"Paradise is where I am" - Voltaire

To be surrounded by such beauty is true magic.  To be appreciative of that beauty that surrounds you is a gift.  Often times I get discouraged because I live in such a rural area, but when I come to my senses I end up actually very grateful that I live in such a rural area...for it is this quiet that allows me time to paint.  This picture is of one of my favorite places to escape to...Lake Superior..and although it's not 'out my back door' it is an easy 2 hour drive.

Recently I traveled to the South of France and spent some glorious days under the Provence Sun...the colors, the bright skies, the old buildings, the good food, the memories will all - somehow subconsciously - work their way into my new works.

Being back in my studio brings a real 'pure' joy to my heart and soul.  The process of working on these new panels that were just delivered last week uplifts me to a true happiness.  Every year when I have these panels built, I struggle with what sizes to order, what will people want this year- luckily my builder is flexible and he can build any size at any time!  So this year I took my list of what sold and am working on those same sizes this year...and I am finding that they were mostly large sizes...32x40" and LARGER or very small 6x6" which were used in 'groupings'....So...let the fun begin...I LOVE WORKING LARGE!...and you should see the pieces in the works...can't move in this little space...but I am surrounded by some beautiful fall weather, the gorgeous landscape around me, hot tea... AND lots of new paints and panels...doesn't get any better than this!  Enjoy your day!

"Simplicity in art is not at all simple to achieve.' - Otto Weiss

Last night I was reading one of the art books from my 'stack' (Realistic Abstracts by Kees van Aalst) and was stopped in my tracks by the paragraph on Simplicity.  Here it is:

"Simplification is the key word for producing a successful work of art.  The paradoxical combination of opposing ideas is a prerequisite for a good composition.  Repetition and alternation, simplicity and complexity, clarity and obscurity are contrasts that will give the work power and tension.  They will provide your work with vitality and rhythm."

In my paintings I am striving to take a 'landscape' and pare it down to the 'bare minimum' HOWEVER, that does not mean it is simple or easy!  I struggle with each new painting I make...it doesn't get any easier.  I put so much thought and so many layers and time into each painting ( my husband thinks I'm crazy - because he see's the whole process) as I create complex textures/colors/layers...only to take them back to clarity and simplicity.   I guess as they say it is the 'process' that matters...and you must enjoy the process as much as the finished  outcome.  

So....because of this 'process'...most days you will find me in my studio...and happy to be able to do it!

Enjoy the 'simple' things in your life...

  This painting "Mesa" is in my studio drying....before it finds a new home at a gallery or juried exhibition.

     This painting "Wings" is all about growing your 'wings' and actually being able to use them! Grateful!

"A traveler without observation is a bird without wings." - Sheikh Saadi

I just returned from a glorious 10 days in the South of France.  I believe in travel.  I love to get away from my routine and studio life, for just a bit, to explore, rest and grow as an artist and a person.   When artists travel, I believe they truly do see things differently than the average person.  We are in awe...constantly...by just the subtle shifts of the clouds, the dappled shadows under the trees, the sunlight as it casts shadows on age old buildings.  We cannot travel fast, for fear of missing some subtle, beautiful 'color'.

My trip to Provence was very relaxing and truly enjoyable.  I did not bring my paints with me this time as I wanted to just 'absorb' and take time to really 'see' everything around me.  We, the four girls, rented a car and traveled to a few of the bigger cities (Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles, Nice) as well as meandering the back roads to my favorite, the small villages (St. Remy de Provence, Les Baux, Gordes, Grasse and more).  Two of us shared the driving...only the small villages for my driving skills...and yes, it is like you see in the movies, the narrow winding roads with the speedy french drivers....what an adventure.

One of my favorite small villages was the village of de Roussillon...the Ochre Footpath!  This area was long quarried for its pigments.  As in paints.  and YES!  I packed the little remaining space in my suitcase with LOTS OF PIGMENTS!  What else is an artist to do?????

Life is an adventure, traveling outside of your norm is a good thing...but it sure feels good to be back to this amazing autumn weather!  So enjoy...LE GRAND CHEMINDE LA VIE! (life's great path)

"The house in which there was no furniture or ornaments, was filled up by the presence of the artist"-from atelier de Cezanne book