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Into the Wood, 2007

watercolor and gouache on arches

41" x 25"

After mulling it over for a while, I've decided to start this blog to supplement my more old-timey art writing practices.  So here goes:

I spent all last week away from my studio, teaching at a school vacation arts program.  A studio hiatus is always a bit nerve-wracking for me, no matter how much fun I'm having.  Will I return to find that my work is ugly? Or formally irreconcilable?!  Or trite?!!  I never know how my perspective will change with a little distance.  I had also been feeling a little uncertain about the work the previous week.  I was feeling kind of all over the place, like I was slowly, aimlessly picking away at too many ideas at once.  AND I was too close to the work to be sure if I liked it technically.  So imagine my relief--no, imagine my ELATION when I returned to find that I really, really love how my current pieces are coming along so far.  Here's one example (pardon the poor photo quality):

this one is going to be part of the "Into the Wood" series.  All I need to do is add a few more birdcages on the left and paint bean plants growing up out of all of the birdcages.  I'll also add some critters, like the key deer in "Into the Wood."  I think this one will have a lot of luna moths.  And birds, of course!