Happy New Years

Hello and checking in, happened to be on the planet for New Years LOL.  Here is a piece I got done 3 weeks ago. Gave it to a friend for 50th Birthday..  I call it "Hamontlum Falls"  :)  Have a happy New Years and good art and and good posting. Greg Ashby
Ashnmyst@aol.com
ashnmyst.blogspot.com

hello

Hello, hello, hello, is there any body in there? Smile if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home? This is a test, it is simply a test for if it was a real posting it would have be made easier to do by the 7th graders who program computers. I worked on four pots (coffee cups, are they art?), and one painting and started to fire two kilns today. We should let Mike Salazar in on this. His sculpture is in my kiln. Cool, Huh?! These things should have speel checker. Pat

Trouble Posting?

Look to the far upper right corner of this page.  The link "Sign In" is there though challenging to see with the gray on gray colors.  Once you are signed in you will see "New Post" show up in the same area.  This will bring up a dialog box with icons to help you load images, video, links and more.  Remember to push the red "PUBLISH POST" button before you exit the page.  Otherwise your post will go into draft status and sit lonely in the back room.

New Year...New Opportunities

Can't wait to get this new year started and there's no more positive way than with the momentum Art-a-Day provides. This is only my third New Year's participating in Art-a-Day and just want to encourage those who might be hesitant to participate because they feel they might, at their best, be sporadic in their blogging abilities, DO IT ANYWAY!!. Though I admit I started out in that position this blog and all the wonderful artists in it will inspire you to keep moving forward. And it is really a great group to be moving forward with. Thank you Bobi for letting us cheat and start a wee bit early as the enthusiasm "pre-race" is just too much to keep contained. My "artspace" walls are covered with inspirational quotes. When I feel any discouragement or energy-drain coming on I wander over and just start reading and it always kicks me in the butt back in a positive direction.

I would like to share one of my favorites by Thomas Merton,
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."

Happy New Years to all, Alice Beckstrom

Art-a-Day 2012!

Will join us?

Our 4th annual Art-a-Day "officially" begins January 1st though you creative rule breaking types - which pretty much describes most of us - can start blogging and posting images whenever you're ready.

Know others who would like to take part or have you changed your email?  Email bobiwilson2ATgmail.com (insert ampersand in place of AT) with the request to join or update and I'll send an invite from the site.  Share the fun!

A portion of a piece I have been working on called "The Contortions Of The Modern Woman" , this is the bottom left quarter.

Having coffee at the Roxy, -Kennewick Coffee Co.

Collage

I see that a few posts show up here now and then so I thought I'd share what I've been doing. In January I wanted to try collage but didn't quite get to it - now I have. I've made several and just finished this one as a gift for my mother-in-law's birthday.

It's on an 11x14 canvas with acrylic paint, crackle medium, layers of sheet music, magazine horse photos, and text and drawings from a 1952 kids book about a pony (she's a horse lover). There's even a picture of her with her horse in the lower right corner. To add dimension I added the 2 terra cotta stars wrapped in wire, the beads strung on wire and the lasso knot of wire in the upper left. All in all I quite like it and loved the process of creating it for her.

Parisian Painting

Today I spent a few precious hours in my local Starbucks painting and reading.
With every page I read of A Movable Feast by Hemingway, the desire to pick up my brush and paint became harder and harder to deny. I love how his writing is a continues stream of thoughts, honest, somewhat blunt, partially funny, but always true. You know how he feels without himself telling you in a cliche way. What a gift! I want my paintings to have that truth.
Right now I'm working on a concept (not yet put on paper) that will involve fabric studies and reference photographs. Maybe I'll let you in on it this week.. hmm.

While I mulled these thoughts over I put in so time on my sisters' gift.
Now an elaborate chandelier and a bitter sweet girl hold center stage

Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman

DoomElla and you... :)

This is "DoomElla" 16 x 20 and ready to be in the Psychic Fair. Which of course is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday April 2nd & 3rd, out at the Tri-Cities Convention Center. I will have a booth there, come by, see the art, strike up a conversation, mostly of all grab a few M&Ms LOL :)

Five Moons done ready for Psychic Fair

Well this is "mostly" done. I call it "Five Moons" It will be my feature painting for my booth at the 11th Annual Psychic Fair. In Kennewick, WA. This year it's at the TriCities Convention center. $6.00 to get in. There is healing, Massage Therapy, Readings. Lots of Arts and Crafts... and Paintings. Saturday and Sunday April 2nd & 3rd. :))

This is acrylic on 2 canvases that are 18 x 24. So altogether it's 24 x 36
Greg Ashby
ashnmyst@aol.com
ashnmyst.blogspot.com

My Urban Folk Guy is coming along fairly well.
I lowered his eyes and I'll add the pupils tonight. I add some highlights on the wallpaper background, and thinned his beard a bit. I don't want to add to much detail to this painting. Solid colors, firm patterns and bold contrast are what I'm after. A bit modern, with a American Folk Art feel.

It's just another style to try to learn and grow from.. hopefully another layer to add to that Holy Grail every artist delves deep to attain.

..Personal Style..

It's a long road yet though.

Stay Artsy,

~Sarah Bosserman

I did mean to unload my whole history LOL

I actually thought I was posting on my ASHNMYST blogspot..  then I hit view blog and saw the wall paper and thought   crap.. wrong blog idot LOL  :)  oh well enjoy.

Mural on Computer Room Wall

My first, maybe my only Mural. I did this when we first moved in in 2002. Took out some paneling and found cement block that just said.. "Paint Me"  :)) ha ... so I did.

Al Stewart in "Wine Passages"

This is a piece I did for Al Stewart. No he didn't solicite the painting I just wanted to do that one and give it to him at a concert.   He didn't want it, but he autographed it anyway. But he loved it.

This was back in 2003 I believe, out at the Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla. Thanks Al

It's an Alien Pumpkin sort of thing

Here is one some may have seen before.  The alien looking in the window with the pumpkin carved just like it.  Well last couple of nights I have laying glowing paint on it.

Here is a "simulation" of what the "glowing" paint looks like. Since I could not get a camera shot I made a fake. So this is sort of what you see when the lights go out.

Frills and Googly Eyes

My Lizard painting is done!!

I adore his googly eyes, large frills and awkwardness.

So ugly that he's cute!

I've achieved all I wanted of him and I'm satisfied with my work.

Today is a good day to be an artist.

I'm naming it Frills and Googly Eyes, unless a better one comes along.

Stay Artsy,

~Sarah Bosserman

"Slice'a Lime For Ya?"

Summer's just around the corner and that gets me to thinking about spritz, vodka, lime.

acrylic on cheap acrylic paper

"Costco Book Shoppers"

I went into Costco with my wife today and while she shopped I found a lawn chair and table for sale near the book stacks, sat down and did a little sketching.

This is what I really enjoy, drawing people in their natural "habitats."

I posted it on at the "509 Urban Sketchers and Painters" site at flickr. Have a look.

ink, watercolor, Super Aquabee Sketchbook

Mini Kitty Portrait

Another instalment in the Little Critter portriats(More of them Here and Here), this time of a cat.

A while ago I received two lovely 3x3 inch frames from an aunt of mine (thank you!) and ever since I've enjoyed whipping 0ut quick animal portraits. Some are realistic, while others border on realm of cartoon. All of them act as tiny samplers/exercises in style, technique and color theory. This time I played with an almost Mod approach with the jaw line, ears and eyes. Sort of a 1960's styled kitty. She (or he, I haven't decided yet..) has more work to be done, but only a bit of background and eye work keep it from being hung up.

A penny demonstrates just how small the critter is.

More to come on the Imaginary Portrait and this new piece.

Stay Artsy,

~Sarah Bosserman

Great Show!

Thanks everyone who participated and attended the show and Art Walk last night!  Maybe someone will post some images the took?
Thank you Chell Design for hosting us and creating a beautiful show!  The show will be up for the month.   Best way to see it is to sign up for class on site!  http://chelldesign.com/

Details for Art-a-Day show

Chell Design,

11 S Benton St, Suite A,

Kennewick, WA 99336

509.554.8894

michelle@chelldesign.com

Thank you for joining us in making art!  Thank you for joining in making a show!

Deliver your work: to Chell Design, Tuesday, March 1st, 4 – 8pm.  Have it hanger-ready. Call if you need other arrangements

Make information cards for your work: include your name, price (or NFS), name of piece, materials and anything else that feels appropriate. Business card size or larger,

Include an inventory: of all items including name of piece, price, your name and contact information.

Leave your work up all month if you’d like!  Chell Design does not currently have regular business hours but there will be classes every Saturday and other activities during the month. 

No Commission:  Michelle is generously not collecting any commission on sales (except to cover credit card fees if any). 

Invite! your friends, family, teachers, co-workers, massage therapists, church folk, business associates, and everyone else you can think of.   Fun for all and supports our wonderful  host, Chell Design.

 

Nearly Finished!

Tah-Dah!!!
It's finally all coming together, and with one day before it hangs in the gallery!!
This morning I blasted my Mumford and Sons Pandora radio and painted while poorly singing and dancing along to that crazy banjo music! Haha, I'm keeping it eclectic at the Bosserman household, and hey, whatever helps the job go faster. Whistle while you work!

(Please excuse the creepy Mel Gibson looking on..)

More work needs to be done, but now I believe it will be finished on time!
If you'd like to be at the Art Walk Gallery show, here's the address,

3rd Annual Art-a-Day Show!

Thursday, March 3rd,5 – 9pm

First Thursday Art Walk in Historic Downtown Kennewick

at

Chell Design,11 S Benton St, Suite A,Kennewick, WA 99336

I hope to see you,

Stay Artsy,

~Sarah Bosserman

"Something" Ella

Here is something I have been working on off and on for a year or 2. Can't come up with a name.. Morganella, Broomella......... Whose Wine What Wine Ella

This is a strange coincidence. I went out with the 509 Sketchers a few weeks back and did the Clover Island Lighthouse, top picture was my drawing that morning. Then I set up a design that is going to made into a pin and he wanted the Lighthouse on it. With the Cable Bridge behind it. So I did just a vector drawing in Corel Draw. Just straight on, I didn't make it 3d or rounded. Figuring it's going on a pin less than 3/4 inch high. The thing is , I lost the photographs I took that day on my desktop computer that crashed that weekend. So I got out my sketch pad, found that drawing and then made a computer one. Neat coincidence. :)

Ashby has Blog now

I am not much of a grandstander, but I created my own blog. It is here:
Ashnmyst Blog
http://ashnmyst.blogspot.com/

Like everything else I do online... it's a slow building process

Blogging group featured on the Art Walk flier for March 2011

Our blogging group is fortunate to be featured on the upcoming Art Walk flier (click the image for a larger printable map/flier). Though we would have loved to feature all the artists who participated, we only had space for 5 images. Please plan to attend and bring your friends. Make sure you deliver your artwork to Chell Design for the show... #8 on the flier, located at 11 S Benton St, Suite A. See Bobi's previous post for more information regarding the show. I'm planning to leave my own blog items at my studio for the evening, so you'll have to travel a bit a few blocks to see them. I'm #1 on the list and located at 17 N Auburn St. See you at Art Walk!

A New Project!

I'm diving into a whole new art project. It's called Art Journaling, and because I'm feeling to lazy to copy and paste my whole story onto Art-A-Day, you can read about it Here.

haha, next time I'll write more! I promise!

Stay Artsy,

~Sarah Bosserman

Perspective With Floss

Yes, I'm tweaking the Green House painting again.
I wanted to do correct perspective, so, naturally I used floss to map out the lines. Floss. Yes, I used floss. I couldn't find my chalk sticks and it was the closest thing at hand.
I don't know how my dentist would feel about this, but hey, it worked!

Stay Artsy,

~Sarah Bosserman

Wild Thing, Finished

The Wild Thing is finished! ..my cold, not so much.
This was so much fun to make! Color, pattern and pure uninhibited imagination!
Is it part cow? dog? goat? Lion? duck..?
I'll let you decide what exactly he is.. but his name is Arty, or Arthur.

I used sharpie, and water color pencils

Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman

The Wild Thing

Oh, dear
I'm sick again. Theraflu, cough-drops and humidifiers surround me as I write.
All I get motivate myself to do was grab a handful of sharpies and sketch pad.
Here's what came out.. my own version of a "Wild Thing".

More to come on the Green House painting when I get better, but while I'm taking it
easy this little monster will occupy my art time.
Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman

Green House Progress and a Bit of Alice

I got so much work done on my Green House painting today.
With my music blasting and pallet in hand I hashed out the beginning layers of the sky. Later I'll add more blue low lights and orange-ish highlights to give the rolling space clouds more definition. After I finish the sky I can move on to the metal casing of the green houses and the tree silhouettes.

After working on my painting and with my students, I came home to a surprise Valentines Day package from my sweet Aunt Kristina. Inside I found Dove Chocolates (Does she know me or what?) and an Alice in Wonderland Liv Doll! I was so happy to get a doll, I haven't received one since age 8, and after all.. are you truly ever to old to have one? I plan to keep it on my shelf next to my copies of Alice in Wonderland. For years I have loved the classic story. So full of rich description and imagination, I collect old editions and modern ones for the beautiful illustrations. Lewis Carroll's tale has been a huge source of inspiration for my art. You can see some of my "Alice" inspired art here and here.

She's beautiful!!
Thanks Aunt Kristina!!
Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman

Happy Valentines Day!

Image created by me, quote, Charles Shultz

I hope you all had a lovely Valentines Day.

I spent mine stewing over the Green House painting, and how I've got to finish it within two weeks because there is a slight possibility of it hanging in a gallery for First Thursday. I'm crossing my fingers and using every iota of spare time to get it finished! One of the things I deal with a lot as a painter is trying to long and hard to make the painting be just like the one in my head. It's not like I'll think poorly of myself if it doesn't come out perfect, but I will go on for months until it does come out right. I have trouble letting good enough be good enough!

Anyways, here's a little peek at the work I put into the "beast" today.

Unfortunately, much of my work is lost in the pixelation of photography.

Yikes, this has been a bit of a downer post.. I think that box of truffles, and chocolate chia
that came in the mail via Grandma (how I love you so) is calling me... Lucy knew what she was talking about.
Ah, the ups-and-downs of a painter!

Stay Artsy, and Happy Valentines Day,
~Sarah Bosserman

Ivy and Cat Naps

Today was so lovely out! A warm 60 degrees and clear skies!
The whole of my town was out enjoying the break from winter weather.
In fact my family was so thrilled, we grabbed a tiny TV and spent the day watching European soccer matches and sunbathing on our back deck. At one point I actually fell asleep in the warm sunshine. hmmm.. it was a break we all needed.
Taken with the taste of coming spring I began to work on this sharpie drawing of Ivy.
I so enjoyed feeling out the organic leaflets, curves and sprouts!

Tonight as I watch the Grammys I plan to fill up the whole page. I'm starting to think small objects caught up in the web of vines would be interesting. Tea cups, keys, feathers, small bugs.. etc. It feels so good to just jump right in with little forethought on the whole picture. This Monday I plan to re-focus on my attention on the Green House Painting. That blasted huge monster! As with every big piece I create it's a joy and a pain to paint. Hopefully the end result will pay off. until then,
Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman

Crazy Cactus

In the art classes I co-teach, the project for our kindergartners is "Crazy Cactuses".
We're teaching the kids about line, pattern and color. To make it fun my boss decided to have them apply these elements to cactuses. Of course the students are having a marvelous time exaggerating this botanical specimen to the limits. Some of them are hardly recognizable, but all the better for the bursts of color and random pattern!
I was so inspired by my students that I couldn't help but try my hand at the project!
Here is my "Crazy Cactus"!

My cactus before the water is added

The first step is to draw the body and branches outline with black sharpie. Then, add loads of pattern with colored sharpies. Next, color over the patterns with watercolor pencils. Later, add water with a paintbrush and presto! A Crazy Cactus to grace your fridge or mantel!

After the watercolor pencils have been activated

Next week the students (and I) will add the stickers/pokers with cutout colored construction paper. Like a few of my students, I added wolfish grin. After all, cactuses aren't exactly cuddly are they?

Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman