Saturday, March 28, 2009
Virtually Awarded
In the midst of my diligent and dedicated procrastination (see previous post), I got a comment from Rhonda Carpenter, who's blog Watercolors and Words I visit frequently. Rhonda is one of those fellow artist bloggers who, at times of my not-in-the-painting-mood, kicks my butt via email and comments till I get back into my studio.
Funny, but before I started blogging, I've never met anyone named Rhonda, and now I know two Rhondas (OK, I guess they've never knew someone named Nava either), and I'd love to meet them some day for real, as their warm caring personality shines through their blogs. . .
(to continue reading, click here)
Labels: Art, Awards, Creativity of Others, Damn Technology, It's All About Me, Ode to other blogs
Sunday, February 08, 2009
ArtPact #78: Through the Fire
OK, OK, so I've been absent from the blogosphere for a while. A couple of weeks, perhpas; no - actually a whole month! Whoa - has it really been that long?
To those of you who wonder (to the extent of emailing me or leaving concerned comments, pondering whether I have escaped to Aruba or broke my painting arm): . . .
(to continue reading, click here)
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Labels: It's All About Me, Ouch, Time Out
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Nationally Exposed
The Palette Magazine is my favorite art magazine. Written by two wonderful artists, Skip Lawrence and Christopher Schink, it is aimed at helping fellow artists push the envelope . As opposed to many art magazines out there, reading it does not entail getting attacked by countless renewal leaflets, and it has zero ads. (Yup. Zero). Each issue is dedicated to a different subject, written in a fun cynical humor of the two authors, focusing on design, color, expressiveness and everything good about art. . .
So, the previous issue called for artists to send their self portraits. Several of us submitted our self portraits, and awaited the verdict with bated breath. The other submitters I know got an acceptance reply very fast, while I became an obsessive compulsive clicker of the "Send/Receive" button, checking my email every day, every hour. . .
(to continue reading, click here)
Labels: Art, It's All About Me, Major Achievements
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ArtPact #76 - A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman?
These days, my sister is going through our parents apartment in Jerusalem (No, not New Jerusalem, OH... the original Jerusalem. Like, the real one).
The long process of sorting through everything, keeping what needs to be cherished and saying goodbye to the rest. It's highly emotional, and a big part of letting go.
Being here, I only participate over the phone and emails. . .
(to continue reading, click here)
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Labels: Art, ArtPact, Damn Technology, Family, It's All About Me
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
ArtPact #70 - OK, My Turn Now...
Myrna and David have become famous overnight, having one of their incredible pieces in a museum. Always learning from the best, I decided to follow that path of fame.
Looking good, I dare say. I only wish people would stop taking photos of artwork in museums. It's truly and absolutely annoying, especially when one of them is facing the wrong way...
Wanna get your painting in a museum too? It's as easy as can be! Just go to this fun site, and you're in. No nasty jurors, no competition - you get the limelight all to yourself, and bask in the glow. Nothing cures a wounded ego like self delusion.
Why wounded?
Oh, this painting of mine is hanging in our Annual Show (which is an incredible show this year!). It's one in a series, and some of you may recall its older brother, "Dust to Dust". But, this one is titled ""Lost Edges". Also, this one did not get an award.
What I did get is many, many encouraging comments from visitors to the show, fellow artists and - ah, tears are choking my throat - The JohnnyB voted for it as his favorite piece in the show! By now you know very well that The JohnnyB is never ever lying about this kind of stuff. In fact, he is the first to tell me when he does not appreciate an artwork of mine, no matter how proud I am of it.
Oh, and . . . one person, apparently, liked it so much that she kept going to the show to look at it.
She went and looked.
- - - And went and looked.
- - - - - - And went and looked.
- - - - - - - - - And went and looked.
And at the reception (held on Sunday), she bought it. She is a fellow artist, CookieA, a fun person, a wonderful artist (and - needless to say - has an exquisite taste in art ;-) and it is a huge compliment to know that my painting has touched her enough to want to have it in her house.
I am still thrilled.
I have entered this painting (together with two others) to the 2008 Statewide Watercolor Competition and Exhibition at the Triton Museum of Art. And, based on the good karma this visualization thingy seems to have brought Myrna, I decided to give it a try.
You never know...
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Labels: Art, ArtPact, Creativity of Others, It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Wonders of The JohnnyB
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Show's Over
Had the big show last weekend.
Amazing, how much work is put into a show that is on display for less than two days!
You go through the process of selecting the artwork to submit, a process garnished with extreme self-criticism over the quality and its chances to make it in. (being a juried show).
You send in the photos, pay the entry fee and then spend days sweating blood and biting your fingernails over whether it will be accepted or not.
Then you get the answers, and you mat and frame your art. (not an easy task sans fingernails).
Theeeeeen you deliver it for the receiving process.
Theeeeeeeeeeeeeen you hang the show ('cause you forget what a tough job it was last year, 'cause LimaB is in charge of the hanging and you want to help her, and 'cause you secretly admit to yourself that there's an immense satisfaction in that labor once it's all done). It takes 6 hours, you go home all scratched from metal frames and un-taped wire ends, swearing you'll never ever do it again.
Four hours later, you put on something presentable and try your best to look refreshed for the reception - scratches and all.
The day after, you get up early to do gallery sitting ('cause you volunteered....). Your romantic vision of spending the time chattign to art appreciators turns into a nightmarish policing due to little kids who insist on plucking seashells off a certain artwork and playing catch amongst the panels. Their parents, needless to say, don't bother to keep an eye on their unleashed offsrpings, as they are too busy themselves caressing other textural pieces or sneaking forbidden photos. You transform into a reprimanding monster, repeating the mantra "Please DO NOT touch the art". Soon enough, the word "Please" is omitted from your vocabulary. After an eternity (OK - four hours) of that kind of fun, you go home, swearing you'll never ever...
The day after, you go to pick up your artwork. Of course nothing sold - why would it? and you have a nice chocolaty handprint on your painting. you go home, swearing you'll never...
The day after, you go to drop your winning painting at the community center, where it will be on display for the next 2 months along with the other winners.
Oh yeah... I got an Honorable Mention on my "Dust to Dust" piece.
You think "hmm... maybe, after all, I will do it again next time".
Labels: Art, It's All About Me, Major Achievements
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sentence of The Month: August
It's been a while since I last had a Sentence of The Month post.
Well, time flies. Plus, some sentences have to be censored, this not being an anonymous blog.
Anyway.
I am still nursing my Plantar Fasciitis, rolling my foot on a frozen water bottle (Ouch!), nibbling on anti inflammatory pills, sleeping with a splint, wearing sandals at home (Naot sandals, as the good doctor said, are the best!), putting on those butt-ugly elastic bandages whenever I leave the house (yes, with closed shoes, yes, in the heat of August). never felt so elegant in my life... But, y'know, it's actually working!
Anyhow.
The JohnnyB and I were driving back from San Francisco on Saturday (we went up there for the Women Impressionists exhibit at the Legion of Honor Museum, which we saw at a record time of less than 20 minutes due to the JohnnyB's deep interest in art... but that's another story). After a visit to the art store and a wonderful dinner at one of our very favorite restaurants (an Ethiopian heaven that has some amazing dishes, with Kitfo being our ultimate #1 choice), we were heading back home.
I was examining with sheer disgust my excess weight that seems to have accumulated since we came back from our British Columbia trip.
"We really need to exercise more", I said to The JohnnyB.
"Yup", he agreed.
"And we need to eat healthier", I added.
"Yup", he elaborated.
"And cook more at home", I pondered.
"Yup", he surprised me yet again.
"And have more veggies", I promised, awaiting the next 'Yup' in the series.
"And more shopping", he said.
???
"More shopping", he explained to the slow-witted, "You don't do enough shopping. You really should shop more".
!!!
Ah - the dream of every material girl: a husband who wants her to shop more. Sorry, y'all gals, he is taken!
Quick to realize his fatal slip of the tongue as he saw the glint in my eyes, the joy in my face and my blissful smile, The JohnnyB turned greenish-white and shrieked, "No... I meant grocery shopping.... No..... Nooooooooooo!!!".
But it was too late.
He wants me to shop more, and being the obedient wife that I am, so I shall.
Anything to make you happy, The JohnnyB!
Anything.
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Labels: It's All About Me, People, Sentence of The Month, Wonders of The JohnnyB, Wow
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Can You Say Plantar Fasciitis?
OUCH!For the last couple of months, I've been limping through life. It started while my sister was here (and she told me "I do hope this is not a spur!"), and went on through our vacation in British Columbia. In fact, it probably got worse during that trip, as we walked a lot, and I mean A LOT!
Like a good tough Israeli, I ignored it, waiting for it to get better with time. Some days it was better, some days I would throttle a scream when I just put my foot on the floor as I got out of bed (which is when it hurt the most).
Until 10 days ago, when The JohnnyB and I took a walk to the Saturday farmers market. The walk was fine, I was fine, the farmers were fine - but when we got back home, all I could do was sit on a chair and moan. Evening came, and I started to seriously contemplate going to the ER, as it hurt so much.
I didn't go for that extreme measure, but instead went for plan B: googling it. I googled "heel pain", and got acquainted with Dame Plantar Fascitiis. Emails to some friends made the diagnosis even more reliable, as they all started to recall when they/relative/acquaintance had it. A series of recommended podiatrists has followed, and I chose one that was highly recommended on Yelp (and also covered by our insurance). Who'd have thunk Yelp is not just for restaurants?
I went to his clinic today.
An inviting sign on the door said:
LIMP IN
That made me instantly like the guy, before even meeting him. Add to that the fact that his exam chair is purple, and that he actually cares about the parts above the foot (namely the patient, who is aching and sometimes scared), I knew I came to the right place, feeling that my foot and I were in good hands.
A series of examinations, X-ray included, proved the popular diagnosis: yup, Plantar Fasciitis, the one and only. "66% of those who come to me have this trouble", he claimed cheerfully while wrapping an elastic band around my feet.
"Oh, and I thought I was special", I lamented.
"But you ARE special", he assured me, "you just have a common problem".
Smooth, too.
We then had a bit of a fall-out in our relationship, as I was accused of having a high arched foot, a rigid ankle and an inflexible calf muscle.
How offending!
me?
rigid and inflexible???
ME????
But he soon proceeded to explain that the combination causes a lot of stress on the heel, and - in the lack of an appropriate shock absorption - results in an inflammation. Needless to say, the Tiger Balm that The JohnnyB (with all the good intentions in the world) has lovingly applied to my sore heel last Saturday did not quite help, as it heated the place. And, well, when inflammation is in place, um, it kinda needs icing, y'know...
After 30 minutes of thorough explanations, treatment forecast and a lot of optimistic reassurance, I got off the purple chair, limped out with a bag full of goodies: an anti-inflammatory prescribed drug. elastic bands on my feet, which are to be worn with closed supportive shoes (it's August, for god's sake!!!), a night splint to torture my foot at night, exercises with a frozen bottle to torture it even further, a verdict to give up walking barefoot even at home, and a follow-up appointment in 10 days.Luckily, this doctor believes in trying traditional therapy first, rather than jumping straight into steroid injection or taking the scalpel into his surgeon hand.
So, 10 days with no bare feet, no sandals outside, sleeping with a Herr Splint and playin' with frozen bottles.
I'm not sure I can handle that amount of fun. But hey, with all that foot binding, I may qualify to wear those lotus slippers.
Labels: Damn Technology, It's All About Me, Ouch
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Two Years of Blogging!
...or more accurately: two years and three days.
This highly crucial anniversary totally flew by me, till I've noticed it just now.
Thing is, as opposed to my first blogging anniversary, I am to exhausted to post anything profound, witty and significant about this historical event.
No, it's not the two years of blogging that did that to me.
Y'see, for the last couple of days,. I've been organizing and tidying and cleaning and throwing and giving away and getting rid of all kinds of stuff, house-wide, from the walk-in closet to my studio. I am dead tired. Dusk finds me walking like a zombie between the rooms, trying to do one more shelf, fill up one more box, and by the time evening takes its shift, I collapse on the sofa, looking for some mind-numbing TV show that will help me wind down.
And today is no different.
So, I'll go for the nutshell summary: two years of blogging. Yet another opportunity to reminisce about my very first post.
Labels: It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Wow
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
I've Been Arte Y Pico-ed!!!
Blueberry of Texas Oasis has awarded me the Arte y Pico award. Arte y Pico is a blog from Uruguay, whose blogger has come up with this award. It features this angel with a very cool dress (oh, it's a she-angel, or is she one of the muses?), that totally matches her wings. And she is wonderfully balanced on this golden, uhm, thingy - very impressive!
What does Art y Pico mean? As Ana, the award originator puts it, "Basically, ironically, it translates into a wonderful phrase in Mexico, 'lo maximo'. It will never find its counterpart in English, but if it HAD to, it would be something like, Wow. The Best Art. Over the top".
The online translator tells me it means "Art and tip".
Whichever it is - I am honored! (although I am quite confident that Blueberry awarded me before she saw my results from the last drawing class...).
It feels very reassuring to get recognition for something you do. When it comes to one's passion, it becomes even more important.
So - Thank You, blueberry! I'll do my best to keep being worthy of it.
OK then, to business.
First, the rules:
- Pick FIVE blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.
- Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
- Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
- Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award which is here: Arte y Pico.
To make my life easier, I am going to take this award literally, and go for blogs of visual artists.
Now, opening the five envelops... (Only five??) here we go [drumroll]:
Creativity Journey: Myrna Wacknov, a great artist, teacher and friend, who's becoming more and more famous with her art blog, being a true inspiration to many. Myrna, a relentless experimenter and a curious soul, is constantly sharing her new findings, ideas, successes and even what she calls failures (of course we would kill to paint like her failures!), garnished by weekly and monthly challenges to keep you painting and drawing. Oh, and - don't ever let her catch you tracing a photo!!
Sandy Maudlin's Art Journey: As opposed to Myrna, I have never met Sandy, but I feel like I know her. Another wonderfully prolific artist, she is all over the place with so many styles and subject matters, sharing her art and insights.
Nathalie With An H's confessional: A great blog I discovered very recently. Nathalie is an awesome photographer, whose black and white photography seems to be full of color - as does her writing.
Paintings by Holly Van Hart: an emerging blogger, Holly's blog shows her bold style and uniquely designed compositions, whether it is her intriguing abstracts or her current favorite subject: Rodin sculptures.
Watercolors And words: The art blog of Rhonda Carpenter, who is sharing her art, from figure drawing (which almost got her in trouble, as they are - how shall I put it gently - nude! Ahhhh!! HELP!!... C'mon people - this is art. Grow up already!!) to experimental watercolors, with her husband's great photos sprinkled in between. It's a fun blog.
OK, you know what, I'm going to follow the footsteps of Blueberry and expand the award to six blogs (hey, we can share!).
On Painting: another blog I discovered lately, shared by Bill Jones and Lisa Towers, who combine witty writing, laughter and venting with painting.
And now, dear awarded artists, go pay it forward.
Labels: Art, Creativity of Others, It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Ode to other blogs
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Going Emeritus
Ahhh, that sounds so good.
Yup - June 30th was my very last day as the president of our watercolor society. I announced my stepping down several months ago, and since nobody agreed to take the baton from my hand (like Taltul in his time), I had to cope with a lot of requests, pleas and emotional blackmail, all aimed at making me change my mind and stay put. I spent hours, days, weeks contemplating, consumed all the assertiveness I had in me in order to stick with my decision - and the day has come.
Oh say can you see the air going out?
. . . Can you spot my dropped shoulders straightening a bit?
. . . . . . Can you hear the large rock falling off my weary chest?
. . . . . . . . . . Can you trace this wrinkled forehead getting a bit looser, with less line work and texture?
Let's have a moment of quiet here, if I may. Zen, almost:
My sister, who during her visit witnessed me in action as president several times, both at an all-member meeting as well as at home, asked me if I won't be missing all the action and responsibility and fire extinguishing and crisis solving and peace making and never-ending phone calls and emails and the adrenaline rush and the status (the WHAT!?).
Yup, she is smart.
And she knows me well.
And yes, to be honest, I was somewhat afraid of having mixed feelings, of a sense of regret, a void even.
But, y'know, on the morning of June 30th we had the last board meeting arranged by me. As I did in the year of being the president (and actually, in many a month before I became one...), I arranged-the-meeting-called-for-committee-reports-sent-them-to-the-board-members-ran-the-meeting-assigned-tasks-took-minutes-and-distributed-those-to-the-board. (and the monthly board meeting, mind you, is only one part of what kept me occupied full-time during this year).
And now that it's all said and done, reverting to dude-language: I am like, "Cool!".
Man, was this a busy year!!!
To quote a fellow president (well...), I sometimes feel that during this whole year, "I did not inhale". Only exhaled. Looking at the blogpost I wrote when I just started, I smile at that young enthusiastic girl, who was so full of energy and excitement and goodwill and plans to change the world (or at least the organization) and I think, "Ah, duckie(*), if you only knew..."
And yet... of the feedback that I hear, I did achieve some things.
We are now on the road to becoming an incorporated non-profit organization (yup, after over 40 years of existing!!! about time, don't you think!? and it was not a trivial thing to pass to some of our members who are not too keen on changes); I drove some other novel ideas in several domains, and I guess I did have an impact.
Oh, also, despite all I've been told, I did not manage to make a certain member hate my guts, as he did with many former presidents. On the contrary - when I announced my stepping down, he came and spoke to me, and actually had tears in his eyes. (and yes, so did I).
And yes, I have gained a lot. A turbo speed steep learning curve from almost zero to nearly 100% has granted me a vast and invaluable knowledge of so many aspects of being in the art world, as well as what makes such a big organization tick. I won some friends, I made a couple of enemies (but hey, one of Mother Theresa’s Paradoxical Commandments says, “If you are successful you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway"... and who am I to argue with that remarkable woman?). And, I got acquainted to so many people, from fellow volunteers to art museum directors, that this may have been the biggest advantage of all; being a relatively newcomer to this country, it's not easy to have your foreign-hard-to-pronounce-name be known. And now it is.
So, what are a bunch of white hairs, a few sleepless nights, a collection of (well documented!) emails that caused serious palpitations, and some showers of tears (oh yes....) comparing to all this?
I was lucky to work with a board that has some truly incredible women (and one great guy) on it, which made it easier, as I did not really need to know everything. I also got a very helpful hand (and sometimes ear), from a couple of former leaders, whose wise advice was like a CPR and kept me going. And - The JohnnyB was beyond supportive the whole time. He provided some priceless ideas (for which I got the credit, alas) and insights, suffered through going over the monthly Leader's Notes to help me polish them for the newsletter, helped me phrase some responses to some ultra-bitching emails (yeah, those were fun) - I am pretty sure he is also relieved that these days are over. Yup, he is a keeper.
In hindsight, I would have done it again.
But now it's time for becoming Leader Emeritus (that is music to my ears!), and thinking about moi for a change. Yes, I am still volunteering, of course. I'm stayin' as a working bee on our exhibits committee and the website committee (coz those are fun!), and will also be busy supporting our board in leading the organization, and initiating our incoming leader (yup - someone has finally agreed to do it starting January!) - but still, I feel like I am getting my life back.
Did I mention Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew?
.
Labels: It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Making a Difference, Time Out
Sunday, May 18, 2008
A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #13
I moved here over six years, and never had a visitor.
Sounds like an inmate in a high-security prison, I know.
Now, don't get me wrong - we've had quite a few guests in our house, but always from the groom's side. When I wanted to see my family - it was me who got on a plane and made the endless journey to the holy land, being rewarded with a jetlag and a growing sense of all-over-again detachment every time I boarded the plane back to the US.
Complaining?
Moi??
Well, yes.
There is a painful catch in visiting your homeland once a year, as everything seems to depend on that short visit. Family, friends, places - the smallest thing that goes wrong casts a dark shadow; incidents that could be laughed away over a cup of coffee the day after (if you had the luxury of meeting the people you love on a regular basis), get overblown, and - unless mended immediately - cause damage; if someone is having a bad day when you visit - you cannot always set another day to meet, so you either give it up or have a bad experience that gets burnt in the memoirs from that trip.
Also, when you visit, you are the one on vacation (allegedly). You are all excited and full of good will to see and meet and spend time and - - - and soon enough you realize that others do not necessarily share this goodwill, as they are not on vacation. They work, they have a headache, they need to take the car to the garage, they have their daily things to attend to, they may be in the midst of a crappy time at work or in life, or they just don't have the time and mental bandwidth for you. And although they kept chanting "when-are-you-coming-when-are-you-coming-when-are-you-coming-when-are-you-coming-when-are-you-coming" - they actually can't be bothered right now.
That is when frustration strikes.
Like, you broke your own routine, put aside your own activities in order to go visit at a time that's convenient for everyone, spent all that money, went through those endless lines in security and all, did all that traveling (24 hours door to door, if you really wanna know) - and whatever for?
Yup, it sucks.
Distance in mileage and time changes perspective, for better or worse. I now know which relationships will last even if we keep meeting only once in a while, and I am learning to accept that others were just not strong enough, maybe conditioned on time and availability. It's painful, and the sense of loss keeps accumulating with every relationship that switches to the past tense - especially since you do not really get a replacement. Y'see, it's not easy to be the new kid when you're over 40. Everyone is already set in their own lives and families and friends, and you are the one seeking new connections. Add to that not fully understanding the culture and the cryptic dance of "soooooooo nice to meet you let's do lunch sometime" (I admit - I still don't get it!) - and you are set for many, many disappointments. Even if you were a social butterfly with a ring of truly incredible friends back home, you are not guaranteed to replicate it when you immigrate. Far from it.
Did I mention it sucks?
And it takes several years to realize that you're trapped in this limbo: living here too many years to still belong in your homeland, and not yet feeling that you belong here. Actually, you start wondering if you ever will. The past year or two have generously provided me with some very cold showers to increase this sense of wonder.
It's a rude and painful awakening (allow me to cheerfully overuse the word sucks, yet again), but I guess it's part of growing up. Yet another lesson. I can only hope that I will find my niche here, even if right now it seems unlikely. Oh yes, some days, pessimism rocks!
Every visit back home used to throw me off track, emphasizing all the above again and again, and it gets harder to readjust every time I come back.
Until my mom passed away, exactly two years ago, I visited at least once a year, as she was not able to make the trip. But last year I decided that need to think of myself, for a change. I thus announced to my family that from now on, the sky is open both ways; amazingly enough, there are flights from Israel to the USA as well, and it's time for some reciprocation.
And so -
- - - - - - -- - - - - the first swallow is arriving tomorrow!!!
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Labels: Acculturation, Culture, Family, It's All About Me, Little Lunch for Thought, People, Venting
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Steamin'
The JohnnyB brought a bonus from work: a virus that took over his sinuses, throat and stomach. He spent the weekend and Monday miserably sitting in his chair, consuming soup and sniffing with teary red eyes (yup, it's also allergy season). Then, in his eternal generosity, he passed it on to his lovely wife.
For the last 3 days, I am home-bound with this stupid bloody thing.
For the last 3 days the weather here has been in the upper 90s (for you, fellow Celsius-speakers, that's above 35).
Combine the two, burning on the inside, steaming on the outside, and - you'll understand that my mood is leaning towards pure joy and utter bliss...
$(^!(#@^$#!
Labels: It's All About Me, Ouch, Venting, WTF?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Taking Off!!!
It's past 1am, and we are flying in the morning to our long anticipated vacation in some of the national parks. Zion, Bryce, Antelope and the Grand Canyon are awaiting us, and I am beyond excited to see all that glory.
The photo on the left, of Bryce Canyon (courtesy of the beautiful Landscape Wallpapers Blog) has been my laptop wallpaper for several weeks. Now it's finally time to go and see the magic in person.
I am finally packed (packing is one of my most hateful activities, even more so when needing to pack shorts with gloves, sandals with a warm scarf, as the weather website tells us it's gonna be hot during the day - up to 31 Celsius (as in 87 Fahrenheit) and damn cold at night, all the way down to minus one Celsius (30 F).
This vacation was very close to getting canceled due to work pressure, but The JohnnyB made some truly heroic efforts over the past two weeks, worked his butt off day and night (weekends included, needless to say) and managed to enable this vacation and have it cut by only one day. A major achievement on his account, and I am insanely grateful! Both The JohnnyB and I are in desperate need for some time off, and the desert seems to be the ultimate place to wind down. A birthday at Zion National Park - now, that's a cool way to celebrate!
Photos, stories and adventures to follow - when we get back. Until then, please blog safely.
Labels: Birthday, Creativity of Others, Damn Technology, It's All About Me, Ode to other blogs, Vacation
Friday, April 04, 2008
He's Done It Again!
My birthday is coming up.
Next Sunday.
The dreaded 45.
Two days ago, a big package arrived at our house, and The JohnnyB hid it in the den, saying it's for my birthday. Despite my inquisitiveness, I got over my tendency to try and peek, until yesterday he mentioned that since we'll be going on a trip on Friday, and it's too big to take it with us, it might make sense that I open it now.
Long debate - and I decided to give in to my curiosity.
And that's what was inside:
The box said "Picture Frame", which made me pause with a questioning look (like, why would a frame come in such a huge box, and what kind of gift is it anyway!?).
But then I saw the word digital - and gave a huge cry of delight. For a long time, I've been saying how wonderful it would be to have a computer in my studio, so when I need to look close at a reference photo when I paint, I won't have to rely on just a print or run to the den to look at it. Of course, I can bring the laptop in while I paint, but, well, it's likely to get splashed by paint and stuff. Not a good idea.
This little wonder (made by Smart Parts Products) can display photos and is the perfect solution. It's not as precious as a laptop, so I don't need to be afraid of ruining it, plus has exactly the functionality I need. (It actually has more than that, as it can also play music and videos). I wonder if they ever thought of its value and use to painters.
This is so very cool!!!
The JohnnyB:
thank you,
Thank You,
THANK YOU!!!
Labels: Art, Birthday, Damn Technology, It's All About Me, Wonders of The JohnnyB, Wow
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Sentence of The YEAR
T'was the day before Christmas Eve. TreatieL and WeldyL came over, bringing a fun guest with them: KnocksYourSocksOff, to whom - in the name of syllable rationing - we shall refer to as Knox.
We had a great meal at one of our favorite restaurants, Ginger Cafe, where TreatieL made sure the waiters there won't forget her (it's a habit of hers...), and came back to our house for a post-dinner hang out, or as The JohnnyB put it in his hospitable way: "Why are you following us into the house?".
There we sat and sipped a The JohnnyB home-brew, talked and laughed and chatted and laughed and laughed and laughed. A lot of tongue fencing was going on, with The JohnnyB excelling himself again and again, exchanging deadly jests with TreatieL and Knox. WeldyL and I chose to take the fifth, as we could see we stand no chance against them.
At some point, TreatieL spotted a pair of charcoal drawings I did 3 years ago as an exercise in a basic drawing class. To me, they are successful technical exercises, but she gasped with awe, "You did THOSE?". WeldyL (an incredible welding artist) and I started to complain about how no matter what breakthroughs you make or what major progress you do as an artist, some people will always tell you "Ah, I like the way you used to paint before much more".
As we were discussing this existential issue, Knox stood up and walked towards the kitchen. With starry eyes and all the sincerity in the world, he said:
"Hey, you know which painting is my favorite? I really like THIS one!".
Took The JohnnyB and I a while to recover from the fit of hysterical laughter. The JohnnyB's was hearty and joyous, while Mine was mixed with deep offense...
...'coz Knox, who stood there with an innocent expression on his face (maybe for the first time that evening), was pointing at a one of the framed watercolor paintings on the wall. A wonderful dark painting of an island, mostly in muted grays except for some golden yellow shapes that stood out. A great painting. Definitely a work of art. Only... it's a painting by an East German artist from the island of Rügen, that The JohnnyB's bought when he went with his mother to visit her birth-place in Germany.
So - of all the paintings in our house, Knox liked THAT one the most.
As in, a painting I did not paint.
Needless to say, the level of joy went high (way TOO high, if you ask me!), with Knox, whose face turned an intriguing hue of a deep rich red (Perylene Maroon comes to mind), trying to make up for his faux pas, saying "Ah.... this is even worse than 'I like the way you used to paint!' This is like, 'I like the way you used to paint when you did not even paint'".Yup.
Later, I mentioned my pottery period, when I was failing to do one decent pot, and my pottery teacher commented with sarcasm, "You know, Nava, it's so interesting that so many experienced potters take years of pottery and struggle to reach the freedom that you seem to have right away..." (meaning - I suck!).
Knox sat up full of piety and fury, and said "I so disagree with the fact that someone else had the nerve to tell you to stop doing art!!!".
"Yup", said The JohnnyB, "you'd rather tell her yourself!".
And so, for next year, I wish that one of MY paintings will be someone's favorite.
Or, I can simply take down all the non-Nava stuff...
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Labels: Art, Faux Pas, It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Ouch, People, Sentence of The Month
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
ArtisTag
I've been tagged by WackieM.
Where do I begin?
I wonder if I should just start calling her by her real name, which she uses on her blog, rather than this wonderful blog name I created for her.
No, let's stick with WackieM. Much more fun.
WackieM is one of the most incredible, creative and prolific artists I know, who never sits still. The woman paints from the heart and right brain, and once she gets her hands on anything that moves, grows, stands still or did not escape in time, she will use it to draw with, paint with or create texture. Wearing shoes with an interesting pattern on the soles? beware, as she will make a stamp out of them. See her standing with a camera and an angelic innocent look on her face? That means she's on a hunt for a fascinating face. You just never know...
WackieM is starting to get known and pick awards and other fruits of success that she deserves, big time. She is an inspiring teacher, amazingly generous with her knowledge and wisdom; she would share with you anything new and exciting she's just discovered, knowing that by enriching others, she is not taking away from her own art, as she keeps moving forward - - - and good luck trying to keep up with her! And - she is extremely funny, too.
Sounds like I'm sucking up to her, Eh? Naaaaaa. That kind of crap does not work on WackieM, as she is as down-to-earth as can be, with X-ray eyes for "art barnacles" (a phrase I heard recently and decided to adopt)
So, why am I so superlativic? Well, beyond teaching me to paint portraits, WackieM has inspired me A LOT, mostly as her work gave me the courage to not be afraid to put my soul on the paper and let it show. (can you tell?). She's the one who showed me that figurative painting (and painting in general) is not about likeness or the right shade of pink on the cheek, nor is it only about having the right color scheme or a dictated combination of design elements, but rather about my own interpretation and what I add to the painting, and that sometimes it IS about the subject. She kicks my butt whenever I am about to give up, pushing me to go forward, without trying to affect me to paint like anyone else but me. And that, my dear readers, is very, very rare.
Check out her blog, which she uses to share and inspire whoever wants to join the creativity journey.
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Oh, the tag...
Once you get tagged, you share 5 little known facts about yourself and then tag 5 other artists, and link to their blogs. This is a fun way to learn new things and find new places to go for inspiration. Don't forget to let them know they are tagged.
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So, 5 little known facts about me:
1. I was in the army. Yup, that's what you do when you turn 18 in Israel. Although I came back home every day, these were amazingly forming two years for me, with so many new people, places, and experiences, for better or worse. And yet, despite what some people would like to think, I cannot kill with my bare hands.
2. I have a devoted relationship with food. As The JohnnyB likes to comment, many a waiter have almost lost their arms trying to take plates before I was done.
3. I cannot keep a painting pretty, clean or nice, even if my life depended on that. I always start with gorgeous washes and cheery colors, and soon enough they all get neutralized and tuned down, hard edges get blended together, complementary colors fall in each other's arms and stick together forever to create dark tones that take over. It's not me!! It's the brush!!!
4. I, uhm, like... ah, (be brave, Nava!), play the accordion. wait! WAIT!! don't start with all those accordion jokes! I played classical music on accordion since I was 12, under the guidance of a super-ultra-strict Russian teacher. She was the best, and taught me to play from the heart, rather than use the cheap tricks of squeezing whiny tones from that instrument. I made people cry in one concert, playing Monti's Czardas. Had to quit at the age of 18, when I went to the army (see #1), and my mom kept mourning the career opportunity I lost, as I could have become an accordion teacher. I was pretty good - and I keep hoping to someday, maybe, get back to it.
5. I danced Tango on stage at the world famous Señor Tango hall in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in front of an audience of 300 people who shouted "La-va, La-va" (it's Nava!). That was about 9 years ago, when we went on a hiring recruit from my company.
6. I know, I know, I always have to do extra. Here's a 6th fact: although everyone keeps telling me how great my English is, I wish upon a star that the whole USA (at least the people I come in contact with) would learn to speak and read Hebrew. I mean, it is so much easier for me, so it's just gotta be easier for everyone. No? Please?? Anybody???
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And now to the tagging.
I got tagged by an artist, I should tag 5 artists, and I am going to expand this to other forms of art, beyond painting.
Why these people? 'coz their blogs and comments on my blog sometimes brighten my day.
And so, I hereby tag:
Rhonda of Rhonda's Blog - an artist of the real things in life, who also posts lyrical photographs from time to time.
Simple Blog Writer of Simple Words I Understand - a nativity scene artist, a writer, and a photographer in denial.
Blogauthor of Don't Try This at Home - a writer, a remarkable woman, and a great appreciator of art :-) (hey, she is the first person to buy my art!!).
Neil Shakespeare of Neil Shakespeare - a writer, as well as a uniquely poignant photo-collage artist.
Blueberry of Texas Oasis - a writer, a devoted Pastafarian, and a visual artist on a break, at least for now.
And, if I may add two more: Michael Bains of Silly Humans and Daniel Bruckner of Indigenous Beliefs - two writers and thinkers, whom I'd really like to know more about.
Labels: Art, It's All About Me, Ode to other blogs, People
Monday, August 13, 2007
The Color Purple
OK, OK, red.
I still think I have a purple soul, though.
Now what?
| What color is your soul painted? Red Your soul is painted the color red, which embodies the characteristics of love, strength, physical energy, sex, passion, courage, protection, excitement, speed, leadership, power, danger, and respect. Red is the color of the element Fire, and is associated with blood, life and death, birth, volcanoes, and intense emotions.
|
 Quizzes and Personality Tests |
Labels: It's All About Me, Meta Bloggin'
Monday, August 06, 2007
ArtPact #26
After the sudden August winter we had here yesterday, the sun has graciously agreed to get back to its seat, allowing me to photograph my work.
As I lengthily stated in my previous post, I am back to my self portrait. I am working small, in 5"x7" bozzettos, sticking with the same image, but trying different techniques, color schemes and styles. The idea is to experiment in small quick studies, and apply lessons I learn to the following versions.
I am working from a photo of myself. One that I truly like, taken by The JohnnyB. It's a challenging one, as it was taken at night, with a flash - not recommended when you need a reference photo to paint from. But in fact, the lack of inspiring light pattern is forcing me to find ways to make the painting interesting, so it has its merits.
I started in my usual style, rendering the face, religiously following the photo and trying to copy what I see. After the first one, I tried to move on to more exciting pastures, but I got stuck on copying for the next three attempts. The result: four bozzettos that are not really bad, but are not good either. They are hesitant, the colors are far from exciting. And, the ultimate original sin: they are overworked, and not in a good way.
The watercolor medium is the ultimate snitch when it comes to overworking. "Na na na na na", the bloody pigments taunt in that annoying watery voice, "Nava re-worked this to death! Heh heh!! Again!!! Hi hi!!!! Too funny!!!!!".
I was getting angry.
- - And bored.
- - - - And frustrated.
And I think it shows in the paintings. I swear I can hear my painted image yawning, "C'mon, have mercy! you can't leave me looking like that!".
It was midnight when I muttered to The JohnnyB, "I hope I don't end up never wanting to do a self-portrait ever again!". I was tired, and yet, decided to do one last bozzetto, and just have fun. Squeezed fresh paint, choosing bolder, less sweet-looking colors, going for staining pigments, so I cannot lift and repaint, took the brush - - - and went into one of those the-hell-with-it modes of painting.
When I got back to my senses - I stared at the result, with sheer terror. 'coz I never, like, ever, painted this way!
And then (took me a a while!) I realized that, Uhm, I am really, y'know, liking it!
And, to my surprise, The JohnnyB liked it too, saying it's clean, confident and looks like I knew what I was doing. Perhaps this was one of those rare occasions when the hand was faster than the mind, and did whatever it felt like, while my left brain was watching with disgust, saying, "Oh, screw it! I'm off duty now!".
I went to sleep, very excited, got up (very excited!), looked at what I did at night - and gave it another, similar shot, just to see if I can do it in a post-coffee conscious state of being.
Apparently, I can. (the one on the left is the first one, the right one was done in the morning). Hey, I even gave myself a gorgeous pair of blue eyes as a reward!
Definitely a breakthrough, and just what Mike has ordered.
Now, the wonderful thing about hitting the wall of boredom and getting past it into creativity, is that your mind is starting to spawn more and more ideas, like some freakish alien.
I wanted to try them all - but I was starting to run out of paper.
So, I soaked and stretched four half-sheets of watercolor paper, and while waiting for them to dry, I decided to try something while they are still wet. I combined walnut ink (which I passionately love!) with a purplish ink, and had my way with both on a sheet of paper. That yielded some veeeeeeeeeeeery cool texture, which will become a painting some day (when I figure out what to do with it...).
"Hmm, I should try this on a bozzetto", I overjoyed, and reached, again, for the inks. Obviously, I failed to recreate the texture, but still got some beautiful backgrounds, on which I drew with a bamboo stick and a twig.
That resulted in an unusual level of fun - and these two:
Then I decided to revert to the safety of the monochromatic world, and thoroughly enjoyed doing this one:
T h e n -I tried painting on top of some text which I have transferred to the watercolor paper with Acrylic medium. Now, this medium changes the surface of the watercolor paper beyond recognition, so that the watercolor paint starts beading like crazy, and you end up pulling your hair and looking pretty much like the resulting image...
Hmm... interesting would be the right word for that one, Eh? Although, the more I look at it, it is starting to grow on me. It sure is expressive, and has some interesting modern-art looking potential. It's a known fact that good things can come out of accidents and alleged-failures. All I need to do now is practice saying "Oh, I meant to do that!", and define myself as an expressionist painter.
So: 10 bozzettos overall, and I already have two additional ones in their very early stage.
I am exhausted.
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Labels: Art, ArtPact, It's All About Me
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Breaking Through
We have our Annual Show coming up. Actually, two annual shows. One of the organization of which I am president, the other of a different art group. One demands only watermedia paintings, the other is about any kind of art. One has a very challenging theme, the other is, hmm - theme-less, so it seems.
And I take part in both. I am part of the overall organization of the first one, and I'm helping to hang the second one.
So, I need to make sure I actually enter paintings to both. I mean, it would be, y'know, silly to put all that time and effort into a show that I end up not having my own piece on the wall.
The theme of the first one paralyzed me for a while, but then set me on a thinking process (process? moi!?). And, after a discussion with QuiltieD, a fellow don't-know-what-to-paint-for-the-show-artist, I embarked on what might be an exciting journey: a new series about someone I spend a lot of time with. I have a pretty good knowledge of what is important to this person, what makes her tick, her life story, the struggle to belong. It's someone I like quite a bit, most of the time. Quite an intelligent woman, with a sense of humor I highly appreciate. And she is currently going through a major crisis, perhaps one of them mid-life crises. She does not feel yet that she fully belongs where she lives now, and has recently realized that her strong sense of belonging to the previous country was not quite realistic, as she went through a very rude awakening on her last visit.
Sucks, Ha?
I wouldn't want to be in her shoes.
Therefore, I am walking barefoot whenever I can..
Yup. It's all about me!!!
I decided to delve back into my self portrait, go back to what started here and continued - more successfully - here, and try to take it further.
I am a great believer in art therapy. Art was my stepping stones back to life after my world has shattered 7.5 years ago. And, in the past couple of years, every time I was deep down and managed to get myself to paint, it helped beyond description. Somehow, the bad feelings, the sorrow and grief, the anger and frustration, transfer through the brush to the paper - and a lot of the Giffa (Hebrew slang for, well, everything that sucks) stay there! I have several paintings that, whenever I look at them, I recall exactly what mood I was in, and what exactly caused that mood. They are not pretty pictures, not quite something someone would hang over the sofa next to their matching curtains, but they are the truest, most powerful paintings I've created.
A-n-y-w-a-y - I figured that since I am so troubled by this new wave of acculturation pangs, dealing with it via art might be the best therapy.
Now, this idea I have is very ambitious, as I want to incorporate this constant conflict into my work. During that conversation with QuiltieD, she asked me a couple of simple questions that stirred up a lot of ideas and emotions, and set me spinning on a spiral of ideas. The car has found the way home on it own that day.
That was Thursday afternoon.
Of course, once I came home, all excited and ready to go, I freaked.
First, it IS very ambitious, and how do I even start to begin to commence to initiate to make the first step???
Plus, it means dealing with some deep emotions and looking them in the face, digging deep down into my soul (as shallow as it may be). It may mean that I dive in and come back up on the other end with an answer I might not like - or no answer at all.
So I turned the TV on.
But after a couple of hours, consumed with guilt and self-reprimand at the wimp I've become, I did a couple more of those sketch-from-TV images, that turned out impressively disastrous.
The day after, I made a decision to go for it. Scribbled some ideas, first on paper and then moved to the computer, got stuck very quickly, and decided that if I am need time to think and stew, I might as well do it with a brush in my hand.
And, in the last couple of days, I started to practice my self portrait, working with the good old bozzettos. These little thingies are so great, as you are just exercising, and not as result-oriented. Did 6 so far, in different stages of finishing. However, the first ones turned out quite careful, weak and overworked. And, no matter how much I kept telling myself, "these are just exercises, chill out!! experiment!!!", I kept doing the same thing over and over again, ovrworking them in a struggle to make them succeed - which is the ultimate path to failure.
Tonight, a bit after midnight I got tired of my own face. Frustrated of the uninspired results so far, I commented to The JohnnyB, "I hope I don't end up never wanting to do a self-portrait ever again!".
I then decided to do one last bozzetto, before crashing to bed. After all that careful rendering of every detail, I decided to just have fun with the fifth one. Pure, careless fun, solely aimed at loosening up from this painting-on-eggshells mode that I got trapped in.
I never did a portrait that way. In fact, I am not sure I've ever painted this way, at least not as an adult. It was so much fun!
And I like it the best!!
And - to my astonishment - so does The JohnnyB!!!
And the fact it happend just when I got bored to tears of the subject, well... that means I hit the wall of boredom... and started creating rather than copying...
Hmm, sounds familiar. It should actually be a "Duh!" moment to anyone who took Mike's Beyond The Obvious class (twice!!).
And yet, I guess I forgot this intoxicating feeling.
I see an ArtPact coming...
Labels: Art, It's All About Me, Major Achievements
