.  He ignored my question and continued to hand out the papers.  When he finally returned mine to me, I was shaking in fear that I had failed.  Flipping to the last page,  I was shocked to see the scrawled red  A+ on the last page and lavish words of praise that I did not expect.  After my initial bit of pride and self admiration, I admit I was actually a little disappointed. That was it. A+.  The best there was to earn, to achieve. But it did not sit well with me.   It meant I had nothing else to do; nothing to fix, and worse, nothing to strive for.

 My nature was always to strive to be the the best I could be, whether it be in track, the Navy, art, parenting.  I loved a challenge.   However, a top grade on my first paper of the semester was a bit of a conundrum for me.  I had exceeded my professors expectations right out of the blocks.  How could anything I wrote from that day forward ever compare to the highest grade this professor had ever given in his career and had made very clear that there was no such thing as a perfect paper?

 Confused, and more than a bit intimidated, I approached his desk after class and asked him why did I get a perfect grade when he had been adamant that no such thing existed.  He thought for minute before he spoke: "How could I give anything less to a paper that did not have a single grammatical error but also read like a symphony?" Insecure and very shy back then, I simply nodded and turned away, even more confused. Symphony? I couldn't play chopsticks on the piano, words like symphony were not in my vocabulary.  No grammatical errors? I guarantee a grammar check of this blog post would turn up more than several.

Why do I share this story now?  To be honest, I am not sure.  My intention is certainly not to brag about my high grade achievement in English composition two decades ago at a local college.  I am certain that I have something relevant to share here, but perhaps that is for you to figure out, I simply don't know.  However, here is what prompted this post:

I was inspired to write this when an artist friend posted on her blog her experience this past year as a full time artist after quitting her stable job in the corporate world.  She talked about how grateful she is to be doing what she loves, despite what others said to discourage her from it.  Reading her post, I remembered my love for writing, and questioned myself as to why I never pursued it.    There are many answers I suppose, perhaps you readers might be able to untangle the mystery for me, but for now I am happy pursuing my art.   As I go through the long days in the studio,  I compare each firing of a piece of glass, or each wipe of the canvas to the numerous times I would read and re-read and edit a simple essay to make it perfect.  I realize now that my writing back then was not much different than the paintings I paint, or the glass art I create.  I was perfecting my craft, trying to make a masterpiece.  Writing was easy for me, I suppose that's why I rejected it.  If it wasn't hard work it wasn't worth doing.  When I first started selling my paintings years ago on Ebay( the first year ebay was on the internet), I couldn't keep up with the demand, yet I was uncomfortable with the prices the paintings were selling for, even though the market was dictating the price.  I stopped selling my paintings online to go back to college to be a "real" artist.   I never wanted to be perceived as talented but rather as a hard worker.  It is all I know.  What I didn't know back then was that I was working hard, and had worked very hard to get to the point where I could paint the paintings that seemed to come so easily to me.  I guess I was looking at the sales of my paintings like the A+ on the essay.  I needed a bigger challenge, it was too easy.  (Side note:  If I could go back in time and re do this, I would keep painting and selling and would probably not be typing this blog now.  such is life)

I remember distinctly every paper I wrote for each book we read in that class.  There were 5 of them, the final one being Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.   A short novel, with simple words, it was by far my favorite book to write about.  It is about a young boy who sees an old washed out fisherman struggle to keep doing what he loves even at the very end of his life, and he wants to help him.  The old man resists the boys help, but the boy does not give up trying to help, nor does the old man give up his dream of the "big fish".  Many people see the book as the struggle with man and age, or the relationship with him and the boy,  but I looked at it with the perspective of leaving a legacy.  At the end of his life, the old man wanted to leave his mark, his legacy. Ultimately, his legacy was his impact on the boy, not so much the battle with the fish.   Isn't that what we all want?  To leave a permanent impression or impact on the world when we are gone?  This is why I paint.  I want to leave a legacy, not just in spirit for those who share this brief journey with me, but for generations to come.   So while my art my not speak of social injustice, inequality, current events, gender issues, etc...my art reflects my life, what I love, my family, where I come from, and where I am going. I do not need to paint pictures of worlds not my own, I paint what is within reach and relevent to me.  This is not to say I condemn those that do, because often times it is easier to paint that which we do not know.  I too will paint a subject foriegn to me.  But my body of work, my proudest pieces, will be obvious, and come from the story that is my life.  My art friend commented on a piece that I created that is based on my memories as a young girl growing up in Concord NH.  She asked: "how could you ever part with this piece?"  Referring to : "A Street Called Home", which is a glass collage of all my favorite things, memories, and mental glimpses of the days I spent downtown, I responded: " I have the important memories permanently etched in my brain, I need nothing more that that.  Besides, I can make more art, memories are priceless"  I hope to create more in this series in the months to come.

Thank you Nancy Medina, for your post that reminded me of why I create, and to just keep painting what I love, the rest will follow.  

p.s.I know the time will come that I will realize that I have to write.  I have many stories to tell, but no time to tell them now, I have stories to paint and create.  For now, here is a short one:

"Ernie" is a fused glass piece from a photo I took a few years ago.  I attended a family reunion with a friend where I knew no one else at the picnic.  Feeling a bit awkward, I busied myself with my camera and snapped many photos of people just being people.  Uncle Ernie was the only one at the reunion who tried to get to know me.  He was a truly sincere gentleman, with a smile an acre wide, and the most clear blue eyes I've ever seen.  I've wanted to paint this image of him since the day I took it, and this is my first attempt.  The painting above is in powdered glass, a very difficult medium to control.  There will likely be several more in other media.  This  painting is part of Ernie's legacy, though it is  likely he will never know.  I don't even know if he is still alive, but I hope so. He impacted my life one hot summer day just by being kind to a stranger.  That's legacy enough for me.

In Like a Lion, Out Like A..........

As most mid-westerners know, this winter has been a real bear.  Over the course of the winter, the cold has driven 2 possums, many feral cats, and more recently a skunk into the barn.  The blue jay family warmed themselves under the dryer vent, and the baby doe I stumbled upon in the thicket near the garden this winter are all indications that this will be a winter to be remembered for years to come.  What would the fox say? (I know, terrible joke, but I bet the song will be running through your head for hours to come)  I love poking the proverbial nest.

This weekend I got out of the house for the first time in months....I met 2 of my favorite art peeps Gloria Moses from Chicago, and Trish Lyons Ansert from Louisville in Toledo for a 1 day pastel class at the Toledo Botanical Gardens, hosted by the Toledo Artists Club with pastel Artist Mary Jane Erard. When I saw the posting on facebook for her class, I knew I had to attend.  (No, I am not a pastel artist, I've never painted with pastels, but have given it a few pathetic attempts in the past, only to end up with blurry mud, but I was drawn to her clean colors and very defined lines, brilliant landscapes,and more importantly, it very closely matched the look I've been experimenting with recently in glass.  (more on this later)  I needed a diversion from the experimentation and intense (almost studious) things I've been doing in the lab, (oops, I mean studio) for the past few months.  I've ordered more things that end with "ate" and "ide", complete with health warnings, and use alpha numeric name that rivals my college chemistry course (that I failed).

Mary Jane's course was a perfect respite from the worst winter I've seen in my life (and this is coming from a true Yankee; a New England native who remembers studded winter tires, mile long treks up the mountain with laundry and groceries after the car got stuck at the bottom, and snow until the end of April)

Mary Jane's subject matter, her sunny disposition, well laid out examples and materials and a day in beautiful Toledo Botanical Gardens, albeit frozen, were just the re-charge I needed to feel inspired.  I plan on taking next months class (unless I have a track meet to attend) and many more in the future.  Please let me know if you want to join me!

Here's a bit more news on what I've been up to.  If you are not a glass artist you will likely just want to skip the rest, lest your eyes glaze over in boredom.

As a glass artist, turned oil painter, turned glass-oil painter, I have striven to find the exact medium that fits what I want to accomplish in my creative endeavor.  I have been experimenting with "painting" on glass for years, but after trying nearly all available commercially made materials and or enamels made to paint on glass (and fire to fusing temperature)(not oven temp paints) I have given up on the idea that there exists a product that encompasses not just my goals but the palette and quality that I seek.  Realizing this, I began the painstaking process of breaking down the elements and properties of glass (90 coe for simplicity).  In the process I've stumbled upon many an artist that "paints" in glass.  The stained glass artists paint, but not in the way I would like to paint.  Frit painters "paint", but that is layering and sifting.  Yes it results in a painterly look and effect, but its not painting like one would paint with a brush.  Sgrafitto is more drawing and likened to printmaking.  I went through all of the above techniques, but in all of them, I am forced to think like a glass artist first, not a painter.  I am a painter.  I want the freedom to paint instinctively with a brush and a single stroke, on an easel, on glass, with paint that will fire to fusing temperatures and achieve the look I seek, as a glass artist and oil painter.  Perhaps I am asking too much, but I don't think I am.  This quest has led me to more college science department websites than art sites.  I've learned much, but there is much more to learn.  While I experiment and make mistakes, I am learning.  Every mistake is costly, but I learn something from it.    I will post some trials and errors soon for those interested.  For now, I am happy for the return of my easel's long winter visit in Kentucky, and the generosity and trust of a friend who allowed me a "payment plan" to purchase a much larger kiln to explore my dreams......stay tuned....

No Mistakes, Just Good Lessons.

(all of these photos are views from my yard this winter.)

My front porch in the summer.  Can't wait. :)

Despite my personal pledge to blog more often, I have found myself distracted by art more than ever before.  I spend every waking minute madly working, testing, trying new things, basically toiling away at work that has resulted in very few finished pieces in the last few months.  In the past, I would have been panicked, dismayed even, by my lack of productive results.   But for some reason, this year brings a different set of goals for me.  I used to paint with the goal to finish something each day, to feel like I accomplished something.  I thought that if I finished a painting, regardless of the quality or topic, I would feel complete.  For some reason, this year my mind has made a complete 180.  I no longer need to finish something every day.  In fact, I have many dozens of unfinished "somethings" all ongoing right now, whether it be in glass, oil, or ink.   I don't like the feeling of it, but I push it to the back of my mind telling myself that it doesn't matter;  all of those unfinished works in my pile of tears are Lessons.  No mistakes, just lessons.  I've learned something from every single piece. It's hard for me to believe that I have worked for so many hours every day and have so little to show that is concrete;  i.e, ready to sell.  But I know that every minute I have spent working matters, and will show for itself in time.  I think I am finally learning the art of patience and perhaps discipline.

  Soon, I will post my January and February pile of unfinished tears.  Some I will likely finish, some I will not and they go into the "burn pile".   For now, I am still toiling away, trying to find a solution for some, or giving some the final nod of goodbye.   Despite the harshness of this winter, I have found that it is a sanctuary of sorts for me.  I have had no choice but to hole up in my studio and bundle up in multiple layers much like I did in my youth when I lived in Vermont and New Hampshire. I remember so many early mornings of getting dressed under the covers because our heat was a wood burning stove that we didn't waste time or resources starting in the morning before school.  I remember riding the sled down the mountain, standing it upright in the snow pile to pick up on the way home for the next mornings ride.  I remember the long trudge up the hill on days like this, knowing that the fire would have to be started, and the house would be cold until it was "stoked".  I remember the bus rides, and the smell of sap in March when the sugaring started.  I long for the days that were so simple.  The power was out for a few hours today.  Not because of the weather, but because of a young careless driver who hit the pole in front of our house on a snowy day.  The quiet in the house was deafening, but I felt at peace.  It made me realize why I get agitated when there is so much noise and activity.  Often I thought it was me and over sensitivity.  Perhaps it's not just me.  

    The snow piles that are piled over 10 feet high covering my studio window give me comfort in a strange way.  Perhaps this is part of why I am in a good place right now, in the midst of all this snow and disengagement.  It's as if I've come home.   

Inks and Drinks Michigan Style

To buy this painting click HERE

Headed to Michigan this week to do an Inks and Drinks class in Michigan with fellow artist Laurie Mueller.  Stay tuned for some great pics, Inks and Drinks is always a good time!  Hopefully, Laurie will make this a regular event in her home town.  I also have the privilege of being the artist of the month at the community house so I'll be showing my work there until it's time to put it in the FiYa Studios Pop up Gallery for November and December.  Ever have a feeling like you're on a treadmill that's going too fast and can't get off?  Yep, that's me!  

If you are interested in an Inks and Drinks class and are local to the Findlay Ohio area, you can sign up on the website

If you haven't already checked up my latest shenanigans with glass artist Kelly Alge, we are taking on a big venture and could use your help, check it out and share if you don't mind!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2001219873/fiya-studios-a-pop-up-art-gallery-project

Back From Portland!

(photo taken by Chris Lally)

There are not enough words or photos to describe my Portland experience and if I tried it would be a book, but suffice it to say it was one of the best times of my life and I can hardly wait for a chance to go back. Chris Lally did a fantastic job chronicling the trip daily on her blog so if you are interested in better pictures and more details be sure to visit her blog.  She's an outstanding artist also and her gift for writing just adds to the beauty of her work. Her husband Tim is also an artist and both of them were outstanding hosts and tour guides.  I can't thank them enough.

Here's a little background about the purpose of the trip.  Friend and fellow glass artist Kelly Alge was invited to take an advanced week-long workshop at the prestigious Bullseye Glass Co. located in Portland, OR.  She invited me to come along since she knew I have several art friends there and I could use the time taking lots of photo references for future art. Being a glass artist myself, I was hoping to see some great local glass art (which I did).  After agreeing to come along, I became a little apprehensive as I have in intense phobia of flying.  I almost backed out.  I am so happy that I didn't.  I went to my doctor who told me that many people have this fear and prescribed something to calm my nerves.  Needless to say I slept most of the journey and didn't have one bit of anxiety. So for those who have anxiety about flying, definitely ask your doctor to help you out.  I can't believe I haven't flown for 20 years just from fear.

I'm happy to be back home and get back into painting and art before the summer show rush. I've spent the last few days catching up on housework and yard work and can't wait to plant my garden.   

View from my yard looking west

8x8 oil on panel click HERE to bid

8x8 oil on panel. It was a stormy day so I painted from a photo from last summer. This is a view I see every day and when the hay is near harvest as it is about now it creates an incredible golden contrast to the fresh green of the growing corn and soybeans of neighboring fields. I hope to capture this scene again from a different perspective.

3 In One Blow!

6x6 oil on panel $50

To buy click here

6x6 oil on panel $50

To Buy click here

6x6 oil on panel Bidding starts at $40

To Bid click HERE 

It seems like forever since I've painted when it's actually only been two weeks, but my head hasn't been in it since my boy left for boot camp, and now that it's over I'm BACK!  I have lots of catching up to do as I have several outdoor shows this summer and fall.  I decided to pick up where I left of after Dreama's workshop.  Our final exercise was musical easels and I decided that when I got home from the workshop I would try it out on my own using some of the photos she provided for the exercise.  I did each painting about 5 or so minutes at a time and then moved on to the next one rotating until they were all complete!  It was fun, and it helped to keep me from overworking each one.   I took a break between each pass of the three and was able to see where I needed corrections.....Now I have 3 little lovelies waiting for a new home.  Perfect Mother's Day gift!   Here's my son and I after his Pass in Review, he is now on his way to Pensacola, FL for more training.

Final Day of Dreama's workshop

6x6 oil on panel click to bid

12 x 12 oil on panel click to bid

12 x 12 oil on panel click to bid

Trying to catch up and recover from the workshop with Dreama this past weekend....as always I come home to a lot of household chores that I neglected in the days preceding and while I was gone, so mowing and laundry are tops on my list today.  This cupcake was from the last day and I can't take full credit for it because it was painted by at least ten other artists during "musical easels" which I have to admit was the highlight of the workshop for me!  Everyone got 3 minutes per station until Dreama determined we were finished and when I got back to my easel this was there!!  I'm posting the other two paintings because I think I have better pics of them now.....

Also, for my faithful followers, thank you for your kind comments that I am still trying to catch up and reply to!!  They didn't go unnoticed and I appreciate all of your thoughts!!

Dreama Tolle Perry Workshop in Nashville Day one

First day of the workshop in beautiful Tennessee and I've never heard more southern drawls in one place y'all. Great group of ladies and the two token men at the Nossi school of art and design.

FIRE (Work in Progress Boot Camp Series)

9x12 oil on panel 

As many of you know, my son enlisted in the Navy last month....He will be in boot camp until the end of April.  Having gone through boot camp myself and surviving it with no lasting wounds, I thought this would be a piece of cake....I never anticipated the worry and concern I would feel being on the "other side".  When I was at boot camp 20 something years ago, I was kept so busy there was very little time to think about home.  As a mom, with my son there, the inability to contact or comfort him is very profound....I have a whole new respect for military families now, but especially boot camp Moms.  I have found lots of comfort and support on the Navy For Moms website, but also on the US Navy Recruit Training Command Facebook page, where they post photos of random divisions and recruits regularly...I keep hoping to see my son, but as of yet I haven't....


However, I asked if I might use the photos as reference for paintings and was overjoyed when the answer came back as yes!  I will credit the photogropher when my work is complete, but I'm not quite finished with this one yet, (you can see the peach colored areas that still need work) but I was anxious to get back to blogging, so here is my second in the Navy Boot Camp Series....


Firefighting training....I remember this well, the hose is extremely heavy and strong and requires all the man/woman power shown to manage it.  I remember being quite exhausted and scared after putting out this very real fire.  I really like the composition of this, it has many meanings for me.. First, the guy in red is an experienced Sailor, evidenced by his title on his helmet,  EMC2, he is leading the recruits into danger, yet at the same time, showing them the way....The way they all stand so uniformly represents the trust they have for their teacher/commander.   He knows he must lead them in to the danger while at the same time showing confidence so that they will succeed in the mission....I really like how the position of the subject/focal point's body suggests no fear, while at the same time, the recruits seem frozen....they will go in and fight the fire, there is no doubt, but experience and trust are the running themes here.


I have found myself quite distracted and uninspired with regards to painting since my son left, I imagine it is the worry...the only thing that seems to help is painting what he is going through...It seems to help other moms as well, to see my work....so for now, and until my son is safely out of boot camp, I have  a feeling you will be seeing many similar scenes! Enjoy a glimpse into what goes into training the greatest Navy in the world!

Art in the Round

Oil on 78 vinyl record Click HERE to bid

8x10 oil on panel Click HERE to bid

Last night at our challenge group we decided on 2 challenges for next month, one of them is just using the theme "Green", to be interpreted any way you want.  The other was simply because I have 3 boxes of old 78 vinyl records sitting in the barn taking up space, so you guessed it, painting on the record.   Today I primed several with spray acrylic primer.  When dry I'll sand them and then paint, but I also wanted to see if I could paint straight on the record since it has grooves for a bit of tooth.  It is a very nice surface to paint on, the oils don't get sucked into the board like canvas or gessoboard.  I'm not quite sure how to deal with the hole in the middle yet, in this case, perhaps a worm in the apple?  or clock workings?  Either way, it's pretty darn cool, and for sale.  Bidding starts at $1

I also finished my painting from yesterday.