Please don't hate me...

I am but a lowly artist jus' tryin' to survive...

Okay that's all the whining you're gonna get for today.

So Fragile A Fire, 30 x 20 x 3, mixed media, $365

Not much time for making art the past several weeks. I had to count all those peeps... but now the Census is finished and it's back to seeking commissions and work, work, work of any kind... and ... getting the work out there.

A Singular Path sold at the "Appalachian Life" show at Sautee and went off to Virginia to its forever home. Coincidentally, the photograph that inspired the painting of the meandering pathway through the woods was of the Appalachian Trail. I was struck by the twists and turns of the path which seemed to be arbitrary and very indirect. I thought: why doesn't that path take a more direct route? But then - who wouldn't want to spend as much time as possible in the Appalachian Mountains?

And here is one of my studio assistants: the fabulous Molly Flopover. Molly came to me many years ago via the local farm feed store. The last of a "wild" litter, Molly walked over to me one day as I was loading horse feed and made it clear she was ready for a change. Her name comes from her habit of walking just ahead of me and then kerrrrr - flop! Right down she goes, seeking attention, praise and a tummy scratch (for which she bites). Her record is seven flopovers between the grain shed and the house. And when she goes for it, there's no hesitation. You can hear a thump and oomph as the air is expelled!

Another "Alterpiece" or Alter Altar

My internet was down for a bit. I wish I could say it was a storm or a technical problem, and I suppose it was in a way. Technically, I couldn't pay the bill on time and... poof. But I'm still here - living on my edge of the universe - holding on tight.

Got some good news. Next month I'll be working for the Census again, so if I can just make it through April...

While hustling for work and doing my gigs at the Heritage Center, I finally finished a piece I've been working on for the past month. It's a combination of so many ideas and influences that it defies categorization. Definite folk influence. Architectural references, fiber sculpture and basketry background showing through, too. A landscape painting in the middle, and evidence of my custom finish work on the perimeter.

A Singular Path , 28 x 20 mixed media Sold

A while back I found a photograph of a section of the Appalachian Trail. I was intrigued by the way the path (trail) meandered through the trees as if those who had hiked there had wanted to prolong the journey, and indeed, I'm sure they did and do. After all, the point is not how fast to get there, but the journey - the experience - itself, right?

I decided to paint it in sepia tone, or tone-on-tone and frame it in one of my altar/architectural frames A forlorn but sacred path with all of the twists and turns of a life well spent in experience and observation. The little figure? Can you see it? (Click to enlarge and he/she becomes more obvious.) I debated about the figure. But for once, the landscape seemed a bit forlorn and in need of what? humor? Perhaps just a lightening up. After all, a journey should not be a colorless trail devoid of mystery - nor should it be so dour.