Sep 30, 2008

NOT the Littlest Mermaid

Hello Everyone! And it's October FIRST. Geez!

This is a work in progress and needless to say, this is NOT the Littlest Mermaid. Folks seem to have forgotten that once upon a time, mermaids were considered not so lovely and to be avoided. Like sirens only without the Greek Chorus... I have already added more depth to the image and have bubbles coming from her mouth... working on different types of sea monsters, triggered by the art challenge of ArtFest '09. This won't be my submission. This is more for fun and practice.


Before we have the rest of the tour today, I have a friend everyone calls Miss Jayn who, without fail at some point in late September when the weather and feel was right, would come for a visit. Upon stepping onto the porch, she would stop, breathe deep and say: "Smell that? HALLOWEEN!"

She was always right. The air would be crisper, the leaves overnight having turned colourfully red and golden, the faerie beds in the yard more noticeable. Geese were on the wing and groups of deer were restless in the back as chipmunks and squirrels laid in goodies for the oncoming winter. We would go from cold fruit soups and salads to stews and bowls of chili, with cheese biscuits and hot drinks of cider or cocoa.
That's what's happening here now. Almost within 24 hours, we've gone from sleeveless to sleeves. And last week, I did put on a turtleneck one morning as it was 58F and drizzling.

This is what Jayn does now. I mean, basically, she runs the show at this Grand Guignol. A dream come true for that little goblin.


And here is a little witch "in progress" which I am hoping to put on a card for three other little goblins I know, my older -- and only -- sister's grandchildren. I might just have to have a "limited edition" and send this one out to more than just one addy during this magical season and time. Sorry that it's a bit dark.




Fun stuff abounds hereabouts during this month. The troupe at Canopy, and their upcoming shows all look like must-sees, and hopefully T and I will make the one below.


It promises to be a presentation of athletic grace and strength and has a quality of eerie beauty. T takes yoga from these folks at this studio and it's an incredibly huge warehouse, lovely people. Ropes, soft hammocky rests, bars and things. And of course, the inevitable world beat music.

Hoohoo.... now, back to scary monsters, kids. What's playing at the Athens Library Thursday, October 30th? On a big in-your-face screen, not that safe little television in the bedroom where you can cuddle up to someone or eat your little bowl of popcorn is none other than the 1919 classic, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

You know I'm going! I consider it my sacrosanct duty to scare or be scared.

So -- Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite.

Later, Candace

Sep 26, 2008

Crowned Heads

Hello Everyone!
Before we start our tour today, below is a photo of a rather large painting by a local artist... we found it at The Blue Marley Cafe here. T, Leon and I had a great time there. Hard to believe it was exactly a week ago all that was going on. Her other works were equally colourful and fun, but this is a tip of the hat to ArtFest '09. Oh you know why!!! Don't you?




To the left is A Satisfied Customer (L) and Melin (R).


















Her business and booth is Melin's Designs. At the Farmers Market, she has a booth selling hats and caps, all handmade with American made and sold fabrics. They are all gorgeous. And FUN!

A soft cool day here today... rain promised but little follow up. My front yard has all sorts of towering colorful flowers and such... I love just seeing them.
"I don't know how I do it..." In progress.


"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown..." -- Thank you, William. In progress...


"The Rainbow's Heart" aka The Clown Princess -- yes, I do love redheads! She has a different type crown, doesn't she?


The Baboon Queen -- in progress, obviously.

Hope you've enjoyed the tour today... all sorts of stuff going on, big and small.
Later!
Candace

Sep 22, 2008

The Party's Over...


... or is it?


Hello everyone!


Here we have my personal Calvin and Hobbes -- Kitty Boy and Leon -- admiring each other's style...




The party never stops here in Athens and not just because it's a university town. But we did have a small "party" Saturday evening at "Wiggins Hollow", as Joe calls it. Long-time friend and raconteur Leon very kindly purchased a wonderful single malt whisky and a very nice bottle of La Grande Dame Veuve Clicquot which was quaffed while watching "American Gangster", later talking well into the night about myriad events, snippets of gossip, art, politics, music, travels (Amsterdam, Here We Come -- one day, and depending on how things shake out, sooner maybe than we'd planned. Just kidding -- but have you registered to vote? Do it to it, babe!).


It was over too soon, trust me. Thursday till Sunday... flew by!


As always, the Athens Farmers Market was wonderful early Saturday, with the laid back atmosphere and the cool air, the obvious turning of the wheel of the year towards Fall. EVERYONE lined up for the coffee which I've mentioned in an earlier post. And as I mentioned in an earlier post... a few of Les Artistes!

Stephanie and her amazing Pysanky work/jewelry. I bought a gorgeous pair of hamsa earrings, (or as I used to say, Hamas, sorry! Talk about a tongue tangle. -- then Kitten said, "uh. No, Miss Lady."). My earrings are tiny, and are turquoise on black. Small, small, small... pretty, pretty, pretty!

This is "how she does it", to repeat that little note... and if you look closely, voila! Indeed, you see "one" shell being taken through the entire process of Pysanky. I adore this woman and her artwork.

And of course, she keeps the Pysanky Eggs tradition alive and well here in Athens ... she had an ostrich egg that was fantastic!




I could have just stood in front of her booth alllllll day. She had that much, seriously, that I would not have been finished with goggling.

Saxophone Jones below (Stephanie's husband, Mike) and his fabu folk art (metals and woods, found objects). There is one I really really want -- a Day of the Dead figure whose chest opens to reveal the perfect little place for a shrine. (I couldn't get close to Mike. He was being lovebombed by artistic types every time I went by his spot. LOL.)
FYI: The one I want is in the next to the top row, fourth fella from the left, the skeleton on a red block which is then "resting" on a polished wooden plank.
And last but certainly not least, below is a shot of Ansley and her wonderful Songbird Soaps and products. I lob money her way every couple of weeks for one of her gentle soaps (lavender comes to mind) or such. They are -- as is she -- wonderful and sweet.



More Athens Farmers Folks later.

And now, to wrap this up, check back Friday for a peek at a few works in progress... cross your fingers! I have no idea where these gals are taking me but wherever it is, I am sure I need to go.

Get More of What You Love.
Candace

Sep 16, 2008

Signs & Wonders and Vacation

Hello Everyone! Signing off till Sunday... so have a great rest of the week and weekend. And it's WEDNESDAY, Sep 17. What is up with this day late, dollar short calendar?


Just a piece in my sketchbook that I have been working on. Signs & Wonders is destined for a journal. Don't know that you can see the text, but that's okay.
Work lately is mostly all line drawings coloured in with coloured pencils or watercolour pencils. A couple have some fun things on them, sticker crowns and such like Signs & Wonders, as I get used to multidimensions (like I would ever have trouble with that!) -- and then I lay them aside to work on them even more later to keep layering in more art more beauty more information I need to dispense to viewers and self. I owe a lot to Teesha Moore.
Today was a soft, cool, moist day. No sun in Athens, just a low, silvery sky. I wore jeans and a light cotton turtleneck when I went out to have coffee with Joe ... today was definitely a turning point. Once I put up my neck, Autumn inevitably knocks on the door. Unlike Summer's light parcels, She brings a suitcase and a carry on bag.
And Winter brings a steamer trunk, in case you've forgotten.
Get More of What You Love.
Candace (Back Next Week!)

Sep 15, 2008

Good News For Modern G.R.I.T.S.*

Hello everyone!

My ArtFest 09 registration and info came in the mail today and wow, am I ever excited. Since I have never been to the Pacific Northwest before and I have wanted to go long before Nirvana made it tragically hip, and now that I am going, to an event I have wanted to make for almost two years, well, I am simply beside myself.

Upon hearing the news, Molly Brown fainted with joy. Okay, she's just sleeping really. But she could tell there was real excitement and joy in Mudville today.

Hope all is well where you are. And if it isn't well, I pray and trust it soon will be.

Get More of What You Love.
Candace
*Girls Raised In The South

Sep 13, 2008

Rose Madder


Hello Everyone!
This is my process here of Rose, only this gal here is Rose, Even Madder (smirk). The woman herself is drawn using only the One Line. Tricky, tricky. I love doing it. I think it's a good discipline, as I've said, and it really makes me focus on the drawing, on my work, my art, the figure... everything except failure and other people's nagging voices about how "wrong" my art is... you put music on while doing this. Whoohoo. Beauty. No beast.

And yes, I drew her using red and black ink. Go figure. I was just having fun, experimenting.


The other, the "real" Rose Madder was executed using the same old, same old I love doing. A line drawing, coloured pencils, and then today I thought I would just lay down some beadwork and the next time you see her Rose Madder will have undergone the Full EyeCandy Treatment, too. These women, how fortunate. And it's FREE for them, too! LOL.


I am thinking of totally beading this piece, her hair, her dress, the roses, and leave only her face staring out with those glass green eyes. We'll see. Sorry you can't see the beads any better. The light hits just right. Coowee! Beautiful. Headturningly beautiful, this girl.


Back Sunday. Maybe Monday. Big adventures this weekend, an entire passel of girls will be here having fun tomorrow. Farmers Market, piano accompaniement for a solo voice lesson. And $5 gas! Oh yes, life is good. Let's hope it gets better.


For My peeps in probable harm's way, I hope and pray you are all right tonight, that tomorrow brings the sun and its goodness to you all.

Get More of What You Love,
Candace

Sep 10, 2008

Pilgrim's Progress

Hello Everyone! It's a beautiful THURSDAY evening here. My calendar is a bit off on this blogland clock.

DogGirl is coming along pretty well... she gets her new home and name (Thanks to Velvet Ginger!) this weekend in an art journal which seems pretty happy she's coming to stay...

As is often the case, I rendered this in coloured pencils, and then laid down some fairy dust, bits of return address labels for good measure, and a layer of gesso around her. Presto Chango.... !

This seems to be a common theme in my line drawings. And other work, admittedly. The solitary girl (woman) and the one animal.

DogGirl isn't finished just yet, but I will show you the completed product soon, I hope. Now that I have started, I see how much more I have to go until she's ready to "leave home" -- haha.

Check you all Sunday and until then,

Get More of You Know What,
Candace