Changing Blogs ....

In an effort to streamline operations here at 17 Mountainview, I am going to drop this blog, drop my fan page on Facebook, and just keep Twitter for the public, (found under pagibbons), Facebook for my local, virtual, and business friends, and all blogs will be posted at my other blog, EAT MAN DRINK WATER.

I have ATTEMPTED to keep my art and my life separate from one another, but alas, all I have done is create more work for myself, and the reality is that my art is my life, my life is my art, art is life, life is art. So, one blog, one website.

However I am going to keep two Etsy accounts going. Catskillpaper for the ephemera, and Pagibbons for my art. Ebay is still Catskillpaper.

Please hop over to my other blog, where you can read about art and life, and how they are inexorably, inextricably intertwined.

Love to all my readers, and thanks for following me!!!!!

Patti

Humility

So, after a sale, an invitation to a Christmas show I am thrilled to be in, I was rejected in two other shows. Fortunately last week the universe gave me the hope and elation that ones feels when they sell a piece of art for a good amount of money - hope which will last until the money runs out - which happens when the gas runs out.

I will go up to pick up my rejected works after work and before heading back for parents night, and remember why I keep teaching. It's a steady, predictable source of income, and I have fun doing it too.

But I also love the other side-the crazy, emotional, magical and mystical art ride....and I just have to keep the faith and do the 10,000 hours and be grateful that I live my life in the arts nearly 24/7...and it's all good.

A Sale and Inspiration

Last weekend at the Woodstock Artists Asso/Museum, I sold my painting in the show "The Other Side of the Mountain". It was a large oil of a sunset at Olana, which I had framed in a simple black canvas frame.

I thought it looked good against the wall, and imagined it would look splendid in a house with the right light and large walls...it could shimmer and sing. Well, the universe paired it up with someone else who thought so too, and it was SOLD!

Off it goes to NYC this weekend, I already have the check sans commission, and I have two more shows to submit for.

I am grateful, thankful, honored and delighted to sell a painting!

A few photos of my recent rides into the Catskills. They are digitally enhanced/manipulated, some just a little, some just a lot.

I think they're fun and will incorporate them into work soon. PS The bottom one is titled: "They Closed the New York State Thruway Man...."

patti

Helpful Hint: Photos and Painters Tape

I discovered a clever way to mask off photographs when you are preparing to use them as reference for composition/sketching/ painting. Sometimes I just fold them up when I print them on matte paper to fit the layout I want, but other times I am working from a photo that I don't want to cut up.

I remembered that I had a roll of white 3M low tack painter's tape. I laid that down on the edges that I needed to crop out, and if any hung over the edge, I cut it down except for one edge..which I let overlap as the strip that still had the exposed glue, could easily affix the photo to an easel or other surface. So far, it peels off neatly and easily. I shall wait a year or two to see how easy it peels off then, as often some pieces take that long to finish and the photos are in a pile buried on my desk.

Today I had precious little time in my haven, but as I was cleaning and trying to de-clutter, I came across a large drawing pad that I did not know I had. I took out my pastels and worked up a quick 45 minute sketch, about the amount of time for a class. I am teaching charcoal and pastel drawing in school, and I find that I enjoy exploring the medium that I give my students to do, along side of them and at home. It helps me remember the frustrations, the problems, the solutions of the medium/project. It keeps me fresh.

Current Studio Work

I got into the studio yesterday for the first time in weeks. I spent a good five hours in there cleaning, getting reacquainted with everything (it takes a bit to locate and set up supplies for my various projects) and making both cards and art.

I had hoped that the muse would pay me a visit, even if I was only making cards, and she did, only it always isn't what you expected.

I call myself a bricolage artist; one who works with a diverse range of items that are "at hand".Since my work space and studio are crowded with stuff, that is not hard to do. However, sometimes it can be overwhelming, so I will pick a box or pick a pile and start to work.

I never know what happens. Lots of cards get made, and I periodically get ideas on paintings and larger collages that I want to do.

As I was sorting out photos for the photo drawer, I picked up some paint and decided to play with a few photos of children. I accidentally scratched the dry paint on the 1860's photo, and it came off. So then I thought OK, let's scratch into that. Then came out the watercolor photo paints, and the markers. A few hours later and a lot of chuckling, I made a few pieces as well as a bunch of cards.

Today I am a bit stressed about some medical issues that my daughter has. I think I will stay home on this rainy day and amuse myself in the studio. Remember what Reader's Digest always said "Laughter is the Best Medicine" ( a column I used to read in the 60's that always amused me).

Patti

Questions to the Universe

I have a guru; she is an amazing woman. She counsels me, she is my mother/grandmother/priestess/sister.

In talking to her the other day, I related my concern about studying with other artists, lest their style infiltrate my work. Larry and I also had a conversation about this, as he is witness as to how other artists blatantly steal ideas and images, and call them their own, some of whom reap big benefits from it, while we little guys struggle.

I am concerned about being pure. I want to express to the world what I see in a voice that is uniquely me. I want to learn, but not be tainted by the visions of others.

But she told me, as did my mentor Jonathon Talbot, that the art world is built upon the knowledge of others. We don't always need to reinvent the wheel. Take the best from all that we learn, and forge our own path.

As long as I keep making art, that is all that matters.

To Peg and Jonathan - thank you.

Patti

Post Openings

The openings last night were fun, and several people came up to me and said "I didn't know you painted!". They are not close friends, as my close friend's know that it has been a secret passion for many years, and it is only my insecurities and childhood damages that kept me in the closet for so long. Two out of three of the upstairs shows I have made it in have been paintings, this one being on the largest pieces that I have submitted. I am not done with my mixed media work, but plan to keep working with the paint.

I enjoyed the four openings as I also saw lots of friends, both old and new. My opening quote, however, has been filled for a while, and need to now get BACK into the studio.

I made a video over the weekend of my work with music, but since the music is copyrighted, I will have to go back and remove it so that I can post the images here.Perhaps I could ask WAH! for permission to use it in my slide presentation, but I suspect it might cost me some money...but then again, if she likes what I did with it, I might get her blessings.It doesn't hurt to ask!!!

Patti

PS a deer on the way to the opening. I leaned out of the car and made fart noises..it first looked at me like I was a nut, then stuck its tongue out! lol.