New Series

The idea for this series emerged last fall, when I spent some time in Huntington Beach, CA. Maybe it was the always blue sky and the perfect sunlight, but everything seemed beautiful... including the peeling, scraped off and half-covered show posters that covered every telephone pole and light post.

I took a lot of photos of these graphic wonders, and am finally getting around to using the references for a series. I think they will give me a good opportunity to learn more and experiment more with composition and color relationships. I hope some good things come from these!

The first photo here is the actual light post - pretty sweet, huh? I think I'll make it a goal to photograph these where ever I go. I can collect shots in Kent, Cleveland, and SanFrancisco in a month when I visit there!

The second photo is the first painting in the series. It is called "Gazetteer", after the dictionary entry.

Gazetteer

8"x10" unframed, 10"x12" framed

acrylic, acrylic glaze, antique dictionary page, acrylic transfer

Comes framed in a semi-gloss, black, wooden frame.

See my etsy site for sales information:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JuxtaposedArts

Cleveland Trunk!

I have been working on this so fun project for a while now... The goal was to take this old steamer trunk, and make it into an auctionable piece for a Cleveland Orchestra fundraiser.

I was given the trunk, which, in fact, has been used by the Orchestra for almost 100 years! Various musicians have stored their personal belongings in it when the orchestra has traveled overseas. Most recently, a the principal tuba player had it.

After loving the trunk, and staring long and hard at it as it sat waiting to be worked on, I finally saw the Cleveland skyline emerge along the sides. (The trunk is actually oriented vertically, but it seems to be more versatile in a home as a low table rather than as a column.) Once I saw the skyline, things began to fall together.

I am a huge fan of the city of Cleveland. Such a wealth of culture there, and so underrated! I am really happy to be able to express my appreciation for the city and its culture in this piece.

It's Finally Here!

Spring Fling

sold

36"x42"

Acrylic on canvas

2.5 inch deep wrap

This commission is almost finished.... Just have to paint and glaze the sides.

I enjoyed thinking about this piece, making it and now looking at it! I think I REALLY needed to see some color this March. - It was a long winter.

Long Enchanted

sold

This is another commission, which I'm due to deliver this weekend.

I've grown really attached to it, and don't really want to let it go! I guess that's the nature of this business, though.

The colors seem to play very well off of each other, with the red and gold trees each commanding attention. I've always been attracted to the shapes inside and around the focal objects of a painting, in nature, on a page...often these are the main attraction for me. I love these serendipitous goodies, and I'm very fond of a few of these in "Long Enchanted".

"Long Enchanted"

3 cradled, canvas-covered

hardboard panels

16"x20" ea.

Acrylic, gilders paste

and acrylic glaze

Enchanted

sold

I really like this piece. I like how the colors and movement of the trees interact in a kind of a dance.

I actually don't mind my NE Ohio winters too much, but am obviously wanting to interject a little color into the scenery!

"Enchanted"

14"x14"

Acrylic on

gallery wrapped canvas

Enchanted Series - Red Enchantment

sold

"Red Enchantment"

14"x14"

acrylic and

gilders paste

on

gallery wrapped

canvas

I've been reading the book of Grimm's Fairy Tales to my children recently. I loved it when I was a girl, and we are all enjoying it now. I think this is what's put the "Enchantment" in my mind. And the red does remind me of a certain hooded cloak.

Journey Tree for a friend

sold

Journey Tree

12"x24"

Acrylic, mixed media,

acrylic glaze on

gallery wrapped

canvas

This was a commission I worked on for Christmas. A friend wanted to document the journey he and his wife have been on together. I used a map inside the branch to highlight their hometowns, and where they've lived since they've been together and had kids. This is a personal piece, so while the names may not mean much to anyone else, there are rich memories associated with these places for my friends. The branch and the embedded map continue on to suggest the paths they may take in the future, as well as the continuing journeys of their children.