Friday, December 10, 2010

STUDIO SCENES & FIREFLIES IN THE ATTIC

It is hard for me to realize that over 2 months have passed since I last posted. For those of you who continue to revisit to see what's new, thank you for coming back.

Life can throw us challenges and when it does we simply step up and do what needs to be done with love and grace, we would hope. My plate is quite filled up these days caring for my elderly mother, looking after my dog who has a crippling neurological disorder, while trying to find balance all on the verge of turning 60! Oh yeah. So the act of creating artworks and studio time is limited to say the least, though I will do what I can, when I can and post when possible.

As you see in the photo at the top, my studio work table can get a bit overloaded and crowded with various materials and elements, but somehow this seems to be the way I work best. Not too long ago I purchased a box of gouache paints to see if I wanted to go for the big tubes...They are still sitting there partially used while I am still contemplating their further use as I seem to gravitate to acrylics, so we will see where they take me, if anywhere.

Presently, I am in a group show at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery in Winslow on Bainbridge Island. The theme is The Play Of Light. With that idea, the play of light, the wheels in my head got in motion to come up with a piece that might arouse one's curiosity. Which brings us to this featured piece. As I was working through the creative motions it came to mind I might like to show the progress/process of the piece as I worked. So this 2nd photo illustrates how I lay out the parts to see how I'll construct it, what material I will use to cover it and what elements to apply. To bring light to it was a task, but I had numerous minds to help me get the right lights, wiring, battery, etc. My husband's electrician mind came to the aid, ultimately getting it all wired and powered up, while he gave me a refresher course in soldering, though he really did most of it.



Eventually this was the end result (below). At the back of the base there is a switch that turns on 5 very small, and I do mean small, lights that you can see only if you get up close and peek through the round hole near the top of the structure that lets you look into the attic. Being that the lights are so close and our eyes do not focus well at that distance, or at least in the case of my eyes, halos surround the lights simulating the look of fireflies. Hence we have FIREFLIES IN THE ATTIC.


This show run from Dec. 3rd through Jan 3rd. Stop by if you are in the area.