Requiem for a paint brush

Yesterday, while working on the eagle, I became distracted and set down a brush loaded with paint onto my wet palette and left the room to talk to my daughter, then took a phone call, left the house on a quick errand that turned into a 4 hour absence, returned home just in time to prepare dinner, have a glass of wine, watch a little television, settle into a hot lavender-scented bath, climbed into bed ... this afternoon I returned to the studio - uh-oh, the brush. I'm hard on my brushes, usually replacing several every couple of years. But this one was different. It was a favourite, inherited from an artist who willed his art supplies to my uncle who then passed this brush and others along to me - it must have been 25 or 30 years old when I received it, and I've been using it for about 12 years. A lovely thin sable liner brush, made in England, the perfect brush for incredibly thin lines that flowed off it's tip with amazing grace ... used so often and so intently the paint has worn off the handle.

I picked up the brush, aghast - the entire length of it's once supple hairs had hardened to the point where it could now be used as a toothpick. I rinsed it in tepid water, tried peeling the acrylic off with my finger nails - oops, a few hairs came off on my first attempt ... I tried rinsing the bristles in warm and then hot water (not too close to the ferrule, though, as I didn't want to melt the glue holding the bristles together - an artist only makes that mistake once!) and rubbed a little soap onto it, worked off the acrylic as best I could, losing a few more hairs along the way ... unable to get all the dried paint off near the ferrule ... oh dear, it's not the same brush anymore - won't hold nearly as much paint as it did, doesn't let the paint flow off the tip in lovely straight flowing lines of seemingly endless lengths ...

I've attempted to prepare for this situation for some time, knowing that with the loss of a hair here and there over the years this favoured brush would one day need to be replaced. Whenever I'm in an art supply store I look through the liner brushes, but can't find anything close to it - I suspect the decades of use enhanced the brush's extremely subtle graduated taper-point.

Boo-hoo.

I have several seldom used liner brushes, and now I shall begin using them to facilitate their 30 year evolution to becoming THE perfect liner - I'll be 80 years old by then, probably just hitting my prime as a painter. Then watch out!

Progress

New work on the easel

I'm taking a break from my week working on the eagle and started work on a new piece I began in November. Here's a detail shot of a work inspired in part by the romantic pre-Rafaelite paintings. Quite a departure for me, but I'm injecting my own style and symbology into the work, as you can see.

I'm determined to improve on my organizational talents and submit to a few more juried exhibitions this year than I did last year. I have several sketches and ideas on the back burner and intend to finish this one in time for the Arts Council of Surrey's Arts 2009 deadline of May 15th for their show at the prestigious Surrey Art Gallery.

Back to the studio today

It's been a few months since I've picked up a paint brush, however, today was the day to get back in the saddle and get painting. I've the eagle to complete over the next few months, and I've begun a new series of paintings I'm excited about. Once I make some decent progress I'll post an image.

Cheerio!

Home again, home again; shovellin' ain't done!

Here's what we arrived home to - actually we couldn't see the car at all when we arrived home; this photo was taken this morning after an evening of rain greatly reduced the snow mass!

I don't mind my car being stuck today as the situation has encouraged me to get back in the studio right away to complete a few big projects. I was brought up with the paradigms of positive situations are "meant to be" and disappointments were the result of "it just wasn't meant to be" and I also heard a lot of "the Lord works in mysterious ways". So for those of you inconvenienced by the huge snowfall, I must apologize because apparently it was created by either fate, kismet, or the Lord to help me get back to work!

P.S. Here's a link to a visual dictionary I found on my friend Andrea's blog - enjoy!

Mexican Sunset

What can I say...? A picture paints a thousand words.

Must learn Spanish!

Life is good in Mazatlan.

Next post - January 2009

I'm off for a few weeks of inspiration in sunny climes. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!

Cohen-inspired again

I'm feeling inspired by Leonard Cohen, and not for the first time, as you will recall from a previous post.

Last night I was at the Canvas Lounge on Powell Street for a showing of prints by Leonard Cohen - this is the third showing of his works, previously in Manchester and Toronto. The trendy nightclub was closed to the public and open only to invited guests (I was the accidental recipient of an e-mail invitation and though we were not actually on the guest list, Garth and I managed to talk our way in.

Cohen's charming son Adam spoke at the event, in a deep voice tightly resembling his father's. He was rather witty and managed to convey the deep respect he has for his father and not only made the crowd laugh, but also to cheer!

Oh to have such an opening for my own work!!! There was well over a hundred attendees, all fashionably dressed, apparantly upwardly mobile (or had already achieved a spot at the top), and noticeable amidst the dark clothing was the sparkle of "bling". Bar tenders on all three levels were serving martinis and wine at a swift pace and about a dozen volunteers culled from the art department of a local college stood at regular intervals between large framed limited edition prints of Cohen's line drawings. These volunteers were there to point the way to the bars and washrooms and to explain a little about the works and the process for purchase (envelopes attached to the wall beside each print held cards with the print name and number, so that more than one person could purchase the same image but with a different print number; i.e. 20/150 and 24/150). The prints were priced between the mid-$2,000 and high $9,000 range - a little steep for my wallet, but clearly not a deterrent for other attendees. The works were enlivened with sometimes witty and sometimes poignant text, bright colours, and Cohen's logo-like double flipped heart (forming a star of David) and what appeared to be his personal chop in brilliant red. As Garth commented, the drawings were somewhat Picasso-esque in their simplicity.

If you'd like to have a look at Cohen's works yourself, by Saturday they will be available for viewing and purchase from Linda Lando's gallery in Kerrisdale.

Winged Mother of Two

I'm very nearly finished the piece and am pleased with it - it's been a while since I've painted a winged mother. The painting is on a wooden cradle panel and as you can see, the edges are a part of the painting.

Inspiration out of chaos

Isn't it funny how when we're at our busiest we somehow manage to make ourselves even busier? At least this is true for me. I'm one of those people who works well under pressure (well, am I working well or working like a crazy person on 10 cups of coffee, I must ask myself). With my studio show quickly approaching and in the midst of rearranging furniture, framing prints and small paintings and hanging them and larger works all over the house, and finishing, pricing, and tagging jewellery pieces, I suddenly became inspired to start a new painting. As you can see, it's in it's beginning stages, however, I'm sure it'll be finished in time for my show next week.

Getting ready for my Open Studio show

I've been busy for the past couple of weeks making new jewellery works and shall continue for another two weeks in preparation for my Open Studio in mid-November. - I love arranging bits from my vast collection of beads and silver to make unique one of a kind jewellery pieces - it's an alternative way to play with colour and texture.

Feathers

Here's a peek at what I've been working on in the studio - eagle feathers (sounds like an expletive, doesn't it!), using a very fine liner brush while in a meditative state.

Back from the deep South

Earlier this week, kayaking on the Chattahoochee River, checking out the beaver dams, basking turtles and herons.

After 2 weeks away from the studio, I'm enthused to get back in there and let the creative juices flow and grow. I find no matter how focused on a goal I may be, some time away (physically and mentally) is the surest way to reengage energy and mindfulness to allow for a better outcome.

Watch out studio, here I come!

New website

I've been working on a website and, although it's still a work in progress, it's ready for you to view: www.BarbaraRoden.ca

I'd appreciate your feedback.

A change of scene

I'm having a lovely visit with my brother and his family in sunny Atlanta, Georgia (well actually, today it's raining, so I'll have to give up my usual afternoon poolside read until tomorrow or the next day).

I'm planning to visit some of the wonderful art galleries here - they always inspire me to get busy in the studio. There's nothing more motivating than seeing the work of accomplished and innovative artists.

Not quite an eagle

My dear husband wanted to share progress on a bird of his own - chicken BBQ'd on an open can of beer. Delicious!

The Eagle Has Landed

Now that I’m running my fingers along the contours of the actual 3-d sculpture, fresh ideas have surfaced from the depths of my wee but creative brain and I’ve decided to all but abandon the preliminary 2-d sketches.

I’ll remain true to the original concept discussed with my eagle’s sponsor (thank you A&A Contract Customs Brokers!) - themes of nurturing and community. The finished piece will be an expression of the importance of social responsibility and cohesive community in relation to our multicultural youth.

I’m keenly aware of the unique set of challenges I face working with an unpainted sculpture designed and created by someone else; with a purpose to raise money for charity; will often be viewed from long distances and seen for only a few seconds from passing cars. It must engage the imagination of the viewer immediately. It should encourage the viewer to draw closer for a second and third look.

Perhaps I should eat Wheaties for breakfast before I begin painting ...

The Eagle Has Landed

I bought a silicone half-mask yesterday, complete with particle canisters, and began working on the eagle with a soft sanding sponge. I gave it an earnest twice-all-over sanding and will repeat today to get a truly smooth surface. I've been researching images of bald eagles, feathers, beaks, talons, wing structure, etc., and am revved up for interpreting these features on the sculpture in my usual style as soon as the prep work is completed.

The Eagle Has Landed

Here are images of parts of the eagle; the last image shows the texture I have to sand off to create a smooth surface to paint on. I'm going to buy myself a good ventilator mask before I begin sanding; sanding isn't my favourite part of the process, but it's a necessary precursor to the creative part - PAINTING!