by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Process, Work in Progress |
Been so busy lately my head is spinning. Round and round just like a ball bearing. It’s enough to make a girl dizzy. Been finishing moving out of the old studio into the new.
But Susan, didn’t you move into the new! improved! Studio Grande six months ago?
Well, yes, I did. In a half-assed sort of way. Just the necessary stuff, you know. But stuff I had no immediate use for or didn’t know what to do with, I left behind hoping it would magically go away on it’s own.
But it didn’t. And now it’s time to rent out the cottage (ka-ching! ka-ching!) so I’ve been sorting, cleaning, donating and moving things from one place to another. Now that the old studio is nearly clean enough to rent out, the new one is TOTAL chaos. Every counter, every inch of floor is covered with S.T.U.F.F.
By this afternoon I needed a sanity break. So I stopped moving and cleaning and started stepping around and over things, poking through things, finding things… cranked up the music and began PAINTING!!!
YAY!!!
Oh, YAY!!! again.
I started with the piece I showed you last time. You can see and read about it here.
Well, the first thing I did was slap some paint on that puppy. I wanted to warm it up so I grabbed some Golden Open Acrylic in Titan Buff. I glopped it on with a palette knife and then spread it thinner using all sorts of arty tools. Brayer. Squeegie. Foam brush.
I am an equal opportunity spreader.
I began adding one of the golds. Not sure which one this is, it’s a darker one, at least straight from the bottle. Lightens up when you spread it tho.
And I continued scribbling using caran d’ache and plain old pencil. Oh, pardon me, graphite.
This is where it stands tonight. More layers still to come but I’m happy where this is headed.
As always, I would love to hear from you in the comments below. I will even blow kisses to you from afar and leave you with a happy face.
Because it’s such a grownup thing to do.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Food |
Scrolling down my FaceBook newsfeed last night I came across a photo that showed half a dozen sculptures carved from bananas. A few of which, on closer inspection, were rather, umm…rude. But cleverly so.
As an artist I could appreciate the skill and the idea so I shared the photo on my wall.
And within minutes I was challenged…CHALLENGED…by FaceBook friend Donna to make my own, specifically, a banana pony.
So I did. I like a challenge. And I like bananas. And if you’ve been reading this blog for any time you know how I feel about ponies.
First I carved.
Then I kissed.
Then I ate it. Yummm…
But I still had more than half a banana left. So I made a self-portrait, complete with coconut hair, saggy boobies and banana seed age spots.
And I ate her too. She was extra delicious. Mmmm…mmmm…coconut.
Now that I am an experienced banana carver I can pass along some advice. The banana should not be too ripe. I think a greener one would allow for a bit more control. And a paring knife is not the best tool, it didn’t allow for any detail. Something along the lines of clay tools. And a word of warning: what you cut off doesn’t want to go back on. It just gets all mushy, which is why the pony had weird ears.
So there you have it, my first adventure into edible sculpture since art school. I think cream cheese was involved in that one.
If any of you peeps want to try your hand at this, send me your photos or include the links in the comments below.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Process, Work in Progress |
I spent nearly two weeks cooped up in the left side of my brain. Two weeks of computer geekiness while redesigning this blog. By the time I finally hit that publish button I was in desperate straits. I needed to loosen up. Needed to BURN OFF some creative energy.
I needed studio time!!!
I had a canvas, a huge, ginormous, badass 48×48 inch canvas. And I’m telling you, that puppy had my name ALL OVER IT. It said take me babe, I’m yours.
And so I did, accompanied by da Boss blasting from the speakers. Oh Bruce…oh Bruce…say it again, “…strap your hands across my engines…”
YEEEEOWWWWWWW!
What. A. Ride.
Marks
Drawing into Wet Gesso
Squeezing
Scratching
I’m exhausted just remembering it. And excited too. It was SO. MUCH. FUN!!! For however many hours I was in there, I was out of my head. Totally. Never once did the ego pop in and say, ummm…what are you doing?
It was just me and da Muse.
WIP, First layer
It’s still very much a work in progress. A base layer for more layers. Many more layers. I’ll post progress photos as it moves along, becoming the painting it wants to be. Right now there really isn’t any paint in this at all. Just gesso, charcoal, caran d’ache, and pencil.
And passion. The passion of music and marks and a rockin’ good time.
As always, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Work in Progress |
Before I begin the regular scheduled post I must rant about football.
Warning: Right now I have my cranky pants on. No, no, I’m not referring to the size 8 black skinny jeans in the closet that are still tormenting me. I’m talking about my badass attitude cranky pants. The ones that caused me say some snarky things on FaceBook right after the game. You know…THE GAME. The one the Niner’s lost. The one they should’ve won if the refs made the right call in the last two minutes. And why should I care. Really, WHY??? I don’t even follow football. But back in the day when the Niners RULED THE WORLD, when Montana was the KING of QBs and we lived in the Bay Area where everybody knew somebody who knew somebody on the team…back in those days they were MY TEAM.
And I luuuuuved them.
They were mine again for the last two minutes of this game. The two minutes where they could’ve won it. The two minutes that in football time stretched into breath holding, dinner shoveling hell… And. They. Lost.
And that’s all I’m gonna say about it. And I AM sorry if I got carried away on FB.
Now, let’s talk about ART!!! Oh yes, let’s do.
Last week I told you about the Cold Wax class I’m taking with Judy Wise. (This is not to be mistaken with the Brazilian Wax class I’m taking with Mr. Carlos.) I didn’t show photos last week because they were way early stages. This week I’m ready to do some show and tell. (Heads up: There will be NO show and tell from Mr. Carlos and the BWax class ev-ah! Okay, just so you know. So don’t ask.)
As in everything I do, it’s … complicated. Complicated in this case meaning layers and layers of paint and wax. Texture. Putting it on, scraping it off.
I began an acrylic on this old canvas awhile ago. Didn’t like it so I collaged some tissue paper on it for added interest.
Then I added cold wax and oils. After the colored layers I went in with a neutral palette. Is it finished? I dunno. When it sets up a bit I might scratch into it or add more paint or a light glaze. I’d like to pull a wee bit o’turquoise up from the depths.
Here’s a few more pieces in various stages.
I call this one ‘E’. It. Is. Done…. if I can keep my hands off it. I hope I do because right now I think it’s yummy.
This one I’m calling ‘O’. Not quite there yet. But almost.
And this one is Oh! Oh! Oh! (I just made that up). Mmmmm… probably not done.
And last for today…as I uploaded this I decided it looks like a city street. So that’s what I’m calling it for now. But who knows what I’ll call it next week, or what it will look like then.
This is just the beginning. I have another four or five small ones in the works and eight larger panels waiting for me to start.
Things are coming together for the new! improved! Arty Life. Got a super surprise involving CHOCOLATE!!! Shhhh…that’s all I’m gonna say about that for now, except I’m thinking the time frame is looking more like early March. And be sure to check out the pony photos I’ve been posting on my FB page. I’m so loving doing this, taking photos of the horses every day during the morning feeding. Should’ve picked a better time.I usually feed them before I’ve showered or brushed my hair. Real glamour shots, y’know.
As always, I’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments below. And if you like what you see, be sure to share with your friends. You are, as always, my best best BEST beloved readers. Heart emoticon here.
Till next week or blog inspiration, whichever comes first xoxoxo
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Cool Apps, Photography |
Oh my sweetums…I have been to the moooooon and back this week. An over the top orgy of creative bliss.
I have painted. Waxed. Manipulated. With more than one medium. Sometimes more than one at a time. That’s right, a little Arty Life
And now I’m kickin’ back in the living room, feet on the furniture. Sated. Purring like a twenty year old heroine in a trashy novel. If I could talk to that girl, the one in that novel I’d say, “Oh honey, it gets even better than that. Trust me. Someday you will discover the Arty G Spot, the one between your ears, and life will never be the same.”
At least I hope she does.
This is a tease, a look behind the scenes at some well used oil and wax toys. (No comment. Do NOT go there!!!) I’m currently working on five panels, none of which are in the show-to-the-public-stage yet. They’re shy, y’know. Perhaps next week, when our relationship is more developed.
And here’s a peek at what else I’ve been doing this week. There are many many MANY more.
This is where painting and I parted ways. This, my dearies, is a digital manipulation of a photograph. Imagine that!
As is this, today’s (and every days’) contribution to the pony series.
And (arrow pointing down) the oh so DRAMATIC self-portrait!
Which has not so dramatic roots….
Holy crappola, Batman! She’s finding inspiration in the work place potty! Which only goes to show there ARE no boundaries to inspiration.
But wait–there’s MORE!!!
Remember last week when I said Arty Life will be undergoing a transformation? That’s still in the works. Or in my brain thinking about being in the works. Which is almost the same thing in my world. I have great plans afoot, including, but not limited to, digital magic! Which is why I did not explain any of the apps I used up above. That will come in time. More detailed than I can do right now. So keep checking in. I’m thinking around Valentine’s Day for the grand unveiling. And then I realized that’s only two weeks away. So maybe not. But soon, I promise.
As always, looking forward to hearing from you in the comments. If you have any suggestions, things you’d like to see covered in the new! improved! Arty Life!!! be sure to tell me.
XO my best beloveds. Till next week. Or the comments. Whichever comes first.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Mr. Spouse, Studio |
Life is good. Life is SO good I can’t stand it!!! Yesterday I discovered Judy Wise is teaching cold wax online!!
Handsprings! Backflips! Dance break. Shake it out, just SHAKE IT OUT!
Ahhhh…much better now. I really need to cut back on the sugar.
Why all the enthusiasm? Well, let me explain. I love oil and cold wax. Love it love it LOVE IT! I did some pieces with it last year.
This one is Dunes. If I remember right it’s 2×3 feet. I sold it last October during the studio tour. You can see more of my cold wax pieces here.
Everything I did with cold wax came from being self taught, from piecing bits and more bits of internet information together. Flying by the seat of my pants. But I’ve taken a couple of classes from Judy in the past, Plaster Workshop and Hot Wax. I adore her. So when I heard she was offering this class, my all time wish list of if I could take ANY painting class this would be IT class, I signed up, just like that. And then, because the class is beginning RIGHT NOW, I ran to the lumberyard and had them cut a sheet of quarter inch birch plywood into eight 2×2 feet panels. And I bought some sticks of pine to support them.
Then I came home, batted my eyes just right and asked Mr. Spouse to lug out the chop saw. I certainly know how to use the chop saw but Mr. Spouse, in a fit of manliness, decided he would chop the pine.
So I let him.
And then I put on my Arty Life construction hat and began building cradled panels.
First I laid everything out one panel at a time. Then I squirted wood glue on the sticks, one at a time. Set the panel on top, lined everything up and shot ’em with the nail gun.
That’s when I realized men take everything about their tools seriously. Check out the name on that sucker. RIGID. I dunno, it just seems so in your face, so yo, babe check me out.
And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.
Change of subject.
Arty Life is getting a makeover soon. How much of one I’m not sure, I’ve just got these Bigger! Better! ideas roiling around in my head. Now all I have to do is figure out how to implement them. Photography! App reviews! Stuff!!! I think I’ll be rolling them out in early February. Stay tuned.
And if you haven’t seen it yet, I’ve begun photographing my horses every morning. A daily photo journal of the ponies and moi. You can check it out here.
Until next week, my sweetums. And, as always, LOVE to hear your comments. Because you are my best beloveds EV-AH!!!
