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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

New Paintings and Road Trip


Another cold wax painting to add to my growing collection. I learn a bit more from each one and see how they relate to the work I have done in the past. Not the far past (I'll get to that) but the past couple of decades since my work has been celebratory and nervous.


This is a close up. I am not a fast worker. I ponder and pick and change and think about what I'm doing. Of course I'm not satisfied. If I'm ever satisfied I suppose I'll be able to stop and I can't imagine that.


I made a new journal as part of a plaster project and this is the back. It is not plaster; only gesso, acrylic and a bit of textile. My daughters in the photo. 


My latest routine is to paint a spread in my journal each day before I start painting for real. Just a warm up that I can paint over, write over, whatever. An opportunity to play.


And look what I found up in the back of the barn. This is oil - a self portrait that I painted around 1972. Ack. It's weird. But there you go.

Road trip. Company coming. Tomorrow. Packing now, reporting later. xo

19 comments:

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

I love these Judy, there is a simple complexity to them that just draws me. I can't wait to learn more when your book gets released here in Canada!
What a beautiful self-portrait I can't even imagine being able to paint so realistically.
I identify with that slow, picking away towards completion, it is a joyous struggle which happens to be the name of my current abstract :-)

Jill said...

I haven't the confidence to paint in the abstract, I have tried many times, but just haven't been able to let go - I love yours and as Bren says it is the simple complexity that attracts. So moving to look at the self portrai, '72 seems a life time ago, and I suppose to those in their 30's it is!!

Donna Heart said...

Oh my Judy! Thsoe first two pieces are my favourites of your latest works! The colours are different... They speak of a skip in your heart, they're spontaneous and sure - wonderful! Would they be for sale by chance?
Lovely inspiration, as always ;) X Donna

Susana Tavares said...

Love your art Judy, and such a wonderful idea, to play before painting for real :)

Laura Twiford said...

Beautiful self portrait and I immediately see the resemblance to your daughter, it could have been her that you painted!

rhomany said...

I love when you can see your own pictures in abstracts. The top one looks like flowers and grass on top of a sand dune with seagulls flying in the background.

Stephanie Lee said...

That painting is wonderful! It reminds me of a party. Not a drunken party of idiots...more like a party with geniuses and poets who finally let their hair down and dance in the orchards by the light of tiny orange and turquoise lanterns. I want to be at that party! Maybe I'll host one this weekend.

And that self portrait...so beautiful. I see you there.

Deb's Artful Journey said...

I love your cold wax paintings! They give me this indescribable feeling. I cant put it in words. Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring me!

femminismo said...

It's funny what we consider "weird" today. The painting looks very realistic and shows you in a different stage of work. New and fresh ... and it looks like, a little hesitant. In a good way! - Love

Lynn Cohen said...

They are just growing as you are in this new endeavor/route/avenue/path...
they are so gallery worthy!!!
And the self portrait...1972...you/we were so young...the year I divorced my husband; the year my father died...yes, a lifetime ago.
What an amazing painting Judy...do not put it down in any way, it is wonderfully done and I bet captures more of you then than you realize. That you you were then. Happy road trip!

Sarah said...

It is interesting to see things done in the past. When I do it is strange-I remember but it is a bit like a different person did them. I have a self portrait from whe I was in the sixth form-I want to look it out now!

lynda Howells said...

love all this work that is flowing from you Judy. Your daughters look beautiful and your self portrait is wonderful. Can't wait until your plaster book arrives here and plopps on to my door matxxx I love that we continue to grow..if we let ourselves no matter what are age is or how scared we maybe to let go and see what happens. You just keep getting better Judyx lynda

Jennifer White said...

Oh dear GOD I LOVE the first piece!!!!!!! You're an encaustic genius... we talked about you this past weekend at Valley Ridge with MB... all good stuff, Judy... xo

Healing Woman said...

Sooooo..you not only are good at abstracts but you excel at realism! The portrait is absolutely lovely.

nancy neva gagliano said...

love that cold wax painting....and will google to find out more about that process.
enjoy the 'road trip'===two of my favorite words when used together!

Caterina Giglio said...

love your journal spreads and I have been using my journal in a similar way... the self portrait is awesome, and I only wish I had kept work that I had done in 1972! bravo...

Mary C. Nasser said...

Wow! Love the first two pieces especially, Judy!

Saw Mary Beth Shaw's book on your sidebar, too! I am a big fan of her and exhibit with her at Wood Icing.

So glad I found you through the miz kate dot com Artist blog hop!
I am your newest blog follower. :)
Looking forward to seeing your upcoming posts!

I welcome you to check out my art blog, too!

Have a super road trip!!
Best,
Mary C. Nasser
http://www.marycnasser.com/blog.html

Unknown said...

I am loving these new paintings Judy...maybe when you're done with the plaster class you'll open your etsy shop again??? :)
Beautiful self portrait, I definitely see you in it. Sending love to you sweet sister!
♥Jenny

ps: just ordered my copy of your book!!! Next time we get together I hope you can autograph it for me. :)

Anonymous said...

Such a freedom is ringing through your creative spirit! xox Corrine