51 0f 52 weeks

Yowey! Almost there one more self portrait to go. I started this project to fill the void after my one person show. Also to rid myself of that feeling that I can't take a good photo...well I learned something. I leaned, that I can't pull off cute or pretty and the only time I can stand to see myself in a photo is a candid shot or if I am making a face like this one. In fact I think this one is my favorite portrait of the year. Because it is truly showing me today as I am, in my studio seeking balance on my yoga mat with a side of sass.

My friend Judy tackled this subject with a lot more humor a few weeks back. As you can see she is as adverser to posing glam as I. But we are living in the age of phones with cameras and FaceBook profiles, so people have there "Blue Steal" look down pat. Pull out a camera and see how long it takes your friends to strike a pose. To me it is like listening to a song with Autotune--empty.

Having said all that, next week is number 52 of 52 weeks. Since I started this journey with some fun dress up glam shots I think I will end it that way--for symmetry and for fun. Grrrrr!

Onward!

Frankenstein Friday

Frankenstein Friday is back! This photo was taken a few weeks back, they are taking a nap right now and I don't want to disturb the peace. They look just about the same, super cute Murph's!

First Friday art walk is tonight. If you are in Richmond come on down! I'll be at the Schindler Satellite gallery. I also recommend this. Hopefully I will have the stamina to make it!

Happy weekend all!
onward!

49 of 52 weeks

Frankenstein gives me some encouragement while I take a break from painting. I have been taking photos of the current painting's progress, at some point I will share them. It's slow going--but going just the same...

onward!

check out some art

I had a chance to stop by and check out the new show at the Eric Schindler gallery this weekend. Here are some photos of the work. Artist Scott Phillips solo exhibit of Acrylic paintings are a treat. His unique style reads as if Van Gogh and El greco had a baby who grew up during the modern age--well something like that. The work is clean and crisp, from a distance they appear abstract but up close images of people, airplanes and other recognizable objects rise to the surface. Don't miss it.

onward!

48 of 52 weeks

I slipped and fell on some ice after our Valentines day dinner. It was a deep iced over pot hole, I stepped on what I thought was flat ground but was actually an icy crater! Not too long ago my dad slipped and fell dislocating his shoulder. On my way down when time seemed to be moving in super slow motion, I thought of him and hoped my fate would not be the same. In one hand I held our hard won left overs. I did not drop or spill them! I landed squarely on my elbow-Youchie! I was sure it was broken. Mr. Eleven came to my rescue and helped me into the car. Luckily it is just a really bad bruise.

I say hard won left overs because it took us about two hours to get our food! It was a really fun dinner that none of the other 6 couples will soon forget. We laughed we cried and we begged for our dinner--at one point the waitress snapped back at one of our pleas for nourishment, "YOU WAIT"! This was at about the one and half hour mark.

Today I am feeling the full effect of my fall--in my neck. Something isn't right. Tomorrow I go to the acupuncturist for help--she works miracles. I am sad because I want to paint. I am sad because I don't like pain.

onward, baby steps, cautious baby steps...

UP DATE: I am no longer sad, my friend Judy has a Valentines day story that made me laugh so hard I cried--in a good way!--check it out.

pssss......

My sister in laws house is featured in this architects portfolio. If you look really close, you can see a portrait I did of her kids. Pretty cool.

47 of 52 weeks

I cut my hair. That means I am making a fresh start. Perhaps longing for Spring inspired me, as if cutting my hair will bring the warmer weather our way.

Here I am sitting at my new desk. That's my dear friend Sally with her dog Jack in the first photo I placed on the new board. Check it out, it's a cool cork board I made out of salvaged corks. Yes, Mr.Eleven and I did drink all that wine.

I have been drawing a lot and will start sharing soon. I need to work some stuff out. It hurts and is hard--blah, blah, blah... I am searching for the joy. When I feel bogged down by what I am working on, I stop, regroup and head off in a new direction. Keeping loose keeping light and digging deeper each time I go back to it.

Onward!