Pain and Paint

St. Johns bridge

The last 5 months have been pretty interesting to say the least.  I've been doing more painting than printmaking, which isn't saying too much.  I think I fell in love.  Or maybe I was in love with the idea of it.  But this week I discovered that everything was a lie.  Or at least it seems like that now.  So in the time of heartache and confusion I will use the best self therapy I know.  Art!

The one good thing about being older and having lived through other heartbreak, I know the pain is temporary.  I know I have learned some things. My trust level might have dropped back to the floor and I'll probably return to my jaded anti love self.  But that's fine. At least for now. 

Puerto Jimenez casa

Here's somethings I painted recently.   I couldn't leave you with out some photos!

my first plein air painting

Here's a question for all you artist!  Can you call a painting of yourself from a photo a self portrait?  I personally think you can't.  Thoughts? 

 in progress from photo

Happy 2012!

Wishing you Love, Happiness, Art and Adventure! 

Here's a little inspiration!  I may not agree with all of his philosophies but I felt like it makes a good point of practicing the craft! What ever your art form may be, practice and craftsmanship is always important!


Edward B. Gordon - on iNCONTEXT.TV from dutch rall on Vimeo.

Brrrr!

I'm still trying to get acclimated to the colder temperatures since I've been back.  Catching a cold didn't help.
BikeCraft was a success!  I've just updated my Etsy store (use coupon code: facebook for 15% off) and I'm trying to organize my life and thoughts. 

You'd think that after one year of unemployment I'd have figure out what to do with my life.  Or found a job I like.  I'm not sure which is more difficult.  I do know I need to clear out the more clutter from my house and sell more unnecessary items. But I'm really missing my paint brush! 

Looking forward for the new painting action!  New household organization and some hot toddies!  :)

Back in Black

To quote the classic AC/DC:
Back in black
I hit the sack
I've been too long
I'm glad to be back  
Yes I'm, let loose
From the noose
That's kept me hanging about
I keep looking at the sky
'Cause it's gettin' me high  
Forget the herse 'cause 
I'll never die
I got nine lives
Cat's eyes
Usin' every one of them and running wild"

Ok, that might not exactly describe me or what I've been up to, but I am back in Portland.  I've had 6.5 weeks of adventure.  And as the German expat I met on the dock told me, sometimes adventure is difficult.  But totally worth it.

But now I'm back in the "reality" of unemployment ( year one, month 1, day 29) and I really need to make some real life decisions.  {side note: I can NOT believe how fast time has flown by!}

And before you ask, yes, I have been applying for jobs in my field, yes, I did apply for jobs while I was away.  Yes I did apply for an awesome job this morning.  The autoresponse I recieved said this:

**We regret that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we currently only contact applicants who are highly qualified and most closely match our job requirements. Again, thank you for submitting your application.**

 

While away I taught English as a second language for part of my trip.  I absolutely loved it.  Prior to that I did indeed apply for the Peace Corp to teach English, but that application process takes at least 1 year.  That also would not really solve the problem of this house.   This house has become a burden.  Every month I make my mortgage payment I wonder if it should be the last month.  I can't sell it, as the value has dropped 50K+ below what I owe.  I can't rent the entire house to cover the monthly payment.  So I've moved into the garage and have rented out the two bedrooms.  I share the garage with one of my roommates bike repair shop, the washer, dryer, furnace, freezer, hot water tank and kitty littler boxes.  It's interesting.  :) 

 

Where am I going with this?  I wish I knew! I guess I just wanted to say hello and to let you know I did not get eaten by a puma while away.  Tomorrow and Sunday I will be selling prints at BikeCraft and need to get ready!  

 

I leave you with this photo from my trip! 

Yes, I was trying to pry this Spider Monkey off of my, while it was biting. No broken skin thank the kitties!

Summer is Over?

Well, it is for a few days anyway.  I'll be fleeing the country in 17days!  I'm headed to Central America!  All part of my mid-life crisis.  Number 3 as far as I can tell.  The current crisis always seems to be the worst one.  

I haven't turned my back on the art dream, just needed a break from it.  I really enjoyed summer! Swimming, camping, beaching and spending as many hours as possible absorbing as much vitamin d as I could.

And now, fall clean up, packing, and planning for the future will ensue!  Who knows what the future will bring.  Plus the future never gets here.  We only have today.  So let's live it while we can!

xo!

Thank you I Heart Art / Etsy and DWR!!

Had a lovely time last night at the I heart art mixer match!  Thank you to everyone who made it awesome!!!
Here's some info about it! 

http://www.oregonlive.com/art/index.ssf/2011/08/i_heart_art_the_portland_mixer.html
http://iheartartpdx.com/mixer-match/

Some Summer!

August is jam-packed with summer goodness!  I'll check back as I can, but I really need to have some good old fashioned summer fun! 

Happy summer!  Happy creating!