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Welcome to Barb's Blog. I will post weekly (or nearly) some of my opinions, insights, ideas, and adventures about art, travel, plein aire, pastel, and whatever's happening. Join me, feel free to add comments, follow along as I paint and write and explore 2020 is almost OverIt has been an interesting year. I've learned a lot, and tried a lot of new things. I am teaching classes on Zoom, once a week, and accepting any challenge that presents itself. I was asked if I have goals for 2021, and indeed I do. One is to get finished some of the goals I set for 2020. There is a third children's book to complete. There is an art show to get ready. I always have a poem to write, a painting to complete, a plan to implement. Until 2021, have as pleasant and happy a Christmas as you can under the circumstances. Learn something new every day, and try something new every day. Even if it's a new recipe, or a new website. I suggest being thankful for what we have. And grateful for the good things coming. They will get here, even if it takes a while.
Lazy Days in JulyLazy Days in July is hardly happening. Being home is busier than ever. What was unusual is now an every day occurrence. A mask seems normal. This is, then, the new normal. If I look to a future, I realize it will be different than I ever believed possible. Setting priorities, and creating projects, all seems very important now. I have been making masks for friends and others. I teach over the internet, on Zoom. There is the new book, coming along slowly, and all kinds of personal quests. Too many, it sometimes seems. On July 24 the Book Launch for Don Benjamin is the happening at the Grand Mesa Arts and Entertainment Center. With concerns about social distancing it has been delayed until now. I will have copies of the second Clementine book for sale. Don has been very generous in sharing the experience with others. If you are in the area drop by. It will be a managed social gathering. Lots of good reads.
The following week the GMAEC is having a fundraiser on site as well as on line. I have three pieces for sale in their ReFind Gallery. a Cats for Klimt Chair, an Aspen Seasons table/box, and a High Desert Shadowbox. Check all these activities out at the Grand Mesa Arts and Entertainment website, and on Facebook. There is a lot of amazing Art and Imagination to see and purchase. Have a marvelous rest of the summer. Learn something new every day. Find new ways to live. Make art.
I have Pandemic fatigue. How about you?This spring has gone by as usual Colorado springs go. Oops. I wake up and summer is here. Grasshoppers, warm weather, and pandemic. I wish the pandemic was a season. But it's not, and I am learning solitude, mindfulness, and developing somewhat creative ways to communicate I can. It isn't all bad. It's good for us to have to create, even if we fight it, as we creatives sometimes do. If being an artist were that easy, then everyone would be one. Right? I've made masks for Hospice. I'm finishing up the Grand Mesa Arts and Entertainment Center's contribution. Some samples can be be seen at the bottom of the Recent art folder. There is the newest Clementine book, working title the Beachcombers. I love all the projects. Then there's the yard. The newest project is classes through Zoom. What fun that is going to be. I'll keep you posted if you're interested. The topics will vary, depending on student desires, and the seat-of-the-pants way new learning curves go. Mostly easy composition skills, and value. My latest work is for, and from the internal workings of the hidden brush. Self-Portrait.
Cats After Klimt: The Kiss - prototype for the chair, GMAEC
And last 'Bronze Aspen' - one of those tailings from the end of a painting session.
Welcoming springWhat else can we do? Looking forward to mounds of daffodils and hopefully apple blossoms. Spring is almost behind me. Great news. Kyle and my second book is available, Hiking the Grand Mesa is another Clementine adventure. This adventure is in the dobies at the foot of the Grand Mesa, and beyond. Geared for the young, 5-8 year-old's, it follows the adventures of Clem, the rescue dog, and her boys as they climb through the adobe hills and the Grand Mesa. Hiking the Grand Mesa is available at Amazon, or at LovingHealingPress. Our publisher, Victor Volkman, is terrific to work with. Kyle, as always, is my super Son, and the adorable Clem and her adorable boys, make it fun to illustrate their adventures. Enjoy.
Have a great 2020I ignored my goals in 2019. I did not post weekly. Or even monthly. I have no excuses. I just didn't get to it. I painted. I exhibited at the Apple Shed and the Creamery. I painted plein aire. I painted watercolor and pastel. I illustrated another children's book to go to press in February, 2020. Acrylic was fun to explore a little, and yet the website I ignored. To be honest it may have to do with the political climate, which I find disturbing. I don't want to offend anyone so I say little here. I tend to stay close to people with common attitudes. I am a voter of the issues. All of my issues; education, women's rights, health and social fairness, have crumbled or been buried I don't believe the things I see written. How can we have so little respect for others? Perhaps I should paint political issues. Perhaps I should state my beliefs in crusading fiery large oils and collage. Yet I love the landscape. I treasure snow and water. I feel the soft tangible love of pets, dogs, cats and horses. I will try harder. I will make an effort to say something of value. I love it when people say they like my work, the dogs and people make them smile. I want to paint something that makes them feel. I want to paint something that makes people try. What? Try to be better. Try to love more. Try to imagine and achieve. Try to make this world better for everyone. Too philosophic? Maybe. I'll try to show how even the pine and the spruce can love each other. Tristan and Isolde plein aire in pastel
I'll try to accept challenges such as Creek Running Hard, pastel
Whatever happens in 2020, I refuse to look at a glass half empty. Lets go for adding joy and enthusiasm for truth and justice in any way we can. Join me? Happy 2020
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