Prints

I'm bringing back prints to my Etsy shop! www.livefunky.etsy.com

The Evolution of the Series

Mountains - acrylic on 36" x 36" canvas.

Behold the Endless Journey - acrylic on 12" x 24" canvas.

Memories of the Bay - acrylic on 16" x 20" canvas.

There's a blend of abstract expressionism and the Bay Painters influencing me right now. Well, they always have, but they are really making themselves present in a louder way in my work. I feel like each of these paintings connects to landscapes but nothing literal, which is fun and freeing. I see elements of the sea, the countryside and mountains in each of these in different ways. It's really still all about color, composition and chemistry, but that whisper of a landscape sets me in the space in a sort of peaceful, zen way.

I look back at the history of my work and the phases of my life being expressed right along. The angst of youth, the frustration as well as the fear on a quest for answers, making sense of things. The curious exploration of self and others - it's all there, documented in my drawings and paintings. Now I really feel like I am in such a good place in my life. I've resolved certain issues and I'm still working on others, but I'm more confident and centered than ever. It feels GOOD to be centered. I think I used to worry that if/when I achieved any sort of balance in my life that my paintings would become boring, uninspired. Not at all! I'm more focused and the connection is deeper, more meaningful. I've got a lot of life yet to live and it will be interesting how my work evolves on this journey. Right now I feel connected to the brilliance of life and the quiet truths of the soul - I hope that this carries through in these paintings.

www.livefunky.etsy.com

First two paintings of the new series

These are the first two finished paintings in my new series.

I've Been Here Before - acrylic on 20" x 20" canvas

Through the Blue - acrylic on 16" x 20" canvas

Both of these paintings are available in my Etsy shop. www.livefunky.etsy.com

Rainy Day

Here's a picture of a Rose of Sharon blossom in our yard. A rainy day today meant I was painting, but there wasn't good enough light to document any of it. A few canvases are getting closer to complete. I'm really loving paint right now... Good times.

FIVE FAB ETSY FINDS on Look See Saw

Check out my other blog, Look See Saw for a new series of posts called Five Fab Etsy Finds (simply put, the Five Fab). I am sharing this handful of what I consider the best of a specific theme. Limiting myself to only five items has been a challenge, but that's what I think will keep my posts really unique - each theme MUST be specific or else I'd have a really hard time wading through hundreds of listings trying to find my five favorite necklaces, for example. If you have a suggestion for me, please leave them in your comment - thank you!

Below are examples of each of my posts.


THEME 1: AMBER RINGS
Amber Dark Ring by sisicata

THEME 2: UPCYCLED SUITCASES

The Sophisticate Traincase - a go go... by SamariaProject

Next up... Pincushions!

Have an idea for a theme? Leave your suggestion as a comment!

Featured Ahtist!

I am this weeks featured "ahtist" on www.Ahtspot.com - a website for Artists of New Englad (hence the "ahtist" part, gotta love our New England accent!).

Back to Business

brushes, originally uploaded by livefunky.

I have been having a blast painting the last two days. I'm working big again and really exploring expressive gestures, dripping paint, working fast and loose. I love it! I don't want to post anything until it's really finished. I tried to make a video while I was working and I totally screwed this great painting up. I can't work with anyone's eyes on me, and I guess that goes for a digital camera as well.

I hope to post a few finished pieces in the coming days.

The Great Shift

Original acrylic and oil pastel on 12" x 12" gallery wrapped box canvas. Available at www.livefunky.etsy.com

I don't know what other people will think of these really raw new paintings, but I'm digging them. I just wanted to do something different, something truly outside the box. Every instinct I've got to make certain compositions or marks are being washed over and broken. I'm not sure where this journey is taking me, but it's fun!

I'm wondering what sort of products I could offer for Christmas. I've never done much to change my shop during the holidays, except for one time when I made some handpainted gift tags. Greeting cards maybe? Or keepsake boxes? Or should I just let the other thousands of sellers offer things for Christmas and stick to what I do best - abstract paintings. I'm undecided at this point. Thoughts?

Two new paintings

View From Above - Acrylic and oil pastel on 12 x 12 box canvas.

Over Yonder - Acrylic and oil pastel on 12 x 12 canvas panel.

I'm enjoying working really free - fast and loose. There's a bit of a landscape quality to these two paintings. The first piece is titled View From Above because it reminded me of looking down on the California coast from a plane. Both pieces are now available at www.livefunky.etsy.com.