I Have Moved

I have moved to here: http://manganeseblue.com/

Tra-lah-lah-lah.

Sparkle!

Alliteration

WON'T WORK WITH THE S's!

*angry-bo-bangry*

Ack

Oh DEAR.

If I cannot find the right quotations to summarise the feeling of each work, I shall have to write the quotations myself!

I am very unimpressed with my searching today. Unless...should I *be* impressed that I end up back at myself?

*squinty eyes*

Gnash

Oh dear.

I suppose, because I cannot find good resource images of the landscapes I see in my mind, that I should just try and paint the landscapes I see in my mind.

No Good, No Good

Oh, the next two weeks are going to be horrible because I'm not in Scotland and Italy like I'm supposed to be.
And everyone else is.
Couple that with exhaustion and left over pregnancy hormones and I'm bound to be a mess.

So....operation FIGHT DEPRESSION....I *really* *really* *really* need to work on all things art right now.

Distraction - it's not just a river in Egypt.

DID IT!

Freaking *did* it.
Model searched all morning.
Found an *amazingly* inspiring male model.
Designed an entire series in my head around him.
Sorted through and saved some poses that will work.
Realised you can see my boobies in my DA avvie on different computers. *eyeroll*

I may or may not draw the works up this evening...that's no problem.

I feel like I've done a huge chunk of work today.
Creative work.

And it's...blissful.

Indeed.
No, really.

Oh, I couldn't explain if I wanted to!

I think, due to the stormy weather, the tired mamma and the wonderful accomplishments of today, I am going to snuggle in bed with my bug tonight and watch some kind of weird, trippy art flick (that in no way passes my snobby standards) and fall asleep smiling.

Go on...have another serving of Bliss while you're at it, Ms. Scott!

(or...you know...I'll creep out at midnight to light candles in The Ovary Room and have at it while the world sleeps)

Anaemic smiles have never looked so pretty.
CHECK OUT HOW HAPPY I AM!
(okay, no, just imagine it because I'm too tired to take a photo. plus my boobies might show on your computer *another eyeroll*)

Spring Cleaning

Oh yes, and I'd like to revamp my blog.
New title bar, new colour scheme, etc, when I get the chance.

I suppose it's just Spring.

Website

Need to update it and change the layout.
Nothing fancy.
Need to put on a lot of works from last year (including the masquerade series)and change the splash page so it shows recent activity.

Wish List

A wireless card for the computer which has been moved into my studio.
Will help excessively with model searching and site updates.

Another work bench.

A place to cut wood and spray paint...possibly front porch, which needs to be cleared.

Time. (it's not an illusion, no, no, I swear it's not...it can be bought in a bottle from the sweaty guy on the corner, right?)

May 25 - Today

Today, after a 6 month absence, I hope to get back into the studio.
No, I don't 'hope to', I WILL.
Prior attempts at this have left me undercoating, at best, with no real work being done.
By the end of today I hope to have chosen 4 models/poses, designed the compositions and idea, and have drawn up 4 works.
The last - the drawing up of 4 works - may be impossible and I won't kill myself if I am not able to do it...But I will draw up at least ONE.

I am most excited.

I will start small, but surely start.

It's one small step for art, but one huge leap for Sarahkind.

It's True Love

With the latest addition to our family it was a little bit hard (ie. impossible) to use my watercolours. Especially while nursing.
To get around this problem of 'not being able to create' I thought about changing mediums.
For Mothers Day, in fact, boy got me some really expensive coloured pencils and a new sketchbook.
Unfortunately, as I wrote elsewhere, giving up watercolours for a new medium is like giving up true love for a tawdry affair.
I just can't see it ending well.
So for the past month I've put it off. And off. And off.
Procrastination is not a friend to the arts.
Today I've decided, with all certainty, to get back into the studio.
And with that decision I've also chosen to stick with watercolours.
It will be hard to work around them and a baby (it's the drying time, you see, amongst other things) but I'm willing to give it a go before giving up this medium completely.
At the very worst I will switch to WC paper, instead of painting on wood, which dries much faster.

Wish me luck.

The Ovary Room

Is the new name for my studio.
It's amazing how the addition of one penis to the house can make you scream words like 'ovary'.
I love my boys more than ANYTHING and I'm quite liking the idea of being the figure of feminine beauty in our family.
My studio shall become a safe haven for that.
A place to dive and delve into my own personal orbs and stretches, to move and grow as a member of the opposite sex.

I'm temporarily sharing 'The Ovary Room' so we still call it 'The Art Room' for now.

I cannot wait until I can pull up the staples and lay the flooring.

Then I just need to start working again.

My darling husband is working out a schedule with the sprog so that I can get back into it.

And the sprog seems to be sleeping a little more.

So...we'll make it.
The art world and I.

I'm not sure what my next quest is but it's rolling on in like a storm.

Writing

I think I am going to start writing again.
I must take my poetry book with me to the hospital.

As Ani DiFranco would say, "that's not vulgarity, that's poetry"



And I agree.

*snicker*

It Came

*grin*

When I wake tomorrow (today), there should be snow!

Squee!

Can't Keep A Bad Man Down.

Forced to take a break in home renovations until next paycheck, I managed to escape into the studio today.

First time painting since....NOVEMBER!??!?!


It feels soooooooo good.
You can't keep a bad man down. ;)

Bedroom Renovations

Brennen finished the flooring yesterday!
Again, home renovations are currently taking place of my other art...
This won't be forever, though!

Baseboard and painted trims still to come.
As is renovation on the half-bath.

Murder Ballads

Yesterday morning as I was dreamily waking (in the perfect sunbeam) from a somewhat decent nights sleep, Brennen sits bolt upright in bed.
He declares "I have to get up and write a murder ballad".
About an hour or two later he gets back into bed for snuggles and when I eventually roll out I find lyrics - to a wonderful murder ballad - on my computer screen.

See?

Reason #5980 why I love him.

Maybe Through The Summer!

So my donation sold immediately.
At full price, not at silent auction.
A week BEFORE the benefit.

Hoorah!

And it looks like, with t-shirt sales, the store MAY stay open through the summer! (cross fingers)

I'm so excited and contemplating if there is anything else I can give to them.
Tina (one of the owners) says people are being so generous and it's really humbling to them.

I think it's so beautiful.

Go-go-gadget people!

The Gnu's Room

Today I am going down to donate some art to The Gnu's Room.
I had an email requesting any donation of art I could make (for a silent auction) as they could no longer afford to keep the doors open.
I am devastated!
I can't remember how long The Gnu's Room has been here, but it seems like forever.
And it's a beautiful, *beautiful* place.
Second-hand bookstore/coffee-shop (not that the coffee is second-hand) with a BEAUTIFUL vibe and lots of people.
They have an art wall to support local artists, they have readings by different authors each month, and they also have open-mike poetry night.

I'm so SO sad if they close the doors.

They are having a benefit concert/party on the 28th of this month.
I'm hoping it is in an effort to raise money and stay open but I fear it is instead to just gain lost money back...and the doors will still be shut.

Due to the fact I've been working on home renovations, I haven't much to offer them.

But I am going to donate my Janis Joplin record painting and the John Lennon one.
Even if they just fetch a little...some money is better than no money.

Please wish The Gnu's Room luck!

Studio Progress

I'm going to dig my new room, methinks!
Can't wait to help boy work on his.
Though, of course, his will be minus the butterflies. ;)

Please Help Brennen!

Please help Brennen start recording again!
He currently can't make any music with the machine that we have.
He has been unable to produce anything since his laptop was stolen on November 7th.

If you are interested in helping and want to know how, please go here.

We appreciate anything anyone can offer!

Love & Sparkles,
xxxS.

The Fall

'The Fall' is a very beautiful movie.

The Fall.

And Of Course...

And of course, with the sunniest room in the house comes...

da da da DUM....

CATS!





B wanted me to have this room because it has the best lighting.
I wonder if he'll change his mind now all his kitties are vegging out in there!

Studio Progress

WAH!
*bursts into tears*

Most of my stuff is in storage! All my art magazines, my knick-knacks, my pretties! I only have a few boxes here, so perhaps my room won't get done today afterall. Boy will be pleased...it will mean more time to work on the bedroom.

So the room used to have orange shag carpet and mint green walls. We ripped up the carpet (eventually we'll put down a wood flooring) and I painted the walls Acorn Squash. aka, YELLOW! The colour of insanity, I've been told.

Here are some photos.
The pink blotches in the first photo are where I speckled holes in the wall.

Wall Colour

My lover and I went to Home Depot last night to pick wall colour for my studio.
I'm *so* excited!
Last night I hussled all of the desks into the center of the room and threw old sheets over them.
This morning I remove nails, speckle and sand.
Then this afternoon - with any luck - I PAINT!!!!

New studio here we come....

I am tremendously excited.

*jumps up and down*

Our Digits

As artists we fight over our fingers.
Especially while moving house.

"I'll take that...you're a musician....I don't want you to hurt your hands!"
"No, *I'll* take it...you're an artist....I don't want you to hurt your hands."
"Careful, baby!"
"Hey, CAREFUL, baby!"

And so forth, and so forth.

We had a really funky mirror in a really funky frame.
Boy wanted to chuck it out because it was a hassle to move, I wanted to keep it because it looked groovy.

But then I thought of the glass.
And our fingers.

And said "yes, you can toss it, baby"
His eyes widened in surprise.
It's not normally so easy to sway me.
However...

his digits are too important.
And so are mine.

And into the trash pile it went. *grin*

Why can't they make mirrors out of styrofoam, hmmm?

Looooooooooooooooook!

addit!



(my new work will not be involving people, except for some wrap-ups)
(loooooooooooooooooookaddit!!)

Hoorah! Zombies!

Click!

Forecast

Forecast for tomorrow:

"Abundant sunshine."

The phrase made me smile.

Inspired.

Inspired today.
A thousand ideas and notions swimming in my head.
Sitting cross-legged on the computer chair, listening to good music.
Just finished chatting to a good friend on chat about his manuscripts, excited to read one of his novels and look for publishers.
Earlier, yesterday, sorted out the 'art room' a little. A place for both Brennen and I to create until his studio is sorted, at which point the art room will become my solo studio.
Inspired by things in society but more so inspired by the idea of my son, and by creating ideas and projects *around* him.
Inspired by the weather which is AMAZING for the middle of winter.
Did I mention I was sitting cross-legged in a summer dress?
Yes, open the windows and smell the air...today is a day adrift on a raft or under the forest trees.
Inspired by the music I listen to.
Inspired by the smell of potential, not bitter, not sweet, just...earthy.
Raw.
Earthy.

Inspired.
Despite all of the work to do.

Inspired, inspired, inspired.

Life is very beautiful today.

Oh, Crap

According to my mothers blog, Andrew Wyeth died today.
She says he was allowed to because he was 91.
I say he should have asked first.

For those who don't know Wyeth (and his father) were AMAZING artists.

I really love Andrew's work.


Christina's World - Andrew Wyeth

His pieces always had such a sense of isolation to them, which I really loved.

RIP, Old Man.

My Lover, My Hero

Boy came home from work!
With our mandolin!
And he FIXED IT.
He made it sooooooo much easier to play!
He sanded the bridge down an eighth of an inch and put on new strings.
And Josh threw in a pretty plate for it.
Awwwwwwwww.
I love it.
It's SO MUCH EASIER to practice on now.

My lover, my hero.
*grin*

Hey!

Hey!
This boy is silly fast!

On Art

I haven't been painting.
I have no studio space and really no where to paint.
I'm really eager to slide mandolin into my painting time, at the moment.
And secretly, for a *very* drained body (which is moi), the clean up on a mandolin session is MUCH easier.
*high fives the moon*

So the little one I'm learning on is a tough one to learn on, Brennen says.
He says it's because it's a 'piece of crap'.
He doesn't want me to get discouraged and give up because of the instrument.

He found me a FABULOUS deal, though, on one that would normally retail around $800-$1000, which comes with tuner and hard case....for only $350.

Sooooo, my lovely art friends, any suggestions on how one would come up with a quick $350?

*boing eyes*

30 Second Bunnies

I love the 30 Second Bunny episodes.
They make me very happy.
If you haven't seen them before, you can catch a lot of them on youtube. ;)

Tinker Tinker

*plink*
*plink*

(sorry about the photosize, I don't know why the blog resize quit working)

Mandolin

I just had my first mandolin lesson!
WOOT!
With my wicked husband.
And we didn't even fight!!!
All that happened was I fell even *more* in love with the joker.

Who knew?!??!

We played Folsom Prison Blues. ;)

I am excited to play some more but for now I must help him with home renovations instead....

*runs off, ecstatic*

Wind

The wind is ferocious right now.
Very 'dance of the passionate Gods'.
That's not what I really want to call it, but I'm being polite for the sake of my blog readers.
I'd really label it something much more fierce, erotic and crass.
It was pretty severe last night, too.
We've been having some great storms.
Despite the fact I'm in the process of moving, I adore it so.
It's nature at it's finest.
It takes all I have in me not to run out like a mad woman, sliding on the slippery leaves and turning my face up towards the storm.
Maybe when I don't have to be so cautious with my body, the 'dancers' shall come again.
And then...well....we shall 'dance' together.
Over and over again.
Wouldn't that be quite delicious?
Yes, yes.
For now I'm off to listen to the Gods bellow.
So nice this early in the morn.

New Years Resolutions!

Oh!
My friend Louise reminded me that I hadn't posted these online, yet.
I scribbled them into my journal on New Years Eve.
I had five.
Let's see if I can remember them off the top of my head!
(and resolutions are very exciting for me because I seem to achieve at least 80% of them each year. Hollar!)

1. Run a Half Marathon
2. Discover and excel at a new artistic medium
3. Plant a luscious herb garden
4. Map out the backyard and get started on a MASSIVE veggie garden
5. Leave the country

Those were them, alright!
I feel like there should be more.
But five was what I had so five is what I shall stick to.
If I conquer three out of five before the half-year, I may make some additional goals for June onwards. ;)

Growing Home

That's right.
After SIX YEARS without them, I have discovered a place where I may be able to buy Feijoa trees.
Annnnnnnnnnd I have discovered they grow in a 'Zone 10' and a 'Zone 8' in America.
Annnnnnnnnnd Ala-FREAKING-bama is a ZONE EIGHT! (here I pee my panties)

So!
With any luck, when the seller is back from holiday, I can acquire a couple of Feijoa Trees.

And then I can plant them in my new back yard.
And then NOT ONLY will I have the most delicious fruit ON ZEE PLANET outside my windows, but I will be the only one in the area with them!

I am seriously contemplating acquiring a passionfruit vine, too.

If my backyard can pull this off, 2009 is going to be rocking.

*high fives the moon*