The New Year and Old Habits

Which End Is Up? wood, 2005

For the past six months I have found and followed blogs of wonderful artists who are very organized--a real learning experience. During the past week most have posted their resolutions. After reading and thinking about so many great plans I have no idea which end is up.

As is my custom, I will prepare my Mark Bittman (the Minimalist) black-eyed pea and collard greens soup, eat it on New Year's Day, and hope for luck.

This torso was lying in the street five years ago. My friend Lamar helped me load it into my car; then we hid it behind my workshop. The fungi was beautiful; I made three trips up the ladder with the camera; then stitched the photos together. When she was wormy I walked her to the woods in back; she returned to the earth.

Christmas 2009

Peace, alkyd, 12x12

Two friends passed away during this Season--one was buried on the 16th and the other on Christmas Eve; I had known them since childhood.

Parties, decorations. and gifts are nice but friends, families, and memories keep you warm. I made it though my annual chaotic breakfast (egg-making is now assigned to a friend) and am looking forward to the new year.

This painting from 2008 is a scene from nearby Cedar Grove Plantation. My art group was impressed with the beautiful house; I've always loved being alone in the woods. The sun touched the handmade cross while I was standing near the cemetery. A friend, who's from this area, bought the painting and told me she treasures it--I am honored.

Happy Holidays

It's that time of year.

Here in SOVA, we were fortunate--only about 2 inches of snow. Today I hung my hubcap wreaths and found the extension cord for the bird bath heater. A sore throat and runny nose has put me further behind schedule than usual.

Being sick gave me an excuse to take it easy and read a book. I chose A FINE DISREGARD--WHAT MAKES MODERN ART MODERN by Kirk Varnedoe, who was at MOMA--it had been on the bookshelf for two years. I was surprised to learn that many of the artists I like are considered modern--I don't know movements and isms. There was mention of a small book entitled Flatland by A. Square, which intrigues me. I have no talent for teaching so the ideas just enter my head and rattle around. It is a great book and, like all books, leads to more questions.

I feel better; now I need to set up the guest house--my son will arrive Wednesday; clean and decorate the house (I am a minimalist); find and wrap the gifts I bought during the year; and prepare for the annual Christmas breakfast (my favorite was when I dropped the dozen uncooked scrambled eggs on the floor, the wall and on me).

January may be my favorite month.

Symbols

Now Is the Time, 2004, mixed media, 24x30

Studying hieroglyphs from the back of the dictionary when I was young or looking at cave drawings--I've always loved symbols. Learning shorthand was no different; I was fascinated and sometimes created my own. And I was fast--my teacher even suggested I write a textbook. This is shorthand for Now Is the Time (at least, it's my way of writing it). I always thought it was beautiful.

This wonderful brown linen mat with a white rectangle holding a Degas print was found at an auction for $8; the frame had obviously been removed. My plan was to take it apart and use it as a template. Instead, it became part of the art--I covered the print with modeling paste and gesso; then used acrylics and copper shavings for the painting.

Some have seen a rabbit, some have seen a puppy, another saw a bong! I see a symbol--shorthand is probably a lost art.

Now is the time for me to get moving for the Holidays. So far, I've done only one thing--ordered my fruitcake from the Monastery Bakery. Yes, fruitcake with lime jello is my favorite Christmas dessert!