Grace In My Studio

 

Today I had an occasion to play hooky from my "real job" and in the process, I hijacked my employer's 9-year-old daughter, Grace, and brought her home to my studio for a couple of hours. Since our first meeting a year ago, Grace and I recognized each other as sister artists and I'm always amazed at what she creates around the office with just simple office supplies. And her design ideas are truly amazing.

So today, I seated her in my chair in the studio, showed her all my supplies and let her have at it. The image above is her creation. Her collage is just as unreserved and uninhibited as she.

When she was finished and it was time for her to leave, she absolutely insisted upon cleaning up after herself and relished returning the art supplies to their respective "homes" in my various drawers and containers. What a delightful guest artist whom I'd welcome back to my studio any time.

I've spent the better part of the weekend working on the Dragons of Mariarosa. I've been printing them out, mounting and framing them and in the process printing labels for them. I thought while I was at it I might as well re-vamp my business card. It's been a very long time since it's been updated. So this is what I've come up with. A new business card design always feels like a fresh beginning to me and helps juice my creativity.

Dragonfly Deconstruction

Yes, I've been accused of making up words; or bestowing existing words with my own meaning. Deconstruction is one of them. As much as I like to create, or "construct," I also like to deconstruct. I've "deconstructed" my own artwork to create something new. This post is about a dragonfly lawn ornament that had begun to badly decompose from the elements. I couldn't bear to pitch it. It's various elements, even by themselves, are beautiful. Instead, I've slowly taken it apart with plans to reuse it. I've deconstructed it with the idea of reconstructing it; or perhaps, reincarnating it. 

In the meantime, I've enjoyed tracing it as well and I now have an interesting pattern that can be re-used in future art pieces in addition to the physical pieces themselves. It's all "play" and oh, how I love to play!

Arthur!

Once again I was inspired by a stick dragon and felt compelled to give him a little context. Of course I had to name him Arthur. Who else from that era had his own special rock?

Secret Project Continues

I finally found a little time to continue work on the "secret project" I told you about. Of course, I cannot publish the full images, but I can't resist a teaser or two.

Playing

Some of my art is work, some of it is just play; like the images I create in my sketchbook. I find that sketchbooks are great for experimenting with new toys or getting rid of interesting scraps. This particular image does all that.

Prometheus - Digital Collage

And here we have Dragon of Mariarosa #10. Although it's the tenth dragon, it's the first one to appear in a portrait format. 

Mary Rose and I are looking forward to the dragons making their first physical appearance as a collection at The Happy Penguin Cafe in Lancaster, Ohio during the last week of July. They will be available as limited edition prints on watercolor paper in editions of 50.

St. Peter's Art Show

Mermaid wall clock by Dana Simson

I attended the St. Peter's Art Show in Lewes this morning. It's an annual event held by the St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes, Delaware on the first Saturday of July. It almost never rains and is almost always hot. They close the four streets surrounding the church and set up the display tents there. Because the heat rises from the macadam and bakes everyone who visits, Bob and I fondly call this show Art on the Asphalt. Nevertheless, it's well attended, and for good reason. The artists who exhibit are top notch and their creations a site to behold. 

St. Peter's Art Show - North Side

I would love to be able to take photos of the artwork and post them here, but because of copyright laws, etc., it's problematic. There is one artist; however, whose work I could not resist and she gave me permission to post a photo of a piece of hers which I purchased.

St. Peter's Art Show - South Side

For some time I've been wanting a clock for my bathroom so I can keep track of the time while I get ready for work in the morning. But, of course, not just any clock will do. It has to be fun and funky and blend in with my aqua colors and sea theme. And today I found it. It's just the quirkiest little thing, exactly the right color and with mermaids as the theme I just knew it couldn't miss.  Dana Simson, out of Salisbury, Maryland is the artist and it was such a delight to meet her. And this is the link to her website:  Chesapeake East

I am thoroughly delighted with the way her clock looks on my wall!