Shari Beaubien

Drying Out

Here is a shot taken after the rains and after everything has more or less dried out.  Can you see the snow on the mountains in the distance?  It's breathtakingly beautiful in person.  Makes me feel like I live in the Alps.

And here's a shot of a collage I just started.  The canvas is 30" x 30".  It's going to be a very personal piece and will be one I won't sell.  I began by writing a letter to the little girl inside of me.  Those papers were then crumpled, coffee-stained, and torn.  That text, along with some wallpaper scraps makes up the background of this collage.  Stay tuned for future developments!

Bits and Pieces

Due to our wet weather, I haven't been able to get outside and photograph some of the artwork I've been wanting to share with you.  So... I decided yesterday afternoon to snap a few shots indoors of various bits and pieces.  These photos are from a canvas I finished a few weeks ago (just before the rain hit) entitled "The Ride".  Enjoy!

A Weekend of Fun

I'm beginning to wonder whether we may have suffered the same fate as Dorothy?  Except instead of having our house plopped down in Munchkinland, we've somehow landed in Seattle.  Yup... it's STILL raining!  And the forecasters predict rain on and off again all week long.  I swear, it may never stop.

In spite of the gloomy weather, I had such a fantastic time at The ARTbar this weekend!  As usual, everyone surpassed my wildest expectations and created some truly amazing and unique pieces of artwork.  Of course, I was so preoccupied that I forgot to take photos until the very end, but here's a shot of me and my good friend Judy.  I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who came to spend the day with me.  I had such a wonderful time and I hope you did, too!

I also wanted to share some info. about a FANTASTIC sale (in case you haven't heard about it already).  Dick Blick is currently holding just about the best sale I've ever heard of with regard to their canvases.  Buy 9 or less and get 50% off, buy 10-19 and get 60% off, and buy 20 or more and get 70% off!  It was a perfect time for me to restock my supply and I took full advantage of the savings.  I can't believe it.  I got a giant Premier 36" x 48" gallery-wrapped canvas that normally sells for $98 for only $29!  Woo hoo!  If I'm not mistaken, the sale is only in their stores and not on the web, but if you live near a Blick store, it's worth the trip.

A few years back I took an amazing class with Robert Burridge.  He told us that he always has plenty of blank canvases on hand so that he can keep each one from feeling "too precious".  That bit of advice really struck me and I've done the same in my artistic career.  I usually have about four or five blank canvases stored in a big cupboard in all the various sizes that I typically work in.  I keep a modest two or three of my largest sizes as I don't complete those quite as regularly.  This has proven to be a great way for me to work as well.  I enjoy popping over to my cupboard when inspiration strikes and having just what I need at hand.

You may not be in the position of needing to create the inventory to fill an entire booth at an art fair, but even if you're just starting out, I encourage you to consider treating yourself to a few canvases.  Say you'd like to start working on canvas for the first time and the 8"x8" size speaks to you...  When you go to the store, go ahead and buy three or four!  I think you'll be glad you did.

Finding Your Visual Voice

I just finished reading Finding your Visual Voice by Dakota Mitchell.  (For your convenience, I've added a link in my left sidebar.)  What a wonderful book!  I had initially purchased it on a whim and didn't have much in the way of expectations.  But was I surprised!  Ms. Mitchell writes intelligently and informatively.  I learned a lot about the different styles and components of any given painting.  But what's more, her questions and prompts really forced me to think - and think hard - about what it is I prefer.  It's not often that a book leads me to deeply explore my own artistic voice.  This book is a treasure and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to gain a bit more insight into just what makes you tick, artistically speaking.

In other news, the rain has been pouring out of the heavens since the beginning of this week.  It's not supposed to let up until this coming Monday.  I can't take this much damp.  It's really sending me into a bit of a depressive funk.  I don't feel painting.  It's too dark anyway... even at noon!  I don't feel like doing much of anything actually.  I don't like it and I'm ready for some sunshine.  Anyone else out there affected by dreary days and grey weather?

Classes at The ARTbar

Just a head's up...

I'm so excited to be teaching at The ARTbar this weekend.  More information can be found in my right sidebar or on my website under "Classes".  If you're interested, do come out and join us!  We're going to have so much fun... promise!

SketchCrawl!

Saturday was an absolutely GORGEOUS day.  Just what you'd expect of Southern California.  It was about 70 degrees, the sun was shining, and there was virtually no wind to speak of.  Simply splendid.  And, I might add, the perfect weather for a morning spent outdoors sketching.

Steve and I arrived at the gate to Chinatown at 10 am.  There were a few folks already gathered, conversing.  They immediately welcomed us and we waited while still more participants appeared.  We were an easy group to spot - journals in hand and smiles on our faces.

Not long after, we scouted our locations and began to draw.  Some of us worked faster than others, but there was absolutely no judgment or pressure.  People floated in and out to see what each of us had accomplished before moving on to stake out another prize-winning spot.

It was a fantastic way to spend the morning.  Many of the Chinatown regulars took an avid interest in our work.  Nothing beats the raves of a perfect stranger!  I kept thinking how cool it was that people all over the world were engaged in the very same activity on that given day.  Maybe even at that precise moment.  I forgot how much pleasure I find in just drawing...  It was wonderful to be reminded!

Here are my sketches from that morning.  My favorite is the second one...

And here are Steve's sketches.  I daresay my husband is even more talented than I...

I will certainly participate in SketchCrawl again.  If you're interested in joining us next time, check out the link here.  You can also see results from across the globe by going to the SketchCrawl Forums.  You don't need to wait for an event such as this to pull out your sketchbook though!  It's up to you to make the time...

SketchCrawl, Here I Come!

I took this cool photo recently.
I thought it was appropriately ominous for the pending storm...

I'm excited about something I'm doing this weekend, and I wanted to invite you to join in the fun as well.  Have any of you ever heard of SketchCrawl?  As I understand it, every few months a specific date and time are designated for sketching and journaling about town.  Specific places and times are agreed upon using the SketchCrawl forums.  Anyone in any city across the globe can participate.  You meet, create some art, and then post your renderings online.  I'm really looking forward to meeting some local people who share my passion.  The Angelitos are meeting in Chinatown.  And Steve is joining me, too!

Check out the website if you haven't already.  It's here.  The information there explains things in much more detail.  If it interests you at all, I encourage you to join us.  Even if you just go into your backyard by yourself and sketch, why not make your art a priority tomorrow and keep a date with folks across the world?

In the Zone

Here's an art journal page I did yesterday...

I finally feel like I'm getting into my 2008 groove, and it feels GREAT!  I can't remember the last time that I have felt so centered and grounded.  I'm painting more.  I'm exercising more.  I'm doing some important emotional work.  Life is good.  There's promise.  And when was the last time I made time to work in my art journal so regularly?  Um... never? 

I varnished a canvas yesterday that I really like.  It's the first in what I think will be a new series.  I hope to photograph it this weekend so I can show you next week.  Still mulling over possible titles for that series, too.

I've also been busy working on another large piece - 30" x 40".  I've repainted the earth twice now and am in the middle of a third redo.  Not sure why the ground (literally a line of brown at the bottom of the canvas) should be causing so much strife.  Well... I think I can guess.  I've fallen in love with the sky I painted and I simply want the earth to match.  Perfectionism is a curse, I swear.  Anyway, whether it takes three coats to get it right or twenty - I'm spending more time painting and I couldn't be happier!

Better Late than Never

Man, where is this year going?  Am I the only one who feels like January is just racing by in a blur?  I mean, I'm still trying to complete my Christmas posts, and I didn't even travel anywhere for the holidays!  Alas, better late than never...

I wanted to share with you a few other goodies which were bestowed upon me this holiday season.  I am truly blessed to have the dear friends that I do.  YOU are my family...

This sweet little art doll came from the lovely Carla Naron.  She's hanging on the door to my paint supply cabinet and she brings a smile to my face every time I'm in my studio.  I love that she reminds me to "dream".  Thank you,  sweet Carla.

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My good friend Mary Beth Shaw gave me a box with several little treasures tucked inside.  Amongst them was this gorgeous necklace which she made.  Those are paper beads coated with enamel, strung on hand-dyed silk.  It's breathtaking and I treasure it.

She also enclosed this wonderful pin made by the talented Denise Lombardozzi.  Doesn't it look fab on my jean jacket?  Thank you for brightening my holiday, Mary Beth, and for always being there.

And last but certainly not least, this little canvas arrived from my dear friend Linda O'Neill.  She began work on it when she came to my class in Fort Collins this past summer.  I recognized it immediately when I opened the wrapping.  I daresay I even squealed.  It's called "Two Hearts" and symbolizes our connectedness.  Thank you so much, Linda, for such a loving reminder not only of the time we spent together but of our friendship as well.

I'm one lucky girl, aren't I?!?!

The Proof Is in the Pudding

You're not going to believe this!  It's just too good not to share...

Monday I reported my excitement for the start of my painting class that night.

Tuesday I lamented the fact that I drove all the way down to Beverly Hills and then turned around and drove home - without going to class. 

Wednesday I thanked you for writing to tell me that I had done the right thing.  My inner voice had something to say and I listened.

Well, last night I received a call from the school.  The director canceled the class (reason unknown) and I will be issued a full refund!  Can you believe it!?!?  Guess this is just one more affirmation of how important it is to listen to your soul's inner wisdom.  The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.

A Bit More on The New Year Show

First, I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to write to me about my painting class.  I really was feeling like such a lame-o.  Your permission and your support has really helped me.  The compassion of this blogging community never ceases to amaze me.  Thank you for that.

I thought you might enjoy a picture of me at the CAA New Year Show...

It was a pretty cool space.  All of the walls - even the outer walls - are movable!  I'd never seen that before.  This allows them to completely reconfigure the space each and every time they have a show.  I thought it was a wonderful concept.  I also thought the show was hung extremely well, too.  If you're in the Burbank area, it will be up until January 24.

Painting Class... uh oh

What can I say?...

I drove all the way down to Beverly Hills - 2 1/2 hours early to avoid some of the traffic.  I found a restaurant and had dinner, wrote in my journal, and read a magazine to pass the time.  When I emerged, it was bitter cold and the wind had started an assault.  It was dark.  I was tired and lonely.  And even though the class was to be held in the infamous Beverly Hills, it's located in the big city part with lots of tall office buildings.  The storefronts all have bars on their windows.  (Think downtown Los Angeles.)  The parking also leaves a lot to be desired.  I didn't feel safe and I am NOT a night person.  I turned around and drove one hour and ten minutes right back home.

It may not be what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth.  Heck, it's not even what I wanted to hear.  But at least I honored my needs.  I don't regret that.  There will be other painting classes... closer to home.

Happy Monday!

The opening was so much fun!  It was a pleasure to be able to meet the juror, Professor Olga Seem, as well as so many others.  Everyone had such nice things to say about my work.  The entire evening made me glow from the inside out!

In step with my new resolve to immerse myself more fully in the world of paint, my painting class begins tonight in Beverly Hills.  While I'm not relishing the idea of that drive in rush-hour traffic, I am tremendously excited about taking a continuing course in acrylics.  I'll be sure to report back to you on how it goes...

New Year Show

"A Place Called Home"
30" x 40"

"The Gift"
22" x 28"

I am thrilled to announce that these two pieces were accepted into the Collage Artists of America New Year Show!  And that's not even the best part...  "The Gift" WON FIRST PLACE!  Isn't that fantastic?!?!?  If you read my post from Wednesday, this event was most certainly one of the things that has validated my new path.

The show runs from January 4 through 24 and more information can be found by clicking the link in the sidebar at the right.  The reception is tonight though, from 7-9 pm.  If you're in the Burbank area, do come out.  I'll be there and I'd love to see you!

A New Tradition

Steve and I wanted to create a new tradition this Christmas... something memorable and meaningful and that we could do together.  I came up with the idea of creating little pieces of art.  We'd each work on a six inch square piece of watercolor paper, using any media our hearts desired.  We'd include our signatures and the year on our creations.  In a couple of years, when we have a few more squares completed, I'm going to bind them together to make a hanging paper wall quilt.

My contribution is above.  It's sort of in the style of my "Web of Intrigue" tapestry journals.  I used acrylic paint, pencil and Caran d'Ache Neocolor II watersoluble pastels.

And this is what Steve made  (Ray, he tells me, is his nom de plume).  Isn't it just THE BEST!?!?  I'm so incredibly proud of him!  You might recognize the Corgi ornament as none other than the infamous Bentley.

Not only will this make an incredible decoration in years to come, but actually sitting down for these hours was the highlight of my Christmas.  I so truly enjoyed sharing something that is so important to me with the man I love.  And how lucky am I that he was willing to jump right in without fear or trepidation?  It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait until next year.