About the shadows that inhabit my relfection...

I know, it is a very long title, but really, it's just that.This one is about my need for expression and how the means to satisfy that need have changed over the years. I used to write poetry when I was a teenager, and before that I used to play the piano, and before that...I can't remember. Right now the most satisfying outlet for my creativity and ideas is painting, drawing...even writing this blog.

This piece is about the dichotomy that inhabits inside me, the things you can't know about me just by looking at me, those parts of myself that exist within me in the corners of my heart,the ones that show up in my paintings and that leave me feeling vulnerable and exposed when I discuss them with others.

Tagged!

OK, I was tagged last week my friend, Kathleen, whose wonderful blog is "Reflections of a Glass Artist" . She does the most beautiful glass work, please take a look at her bog because you will enjoy it. And again, I can't thank her enough for thinking of me, I'm always very flattered and at the same time humbled when someone as talented enjoys my work so much as to do this!

So, this is how it works:

1.- Link back to the person who tagged me:
Kathleen

2.-Write 5-7 unusual things about yourself (only 5 or 7???)

3.-Tag another 5-7 people.

All right, something unusual about myself...where to start? OK:

1.- I spent over 5 years of my life studying Materials Engineering (option: Polymers), until I just couldn't take it anymore and decided to switch careers. This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

2.- I studied music and played the piano for 17 years (since I was three years old), I also play the mandolin and a little bit of guitar.

3.- I love singing (I used to sing in my church) and once I had to do it in front of over 1,000 people

4.-I love animals in general: dogs, cats, birds, rodents (we have a catch and release trap for mice caught in my home), reptiles, etc. When I was little my dad and I used to walk around our block feeding leftovers to the neighborhood strays (which in Venezuela are a lot, sadly). My older dog is a street rescue from Caracas (yes, he flew here with us when we moved).

5.-I used to practice martial arts (Kung Fu), I obtained my green belt, but then a knee injury prevented me from continuing (in case you're wondering, it was not sports-related, I fell down at the beach and luxated my kneecap...ouch!)

6.- I met my soulmate in 1994, we fell in love in 1997... and we've been (happily) married since 2000.

7.- My grand father is an ear, nose, throat doctor (oto-rhino-laryngologyst, I think is the technical term in English). Ever since I can remember, every Sunday when we visited, we would watch together his surgery tapes (some intra-craneal). I'm not squeamish about blood.

Now, as for the people I'd like to tag here's my list:

1.- Jared Kelly
2.-Suzanne Berry
3.- Karen Zima
4.-Patti Murphy
5.-Mark Landes

Exciting News!!!

I just got a cal on my cell... I have an appointment at the gallery for December 2dn @ 1:30pm!!!!! (now I need to pick which pieces to take). Whatever happens, happens...but this is my first interview with a gallery, so...wish me luck!!!. Now I'm nervous, but a good nervous..They called, now it is for real. Again, wish me luck!!!

I am human, hear my voice!

"I am alone in the unexpected shriek
I emit in my flavor of darkness
to fill my solitudes with voice
and bring back to life my uninhabited self"

Excerpt from "Voice of my solitudes (I)", by Elias Nandino


Well this is the result of my last failed attempt (see previous post). I got this image stuck in my head for some reason, and couldn't let go of it. At first I didn't like his appearance, (not proportional, and I liked the preliminary drawing better) he didn't look "human" enough. But then I started thinking about what makes us human...is it our appearance? our spirit? our voices? acceptance into society by others?...our ideas?.

We all have a voice, and we all need to be heard, maybe that's one of the things that makes us human: our need to communicate, which is why it is so painful and frustrating when we cannot make ourselves heard. So, this is my representation of that primal need we all have to let our voices be taken seriously and be heard: I am human, hear my voice!

Bad, bad, bad night

Well, its 11pm and I have officially finished destroying the painting I had been working on for the last couple of weeks... it's been a while since I had such a bad night (or day for that matter) in the studio. I had this idea, inspired by a visit to Boston we did with a friend a couple of weeks ago...I can still see the image in my mind so clearly its almost painful. I did a preliminary drawing (silly me, I forgot to take pictures that day) and started painting. Finally, the background was done, the basic shapes were done... and I decided (tonight of all nights, after the horrible Monday I had) to "define this and that a little better, it's way too abstract for me...". Soon, a pencil line became an India Ink line, then a brushstroke, new shapes, glazes...complete destruction of the concept and subsequent annihilation by black acrylic paint. I could see myself ruining all those days of work, but couldn't stop!!. I'm so frustrated, I could cry. I hadn't felt like such a loser since my days at the University.

You see, I used to be an engineer (well, almost graduated, but that's too long a story). Back then, things were easy: math (2+2=4 always), chemistry (water and oil do not mix on their own) and Physics (everything that goes up, will come down... and probably hit you on the head, too, if you're not careful) they're all exact sciences. Not necessarily easy, but they are exact, absolute, they are governed by laws that will not change according to your mood, the weather or how tired you are. But art... this "Dolor Exquisito" (exquisite pain)...this need I feel to create and put things on paper or canvas, to imprint these images I see in my head...this is not an exact science at all. Beauty is not even an absolute definition! And on nights like this one, it is all too clear.

In the end, after the attack of the acrylic blob, I sprinkled some acrylic inks on the wet paint, just checked on it, and it looks promising, but not for tonight, tonight, I'm going to bed (yes, I am not afraid to admit I need a hug from my husband and a good cuddle session with both dogs). Tomorrow, I'll start all over again...wish me luck

REMEMBER TO VOTE!!!!!

Hello everyone, just a quick reminder: Today is Election Day, so don't forget to vote!!!!Otherwise, others will choose for you... and that is never good ;)