Shari Beaubien

A Change Is in the Air...

Impression Sunrise
(title borrowed from Mr. Monet)

Have you ever embarked on a seemingly "normal" experience and walked away feeling changed forever?  Like something in your very core has shifted and it's impossible to go back to being the old you?  You weren't expecting it.  In fact, you were completely blind-sided.  But the whole experience is so marvelous and fascinating that you have no choice but to just surrender yourself fully to it.

Believe it or not, that's what The Learning & Product Expo did for me.  The change I'm speaking of doesn't have anything to do with my painting.  (Although I wouldn't be the least surprised if it did, eventually, seep into my canvases.)  No... I discovered a change in my entire way of being as an artist and as a person.

I'm not even sure if I can put it into words here in any way that is coherent, but I'll try.  LPE opened my eyes to the bigger picture.  It helped me expand my vision in vast and far-flung ways.  I feel light and free and unencumbered in a way that I haven't in a LONG time... if ever.  Perhaps like a butterfly emerging from it's cocoon.  I was allowing myself to be suffocated by the minutia of my life when all I had to do to escape was be willing to turn my gaze toward another direction.

Now... I think it's likely that a large amount of the credit for this shift has to go to me.  LPE was more the catalyst for a change that's been building in my heart and soul for some time now.  I've been doing the work.  I've been honoring my spirit while making myself open to The Universe.  LPE merely moved the door ajar.  I walked through.

Believe me, I know this probably sounds awful esoteric and new-agey.  But it is what it is.  I feel so different.  I celebrate that.  And I couldn't help but scream it from the hilltops (or in this case, my blog) for all of the world to hear.  Thanks, my friends, for listening.

The image at the top of this post is not meant to be a finished work by any means.  It's just a blending study from the class on Golden's new Open Acrylics.  I think it's poignant, however, in light of what I just wrote.  I painted the dawn of a new day...

Oh, and by the way... my final opinion on Golden's latest product?  Heaven.  Sheer heaven.  I'm hooked.  While the Open Acrylics won't replace my beloved fluids for the layering I do, I can't wait to turn to them when I want to shade and model my subjects.

Another FABULOUS class I'd like to tell you about was "The Art of Doing Business" with Jodi Walsh.  Hands down, this was THE BEST art business class I've ever taken -  simply chock-full of valuable information.  You can read read a bit more about her 12-steps here and also order the CD we were given in class, which details everything we learned.  I highly recommend it.

The Learning & Product Expo

Starting today, I'm lucky enough to be facing four glorious days of classes at The Learning & Product Expo in Pasadena.  I'm so looking forward to this time away from my studio - both mentally and physically.  Hopefully this will be just the thing I need to shake the blahs.

I'm taking:

12-Step Program for Artists: The Art of Doing Business (lecture)
Play, Explore, Paint and Create: How to Paint an Original (workshop)
Acrylics Like Oil (workshop which focuses on Golden's new Open Acrylics)
Making a Living in a Tough Economy (lecture)
Getting Collectors without Getting a Gallery (lecture)

See you next week, all!

The Colors of Feeling

You might remember this 30" x 40" canvas from an earlier post.  It seems it's taken me a bit of time to get back into the flow of working on it.

I'm not sure why, but a dark cloud of malaise seems to be hanging over my head these past few weeks.  Actually, the cloud isn't always there.  The weather pattern is much more irregular.  One minute I'm supremely happy and the next I'm ready to collapse into a puddle of tears.

I have a strong suspicion that this cycling moodiness has been impeding my desire to paint.  Perhaps that's why I've accomplished so much on the computer (such as entirely restocking my Etsy shop) these past few days?  The computer is safe and reliable and unfeeling.  Painting?...  Not so much.  No matter what the subject matter, painting requires risk.  It demands that I feel whatever it is I'm feeling and allow it to flow onto the canvas.  It's raw.  It's holding my soul up to my eyes and forcing me to really LOOK.  I suppose painting doesn't need to be like that for everyone, but I honestly don't know how to do it any other way.  And when all is said and done, I don't think I would change it if I could.

More than anything else, I guess I've been feeling extra-protective of myself lately.  Like I just want to close my door to the world and spend my days nurturing myself.  I'm becoming more and more aware of the fact that we have to be our own best friends.  No one else on this planet will take care of you as tenderly or as expertly as you.

So here is what I have managed to paint...

If you've been following my recent work, I'm sure that this subject matter is none too surprising.  So what's up with all the elephants then?  Well, I paint elephants because for me they are big and strong... dependable... gentle... steadfast... and even compassionate.  But more than anything, I'm drawn to them because it seems to me that you can count on them.  I like that.  I feel like I need that.

Maybe... just maybe... the elephant represents a part of myself.  He is that part of me that I need to be able to count on when everything else in my world is crashing down around me.  He represents, in a way, my own best friend.

How's that for a post with my heart laid bare? 

Be gentle, friends... be gentle.

Etsy Update

Well... painting has been on the back burner this past week, but I've had good reason!

In my effort to gear up for the holidays, I just finished a MONDO (is that a real word?) update to my Etsy Shop.

There are plenty of prints, greeting cards, journals, and OODLES of new original artwork to be had.  In the coming weeks, I plan to promote my Etsy Shop via my newsletter, website, and a few other strategies, but I thought you - my loyal blog readers - deserved first notice.

Among the items for sale are my Inner Sanctum art pieces.
Here's a preview...

 

And because I know many of you who read this blog are artists yourselves, you might be interested in the corrugated cardboard I have for sale...

Stop by here or click on the Etsy link in my right sidebar to see the rest!

One of the things I'm really committed to this holiday season is to purchase only handmade gifts.  In this tough economy, I think it's increasingly important to support the little guy.  Whether you buy from me or someone else, I do hope you'll give this notion some consideration.  Thanks!

Happy Anniversary

Nine years ago today we stood on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean...
The sun sank slowly into the horizon and we joined our lives together.

Every single day since then has been a gift I cherish.

I love you with all of my heart, honey.
Today and always...

Happy Anniversary.

Art & Soul (part two)

Here are some more finds from Art & Soul...

This little guy comes from artist Sue Hadden.

His backside is just as cute as his front.
I think he wants to join the other birds outside though...

Me and the illustrious Katie Kendrick, exhausted after vendor night.

Both the print and the giant "S" are from Katie.

I've waited a long time to own a piece of  Nina Bagley's work
and this time it was meant to be.
Perhaps I was waiting until I could finally, fully embrace the title "artist"?

And here is my wonderful friend Marilyn Werst. 
I just adore this picture.

Of course, I wish I had taken photos of so many others...  Alas, I was busy living life and I guess I can't beat myself up about that.  The memories are locked in my heart and you'll just have to trust me when I tell you it was, indeed, magical.

Art & Soul (part one)

Phew!  It's been a tough couple of days!  I've been working like mad to finish a couple of proposals and haven't been able to come up for air.  They are happily completed now though and safely on their way to the powers that be.  So, let us return to our regularly scheduled programming...

Here's a shot of me on vendor night at Art & Soul.

And these are a few more glimpses of my display...

I did SO well and feel so blessed to have been there.  It was a terrific opportunity and my DEEPEST gratitude goes out to Glenny, Vonnie and the rest of their team.

I also want to offer up a GIANT thank you to everyone who came and supported both myself and the other vendors.  I realize that the current state of the economy is putting a strain on a lot of families.  And art, certainly, is a luxury.  Even if you didn't buy anything, just having you stop by the table was a gift.

Here's a shot of a necklace I purchased from my friend Lisa Call...

Isn't it GORGEOUS!?!?  I immediately connected with the colors and with a name like "Beaubien"... well, you can imagine I'd feel attached to the french part.  The little piece at the end is a tiny vintage souvenir book that actually opens up to reveal teeny black & white pictures of Paris.  The pages are hinged and turn just like a real book.  It's priceless. 

This adorable guy I named Ernest.  If you've been following my work lately, you won't be surprised that I was drawn to him.  Ernest comes from the lovely Carla Sonheim.

This little doll part came from the talented Judy Wilkenfeld.  She was next to me at the show while Michael deMeng was directly behind me.  It was a grand experience and we laughed nearly all night long.

More on Art and Soul to come...

The Return

Hey, Gang... I'm back!!

I present you with this uber-cute picture of Bentley
because I don't have anything else at the moment.

Steve and I returned home last night and managed to plop ourselves in front of the TV with pizza for a few hours before tumbling into bed.  This morning I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed with the usual "Where do I begin?" anxiety.  But all I can do is the best that I can.  I know that.

Art and Soul was FABULOUS and I'll post a more cohesive recap when I get organized.