Author Archives: Micah

Arting for 365 Day 146: Holding on to Summer

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Day 146 (9/21/12): HOlding on to Summer

~3 x 5″ Ink and Cut paper on

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Things are finally starting to feel a bit more like fall around here and so I’ve really tried to soak up this fantastic weather. During the middle of the day yesterday, I decided the weather was just too gorgeous to not get out and enjoy. I packed up some paper, pens and markers and headed out to do some work in a neighborhood park.

As I sat enjoying the view, I saw one particular tree more majestic and seemingly strong than any around it. The tree had a full head of green leafed hair – not a touch of yellow could be seen. It appeared as though this tree was holding on to summer even as autumn quickly closed in on it.

Arting for 365 Day 145: Cell in Green and Blue

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Day 145 (9/20/12): Cell in Green and Blue

18 x 18″ Acrylic on canvas

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I’ve created a number of these circle paintings over the last few years (some people call them bubble, but I prefer to think they are just circles). I always enjoy the flow and feel of them, and painting them often helps me process a larger idea I have on my mind.

As much as I enjoy the works though, they are also rather time consuming to paint. Typically, as I’m about 3/4 of the way through and I’ve processed what was rolling around in my head, my attention span withers and I find myself wishing I was done. So this time around, I decided I would approach one of these paintings from a direction that would keep me interested and challenge me – even after my thoughts quieted. In order to accomplish this, I decided I would attempt to create form by building up the flat circles and incorporating a bit of color.

The process went something like this:

After creating a background, I loaded up a small brush and began making lots and lots of circles – combining them in a way to create a larger, circular shape. From there I added a layer of blue circles atop the white, and finished up with thinned layers of paint (glaze) to enhance the form.

I’m quite happy with the result and can report I never got bored. Sure this could be due to the fact that I worked on a smaller scale than I typically do. It could also be due to the fact that I had lots on my mind and so probably wouldn’t have tired of it anyway. Either way, I’ll label it a success!

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Arting for 365 Day 143: Beuford

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A few days ago my friend and ex -husband, Ryan, gave me a call and shared some bad news. Our pup of 14 years, Beuford, was “going downhill fast”. Ryan let me know that he will be putting our boy down within the next week or two. This is sad for us both, even though we know it is the kindest thing that can be done for Beuford.

For this post I’m going to celebrate our hound and all of his fabulousness by sharing a few things:

1. He is a black lab/basset hound mix. He is as goofy looking with personality to boot!

2. Amazingly, even with those incredibly short legs, he once – somehow – pulled an entire gallon bag of chocolate chip cookies from off of the counter and ate them. All.

3. He goes into strange barking/body spasms when he wants attention.

4. His love of walks is near or equal to his love of treats.

5. He had an incredibly adorable way of slinking off of the couch when you caught him on it.

6. When he sits he looks a bit like a seal.

7. He is incredibly loving and loyal and my hope is that as he drifts off to sleep, his last dreams are filled with treats and walks and love.

Arting for 365 Day 141: Religion and Morality

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Day 141 (9/16/12): Religion and Morality

9 x 12″ Watercolor and ink on paper

Yesterday I was able to get out and enjoy the amazing fall colors with some really great friends. I’ve always felt that when I am outdoors, especially when I am somewhere that is secluded and away from the buzz of the city, I feel most alive. The experience rejuvenates me and makes me thrilled to be a part of life. I am not at all religious – I’d call myself agnostic actually, but when I’m experiencing nature, I definitely feel I am in a spiritual place.

I began reflecting on spirituality which got me thinking about a conversation I had recently, with a really amazing person, regarding religion and morality. We talked about the fact that you can be moral, work to find good in others, and forgive simply because it is the right thing to do.  While religions may promote these things, I believe humans’ moral compasses were around long before our current-day gods. I like to think we as humans will help people and work to be honest and thoughtful because we care about people.

I’m not one to talk about my religion – or lack there of – often, and you’ll probably not hear a peep about it again. But as killings and conflicts and wars erupt over religious beliefs; as gays and lesbians are persecuted for being who they are; as some of you become angry at me, or sad for me for questioning whether God exists; I can’t help but think we all might be better off if we focused on believing in and working for the betterment of each other rather than a god and religion.

If you love this piece, you can buy it! Please contact me if interested in prints.

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Arting for 365 Day 140: In Your Wheelhouse

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Day 140 (9/15/12): Wheel House

~4 x 6″ Ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Following a very productive day yesterday that involved very little art, I sat down and with no end goal in mind, began drawing. As I progressed on the piece, I was feeling really good about how it was turning out. The detailed lines flowed through the space nicely and I felt good about the amount of contrast of black and white.  I showed the little drawing to the boyfriend who noted, “You’re in your wheelhouse.” He was right. I was.

I love creating these organic feeling pieces. But, as I mentioned to him, I almost feel like I’m cheating when I make them. Why you ask? Because they are really easy for me. My goal is to push myself to get better by challenging my skills as I move along in this venture. I know that this type of drawing does not challenge me. But I do love it.

So what’s a girl to do? Well, it’s probably not all bad for me to mix in a little of what is easy – especially because I love creating this type of design. Perhaps the “challenge” I am looking for will be to allow myself not to feel too guilty about it, and appreciate that I’ve got this little drawing technique that I am pretty good at and always enjoy.

This piece will be available for purchase on etsy.com

Arting for 365 Day 139: Rain in Blue and Green

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Day 139 (9/14/12): Rain in Blue and Green

8 x 10″ Watercolor on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

For the last fourteen years or so I have lived in pretty cool climates. Summers have had high temps of about 80 degrees and winters frequently dip below zero. Coming in from the cold with a coat of frost on my eyelashes was commonplace and I was never without mittens.

Moving to Fort Collins, whose summer temps have certainly averaged a billion degrees, has therefore been a bit rough for me (although I have been assured these high temps are not the norm.) While you can layer yourself up infinitely in winter time, there is only a certain amount of naked you can get without being ticketed or arrested. So imagine my joy when, this week,  temperatures stayed below 70 degrees for a few days. On top of that there was rain! It was pure heaven.

This piece is an homage to the rain and coolness that cheered my overheated spirits.

Arting for 365 Day 138: #1 Goal

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Day 138 (9/13/12): #1 Goal

11 x 14″ ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

The young moose was ready. She waited patiently, hoping that some strapping bull would be along to save her.

You see, living in this neck of the woods wasn’t always easy and at times she wondered how she and her little one would get by. Weather was unreliable; and larger, more aggressive types often left her little in the way of food. Needless to say it was a struggle.

But this! This would solve everything. She was beautiful, available and was certain she’d be great in the wife department. Convincing a well-off gentleman of it would be her number one goal.

Side Tangent: After listening to a story titled, Can Marriage Save Single Moms From Poverty, I created this piece. The basis of the report was that single moms are four times more likely to live in poverty than those who are married. First off let me state that I am not a single mother and so cannot begin to understand the difficulty of making ends meet with a child. Secondly, it is obvious that financial situations are better when there are two incomes. All of that aside, I believe the conversation should be a completely different one. While the issue is complicated, and probably needs a multitude of approaches to solve, I like to think pushing the idea of education and job training rather than finding or keeping a husband should be the priority. Giving women the tools to be self-sufficient helps give them control over the problem. If they happen to find a fabulous husband or partner along the way? Great!

If you would like a print of this piece, it’s available here. Please email me regarding original.

Arting for 365 Day 137: Adapt

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Day 136 (9/12/12): Adapt 2

5 x 7″ Watercolor and ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

After creating day 135’s more emotional piece, I decided I wanted to focus on something much less intense for day 136. I pulled out the watercolors with the intention of creating something bright and visually interesting.

Originally these pieces were one, 9 x 12″ watercolor. As I worked on the original, I felt pretty good about the red and orange design and felt equally satisfied when I was completely certain it was done. My certainty faltered a bit when later in the evening I pulled out my day’s work to share with the boyfriend, and realized I was not a huge fan of the piece. The bright reds and oranges that I thought were so obvious in the painting earlier now seemed overtaken by a lot of pink. What I first thought was a great painting now appeared cheesy.

5 x 7″

I realized that salvaging the piece was my next clear goal and could probably be accomplished if I cut the work down and approached it as two new pieces. I pulled out my always reliable ink pens, hoping they would save the day.

I feel like the ink pens came through for me as I am pretty pleased with these two 5 x 7″ works and may even turn Abstract 2 into a larger painting.

Adapt 1 and Adapt 2 are both available for purchase.