I like to document my paintings as I go to see the progress and evolution but also to look back and see if an earlier incarnation of the work was better and then revise its present state to reflect that earlier specialness.  But alas, it’s just kinda neat to see it.  So this painting is going to be in my Thesis show, and I don’t think it’s finished yet, so it’s only a little bit of a spoiler.  I have many parts to work on, and if I totally screw something up and overpaint, I have these earlier points of reference. It’s really nice to finally write a blog post!

Well I am knee-deep in painting and writing and all things that have to do with graduating in less than four months with my MFA!  The actual show will be in April and I am busy painting as the due date is fast approaching.  But here is some of my in-progress work.  My goal of sorts is to work and work and work and then edit what makes it into the show later.  I will wait and see who plays good together.  I work better that way.

Oh, and I’m really excited for this Sunday, which is the First Sunday event in downtown Riverside where I’ll be at the Sweeney Art Gallery leading the Totes Yo! workshop where we will be stamping and screening cool little stamps and designs onto canvas tote bags.  I’m bringing some blank t-shirts just because I can’t resist.  If you’re in the area though, it’s free for all ages!  Doesn’t get any better than that.  One tote bag per person.

Here are some more in progress works…. Some shapes have found new lives, as beehives or vessels.  I’m working through some of these on a really free-floating, subconscious level, but then when I step back, I see so many connections.  What it all means?  Not exactly sure, but I think that’s the fun of it.  Not knowing, but trusting that it leads somewhere.  Of course, one doesn’t need to go to far before the metaphor of vessel becomes bodily.  Body as container…etc.  All very interesting, as I am truly and forever stymied by the very nature of us and … all of this.

Simple, and satisfying.  Looks like a beehive.

Tree rings…..thought it would be cool.  Ten hours later, not so sure.

And then there’s the nice getaway paintings.  They are my warm-ups now.  I also just learned how to crochet thanks to my gal friend Ramona, who needs to come back and help me as my scarf is shrinking and shrinking, as I keep going and going!?!  Wha?!?  I don’t know what I’m doing but it’s starting to curl?

I have been busy in my studio lately, preparing for my thesis show, which will happen in April, and just wanted to share some in progress works I’ve been hanging around with.  I am pretty excited about all this studio time and I am definitely having a full-on, I can’t believe it’s been 13 years it feels like we just met, love affair with oil paint.  LOVE it!