The Blue Door Studio

2011-01-13T21:24:00.000-05:00

THE BRUSHES

THE STUDIO PREVIEW: The first post of 2011...

THE PAINTS - messy messy

A THERMOSTAT!

Yes! GUITAR OUTLET

I can SEE my KITCHEN!
(Adam waves at me sometimes through the window)

I am glad to be back in action after a very distracted and disorganized time while finishing and moving the studio. I already have a few new pieces for 2011 - hopefully they will end up at Artists at Work in the next week or two. This is a true blessing for both finances and time with my husband. I'm so thankful for the friends and family who spent countless hours helping me get this studio equipped for countless hours of art-making.

Sheep!

2010-09-23T20:02:00.001-04:00

That's it. It's really a sheep.

Bradley Mongold shot it dead.

I painted it.

Experimenting with new subjects is fun so far.

RCCAC Gala

2010-08-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

Here is a little preview of the two pieces I have in the Juried Gala Show. They will be on display at the Randolph County Community Arts Center in September. Unfortunately, I will not be at the Gala, but I look forward to hearing about who else was juried in and who gets awards. It is always a great party and an exciting time for area artists to earn a little extra cash with prize and purchase awards.

Brooksville Dusk
Oil on Canvas

Old Crow
Oil on Canvas

The Brooksville piece was created after a visit to Maine last year and depicts the home of a friend's nephew in the middle of a huge blueberry field. It was one of my favorite photos from the trip.

The Old Crow is a black and white I have been itching to paint for YEARS so, I did. This old dead crow was hanging on the garden fence at the Burky Family Farm between Helvetia and Pickens. I suppose it is a great way to ward off live crows.

A Quarter

2010-07-28T19:16:00.000-04:00

Who likes to find a parking ticket on your car after a long day? Not me. I had the opportunity today to save someone from one of those. As I was walking downtown I saw the meter man turn the knob on an empty meter (just to double check that the money did not get stuck) and then begin the ticketing process. For some reason I asked, "Sir, can I put a quarter in for them?" and he let me, voided the ticket, and went on his way. I only had a dime and a nickel in my bag, but that filled the meter. I went on with my errands and forgot about the whole incident. Later in the day, I was walking on a pebbled sidewalk, talking to Adam on the phone, and rummaging in my bag when something shined up at me- a quarter. "Lucky day" I told Adam, "I just found a quarter" and then I remembered: I put change in the meter for someone today. Wow. That was not luck- I would have NEVER seen that with how distracted I was if the light hadn't reflected exactly right. In the busyness of life today, God was sending me a message. Yes, it was just a quarter, but with it came the reminder that it is always a blessing to do good things (big or small) for people and yes, God will reward you in one way or another for kindness and Christ-like actions.

Barns

2010-07-28T18:42:00.000-04:00

I recently got the opportunity to make a monotype for a local farm family of their old red barn. It is so neat to be surrounded by interesting structures like this one. The fence and corral area were a bit tricky to pull off, but are such a huge part of the process and production of this sheep farm. I have a few more barn images in my "inbox" of paintings to do and hope to get to those as soon as possible especially since a few of them are not used and are definitely not in the great shape this family barn is in. There was an Smithsonian exhibit that traveled through Elkins a few years ago called Barn Again! - barns were and still are important. If you have not been to a barn dance- you should put that on your list. I think that is one of the special things about having family roots in Helvetia- I got to participate in and experience things that are definitely not main-stream but give you a window into the past and how creative people were about coming up with ways to entertain within their livelihood.

SHARK!!

2010-06-14T11:43:00.000-04:00

EEEEK! Cardboard Shark!! Once school is out, I get to work on Vacation Bible School props (this was a pretty enjoyable project). I think the kids will have fun getting their pictures taken inside a shark's mouth for our "Deep Sea Adventure" this week....or they'll be scared by all of those teeth and pee their pants- who knows?

Studio

2010-06-07T22:30:00.002-04:00

Painted! Yes!

Sketches at Dolly Sods

2010-06-05T20:13:00.000-04:00

Here are two little watercolor sketches I did today while Adam ran around Dolly Sods. The top painting is of the view from the South Prong Trail-head and the second is from the road looking at Bear Rocks. I am trying to practice with a new little portable watercolor palette so I can at least make some sort of art work or "artwork" on the AT next May. That darn water just sometimes doesn't do what I want it to do- I need to train it a little better! I enjoyed being able to do plein-aire sketches more easily though (oils are SO messy and delicate) while crewing Adam. I think this little portable set will work pretty well for the trip (maybe not the most glorious paintings I'll ever make, but it will tide me over for a few months away from my studio). Enjoy!

Drywall: check

2010-05-28T09:49:00.000-04:00

Slowly but surely. Drywall is finished. Now for lighting and outlets.

I think some packing is in order soon. The fun part will be getting two wooden tables up here and then organizing allll of my mess of supplies. I can hardly wait.

RCCAC monotype

2010-05-20T18:49:00.002-04:00

This 4x6 monotype was made as a donation for the Randolph County Community Arts Center's mortgage burning party. It depicts the steeple of the former St. Brendan's Catholic Church building which is now the home of the Arts Center. The original monotype was given as a gift to one of the many many people who helped make the completion of the mortgage payments possible. We are so fortunate to have such a great Arts Center right here in Elkins. The staff and volunteers are top-notch and the programming and educational opportunities (both in the facility and in Randolph County schools) are such a great addition to the community. I'm glad I could contribute this way. This is one of the many reasons why I do what I do.

AT Sketches in Georgia

2010-05-20T18:42:00.001-04:00

Here are two little sketches I did while Adam and I were on the AT in Georgia with David Horton and lots of great friends in March. Notecard-worthy maybe.

Park Avenue Studio

2010-04-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

My home studio is coming right along. The new HUGE and wonderful window was put in on Wednesday. It won't get much morning light from the north, but I'm not a morning person so that is okay. The warm evening light will be perfect for me!! I am so pleased with how much this opened up my studio space. It makes me much more excited to finish this project and move in. I will be so glad to be at home painting whenever I please. I am lucky to have so many who care enough about me and my work to help make this happen.

Drywall, fixtures, HEAT, and a coat of paint...a studio party is soon to come!

Benchmark Drawings

2010-02-25T14:55:00.002-05:00

Here is a benchmark drawing from one of my Kindergarten students in Mill Creek. I just found it today going through things for a student exhibit next week at the Randolph County Community Arts Center and thought it was so hilarious! I don't know what in the world this kid thinks deer do- but that definitely looks like poo to me. Enjoy!

The Little Seneca Creek Painting

2010-02-19T22:37:00.002-05:00

Here is "Little Seneca Creek"! This was a fun oil painting- start to finish. I had been on an adventure with Adam this fall along Seneca Creek and took some neat photos- especially this one of a little stream that flowed into Seneca Creek. I usually don't start a painting with a single-color underpainting, but for some reason I tried it with orange since it was a colorful scene and I think it really made it "glow". Even though I covered up a lot of the orange (even the orange seen in the leaves is different from the initial orange underpainting), it still seems to seep up to the top and warm up the water/grass/trees. It is just so neat- I'm sure to try that technique again soon. Adam and his friend, Dan are planning a three day stage run in October that starts at The Mountain Institute on Spruce Knob and runs past this spot on one of the three days. The WV Trilogy should be a really beautiful weekend of running!

2010-01-03T21:46:00.001-05:00

Here is an oil painting of my Great-grandma Alma feeding chickens on the Burky family farm in Helvetia. It took me quite a while to work from a black and white photo to add my own colors and embellishments, but I am finally happy with it. I displayed this during my recent solo show at the Randolph County Community Arts Center in October and November. I am interested in doing more paintings like this and have found several old photos that just suit my style lately. The next image to get started on is one of my Great-great grandparents (Wilmoths) on my Kramer family side sitting in front of a corn field.

2009-11-15T19:42:00.000-05:00

This little jewel is now somewhere in the White House- yes, in D.C. This was commissioned as a gift for Michelle Obama during the presentation of a National Youth Program Award given to The Old Brick Playhouse for their apprentice program. The image is a hand-embellished oil monotype of the Lehmann family's shed on their farm in Helvetia. It truly feels like West Virginia to me. Serene. Simple. Beautiful. I am so pleased with our young theatre program and with the opportunity to have some big recognition in our little town.

2009-11-15T19:17:00.000-05:00

These three images are from my current solo exhibit in the Randolph County Community Arts Center. The first image is an oil monotype called "Uncle Eddie" and was made from a slide image found in an old box of my great uncle's belongings. The second image is still life study in oil on canvas of a group of tomatoes from our garden this summer. The last image is an oil monotype of the old Shoemaker's Shop in Helvetia. The exhibit will be up at the Arts Center until Nov.25th. The Arts Center will receive a large portion of the sales of any work in the exhibit - so please go take a look and consider a significant gift for yourself, your friends, or your family to benefit a great Elkins non-profit.

2009-10-15T10:36:00.001-04:00

I will have a new Solo Exhibit opening at the Randolph County Community Arts Center. The reception will be held on Friday, October 23, 2009 from 5-7pm in the Maxwell Gallery. My new work is part of a collection called "Taking Time" and consists of oil monotype prints and oil paintings.

2009-09-18T22:08:00.000-04:00

Square-format oil on canvas. I was not too keen on the square canvas at first, but it is really neat to showcase specific objects this way. I sold this within the first few weeks it was at Artists at Work Gallery. I am working on a few more object studies and will probably continue with the square-format canvases even though they go mostly against what aesthetics say. They're cool! This picture does no justice to the fruit- it looks more juicy in person. I'll have to do another one.

2009-09-18T21:59:00.000-04:00

Here are two oil on canvas; I just finished them and sent them to their homes. The first image is of my friend, Katie and her new baby Oscar. I am in need of more practice with people and skin but this isn't a terrible attempt. The second image is the beginning of the Highlands Sky 40 mile trail run that is put on in Canaan Valley, West Virginia. It was said that they all "look like they are peeing"-(let me repeat: I need more practice with people) so take it as you wish- but they are really just standing around waiting to start running with their little fuel belts and backpacks on in the foggy morning. Enjoy!

2009-08-17T23:11:00.000-04:00

This is a large oil monotype that has been hand embellished to make the windows look deep and dark and the sky look smooth and blue. This is an old hotel in Cooke City, MT. I took this picture on my honeymoon last year and finally got around to doing a print (there are LOTS of images that I've been meaning to do- I'll get around to them soon). I just took this to the framer today and I think it will be a great new work down at Artists at Work. I'm excited!

2009-08-17T23:09:00.000-04:00

Here is a little study of Camp Pioneer (again 2x3") that I've matted and framed. It's a terrible photo of the image, but you get the idea. I like these nice double-thick matts, they look a little more classy than the "one-ply".

2009-08-17T23:01:00.000-04:00

Here is another little 2x3" study (it has already sold at AAW though). It's of little dresses hanging on a clothesline- how cute. It was hard to get those little hangers in there so I added some ink drawing on top of the monotype.

2009-08-17T22:55:00.000-04:00

Here is a little 2x3" oil monotype study of squash blooms from the garden at home. I have been getting into these little studies lately as they are fairly quick and fun to print and experiment with new images and colors on a small scale. They are also easy to pack in a suitcase or set on a little table or shelf for those tourists and customers at my gallery in Elkins- (bonus).

2009-06-29T23:12:00.000-04:00

Here are two new images. I have been working on some 2"x3" oil monotypes lately to put in the gallery at Artists at Work. I am one of the featured artists this month and am hoping to be able to keep my space well stocked. I think these little studies are the answer for now. I'm working on some more note cards and such as well, but I like these little prints. The first image is of "Split Hickory" my Burky family's wagon from the early 1900's that is still alive today. I'm working on some pieces for our upcoming reunion as well and this just fit right in. The second image is a study of an old dilapidated hotel in Cooke City, Montana that was calling out to be painted as my husband and I were honeymooning last year. These are both great framed.

New works

2009-06-01T16:06:00.001-04:00

Here are three new images.

This is an oil painting on two canvases.
I will be displaying it unframed with a separation in the middle.
It will be for sale on etsy.com and Artists at Work.

This is an oil on canvas that I framed myself with a recycled frame. I will be putting this one in my home. My husband loves the indian paintbrush flower from out west and all of his fishing trips. It is nice to sell work, but it is nice to decorate your own home, too. I forget sometimes to show off my work in my house for guests and relatives. It is important, too.

This image is an oil monotype that I made for a friend for her home. It is not for sale, but I have reproduced this image several times and it has been a more popular image for me. I am hoping to get into more snow/winter scenes as I finish up some more images from out west.

New work on etsy.com

2009-05-22T09:13:00.000-04:00

I just posted the above images to my etsy.com site (search thebluedoorstudio).

The first image is an original oil painting on canvas of the Massanutten Story Book Trail in Virginia where I could see a prescribed burn happening as my husband was running on the trails along Gap Creek (that exact area). A bit scary- but I obviously kept myself occupied with my second plein aire painting. The canvas is a 2" deep stretcher and is finished with black paint along the edges to give a more modern look and avoid a frame.

The second image is an original oil monotype of Cacapon State Forest that has been hand embellished. I started that piece last year and finally hand-embellished it and have it framed under glass with a white matte and a black frame- very sweet (if I do say so myself). I almost threw it out, but finally worked through my "art block" to make a nice little piece.

The last image is a digital photo of a native WV Trout that my husband caught and I happened to get a great image of it. Native fish are small but so beautiful; this one is in the Canaan Valley area. This image is printed in my own studio on photo paper using an inkjet printer and is available in 4x6 and 5x7 print size with matte board and archival backing.

Art and Craft Guild Award

2009-05-12T22:04:00.001-04:00

Here are some photos from the West Virginia Art and Craft Guild's traveling show. It has just ended and I'll be picking up the two pieces pictured in Parkersburg soon! It was a great show. The first image is of me getting an award for "Goff Carriage House".

THE FISH

2009-03-28T10:04:00.000-04:00

Oh goodness- the fish. I just finished up this piece last week. I started this piece after a family reunion where one of my 150 cousins, Trevor and his brother Blaine caught these huge slimy beautiful fish in the "Bluehole" - as we call it. It had been on a board for almost a year and I decided to take some time and hand-embellish the monotype. I think I embellished / painted on top more than I usually do, BUT I got a great dry brush effect on the top layers for the highlights. I really am happy with the way it turned out and even took it to the framer...it will also be in my gallery space at Artists at Work next week. So exciting!

2009-03-28T09:59:00.000-04:00

Here are three GELATIN Monoprints...monoprints are a little different than monotypes. I have enjoyed learning this process. These were not printed on archival paper because I was experimenting but I am happy with the results and look forward to working with more string and ribbons to do some non-objective pieces. It is a nice way to get my brain out of realism for a moment and just throw some things on the plate. I read about this process in Rayna Gillman's "Create Your Own Hand-Printed Cloth" and used paper instead. It's a neat book about textile art and shows some different techniques that could easily be implemented on paper.

2009-03-28T09:54:00.000-04:00

This is a hand embellished oil monotype of Cacapon State Park. My husband went running around these trails and I took tons of photos and made sketches and FINALLY got this print finished up last week. I can't wait to see it framed. It will be in my gallery space at Artists at Work next week!

Studio

2009-03-03T19:53:00.000-05:00

Well, I am hoping to soon begin the process of moving my studio location to my garage at home. So far I am in the planning stage. I have a two level garage to work with, but it is messssy. The goal is for Spring.

Goff Carriage House

2009-01-05T16:34:00.000-05:00

The piece listed below "Goff Carriage House" is being displayed in a traveling exhibit through the West Virginia Arts and Crafts Guild. It was in Parkersburg, WV and now it will be in Wheeling, WV then travel to Concord College Gallery to end the loop in April.

Go see it and my other piece called "White Diamond"- also a hand-embellished oil monotype.

my husband is awesome

2009-01-05T16:32:00.000-05:00

http://blog.irunfar.com/2009/01/best-debut-100-mile-effort-of-year.html

Check out the link above- Yay Adam!! His first 100 was incredible.

from the artist

2008-10-17T22:08:00.001-04:00

Greetings from The Blue Door Studio! Thanks for viewing my blog. If there are any images you are curious about please feel free to post a comment or question and I will get back to you as soon as possible.