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Monday, November 15, 2010

Little Works

"Single Whip" Block Print (4x5)
Sold this original block print Saturday night.  "Single Whip" is a Tai Chi Chuan posture an is a recurring subject for me over the years. I think this posture was the first moment that I truly connected to the movement in Tai Chi when I first started practicing. The buyer was very excited about the piece and had a whole list of reasons she connected to the work. I enjoyed listening to her talk about it.

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Fall Back

This is a small piece I completed last night. I've been overdue for some pastel work and finally moved some paintings around so I could have access to the easel I use when doing pastels.  My pastel work actually improved when I switched from a drawing table to standing at an easel.  Evidently, I need the freedom of movement that comes when standing...even when the piece is small.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Returning to My Roots

Paint Brush
One of those necessary evils of painting is taking the time to thoroughly clean my brushes from time to time. I liked the way they looked all lined up in the dish drain. Actually my afternoon was spent going through photographs and printing several of them.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

I Am

"I Am" Oil on Canvas (40x52)
Just finished!  I've been steadily working on this piece for over a month now. I'll admit that I'm very pleased with the outcome. It's unfortunate that a lot of the small detailing is not visible in a web upload, but you can still see some of it. There are two phrases on the painting: "I Am Not What You Think" and "This is Not What You Think." There are multiple meanings for me in these. I'll let you decide what they mean for you. ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Friday, October 15, 2010

Sketchy Connection

As luck would have it one of my blogger buddies, Lynn Chen, approached me a while back about doing a sketch for her. She wanted to launch a product line to help promote her The Actor's Diet food blog.  Needless to say I was flattered to be asked and even more flattered that she wanted to use my drawing.  I highly recommend taking a visit to Lynn's blog. It's a no nonsense approach to healthy balanced eating and an extraordinarily open and honest dialogue about Lynn's past eating disorder battles. It is refreshing to hear someone talk so openly about how events and stresses are known triggers and how she deals with them today. You'll also get a taste of what life is like for a typical actor.   

She is incredibly sweet and damn funny much of the time. Did I mention you should visit her blog? While you are there stop off at her store and buy something. You'll get a little bit of my artwork in the process. 

If that was not enough to confirm her awesomeness, I had a box filled with my favorite cookies from Kizito Cookies delivered to my doorstep.  She remembered I had mentioned them months ago in one of my comments. Such a kind generous gesture.  Big Big Big Thank you to Lynn!! You are fantastic! 
©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All Rights Reserved

Monday, October 04, 2010

Un-Standard

"Unfurled" Oil on Cardboard (17x22)
I finished this a couple of weeks ago, but am just now getting around to posting it.  Like many of my paintings this is a third run at this piece. Interestingly enough, the original basic design remained, which rarely happens.  I've gone through some effort in the last few months to standardized pieces that require framing in an effort to defray some costs. I thought I had already trimmed this down to a standard 16x20 size before I got started. As you can see from the dimensions listed, that was not the case.  Trimming it now cuts offs some key elements that keep it a balanced piece so, alas, this will require a custom frame for my un-standard size. Aaargh!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Priorities

"Opportunist"
Oil on Wood (40x48)
This has been going through various stages and was actually prepped before my move way back in May. All I can say is I didn't know what direction it would go until I got there. It's a larger scale which is much much better for me and the first painting that really ties in with some of the pastel work I've done.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Post Cards



"Drummer 2"
"Introspection"
"Blue Fish"
"Grasp Swallow's Tail"
"Little Lady"


Here's a few post cards that I've done over the last couple of weeks.  I'm trying to decide if prints should be made or to just sell the originals.  All of these are (3x5) watercolor on paper and are part of my efforts to create some lower price point items.  Would you buy them? Which is your favorite...if you have one? What would you like to see?

To be honest they are a great way to pass time and keep practicing both in a general keep the juices flowing way and more specifically in playing with watercolors.  It is a challenge for me to work on such a small scale and find it difficult to create the same movement that is present in my full size paintings.  Watercolors also take some adaptation since you work in reverse from that with other paints. Regardless, I'm enjoying the process. 

On a more personal note, I have some big decisions to make after my return from NYC. Until then, I look forward to enjoying the city and hanging with a very dear friend.   ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Twilight Notes

Oil on Wood (16x20)
Here's the first painting I've done in quite some time. I've been running about so much since my move that I've found it difficult to get in the right head space to paint. I also think it has taken some effort to get my focus in the new work space at my apartment.  The original drawing of this was of a local DJ who does a great chill urban funk sound.  I love them...love their energy.  A few tweaks here and there may still occur, but for the most part, it is finished.

I started another painting after finishing this one and hope to finish it before I leave for NYC later this month, which will be my first ever visit in the summer months.  I'm going to devote some of my tourist time to Brooklyn this year and was also lucky to coordinate my trip with Michelle Krusiec's "Made in Taiwan" show.  VERY excited about that. I've been wanting to see this show for a few years now and this is the first time I was able to coordinate everything to make it possible.  My friend is likely moving in a few months which means this may be my last free accommodations visit.  Happy I could make it all work.  

Some energy of late has also been spent towards production of some lower price point items. The hope there is to generate revenue and interest.  I'll post some of these efforts in the next few days.  I'm also trying my hand at some block printing.  I find it fun, physical, challenging and look forward to improving my skill level which involves a combination of carving the image and controlling the inking/printing process.  I need practice at all levels.   

The job/business fronts look pretty bleak and I'm facing an action that I don't relish, but looks to be necessary.  More on that another time. ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Sunday, July 25, 2010

A Little Update


I know I've posted sporadically of late and wanted to give a quick update.  First and foremost my paints are out for the first time since my move.  I'm well past the halfway mark on my painting and hope to be posting it by the end of this coming week.  I was getting a little frustrated and then things started coming together yesterday.  The little video is a slideshow collection of pastel pieces that will be up at a local cafe starting August 1st.  It's not a place known for generating sales, but I appreciate the exposure and a small solo show. 

I got a phone call on "Earthquake" this past Friday from someone interested.  I don't know if there will be a sale just yet, but it feels good to get the inquiry.  It is a favorite piece of mine and I really want it to be up somewhere on a more permanent basis.  

Still no job, but I'm getting a few positive connections for potential clients for the business.  I'm hoping I can limp along to give it time to take off.  ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Friday, July 02, 2010

Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday and for your own entertainment I thought I would share my morning text dialogue with a good friend, Kate.
Kate: Happy fucking birthday, ok?
Me: Ok, damn it!
Kate: You better enjoy it...or else..
Me: Ooooooooohh. Scared of you.
Kate: Dude. U oughta be. I been doing my chaturangas.
Me: I see the headlines now. "Middle aged woman killed by pushups."
Kate: Lol! Me or u? What r u now, like 57 or something?
Me: 44 is half of 88 seems like the middle. "Killer found collapsed & exhausted next to the body."
Kate: LOL!!

It's good to have friends that get you. I'm making my favorite cake, a Reine de Saba, which is a dark chocolate almond cake with a chocolate butter cream icing. If you watched Julie and Julia you may remember the scene where they take their first bite of this cake. That swoon happens to me every time.


Later tonight I will meet Kate to go see "Undershorts" which is the R-Rated portion of the City Theatre's Festival of Shorts.  I've been to the regular program before, but this is a first for the Undershorts segment. We hope to meet up after wards for a little dinner and drinks with her partner, who returns today from an out of town trip. Have a great day everyone.  ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Monday, June 21, 2010

Pride

Sunday was spent at the Fort Lauderdale Pride Parade and had a great time hanging with my gay peeps.  It has been great to see this event grow and develop over the last several years from a few hundred to  several thousands of people.  The drag queens valiantly worked the crowds in full regalia despite a hot day of 90+ temps and full South Florida humidity. Now living very close to Wilton Manors, the gay neighborhood/entertainment area of town, I took advantage of my walking distance locale this year.  While many spent the day celebrating Father's Day.  I was happy for the distraction since the day's festivities kept my mind off the fact that I have no real relationship with my own father. 
After a break at home from the heat and time to clean up, I met up with some friends to walk around a bit more. We finished off the day with some Tapas as a local spot where we all agreed that the fresh mozzarella was some of the best we ever had. The Italian cheesecake was pretty good too.  I went from hungry to overstuffed and happily crashed when I returned home.  Hope everyone else had a good weekend too! ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Oversharing

I know I've not posted anything in quite some time, but I think you'll understand as you read this post.  Here's a quick recap since mid-April. I lost my job. First time ever I've had the experience of a company drumming up crap to fire me. They had fired or forced to resign all but two in my region over the last several months.  It was a matter of time before I was next, but it was still disconcerting as I was being set up. They gave up making things difficult since this apparently didn't drive me to quit and started attacking more directly. So I've been in the ranks of the unemployed since then. 
Gallery101 where I exhibit some of my artwork moved to a new location and I assisted in the construction of the exhibit walls and various other items.  Being unemployed made this possible. The new space is great and the various shows/openings have had very large turnouts. I've had some very positive responses to my work there.
I put my house up for sale thinking the market had recovered enough that I might get some bites in 3 or 4 months.  It went under contract in less than 24 hours, which put me in a mad dash to find an apartment pack and move.  I love my new apartment, though it was a challenge to drop from almost 1400 SF to under 700 SF.  In the end I got everything I wanted...a decent kitchen (though I'm still working out my cooking rhythm in the new kitchen), room for an office/studio space and a little outdoor patio space.  It's a cozy little pad that already feels like home.  I think it took Moseby longer to adjust than me.  He's a sensative little pup and was quite traumatized by the whole packing, move and unpacking routine.  
Here's the oversharing part:  It is a relief to be out of my house.  I've wanted to sell and leave the property for at least 3 1/2 years.  I owned the property with my partner at the time and have not been able to completely sever that relationship because of the connections with the property.  Let's just say she left and provided no assistance, financial or otherwise with regard to the house. That totals to around $30,000 of cost that was her portion. (This kind of crap doesn't just happen to straight people.) I've had to come to terms with the fact that I spent six years of my life with someone who really was not a good person, who has not real personal positive ethics.  There are a lot of questions for me in that situation.
After almost 8 years of paying on that mortgage, I walked with $1,300 in my pocket.  Thank you real estate bubble. (My ex demanded her "half" and was not even willing to let me have enough to cover first & last on my apartment.Nice, huh?) The new buyer actually apologized for buying the house at such a low price, about $5,000 more than I paid 8 years ago.  Financially buying out my ex didn't make sense and the house was more of a vessel of sadness than anything else for me. Most of the very saddest  and emotionally difficult times of my life occurred in that house, including the worst depression of my adulthood. Leaving the house was quite freeing to my spirit and dare I say that a little optimism has crept back in. It was a great house and I had great neighbors, but I needed to leave.
The piece above was done in the new apartment last week. Just a quick effort to get the juices flowing again. More to come!!
My metal shop is located near Gallery101 in the FAT Village burgeoning arts district in Fort Lauderdale.  We (I am sharing the space with another artist) are working out the lease details and hopefully I can be up and running doing Metal work there by the end of this month. 
I'm taking the job loss opportunity to put feelers out for starting my own engineering firm, which will allow me the control and flexibility to focus on my art as much as possibile. I passed my licensing exam in April which means I don't HAVE to work under the wing of licensed engineer.  It's time for me to stop complaining about things being done poorly and go out there and do it myself. I hope to capitalize on a very loyal client following. Wish me luck!
©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Saturday, March 13, 2010

"Enemy Within"

 Pastel on Paper (17x23)
This is an image that has been in my head for a couple of days now. I had to complete the piece today mainly because the image is not pleasant to carry with me. I couldn't focus on other works until I released this one.  I'll say that things that looked so promising turned out not to be. I'm back in a familiar place and thinking dipping my toe in the water was not such a good idea after all.  ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights Reserved

Sunday, March 07, 2010

"Reclining Nude"

Cabinet Door 5 - Reclining Nude   Oil on Wood (16x27)
Finished today.  This has gone through several transformations.  It has always been a reclining nude,/figure but it started as more of a line drawing type of piece.  The white negative space proved to be distracting and I went at it again.  The next attempt fell flat and I stared at this for over two months until attacked it again last weekend.  Feeling pretty good about it now.  ©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Guitarist & Drummer

 
"Guitarist" - Pastel on Board (9x12)
There have been several iterations of this over the years that originated from a very rough charcoal sketch over 20 years ago.  Sometimes its a guitar and inothers its a violin, but the underlying image is the same.  I posted this on my Facebook fan page and a friend suggest I do a drummer. 
 
"Drummer" Pastel on Paper (12x16)
This is the first iteration of a drummer.  I'm certain there will be more & it should be fun to see how these change/evolve.  My friend loved it, which was as rewarding as the process of creating the "Drummer."
I've entered a couple new juried exhibits.  One is in Fort Lauderdale and only open to Florida residents.  The other is based out of New York.  It would be great to win, but I will be pretty happy to be selected for the exhibit portion.  I'll keep you posted.
©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Half Moon

 
Steel 36x60
I finally got around to doing some work on this piece.  I actually completed it last summer but needed to modify some things to make it more stable.  One of those things that had to wait until my shoulder was strong enough.  I didn't want to take pictures because I knew it would change a bit.  It needs a bit of cleanup to get ready for show since it has been outside for several months, but I wanted to share it regardless.  
It normally sits on the edge of mine and my neighbor's yard.  She was happy when I placed it there saying, "It's like I get to share it." 
I have great neighbors!   
I also completed three small pieces yesterday and will post them one by one in the coming days.  
©2010 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Sunday, February 14, 2010

"Evolution"

 
Oil on Canvas (24x30)
Work completed this weekend. This is called "Evolution" in part because I took a canvas and painted atop something I hated and had lots of negative emotion attached to it.  Now I have something I like with positive emotion attached.  Things evolving in my life these days and I'm traveling along to see what happens. 
Happy Valentine's Day everyone and also a Happy New Year for the Year of the Tiger.   
©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Cabinet Door 4 - Bright Eyes

 
Oil on Wood (20x20)
This was finished yesterday and gave me a fresh supply of stained fingernails before I headed off to Art Explosion in Fort Lauderdale. It seemed appropriate to go with a little paint under my nails. I had three pieces, one painting, one pastel and one sculpture selected for the juried show, which was pretty exciting.  I also have a mixture of work at Gallery 101 in Fort Lauderdale. This is helping me get a jump start on showing my work as much as possible. I'm grateful for all the support given to me by new and old friends alike. I hope to make more contacts this month with other galleries so that I can get things out and about more and more.
©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

TODAY


Pastel on Paper (12x12)
Today's effort is titled such because of a text I received. The last few days have brought interesting changes and possibilities for me and I'm moving forward despite my fears. More may come later, but for now, I would like to share the efforts of the day that arose as I dip my toe in the water.
I dropped of several pieces at Gallery 101 here in Fort Lauderdale, which feels great.  More work will be submitted at the end of the month for a juried exhibit.  I need to make a final decision about what to take since I can submit three pieces.   Excited that I'm getting my work out there on the time table that I wanted for this year.
©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Cliff's Edge


Oil on Canvas (12x30)
I finally finished this today.  I had been trying to get to it all week and things just didn't work that direction. It was beckoning every time I walked past seeing it on the easel.
I've recently opened doors that have been tightly closed for some time now.  Feeling the "Cliff's Edge" and not so terrified of the leap today. Thanks JD. ©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Still Sketching


"Maestro"
Saw this photograph in the paper and had to draw it.  Also got to play with some new markers, which is something new for me.  I rather like how it turned out. 

This was done last Wednesday. It was a challenge presented by someone I follow on Twitter. Draw what you think. Draw your Tweets and Facebook posts.  Write them all down.  It was a cool exercise and I got something unlike anything I've ever done before.  He was pleased when I shared the outcome.  
©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Monday, January 18, 2010

Time at the Easel


Pastel on Paper (12 x16)
Completed this on Sunday. My intent was to get up and paint.  Since I got up what is very late for me (10:30 a.m.) and by the time I ate "breakfast" and got my weekly laundry going it was time for the Cowboy game.  I grew up in Texas and have been a Cowboy fan since the age of 11. It has been a disappointing experience the last few years and Sunday's playoff game was no exception.  I was a little peeved I sacrificed my morning easel time for an suck ass game from a Cowboy fan perspective.  I started this during halftime and finished it later in the afternoon/early evening.  The day wasn't a total loss. 
I setup a Facebook fan page: Cindy K. Shaw, Artist which presents my work in a more organized display...at least until I get a dedicated website going.  So if you are on Facebook please become a fan of my page. 
I will be taking some work into Gallery 101 in Fort Lauderdale so we can get some things up by the end of the month. I'm very excited about that.  I also had some work out during the Wilton Manors Art Walk last weekend and was pleased with the responses.  Not a great forum for selling since most who are out and about in the area are going to dinner and clubs, but it's good exposure. 
©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Friday, January 15, 2010

"Earthquake"


Oil on Wood (36 x 48)

 Work completed this week.  I had intended to go another direction with the prep for this painting, but Haiti was in my consciousness. This happened instead.    ©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

My Head is in Haiti


18x24 Pastel on Paper
This is actually a piece  I completed during the Holidays and never posted it. I worked on another painting this morning (I'm not busy with work at the moment) and my head kept returning to Haiti and the devastation suffered there from yesterday's earthquake.  It is a very poor nation ill-equipped to handle such a disaster.  Rescue efforts will be at the forefront, but food and water will soon become a critical issue.  You can go the Red Cross to find out ways you can help.  A quick method is to send a text to 90999 with Haiti as the message.  They will automatically charge your cell phone account $10, which goes to the disaster relief fun.  It's that simple.    
©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved

Friday, January 01, 2010

Bringing in the New Year


Here's the first finished piece for 2010.  Called "Beware" for obvious reasons.   
Oil on cardboard. ©2009 Cindy K. Shaw All rights reserved