Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Hurricane Irene

Summer Wardrobe, graphite on gray paper, 8x8
Two and a half days without the internet--I felt I should do something productive while it was down (re-connected this morning).

I reviewed my summer wardrobe--a linen jacket with huge pockets (pants are someplace), old but goodie Eileen Fisher black slacks, a silk blouse, an old but goodie DKNY blazer, a black "funeral" dress, and a silk print blouse.  I didn't move these to a closet; instead, I drew them.  Now I know where my extra hangers are! 

Imitating Art
I put away varnishing and framing materials (cleared some walking space in the workshop).  Last week, before varnishing, I had to try imitating Painter's Salute--setting the timer on the camera, grabbing the paintbrush, and running around the counter to get into position.  Not easy.  On Friday I had delivered this painting to Convergence Art Guild in Halifax VA for an upcoming exhibit of self-portraits.

Virginia 13-year Cicada
On the way to my workshop to frame Tabernacle Road yesterday I noticed a dead cicada--picked it up, blew off the ants, and spray varnished the big fellow.  He's on a slice of cucumber on a Fiesta plate.  Canape anyone?

Southside Virginia was fortunate--Irene (the middle name given to me at birth) brought hours of wind and rain but no damage and no loss of power.  We lost our Verizon internet connection because it comes out of the Hampton Roads (East Coast) area--they had major damage.

Let's see--one hurricane and one earthquake--do cicadas count as locusts?

Tonight I'll catch up on all the blogs I follow.
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37 comments:

  1. Carole ReidAugust 30, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    Ha ha I think cicadas count as locusts! I'll pass on the canape thanks.
    I love, love, love your self-portrait. I hope you can stay connected as I miss your postings when you're gone.

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  2. RobinAugust 30, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    It's always so interesting to me to hear where your inspiration comes from. The details in your pencil drawings are so amazing to me. Absolutely love the self portrait, and am happy to hear you survived the hurricane without much trouble. So you mention cicadas after the earthquake and hurricane, it makes me think of all the plagues listed in a Passover seder, what's next?

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  3. Dan KentAugust 30, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Three plagues, only seven to go. The good thing is that they fit right into your usual subject matter! lol - sorry, couldn't resist.

    These works are all - all - to a one - excellent!!! I think the drawing of your wardrobe is great. The self-portrait is interesting (as always) and a superb likeness. I like the unusual pose, and the background really enhances the painting. (I suggest so you can be sure to win that when the judge's come around that you stand just like that, casually, next to the work).

    The cicada - what a great idea: my wife would have a heart attack if I varnished insects and put them on vegetables. It's kind of fun to imagine, really. But it is original (as always), and so well done.

    Great post, great work. You should turn off the internet more often. :)

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  4. Autumn LeavesAugust 30, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    1. Here's hoping you haven't ruined cucumbers forever for me, Hallie!

    2. That self portrait is awesome (but I think you are even prettier in real life, judging by the photo).

    3. The pencil sketch is spot on perfection!

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  5. hw (hallie) farberAugust 30, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Hi Carole. I actually googled cicadas and they can't count as locusts. I think you have as much fun with the camera as I--I played with the webcam when the internet was down, too; decided not to post any of those.


    Thanks Robin. This cicada is one of the 13-year cycle ones and they arrived a couple of months ago. Some are a bit late; they come out of the ground, look for a mate, lay eggs, and die. Locusts are more like grasshoppers--I'll keep an eye out for them.

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  6. hw (hallie) farberAugust 30, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Hi Dan. This might be scary to you but I was thinking of standing like this during the opening of the show! I'd wear the long underwear and cordoroy shirt but it's a bit warm here. You need a separate workshop, my friend; my husband would not understand a varnished cicada. He'll see it only if he looks at this blog (and he'll ask why I would post such an awful photo of myself).

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  7. hw (hallie) farberAugust 30, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Autumn Leaves, I used salt rather than cicadas and ate the rest of the cucumber. Thank you and Thank you--I do enjoy drawing.

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  8. Celeste BerginAugust 31, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Hallie...you are so weird...haha and I mean that in the best possible way. I would never think to varnish a bug. What a wonderful idea. I think he would approve, if we could ask him. The drawing is great and the self portrait is remarkable! I am glad you showed us the photo of you in the pose...it is such a spot on likeness. My self portraits look like other people, not me very much...so I am duly impressed. Duly!
    p.s. I have a good friend named Irene, I think she has sort of enjoyed the notoriety

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  9. Donna Iona DrozdaAugust 31, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Hi Hallie
    What a wonderful trilogy of works...all so very you.

    Picasso remarked that everything we create is a self portrait and with that in mind I say...I love seeing all the sides that you show of you~

    I'm right on the coast and Irene provided quite the 20 + hour ride over here.

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  10. RH CarpenterAugust 31, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Hallie, I'm wishing that bad things DO NOT come in threes - and yes, cicadas count (they are loud and obnoxious and loud and...did I mention LOUD?). Glad you suffered no damage and had your sense of humor in tact (who else would varnish and set up this strange still life of cicada and cucumber? ha ha).

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  11. hw (hallie) farberAugust 31, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    Hi Celeste. I probably would not have thought of varnishing a cicada but, many years ago in MD, I bought one cast in resin as a souvenir for a CA nephew. He was working in D.C. that summer and almost afraid to venture outside because of the noise. In one of your recent blogs you mentioned drawing once a week; since I like drawing I might do that.

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  12. hw (hallie) farberAugust 31, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Hi Donna. I think seeing the Picassa exhibit at VMFA actually encouraged me to play more, and I agree that everything is a self-portrait. I wondered how you fared during the hurricane--most of our wind and rain showed up when Irene was still in NC.


    Hi Rhonda. I put the car windows down and drive where trees are on both sides of the road--I actually enjoy the cicada noise. I looked around the house for something that might indicate the size of the bug--on the kitchen counter was a cucumber. An Aha ha ha moment. It's no match for those wonderful frog photos.

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  13. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    "I'm looking for my Mom."

    Everette T. McGill

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  14. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 2, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Explanation of Anonymous' comment: Everette delivered to me an envelope with "looking for my Mom" written on it. Inside was a dead bug. Unfortunately, Everette can't tell a horsefly from a cicada--he only pretends to be a country boy; he's never walked behind a plow.

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  15. Mary PaquetSeptember 2, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Another one of the days when I was sure I wrote a comment a few days ago, but I must have failed in the post process.

    The bug appetizer is priceless, but I'm settling for the homemade hummus tonight. I like that - life imitating art imitating life....that piece is a special favorite of mine. Very Hallie!

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  16. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 2, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Thank you, Mary. I thought of hummus last night as I was adding chick peas to my salad. It's been a while since I've had the homemade kind--sounds delicious.

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  17. William CookSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Hi Hallie--I have one of those doors, only on it are a couple pairs of pants, a suit and a coat hanger full of ties--all from the old days--all hopelessly out of date. I'm hanging on to the suit because one day I'll fit back into it. It's only been hanging there for ten years or so. I like your sketch, art being everywhere if you care to look.

    As for Verizon, I'm all worked up. Several months ago our internet started acting funny, and by six weeks ago it was unusable. Killed my blogging discipline. Finally the guy gets here yesterday, climbs up the pole and clears out the suitcase (box of connections. Squirrel's nest. Apparently the little bugger took a liking to the vinyl they insulate the wires with. So far we're back in business.

    Is that a table going through the window? I like it. It makes perfect sense--in a sort of applied surrealist way. I know you're a Dali fan.

    Somewhere in the world that's a delicacy--Maybe stick him down with some orange hummus?

    Best.

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  18. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 5, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    Hi William. I agree that art is everyplace; I guess it's in the eye of the beholder. Upstairs is off-limits to everyone but me; occasionally, I put things away (I should never have bought those over-the-door-hooks; I like convenience).

    My neighbor's had a problem with his Verizon connection--now it's working; now it's not. I'll mention your squirrel squatter to him.

    That table is actually my sculpture stand and it's just parked in front of a window to the porch. I included it in the photo because the globe and window were reflected in the mirror when I worked on the self-portrait (nighttime). The cicada reminded me of Cajun crayfish, or crawfish, that my kids and husband enjoyed eating. He would look yummy on some orange hummus. I hope you stay connected.

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  19. Ann BucknerSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Hallie, loving the drawing and that self-portrait is absolutely wonderful. Hope the show goes well!

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  20. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 6, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Thank you, Ann. I enjoy following your works in progress posts.

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  21. EvaSeptember 6, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Glad to hear you were spared the blunt of Irene. So far we have been spared the worst of the latest one in the Gulf that did bring tornadoes to the NE side of Atlanta.

    The portrait is great and deserves an award but you were a little hard on yourself.I must admit I pick up interesting insect skeletons, but haven't put them on food :O)....yet!

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  22. Pam HugginsSeptember 6, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Your drawing Hallie is superb! I love all the details- especially the cross hatching background. It gives it depth- really wonderful.
    I remember your self portrait from before. I loved it then and love it now.
    The bug on the cucumber is beautiful. You see with the eye of an artist- always.
    I'm glad you are safe. I was also glad you survived the earthquake. What a summer it's been!

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  23. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 6, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Hi Eva. Today my county was under a tornoado watch! Self-portraits are fun--I can do anything I want if I'm painting myself; no complaints from the model.

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  24. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 6, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Hello Pam and Thank you. Ah, the eye of an artist. Makes one wonder--do we look because we see art or do we make art because we look?

    I'm safe--earthquake, hurricane, and a tornado watch today with periods of very heavy rain. I spent the day in my workshop. I thought about you and the floods you've had--hope you're okay.

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  25. indigomarSeptember 8, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Hi Hallie, What a great way to spend time when you have no internet or to spend time any time for that matter:)
    I hear what you're saying about the plagues. We experienced the earthquake, had a tornado, have lost power on and off the last couple of weeks--from violent thunderstorms.
    Love the self portrait.

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  26. Diary of a Madd Weekly PainterSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Hi Hallie, I've got Dragonflies and BumbleBee's that seem to be disintegrating so you may have saved them for me, if I listen and spray them w/ varnish. And tell William, up there, Verizon NEVER could keep us connected so I switched to ATT. So far so good! LOVE your photo of yourself w/ yourself. Now go win an award...

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  27. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 8, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    Hi Indigomar. You had a busy summer--20+ paintings (I guess that means you know how to stay off the internet). Strange things have been happening, weather-wise and earthquake-wise-- maybe the earth is rebelling; telling us to wise up and treat it with respect.


    Sue, thank you. I know you've had problems leaving a comment; I glad you were able to do it this time. Sorry about your dragonflies and bumblebees; I hope it's not that pink dragonfly that I liked so much. No awards--just an exhibit.

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  28. JaneSeptember 10, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Sometimes we actually NEED the computer to break down, so we can get stuff done around the house:-) Mine is in repair and will be back ( hopefully ) next week; in the meantime books have finally found their way to the shelves, papers from gas, electricity and so forth have been put where they belong instead of lying in a pile on the dest and so on...Your idea of painting your wardrobe is as ever very original, love it, and Hallie really wish you the best of luck with the exhibition.

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  29. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 10, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Hi Jane and welcome back. Wow, you actually put things away while your computer was down--I probably would have just drawn the piles. It's a group exhibition; we artist members are just hanging out on the walls at the Guild. A fellow member said he'd like to buy one of my self-portraits (it's nfs) just so he could destoy it. It's a painting titled RAGE, from 2004, and I'm hanging from a tree screaming, but I have a barbed-wire whip in my hand--it's one of my favorites and I was really ticked off when I painted it. Usually it hides out upstairs; it's not a pretty picture.

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  30. -DonSeptember 15, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    Hallie, I absolutely love the self-portrait photo of you and Painter's Salute. It's as wonderful a work of art as the painting by itself.

    Hmmm, I just realized that the photo fits perfectly into your 'plagues' analogy with that globe sitting there in the background. Now I'm wondering if you and the portrait are actually holding your arms up to protect your heads from the falling frogs...

    -Don

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  31. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 15, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Hi Don--thanks. Falling frogs? Maybe it's just me--a mockingbird fell out of the sky last week onto the sidewalk right in front of me. He made a "plop" sound, flailed around on his back for a while, then righted himself, got his bearings, and took off. In other local news, a woman drove her car into the post office (major damage), a funeral home burned down (two blocks away), and a steering column broke as a construction truck was being driven down our main street. Vultures are hanging out on the dead tree at the top of my street. (I think they're cool but it was a bit creepy when they sat there in heavy rain during a tornado watch--then they sat with outstretched wings for several hours as they dried.) That's when I picked up the camera. Maybe I should start wearing my old Civil Defense helmet.

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  32. -DonSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    YIKES! I thought you lived in a quiet little town... I sure hope you share some photos of your new pets at the end of your street. That had to have been an awesome sight.

    -Don

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  33. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 16, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Yes, Don, it is quiet. Vultures don't make any noise (I've never heard them slurp) and I didn't hear any fire truck sirens--early morning; I slept through the fire. (I use earplugs and a white noise machine.)

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  34. Mary Sheehan WinnSeptember 20, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    mmmmmm grasshopper on cucumber. You are funny!

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  35. hw (hallie) farberSeptember 20, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Hi Mary. I'll bet Wolfie and Abba would love it.

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  36. AnonymousOctober 26, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    This from your X-neighbor: N...
    Love your work!!! Your imagination is fantastic and your sense of humor just as great. Congratulation. I'm delighted to see that you kept busy as an artist - don't ever stop.

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  37. hw (hallie) farberOctober 26, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Thank you Anonymous X-neighbor. Art keeps me semi-sane and out of trouble.

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