It's been a while since I've blogged and almost a year since I've created artwork or written. In June of 2014
I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which led to a very unusual and unproductive year. The story is long so I'll save it for later because I'm in remission now and painting up a storm. I have four pieces in the works and am playing with oils, gouache, watercolor, charcoal and encaustic. I'm working on cradled wood panels because I'm not sure which ones will turn out to need encaustic work.
I've attended two First Fridays as well as Open Studios down in the Village at the West End, the local area which is a beehive of art galleries and studios and have been inspired by so many of the artists there, both artists who've been in the area for years and new artists who've recently moved to Greenville, SC. It felt so great to go back and see all the talent after being away for so long and it geared me up to try new techniques and subjects. It was a rainy night so we had a chance to really talk to some of the artists - Patricia Kilburg, an incredible encaustic artist, and Pam Larson, whose studio, Fluer de Sol is in Les Beaux Arts, who does the most amazing detailed drawings - all with Bic pens.
One of my new pieces is gouache and oil on cradled wood. Entitled "Starting to Dance Again."It's a female figure in a somewhat awkward pose with a serious look on her face. It took me a while before I knew what she was doing or what the piece meant, and then it dawned on me that it related to my need to become social again. Since I lived with my daughter and spent a lot of time at doctor's offices and hospitals while going through chemo, I didn't have any materials or even the energy or inclination to paint or to socialize. Now I'm discovering I have to learn my social skills all over again. Driving and
painting actually came back to me easier than starting and maintaining a conversation. .
Another piece I am working on is a charcoal drawing transferred to a beeswax covered piece of wood. I'm not sure if I'll leave it as it is or work with it some more.
It's been fun working with a variety of mediums and not following any particular rules. I've been using R&F white beeswax and Damar Resin along with Grumbacher and Winton oils. I've been listening to IAMX while working so that helps a lot too.
I'm hoping to get down to the Village this week since a new coffee shop opened up called The Village Grind and Art & Light Gallery has opened at their new location and I can't wait to go and see all the new art Teresa has found. They're open on
Wed. - Sat. I think. Check out their Facebook page too.
I've attended two First Fridays as well as Open Studios down in the Village at the West End, the local area which is a beehive of art galleries and studios and have been inspired by so many of the artists there, both artists who've been in the area for years and new artists who've recently moved to Greenville, SC. It felt so great to go back and see all the talent after being away for so long and it geared me up to try new techniques and subjects. It was a rainy night so we had a chance to really talk to some of the artists - Patricia Kilburg, an incredible encaustic artist, and Pam Larson, whose studio, Fluer de Sol is in Les Beaux Arts, who does the most amazing detailed drawings - all with Bic pens.
One of my new pieces is gouache and oil on cradled wood. Entitled "Starting to Dance Again."It's a female figure in a somewhat awkward pose with a serious look on her face. It took me a while before I knew what she was doing or what the piece meant, and then it dawned on me that it related to my need to become social again. Since I lived with my daughter and spent a lot of time at doctor's offices and hospitals while going through chemo, I didn't have any materials or even the energy or inclination to paint or to socialize. Now I'm discovering I have to learn my social skills all over again. Driving and
Another piece I am working on is a charcoal drawing transferred to a beeswax covered piece of wood. I'm not sure if I'll leave it as it is or work with it some more.
It's been fun working with a variety of mediums and not following any particular rules. I've been using R&F white beeswax and Damar Resin along with Grumbacher and Winton oils. I've been listening to IAMX while working so that helps a lot too.
I'm hoping to get down to the Village this week since a new coffee shop opened up called The Village Grind and Art & Light Gallery has opened at their new location and I can't wait to go and see all the new art Teresa has found. They're open on
Wed. - Sat. I think. Check out their Facebook page too.
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