The Landscape: New Work

'The artist does not see things as they are, but as he is.' ~Alfred Tonnelle

Fall has arrived; summer a blur of warm days. The sun shines today in a high blue sky; the morning mists long gone. Leaves and acorns are beginning to fall, a crescendo of rustle and nature's songs, reminding me that change always comes. Fall tends to make me pensive, thinking. All seasons have their own beauty, their own 'feel'. Again, I'm reminded of the shortness of life, and the continuing drive to make art while here...to stay true to purpose and course. This is one of a number of smaller oil paintings I've worked on lately to get ready to send out into the world. Some have cold wax: all have many layers.

Art Exhibit: Upstairs Artspace

"Something To Crow About" and "New Waves" will be on exhibit through May 28 at the Upstairs Artspace, a contemporary, non-profit art gallery downtown Tryon, NC. That's my sculpture "Crow Angel" in the window, composed of barbed wire, concrete, steel mesh, and other elements with fired clay crows. Enjoy the show if you're in the area! There are many notable artists in both exhibits; truly something for everyone.

Spring Ahead

While the silver fog hangs low over town today as rain drips off my front porch roof, I can see hints of tender green budding out, daffodils smiling, and my heart knows spring is coming. It's been a long winter here; month by month I remind myself if I can just make it a little longer through the cold days, spring will come. The heart blooms. There are paintings to be done; any kind of blue sky sunshine-kissed day will find me outside painting. Yard work is a distant side chore! While it needs to be done, somehow I am reminded that my clear purpose in life is to make art, which seems more and more pertinent in the state of events throughout the world. Simple, clear, connected: the thought is direct and pure as a bird call upon the early morning silence. Make art: live. Here is a photo I just took of a Nora Ephron novel amid pink roses...both things I love: delicious books, fresh flowers, vases of brushes in the house.
“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~ Mary Oliver

Hope of Spring

Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.
~Theodore Roethke

The day dawns sunny, with promises of spring in the chill February air. Frost sparkles on crushed winter grass, but the dogwood buds turn their hearts to the blue sky above, waiting, like I do. Upon discovering a delicate blue flower out in the snow melt, the first flower of spring ahead, I smiled. Despite the harshness of winter, there is hope of spring ahead, of promises. Warmer days will get me outside to paint new canvases and work with clay in the sunshine. On nice days, I can set up my art out on the back deck, and spend the whole day working. Those are the best of days: simple, in the 'zone'...timeless. Birds singing, the rustle of quiet breeze through tree leaves. Warmth touching the spirit. Art is what saves me, through the hardest of times: it's a form of therapy and my way of giving back to the world. Artists do that; whether they are writers, musicians, poets, visual artists, you name it. There it is: what they create and send forth. May spring find your heart this day, wherever you are.