"After the Fall"

Oil on canvas

16 x 20"

This past weekend, I was one of fifty artists chosen to participate in an art competition at the Arnold Fitness Classic in Columbus, Ohio. On Friday morning, we worked from live models who were also athletes competing in several of the events that weekend. Then Friday afternoon, were turned loose with our cameras to photograph whatever we liked.

Bright and early Saturday morning, the competition began with all 50 of us setting up and painting from whichever photograph most inspired us. Mine was the little girl you see above.

After seeing her fall (she wasn't hurt - but emotionally, devastated), I realized that most of the time, the winners of any sporting event are the ones photographed, highlighted and painted. But so many don't win; I wanted to show the emotion they might experience after months and years of practice have gone into a single moment when the outcome is not so glorious.

This paint out is an emotional event for the artists competing as well. We paint with each other and can see our competitors work progressing and can judge ours rather harshly in the process. Over 250,000 people attend the Arnold Classic and many, many of them stopped to watch us work, which also adds to the excitement/anxiety. All the while a clock is ticking: 8 hours to complete a painting or drawing which is judged the next morning.

Oh, I forgot to mention that at one point, I was in my zone, headphones on, brush in hand and suddenly I realized that there were a LOT of cameras all around me. I turned to find Arnold himself leaning over my shoulder and looking at my work. He wanted to know why the little girl was crying, so we had a heart to heart about my motivation. Pressure there, too.

So Arnold, media, crowds, peers and a time crunch all make for an exciting day. I loved every minute of it.

On Sunday, we arrived early again to find out the results. First, second and third places were awarded and, alas, I was not one of them. No bitterness; all of the winners' work was fabulous. Just disappointment and creeping self-doubt.

I guess my painting was apropos for what I, too, was feeling after my competition.

Meeting Arnold

"Number 9"

16 x 20" oil on canvas

What a great weekend! I can't remember when I've had this much fun with my art! Heady stuff, too. Lots of press, paparazzi, stars and attention.

We artists at "Art at the Arnold" painted our competition piece on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In that time, we had crowds of people (over 150,000 people attend the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic) watching us and asking questions. Oh, yeah, and Sly Stallone stopped by and interrupted me for a bit.

Sunday was showtime. The judge had chosen the top twelve pieces for Arnold to view and I was so excited to see that I was included in this group! But we had to wait over an hour to see the Governator, and when he arrived it was with such an entourage (I don't know how people live like this) and greeted and spoke to each of us in the final dozen.

My patron/husband/photographer was kept behind security lines under threat of death or imprisonment and could not get a great shot but here I am talking to Mr. S himself.

No, I didn't win any prizes this year, but I truly hope they do it again and I am able to participate. I had the time of my life. And my 15 minutes of fame. Now I am off to put my head back on straight and get back to work. (Contented sigh......)

Back from South America

"Elizabeth"

8 x 10" oil painting on canvas

WIP

I just returned from Cochabamba and LaPaz, Bolivia, and am still mentally processing the trip. Even though this was the second time I had travelled to Bolivia to do work on an orphanage project, it's still a difficult mental voyage as well. Such poverty and beauty in the same setting can never make sense.

Our group worked hard this year on projects such as sanding, painting, staining, laying sewer pipe, laying tile and a lot of back breaking clean-up. We all tapped into old and new skills to reach our goals.

One of our best days was when we were able to invite the local village families to come to the orphanage home and receive some gifts from us. At the same time we completed a simple census to count the children in the area. My job was to photograph each an every child, which I was happy to do. We counted and I photographed 112 children ranging from teenagers to a newborn 4 days old and still without a name.

Every day, while we worked, many of these children would come to the orphanage site and hang out to watch the gringos work, many of them white women, at that! Unheard of of in their world and, to watch their faces, was also extremely funny to most of them. But we made time for all of them, played with them, hugged them, held them and they stole our hearts.

These children live in such extreme poverty that a used pair of shoes is equal to the best Christmas present. They were so happy with their new gifts; what a joy to be a giver of goods!

My painting in progress above is of a little girl named Elizabeth who wore her traditional clothing every day and who easily won us all over.

I guess my way of processing and reliving my journeys to Bolivia are best done through my art. I'm sure you will see more work inspired by my trip to the southern hemisphere.

New Directions?

"On the Vine"

oil painting

5 x 7"

Last weekend, my husband gave me a wonderful gift of time alone.  I checked into a local hotel for two days and a night to be silent and think.  I took along my laptop, many books, notebooks, some sketching and a couple of pairs of sweatpants.  It was delicious.

During that time, I planned my goals for the upcoming year, broke them down into projects, wrote my mission statement, planned some directions for my work and just generally was able to focus on my work.

One of the goals I've decided upon is to go back to oil painting - not exclusively, I WILL continue with my colored pencil drawings - but as an addition to.  Every Friday, barring schedule interruptions, I plan to paint.  Painting and drawing for me are very, very different.  I am very slow and methodical in the way I draw - it can take months for one drawing.  However, the way I learned to paint was in school and from life; therefore, my style is very quick and loose.  I like both ways of working.

Today was my first "painting" day and I was amazed that I could still ride that horse - albeit a bit rusty, but I wasn't too disappointed in what I produced.  But I'll let you tell me what you think.

I decided to paint from a reference photo I was currently using for a colored pencil drawing on which I had spent a couple of hours.  The painting took the same amount of time.  The drawing isn't done; the painting is signed.  You can see the results below.

It seems to me that it can be good for my growth as an artist to allow myself to explore, create and enjoy the process.  I hope that doing both painting and drawing will complement each other and allow me to grow as an artist.

My Soldier

9 x 12" Oil painting on canvas

"Ian Swimming"

This painting was done a few years ago after I ran across a picture I had taken of Ian (my oldest son) when he was about 4. I pulled the painting out of storage and have it sitting in my studio where I can look at it a lot - not because I think I'm such an incredible painter (I'm fair to pretty okay) - but because I miss him and want to remember when he belonged to me and when I saw him every day.

He called me from boot camp on Sunday afternoon; it had been three weeks since I had talked to him. He sounded older, stronger, more confident and, dare I admit, happy. When I asked him if he was surviving boot camp and all that it requires, he replied that it was "pretty easy"(!) and that he really likes it(!)

This is a kid who loves a challenge and was a wrestler for many, many years. Maybe that sport got him ready for the physical part of the training; but what could ever get him ready for the mental part of it? I just don't know.

As reluctant and apprehensive as I was (and am!) about Ian enlisting, it is far better to know that he his happy with his decision. Maybe some people are born to be warriors; Ian may be one of them.

Our family will be travelling to Columbia, SC, to see him graduate from training at the end of February. I expect to find that my son will have changed a great deal, or so I have been told by people who know. And even though he doesn't belong to me anymore and I don't get to see him every day, I have the pride in knowing that I raised one fine young man.

Lima Company Memorial

Last night I attended a local art league meeting where a wonderful artist from Westerville, Ohio, Anita Miller, spoke about plein air painting in Europe. She was funny, energentic and had lots of good ideas. Typical artist presentation.

Until she told us about her latest project to memorialize the 23 young men from Lima Company who were killed in Iraq in 2005. In October of that year, Anita woke from a dream to create this memorial. She is painting a life-sized portrait of each young man on 8 mobile panels.

Anita has the support of the soldiers' families and the Marine Corp, but she has no formal funding. Her faith in a higher power has moved her toward her goal with each need being met by the generosity of others.

Anita has assembled a team to help her complete this project and with their help, she hopes to be able to have it on display by late 2007.

Those who know me well, know that I have never been in favor of this war. However, like most in my position, we do care and support the young men and women who serve. I have a 20 year old son whom I adore. I can not begin to imagine the pain and loss these families and comrades have and do deal with daily.

Anita says this memorial is for the moms, dads, brother, sisters, grandparents and all relative of these boys. But most importantly, to also honor their brothers in arms from Lima Company who are still suffering from this war.

Check out her websites at www.limacompanymemorial.org and www.theartistsroost.com.