Tag Archives: art 365

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.

Arting for 365 Day 136: Flying Instead

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Day 136 (9/11/12: Pretended They Could Fly

9 x 12″ Ink on paper

How many were late to work?

How many had just earned a promotion?

How many wished they were home with their brand new baby? New husband? New dog?

How many had left the building because their asshole boss had made them pick up their dry cleaning?

How many loved their jobs?

How many were having sex in the janitors closet?

How many had taken the week off for a much needed vacation?

How many had just earned a promotion?

How many were on their third cup of coffee?

How many had a crush on their co-worker or boss?

How many were planning a great date for that night?

How many were wondering how many cupcakes to order for their son’s birthday party?

How many were talking to the co-worker who also happened to be a best friend when the devastation happened?

And how many, as the buildings began to fall, chose to pretend they were kids again and could fly?

Arting for 365 Day 135: Familiarity

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Day 135 (9/10/12): Rocks, Leaves, Grass

~8 x 11″ Watercolor

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

Yesterday was one of those days in which I was feeling pretty darned uninspired. This a bit of an issue when you’ve committed to doing a project a day, but it was nothing that couldn’t be overcome. Here is why:

Even when my brain feels completely blank, there are still things that just feel natural to draw and paint. Repeated circles, lines and leaves are all very familiar and comforting to me. I suppose I could liken them to a t-shirt whose years of wear have made it incredibly soft. The difference, I hope is that while the t-shirt might eventually need to be tossed out, the familiar elements will simply be adapted and used in new ways.  Or perhaps like the old t-shirt, I simply save them for the days when comfort and familiarity trump the need for much else.

This piece available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 134: An Odd Character

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Day 134 (9/9/12): An Odd Character
7.5 x 8″ Watercolor and ink on paper

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

He was not ordinary. He did not wear trendy clothes, nor speak the local vernacular – in fact he rarely spoke. His most favored company was his own and his spectacular ability to be wholly unaware of those around him made him appear rude and out of touch.

But if one could follow in his footsteps for just a day, they would soon see he was not out of touch. Simply out of place.

If you think this piece is pretty neat and you want to buy it, you can do it here.

Arting for 365 Day 133: Drown Your Sorrows

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Day 133 (9/8/12): Drown Your SorrowsGoal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

From an outsider’s perspective it was a bit silly. Silly because, by nature, he was quite happy, with very few sorrows. Beyond that the otter lived in the water, so the idea of drowning anything was in itself ridiculous. Eaten by a predator, perhaps, but never drowning. Yet here he was finishing off another drink.

The truth of the matter was the otter felt out of touch. He’d always been baffled as to why anyone would drink themselves into oblivion and decided it was high time to see.

Initially the experiment was a lot of fun. The lightheaded, carefree feeling he had, paired with the spinning clouds above were nothing if not enjoyable. But now, after having finished a bottle of Chateau le’ Pond Beaver and quickly polishing off a few bottles of beer, he was not so happy with his decision.

“This is a reason I swim instead of drown,” he thought.

Print of this otter is available for purchase. Please email me regarding purchase of the original.

Arting for 365 Day 132: Energy Headdress

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Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Yesterday was my second time participating in the First Friday Gallery Walk here in Fort Collins and I had a great time. My parents, brother and his wife all came down, which was fantastic, and I got the chance to chat with some great people throughout the night.
But because I had drastically underestimated (shocking, I know) the amount of time it would take to rearrange my space and get work presentable, I found myself scrambling to get day 132’s art done. Lucky for me, my frenetic energy landed directly into my drawing. I love the result. The small 4.75 x 4.75″ piece brings to mind a wild headdress. Perhaps something I could wear to harness my brain’s energy when it becomes scattered and anxious.