by Susan Lobb Porter | Uncategorized |
Arty Life is getting a NEW ‘DOO.
And it’s about time. Really, what’s not to luvvvvvvv about a makeover?
I will give you a hint what to expect…. Stuff! More Stuff!!! And even MORE STUFF!!! I will be blogging with my big girl panties on.
Imagine that!
WOOT! More WOOT! WOOT WOOT!!!
Aww geeze, all that enthusiasm has left me worn out. I can hardly keep my eyes open after hours and hours and HOURS hunkering over Photoshop and tinkering around the back end of WordPress–which sounds A: dirty B: fun. But in reality, the answer is C: exhausting. All I want to do right now is go to bed. Climb between those flannel sheets and dream about chocolate chip cookies. Homemade.
And that’s just what I’m gonna do.
So come back next week and see what all this fuss was about. Until then my best beloveds XOXOXO
by Susan Lobb Porter | Photography, Ponies, Ponies in the Morning |
We’ve been together a long time, two horses, a donkey and moi.
We’re all getting old. One of the horses is at the DMD stage, damn near dead. Except even at the overripe age of 33 she’s as healthy as, well, a horse.
The other one isn’t far behind. At 26 he’s pushing the age thing. And the last few years he’s had skin problems that make his life miserable every summer.
The donkey came to me as a rescue 13 years ago. I knew she had issues but I signed on for the duration. At 17 she’s the baby of the bunch. Just recently her gray coat has begun showing signs of the other kind of gray.
Just like me.
Last month I began taking their photographs every day. It was an exercise for Catherine Just’s Soul*full eCourse. I signed up for the class because I love love love love LOVE Catherine’s photography. And philosophy. And great big BEAUTIFUL heart.
This is not your average photography class. The word aperture has not been mentioned once. Then again, with a tagline of deepen your mind*body*spirit connection what was I expecting?
I wasn’t expecting to resume my long dormant daily meditation practice. Or take up Qi Gong again. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with my gray hair or to feel comfortable enough in my own skin to take self-portraits.
Often. Like every time I whip out the camera. Just because I can.
Even though I always did my best to avoid being photographed. Even though I cringed at the toll age has taken on my face.
The first week of class we were given an assignment to photograph something in our daily life. And to keep photographing it every day. I decided to photograph the horses every morning when I fed them. Simple enough. Throw the iPhone in my pocket, snap a few pictures, post ’em online.
But it turned into something much more than that. First I began arting them up in one app or another, turning snapshots into something more interesting. And I began including myself in many of the photos. My first thing in the morning self. Pre-shower. Pre-coffee. Sleepy eyes, puffy face, uncombed hair and all SELF.
And as I documented this ritual, as I studied the images, I realized I was falling in love all over again. In love with old horses who will break my heart soon enough.
And in love with myself. Because I’m no longer afraid to love old horses. Or anyone else.
You can see more of these photos on my FaceBook page. And if you like what you see, please share with your friends. And say hello in the comments below. I love to hear what you have to say. As always, heart emoticons here. xoxoxo
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
