Today I decided to sit in the studio. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I was getting sick of the den and I needed to be back in the studio, with all my creative “stuff”. I thought I’d just clear my desk and sit and draw, but then I talked with Angie and she was talking about her painting from the weekend workshop with DJ Pettitt and Deryn Mentock. I decided I’d paint today! I set up my table easel (which is really a folding editor’s desk that I got back when I was editing!) and pulled out my paints and paintbrushes.
I had come across an image in a magazine. The woman’s face showed that she had lived a difficult life. She was very sad and her face has stuck with me for a few weeks now. So, I knew that I wanted to use that image as a jumping off point.
And a jumping off point, it was. It’s not at all like the photo, with the exception of the facial expression and shape of the features. And that’s fine. I’m not a painter who paints things realistically. That’s what photos are for! I like to get a sense of them, so I’m happy with this. The completed painting is to the left. though there may be some fine tuning tomorrow morning after it’s set for the night. And there is a close-up of the face is to the right.
Yesterday Dave and I celebrated our 16th Anniversary. I can remember the first time I talked with him and the first time I saw him. We were set up on a blind date by a classmate of his with whom I worked part-time (to pay for the car that I had to have for my full-time job!). He called and sounded so nice. All I knew was that he was in his second year of medical school and that we had similar political and religious beliefs - sounded like a good start to me! And so we went out to his winter dance and then we went out the next night and three days later and as often as possible after that. Neither of us ever dated anyone else again. We were married a week after he graduated medical school.
We had a lovely day together. Dinner at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion was lovely. Great service, fresh, fabulous food. And they were so wonderful to make up a dessert plate that wished us both a happy anniversary and Dave a happy birthday. You see, Dave married me the day before his birthday. So, when we celebrate we celebrate both.
As you already know, I’ve had some major vertigo going and, a really difficult few weeks. I was finally feeling better Friday afternoon, and I took the time to work on some projects for Dave. Luckily, Dave had poker on Friday evening and I was able to work into the evening without him knowing! You may recall an early post of the first collages I did for Dave’s office. The one that was missing was the collage of the nervous system. Since Dave is a neurologist with a specialty in nerve and muscle disease, this is a rather important image for him to have. However, the source images were not working for me. After many hours with Photoshop Elements, I was able to alter the images enough to make them look more artistic and recognizable. The nervous system alone, well, let’s just say it’s got its beauty, but it’s not really something to collage!
In the end, however, the collage above left 20″ x 16″ came out of the work. I’m pleased with it. It’s a bit darker than I’d like, but it completes Dave’s set and he is pleased with it. That, in the end, is all that matters! And, to the right, you see a long collage I did for him with lots of images of the brain. It’s very bright (red is his favorite color!) and I’m pleased with how it came out. Dave will likely put this one in his exam room or his procedure room with the small collage to the left, an 8″ x 10″ small collage.
I have a lot more to share, but we’re getting ready to head out for lunch to celebrate Dave’s birthday with his parents.
It’s May 5th - Day 5 of the Every Day in May challenge. For the first time in a while, I was feeling up to spending time in the studio today. I walked in and immediately decided I needed to paint. I had an urge to get messy! So, I drew the outline of a woman on a piece of Strathmore 400 linen canvas 246lb paper and started to paint with my Golden Fluid Acrylics. I was completely in “the zone” for several hours as I layered paint upon paint.
I finished the 6″ x 6″ piece and then decided it needed a stretched canvas behind it to make it easy to hang. So, I went to my stockpile of mixed-media acrylic canvases. I had one that was a perfect match to the dress of the woman I had painted.
Considering that I hadn’t painted in acrylic in a while, I’m pretty pleased with it. The gel medium holding the acrylic image to the background is still drying (notice the white around the central image!) but it’s done! Now maybe I can do some drawing…
Well, it’s been over a week since I last updated everyone on things here. I spent a week hosting my lovely niece, Eliana, and her parents (along with Flat Stanley!) here at Casa Saperstein. The spoons were spent early on but it was a lovely time filled with family, laughs, and new traditions.
Eliana attends a Jewish Day School, where she learns Hebrew and Jewish traditions as part of her daiy curriculum. She picks up languages easily and reads Hebrew really beautifully. As part of the Passover Seder, the youngest person in attendance customarily reads “The Four Questions” about why we celebrate Passover as we do. For over 15 years, I have been the youngest in the Saperstein family. Now, however, Eliana has taken over that role. She read the Questions beautifully in Hebrew, bringing tears of pride to my MIL’s eyes.
While here, Eliana requested two things of Auntie Fran and Uncle Dave - to learn some art from Auntie Fran and to learn some magic from Uncle Dave. We happily obliged. Eliana spent time with Uncle Dave learning to do the “rice paper” trick. If this works right, you should see a video of their trick in tandem!
The other thing she wanted to do was to paint. And, while I don’t have photos of painting with her, I do have a photo of her finished painting. We started with a background. She decided to use blues and greens because she was going to paint a mermaid. While the background was drying on the canvas panel, we drew faces on watercolor paper and cut them out (similar to the style of Katie Kendrick’s work!) and then we glued those on. I taught Eliana a light touch with the paint. And she did a fabulous job. To the right is her mermaid with shell top, long torso, and great green tail and fins! She has a light iridescence all over her body and face from iridescent gold and silver paint. I think she did a lovely job!
To be honest, I was surprised that Eliana was so focused for the two hours we
painted the first day. While she painted, we talked about all kinds of things - how the colors got their names (as she read them from the paint tubes), how much fun it was to spend time together painting, and some things to surprise Papa for his birthday when she comes back in December.
On the day before they left, Eliana, her mother Andrea, and I went for a “girls day” at the nails shop where i get my nails done. I had gotten Andrea’s permission to get Eliana a kid mani-pedi, where they would just file her nails and paint them the colors of her choice. Eliana chose four different colors to use and also wanted flowers on her toes and fingers. Crystal, the nail technician was so fabulously good with her! Eliana actually sat for a long time not wanting her manicure and pedicure to be ruined, while her mother and I had mani-pedis ourselves! I took a photo of her patiently sitting with her nails while Crystal added flowers to her toes. We’re already planning to do it again next time she comes!
I am so honored to have such a strong connection with Eliana. My aunts were so important in my life and I can’t even begin to express their roles in my life. I hope I can be a support to her the way my aunts have always been to me.
Though the visit exhausted me and I did spend some time in bed while they were here, I miss Eliana dearly. My heart is full of the memories of our week together and her sweet hugs. Her drawings surround me and I know how fast the time will pass until I see her again, but I miss seeing that pretty face each morning!
Well, I’m sorry to say that the vertigo has not yet subsided… I am hopeful that I can put aside my dear companion, the walker, some day soon, but until I’m feeling more certain on my feet, that won’t be happening. Better safe than a broken bone!
I haven’t left the house since my treatment, and before that, well, it was a while… So, I’ve started to go a little stir crazy. I’m keeping it together as much as I can, mentally and emotionally. The only thing that being stuck in the house is good for (besides seeing how bad daytime TV can be!) is to actually look at what you already have in the studio and start using it. It’s actually forced me to do some work with things I hadn’t used but pruchased with a “some day” mentality. Well, today I figured, “why not today?” And so here we are.
A few months ago I purchased the Ampersand sample pack of 5 x 7 Ampersand prepared surfaces for painting, pastels, etc. I started today with the smooth clayboard. And, while I like the feel of the surface, I don’t think it’s my favorite. The brush strokes are very visible and, after several hours of working on it, I gave up - at least for today. I might just gesso over it and start over again. Since I had other types in the sample pack, I decided to go to the Gessoboard. I like that much more. Even in my vertiginous state, I was able to paint today and I got a good start on the painting. It’s to the right. It’s not finished. She needs some color in her face, the details need to be added, and the background needs some work, but she’s definitely coming along. I started with just the shape of her face and her nose approximated. From there, I just started painting. This is unusual for me. But it’s about as much as I had the patience for today. And, so far, it looks like it’s moving in the right direction.
I am still painting! The painting to the left is far from finished, but it’s moving along and I thought I’d share it. It feels good to be creative and to paint. I’ve got one more primed and ready, and a third drawn out. I’m on a roll and going with it. Tomorrow is my treatment, so I don’t know how much energy I’ll have later this week.
Joanne asked me if I’m doing a series. I’m not sure what I’m doing, to tell you the truth! I’m just working on what my heart is telling me to work on. I’m trying to find my style and to grow into a place where painting becomes more integrated into my life.
I wanted to take a moment to invite you all to support Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter. Bernie has been working feverishly to support animals in her no-kill shelter that might be killed otherwise. She nurses them back to health and then finds them loving homes in her Tennessee shelter. There is a contest for a grant that is going on. By simply donating with the badge at the right (scroll down!), you can support Bernie’s goal to get a huge grant from Six Degrees. If you wish, you can also add the badge to your own site. Every bit helps.
Today I woke up this morning feeling SO much better! I’m a bit off balance, but I was finally able to move from my den to the studio. It was like a reunion with a long lost friend. Comfortable immediately, and filled with excitement. I completed the painting I showed you the other day and I started some others. I want to get back to painting, but I thought I’d share the completed painting with you all here.
My treatment has been rescheduled for Thursday. I’m hopeful that I’ll be completely healed to go into the treatment. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been painting and trying new things. To the left is the current state of the painting. It’s not done yet. It still needs some work and final touches, but I figured I’d show what I’ve been doing. It’s a creative process and it requires a lot of patience. I sort of get into a meditative state when I’m painting. It is a good place to be. I want to do some more work on this painting later today.
Several of you have asked for my progress on the new tote design. Well, maybe I’ll also start to work on my first tote later, if I feel up to it. I got some new fabrics the past few weeks, so I’m trying to just start and go with it. And I need to pull out my Fabric Mover. But that requires a completely bare table, which, in itself, is a project!
I have a slight cold right now, which I have been fighting all week. More than anything else, it’s annoying. I can’t be far from a box of tissues and my nose is starting to feel a bit raw. Last night I tossed and turned trying to find the position that allowed my sinuses to drain, but not choke me. Not a lot of fun! I finally got up and showered at 5 am, after trying again and again to sleep with no luck. I plan to stay in today, except for a potential visit to the health food store for some provisions!
As Monday is my treatment, I’m hopeful that a weekend of relaxing and drinking lots of fluids will help. I’ve used my teapot more the past few days than I had in a while. When I’m not feeling well, I’m partial to Stash Jasmine Blossom Green Tea. What is your favorite tea to feel better?
It’s a new year. I’m hopeful that this year will be even more creative than last. But until yesterday, I was frozen. It’s not a normal thing for me. But there was a lot going on in my life and I just wasn’t able to start working on anything. I’ve done some art journaling and text journaling, trying to get stuff out of my head. But until yesterday, I couldn’t seem to just jump in and start on all the projects I want to start. I’ve been reading blogs, and I’ve joined Creative Every Day. I know that I do something creative each day or I feel a great void.
And yesterday, after I did some journaling, I did decide that I as going to design a new bag. I started the sketches for it (which I usually never do!), worked out the steps in my head, and then I tried it in muslin. This is also something new for me. But I’m glad I did it. It made me realize that there were some design flaws. I went back to the drawing board, fixed the design and the pattern pieces, and then I promptly became exhausted! There’s nothing to show - not yet, but there will be soon. I was just glad to be on the road to creativity again!
And today, I journaled again. At first, I contemplated working with the pattern some more, but I didn’t feel it. What called my name this morning? My paints and the faces I had been painting last year. So, I took out a sketch I did a while ago, and I’ve spent the afternoon working on the painting. It still needs some work, but it’s definitely on the right track. In the past, all I’ve done is the face and then I’ve stopped. There was always a story behind the face, but I’ve never shown it. Today, I’m hopeful that I can get that across in this painting. I’m going to try several options before I commit them to the painting itself. I’m going to do some drawing in the sketchpad and to see if there is something that just has to fit there.
I hope to show you some art in process tomorrow. I would really like to complete some art before Monday’s treatment. But more than anything, I’m just glad to be creating again!
I can’t believe it’s been a week! I’ve been quiet and somewhat focused this past week. I needed to recuperate from the weekend in Bisbee. I’m getting there, but this will be a short entry.
I’ve been revitalized by working on painting some large canvases. I’ve finished one of them. it’s to the left. In real life, though, you can see the colors a bit better; however, I wanted to share it. It’s called “Growth”.
I’m trying hard to get some other big pieces done in the next few days. I haven’t even plugged in my sewing machine since I got home. I’ve become re-enamored with my big easel. It’s been great to work on a big scale and to get my hands back in the paint. It feels right. And my muse is telling me to go abstract. So that’s what I’m doing.
I'm Fran Saperstein. I'm an artist and writer sharing my life with my
wonderful husband, David. In this blog I will share some of the art I'm
doing, tell you about how I live my life with chronic illness, and
still maintain a positive life here in my Phoenix, AZ home studio. I'll
share what I'm experimenting with, what I'm writing and even (beware!)
what I'm thinking. I am always looking to try new things and to
experiment. I'll share some of my experiments here. Email me.
Today I decided to sit in the studio. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I was getting sick of the den and I needed to be back in the studio, with all my creative “stuff”. I thought I’d just clear my desk and sit and draw, but then I talked with Angie and she was talking about her painting from the weekend workshop with DJ Pettitt and Deryn Mentock. I decided I’d paint today! I set up my table easel (which is really a folding editor’s desk that I got back when I was editing!) and pulled out my paints and paintbrushes.
And a jumping off point, it was. It’s not at all like the photo, with the exception of the facial expression and shape of the features. And that’s fine. I’m not a painter who paints things realistically. That’s what photos are for! I like to get a sense of them, so I’m happy with this. The completed painting is to the left. though there may be some fine tuning tomorrow morning after it’s set for the night. And there is a close-up of the face is to the right.
Today I woke up this morning feeling SO much better! I’m a bit off balance, but I was finally able to move from my den to the studio. It was like a reunion with a long lost friend. Comfortable immediately, and filled with excitement. I completed the painting I showed you the other day and I started some others. I want to get back to painting, but I thought I’d share the completed painting with you all here.
. What is your favorite tea to feel better?
