There’s a children’s book called Elemenopeo by Harriet Ziefert that I absolutely love. In it, a cat cannot go outside to play because his little cat door is closed for repairs, so he does the next best thing – he decides to paint. He gets out his supplies, puts on his smock and begins to paint his dreams.
I always say – I am that cat, blue smock and all. And on this past Wednesday and Thursday I was in full Elemenopeo mode because the DOT tore up my road, repaved it and repainted the lines during what was supposed to be a giant rain storm.
I was trapped inside. Not really, that is truly overdramatic. Just an excuse albeit the right set of circumstances to light the fire of painting my dreams too. I worked non-stop for two full days to complete them. I mean, I’d already started them with preliminary wax placed on the hardboards and chalkboard paint done as well, so it takes more than two days (it takes a lifetime – everyone knows that, which is why completing them is sooooo satisfying).
I dream of love. The dream of unconditional love. Hearts dominate my art imagery and this time it was two more dozen of these 4″ x 4″ encaustic paintings mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard and placed individually on these darling little Arts & Crafts style stands.
Now I have four dozen completed and ready to sell minus the two I have already sold. I am in love (with them). <3
“$ EVER”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“LUXE”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“FIND”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
I created this series of twenty-four paintings, Talisman, in 2008. It is a love story: layered, filled with treasure, sparkle within dust, games and prizes, secrets and lies.
I experimented with varnish for the first time. Experimented with the permanence as well. The chalk was meant to fade with the years. It’s been thirteen years now and I admire the patina of these old friends. Yesterday I did an internet search for a solution to save that dust from settling further and the win-win came in the form of Pantene hair spray, believe it or not. So now, these paintings are fixed in time.
And the funny thing is, upon reflection, they bring me back to a place where I thought I had nothing, but in fact, I had it all. All the answers to all of my questions. I just did not know it then, which made life seem so confusing.
This game of life is a puzzle but if you take the time to look, listen and feel with your heart, you will resonate with all of it.
“CHARM”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“MAGIC”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
The paintings are 18″ x 24″. Oil paint and chalkboard paint. Found objects, games pieces, fabric.
They work best on a wall in multiples. That’s usually the way it goes with my artwork. If you like it, you really can’t get enough and you just want more.
They hold the narrative and that is a powerful aphrodisiac. <3
“TIC TOK”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“SHADOW”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“SHIELD”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“THYME”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“COIN”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“DOMINO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“PRIZE”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″ “SECRET”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“LUCK”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“XOXO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“LIBERTY”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“PRESTO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“HEART”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“NINE GIFTS”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“VOW”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“PERFECT FIT”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“WIN-WIN”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″“CREST”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″