Pushing Past the Comfort Zone

Sometimes while looking at an old piece of my work I experience a moment of "what if?". Typically during this time my mind wanders to a place other than where I think I should be focused at that given moment in time. Most times the current piece of work is set aside so that the birthing of a new idea can take place. Usually this birthing requires me to "push past my comfort zone" to create something that has been swirling around in my mind sub-consciously. A lot of times the urge to "push past" is accompanied by some fear of messing up what my physical eyes see as a fine piece of work. The "pushing past the comfort zone" I do believe is my spirit yelling out "don't become boring for the sake of safety, dare to be new."

With that being said I'm now "pushing past my comfort zone" into an area that I've desired to go for some time and that's fabric and embellishment. Above is one of my mini mask which originated from a piece done a couple of years ago titled, "The Voyage". The image was scanned, elongated a bit and printed to canvas. Hmmm, what else can you do says Spirit? Well, I immediately thought the mask would look great on a piece of craft felt(can never have too much color). So on to the felt the mask went, but again Spirit spoke and said that's safe and boring. So the mask asked for a few stitches and a shirt. By now the piece has titled itself and asked to be accompanied by the rest of his family members. So the creation of the "Urban Warriors" was born. This series pays tribute to some important unsung heroes...so stay tuned.

1)First image is safe and boring.


2) Responding (on right)to the urge for stitching and embellishment which includes various beads including seed.





3) Now the third image(below) is my response to Spirit when urged to try a digital enhancement which resulted in the woodcut image.


All images on this site are copyrighted.

"Passing The Torch"

Well, last weeks reception at the Rhodes Tower for "Passing On the Torch" was great. There are so many talented artists in Columbus and around the state. Ran into some old friends and met new ones as well. Antoinette of Ancestral Blessings has her dolls showcased in the main entrance behind the security desk...check 'em out. Stephanie Matthews B/W photos are amazing and her website photos of children of the Congo brought tears to my eyes. Textile artist LaVerne Kemp has a wonderful family tree including roots that cascade and trail across the floor. Met painter, Curtis Goldstein, who does some wonderful work...by the way love your paintings of various landmarks around town, especially the old diner in the Short North. Teri T's mixed media work continues to evolve, while one of Aaron T's paintings is coming home with me. Lauren Luna's black and white paintings are also evolving...And of course, I have to thank all the ladies from SOTA(Sistahs of the Arts) for coming out and supporting us...Freda, Nora, Xantha and Voszi. The exhibit is up through the end of the month if you haven't had a chance to catch it.

My Heart's Desire

What's the object of my heart's desire? Depends on what day you ask me...but typically my heart's desire is to honor God in all that I do...learn to love as Christ loved(unconditionally). Thought I had that one down until the end of last year when God made it so apparent to me that I wasn't "walking in love." I'd been estranged from a family member for too long and God wanted restoration to take place in my family. It's amazing how an act of restoration could impact my art.

All I know is that the work has been jumping off my table since making peace with my family member. Sometimes we encounter offenses in our lives that we feel are too great to forgive...the nonsensical killing of a loved one...spurned love...or someone who just didn't treat us right! Sometimes we don't even remember the original offense 'cause we're just plain old mad. What I've come to realize is that my unforgiving spirit was a huge stumbling block. Got anyone you need to forgive?

On a different note have two pieces along with sistah artist Antoinette at the "Passing the Torch" exhibition for Black History Month. Looking forward to the reception this week. Included in the exhibit which features 60+ artists from Ohio are my two pieces titled "Rose" and "Domestic".




Both "Rose" and "The Domestic" were from my first large solo exhibition in 2007. With both of these pieces I was exploring some different techniques with my collage work. "Rose" was the first time I experimented with the use of bees wax and melted crayon. The outline of her body is black fabric, while the rest of the clothing and accessories utilize paper towel, vintage wallpaper and buttons. Her face is again my collage and acrylic with color pencil on black fabric. After completing her I covered the entire stretched canvas in melted bees wax. The background began with a bright red(you know I luv some red) and then a layer of walnut dye was brushed on. "Rose" is a hard worker but makes a point to never miss church on Sundays.

"The Domestic" actually began with a piece of archival fome core that I normally use as backing when framing. It has a couple of layers of green paint with a reddish brown acrylic added with a sponge for the background. The face is the collage on fabric with acrylic. She was fun to do and yes, it's a woman (she's been mistaken for a male on many occasions) she's not had an easy life. Clothing is white duck cloth, buttons and paint for the shading. She pays tribute to all our mothers and grandmothers who have done "day work". Cooking, cleaning, ironing and looking after other peoples children.

So, guess you could say right now my heart's desire is to continue birthing these art pieces and trying to discover all that's within.

CAST OFF!

Well, the cast is off and I did a rather odd thing(not unusual for me)as I was leaving the exam room...I tapped the discarded cast with the tip of my crutch, as it was laying on the floor and told it good-bye. Mind you, this piece of fiberglass had become a part of my life for the past three weeks. It continued to hug my left leg even when I didn't like it's presence and had said so out loud or when I felt like crying because "my life" had been so annoyingly disrupted as a result of it's undying devotion to me.

I can't begin to share how many lessons I've learned over these "few" weeks...about myself, my family, priorities and how time is spent. One of the greatest lessons happened Wednesday around noon when I said a quick good-bye to the cast. Webster's dictionary shows one definition as, cast: to throw off, out, or away : as (1): to get rid of : DISCARD (2) SHED, MOLT (a snake casts its skin). I feel as though I cast off old ways of thinking about myself as an artist...yes, I am becoming more business minded, organized and productive.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
- Marianne Williamson (from the film "Akeelah and the Bee")

"HARD CAST BLUES" COUNTDOWN

Hmmm...four more days until my next visit to the doctor to check the status of my ankle and to see if the hard cast comes off. Can't believe that I'm actually enjoying this time in a way. One of the reasons is that I've learned how much time I waste on a daily basis due to distractions, running around in the grocery and art supply stores, etc. Having these weeks of convalescence has also given me time to think about the importance of organization in my studio...OK Antoinette, now that your studio is done can I get on your list for help? As a working artist, organization is crucial and can translate into a loss of income as a direct result of wasted time in your work space. I'm amazed at how many pieces of work I'm completing on a daily basis. I've continued to work on "boxart" for the "Dancing Divas" and "Masks" series with much hope that the work will continue to evolve over the next few weeks. The colors are vibrant and have a cazy energy about them that I love.

A couple of weeks ago I was writing about the "Hard Cast Blues" because I felt like whining a little and handling the crutches was a lot harder than I'd expected and hey...Mom needed some attention! By day 4 I realized the sympathy wasn't coming from anyone in this house(they're a tough bunch)and that I'd better figure out the crutches fast before I broke my neck! By the way my son told me he has a greater appreciation for me and what I do for the family...OK, they're not so tough after all. The"Hard Cast Blues" may take on a different meaning once I'm able to return to my normal routine(laundry, transporting our son, cooking, cleaning, working, etc.)and all those things that seem at times to interfere with the creative flow.

Well,the 'ole camera batteries are dead...need to get some before Wednesday so I can post shots of recent works and the cast of course!

LOOK OUT ...WE HAD AN ART ATTACK!

Well, last Saturday Antoinette and Nicki dropped by in the early afternoon with a delicious Caribbean lunch from Ms. Ena's and their art supplies in hand. Nicki(artist and jewelry designer) came prepared with a beautiful black handbag filled with her infamous puff paints, while Antoinette(doll maker and seamstress) brought cowrie shells, cloth, needle and thread. Since I'm still unable to move about much(see Hard Cast Blues post)they were good for both my sanity and creative juices.

After lunch my husband brought the latest issue of Cloth*Paper Scissors in from the mailbox...right on time. In the January/February issue is an article by Alisa Burke called Paper&Plastic, which outlines how to make some funky handbags out of plastic grocery bags. We decided to give the technique a try and it actually worked quite well,but we never got as far as constructing the actual purse. Needless to say the plastic bag fusing technique held so much promise that we found ourselves looking at a plastic bustier, bows, faces and beautiful lacy textures that would serve as phenomenal backgrounds in my collage work. It's amazing to find yet another opportunity to recycle another throw away item. Probably sent my youngest daughter up the stairs looking for more precious items(washers, screw eyes, small canvasses,etc.) that would be added to the heaping pile of materials we shared over the next eight hours or so, more times than I can remember.Imaginations and creative juices flowed as we huddled over the kitchen table grooving to music, talking and making art in "the zone" until 11:30 p.m.


Yes, how time does fly when you're having fun! Talking about having an art attack...yes, it was quite an experience. By the time the evening had wound down, pizza and wings had been consumed along with coffee and those delicious Godiva biscuits Olivia sent me. We looked at what we had created, new techniques learned, insight we had gleaned from each others creative flow and realized the importance of sharing and encouraging each other as artists. In the meantime I'm looking forward to the next Art Attack!

God Bless and Happy New Year!

"HARD CAST BLUES"

Two days ago, in order to heal a torn ankle tendon, a hard cast was placed on my left leg. If I had been given the gift of music, this current challenge would probably cause me to pen a tune titled, "Hard Cast Blues." Anyhow, for the next four weeks my mind is being challenged to find some means of creating art around the cumbersome cast and crutches...did I mention while keeping my leg elevated?

O.K. so my plans include continuing the new series with "box art" pieces that I began a few weeks ago..."Dancing Divas". "Box art" is the term I created about 8 years ago to explain the process of recycling discarded comsumer packages into art. The process involves cutting up a cereal box for example, drawing on top of the existing images, then re-assembling the designed pieces into a new artwork. Earlier images posted here utilize that method of art. Well, here's to the next 28 days of creating to the tune of the "Hard Cast Blues".

ART-A-PALOOZA EVENT

Well, I can finally say that it's over...or is it the beginning of something new? Did actually unveil eight new dance pieces that are funky, fun and colorful . "Dancing Divas" were received very well...hopefully will post some shots of this artwork soon. The "Divas" will eventually make it to my website and for anyone familiar with past work especially the Praise Hands and masks might recognize some of the same recycled materials being used in a whole new way.

Yes, I know it's the wee hours of the morning but my mind and body say let's get to the studio and create! This weekend's Art-A-Palooza event at Hair Structures Salon was an incredible experience for me. To be able to spend the weekend with some of the most talented artists in Columbus was a high. For those of you that think your creative juices can only flow in the privacy of your own studio...you don't know what you're missing until you get with other sistah's tuned in to their own particular gifts. WOW! Thanks DJ for allowing me to come into the experience...Antonette, I love my doll and I'm grooving to the music right now, who mixed that? Lisa, love your bounce and wonderful jewelry especially my yellow ring...Voszi, can't wait to strut the Queen's stuff when I wear my beautiful new outfit...Benja, you're going to get me in trouble with those beautiful handbags, but most importantly your sweet potato pie is serious...Nikki, can't wait to see the canvas, your work is beautiful. DJ your jewelry's off the hook. Attalah, love my crocheted locs hat...can't wait to get the red one. Oh yes, for those of you unable to attend have you noticed that I came home with something from most of the artists? It's a joy to wear and have each others work.

God Bless,

Well, yesterday I realized that next weekend I signed up for not one but two days of vending at the Art-Palooza event over in Whitehall at DJ's salon. Guess I need to work a little faster. Have decided to include some of the pieces left over from last years' exhibit "Seeds of My Heritage" but also look forward to introducing some new pieces and less pricier ones.

ARTIST HIBERNATION SYNDROME

Well, while responding to someone else's blog I end up starting one of my own...go figure!
It's the 2nd day of December and the snowflakes falling outside my window are whispering the onset of what I'd like to call "Artist Hibernation Syndrome". As far as I know it's not fatal or contagious(maybe someone would like to verify that) but merely a season of creativity that I experience every year about this time.

Does it have anything to do with the holiday season? Could it stem from the fact that as the temperature takes a dive outdoors my inclination to run around outside declines? Has it anything to do with the purchasing and storing of supplies (that made me think of a squirrel storing up for the winter) that's occurred all summer? Guess it has something to do with all the aforementioned but most importantly I love this time of year and have always looked forward along with our children to "snow days". A time to stay indoors and work non-stop on whatever art work has escaped me during the summer months. Things slow down in the winter and rightfully so. If that canvas sat since the onset of spring teasing me with the prospect of what was to come upon its completion, then now is the time for me to pick it up and begin creating.

So for all of my friends(artists and non-artists) who may wonder what has happened to me over the next several months since I may seem to have vanished. Or to those who question whether I've moved away because I'm not answering my phone(especially those who know my personal schedule)...rest assured that I am fine and simply enjoying my artist hibernation.

God Bless!