Barbara Hall Blumer: 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Cottage Quiet Series

Yesterday's post of the gate was the last of my Cottage Quiet series ---It's about my nearest faraway place, and I hope you enjoyed it. That's where I am physically right now --- at the lake -- but I hope the images took you there, too. That's part of why I made them. So I could get an infusion of that feeling of calm and quiet, and the special light, whenever I needed it.

Now I am noodling what to do with the 40 or so images going forward.

So far I have done two things with them --

A journal --- which was very satisfying to make --- I printed 4x6 images and placed them on a creamy-colored card in a black art journal --- and then added a title -- informally in my own handwriting. I did this as I made the images and then edited it over the past winter.

The second thing I have done is to post them on this blog this summer--- I lined them up in the blog queue -- and scheduled them to go out one per day ---

This was also a satisfying experience --- I got to see each one anew as they arrived in my in box. With fresh eyes, it easier to be more objective. There are some I like more than when I first made them, and others that I wonder, what was I seeing? Nonetheless, it may me feel good to see them all together. And it gave me satisfaction to complete something. (Not to mention the break it gave me from writing posts ---yes, I had blogger fatigue.)

One reader suggested I make a book of them. But, after making my book about artists in their studios on my own, I hesistate to go down that path. It is so much work, that I doubt I would do again, unless I had a publisher who wanted to do the production and marketing.

I have thought of making a CD of them instead of a book --- a screen saver-type slide show --- I have been enjoying them myself this way and wonder if others would ---

And I have thought about printing a few of the more popular images and framing them to see they work in a larger format, then ask if a gallery or two around the lakes might be interested.

But picking an image that best represents the body of work is my first task. I have used the screen door one, but if you have favorite that you would suggest, I am interested in what you think.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Rain, Rain and More Rain All Weekend

Oil Cans, Session 2, 11x14 Masonite

Never got to paint over the weekend due to rain, but I did yesterday with Lin, after I returned. Still having drawing issues and I keep losing control of my colors, but I feel like I am making progress.

Oil Cans, Session 1

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Away -- Looking for Inspiration

Flip Flop Girl

We're headed to the Thousand Islands for the 4th of July weekend where I made this image a few years ago. I was practicing using my new digital camera back then. Can't believe I didn't want to go digital. I love the advantages of digital -- and there are many.

Anyway, I hope find some inspiration there this weekend. I am taking my paint box and my camera.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

New Painting in Progress - Oil Cans

Painted with Lin for a couple of hours yesterday --- started this new painting of oil cans. I painted it directly, without drawing first, just wet on wet color, and lost control --- but I had fun!!

My photo reference is very poor. These are old oil cans that I discovered at Tom's parents' summer cottage last 4th of July. We are going back again this year, so I am going to take my paints and start over using the real cans. Plus, I will take better photos.

I am also going to look for a different Masonite board -- I'd prefer a squarer format, more like the boots that are 14x15. This board was 11 x 14. Need some more width.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Boots -- Finished for Now

Boots, 2009
14 x 15 Oil on Masonite

I think I am done with this painting for now. Until I show it to someone else to get some help. I have learned a lot from it, but I am ready to move on to something else.

Here's what it looked like a long the way.