I Did Part II

Today's snow was a perfect excuse to work on all my business things that have fallen by the wayside.

My website had outdated links, and needed some slight alterations. I bought web space from Go Daddy for my new website, and so far the customer service has been excellent.

I wish I knew how to use Dreamweaver well. I am going to research some sites that I like so that I have an idea of how I might set up my new website. I need to make a temporary site to put some of the cards up, and it will grow as I grow. I am so excited to put them out into the world. I think there is a need for cards that address weddings and love notes for lovers of all types. And, it will have a section for my cards that are just a little bit edgy.

Now I have to install Illustrator as I also have to learn that.

Tonight's artwork is an old real photo postcard that I sewed onto an oil monotype that I did. I might paint or work into it more, but for today she is perfect as she is.

Here is to prosperity, inspiration, and success in the New Year!
Patti

I DID

Today I did step one of my new marketing plan. I bought the domain WEDOGREETINGCARDS.COM. WEDO, and WEDOCARDS were all taken, and I thought this was fairly straight forward as it contained the words WE DO, and the product, GREETING CARDS in it. Cards with an edge, and as my friend pointed out, all cards have an edge, haha. Mine just happen to have a bit more of an edge than most.

I plan on carrying more than just greeting cards, but for starters the cards are fine. Now I have to get design No.1 printed, and start to work on more designs.

I decided to give these cards a domain of their own, and separate them from my website. I need to design an "under construction" page and upload it as soon as I find a place to host my website. I bought my domain through Go Daddy, and am not sure how much they charge for web space. I have a few options, and hopefully will have web space AND a page up soon.

I know I am going to have to learn more about all of this, and I am not thrilled with it, but in order to be able to manage and control my website, I am going to have to become even geekier than ever.

Off to geek land, Patti
PS. For you readers out there, Larry said GEEK LOVE is a very good read.

T

OK so I found a home for the I card!!!! One of my best friends from High School lives in Louisianna, and her ex 's name starts with an I and she wanted the card. Au Revoir!

Here is I's counterpart---- T.

Tom
Theresa
Tim
Teesha
Terrance

and so forth. Another freebe, just drop me an email or a comment on the blog.

Off to bed. Been working in the workshop 24/7. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz

Another PIF

Well here is round 2. Two small cards made with vintage Slap Jack cards, or some other game cards. These are prototypes, and I am not going to make any more, so I am offering them for FREE. YESIREEEEE FREE. And, I will ship!

I am still looking for the T card. It is somewhere in this mess.

Back out to the studio to work on xmas gifts and such. It is a sleety, rainy, icy, snowy day here at the bottom of the Catskills, not good for much else!

Back later, Patti

Inquiries

Will be on later to edit my post and put up another card for free. I guess no one knows anyone whose name begins with an I, lol...so here it still sits. The next one is a T. Maybe that will fare better.

I recently got an inquiry about a boxer dog card from Lori on my blog. Unfortunately, since no email addy was attached, or the link to the blogger site did not have any way to get in touch with you, I have to answer here.

I am not sure what other antique papers I have, but if you leave me a way to get in touch with you, I can let you know when/if I find one and make a card out of it :).

I have a snow day and am being lazy this morning, but that is because I am gearing up for a day of finishing gifts in the studio, cleaning, wrapping, etc. It is the PERFECT day for those kind of things, and after having worked so hard for so long, I need this kind of a day.

Will be back in a bit to post a pic of the next PIF card! Patti

PIF (Pay It Forward)

So the first person who sends me a request for this card gets it. It is really quite lovely....for someone whose name begins with an I.

Isabel
Isadora
Ignatius
Ingrid
Icarus
Ichabod
Iman
Imogen
Ingmar
Isaiah
Ishmael
Isis
Ivy

Have fun and hopefully someone will grab this up!!!!

Chuckling, Patti

THE FRA

The Magazine is one of the pieces I have in my Pre-Raphaelite/Arts and Crafts collection of books, magazines, prints, etc.

It was published by Elbert Hubbard, the founder of the Roycroft business in East Aurora, New York. The art is done in the arts and crafts style, and this magazine is a historical catalog of the decorative arts which they produced, as well as musings by Hubbard, his wife, William Morris, and famous writers and thinkers of the time.

Chock full of ads, photographs, drawings and musings, it is a fabulous item for any collector or artist who may use this in their work.

You can find it on Ebay, link provided.

I also spent some time listing items on Etsy, some which are at a discounted price.

Tomorrow I will list a card or two which I will send for FREE...as part of my pay-it-forward to the universe. I believe in giving things away as well as selling. It is good karma and besides, I love to do it.

So keep coming back, as you never know WHAT might show up here!

Patti

Ornaments

This is one of three ornaments on sale at my Etsy shop. I have them half price as they are the last ones left over from my craft fair.

They are made with Victorian paper, Painted wood, sealed with an acrylic resin. I add a chain, Indian bead, and make a fun hook so that you can hang it on a nail, curtain, tree, whatever needs a little embellishment!

This week has been busy exchanging cards in the shop that I sell to, getting another order ready for my client, and I may spend some time making a few more ornaments as some people are interested in them. If I get a day off due to the graciousness of an ice storm, maybe I will try. 'Tis the season, and I have to keep the studio heated....and need to make the money!!!!

Off to do some shopping on Etsy....patti

NO Never Means Yes

I am just starting to unwind from the intense month of production work after an 8 hour day.

This weekend I did the Unison Center craft fair, the ONLY craft fair that I do all year. I did well, perhaps better than I have ever done, which is amazing considering I did not have much inventory. I sold several collages and one mixed media piece as well as cards and ornaments. I have a following of clients and customers who are wonderful, and LOVE what I do; they appreciate my art and for that I am completed.

I also delivered my order to Jen at Earth Angel Toys, which is a fascinating site to check out. Jen is a dynamo, and a very successful business woman in the world of folk art/art.

One of my clients bought the artwork titled NO on tonight's blog. (6 x 6 on raised wood panel. Acrylic and collage.) It is often difficult letting go of my art which is so personal. Often these pieces are born out of times of great pain and/or growth. I feel vulnerable letting them out into the world, yet honored that its meaning is embraced by another.

I could tell the stories behind the artworks, and perhaps I will save that for my personal blog rather than this. I don't know how I will ever have my show "Telling Stories" if I keep selling the artwork. Perhaps I will have to borrow them...and then will have the silly honors of putting NFS...from the collection of.....

So I am content, tired, and the only art I am going to make for a bit is some gifts for friends. I need to make my house into an installation piece for the holiday, and it will take a bit of excavation and cleaning to get it ready!!!!!

patti

Cocobolo

NOTE: I have had to edit this blog because it seems a few key words are promoting spam on this blog...so I am taking out a few words like "Tarzan" and "in the mouth" seems to have been a red flag for the spam bots. 

This bowl was made by my friend, Kip Eggert. It is made from Cocobolo wood.

I love how the word sounds.  Try saying it a few times...cocobolo, cocobolo.... (sort of like kukamunga, lol) And, the bowl is as exotic and lovely as it sounds.

Larry took the photographs, while I did the photoshop on it for Kip's blog. It is sitting on my dining room table feeling quite at home until I see him again.

Visit Kip's Blog, linked here and in my fave blog links. He is an amazing artist, and I am lucky to have a few of his bowls. He sells to Troy in NYC and was just filmed for a segment on Martha Stewart. YOU ROCK KIP.

Kip and I have been friends for a while, we met at a local market in Rhinebeck where I sold my art and some collectibles. He brought me over a box full of all kinds of assemblage type items, and the rest is history. He is a collector nut like me, and he cooked me my first (and last, sorry Kip) Shad Roe. Great cook, but don't like that shad roe. Too weird. Give me back my octopus.

Off to the studio to make MORE ornaments. I am getting tired of it, orders that are "production" tend to make art feel like a "job". But I am grateful for the order, the money, and the fabulous gallery that I am designing them for. !!! patti

Lovely Words

I bet many of you can relate to this card if you are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. I myself am not celebrating with family, but am cooking with a good friend who was my cooperating teacher 16 years ago when I was her student teacher.

It is ok. Sometimes the importance of "family" is overrated.

I got an email from someone I purchased some lovely ephemera from on Etsy. If you have not shopped at Etsy, you are missing a fabulous outlet for handmade goods and supplies. She purchases my zine EAT MAN DRINK WATER, and wrote: "HOW HYSTERICAL! Can't wait to see the whole thing! I have just the friend who'll dig this as the perfect little gift. --- Your cards are also fabulous! (*I was a greeting card editor for a major company for many yrs and have seen scores of handmade cards; the tone and execution of yours are beautiful). Glad to meet you here, and thanks for the trade card orders from my shop.

So visit Journey and Landscape as she has some great things for sale!!!! And thanks for the kind, kind words about my cards! It is always nice to hear when someone appreciates my work and says such a wonderful thing. It keeps me creating!

Off to read a magazine and be inspired by others, Patti

Custom Birthday Card

It took me a few weeks to put together all the pieces, but I made this card for my dear husband's birthday. I had so much fun making it, which reminded me of all the good times we have had. Sure, we have had some mean rough patches, but heck, we need them to appreciate the good!!!!

I finished 1/2 of my order of 100 collage ornaments for EARTH ANGELS. I still have 50 more to do, as well as get ready for a craft show in 2 weeks. I keep plugging away every day, and eventually come to an acceptance that I can only do so much, and it all "is what it is". Each year I seem to bring less and make more, or make a connection and meet new collectors or customers. My focus is abundance and acceptance, and that keeps me sane.

I ran into an artist friend today; our collective energies and input inspired one another. One short hour could have changed our art and lives forever! Thank you universe for our meeting at the post office today!!!!! PERFECT TIMING!!!!!

I received a lovely email from a woman who bought an antique print on Etsy from me. It was of Hooker's Sea Lions, and she told me that she used to work with sea lions and seals, so this print had special meaning to her. I am posting her blog link under my fave blogs. Check it out, she has some really cool art and photos and info on it!!!! Kazu and Co.

Back out to the studio! xpatti

Working

You haven't heard much from me because I have been working 12 hour days, and only been able to maintain one blog, never mind three and a myspace.

I am making cards, ornments, and designing for a few clients and a show. Hopefully some money will be rolling in soon for all of this work. I spent too much at the ephemera show the other day, but it is materials for you and for me. :)

Soon I will scan some new cards, and for tonight I give you another in my series of shots taking from dirty plane windows. This one is digitally altered in Photoshop.

Till then, patti

From Heaven

Just because I have not been in the studio working since Thursday, does not mean that I have not been making nor thinking art!

I am learning not to worry about the small breaks I take from my art. Down time is needed to recharge, and to muse about life and art and where I want to go. I am starting a proposal for one art show that I want to have in a year, and am already planning in my mind the next few bodies of work. One shall be called "From Heaven" and tonight's photographs are the inspiration for some of the work that I shall do. It is a nebulous theme at the moment, but I have some thoughts bouncing around in my head.

I book my flights and seat assignments electronically, and this I have learned; when traveling from north to south, book your seat on the right hand side of the plane, and of course by the window. This especially holds true for sunset flights. On the return north, I had a seat on the right, but the light was better on the left. Of course, if you are taking a sunrise flight, the opposite would hold true.

I have painted the landscape from the sky, but that is only possible for me if I have an empty seat besides me to spread out a bit. I have been lucky on a few flights to have this, but it is a rarity, not the norm. So the digital camera is easier.

I saw Mohonk and the Hudson from the air; they were both splendid. I was shocked to still see many green trees...and I have very few leaves down yet in my yard. Strange for it almost being November!

Well off to bed. I have spent two out of four days traveling, and I am tired. But all was good.

Patti

Digital AND Paper Collage

I put this on my other blog as tonight's picture, but here I wanted to talk about the piece in more depth.

It will be one for the show "Telling Stories", which I intend to do in the next year or so. I am sniffing out prospective venues for it. It will be a show that I do along with Larry; his narrative large format black and white photographs, my autobiographical collages.

This is one of the less emotionally distraught pieces, which looks at the history of my family-the frolicking fun Irish, always ready for a dance, a party, an adventure.

For tonight's blog I did it digitally, although it is actually going to be a paper collage. I am still seeking the right image for one part of it, and it is harder when you are doing a paper collage to find just the right car that is just the right size. It is not so easy when you don't use copies and must work with what you can find. Because of how I work, pieces can take months, even years to be finalized.

The paper is an old map of the Arran Islands in off the coast of Ireland, and you will get a chuckle out of the fact that the "Cock of Arran" is an actual location at the top of the map. The other piece is a postcard of the Ashokan Reservoir, made about the time when my family started visiting the Catskills. The other piece is from an 1800's book, and I am searching for a Black Buick, from the 40's. Once I find a relative to verify what the date of the Buick was, I will have a better idea of where to look, and what I am looking for.

Off to bed to read a bit more of my book Handmaid of Desire. A unique story. I can relate to the mind of the protagonist. After that, Allende's Inez of my Soul.

Oh and I HAVE to remember to join NETFLIX. I need some movies!!!! Has anyone seen Elizabeth (the new one)???

off to story land, Patti

Getting HELP When You Need It.

Today my student came over for 2.5 hours to work in my studio. I really enjoy this young woman, and we chatted, listened to music, worked, all while having a fun time.

I had spent some time the day before setting up a space for her, and gathering things that I needed done. Greeting cards to be sleeved, glitter to be put on certain items, copper foil which needed to be burnished down, illustrations that needed some hand painting.

She did great. She freed up time for me to complete the tasks that were more complex, or designing new cards. Tonight's cards are made with oil monotypes and authentic Victorian Scrap. They are already sold, as I have a client who says SEND ME MORE CARDS, and I know her taste, so I just make up a batch, and send them on.

I also found joy in teaching this young person about the business, and let her get a glimpse into my "other world", the world that I walk into once I leave the classroom.

If I were a kid, I would be asking for an application, LOL.

And, I got a GREAT teen to work with. THANKS JESSIE!

patti

Branding and Marketing: vs Creativity and Exploration

I opened a post today from a friend who runs one of the art groups on Yahoo. It is a very good group of edgy artists who engage in discussion and swaps, and today she asked what I thought to be a fabulous question: "Does one "limit" one's self in an attempt to be more "marketable" or does that self imposed limitation kill some of the creative spirit and in the end, limit output - or one's interest in your own art?"

She is talking about the buzz work of marketing called "branding", of imagery, color, style etc. in the arts.

I thought about it for a while, and this is an excerpt from my response to the group.

"I struggle with the same thing. I am one who likes to break rules, all
sorts of rules, which includes ones like "branding yourself".

I am sure Thomas Kincaide is perfectly happy with his branding. Why not? It
has made him a very very rich man, who by the way, does not even paint all
his own paintings, as there are factories that make them. Kenneth Baker, art
critic for the San Francisco Chronicle said of his work "He might as well not
exist. He could just be a branding concept. He might as well be selling
hamburgers." In my not so humble point of view, Kincade is dead as an artist. He may be the guru of marketing, but not the guru of fine art.

Picasso went through phases all through his career. He was considered a
genius. The rose phase, the blue phase, etc. Yes, agreed, it was fairly easy to
recognize a Picasso, but there are some pieces that I would have never guessed as his.

Many well known photographers have multiple bodies of work which are vastly different than one another. As they grow, their work changes. Sally Mann. Emmett Gowin.

As our lives as artists change so does our medium, our subject matter, our
color perhaps. Perhaps one day we say "ENOUGH OF THAT, I HAVE EXPLORED IT IN EVERY WAY AND I AM READY TO MOVE ON." So be it.

I, for one, would hate to be pigeonholed into a style, a palette of colors. Part of our creative freedom and challenge is to stretch our limits,experiment, explore.

The one thing that I do believe in is if one is going to have a show, that
you must have consistent body for that particular show. I have many bodies going on at once, some tied together by subject, some by medium. My last show about six years ago was a variety of my surreal collages, my vision for the next one will be called "Telling Stories", collages of my narrative work. Another show will be small landscape paintings inspired by the Hudson Valley. As an artist I am working on several bodies, several medium at once. That keeps me fresh.

Comments welcome!

Today's card seems appropriate for this fall Halloween season. Sold on Etsy the other day to a wonderful customer!

patti

Wedding Cards

A friend of mine needed a wedding card for this weekend, and I promised her I would design her a few as I was sold out. It is one of the events that people will spend money on for a handmade card. My friend has bought several wedding cards from me over the past year, and said that her friends have called her just to say thank you for the amazing card.

It makes me smile to know that people get joy out of my work, as it is with joy that I make them.

I think two of them will be available after she picks, if anyone is interested.
All are made with specialty exotic art papers, and antique or vintage images. *the real thing, not prints!*

patti

The Beauty of Kingston

Recently Kingston, NY, made it as one of the top ten cities for an artist to live. I provided the link to the article so that you can see how they arrived at this, but I am proud to live in this amazing little city.

A few hours north of New York City, at the base of the Catskills and the Hudson River, it was the capital before it was moved to Albany, and has fabulous architecture, history and views.

It has three distinct sections; Uptown, Mid Town, and Downtown, each section having its own unique offerings.

Like any other city, it has its problems, but in general I find it a wonderful supportive community, and it has plenty to offer the artist,

This photo was taken from the trolley looking at Kingston Point, where the Rondout Creek flows into the Hudson River. It is splendid. (my other blog talks about this in more detail)

Instead of photographing or drawing, I let the experience soak into my pores and my afternoon will not be forgotten.

Being an artist is not only about making art, but about the art of experiencing, seeing, feeling, smelling, and tasting the world. And I did it all today in a few hours in a little city that is finally getting a little bit of positive press!!!!!

patti
PS thanks Larry for the photograph!!!

A Gorey Decoration

My job and my life is getting in the way of art these days. Again. I have work to do, orders to fill, paintings to finish.

Thirty feel from where I have collapsed, my studio lies empty and lonely, and I can faintly hear the paints sighing in their tubes.

I have a three day weekend and hope that I can get some work done.

I become quite restless when I can't make art, and I am long overdue.

Tonight's photo was squeezed out with my last bit of energy..it is of my mantle which is decorated with Edward Gorey Cardboard figures, orange lights, skulls, and other strange little items which I have collected over the years.

When I get more energy I will test out the 10.00 tripod that Larry bought at a yardsale and take some photos. This one was hand held and is slightly blurry as I do not use flash (I hate flash!)

If anyone has Halloween art they want to post, email me some jpeg's and I will put it on the blog! If I can't make art, I might as well feature art from someone who can!

patti

ILLUSTRATOR HELP

For the second year in a row I have signed up for an Adobe Illustrator course, and for the second year in a row it has been cancelled.

I really want to learn the program, and I am now going to have to learn it through tutorials! I am a visual learner. Show me and I will learn it 10x quicker than reading a book or following a tutorial.

However, unless I find someone who is willing to give me some time, I am resigned to the fact that I am going to have to teach myself.

If any of you have any sites or books that you can recommend for a beginner, would you leave a comment or email them to me? I would be MOST grateful!

Struggling in graphics land, Patti
(I do know Photoshop fairly well..)

Early Autumn Day

Life has been so busy. The week in fact was pretty rough on an emotional and physical level.

But it is Sunday morning, I sit quietly in bed and reflect on life and on all the beauty that is in my life and try and hold onto that thought while the world rocks in craziness around me.

At near 50 I am seeing that there is no time like now. That a clean house is the sign of a person who is not an artist (no way will I ever be a neat person..)and it is OK.

I should stay home today and clean, work on painting the inside of my cabinets in the kitchen, tidy up the weeds in the garden. I have to pick my parsley and basil and make some pesto as the frost is just waiting to knock them down.

I should be in the studio cleaning and working, but I think I will search for a place to paint plein air again - unless one of my boat friends calls me up and asks.."do you want to go out?...". No brainer there.

There is the Garlic Festival, the Italian Festival, and I am sure more, but somehow I suspect that I will end up on some mountaintop with my paints, and take in the beauty of the world that I live in as in another month it will be too cold to do this.

I am grateful to the universe for such beautiful weather. It has been splendid.

Woodstock, NY after a misty rain. I was on my way to a lecture at the Center for Photography in Woodstock. A quick shot through the trees from a place on a private lane. I think that was the place that Kate spotted Brad Pitt hanging out for a moment, gazing at the falls.

More later on my rambles in the mountains with paints, Patti

Edward Gorey

A quick post as I have to get ready for work. It hard to keep up with two blogs as my schedule is so full. I work teaching art a good part of the day, and after I get home I have to fit in my social and art life, and whatever else has to be done. I use up every single moment and make the most of every second.

Over the weekend I visited the Edward Gorey House in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts. Full of his books, objects gathered from various sources such as garage sales and gifts, artwork, displays, AND a wonderful gift shop.

The house was lovingly run by two jovial men, complete with a docent who gave one a brief tour if you so desired. Oh, and the cat who needs to be named. A 20+ lb cat!

Today's photos are of a few displays set up in the house. I will post more later or tomorrow, but I thought how appropriate for the Halloween season. I already have my two Gorey cardboard cut-outs on my mantle, complete with skulls, candles, and orange lights.

The Gorey house was right up our alley in regards to twisted humor, books, and art.

Till the next post! Patti

Learning How I Work

I have come to realize how I work as an artist, and how to loosen myself up. FINALLY. How long have I been making art? But after the last six months of working plein air as much as I can, I think I am understanding MY process.

I find when I first start a session I work rather tightly, and when I work in watercolors I tend make the first one illustrative. The first piece I don't feel is good enough to have merit as a painting, so I often go back into it and draw with a waterproof marker. Sometimes I draw with it first, and then paint, but more often I paint and draw into it. That drawing gets me warmed up and getting used to the medium.

After I complete that, I feel ready to use watercolor on its own, and try and simplify and abstract into form, line, and color.

Here is an example of three sketches I did at Corporation Beach in Dennis, MA.
I think by the third one I was loosening up. I don't know that I will ever be a great watercolorist, but even if the painting is not strong, I trim them down, and they make a great hand painted card, or base for collage.

Patti

Quick Catch Up

I have been gone to the Cape for a several days. Time to recharge. Time to be inspired.

Unbelieveable that I was on the beach for three days in late September. Pure magic. Painting, photos, a visit to the Gorey House, a visit to a magical fabulous Stationery Gallery in Wellfleet. Seafood. Can't forget the seafood.

I have photos, info, and stories to share for dreamers, artists, designers, and lovers of art.

But I must sleep as I did not sleep well last night and I have to face 6 classes of kids in the AM. Till tomorrow with more...patti

So the Universe Says.....

So you're doubting your artwork Patti eh? Did you forget that you are loved by the universe and it will not let your talents go unnoticed?

That sounds like one of the emails I might get from "A Note From the Universe" a daily meditation on the abundance and love of the universe/God as we know him/her.

I read them every day and it has become my thought of the day while sipping on my morning coffee.

I have sold more cards, and got an order on Etsy not for ephemera, but for my zine and my cards. It felt great.

So, I am not giving it up yet. I will focus on the positive and on selling my cards to those who are drawn to their irony, spirituality, zaniness, and pure love of creation.

And it is all good.

Patti
Two sweet cards made with 1800's illustrations.

Back in the Studio

So the card saga continues. I sent my client all the cards that I had, and she has used them all already, and needs another batch. She is a wonderful client...who is an animation rep for the motion picture industry. She always pays me more than her bill..which is smart, because then I owe HER and make sure I get her more cards in a timely manner.

I went to visit the store that carries my cards. It is a lovely shop, carrying handmade items from artists in the Hudson Valley. Called BECKON, it is located on the waterfront in downtown Kingston. She has not sold many of my cards in the last few months, and said though people often look through them, few buy them. They are not the typcial collaged cards seen in other places, and perhaps some are just a bit too out there for the general public, though I always try and make some that are "safe". She did not seem to want me to take them back, so I will leave them and see what happens. I am still torn about doing them....but I won't give up quite yet.

She wants some of my collage pieces, so eventually I will bring down some mixed media pieces and paintings for her to look at. I am trying to have enough of a variety for her to decide if she wants landscapes or narrative mixed media pieces.

I worked on my plein air painting from the other day. Most of was already laid in, but it just needs fine touches and corrections to give the landscape more impact. If I get it done this week I will feel like I have gotten much accomplished considering everything else that I have to do. A painting a week would be ideal, but not practical for me.

Les, I don't know how you do it. Teaching, kids, and you still paint.

Off to finish a few other things....patti

FINALLY SOME ART TIME!!!!

I had today off for the holiday, and it was a splendid one. I shipped some paper to South Korea, and cards off to my client, and when my painter friend Rob asked what I was doing, I said, "we are going painting".

Off to the farmlands not far from my house. After obtaining permission from the landowner, we drove the van into the field and set up shop. I will post some photos of us painting soon, and the picture of the work when it is completed.

HELPFUL HINT FROM FRIEND ROB. The wind was kicking up now and again and Rob told me that I needed to anchor my travel easel. I could see how easily it might blow down, especially if there is a large canvas on it. It acts like a sail....lol.

Out of his car he pulled a bungee cord, and attached my paint bag which is fairly heavy, and hung it beneath the tripod of the easel. Problem solved and I never had a problem. I have worked plein air before, but usually I work small, and don't need an easel set up. I also need to find a small folding table as one really needs it for the paints, medium, rags and such.

I am tired, a bit sunburned, but it was so uplifting to be out there in nature on such a day that any depression I had from Megan and her family leaving cleared away as fast as the clouds that were blocking the sun.

Try it, you will like it! Patti

Funny How the Universe Works

It has been a rough few weeks for me. Starting school, loosing time with my art, having my daughter and my granddaughter leave for a new life.

I feel like my life has derailed for a bit and I must take the road less traveled.

I have questioned my art, and what I do.

What is my art purpose? What is my path?

Today I debated about no longer making my one-of-a-kind cards, then my buyer, who loves my work, emailed in another order.

Perhaps I will only design for her. She loves what I do, and because she is a fabulous client, I will keep making cards which go to many in the animation and film industry. I pour into them my love, and send them like little butterflies out into the world.

I am entering a new phase.....and will keep you posted as to my travels.

As I told my students...we are constantly reinventing ourselves..and I am off to a new life...

patti

Another Great Freebie

Still not able to get into the studio. Too much going on. My art today was doing research on teaching how to draw a self portrait for class.

BUT I did find another spot that is lovely in the Hudson Valley, for free, and that is Hasbrouck Park which is not far from Kingston's downtown "Strand" area.

It has manicured rolling hills, which by the way, make for fabulous sleigh riding in the winter, and a veiw of the Hudson. You can rent the park for a day, and it comes equipped with a large pavillion, a grill, picnic tables, and sports fields!

Larry has lost one of his nights teaching at Marist again. I guess enrollment in traditional photography is declining, and so is our income. So, I may be seeking and writing about a lot of freebies around here, and thankfully I come from a life where I have had to make many sacrifices. So far the bills keep getting paid (thought I can't seeem to get rid of that credit card debt!)and if I need to, I will get another job.

I do have thursday off, and I hope that I can get some work done in the studio!

Photos is of the view of the Hudson from Olana at sunset. It is one of my favorite views.

Till tomrorow, Patti

Where the Art's At

I can't believe it has been DAYS since I posted to this blog. With school starting, it is very hard to get into the studio. I have lesson plans to write, students to figure out, and it has been NUTS.

Somehow I have to figure in time for my art, and that is always a challenge. I found myself going through many of the photographs I took this summer, printing out the ones I love, and I realized I documented my trips with some fine photographs which will be inspiration in the winter for some of the paintings I planned.

My brain now has to function in two capacities; as artist and as art teacher. They both blend into one another, and being a working artist certainly melds into my job as a high school art teacher. I am given lots of leeway with what I do, and I love the challenge of coming up with new ideas which are inspired by my own constant work and research. I do my best to live in a constant artistic state of mind, and bring what I learn and am inspired by into my classroom. I think the kids enjoy it, even when they are not-quite-so-sure about their art teacher!

Off to bed. I have spent way too long working on things for school. Tomorrow is my daughter's going away party, and I am so burnt out from the wedding that it all "is what it is".

Till the next time, xxxpatti

Photography by Lawrence Lewis

I have to go to bed soon as finish all of this. I am not used to having to get up and go to work at 6 am. Tomorrow the kids come and I have to have lesson plans ready for the first week of school. That is always the rough part.

As a protest of going back to work I sat in the sun during lunch, then worked in my studio for a bit before I hit the tapas place uptown with a friend. Now I am feverishly finishing up lesson plans.

Tonight's artwork is by my husband. Taken with an 8 x 10" camera, it is of our granddaughter Alanna. Larry is an amazing photographer and I have seen very few digital prints that equal what he can do in the darkroom. He makes art for arts sake; I wish he would make art for money's sake. His work is fabulous and I want to do a show with him called "Telling Stories"; his narrative photography, and my narrative collage work.

That is a reasonable goal and I need to get a proposal together for a gallery to carry it.

To the future. xxpatti

2,000+ and only 1 for me

I spent the last few days cleaning up two of my internet mailboxes. My administrator (friend) who hosts my site told me my quota had been reached. I was a bit confused. My website was supposed to forward emails to me at my email addy. I just thought that all these months I was not getting any email. Well, in one manner, I wasn't.

Some glitch, th emails did not forward, and now I was looking at 2,000 emails to sort through.

At first it was exciting. Then it was annoying. Out of all of those emails, only one was actually personal and for me. The rest were trying to sell me drugs, make me rich, improve my sex life, or enhance a part of my body, one of which I don't even have.

One stinkin email-- and that one was asking me to volunteer for the local arts society.

Perhaps I need to rethink my website. In fact I know I do. That will happen when someone adds a day to the week. Then I will get it done. I need three of me. Then maybe everything will someday get done.

Till then I am still doing 65 in a 30. Patti

Plein Air Difficulties

The first sketch I did yesterday at Olana with my watercolor crayons and pencils. That sketching trip cost me big time in regards to my allergies. I have been quite sick all day as a result of my encounter with SOMETHING. I fizzled out about two and could not make any of the gallery openings nor the block party in my neighborhood today. I can barely breathe!!

I did take an hour and planted myself in my lounge chair with my drawing and painting travel kit. I made another discovery, that in the hot sun water color crayons (ie: Caran D'Arche more specifically) get melty and messy. Hmmm...

I enjoy the plein air experience, it is a very different process and experience than when I work in the studio. Today I allowed myself to just draw and experience my medium in a much freer way. I often get wrapped up trying to attain "perfection" within myself and my work, and often miss the process in order to get the product.

So, I drew without care as to how the drawings came out and posted two of them. I did not try to make them in any style; I let the subject, medium, and moment take me whereever it wanted to. There was a freedom in this child's play approach to my session.....and it felt good.

Patti

Hudson River School Photos

My friend Karen and I went up to Olana to tour the house, buy a table (pics and story on my other blog), eat, and make art. Again I was graced with beautiful light, warmth, and a Friday afternoon with a beautiful sunset, and very few people around. We were at our mansion.

I will post the sketches I did tomorrow, but here are a few pictures from the sunset in Tivoli. (these are untouched) I pulled off the road onto a farmers dirt driveway to get these shots. They are dark due to their compression and size, but you get the atmosphere and the drama, typical of mid to late 1800's landscape painting.

I am not looking forward to going back to teaching. I have enjoyed the freedom of my days, the warm sun, and the time I have spent in my house and with my friends. I will just have to stretch out the summer as long as I can after school....before the days grow short and cold and I go into hiding.

Patti

Kitch(en) Art

This is a painting I did last year of some cantaloupe pieces while I was studying oil painting with my friend and mentor Rob. I have grown quite fond of it, a combination of the time, of the mood, of our friendship.

I have actually built some of my color palette around this painting as seen by the colors of the walls in my kitchen, taken at night so that it is a bit darker than daylight.

The small bathroom near the painting is going to be painted in a faux finish, in shades of light blue, much like the middle ground of the painting.

When I am done I will take more pics. There are some really nice interplays with color going on in parts of my house and it is exciting me. (oh how easily I am amused...)

xxpatti

The Accidental Still Life

This is the closest I came to art today, other than painting my walls and pulling my house apart. In the midst of chaos however, art can be found in the most simplest of things. Here, an old bench and lamp, thrown in a corner out of the way of the paintbrush and tarps. The lamp is lovely, the bench torn up by my cats over the years. It needs a face lift, and I am debating upon how I can keep its integrity while hiding the flaws. (Oh what us middle aged plus women do!)

I love the color, the objects, the mood.

So I leave you with the light of the lamp to guide you on your darker journeys.

To the light, Patti

The Ashokan

I tried to put up a video that I made of the view of the reservoir where I walked today. The file was too big and I don't know what kind of a program I have to edit it, and if I do, I have to figure it out first. So, another time.

I walked a few miles along a road that winds along a portion of it with magnificent views of the water and the Catskill Mountains. This public road was closed to motorized vehicles after 9/11 due to the fear that someone would try and dump toxins or some other horrid substance into the source of New York City's drinking water. It is a wonderful walk/jog/bike/Rollerblade path, and as long as NYC exists, this beautiful land is protected. It took 9 years to build in the early 1900's and entire towns and communities were flooded in order to make a body of water large enough to supply NY with all of its water.

Bardet and I have a plan on how to get down to the water, which is FORBIDDEN unless you have a Reservoir fishing permit. She already has one and and I am applying for one too. We will pack a pole and some bait, as well as my sketch pad, camera, and book. (Oh no Mr. DEP officer, that is NOT a bathing suit! That is the gear to wrap the fish in!) Bardet and I will call it going Faux Fishing. Hey, I do fish, and find it very meditational.

I found a place on the road to lay down my towel and sketch for a bit. The heat of the asphalt came through the towel, and I felt like I was sitting on a hot plate, but I ignored it and enjoyed the views and painted and photographed. Another painting spot that is free, splendid, and magical here in the Catskills. Patti

My Greatest Works of Art

A very quick blog as I need to go out and get breakfast the morning after the wedding, but here is a picture of my greatest work of art, my daughter, and my largest work in progress, my husband, LOL.

They are both very dear to my heart, and great masterpieces in my eyes.

patti

And the Pressure is ON

A brief blog as I am in the process of leaving to have Larry's tux fitted, to buy the ingredients for the tomato salad I am making for the barbecue for my daughter's wedding on Saturday.

I leave you with an image from an altered book I am working on. It reminds me of love and magic, which we all need. Perhaps it is also influenced by the movie I saw last night STARDUST. Sweet, romantic, funny, an entertaining movie! I SO LOVE MAGIC!!!

Oh, and Bruce Springsteen's new album with the E Street Band is called Magic. Now ain't that some coincidence!!

TO MAGIC!!!! patti