A Still Body, A Not-so-still Mind, and being Thankful

“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.”― Rollo May

Lake Huron at Port Austin, Michigan, July 2013

Some of you may have known that I had minor knee surgery last Wednesday. I had my left meniscus repaired. Who knows how I tore it but it reminded me that it was there if I stood for too long, climbing a ladder, riding my bike, or twisted wrong. I was supposed to have the surgery this past winter but because I wanted to go to France,  and the doc said not to fly for 6 weeks after surgery for fear of a blood clot, I decided to postpone it and go to France. Wouldn't you?

If you know me, you know I am never still. I'm always trying to squeeze something in to a 5 minute lull. Since I have had my surgery, which I strategically scheduled before Thanksgiving ;) , I have had curtail my activities. Its been a very easy surgery, compared to when I had my sinuses done along with a tonsillectomy. (That was a nightmare where I lost about 12+ pounds and one night passed out cold on the bathroom floor from not eating + oxycodon.)

Unlike the last one, this time I've been able to forgo the meds after the first two days and have been lucid and aware that I am sitting on my rear for 10+ hours each day.  Its been the first time I've been grounded in a long time.  It has given me a lot of time to do things like watch tv and go on facebook and sleep. And time to reflect about this past year as well as look forward to what 2014 has in store for me. Back during my post about not having enough time in a day, I rambled about all of the things I wish I could do. Well, now I have some time to reflect, sit down, and plan those things. Sitting here thinking, its been a really good year for me. I've been in my studio a full year and don't know how I got along without it.  I love my neighbors there and feel part of an artist community.  I love having a space that's mine to do whatever I want artistically.  I am also very fortunate to have great clients who trust me to do some incredible projects. Although I have so much more I want to do and try, I have to count my blessings that I've been able to come this far.

So stay tuned to see what plans I have in store for 2014....!

And, have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

A Cautionary Tale

I am writing this post as cautionary tale to fellow artists. I hope that is serves as a lesson to be learned through me and not one to be experienced in their own work. Every now and again I'm reminded of my lesson when I'm riding down the road and I see a "for sale" sign. Or I'm watching TV and I see the commercial. I try to get over it but each time I see anything related to the mural I did for a very well known local Real Estate Agent, I feel like I've just been slapped in the face.

Here's my story...

Back in 2009 I painted a mural of a map of Maryland with roadways and significant towns and cities for the office of this Real Estate Agent. They wanted something to show clients where their house would be in relation to their work. In designing the mural, I drew out the shape of the state, complete with each county, significant towns, and placed a Maryland flag in the background. I wanted to add something that was unique to the Real Estate Agent's company and take up the "dead" space in the lower left area where West Virginia and Virgina usually are.  I decided to add a compass rose, being it a map and all, I thought it appropriate. I researched different designs and composed a compass rose that would compliment my design.  I placed the Real Estate Agent's initials in the center of the compass rose. I presented my design to the Real Estate Agent's wife and she like it. Just change out the blues (I had originally included blues because their website had the color.)

I installed it with the help of my amazing paper hanger.  I got paid for my work and that was that.

A few months later, I am at a meeting and I see the compass rose on some give-away pint glasses.  Hmm, I thought..not sure how to comprehend. I took a glass and put it in my bag.  Then I started seeing my compass rose, the one I designed for the mural, all over the place...on ads, on signs, on brochures, on commercials, on everything! Needless to say I was dumbfounded.  And angry!

I talked it over with my family and some fellow artists. I did research on copyright law.  I decided to write a letter. It was responded to by his lawyer.  "You can't copyright a compass rose." I then got my lawyer involved.  I didn't want to go there but anyway.  The image was clearly taken from my mural and wasn't in use before the mural's execution.  The composition, colors (well, the initials were black instead of red) were IDENTICAL.  In educating myself about copyright law and art, I learned that ANYTIME an artist touches pencil (or brush) to paper, that work instantly is covered by copyright. Here is a good explanation. But, come to find out, because I had not registered my mural with the copyright office and had a clause in my contract that all of my work is owned by me, I stood little chance in court to come out with any money left in my pocket.  See, even though as an artist I owned the copyright to my work, I didn't bring it up within 3 months of discovering the theft.  If I had, I would have been able to recoup all of my court costs if I were to have won. But because the amount of money it would take to take the Real Estate Agent to court far outweighed the piddly amount of money I had asked for in compensation, it wasn't in my favor. I still could, it would just bankrupt me. I'd be out more money than what I was trying to get.

So...lesson learned. I have put things in place so that I am protected and have learned what my rights are.

Next time you see that compass rose, smile and say "Gee, what nice work, Dee!"

Oh, how I wish there was more time in a day!

Warning: this is a rambling post, just to get some stuff off my mind.... Its not too long ago that I was worried that I would never be able to make it as a decorative artist.  When I quit my teaching gig in 2008 little did I know that the economy was going to take a nose dive. Talk about bad timing!  Now it seems I don't know how to keep up. Deadlines push my days along and I have to remind myself how lucky I am that Im able to do what I love day in and day out.  Don't get me wrong, I love painting, but it seems that I get overwhelmed and wonder how I'm going to "get this project finished quick enough" rather than enjoying the ride.  Summer seems half way over already (I always feel that the Fourth of July is the height of summer and its down hill to Labor Day) and I haven't been able to enjoy it.

I was lamenting the other day about how recently I've had to disappoint some clients because I can't meet their schedules because of how much work I have.  I take things very personally and want to please everyone.  I feel horrible when I hear "oh, that won't work. We have to have it done by xyz." I look at my calendar every which way and wish I could add a day here, move that there...but then that would mean I'd have to grow two more arms!

I've tossed the idea around about hiring help.  The problem is I'm a Perfectionist.  I guess it comes from my Grandma Lenehan.  Passed down from her to my dad to me. I can't trust someone else to do something well enough and have to go back and check their work. Is there therapy for that? Oh wait, I don't have time to go to therapy.

When I opened the studio I had grand plans for its use.  Workshops, rental space for fellow artists, open studio weekends, presentations, etc etc.  I've had to cancel the latest presentation because I was pulling 10 hour days on a project and had zero time to prepare.  I've also had grand plans for this blog. I just don't have enough of me to go around.

Perhaps its time to let go of a little and allow someone to help out.  Or I may be trying to rush things along.  Whenever I get an idea in my head its go-go-go on it.  Trouble is I have 10 ideas and I want to go-go-go on all of them at the same time. If only I could let things happen in their time. If anyone out there reading this is a recovering Perfectionist feel free to offer some advice!

So here are some photos of what I've been buried in the last few weeks. Thanks for listening!

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Two paintings (7'x9') The beams were woodgrained previously.

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Medallion: done with a Modello stencil , Proceed metallic plasters, glass bead gel, and Swarovski crystals.

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Woodgrained beams and glazed walls.

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Before

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Plaster with glaze

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Pret-a-Papier at Hillwood Estate

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I often see announcements for exhibits and plan to make time to go but forget amidst the chaos of work and life.  I happened to re-read a recent issue of Veranda and came across a blurb about an exhibit at the Hillwood Estate in DC that combined paints, paper, and fashion.  I had never heard of Hillwood but upon further research realized it was the estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post.  (In my head – “Duh! Merriweather Post Pavillion!“– The place where in high school I hopped the fence to many a concert…  Until it changed owners and a huge berm and two barbed wire fences were erected, oh, and a highway transected my pathway to the venue. Hmph!) But I digress… The exhibit was of the works of artist Isabelle De Borchgrave of Brussels.  She creates fashions out of paint and paper.  I was skeptical until I looked up the Atelier and was blown away and the detail and realism she has realized with paper.  The exhibit was to close in early January so I had to go and with Christmas break around the corner I had some time to play with.

So I passed the idea by Mike and gave him the right of first refusal.  Secretly I wanted him to say no because I think my mom would LOVE to see this since she sews and would appreciate both the methods as well as the construction of the pieces. I think he knew that and so I asked my mom and of course she wanted to go.

I just have to say first what a treasure the Hillwood Estate is, and how ignorant I feel for not knowing about its existence.  The home is filled with Mrs. Post’s collection of French porcelain and Russian liturgical artifacts and Relics that were to end up melted down by the Russian government after the Revolution.

Oh but the paper, it was simply stunning!  It was mind-blowing how Borchgrave manipulated paper and paints to replicate fabrics like silk, brocade, trims, precious gems, and metals.

Detail of Dress in the style of Empress Josephine shown above:

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Fortuny Inspired Dresses:

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Marie Antoinette:

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Polonaise Dress:

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"Robe a l'Anglaise" detail:

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Dress inspired by the paintings of Jean-Antoinne Watteau

Pierrot Jacket and Petticoat:

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Russian Traditional Dress inspired by the painting of the Wedding behind it:

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Countess Samoilova:

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French Drawing Room:

You can see more about the exhibit here, http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/whats/exhibitions/pr%25C3%25AAt-%25C3%25A0-papier

More about Isabelle De Borchgrave and her Atelier: http://www.isabelledeborchgrave.com/en_home.php

Happy New Year!

I am so thankful for all that has happened to me this past year, the biggest of which is renting my very own studio. (Its mine! All MINE!!) I can leave messes, crank the music, spray paint inside and even drive my car in it. With this space come a ton of ideas that weren't possible before. I hope to offer classes in the new year, maybe teach some faux stuff or even drawing classes.  I may offer a class on perspective drawing too.  Is there something painted related that you would like to learn from me?

I also think I may offer open studio nights where other artists can come and work on things where they would need extra space.  And perhaps even a gallery of new art, or a shop sale of repurposed items. Who knows?! Maybe I need to sit down and plan all this out.

My ideas are running over the brim for 2013. I also want dedicate some time to focus on creating art for arts sake. What moves me.  I am so happy to be in the position I am and couldn't have arrived here without the support of my family, friends, peers, mentors, and clients.

THANK YOU!!

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ps...I may be going to France in March to take a class with two masters of decorative painting. stay tuned!