A Better Day

Today I made a few small abstract paintings, on pieces of matboard.

They are acrylic, and 8x10 inches to fit some frames I found in a thrift shop.

A couple may receive tweaks, but I'm pretty happy with them overall.

I have seen other artists present small works in found frames, salon-style, and find that I really like the aesthetic.  One of my galleries has offered me an exhibition next year, so I've been keeping an eye open for frames lately, thinking I may try to present some of my work in this way.  We will see.  

I've been enoying the use of metallics lately, how they create almost a feeling of movement as they change with the angle of the light.

With leftover paint I worked a little on a large painting in progress, of which the image above shows a portion.

As I leave the studio this evening, the moon is bright and the clouds shifting.

I can appreciate the moon image with my painting.  

August and September held some fun but intense things for this introvert:

First, a 4-day driving trip up north to change over some paintings at one of my galleries, the first time we'd been.  At the last minute I was asked to do a filmed interview including a painting demonstration while we were there, and I said yes ... but then found myself off-kilter from the travel, the different bed, the unfamiliar foods ... and I cancelled because I felt I would not be able to present well.  This did not feel good, but it felt better than being in front of a camera!

AND - the drive was beautiful.  We explored new areas, picniced beside mountain streams, dipped our feet into waterfalls, hiked some sandy and rocky shores, explored forests, and generally had an amazing outdoor experience.

Second, a 3-day teaching gig.  It was fun but also stressful, due to a number of factors, and in the end I was unable to bring the concept around full-circle.

AND - the kids were engaged with the project, and they made some cool stuff, and they worked very well as a group, with no obvious animosities, and I'm sure at least some of them took away something valuable.
  I am working on accepting having done a good-enough job rather than a great job.  This is difficult for me, but I'm trying!

Third, in the middle of these events I took on a few extra shifts at the art-supply shop.  This is not usually a big deal since I am one of the "flex" people, but in the middle of two very busy weeks it was a bit much.

AND - I appreciate the larger-then-usual paycheck, and some really great interactions with customers during those extra shifts.

So yeah, I realize these are nice problems to have!

 

But after all the activity, for about 2 weeks now I've been feeling lethargic, sleeping quite a lot more than usual and struggling to feel motivated about anything.  This is not my usual state.  

But today is better.  I feel happy with the work I did, and feel my head a little calmer about getting ready for an exhibition.

AND - writing all this out has helped me see things in some perspective.

Thank you as always, dear Reader.

Until next time,

V