Little Changes...

There's a melancholy glow in the air this time of year.  A necessary sadness between Summer and Fall, I suppose.  This shift often brings change to my life.  Over the years, many of the biggest changes in my life have taken place at that point between Summer and Fall, when the red-heat turns yellowy and the sky blue is clear and charged.  

Honestly, I'm hopeful that this season will not bring any big changes...tiny changes are good enough for me, at least for the time being.  

Looking back over the Summer, and especially the last few weeks, I can see the small changes.  Good things that are appreciated and treasured....adventures and new opportunities.

Through the entire Summer, I have been creating a body of work for a group show at The Riverside Arts Project.  The show will include not only my work, but the work of 3 other fantastic, local artists...

The show runs from September 6 ~ November 2, with the opening reception taking place on Friday September 9th.

All season, the show seemed like a distant dream, something that was so far away and truly out of reach.  Now, with the show just around the corner, I am still busy creating and framing.  This is not only a fabulous opportunity, but marks a little change as well.  This show is taking me to a local level . I'm happy about that.  It's important to bring art to the local community and I'm proud to be included in this group of artists.

During the last few weeks, there have been little changes all about.  Junior decided to go for a new look and has acquired quite a fancy mohawk, thanks to his groomer, Londa.  She dyed his mohawk doggy-purple and used him in a photo shoot.  Unfortunately, by the time Junior arrived home, he was very hyper and his new do was lacking.  

One of the wee changes that I have enjoyed recently is working in an art journal.  When I was in high school, I carried an art journal with me everywhere I went.  I doodled, drew and wrote poetry and always made sure to carry it in my bag.  I truly adore what I do, but my watercolor/collage keeps me chained to a chair and hunched over a desk with my nose about an inch above my work.  There's a freedom with my journal and I'm loving that...

I daydream that this little structure is my studio and I can sit quietly in a cushy chair just doodling in my journal...

Before I started working on so many new pieces for the "Connecting Spaces" show, I decided I should start fresh and I cleaned my little desk...sorted through hundreds of tiny heads and hands and all sorts of animaly paper snippets.  I dusted and stacked and made everything within easy reach.  Isn't it lovely?  Unfortunately it looked like this for approximately 17 minutes!  But, it was a good change while it lasted!

During all the busy studio days, I managed to take a bit of time out to journey to Hollywood to have my "Dancing Fiona" tattoo finished.  I told you that already!  But, I have a few photos that I'd like to share, as they are just fun, fun, fun.  Plus....it's always good to have a look at Dan Smith.  He's such a sweetheart...

Here we are talking about the composition of the new addition...

I'm just sharing this photo with you simply because it's so darn cute...

I love these next two photos because they really give you a good idea of the outlining process and that little bit of swelling that takes place...

Visiting High Voltage Tattoo is always a fabulous journey.  Honestly, the folks that work there are so kind and extremely patient.  There are people in and out of that shop in a constant flow.  Mostly just looking and hoping to catch a glimpse of someone they might recognize from the show L.A. Ink.  They are always so sweet about taking photos with the customers.  Greg Siebel (one of the shop managers) is such a nice guy and he's always willing to stop for a photo.  This is Greg with my daughter..

(Thanks to Rochelle Rosenkild for all the fantastic High Voltage photos).

As always, the journey to High Voltage came to an end and it was back to work, as usual.  But...it's great to have the photos (and the new addition of Sweet Peas to my tattoo).  I'm more than fairly sure I'll be journeying back to HVT again!

So....looking back over the last few weeks, I see some small changes, opportunities and fun times.  Through it all, little by little, day by day....the air is changing.  Soon, the leaves will be changing as well.  I appreciate all these little changes and happenings, even through the oncoming melancholy that the changing season will bring.  I can smell the change in the air. And....you know, melancholy isn't always bad.  It's a sort of sadness but not a grief or painful sadness...just a little tickle on the heart.  I'm okay with that.

Now, I am off to the studio.  I will continue to create new pieces until I run out of time, I reckon!  Would you like to see my two newest pieces?  

This piece is called "Guardians of the Questionable Motive" and can be found in print form in my Zibbet shop.

(Basically...the two little boys sitting on the steps are up to no good. The "guardians" (in the background) are there to make sure that the wee boys carry out their dastardly plan).

This piece is entitled "The Haunting of La Llorona" and it can also be found in print form in my Zibbet shop ~

Of all the little pieces I have created over the years....this one may be my favorite.  It is darker than usual and not whimsical at all.  I love the legend of La Llorona and it's quite prevalent throughout this region.  I also adore the fact that the "weeping woman" is my daughter.  She is a fantastic model and always knows exactly what I need.  I hope you like this new piece as well, as it is a bit darker than my usual odd and whimsical art.

If you are interested in either of these pieces in print form and you don't have a zibbet account, just give me a holler.

Okay, I'm off.  Off to work I go.  

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World