Welcome and thank you to all new subscribers! We're in the middle of a party so please grab a beverage… I'm in the midst of sharing some of the fine art I've made for an upcoming exhibit, titled Figures Of Speech, at the Caplan Art Designs Gallery. My exhibit opens Oct 5 … Anyhoo in my last newsletter I began describing how common phrases and figures of speech inspired all of my 25 artworks: 23 paintings and 2 sculptures for my exhibit.
Here are some more common phrases I contemplated and the resulting artwork I created by hand using ink, gouache and sometimes acrylic. The phrase is also the painting title.
“In The Meantime”
“When Pigs Fly"
“White Elephant”
“Peanut Boater”
“Red Eye Gravy Train”
Besides pigs and elephants in my exhibit there are also my paintings with characters of rabbits, ducks, cats, dogs and even some bugs.
Here's some rabbits. I think this is a clickable image-link, at least I hope so, the music and my artwork together are funny….👇 (backup link here)
For my new subscribers: typically in this newsletter I share my sketchbook pages. Sometimes, but not always, they lead towards what I create as fine art. So you can see what I mean here below is a video I did showing my sketchbook pages and the resulting artwork. This video is from the first segment, in June/July this year, of my Figures of Speech exhibit which is continuing with some new work the month of October at Caplan Art Designs. (The opening reception is Oct 5 from 6 to 9 pm and I must repeat this like a mantra even in my sleep between now and then. I beg my readers indulgence.)
Now about being a green dragon:
I am a green dragon first and foremost. Meaning that I use my heart, mind and imagination together as my way of relating to myself and the world. I'd rather be making stuff, drawing and writing, than almost anything else so it's a good lens with which to view my own thoughts and to explore the world. Art making is also how I connect to my friends and think about things or events, in the external world.
Yes, it’s like this…
Currently I'm in the “public relations", communications, non-stop talking phase of creating a fine art exhibit. See aforementioned naming of the time and place of the exhibit. Oh, alright! I'll mention it again: October 5th, opening reception 6 to 9 pm at Caplan Art Designs. Exhibt runs the entire month. There. Can I hide now? 😁
I define “hiding" as time offline, taking breaks or pursuing a creative project without interruptions from the external world. It's just me, my thoughts and my imagination. It's where I listen for my own voice. It's where it's okay to be imperfect and to play.
My regular sketchbook mornings could be called a “hiding” place… the output of which, as I mentioned, often leads to the fine art I create and share but I don't do that on purpose. I don't have a transactional relationship with my sketchbook. It is not required to “lead to something”.
I share my sketchbooks and my fine art as an act of friendship, of hope and optimism. This note I have thumbtacked to my studio wall describes my thoughts best.
Here below are some sketchbook pages that are more typically what I share in my newsletters. Also, I usually don't do as much typewritten verbiage as is in this newsletter. I'm in the communications phase like I mentioned…😁
Besides my morning sketchbook activity sometimes I draw a tree. These are tiny paintings … please notice how large my coffee cup is comparatively.
Fyi: I don't put a lot behind a paywall, I trust that if you like what I do and you're able to support me somehow that you will. However my next newsletter will contain, for paying subscribers, an ebook of my exhibit Figures Of Speech. I've enabled 7 day free trials so that even if you can't afford a subscription you can still get my exhibit ebook if you want it. Thank you so much for all of your support and your many kind comments!
And thank you for partying with me today! I hope your weekend is as pleasant as possible.
Another stunning post, Sue. I love the stories behind the stories, the puns behind the art, the real life, the humanity, the sheer CLANCY of it all. Thank you. 😘
Although I'm located a whopping 4,948 miles from Portland please know that I'll be at Caplan Arts in spirit!
I love what you're doing Sue and have attempted to "restack" this post. Still learning my way around that process :-). The one quote spoke to me in a loud voice... "Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide. Donald Winnicott ART@LIFE". Thank you!