After Steven Meisel

This is the largest marker drawing I have ever attempted.  Markers make for a tough medium. It's difficult to get flat color and smooth transitions, but they are fun to work with.  

I have been staring at this picture now and again since it first was printed in the Italian Vogue in 2000.  It is one of a large selection of Steven Meisel shots from a pretty interesting series which included NO copy.  Those crazy europeans.  Anyway, I love that this model has the same haircut my mom has been wearing for years.  

I am tempted to post a picture of my studio as it sits so you can see why I'm not in there painting.  It's a friggin' MESS.  One of my New Years resolutions - throw out everything. 

Anais Nin

Like it or not this woman is one of my heros. She was...crazy... but she was crazy amazing.

..and relief washes over me in an awesome wave

I learned an important lesson the hard way.  Saying no upfront is a lot easier than living in agony for two months and then saying 'ok, no'.  I just want to go on record saying, no non-portrait commissions for me.  Anyway, happy day, I am free to paint for myself again.  

In celebration, please enjoy this pretty picture by Steven Meisel.

A productive and very fragrant day

Today I helped a friend put together her store on Etsy.  Tara handmakes her own soaps and they are AWESOME.   Check it out:  www.splintsanddaisies.etsy.com  

What are you doing here?

Two new products

Prismacolor colorless blender and the 005 Pigma Micron. (Somebody went to Michael's today!) I made this as a gift for someone's little girl. Thought it was cute. I'm obsessed with those neo-classical era miniature portraits, I'm channeling Jane Austen these days.

Mary Cassatt - Surprise! She's awesome.

I was perusing a bookstore a few months ago and ran across a book of prints by Mary Cassatt. I was stunned by these images. Apparently after studying here in Philadelphia at PAFA, she went to Europe and was exposed to an exhibition of Japanese prints, which prompted these works. I think they are beautiful and, dare I say, a little edgy!

As a young female artist, I always had a soft spot for her work, mainly because there weren't a lot of famous women painters to look up to, at least not that I was exposed to. The fact that I didn't know these existed until just this year really bothered me, they are amazing! I think you get a much better sense of her skill at composition in these prints. I am exploring the use of pattern in composition so I have been staring at these pretty frequently. There are several more, and many are even better, but I had a hard time finding great images for this post.

In my non-specific, ill-informed mind, the name "Mary Cassatt" always evoked a kind of school-marmish, aww isn't that sweet but a little pukey notion. Now I when I hear her name, I'll think of her more as my nineteenth century skanky-haired, bracelet-wearing, madonna-ish pop-icon painter.

Happily, art history is being re-written to include more women that we never heard about. Which I think is great, because damn-it, young girls need heros too.

UPDATE: see new images. Or, go visit the site: http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/cassatt/cassatt-main1.html

Something New

I liked this drawing and format because it looked like the girl is looking in the mirror on her way out the door. Matt thinks it looks exactly like me.

and the winner is......... ME!! with "Head Cheerleader"

OK, so maybe I'm just a self-proclaimed winner. For anyone who is interested, you can see photos of our 2nd annual pumpkin carving contest here:

http://junglist.org/images/gallery/v/2007/pumpkins/

We're an impressive bunch, I know.

Alex Katz - Freaking AWESOME American Painter

I love Alex Katz's paintings. They always seem so fresh, like they were just painted. Even when elements within them look dated (like clothing) the vibrant colors make them feel current and crisp. I am also fascinated by how absolutely American they feel. Thoughts?

I apologize for my lack of personal painting posts, I have been busy with other things. I have learned to accept the ebb and flow of my work style. Thanks for checking in!

Also, there is a movie about Mr. Katz and his process. I haven't seen it yet - but I hope to check it out soon.