Fun Stuff

These photos would be considered "outtakes" from my Art In The City photo album. These are more personal and just for fun subjects that I shot during my recent NYC visit.

The Secret Project Resumes

Detail from the "Secret Project"

From time to time I talk about this "secret project" I've been working on. This thing has been in the works since early 2010, but life seems to conspire against me getting the project completed. The last time I did any work on it was last summer, but this past week I delved back into it again. My collaborator in this project has done all she can do, so now it's all up to me to get things done. Could this possibly be the year of the big unveiling? I fervently hope so and I'm making this priority number one in my studio.

I also want to share with you the bomomo recently created by my young niece, Georgia. I'm really hoping to get her here before the summer is over so we can hold an "art camp" together. There are so many fun projects I'd like to explore and I won't take the time to stop and play unless I have a partner in crime; so art camp is as much for me as it is for her.

Budding Artists

"The Rain" - illustrated poem by Georgia May Copland

I am blessed with a baker's dozen of nieces. Two generations of them, actually. And all are beautiful and talented each in their own way. Among the youngest of them are two budding artists; Autumn and Georgia, and from time to time they send me samples of their artwork. I recently had the opportunity to spend the weekend with Georgia (who's 8, almost 9) and we drew and colored for hours on end. Then the other day in the mail I received the masterpiece above, which she created.

When I was the age of these two young girls, I was humiliated by my teacher for what she perceived as a lack of imagination and talent. From that point on I struggled in my art classes until I was in the eighth grade an no longer required to take it. I never took an art class again (except for art history and art appreciation) until I was 39.

I've since come to realize that there are just two requirements to being an artist. 

 1. a desire to create

 2. the joy of making a mark on a piece of paper or canvas

That's it! That's all that's required. Now I can't tell you what makes an artist successful. I don't think anyone knows the answer to that. 

But I highly encourage anyone consumed with the desire to create to go out and do just that. We were created to create. I firmly believe that. And we truly are not happy unless we're creating. So, today; now, even. Go make something. Bake a cake, write a poem; know the satisfaction of being a creator.

Rainbow Trout

Mixed Media Collage - 3x9
Available for purchase on Etsy!

I frequently find that I'm drawn to biological and botanical illustrations. I love them! They are perfection (which I am not) and often delicately colored. Every once in awhile, I like to create an interpretation in collage of these illustrations and "Rainbow Trout" is a case in point. To be honest, I'm kind of pleased with this little guy!