First One

"Make a Wish"

ACEO

2.5 x 3.5" colored pencil on paper

SOLD

Here's the first one. Let me know what you think. (I managed to get this done with four kids in the house. Ain't I something!)

New for Me: ACEO's

"Respite" - Phase 9

18 x 20" colored pencil

Here's the next phase of my WIP, "Respite". I know you are probably as eager as I am to see it finally finished. But it's a very large piece for me and I have a little boy home with me now (see previous post!) so I hope you will bear with me.

I am leaving soon on vacation for two weeks and have decided to try something new for me, ACEO's, Art Cards, Editions and Originals. They are small 2.5 x 3.5" drawings which I plan to do on my trip, as well as hopefully taking some swell reference photos. Maggie Stiefvater, my new art guru and motivational blogger, suggested that I start doing them, and based on Maggie's success with her work, I'll so whatever she says! (Check out her blog; this woman is very entertaining.)

So stay tuned and I hope to have my first ACEO done tomorrow, unless I am taking a small boy somewhere "not boring".

Tanned All Over

My sister (as seen below) showed up recently with the most beautiful, even, all over tan I have ever seen. Of course, I asked how and where she got it and she confessed that she had gone in for a "Mystic Tan". This is done in a tanning salon with a spray application of "active tanning solution" within a private booth. Thursday, I got my Mystic Tan; here's how it went:

At the salon, I was greeted by a bubbly, very tanned young woman who advised me that I should do this at Level 2. She did not provide a color chart or a before and after photo, so I had to take her word for it and promptly paid my fee. Then I was told to sit before a TV monitor and to watch a 5 minute video on how to get my Mystic Tan. I should have known that, a) any procedure that requires video preparation is suspect; and b) the producers will glamorize any video possible, even one about tanning.

After being completely confused and now, even frightened but still wanting that golden glow, I followed my bubbly, bronzed goddess to a small room number 22, was told to go in and "go for it". Once inside room #22, I saw a large, silver tube-shaped device that reminded me of the sleeping chamber for Ripley from the Aliens movie. The door, I was told, opens and closes with a movement sensor and a wave of the hand. I was also to start the process with another movement-sensor device.

So I undressed, removed all jewelry, put on a hairnet, greased my palms, fingernails, and feet then almost fell down as a slipped across the floor to my space tube. I looked around for the goggles that were to be provided but did not find them. Not wanting to have to go out of room # 22 to look for Miss Bronze Bubbly while greased, hairnetted and naked, I decided I could keep my eyes closed instead and waved my hand in front of the door device. The door opened slowly and a female, robot voice began giving me further instructions. I waved my hand in front of the start device, was told by the robo-voice to step onto the platform and assume the position (legs spread, arms out to side like a scarecrow and holding one's breath) and the countdown started.

I expected a gentle misting to take place; however, this baby shot tanning solution at a velocity I was not expecting nor quite ready for. (Be advised that while "in the position", do not overdo the stance.) But I held on, held my breath and kept my position. The frontal assault stopped and I was instructed to turn around and assume to position for the rear assault, did so, held my breath and took the second volley.

Once the shooting was over, I opened my eyes, at first thinking I was now blind, but soon realized the tube was still filled with a fog, took my first breath and sputtered and coughed. So, I groped desparately around inside my pod to find door sensor to freedom. Once I found it, it opened spilling me gasping and groping with squinting eyes out onto a slippery tiled floor. I lunged forward, found my towel, and wiped off much of what was on my face and body. My vision cleared and my normal breathing returned. I realized that there was tanning solution in my ears, up my nose and probably in various other places where tanning is not normal. (Q-tips are provided to correct this.)

I dressed slowly, so as not to fall on the slippery tile, and gathered my jewelry and other belongings. I left feeling a little shakey. Miss Bronze Bubbly greeted me and asked "How was it?", but, of course, I lied and said "Fine." I stopped in front of a mirror to fix my hair and check my look before leaving and realized that I had already started to get that fantastic, all over, bronze tan I had wanted!

So, I made another appointment.

Respit - Phase 7

18 x 20" colored pencil drawgin

Respite - Phase 8

18 x 20" colored pencil drawing

Stephen Wiltshire: The Human Camera

Stephen Wiltshire: The Human Camera

Yesterday, this post was a flop. So, of course, we'll try one more time. If you can't see the video on my blog, try the link. It's worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8YXZTlwTAU

Feigned Ignorance

"Respite" - Phase 6

18 x 20"

colored pencil drawing

My youngest son has now completed the third grade with flying colors and is home with me now all day......every day. And it has already started. In less than 24 hours, he is actually saying "I'm bored."

Now, having been a mom as long as I have you know there are several translations to this boy-speak:

1. Take me somewhere really fun.

2. Take me somewhere really expensive.

3. Buy me something really fun.

4. Buy me something really expensive.

5. Take me to the pool.

6. Take me to any one of my friends.

7. Feed me lots of sugar.

I, however, have decided, like any smart native, to ignore a rude, demanding person who doesn't know that I know their language. I choose to feign total ignorance of all of the possible answers he would like to hear with one answer: "Then go clean your room."

Usually, that holds him off for at least a half an hour or so.

On The Street

"Respite" - Phase 5

colored pencil drawing

18 x 20"

Last Saturday evening, during the Gallery Hop in the Short North Arts District in Columbus, four artists (one was me!) from Studios on High Gallery, set up our easels and tables and made art out on the street. In front of a lot of people. The Hops in this area attract thousands every month, especially during the warmer weather months, and this past Saturday was really "hopping".

As an artist, most of us are introverts and are never happier than when we are alone in our studios making our art. However, in order to sell it (which only serves to support our habit of making it), we have to come out of hiding once in a while. But it is WAY out of our comfort zones. (There are exceptions, right Sandy?)

I have heard it said that showing your art in public is like standing naked on a street corner and singing an aria. You do feel extremely exposed. But jumping out into that void with other artist friends felt like a bit of a safety net. And once out there, all of us found a very receptive, kind and admiring audience.

So lesson learned: overcome your fear and jump, it might be a whole lot of fun, especially if you take a friend or two with you.

"Every day do something that frightens you." (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Circus Tricks

"Respite" - Phase 4

colored pencil drawing

18 x 20"

On Thursday night, we took our 9 year old son and 6 year old granddaughter to see "Corteo" which is a Cirque de Soleil show. As usual, their productions are amazing, breathtaking and utterly a joy. As an artist, it is almost overstimulating to take in all of the costumes, set designs, colors, musicians, singers, acrobats, and actors. You could probably see one of their shows several times and see something new each time. For as much as I enjoyed seeing it, I'm sure the kids were mesmerized.

However....some of the acrobatic stunts (which were wonderful) also may give impressionable children several ideas. We threatened them with everything short of calling the police if they tried any of these:

1. There was a very tiny, tiny woman (I think the politically correct term is Little Person) who was harnessed into some extremely large helium balloons (think of each balloon as the size of a VW bug). She was then bounced around the audience like a beach ball at a rock concert. No kidding.

2. A troop of very talented, extremely fit, and very well practiced acrobats did a series of tricks jumping on beds. With much flipping, flying and landing without a scratch. What every child wants (and tries) to do at least once in their life, and if lucky, only wind up with a sore behind and not a broken arm.

3. Four extremely fit and beautiful young women (in garters and stockings, not that my husband noticed THAT) performed some incredible, high overhead stunts on some oversized chandeliers. They hung by their toes...without a net. No kidding.

4. An extremely fit and beautiful young couple performed high, overhead stunts on a couple of ropes. They, too, performed without a net, which we, at this point, were kind of getting inured to, until she hung upside down and he held on to nothing but her ponytail. No kidding.

So now I am waiting for the day when the I see our granddaughter sailing over the backyard suspended by six helium balloons probably where she has just been launched by her uncle from our second floor deck..... Thank God we don't have a large chandelier.

With-Draw

"Respite" - Phase 3

colored pencil drawing

18 x 20"

I am having WITH-DRAW. That's one of my words for not having the time to draw at all for a while.

It's been a busy week for me with all the "artsy busy work" as I call it: taking pieces to the framer, taking pieces to the photographer, setting up an appointment with a printer, talking to shippers, filling out forms for new show entries, filling out forms for current shows, writing new artist statements for current shows, getting ready for a demonstration, designing new promotional pieces for myself and our gallery, etc., etc.

Most people don't know that a HUGE amount of an artist's time is spent on this kind of "busy work". However, if you want to be an artist, you have to learn to love this part of the job, too. And I do. I just have to deal with "with-draw" from time to time.

"Respite" - New Work In Progress

Last week I started a new rather large (18 x 20") colored pencil drawing I am calling "Respite". My sister, Cynthia, posed for me several months ago and I got some great reference images including this one. This piece is also part of my "Beauty at Any Age" series of fabulous women, (not girls!)

I will be participating in an art demonstration on the street this weekend at the Gallery Hop in the Short North Arts District and will be working on finishing this piece while there. I had to make one large enough for milling crowds to see. If you are ever in Columbus, Ohio, on the first Saturday of the month, you should venture out to the Short North and take it all in. Wonderful!

Of course, I think my sister has is very beautiful and always has been (except when we were really little and fought all the time!). She is only a few years behind me in age and when I look at her, I like to hope that I, too, am aging as wonderfully as she is.

Respite - Phase 1

Respite - Phase 2

My Top Ten

Good Chine II

colored pencil drawing

5 x 5"

Top Ten Reasons to Be An Artist and Work at Home:

1. You are your own boss (this, however, can be a bad thing, too!)
2. The commute down the hall is divine and doesn't cost $3.50 a gallon (just a cup of joe)
3. You can work outside.
4. You can work anywhere.
5. You can wear your jammies, sweats, a muumuu or anything you like! (Or nothing at all.)
6. You can eat whenever you want (this, too can be a bad thing!)
7. You can go to the bathroom while you're on the phone!
8. You can meet a friend anytime, and make up the work till 1 in the morning!
9. You can turn your music up really loud!
10. You get to do what you love.

Another Milestone

Good China II (WIP)

5 x 5" colored pencil drawing

Yesterday marked another very big milestone in my life: my oldest son turned 21. I know he thinks it's his milestone, and it is, but it is also mine. I have loved being his mother while he was a boy; and I know I will love being mother to him now that he is a man.

He posed for the Wrestler and I thought I'd share it with you today. Happy Birthday, Ian.

The Wrestler

colored pencil drawing

20 x 32"

Guilty Pleasure

Good China II (WIP)

5 x 5" colored pencil drawing

Recently, I have decided that I watch too much TV and have given up watching all but about 3 shows a week. Most of what's on is drivel and I'd rather read anyway, but I've heard there are a couple of very good shows out there. I found one.

In the last few months, I have read several books about King Henry VIII and his many wives. Never before had I ever taken an interest in history, but with this, I am smitten. Can't get enough of the stuff. Here's the list of books I've read, so far: The Constant Princess and The Boleyn Inheritance both by Phillippa Gregory, The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson, and The Six Wives of Henry VIII by David Starkey (this one was a tome, but full of detail).

So imagine my excitement when I discovered a new series on Showtime called "The Tudors" (Tudor is the family name of Henry VIII; I know because I read it in one of those books!). The show is delicious: very well written, full of interesting characters, plot twists, beautiful scenery and costumes and an extremenly handsome leading man. (Even though my husband likes the Ann Boleyn actress.) Oh, and it's loaded with sex. This is not a show for children. At all.

My grandmother once told me that we were distantly related in some way to the royal family. But, if you take a look at their family tree, you'll see how intermarried and utterly confusing it is. Yikes. I guess that's one way to explain me and some other members of my family!

To Burnish or Not to Burnish

I kept looking at "Good China I" and decided I wasn't really happy with it. Too dull; the china wasn't shiny or luminescent enough. So, I took the plunge and decided to burnish this little piece with a bristle brush, no solvent or other pencils, just a short, hog bristle paint brush. It's finally where I want it to be.

Good China I

5 x 5" colored pencil on

Art Board

I am offering this piece for $50. E-mail if you are interested.

Just Like Magic!

Good China I

WIP

5 x 5" colored pencil

Tuesday evening my we had a scary spring storm with much lightening and so, of course, my computer got a zing or a zap or scared. Nevertheless (I love that word!), I woke on Wed morning with my trusty computer off but beeping at me in most annoying way. Panic. When my computer is down I have the same uncontrollable feelings I have when my car doesn't work: I cry. Then I call someone.

I called our "computer guy", Michael, who listened to the sad, sad beeping and somberly said, "It doesn't sound good." His diagnosis was a blown motherboard (which means you are SOL). He had me reboot, unplug and replug, wiggle some wires and still no go. So, I cried and called my husband, Lee. (Just like I do when the car breaks down.) He assured me all would be fine. Michael promised to come take a look on Thursday.

Now, my new outlook on life is to find the silver lining in all the clouds that come my way (see the post from Monday), and I soon realized that a day or two without a computer could be a delicious excuse to do nothing but make art. It was. I started a rather large piece which I hope to show you soon.

But the best part of the story is that my superhero husband, Lee, woke up early on Thursday and rebooted, unplugged and replugged and wiggled some wires and got my computer back up and working. He does the same thing with the cars. I think I'll keep him around.

Reality Check

"Good China" - WIP 2

(still working on it!)

5 x 5" colored pencil drawing

Yesterday, I had an appointment with the doctor for one thing and came out of his office with news about something totally different. More alarming. My blood pressure is way too high. Now, I need to let you know that I'm in pretty good shape (ran my first marathon last October) and am not large (wear a size 6) and eat a healthy diet (does chocolate count?), so this is a hereditary thing. However, I am determined to do anything and everything I need to do to get it down. Salt is now only a memory. And I may take up yoga. This is all good.

But, more than anything, I am now determined to have a better outlook on my life. No, it's not always great, but it's pretty darn good. I have so much and a lot to be thankful for. I am a very lucky girl (and I plan to call myself a girl until I die!) and know that having the ability and the opportunity to make art every day is a huge blessing that not many people in this world get to experience! (There, my BP just dropped 5 points.)

In Again!

"The Aviators"

Saturday I received notification that "The Aviators" was accepted into the CPSA (Colored Pencil Society of America) 15th Annual International Exhibition in Bethesda, Maryland this summer! This is great news if you are a colored pencil artist and I am very excited, happy and proud!

Little Miss Muffett

This week has been oh, so busy with paperwork, billpaying, chaperoning a million third graders to the zoo, doing physical therapy with Buddy (he loves that), and continually reminding all my kids that Sunday is Mother's Day, that I have not spent as much time in my studio as I would've liked. (And believe me, I would rather have been in my studio than at the zoo; but am hoping for some points in heaven.)

The fact that I had left my studio vacant for several days was made horrifyingly clear when, as I began to work on a new project, I had a small but very fierce spider stand his ground and threaten territory he obviously thought of as his. But it was my drawing table and he and I had to compromise. I gave him the easel and I took back the drawing table. We may have to trade if I decide to paint soon.

"Good China" (WIP)

colored pencil on art board

5 x 5"

Crystal Candy Dish - Complete

Here are the final stages to completion for Crystal Candy Dish which I am drawing with Prismacolor Pencils on Ampersand Pastel Board (5 x 7") and using Turpenoid Natural solvent to "paint" the piece.

So, in the following phase (continued from last week), I continue to develop the piece, glazing more layers over the background and at the same time, work to try to make the highlights in the glass "pop" forward.
In the following image, you can see where I have most of the detail of the glass worked out. I am also adding a lot more color into the foreground. All of this was "painted" over with solvent to dissolve the wax in the pencils and blend them together.
Here is the drawing as complete. As you can see, I warmed up the foreground to bring it forward and added a light blue to the background to push it back a bit. I also added some warmer color to the glass.

This painting is available for $50, plus shipping. Send me an e-mail if you are interested.

Crystal Candy Dish - WIP

For about six months now, I have been reading several blogs of other daily artists and have found some very good colored pencil artists. It's been a great way to learn about technique and what's current in your medium. Since one of the blog I follow closely is Nicole Caulfield's, I was very intersted in her use of solvent with colored pencil on pastel board. So, I thought I'd give it a try.

Here's my attempt at a small colored pencil drawing on a 5 x 7" Ampersand Pastel Board. I decided to burnish the drawing using Turpenoid Natural, which when used this way, is almost like painting. Quite a lot of fun. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Thanks for the idea, Nicole!

Not for the Squeamish

Columbus Zoo Carousel

9 3/4 x 9"

First, let me tell you the good news: I had two pieces, "The Columbus Zoo Carousel" and "Early Autumn Meditation" accepted into a National Juried Exhibition in Southport, North Carolina, and they'll be shown at the Franklin Square Gallery (www.franklinsquaregallery.org) from June 25 through July 21, 2007. Now, here's the really funny part: my girlfriend who posed for "Early Autumn Meditation" has a vacation/soon to be retirement place in Southport and will be there in July with her husband's family. Boy, is she thrilled! But, maybe they won't recognize her, since I'm betting many of them haven't seen her nude before. Anyway, I told her she has nothing at all to be ashamed of! As if!

(If you're squemish, stop here:)

The bad news: Last evening my husband had a minor accident at his business. While underneath a customer's truck, the exhaust pipe fell/was dropped (not getting the whole scoop here) on his head. He had to, of course, go to the ER and have some sutures put in. It's not pretty and I've been calling him "Frankie", but I'm very glad it was just a minor cut (I don't know what I'd do without him.) But, I told him I thought that he was so jealous of all of the attention I have been giving to Buddy, that he wished this wound upon himself to divert that attention from the dog over to himself. Of course, he denies all of these accusations as I'm scratching his belly.....

Lee post op

Getwell Gifts for Buddy

I have found that many people, not just me, love our dog, Buddy, and are wishing him well and speedy recovery from his surgery. We are receiving 'get well' gifts from the neighbors, left on our doorstep, and from the soccer parents! Makes a mom proud! (Told you he was special.)

Here's the last of my three-part series "Bouquet for a Mom", just in time for Mother's Day. Let me know if you are interested.

colored pencil on MiTeints

9 x 12"

For the Love of Dog

Our dog, Buddy, who is one of the best dogs ever (in our humble opinion), had to have knee surgery last Thursday. As some of you know, I ran my first marathon last fall and Buddy was my short distance (no more than 2 miles) training partner. Well, apparently, you can wear out your dog's knees just as you can your own. So, having had some knee problems myself and knowing how painful one can be, we decided to get Buddy the operation.

Now, I am not a "dog lover". I feel about dogs about the same as I feel about children: I do not automatically love all of them, just my own and a chosen few others. But, working in a home studio every day and being with this wonderful animal everyday has made him very special to me for his unfailing companioship and unconditional love.

That said, I really missed Buddy while he was away at the vets. I worried and thought about him a lot and kept expecting him to be under my feet at any moment. When I finally was able to get him on Friday, he was in a lot of pain even with lots of meds, and I just sat with him all day and all night. He cried constantly; what a helpless feeling.

He has rebounded, though, and by Sunday was trying chase bees and groundhogs in the yard dragging that leg behind him. We have had to restrain him from more of that! So, hopefully, I am through the round-the-clock dog nursing and can get back to making more art.

Here's another "Bouqet for a Mom". Hope you like.

Bouquet for a Mom II

colored pencil on MiTeints

9 x 12"

Buddy post op

Bouquet for a Mom

Here are the last two phases of my work in progress of "Bouquet for a Mom". Initially, I thought I was finished with this piece below. But, after looking at it for a day or two, I decided to darken the background a bit more and now I am satisfied with it. Hope you are, too. Let me know.

Inspiration

"Bouquet for a Mom" - WIP 3
colored pencil
9 x 12"

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending an opening at the Keny Gallery here in Columbus for Lowell Tolstedt, whose drawings are excellent in every sense: delicate, intricate realism of simple, yet compelling compositions. Much of the work in this show was colored pencil work along with several silver point and gold point drawings. As an artist who works primarily with the medium of colored pencil, Mr. Tolstedt's work and the level he has achieved as an artist are an exciting inspiration for me. Take a moment to look at some of his work: http://www.kenygalleries.com/featuredexh.html

A Bird in the Hand

Bouquet for Mom - WIP (2)

colored pencil

Oh, Spring! Warm temperatures and sunshine - finally - here in Columbus. What's not to love. So, yesterday, I flung open the doors and windows (screens aren't it yet because last week it was snowing) and enjoyed the day.

We left for the evening, and on our return discovered there was a small wren flying around the house! Now, normally, not a big deal....unless you have a 95 lb. labrador retriever named Buddy. He did his best to retrieve for us, knocking things over and jumping on any furniture that would hold him. There was much running, screaming and dog retrieving on our part, too.

We were able to get poor Ms. Wren out the door and our dog calmed down. When we awoke the next morning, Ms. Wren was outside our window singing loudly to be let in. Maybe she enjoyed the thrill of the chase as much as Buddy did.

Bouquet for a Mom - WIP

colored pencil on Mi Teints pastel paper

9 x 12"

This is a work in progress (which I hope to have finished by the end of the week) using colored pencil and Turpenoid Natural solvent.

My youngest son gave me these daisies last year and I loved the way they looked in this simple little glass vase he found in the cabinet, so I took several photos. I just ran across this picture again recently and since it made me smile, I thought I'd use it for a drawing.

And, yes, if you're wondering, there is nothing better than receiving flowers from your son.

Woodworks

Daisy, Pansy & Daylilly

All 3 pieces in their frames.

After taking a week away from the studio, I am itching to start a new, involved project. But, as usual, there's always some annoying interruption or another, like bills and taxes!

So, I am showing you, once again, some not-so-recent work that I hope you will enjoy looking at no matter that these flowers are not "fresh".

These pieces were done in colored pencil on wood panels, sealed with a clear acrylic varnish and framed without glass. Each one measures 4 x 4" (6 x 6" in the frames) and is mounted and ready to hang. They are each available for $90 framed or $250 for all three (plus shipping) E-mail me if you are interested at rtucker@funtrail.com.

First Sign

"First Sign"

10 1/2 x 13/1/2" unframed

17 x 20 1/2" framed

colored pencil

$275.00 + shipping

E-mail if you are interested: rtucker@funtrail.com

Since I have been busy working at Studios on High Gallery over the weekend, and then heading to Cincinnati to see my sister on Easter Sunday, I haven't been in my studio. But I thought you might enjoy seeing a piece I made last year about this time; especially since most of the daffodils around here have frozen!

I hope to make a few new drawings this week, but my youngest son is home from school for spring break. And since the first nine years of his life have flown by, I plan to spend some quality time with him.

In the mean time, I'll post some of my older work and some news about other stuff I have seen and done recently.

Not My Fault

Another in my series of "Promises, Excuses and Lies"

"Not My Fault"

6 x 6"

graphite & china marker

$50.00

E-mail if you are interested.

White Gloves

"Little Women"

9 x 12"

graphite and china marker

My sisters and I, being the consummate tomboys we were (and still are), were dressed for Easter in bonnets, patent leather shoes, anklets and those amazing white gloves. Now, I remember a lot of my childhood, but I do not remember wearing these gloves. Obviously, I did, because we have the pictures to prove it. But, how long did I wear them? Did I take them off right after the pictures were taken? Did I wear them through the church service? I must have taken them off earlier than my parents had hoped because I do remember being a nail biter and I'm sure the gloves once a year didn't stop that nasty habit.

I'll have to ask my sisters (who are amazing women whom I dearly love) what they remember of "the wearin' of the gloves". My best guess is that at least one of us lost one before we returned home to eat that ham....

Another Avid Blogger

Today I spent some time with artist and new friend, Anita Miller, who, as I showed in another post is working on the Lima Company Memorial. I had the privelege of being invited the Artist's Roost (Anita's studio) and seeing her first lifesize painting of three of the soldiers. Amazing, powerful and beautiful. My hope is that a lot of people will see these paintings.

Anita, obviously gifted as an artist, also has a way of pulling people towards her. After reading my blog post about the memorial, Anita contacted me and asked if I could show her how to blog. Little did she know.....

So be sure to check out our newest blog junkie at www.limamemorial.blogspot.com. She will be posting and tweaking and getting her subscription feed set up soon, too, so check in on her progress often.

"Aerie"

14 x 6"

mixed media: watercolor pencil, colored pencil, pastel

$75.00

E-mail if you are interested.

O, H.....

If you know the response to O - H..., then you are a Buckeye; or may have faced one of our teams. We are playing for the national championship for college basketball (for those of you who might not be aware of that) tonight and tip off is any minute now, so this post will be short. Go Bucks!
(Obnoxious, isn't it?)

"Hall of Mirrors"

mixed media: watercolor pencils, colored pencil, pastel

10 x 14"

$75

E-mail if you are interested.