Sunday, July 6, 2025

a post just about art


At the risk of seeming like I am fishing for compliments (I’m not, however don't let that stop you if you feel so inclined) I'm going to post individual images of the art of the notecards and framed prints. I should have done that last post I guess but there was just too much other stuff weighing on my mind. But not just those. I’m posting all the colored pencil drawings in my sketchbook in the order in which they were done. I'm showing them on the page in my sketchbook so you get an idea of the size of each drawing. The pages in the sketchbook are 5 1/2" x 8 1/2".


First, I think I have finally admitted to myself that I am not going to be doing any more glass sculpture. While I have several unfinished models and ideas of what I might create I seem to have lost any desire to do that work. It is time consuming, it is labor intensive, and while I did enjoy the submersion in creating in 3 D form, of sculpting the models out of blocks and sheets of wax, I’m just not feeling compelled to get in there and do it because the rest…the mold making, filling the molds (tedious and also time consuming and a process that really needs to be done in one sitting taking an average of five hours to complete), the firing, the finish work with my very old worn out expensive to replace equipment…was just work. And to start again would involve having to go into the city and get fresh plaster and silica flour and moving the kiln over here to our garage from the shop since Mikey is using the bay with the appropriate plug. I look at my shelves of frit and wonder what the fuck am I going to do with all this.



I suppose I could post on the glass SM groups to sell it all, first come first serve, but I’m not quite ready to do that. As for the sculpting part, I could switch to ceramics but again no kiln, no glazes though there are a couple of people here in this town that I might possibly be able to get to fire my pieces for me. So, something to think about.


In the meantime I’ve turned to colored pencil drawings and watercolor paintings but I’m not very productive with the drawings or paintings. After 40+ years of making art every day I’m finding time for other things like gardening and yoga and reading and sewing (again, some).


So here are all my colored pencil drawings. The ones with two drawings on the page was just because there was space. 


Blue Jay Feather


White Orchid Tree Flower and Bean Sprout


Poppy Seed Head and Wren Skull


Morning Glory Bush Flower and Acorn


Green Pecans


Amaryllis Bud


Zucchini Flower and Zucchini


Iris Bud


American Lotus


Heavenly Blue Morning Glory


Yellow Trumpet Flower


Chinese Tallow Tree Leaves in their Fall Colors


Buckeye Butterfly


Honeybee (I don't have the original anymore and I seem to have deleted the picture of the whole page but the bee itself is 3" square)


I have even fewer watercolors so that can wait.



13 comments:

  1. I guess creative people let their instruments go at their own rate and ways. A lovely artist friend had a garage sale, and at least was able to give/sell all her unused canvases to one young woman. She still has a great easel. I have most of my clay tools gone, but still have a few, as well as some clay that may be useful. I'm pretty sure I won't get it out. Pretty sure that my creativity now is on blogs...or maybe just keeping up with my physical needs. Today I looked at the many circles of dried skin on my forearm, where I'd already slathered on sun-block, and decided each circle must be a landing pad for teeny tiny aliens. With all the micro-stuff that exists all over, inside and out, of this creature that can walk, talk and type...why not?

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  2. I like seeing your work! I can't even draw a very good stick-person.

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  3. Codex: Give it time. It'll easily sell. I cycle through mediums then rediscover it. My acrylics sat in the garage for years until I found a use for them in art journals. (Glad I didn't sell them).

    Ha!Knew it was an Iris. Love the buckeye. Watermark for copyright. Rip out a sheet for sampling, stick it back in when done.

    I'll be back. Bookmarked, but started the day by pouring oats in my coffee as one does for efficiency. (It's been downhill from there)

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  4. I am in the same boat actually, what to do with all of my supplies!!! My vision dictates what I am able and not able to do anymore so have decided to accept that , adjust to larger expressions of art and to watch you tube - "Portrait artist of the Year" . There is a second hand shop in the back of a gallery here for artist's supplies so shifting them won't be a problem , letting go is the problem. Letting go of eyesight is a sad event.

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  5. The honeybee is amazing. The others are just beautiful.

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  6. Here's my opinion which is worth nothing- although I love the botanicals, I think the bee and the butterfly are absolutely so good.
    It is hard to let things like your glass work art go, isn't it? But sometimes when it's time, it's just time.

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  7. Yes - those last two are pretty amazing, but I I do love the morning glories.

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  8. Your sudden willingness to let the glass art go reminds me of my stopping sailing. I loved it when I did it, and I did it for years. I immersed myself in it, and eventually it led to a new occupation, but one day I was just done. Occasionally someone will ask if I don't miss it, and I say no, I don't. I'm just one with it now, and have moved on to other things, like wandering around nature with my camera. I'm just as happy -- and wandering around is much less work than sailing!

    I love all your drawings! For some reason, the blue morning glory and the yellow trumpet flower are my favorite. I like seeing them next to one another; the colors go well together.

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  9. Your Blue Jay feather is really quite wonderful.

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  10. Those are fabulous, Ellen. Codex has a good suggestion to watermark them so people or AI can't steal your work online.

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  11. Your Art is Beautiful, it would be difficult to choose a favorite one, you have Talent. Sometimes you lose interest in an Art Form or a Hobby, it happens, letting it go isn't something that has to be permanent if you have renewed interest again later on... or not.

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  12. Terrific drawings! I love the morning glories -- those graceful petals.

    I think it's admirable that you know it's time to step back from the glass work. If it's no longer fun and just seems difficult, why keep on? I bet someone else would be happy to take all that frit.

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I opened my big mouth, now it's your turn.