little rays of sun

Hi :)

Even though it's only been a couple day since I last posted I feel it's been longer. I don't know if you ever feel this way, but after getting all the work together for my shop update, I have felt tired and just a little 'spent'. It's kind of the way I feel when I prepare really hard for an exhibition and then when the show opening is over it's like, ok, now what? It's a strange mix of sadness, tiredness, relief, but also a time of transition, redirection, and starting anew.

So Tuesday night I sat at my table and painted these watercolors, for the mere sake of painting. I feel like sometimes it just pours out and I have to let it. You know? I know I'm the type of person that really can only focus on one thing at a time and I just give it my all.

I also like having something to look forward to. And happily, this weekend my work will be in two invitational shows. One {seen below} called "Delicacy" and the other is a benefit show in L.A. called fresh stART. Fresh stART is a "one-night sale of paintings, works on paper, and photography to benefit therapeutic art programs for at-risk youth." Profits benefit Para los Niños and the artists. I wish I could just hop on a plane to Los Angeles and attend the show Saturday night. Wouldn't that be fun? I almost considered it when I saw a certain airline advertising low airfares to L.A. If only I were more spontaneous.
We will go to the Delicacy opening tomorrow night and I think it will be fun and a beautiful show. I hear there will be cupcakes. Couldn't ask for more.

This was a rather long winded post for me. Tomorrow I think perhaps I will share some flickr favorites.

The sunshine is making me happy today,
H

ps. Jan is simply the best. Thanks for the post Jan!

a little bit more

Good afternoon to you,

I have just completed my shop update with selections from the "finding winter, drawing spring" collection. yay! I have poured my heart and soul into this body of work, and the work continues, but it's so nice to see it all together and think about it further.

This work is really about hope within a time of austerity and recognizing that even brief glimmering moments of beauty can bring about renewal. I'm using 'winter' and 'spring' as metaphors for these thoughts.

Rachel and Sarah also have some lovely new items in their shops as well.

Thanks for your kind comments about my work and taking time to drop by and have a look,
H

{just added} - Thank you Jena for your kind feature of my new collection today on Modish!

finding winter, drawing spring

hello to you :)

Did you have a good weekend, I hope? I've been so busy I feel a little gypped by the weekend, although I did make some Moosewood multigrain muffins and finally a couple of broccoli quiches with goat cheese. And the weather on Saturday was amazing! I opened all the windows.

I am so excited to share with you some of the new work that I'll be adding to my shop Tuesday morning by 11 am. cst.! For the "finding winter, drawing spring" collection I am combining disciplines of drawing, painting, printing and photography to comprehensively talk about renewing hope within a stark time. 'Winter' and 'spring' are metaphors for these thoughts, of finding vibrant growth within something that seems cold and unforgiving.

the update will comprise}
} postcard sets

} a small selection from the {whisper} series

} special sets of 2 limited edition letterpress prints & 4 photographs (For these two letterpress prints I made/cut by hand two blocks for each print and combined that with antique type. Only 25 prints were made of each design.)

} four original watercolors from the 'winter squares' series

I am trying to make everything as affordable as possible for this portion of the collection. I have also been working on larger works for upcoming gallery exhibitions. But tomorrow, for the shop, I will have price points between $10 - $60. Hope you can drop by!

I better get back to it,
H

stopping to notice

{alternate from 1/28/09}

Good day :)

A few things }

} It is gloriously sunny today and I like seeing snow hiding in pockets by the woodpile and in northern shadows.
} This morning while making copies on the copier at work I noticed an article related to this story. Joshua Bell played in a subway station back in January '07 as a social experiment to see how people recognize beauty and art in an unusual environment at an inopportune time. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes on a $3.5 violin and he went largely unnoticed as over a thousand people rushed past on their way to work. It mentioned the ones who did notice him and the music most were children. Interesting isn't it? It makes me think how we're too busy to notice things right in front of us and how we construct the environments we feel are appropriate for appreciating art. (Original article in the Washington Post)
} Rachel just added three beautiful film prints to her shop! Man, she's good.
} Here's a peek at four new watercolors I'll be adding to the shop on Tuesday.
} I'm craving quiche. Perhaps that's what I'll make for dinner tonight.

If you have any thoughts about that article, I'd love for you to share,
H

drawing today

I'm trying to convince myself in this cold and grey that I can embrace the season of winter. I am learning to appreciate it's subtle hues and stark textures {from my warm studio, looking through the window}. I think it has inspired me to get out my charcoal pencils again.

} Aimee's shirt is the most awesome ever.
} more thoughts on process
} I also have written a poem, & if I get brave I may share it with you. :)

We're making homemade pizza tonight, if for no other reason but to have the oven on to warm the house!

H