spacey girl...is a space cadet...no it's really Wyanne

"Spacey Girl...is a Space Cadet"
Mixed Media on canvas
12" x 12"

This past Friday, I took the day off to go to the zoo with my daughter and all the students of her elementary school. This was the first time that I had gone with her on a field trip, this year.
When my daughter introduced me to her friends that day... this was my introduction: "This is my mom. She's really sweet. She's not a mean mom. But she is really forgetful". Okay??? Where did that come from?

I tried to think why my daughter thought I was forgetful.

I've never forgotten birthdays or important events. Well...okay there was that one time that I forgot her best friend's birthday party...and we missed it. But that was over two years ago! I never remember numbers. I can't remember more than two telephone numbers...and half the time forget my own cell number because I never call it! One time, I did use salt instead of sugar in a cake that I baked...and didn't realize it until the first bite! I have special apps on my iphone to help me remember and keep track of not only my work schedule, but also when to take my vitamins. Wine Husband can ask me just to remember 2 things to do for him during the day...and I will usually forget one or both of them. In a conversation with a friend recently, she recited from memory, the week by week summer schedule for her family. I was amazed...I told her that I didn't know what our schedule was past next Thursday...and this was on a Monday!

Am I just getting old? No...after thinking long and hard about it...I've always been this way. But...why? I get distracted easily. I look at things differently. It's like the world is this kaleidoscope of patterns, dancing colors, and fleeting emotions. I tend to notice things that most people don't. From the odd patterns formed in stucco, to the peeling paint on an old door, to the uncertainty on a little girls face. I try to soak it all in and incorporate it in some small way in my paintings and art. I'm constantly studying and filing things away in my mind.

People who I've never met, come into my studio and ask me where I get my ideas from. They are amazed at the imagination and creativity behind the work. I'm always surprised by this...no matter how often it happens. Because for me...it's just the things that I see, in everyday life. So, I guess for now, I'll let myself off the hook.

We enjoyed our rainy day at the zoo. It was wonderful because all the animals were out. Here's some pics for you. It was a magical time.

We got to feed the baby giraffe.

And get close up and personal with the animals.even petting stingrays!

Despite the rain...we had a grand time. The things I collected from the trip could fill an entire year of paintings! And I'm really proud of myself...I even remembered to pack the sunscreen!

Love,
WyannePin It

butterflies and bees...no birds yet...please

"Butterflies and Bees...No Birds Yet"
6" X 6"
watercolor and ink on paper

This past weekend...I went shopping for a swimsuit for my 8 year old daughter. Luckily, she was not with me. As I was looking over the swimsuits...I picked up a cute little bikini. The hang tag glared up at me, "Now with padded cups!". I was looking at a size 7 in the girls department. My first reaction was, "Oh...this must be from the Juniors department." I glanced at the other sizes of this suit on display...and I was wrong. They were making padded cups for little girls in elementary school. Now, I consider myself to be a pretty open minded mom...but this was ridiculous! Why?............ I don't get it? I did end up getting my daughter a swimsuit...but it was a pink one piece made for a rambunctious, self proclaimed, 1/2 tomboy.

At night...I try to sit down and doodle. Sometimes...I get a really good idea and it becomes a minature study painting for a larger painting. I guess that my "padded cups for 7 year olds afternoon" prompted this little painting above. We are not ready for the birds and the bees yet!

Someone was recently in my studio, and was looking over these little studies and asked if I sold them. I had never considered it because they are just studies and warm ups for the larger paintings. She purchased three that day. So, I decided to start sharing them with you also. I never considered that you might enjoy seeing how some of the larger paintings develop from these little paintings. There's a new category in my Etsy store called small originals.

I also finally put together a new postcard pack with a few more of your favorite paintings.


That's all for today...I promise...two posts in one day! You are all caught up now and I need to get to work!

Love,
Wyanne

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playing hooky from the octopus & new jewelry

Last Wednesday was the last day that I was able to work in the studio on the new octopus painting. Later that night, I showed some of the progress photos to Wine Husband, who commented that it was coming along nicely, and he hoped that I wouldn't "junk" it up too much! I know "non-artist folks" mean well...but sometimes one simple, off handed, comment can kind of throw you for a loop. You see, there is more to the composition of the octopus painting that hasn't been added yet! Yes...more stuff...aka junk.... So, I decided to take a break from the octo to clear my mind a bit. I worked on jewelry. Here are some photos of the new work.

This is a red and black vintage lucite and brass lariat necklace. I must have been on a red and black kick. Check out the earrings:

And lastly, a bracelet. I love vintage lucite flowers...can't you tell? I guess a lot of people would think these old plastic flowers are junk...but I love them and that's what counts.


Making jewelry is a great way for me to clear my head from painting. I decided I will go ahead with the other areas of the painting that are not visible yet. I have more to add to the story. So expect to see more things appearing. My junk is my junk and all that matters is...that I love it.

Back to creating...
Love,
Wyanne

PS. If you like the jewelry...it's available in my Etsy store.Pin It

new painting update & the question

For me personally, as an artist...there is one question I dislike more than any other. And this week...it has reared it's ugly head for some reason, more than once.

"How long does it take you to do a painting?"

Sounds like an easy one, I know. But for me...I never know how to answer it. I guess I've never timed start to finish how long it takes me to complete a painting. I get interrupted too much, and have too many other non-art things going on. It makes me wonder why the interrogator (just kidding) is asking me this question! Is it a trick question? What if I answer it wrong? If I say too little, will it discredit the work. If I say too long...will it make me look good or bad, as the artist?

I went into work today, and thought I would probably finish the octopus painting in the next couple of days...provided I didn't have too many interruptions or other obligations. I started collaging her dress today.
It turned out to be a several hour project in itself. After lunch...I was totally frustrated with the painting and wondering if I shouldn't scrap it all together. By the time I finished her dress, I decided I definitely needed to get some darks into the top of the painting to balance everything out. So, I started with her hair...using the watercolor crayon technique that I teach in the Mixed Media with the Girls class. Then I gradually moved onto her face.
At the end of the day. This is how she looked. I'm learning that I don't control the painting as much as I would like to think I do. It evolves and takes me on unexpected, sometimes scary, sometimes frustrating, and always fascinating journey.

Next time someone asks me the dreaded question...."how long does it take you to finish a painting?"...

My answer will be...I don't know...I have to let the painting decide.

More later...
Love,
Wyanne

PS. Thank you for all your well wishes for my brother in law. He is recovering from the surgery and we think it went well. Pin It

new painting update and it rained all day and night....

I wanted to keep you updated on the progress of the new painting, but it has become increasingly difficult the past few days. We've had company in town...Logan had a workshop on Saturday (more on this later)...the weather has been bad since Sunday...and today my brother in law is having surgery for a brain tumor, as I write this. So, I hope you understand, and please say a little prayer for my brother in law.
Monday, I was able to steal an hour or so at the studio. I added some more darks to the bottom half. Then the UPS guy interrupted me. I love the UPS guy. You know it's something good when he comes to your door. And my UPS guy is really cute too...double bonus! He brought my long awaited new paint! I've been wanting to try it for a long time. Finally Jerry's Artarama had a sale, and I splurged. The paint is Turner's Acryl Gouache. It is a opaque watercolor that drys water resistent, like acrylic paint. This is a big plus for me...because so often I use watercolor and acrylic paints together. I end up having to spray fix the watercolor so it doesn't smear later. With these paints, I can still get the watercolor effect, without having to stop and use the toxic fixative. I was a little concerned because they are in a much smaller tube than acrylic paint. But, a little goes a long way. These also dry matte and are great on wood! The list price is around $6.95-$9.95 for a 20 ml tube, but Jerry's has a sale right now!
The new paint is great for shading. I darkened her legs and stomach, and all the plants. I also collaged her bikini with an image transfer...so there i no raised edge from the paper. Today, I've got to resolve her dress...and I'm not sure what to do yet. Sorry about the not so great pictures. The light has been bad from the storms and I'm using my iphone camera.
And it's still raining today. Ugh.... We've not seen the sun since Sunday...very unusual for us in sunny Florida! I've heard it's supposed to be this way for the rest of the week. :(

More later.
Love,
WyannePin It

work in progress & wrestling with the octopus

Well, I'm back at the studio today working on the new painting. It's always interesting when you leave your work in process and come back to it later. Sometimes, you come back to it...love it...and know exactly what to do next. Other times...you come back to it and wonder what in the world you were thinking. I came back to it really pleased, but wondering what to do next. You can sometimes almost become paralyzed when you begin to love a work so much...you're petrified to make the next move. So, I decided to concentrate on her dress and panties. I tried to find some college papers that would work...


But...the painting isn't developed enough to make that decision yet. So, I decided to move onto the octopus. I pulled a color off the top of my head...and through worry aside and just painted.


I got a new easel that allows me to lay the painting flat. It's really good for larger pieces like this one...because my desk is usually too messy.




So this is the finished octopus (at least for now). It was a long process. I worked on him 4 hours! Yes, that was between visiting with tourists and lunch! It was good to have a flat surface to work on. I started out with watercolor crayon, washes of acrylic, and alcohol drops. Then more washes, and salt. I finally added more details with acrylic and charcoal.


Back in college, my professor used to tell me to be sure to bring up the painting all at the same time...so you had a more even contrast...and you can judge things better. Of course I didn't do that today! I added some darks at the bottom to help it out.


So, now I need to call it a day. It's raining outside and I'm losing light. I leave wondering how I will feel about it in the morning.

Love,
Wyanne
From My iPhonePin It

Etsy Treasury - A New Summer

I am very blessed to have fellow Etsy folks who are nice enough to include my work in their Treasuries. I finally learned how to copy the treasury and post it here on the blog. Treasuries are very special, because they are only visible for a few hours. I'm glad I now can record this to share. You can click the image to see it larger, but if you see something you love...you'll have to search Etsy under the individual store name.

HotInjectionJewelry put together the FABULOUS treasury. (She has some incredible jewelry too, not shown below. Check it out!)


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New work in progress

This is a little new for me. Technology has made it possible for me to post to the blog from my phone, and watch American Idol (go Adam!). How cool is that! So I thought I would share what I worked on today.



This is a rather large piece for me. It is 24" x 36" on wood. In my latest work, I've been experimenting with transparent and opaque acrylic and gouache paints. I want the wood grain to show through in places, and for the overall appearance to be very matte. And if you can't make it out...the painting is a girl sitting in the ocean with an octopus giving her a pearl. I've got a lot more work to do on it, but was pleased with the progress that I accomplished in a few hours at the studio today...interruptions and all. I'll post more as it develops and changes this week.

Love,
Wyanne
-- Post From My iPhone
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she doesn't want to play.....

"She Doesn't Want To Play"
mixed media on wood
18" x 24"

This is my latest painting. It's called, "She Doesn't Want to Play". A friend said that pretty much described me lately. I actually think that they don't know me very well. You see, last year, I learned the hard way that growing a business is much different than growing as an artist. Even if your business is your art. I spent a lot of time in 2008 growing my business...which was good, but at the same time, not so good. The constant worry, over scheduling, and lack of prioritizing myself first...did some detrimental things to my health. I found out the hard way what happens when you don't put yourself first. The first few months of 2009 were healing time for me. Now, it's May, and I'm wondering where this year is going. So, I decided to spend the rest of the year focusing on myself, and growing as an artist. In order to do this, I had to cut back on a lot of things. It means pushing yourself to get out of your comfort zone. It means redefining your goals in your art. It means less computer time, less emails, less phone calls, and more drawing and painting time. It means less YouTube videos. It means, thinking, questioning, and reinventing your art and what it means to you. So, please excuse me if it seems that...I don't want to play. Because I'm just trying to grow.

Love,
WyannePin It