Trying to get satisfaction…

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

This tangled twig drawing on paper evokes a nest of snakes … and it is getting more interesting. At first it was soft, delicate and irritatingly bland…

Tangled Twigs VI, maybe finished

Tangled Twigs VI, maybe finished

I worked on it but my efforts to add & improve were failing, so I set it aside. Returning to it now, I am bolder with changes. The large ghost leaf/nest is a new major addition, and it has more contrast, and more but less vivid color.

Curly Twig Tangle VI draft 4

Curly Twig Tangle VI, early draft

I don’t love it, and wish I had chosen different colors, but it does work better. The lower image is a scan of an early draft before the recent work.

Unfortunately the muted purple Prismacolor pencil I used is one that bleeds vivid magenta with spray fixative! It took a lot of work to mute that ghastly effect. I need to test my colors for this problem: it seems several purple shades do this, and there may be a few other colors that separate and bleed!

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Thinking about a show…

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

Thinking about work for a show, and I find all of these works were completed Aug 2012 – Jan 2013. So I seem to be fairly productive in my new studio!

Finished work completed in the past six months!

Finished work completed in the past six months!

The images are not to scale: sizes vary from one 9″x12″, several in between size, and the largest is 24″x18″.

This is not everything. I completed a few smaller drawings, my 2013 Sketchbook for Arthouse Coop, an altered book, and even a relief print I rather like.

I may have some the above work on exhibit at 1012 Coffee Bar in July.

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An Altered Book: Game of Stones, No Rules

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by
Altered Book: Game of Stones

Altered Book: Game of Stones

I completed this project last month: an altered book that I like!

I took an altered book workshop some time ago, and made a few attempts at that time, but did not like the results. I gave up on books for a few years, but books are big part of my life. I read all the time, and I used to think my dream house would certainly include a library! It would have books floor to ceiling with a rolling library ladder, and maybe even sliding panels of bookcases to provide additional shelf space.

But reality is different. My first dream house had some office space for our home business and a very nice guest room, which soon became my art room. I get rid of most books after reading them in order to have space for art. My (second) dream house features a separate spacious art studio for me, and a smaller art/office space for my husband with only a small multi-purpose guest space.We still have bookcases with reference books & books to be replaced after reading, and no library! Priorities have changed.

Altered Book: Game of Stones, open

Game of Stones: No Rules

I still want that rolling library ladder, but now I want it for access to the two storage lofts in my art studio!

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Tangled Twigs Series continued

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by
Tangled Twigs VII draft 5

Tangled Twigs VII Draft 5

I am hoping this piece will evolve to have an interesting, mysterious feel and an indetermine but believable “creature” struggling in the egg … hmmm, how likely is that to work out?

Well, I will keep working and we’ll see!

Tangled Twigs VII draft 8

Tangled Twigs VII draft 8

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Not exactly fine art, but fun…

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

I wish I still had this chair that painted while spending the winter in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. But I left it there… along with a few other items. It was fun taking art classes (sculpture at Instituto Allende, and painting a Escuala Bellas Artes). Both schools host workshops designed for english speaking visitors.

I painted this chair in Mexico, 2005

I painted this chair in Mexico, 2005

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Dipping into the past, #2: Maneki-Neko

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by
Maneki-Neko

Maneki-Neko

I made this concrete Maneki-Neko (mostly) in my first art class/workshop in many years, a few years after moving to Port Townsend in 1998. I think the finish painting happened at home after the class.The photo was taken in the back yard of my first home in Port Townsend, but that is a neighbor’s house in the background.

I was inspired by a Seattle Art Museum exhibit poster showing a lovely old Maneki-Neko statue. I am less fond of the ubiquitous commercially made figurines that most of us associate with the term. My Maneki-Neko has aged gracefully, and sits near my studio.

The maneki-neko (Japanese: literally ‘beckoning cat’) is a common Japanese figurine, usually made of ceramic in modern times, which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed—many times at the entrance—in shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, or fortune cat in English.

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Trying to enhance my image :-)

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by
I made a Man!

I made a Man! (2005)

Yes, I know that I am an artist, and by now friends and family know that too!

Does anyone else know? A few other Port Townsend area residents have seen my work and may remember my name. I do enter and show in local juried shows. And in July I will have a show at my favorite coffee shop.

But I would like to sell some of my artwork that is now crowding my walls, stashed in flat files, or piling up in untidy heaps in the corners… And it would be nice if someone enjoys reading my rambling blog occasionally. Very nice, in fact!

One thing I have been spending quite a bit of time on: registering and uploading images of my work to various free online art sales sites. I have had work at Saatchi Online for at least a year, but no sales, and no nibbles, there. Now I am also registered & uploading images (mostly different work!) at The Art Key, ARTFLAKES, and more…

ARTFLAKES allows you to purchase quality prints, posters or cards of the work I display there. At Saatchi Online you can order the original piece, or choose a size for a fine quality print.

The Art Key is about access & visibility. You can view and comment on my work, but not purchase anything here. The idea is networking, publicity, and to be visible to gallery owners.

 

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