Keeping on, keeping on … as the muse sleeps.

Still not quite finished … but sure enjoying myself.

6″x24″ mixed media painting on clayboard

Having fun experimenting with using a lino cut for the wallpaper background.

I like it.

I always liked doing lino cuts. In College and University I actually really liked printmaking in general but the materials that you have to use were so harsh … You have to use acid for etching. A little on the harsh side to say the least.

It is one of the reasons that I don’t use oil either. I wish my studio had that wonderful linseed oil smell but alas … HIVES! Well, not exactly hives but not good for me, skin or breathing wise.

Anyway, it was a challenge to get my waterbased ink to stick with out smudging all over the place but I figured it out.

Just thought you might like to know what fun looks like …

This is a 8″x8″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas. Sides are painted red.

I can’t forget her. She won’t let go of me.

Here is something. I have never had a solo art show in a real gallery. How does that hit you? It hits me … daily …over and over. February, February, February. It is looming.

I am thinking I should be painting other things but she has a hold on me.

I don’t really know who she is, but she is talking to me or maybe through me. I just have to carry on.

I know this is the right thing to do but I am scared. I haven’t felt scared like this since I started painting two years ago. Maybe being scared is good. When you are scared about being out of your comfort zone. That is good. But I am not scared about having the show, I am scared about those voices returning to taunt me and ask me what the hell I am doing. (You know the critical proff you had at University, the helpful person that encouraged you to get a real job and just do art as a hobby – those voices). They are getting noisy. I know I was able to quiet them last time by focusing on the moment at hand and not the past or future.

However, knowing this does not make it so.

I must remember what I felt at the beginning of this journey because it has taken me so far and I want to go farther. So, so much farther.

After reading Art Right Now , one of my first blogs, I think that I need to have a little fun. That is what I think. The red head can come along for the ride but she better be willing to let her hair down … wait…it is already rather wild … well, I don’t know, burn her bra? No, that is not fun, the girls need support.
She just better be willing to have some fun!

Just trying to appease the genius. The smaller version just isn’t cutting it. It wants to be big! I have GOT to get this out of my head so I can do other things! It is driving me crazy!
I think I need a really large piece of clayboard as working on paper is just too temporary.
CHA-CHING!
Clayboard is expensive and I don’t think that they make it THAT large. What to do? Canvas just doesn’t give the same effect. I want the mark making. I want it to look like a really large drawing but more permanent. In the past I have covered canvas with plain wallpaper. I guess I could try that.
That is what happens when you are a drainter … kind of a painter/drawer…
Hmmmm.
As my grade nine English teacher would say …ponder that…. ponder …

4″x6″ mixed media on canvas. Sides are painted hot pink.

Her look of determination was not lost on the men that crossed her path.

This one is available through daily painters blog

Also check out this really nice post from Honey Anne about one of my prints! Actually, check out her whole blog, it is great! Beautiful photos!

maria@mariapacewynters.com

3″x5″ mixed media on paper
So what happens when you have a three year old and you leave your sketch pad around?

THIS is what I found when I turned my painting over to sign and date it.
SCARLETT!!!! Well, I can’t really be mad, it is paper and the rule is not on the furniture, window sills, carpet … I guess I need to clarify NOT on Mommy’s papers.
Oh well, buy this one and you get a two for! HA!

maria@mariapacewynters.com

11″x14″ pencil and ink drawing on rag paper

I have been driving myself crazy the last few days. I could not get this image out of my head. A large drawing on paper of my red head woman but no colour. I have no idea why but I was compelled to do it, although I didn’t do it as large as I was envisioning (time and material restraints, you know). I mean, I was envisioning LARGE. I guess I still am and it makes me wonder if I truly have a rebellious streak in me. What is the one thing that I heard OVER AND OVER at the NOA event that I just participated in? My colour. How fantastic it was. So then, my brain is insisting on giving me this vision of a colourless lady, you have to wonder. So, I thought I would scan it in before I went back into, if I decide to. This is what my pieces look like before I add colour and I often think that I should let them be, I really do love them at this stage. I am always happy that I keep going but I don’t usually have such a strong vision. Maybe this time I should listen.

maria@mariapacewynters.com

6″x8.5″ mixed media on paper

Back here again. Every time I take a break I have to work my way back to where I was before. I was not here but hope to be there once again. Soon. In the meantime, I will paint and hope it gets me back to that zone I was in. I am sure it will. Remember my favorite quote:

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working” Picasso

maria@mariapacewynters.com

10″x20″ mixed media painting on canvas

maria@mariapacewynters.com

This is a 12″x12″ mixed media painting on clayboard.

Hey, what is that peeking over the side?