I'm workin' on it.

Welcome to my world of paper, pastel and sometimes poorly written blog bits.

This is my first attempt at a blog and I am going to do my best to do it right and keep it interesting. I am currently in the midst of trying to "follow the instructions".  I have never been good at following instructions, written or otherwise, conforming or adhering to norms of acceptable behavior or parking my truck in the middle of the yellow lines so here goes.

This first drawing is called "Oh NO, Not Today". I would've put that title just below the image but cannot figure out how to do that yet. 

As long as I'm pretty much stuck on this first page I may as well take this opportunity to tell you a bit about myself. I'm in my 50's, (early years), I have teenagers, a dog and I work as an Art Director in retail advertising. I know, WOW, she does all that AND has blog? I don't know how I do it either. 

I can also tell you that when I go into my studio I never know what I'm going to do or what I've done when I leave until I see it the next day. I mainly work with pastels as the base of my drawings and then if the moment's right, I'll add things to it. Fabrics, feathers, wire...stuff, anything that'll stick. Most of it usually ends up in my hair but that's just part of the process, whatever that process may be. 

I am now going to attempt to add images so that you can see what it is that I do. 

I'm excited to see what I do. 

"That's me, an Old Kazoo with some Sparklers"-Pastel/Mixed Media

I title many of my pieces using quotes from old movie stars that I admire. I find their words inspiring and much more humorous than mine...most of the time. 

"My Stupid Girlfriend from 1963" - Pastel

She wasn't my girlfriend. I never had a girlfriend in 1963, though in the 60's I did have a coat like this. My Mom bought it for me at Rober Hall. That was a pretty big deal back then. Cloth coats with fake fur and wooden buttons. I also had white go-go boots to go with it and lime green fishnets. I was really pretty cool for a 6 year old. 

"It May be true, generally, that there is Nothing Older than "Yesterday's Newspaper". 

Here is an exception..." - Pastel/Newspaper

The title doesn't really make any sense but it was the only quote I could find about newspaper and at the time thought it worked. I truly cannot stand a piece of art that is Untitled. 

"Untitled and Very Upset about It"-Pastel

Did I mention that I'm a prolific liar? 

"Sunday Paper" -Pastel/Newspaper

This was going to be a pretty cool piece until I decided it would be a really good idea to spray the paper with a lacquer to add some shine. It wasn't a really good idea, not at all. 

"Rock & Roll" -Pastel/Mixed Media
The top is made is made from a poster I did for Francis Ford-Milwaukee's House Photographer Extraordinare!  I believe that's his old roommate Ceasar aiming at you. 

"Stupid Talent Show"- Pastel/Mixed Media

"One does Not relight a Cigarette" -Pastel/Mixed Media

...and by mixed media I mean I made her dress out of foam core board bits. 

I do enjoy a good foam core board bit. Doesn't everyone? 

"She was Worth a look, She was Trouble" Pastel/Splattered paint

"I often take a Brand-new Suit or Hat and Throw it up Against the Wall a few times to 

get that Stiff, Square Newness out of It"-Pastel/Fabric

Used James Stewart as a reference for drawing and quoted Fred Astaire for title. 

A few minutes ago I hit a button and this whole blog vanished. It may not look like an enormous amount of effort but it is a bit daunting. I have to post images and then I feel the need to talk about them. I will await comments from my 2 older brothers to see how this is going so far. They'll be painfully honest, bring Craig & Charlie!