Answers In the Most Unusual Ways

I have multiple sketchbooks. What artist doesn't? Now this does not mean that everything in an artists' sketchbook is meant to be shared with the world at large. I have hundreds of scribbly things that, thankfully, have never been shared with anyone. When I'm bored/stumped/afraid/pensive, etc; I will let my mind wander on the sketchbook page. I just draw what naturally wants to come out. I'm sure psychologists would have a field day in my sketchbooks.

Throughout the years I've returned to this idea of solitude. You have seen my previous post on 'Woman Hut'. The concept of having a quiet place to work and mull has always appealed to me. I know a lot of others who share this desire.

I'm normally a very gregarious person. Ask anyone who knows me. But there are times when you just want to be alone to create. To do what you want without anyone needing you for anything. It seems just as soon as I get in the groove of painting, drawing, inking - someone would need me for something. Phones ring, doorbells chime, voices callout and all manner of cacophony ensues causing the Muse to leave - abruptly - leaving me frustrated.

The above sketch is from one of my older sketchbooks - about 1995. At the time I was thinking about how nice it would be to have a small cottage - shell pink - that was perched on a cliff beside the sea. A place where the days were spent in happy creativity. Once a week a walk to the market to purchase needed food and art supplies. This image just came to me one day. Out of the blue. I didn't know why my brain chose this setting over others. I live in the mountains. Rolling foothills of the Appalachians. While I love trips to the beach, I am always so happy to be back in the lushness of the mountains again. And the mountains have lots of hollers for hiding out!

This morning I was checking my Google Reader, I saw this image posted by Tour Scotland Photographs I immediately thought of my little sketch of my cottage on the cliff. Even though there are multiple buildings in this one, there is something about the composition and atmosphere that made me remember my old sketch. Maybe I'll revisit this sketch and turn it into a real painting or better yet an entire story! Thanks for posting this photo. It makes me more determined to get to Scotland.

Where do our personal inspirations come from...and where will they take us if we allow them?

Wildflowers & Scotland

This morning I've been going through my blog feeds. I have several blogs that I follow and try to scan them with frequency. I recently added Gilmore House Bed and Breakfast in Scotland to my must read list.

I am a follower of all things Celtic, and although I've never been (yet), Scotland feels like home to me. And after seeing some of the photos posted on the Gilmore House blog, I understand why my ancestors settled in these mountains and valleys of East Tennessee and why I feel such an attachment to Scotland. It reminded them of home and awakens the genetic memories for me.

I don't know if Scotland has trillium within its wooded glens, but here is a sketch of one I did from our beloved Appalachians. I had one appear in my yard last year. I looked for it this year, but could not find it. I was told that they don't bloom the first year and will smell lemony when they do. I hope it comes back!

Birthdays and Cakes

It has been birthday season around here again. This year the boys enjoyed a special cake made just for them by my friend, Rebecca Rysewyk. Rebecca makes lovely cakes that are as delicious as they are unique. If you are wanting a cake with more personality than the normal store-bought or bakery cakes, check out her website Cakes By Rebecca

So I Says...

During my 'down' time I like to sketch in my sketchbook to keep my drawing skills honed. Sometimes I'll draw from a still-life, but on some days that feels too much like work. I like to 'defrag' as I call it, with nonsensical creatures, places, or objects. Words or phrases find their way into my work. If the radio or television is on a snippet of that can be seen.

Other than I have a weird and vivid imagination, I cannot tell you the why of how these two unlikely characters came to inhabit this briny-deep space. I just start doodling and let the pencil and paper tell me what it wants. This is one of yesterday's creations.

As I was drawing them the big ugly guy seemed to be telling the chicken-of-the-sea fellow a story - I wondered what they would be talking about. I thought we most likely would not want to hang around too long to find out, so just a phrase would be enough. Something that would let the viewer fill in the blanks, but could also stand alone.

The more I worked on the sketch, the more I thought...Really? So in honor of a friend of mine who I had a "Really?" conversation with not long ago, I give you "So I Says to the Captain...Really?"

Hope you enjoy. Be Creative, Be Whimsical, Be Imaginative!

Artist Hideouts

Sketch of artist's studio "MadJane's Magic Show" a gypsy wagon type building from Sandra VanWinkle

Everyone thinks if you work at home you have it all. Well, this is true. You do have it all. You just don't want it all. At least, not in front of you begging to be done, finished, washed, picked-up, etc. Working from home can be great, but sometimes separating the housework from the artwork gets tricky.

There are some tough souls who can determinedly work on projects without allowing the two worlds to overlap. This takes a great deal of perseverance, dedication, time management, and focus. Unless I'm on a tight deadline, I don't do so well in these areas. I will doodle around a bit, get thirsty, get up to get something to drink and then lose the day entirely.

While getting the drink I think - "I may as well load those few dishes into the dishwasher", then I will notice the fridge needs a wipe down, the mail needs sorting, did I start the dryer in the basement? well before I go down there I may as well get all the clothes from the clothes hamper in the master bath upstairs - after loading the clothes washer I pass the broom - hmmm does the front porch need a sweep? may as well take care of that while I'm up. And so it goes and so goes my day.

I know that it will be the same no matter where I work. I'm just one of those mind-jabberers who can't shut it off. I jump around from one thought to the next. I do get things done -eventually- but I'm constantly thinking about my next task, next drawing, next doodle, next painting, next technology course, next class, all in a stream-of-consciousness way. Kinda like a kaleidoscope.

Knowing this about myself does not keep me from dreaming of unique little cottages to work from. I used to tease about "Woman Hut". I gave birth to three sons, grew-up with brothers, have worked in mostly male dominant 'day' jobs, so I longed for a space that was just mine and more feminine in overall atmosphere. I used to joke about it being all shell-pink and white. But, in reality, I'm more gypsy/steam punk meets Neil Gaiman than Martha Stewart.

VelvetRustica (tm) is descriptive of my style. Opulence without fru-fru. Cinnamon-y coppers, lush plums, patinas of verde-gris, moss-covered stone, peeling painted surfaces, dark coffee colors mixed with antique lace. Addams family+MadScientist Lab+Romanian Castle+Faerie all rolled into a very delicious mix. I prefer my wild wood growing roses to the perfect and finicky hybrids. I like brambly landscapes mixed with small areas of manicured lawn. I like chaos. I like textures. It all keeps the creative juices flowing. Gives you something to think about.

A few years ago I decided that one day I would build a little artist's studio. It would be on our property deep in the woods. Far enough from the main house to make it feel like I was going to work. I could pack my lunch, take a thermos and head off to play the day away. I would not allow phones or computers or electricity. I would come 'home' when the light grew too dim to work by and my mind was depleted of ideas for the day. Still dreaming about it.

Because I believe "waste not, want not" I have always loved found-object art. This also includes building. I have started a great collection of windows, small building rafters, 2x4s, plywood, brick, stones, etc to build my dream studio. Ultimately, the materials will determine the final structure. That does not stop me from drawing sketches of what I might build if I had the time and specific materials.

Above is one of my many sketches of ideas for my hideout. I'm still gathering materials. I will continue to doodle new ideas. I have several books, magazines, articles, internet sites, and other reference materials to keep me busy with my dream for a long time. I will post other drawings from time to time and maybe someday a photo album of the real deal.

Hope all your dreams come true!

Tools for Artists

Illustrating a Cowboy in Photoshop and Illustrator from Jelle Gijsberts on Vimeo.

Take a look at how this artist is using Adobe Illustrator. I think you will like this. There are a lot of good illustrators and artists using these tools in amazing ways.

I love Adobe Illustrator. It is such a versatile tool for today's artists. I can not help but imagine how the Great Masters (Rembrandt, daVinci, Durer) would utilize this amazing tool. I think they would love the ability to create and manipulate their concepts these programs.

Illustrator is not for the faint of heart. But once you understand it, you wonder how you ever created without it. My students whine about it when I first introduce them to the wonders of Bezier and vectors. Most of them have had some exposure to Photoshop and think that Illustrator is just a different version of it. Wrong. The students come around after a few lessons and learn the power of vectors!

Hope you enjoy this video.

Knoxville Permaculture Guild

I just joined Knoxville Permaculture Guild
I took the above image of a Wyandotte hen a few years ago. This is a photoillustration. It consists of a composite of the photo of the hen and a shot of my backyard woods. I thought it would make a fitting image for my Permaculture page site.
Check out Knoxville Permaculture to learn more about it.