By No Means Done

"Poppy" 4"x6" woodcut with chine colle

“The world is very, very beautiful if you look at it.  But most people don’t look very much, do they?” – David Hockney

Yes, it is a very beautiful place. And I’m curious at the folks who spend their lives griping that it’s not enough.  I’m equally curious at the folks who spend their lives cultivating and enjoying the beauty around them. 

Where am I on this continuum? Trying new ideas in my studio pushes me toward the latter. I’ve been working really hard raising my stakes, lowering my stakes, throwing my stakes around the studio.  All the work is in an effort to pull together a body of work centered on friendship and grief.  I love self-doubt it makes me work harder. 

"A Gatering" 9"x12" drypoint with chine colle

I started with an idea of how to explore friendship in symbols.  Hands are important as they say more about us than our words or facial expressions.  I’ve drawn lots of hands and am nearing the space where I feel I’ve created a narrative. 

The work to the right is only one iteration. This is by no means done, but it led to this idea...

These three are meant to tell a story of memory, loss, and choice.  These are currently being redrawn and are by no means done.

AND, while I'm fretting over composition and project scale, I tried some new monotype techniques.  I lowered my stakes and worked with my Buddha image again. Nothing like Buddha to enter a beginner's mindset.

The image on the left is a technique using chalk pastels.  The drypoint and chalk pastel layers are all on one plate with one pass through the press.  On the right, is a technique employing drypoint and thinned inks to create place.  The waves were fun to do. And, by no means am I done exploring.

All this work is in flux and moving around, but here's something finished a few years ago...

"Phoebe" 6"x9" watercolor

My lovely chicken Phoebe will be included in the 2027 Syracuse Cultural Worker’s Women’s Artist Datebook.  Well, at least a painting of her big spirit will be.  Phoebe deserves national attention. I’m excited for her.

AND, if you’re near Ukiah or plan on going there, please drop by the Grace Hudson museum and see Looking Again: Portraits of Daring Women by my mentor and friend Julie Lapping Rivera. 

Take care everyone and I'll be back with more soon.