Happy 2011 - "Third Eye"

Ringing in the New Year with my paint brush in hand.  I've been working on something for the last month that has turned out to be a bit of an ordeal.  I had started a piece months ago and set it aside as I worked on other things.  When I returned to it, disaster befell the effort.  I've spent the last few weeks trying to rescue my mess.  I'm happy with my progress and hope to post it by the end of this month.  As the paint became too wet to continue working, I turned to the pastels late in the day yesterday.  Here's the first pastel piece of 2011.   

"Third Eye" Pastel on Paper (12x16)

I'm feeling a shift in what's happening with the pastels and am trying some new things. I do consider this the beginning of a transition for me, and I'm deciding if I actually like it or not.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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

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