Laundry Rules

A new commission piece . . .

laundry rules.

This order is for a family who regularly hosts Japanese exchange students.

This 12 x 20 custom piece will hang beautifully on the wall of a laundry room.

I smiled when asked to do this piece.

Knowing it was for a home with exchange students, I understood fully.

For several years, our family hosted over 10 year-long exchange students.

Most of our students were japanese,

but we also had students from Korea and Brazil.

I was humbled to think that the parents of these students had sent them a different country.

Many of the students we hosted were only 16.

They came to stay with us for a whole year.

And we were chosed to take care of them, teach them and love them.

And love them we did.

Our family grew and grew as we hosted students.

Each time a new student joined our family,

we had to teach these 16 year olds how to do many basic household chores.

Laurdry was one of those.

We also taught them

How to do the dishes;

How to clean a bathroom;

We worked with them as they learned to appreciate our food.

We taught them how to use our American showers.

We also learned much from them.

We learned how to be comfortable with silence.

We learned to try new foods.

We learned about different cultures and different traditions.

We learned that buddist and christian beliefs have many similarities.

And in the process, we learned that even though many things were different -

we are all still humans with emotions, and hopes and dreams.

Banners for Downtown Gresham

When I first started this art journey and found my style,

I was talked into attempting to jury into a local art walk.

Our community of Gresham hosts the annual Gresham Art Walk which I had attended as a patron for several years.

This was an event for "real" artists.

That wasn't me. Or at least that was the way I felt.

But my brother, who is a fantastic potter, convinced me that I needed to try.

So I did - and my first jury application looked sooo very amateurish - but I was accepted.

Our first attempt at a booth space was rather humourous. We had no idea what we were doing.

It was held together with tape, wire and hope!

But we made it through and we sold several paintings.

I was shocked. I was thrilled. I was humbled.

And so my journey into the larger art festivals began.

I started calling myself an artist.

That was about 7 years ago and the Gresham Art Walk remains one of my favorites.

It's a big street party.

This art walk began as a grass routes brain child of a single woman.

The first festival had about 25 vendors and covered a block.

There are now over 140 vendors and it covers several blocks.

There is a committee of dedicated people who believe that this event is an integral part of the the community.

They decorate parts of the street leading up to the event.

Last year, they added hand painted banners to the light poles.

No advertising - just art.

They were such a hit, that this year they are adding a few more.

They asked a few of their favorite art walk artists to produce a banner or two.

I was asked and once again - I am humbled.

Seriously???

I get to paint banners that will be hung in downtown Gresham?

People will be seeing my art as they drive down the main street, go shopping, head to their favorite restaurants, go to buy the produce at the weekly farmers market and to visit their favorite coffee shop?

WOW!

Two banners - both sides painted with a different image -for a total of four.

I was instructed to do what ever I wanted - but do include positive words.

No problem!

As with the past commission piece - once I agreed the panic set in.

I left the banners in a corner of my studio for a very long time.

I eventually took them out and looked at them - they were stark white - and big.

2 ft wide x 5 ft tall.

I did what any self respecting person would do - I rolled them back up and put them back in the corner.

Finally - about a week and a half ago, I pulled them out and spread them out on the table.

They stayed there for a few more days.

Mocking me with their white color.

Then I said to myself- this is it. I am going to paint these.

And instead - I did the dishes. And then I cleaned the studio.

Sometimes we all have avoidance issues. 

And then I finally started.

I started laying on bright colors in random order.

I didn't know what to paint. What would people think? What colors should I use? Questions, questions, questions. . .

But I just DID it.

I found myself settling into a groove and the creative brain took over and I found my happy place.

Now I was obsessed with completing the project.

One week later . . .

Again - another life lesson.

The hardest part of any new project is to get that awful little gremlin that sits on our shoulder to go away.

You know the gremlin - the one that tells you that you aren't good enough?

And the best way to get him to be quiet is to just jump in and go for it.

So there you go -

starting in mid-June, if you are in downtown Gresham, Oregon -

be sure and look for my banners.

And don't forget to come to the Gresham ARt Walk on July 21st.

I'll be in the brightly colored booth!

All in a days work!! I love my paint Job!!

First of all . . .

Thank you!

I received some wonderful comments about my last post both here and on FB.

I truly was speaking from my heart and obviously it was remembering to stay true to ourselves is

something that we all struggle with from time to time.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouragement and journeys.

I know that on a regular basis I feel a great connection to other artists as I jump around and visit different blogs.

What a gift this blogland is!

The last few weeks have been all about finishing up some custom orders.

The first were two saddle stools.

A customer called - she had found 2 black saddle stools on clearance.

Having only paid about $10 each, she decided she wanted them customized.

Could I help with that?

SURE!

Then I was contacked by a lady in Conneticut.

She was searching the internet for a unique wedding gift.

She found my blog and saw the lazy susans.

A version with sunflowers was created for her and shipped out.

I am constantly humbled and grateful when someone asks me to create a piece for them.

Especially when it is to be a gift.

To think that my work is what they are choosing to give someone special as a gift.

It kind of makes me go all gooey inside.

To all of my customers - and to all of you who visit this blog -

Thank You!!!

It really helps make this journey special.

The Birth of a Bridge

This is the story of the birth of a painting.

A while ago, a great friend of mine approached me about a possible opportunity.

She works for a large business in Portland that is part of the Greater Portland Postal Customer Council.

Now - I do not pretend to understand exactly what that means, but trust me - it is important to this story :)

Her company is one of the largest customers of the US Postal service in our area.

Their company also participates in a campaign every year with this organization called

"Bridging the Future Together".

For this campaign, they pick a local artist to produce a painting depicting one of Portland, OR's bridges.

Afterall - we are not just known as "The City of Roses",

but also as "Bridgetown" and The City of Bridges" because of all of the bridges -

12 major bridges in all!

Fast forward a few months - and I am asked to create this years bridge painting.

Cool!

I am excited.

I am flattered and I am humbled.

I go downtown and take photos of Portland's steel bridge.

Just like a "real" artist.

I come home and stare at the photos.

And then I panic!

I mean - upset stomach, can't sleep panic.

I am NOT a landscapey-scene painter.

I am whimsical and unrealistic and playful.

I am NOT a realistic painter.

Bridges are structural and gray and black and steel . . .

After a serious bout of "self-talk" and more encouragement from my friend, I get started.

I blow up one of the photos - I use graphite paper and trace the image.

And I start painting.

I take a few liberties but not many.

And this is what I came up with . . .

Version 1 - blurry image (sorry)

Hmmm - it's ok. Barely.

I show it to my husband - hoping for words of encouragement.

But instead of glowing praises, he says - "I thought it was supposed to be of the bridge. It's a painting of a tree with a bridge in the background."

I am hurt and offended -

and then I am honest and admit - "I do not like it and I am not proud."

Round 2

Concept - bring the bridge forward.

More color.

A sun.

More "whimsy" in the water.

Oh - and I went downtown and took more photos from a different view point.

I finish and stare at it.

I show it to the family.

"Hmmm - nice".

Um - not the response I was going for.

But then - I'm not loving it either - WHY?

I call my friend. I need an honest and brutal opinion.

Seriously - what is with the blurry images? Anyway - version 2.

She is honest with me and says . . .

"It's not you. It looks like you are trying to paint in someone elses style. Be YOU. If we wanted a painting like all the others we would not have asked you. We want it in your style."

I thank her for the reality check.

I take a deep breath and decide that I really don't care what anyone else thinks.

This time I AMgoing to do it in MY style.

I throw away the graphite paper.

I decide I really don't care about scale and structure or any of those cold details.

I want my painting to be warm and bright and full of whimsy.

So here it is . . .the final version:

It may not be the most accurate depiction of Portland's Steel bridge -

but it's me.

And I was much happier submitting this.

It will now be framed and hung in Portland's main post office.

It will be scanned and reproduced onto calendars that are sent to businesses in the GPPCC.

It will be reproduced and matted and raffled off to winners.

And it looks NOTHING like previous year's paintings.

And a lesson was learned. . . .again.

As a painter, and in life - I have to be true to me.

When I am not - my journey is full of angst and stress.

And the outcome is less than desirable.

Thanks for sharing this story with me . . .

Another special order for someone who loves to share the joy a good message and lots of Color!!

I met Lisa during the holidays.

She bought a few things.

She then ordered a gift.

She then ordered something else.

Now we are decorating her new office.

Filling it with positive messages to help remind her of the importance of life, love and laughter. . .

Once again the power of words combined with color . . .

Lisa - I hope these pieces (meant to be a wall grouping) will add a splash of color to your plain walls

and will also help you keep a positive thought in your heart!