Shari Beaubien

A Change of Pace

You might be thinking I've abandoned my typical subject matter and decided to paint pears instead.  Not so!  This little guy is going to be a bird.

This is a page from my art journal and it's sort of a study for something I'm hoping to do on the canvases from this post.  I usually don't do much, if any, shading when it comes to my focal images.  In the past, if my bird is white then he comes to life as Titanium White, straight from the tube.  Modeling is something new for me, and I'm pleased with the results.  I'm also proud of myself for continuing to push the envelope when I paint.  I think that's just so important for our evolution as artists.

Steve worked all weekend, and while I missed him, that gave me a lot of extra studio time.  Because I work at home, it might not seem like working on a Saturday versus a Wednesday would be that different, but for some reason it is...  Maybe it's the computer and the phone?  I guess on the weekends I don't feel as though I need to be "up to speed" on anything relating to the larger world.  Makes for a nice change of pace, that's for sure!

A Narrative

The producers of the Frida Kahlo Annual Art Exhibit require a narrative of the work submitted.  I wrote mine yesterday and thought you might be interested in reading it.  (It follows below and pertains to the two paintings I showed you yesterday.)

Frida Kahlo Narrative

Frida Kahlo knew pain.  Both emotional and physical, Frida’s pain was more intimately a part of her life than perhaps even her beloved Diego.  Yet in the face of it all, Frida found a way to thrive.  Her incredible zest for life was surpassed only by the strength of her spirit.  During her brief 47 years, Frida Kahlo lived (and painted) her truth openly and without shame.  That’s certainly a lesson from which we all could learn.  

My two paintings, “Release” and “What the Artist Gave Me,” serve as my humble tribute to this incredible woman.  Since the very beginning, Frida and her artwork have held a special sway over me.  Like Frida, I don’t paint pretty landscapes or other external realities.  Instead, I paint what I know best: me.  Each creation tells another piece of my story and reveals another aspect of my heart.  Thanks to Frida, I paint on my terms, without reservation.  What a gift.  I’m thrilled to be able to finally offer a tangible marker of my gratitude for someone who has meant so much.  

 

The Fridas Are Finished!

"Release"
9" x 12"

 

"What the Artist Gave Me"
12" x 16"

I'm feeling really exhilarated and excited about these two paintings.  They were a fantastic challenge for me and I'm so glad I pushed myself.  The palette is not one I usually employ, but I wanted to capture the flavor of Mexico.  This is also the first time that I've painted faces with eyes open rather than just draw them in with ink.  Let me tell you, easier said than done!  The second painting's title is a play on the title of one of Frida Kahlo's more famous paintings called "What the Water Gave Me".  I hope you enjoy them both.  You should be able to click on either image to see more detail.  Now I just have to write a few things (narrative of the work plus artist's statement) and they will be ready to submit to the show.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Good News!

I've been accepted to vend at Art & Soul in Portland this October! 

I couldn't be more excited, although truth be told... I think I'm equally as nervous.  That won't hold be back though!  In fact, I already have a variety of ideas for some new artwork I'd like to create specifically for this show.  Stay tuned and I'll post details as they develop.

In other news, I think I'm nearing completion of one of my Frida paintings.  I hope to finish painting it and varnishing it today, then scan it and have it ready to show you sometime in the next few days.  Check back... I'm looking forward to hearing what you think!

The To Do List

I started doing something different this week, and I can't BELIEVE the difference it has made in my productivity!  I thought I'd blog about it in case it might help some of you.

The change I am speaking of concerns my to do list(s).  I have not one, but THREE carefully crafted to do lists on any given day.  One to do list is for the things I need to accomplish by day's end.  Another is a monthly to do list which organizes my bigger projects and rolls over from one month to the next.  The third is a to do list that keeps track of all of the action I need to take for various gallery exhibits and art fairs (application deadlines, submission dates, event dates, travel considerations, pick-up dates, etc.)  All of these lists help keep me on track with regard to the business end of art.

So what about painting, you might ask?  Well, of course, "paint" is always on my various lists.  But that's pretty much it.  Then this week it dawned on me:  Why do I see to it that the business wheels keep turning when I don't give anything remotely resembling that energy to making sure my artwork keeps pace?  That's crazy!  So I began another list...

Now each morning I also outline exactly what I want to accomplish that day with my palette and brushes.  This week it happens to sound something like this:  Paint the sides of my two Frida canvases to match the front and develop the earth on both.  Or this:  Sketch in and paint the swirl focal point as well as Frida's feet.  Or this:  Develop and layer the backgrounds of my five Carnival of Dreams canvases to a nearly-finished point.  I'm telling you, it has worked wonders!  My pace has been steady and sure and I couldn't be happier with all I've been able to accomplish this week.  Long live The List!!

Feeling Better

First, I'd like to thank everyone who posted a comment and emailed me personally about my blogging blues.  I'm not sure if I can quite convey how very much your words and support have meant to me.  Not only did you offer sage advice about security precautions, but you made me feel like it was perfectly okay to feel whatever it is I have been feeling.  Moreover, you reminded me that I blog, in part, for myself.  And that was a lesson of gold.  Thank you for that...

Here's a picture of what I've been working on lately:  two canvases to submit to a Frida Kahlo exhibit being held at a gallery in Long Beach later this summer.

This photo is a close-up of one of the figures slightly further along.  I know, I know... reminds you of a zombie, doesn't she?

This has actually been a great challenge for me on many levels.  I seldom enter shows with themes because I've really struggled with fitting into a particular mold in the past.  I've discovered that if I'm not passionate about the topic, my art will reflect that.  As a result, my rule has been to allow theme shows to pass me by unless, of course, the theme happens to be something special and personally meaningful.  Frida Kahlo has been a huge influence on me over the course of my artistic career and, well... I couldn't resist giving this one a try.

I've never attempted to paint anyone other than my girl, let alone someone so recognizable.  I've carefully reviewed my many books on Frida to get a feel for her clothing, her hair styles, and her attitudes.  I've poured over her numerous self portraits.  My goal has been to paint something that captures the flavor of this great artist but also remains true to my own style.  Easier said than done, I assure you!

And last but not least, my dear friend Tracie Lyn Huskamp has tagged me.  The tag is to write the title to your own memoir in six words.  Now, I reserve the right to change my title as my journey evolves, but today it would be:  Never Settle.  Opening My Heart Wide.  Now I tag anyone out there in blogland who wants to play.  (And believe me, I know you're out there...) <*wink*>

A Bit of the Blogging Blues

I'm going to be honest...  I've had a hard time blogging for the past couple of weeks.  I don't know what it is.  A mixture of things, I suppose.  I wonder if anyone out there even cares about my life or what I have to write?  I fear that my little journey is excruciatingly boring to anyone but me.  I feel so inadequate and inept... especially when I peruse so many other blogs whose authors seem to be living such incredibly fascinating lives.  Then I think, "Well, maybe they just have a gift for storytelling that I don't".  And again the feelings of not measuring up creep back in.  You can see where this spiral is going, can't you?

Add to that the fact that last week our neighbor's house got broken into.  The place was ransacked and the burglars stole computer equipment, precious jewelry, and cash.  A house down the street and around the corner was hit on the same day as well.  I cannot explain to you how vulnerable this has made me feel.  What made that thief turn right instead of left?  It could so easily have been us.

Of course I worry about the loss of our carefully collected material possessions.  But honestly, those can be replaced.  What if the burglar had pried off our window (like he did to our neighbor) and the cats had wandered out?  We have coyotes eating pets here on a weekly basis!  Or what if they had done something horrible to Bentley to shut him up?  I couldn't live with myself.  I was out doing errands at precisely the time my neighbor was robbed.  Or what if I had been home alone, as I so often am?  It could have so easily been us...

I spent the greater part of last week dealing with the installation of a new state-of-the-art security system for our home.  I feel, perhaps, minutely better.  But the rest of the time I just feel... ??? Depressed?  Exposed?  Unsafe?  Unsure?  This recent mood makes me reluctant to put even the smallest tidbit of information about myself out there into cyberspace.  And again, that's supposing that anyone even cares.

I'm sorry about this post.  I know it's not uplifting and happy.  I've gone back and forth with myself for several days about whether to even write it.  Goodness knows, I've started and stopped no less than five times already.  But it is what it is.  I guess it's here for you to read if you want to or ignore if you don't.  In either case, it's where I find myself today.

A Terrific Evening

The Women Painters West new member welcome dinner was last night.  It was lovely to be there and everyone was so warm and friendly.  The food was delicious, too.  Each newbie was required to bring a piece of their work.  We had to get up in front of the entire room to speak about our journey and our artwork.  I'm pleased to report that I didn't throw up.  It was a terrific evening and I'm so very proud to be a member of this organization.

It's been a tough week for me, filled with distractions.  And it seems that no matter how hard I try, it always takes me a solid week following a show to close it out and get my feet back under me.  I think I just need to accept that and honor it as a being a part of my process.  Fighting it only makes me crazy.  I'm looking forward to a lot more painting next week...

Florine Stettheimer

Have you ever heard of Florine Stettheimer?

I hadn't until I saw a piece of her artwork hanging in The Bellagio's "American Modernism" exhibit.  I couldn't find a photo of the actual canvas I saw, but this one is equally as intriguing.  Her singular style just drew me in and made me want to learn everything I could...

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information out there on this amazing artist.  You can check out Wikipedia's summary of her life here, but it's pretty short and dry.  Moreover, there appears to be only ONE comprehensive book about Ms. Stettheimer's art and life.  It's listed on Amazon here, and I'd certainly love to own it.  Perhaps someday I will, but for now, the $115 price tag prevents it from gracing my bookshelves any time soon.

While it's true that I connected with that lone piece of Stettheimer's art the moment I saw it, I really fell in love with her when I walked into the next room.  The gallery had painted a quote on the wall which they attributed to Ms. Stettheimer. 

It read...

"It's very interesting being legendary when you can't even make a living and the public has never heard of you."

Isn't that just the best?

A Beautiful Day at the Fair...

Here's a picture of two of our dearest friends (and pet sitters extraordinaire) Brian and Lori.  I just love this picture.  The four of us laugh and laugh whenever we're together.  Thanks so much for coming to see us this weekend in Montrose, guys! 

And thank you, too, to everyone else who took time out to stop by my booth this weekend.  It was a wonderful show... my best ever, in fact!  "The Ride" (pictured right) found a new home, as did several other works.  That makes me supremely happy. 

It's such an interesting thing, really.  I mean, sometimes it's hard for me to part with my work... particularly the larger pieces in which I have invested so much time.  But without fail, I do believe that each and every piece has ended up with precisely the right person.  It's like The Universe orchestrates some divine and omniscient coming together of artwork and owner.  That makes saying goodbye a lot easier...

And the Winner Is...

Suzanne Reynolds

Congratulations, Suzanne!  Just email me your snail mail addy and I'll get your Artists' Cafe in the mail to you next week.  I want to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to play.  This was fun and I'm hoping to have another contest soon...

 

I've been lucky enough to dodge the jury-duty bullet all week long.  Phew!  As a result, I've made a bit of headway on all of those blank canvases.  I counted and I'm working on twelve simultaneously right now!  That might be a record.  Here's what my work table looked like yesterday (above).

And this shot shows a few more canvases with the backgrounds not quite as developed.  These are to become new works in my "Carnival of Dreams" series.  Steve came home from work though and promptly declared he could see I was getting ready for Easter.  Um, yeah... that's just the look I was going for...  Gotta' love the honesty of our loved ones.

And last but certainly not least, I'll be at the Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend.  Come on out and see me!  I'm in booth # 52.  The weather looks like it's going to be just perfect and we're going to have an unheard of amount of fun!

Reminder

Day four and no jury duty today, either.  One more day...

I just wanted to post a quick reminder:  You have until tonight at midnight to enter my contest for a brand new copy of Somerset Studio's "Artists' Cafe".  To play, just leave a comment to this post.  I'll announce the winner here Friday morning, jury duty or not!!  Good luck...

Jury, Jury, and more Jury

Because I didn't have to go to jury duty yesterday, I was able to participate in jurying of another kind.  Yesterday was the take-in for the next Collage Artists of America show.  It's a tough process on the 'ole schedule because you have to drive your artwork all the way down there from 10 am - 12 pm and then return to pick it up and find out whether you've been accepted from 2 pm - 3 pm.  It's a half hour trip for me each way, so it sort of soaks up the entire day.  I will tell you it was worth the effort though because both of my pieces were accepted!  Yay!  "Body Image" (pictured left) was one of them.

The show runs from June 4 through June 21 with an opening reception this Sunday, June 8 from 2 pm - 4 pm.  You can learn more by visiting the events page of my website.

No jury duty for me today, either.  Two days down, three to go!

Also, don't forget to enter my contest if you're interested.  I'll be announcing the winner on Friday.  (Here's a quick link to that post.)

Another Contest!

I thought it was high time we had another contest!  So... without further ado, I'd like to give away this brand new copy of "Artists' Cafe" by Somerset Studios.  To enter, simply leave a comment to this post and I'll draw the winner randomly on Friday morning.  (You have until Thursday at midnight to enter.)  Good luck!

Of all things, I'm on jury duty this week.  Is it sad that I actually would like to go so that I can be forced to just sit?  LOL... such is my life.  But this week is truly the last (*I hope*) of my 6-week-long craze.  Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm moving gleefully towards it.

And I would be remiss if I concluded this post without a very special "Happy Birthday" wish to the very special man in my life.

Happy Birthday, honey.
I love you with all of my heart.