Jill Rae, Blogging It
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54ill Rae, Blogging it. 6/4/2024
d, It's been awhile since I've last blogged. Sorry about that. With some of my medical issues I've had a hard time keeping up with everything. For months, I've been struggling with a loss of mobility, even to the point where I felt it necessary to use a walker. I knew it was some kind of a nerve issue but wasn't getting any answers. Luckily someone suggested that I go to the Spine Center. The doctor suspected what it was from my symptoms. A thoracic MRI confirmed that I had a pinched spinal column. It's been 6 weeks since I had my thoracic laminectomy. The surgery was fine, the recovery is slow and uncertain. Some days I feel as if I'm improving, somedays I don't.
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I've been working on a few new oils and just feel stuck. I need something new. I need something fun and without pressure. I decided I would spend the Summer developing a monthly sketchbook class in mixed media. I'm giving myself three months just to play and explore. The best part is I have so many of the materials already.... pastels, paints, Golden gel mediums, papers, printing materials. All the items I have collected over the years. I've had a great time assembling my items. Reading books, watching U Tube videos.
My first point of order is to start making a lot of backgrounds using all sorts of materials. I've started two sketchbooks so I can work on one as I let the other dry. This idea of having a lot of backgrounds ready just waiting for that moment of inspiration came from one of the videos I watched. I love the idea of jumping around and working on that which interests me. My hope is that by September I will have several pages that I feel would be great for a class. The idea is to create in a environment for my students that is full of creativity while introducing them to supplies they may not normally use. I hoping that this will help open the creative process for paintings as well. 's like to incorporate several medias to each painting. We'll see where this leads. Let the journey begin.
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Jill Rae, Blogging It. 2/16/2024
,I promised I'd get back to the blog about what I learned from the 30 in 30 and I never did. Sorry about that. So I'll mention a few of my thoughts here. First, it was every bit as stressful as it was when I did it 8 or more years ago. Then I didn't have a gallery to run so I had a bit more time to produce work. But, I'm glad I did it. There were a few things that surfaced from the commitment. It really got me to concentrate on doing a bit of work each day and that was wonderful. When I did this years ago, I painted with alcohol inks, it was easier to complete a painting a day. I found this time that I went back to the alcohol inks or watercolors just so I'd have something to post. But fairly quickly I realized that I wasn't spending my time doing the art that I had wanted to do. I wasn't doing oils. So I started working on the oils and posting them. The problem is the drying time making it nearly impossible to finish a painting in one sitting. That was difficult for a few reasons. One I was concerned that people may not be able to see my progress as I went back and forth between the 3 or 4 paintings I was working on. And two, my ego or self confidence whatever you want to call it. It was very difficult to post a painting that I was working on because as many of you know paintings go through an ugly stage before it's done.
There seem to be several phases to a painting. First, the excited stage, the beginning stage. This is when all things are possible. You've chosen a wonderful picture to paint and in your mind's eye this is going to be great. You put paint on the canvas with joy and anticipation. Then you come back a few days later and work some more.... this is the experimental stage. Try this, try that, is this the effect you were looking for? At this point the painting doesn't have enough development or layers of paint to be anything special. As you step back you realize, "This is ugly." This is normal, it's like an adolescent child not fully developed but not so cute anymore... your painting is in it's "tween" stage. This is when you begin to question yourself. "What was I thinking anyway? Why did I think I could do this? I have lost any talent I ever had. That's it, I used to be a painter. Everyone else is better than I am." This is a really critical point in the painting. This is where you get tough and push forward. This is where many of the tough decisions get made. If you get through this phase you begin to feel better. If you don't... well, it's best for you if you get through it. If not, it can be devastating to your self confidence. Once you're through with that stage you realize you have a painting, possibly. You start tweaking it before you realize you're almost done. Just a few more things...... this is the "don't take yourself too serious stage", don't overthink it, don't over do it. Then you're done. Sometimes you like it, most times you think it's okay and quickly get distracted by the next grand idea of a painting you're going to create. And so the process starts over. If you're lucky, you'll look at your painting after a year or two has passed and say, "Pretty good, I like that." "I wonder if I could do it again?"
So two weeks after the 30 and 30 and the goal I set for myself was to paint 4 times a week. I have to say I have not been able to meet that goal as of yet. After the 30 and 30, I found myself a bit behind on things. Then we had two town events and a class. So here I am at the end of the week telling myself, " tomorrow I paint". Again I shoot for 4x painting, maybe that's too much as I have some PT and everything else... maybe I'll set the goal for 3x?
There seem to be several phases to a painting. First, the excited stage, the beginning stage. This is when all things are possible. You've chosen a wonderful picture to paint and in your mind's eye this is going to be great. You put paint on the canvas with joy and anticipation. Then you come back a few days later and work some more.... this is the experimental stage. Try this, try that, is this the effect you were looking for? At this point the painting doesn't have enough development or layers of paint to be anything special. As you step back you realize, "This is ugly." This is normal, it's like an adolescent child not fully developed but not so cute anymore... your painting is in it's "tween" stage. This is when you begin to question yourself. "What was I thinking anyway? Why did I think I could do this? I have lost any talent I ever had. That's it, I used to be a painter. Everyone else is better than I am." This is a really critical point in the painting. This is where you get tough and push forward. This is where many of the tough decisions get made. If you get through this phase you begin to feel better. If you don't... well, it's best for you if you get through it. If not, it can be devastating to your self confidence. Once you're through with that stage you realize you have a painting, possibly. You start tweaking it before you realize you're almost done. Just a few more things...... this is the "don't take yourself too serious stage", don't overthink it, don't over do it. Then you're done. Sometimes you like it, most times you think it's okay and quickly get distracted by the next grand idea of a painting you're going to create. And so the process starts over. If you're lucky, you'll look at your painting after a year or two has passed and say, "Pretty good, I like that." "I wonder if I could do it again?"
So two weeks after the 30 and 30 and the goal I set for myself was to paint 4 times a week. I have to say I have not been able to meet that goal as of yet. After the 30 and 30, I found myself a bit behind on things. Then we had two town events and a class. So here I am at the end of the week telling myself, " tomorrow I paint". Again I shoot for 4x painting, maybe that's too much as I have some PT and everything else... maybe I'll set the goal for 3x?
30 in 30, Day 30 Last day!
1/30/24
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Day 30:
Last Day! Laying down the colors for another painting. I usually don't show a painting at the very beginning because it's sloppy and not very appealing. But it is a starting point. It's important to have several paintings going at once while painting with oils so you can allow the paintings to dry in between painting sessions. I will be posting my thoughts on this experience later on this week. |
30 in 30, Day 29
1/29/24
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Day 29:
Time to start some new paintings while I'm waiting for the others to dry a bit. I'm hoping to be much more free with this one. I'd like to play a bit with textures and colors. I this WIP I lay down some colors. |
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30 in 30, Day 28
1/28/24
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Day 28:
Worked on some of the greens. I'm struggling a bit with them. In the photo the middle ground is a bright green while the front ground is very yellow. It just doesn't read well in a painting. So, I'll leave this alone for awhile and come back to it in a week or so with fresh eyes. Time to start some new paintings. |
30 in 30, Day 27
1/27/24
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Day 27:
Blue is done. It was the left side of his nose that I had a problem with. I feel better about the painting now. |
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30 in 30, Day 26
1/26/24
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Day 26:
WIP More progress on the Deborah Phillips inspired painting. I like the colors and the freedom of the painting. |
30 in 30, Day 25
1/25/24
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Day 25:
WIP ever so slowly. Sometimes paintings need to go slow so you have plenty of time to "live with it", glancing at it quickly as you walk by until finally something jumps out and screams "fix this!" This painting is reveling how to paint it, but slowly, step by step. I did the water yesterday and worked on the rocks a bit. Next, the grass. |
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30 in 30, Day 24
1/24/24
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Day 24:
Snapdragons |
30 in 30, Day 23
1/23/24
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Day 23:
Working on the Rockton Galentines Day Make'n Take event February 13th. Sam taught me macrame. Hoping she'll be leading the project. |
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30 in 30, Day 22
1/22/24
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Day 22:
WIP Working on a painting inspired by Deborah Phillips. Trying to loosen up and paint with more joy. |
30 in 30, Day 21
1/21/24
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Day 21:
I went to the alpaca farm with Samantha yesterday and learned wet felting. This is the scarf I made. Thanks Laura. |
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30 in 30, Day 20
1/20/24
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Day 20:
Laying in some rocks. Noticing the darks are too dark in the middle ground. So many times you can't see things while you're working on the piece. Move back or walk away for awhile. |
30 in 30, Day 19
1/19/24
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Day 19:
I thought I finished "Blue" yesterday and now I see I have to fix something that I can't live with. Sometimes seeing a painting in a photograph helps see it more clearly. I suppose it's similar to looking at it at a distance. I'm looking forward to being done with this. I usually feel that way when I'm done with a painting. I feel like, "So what, what's next?" I guess for me the excitement is in the beginning and creating of the painting. Oh the possibilities... |
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30 in 30, Day 18
1/18/24
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Day 18: Laying color for a new painting. The works of Deborah Phillips just make me want to sing. I wanted to do my church painting with her style in mind. It didn't work out. So I'm trying to paint one of her paintings in hope I may learn something to use in my own paintings. |
30 in 30, Day 17
1/17/24
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Day 17:
The work continues. It's slow going and the painting isn't really going a I envisioned it. I'd like to loosen up but I didn't do it on this painting. Maybe I can do a smaller, looser rendition of this. |
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30 in 30, Day 16
1/16/24
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Day 16:
Another bleeding heart with more flowers. |
30 in 30, Day 15
1/15/24
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Day 15:
This was a photo of the back of my car a year ago. I love pumpkins, the colors, shapes and textures! |
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30 in 30, Day 14
1/14/24
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Day 14:
WIP Another day at the easel . Slow but sure. Quite a ways to go. |
30 in 30, Day 13
1/13/24
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Day 13: A good sketch for a day you're snowed in. A reminder that the snow will melt, no matter how beautiful it is, and summer will again return. |
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30 in 30, Day 12
1/12/24
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Day 12:
WIP I reworked the placement of the mountains and the sky. I think this will work better. I feel as if I can finally start painting. |
30 in 30, Day 11
1/11/24
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Day 11:
Bleeding Hearts As you can see, I didn't choose any theme or one medium for this 30 in 30 as many do. I wanted to use this month just to paint everyday, in whatever medium I felt like on that day. But, one thing I did do to prep for this 30 in 30 is go through and find any of my unfinished paintings in hope that one of the days I will want to complete a few of them. This is one of those unfinished works. It feels good just to get things finished. |
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30 in 30, Day 10
1/10/24
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Day 10:
Home again yesterday waiting out the 12 inches of snow. I think we might have gotten 2 inches. Good day for a watercolor, anyway. |
30 in 30, Day 9
1/9/24
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Day 9:
A photo sent to me a long time ago when I promoting my dog portraits. I always wanted to paint this pup but never got around to it until now. |
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30 in 30, Day 8
1/8/24
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Day 8: Summer's End, oil. WIP or finished, not sure yet. |
30 in 30. Day 7
1/7/24
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Day 7:
Good for a winter's day. Alcohol ink |
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30 in 30, Day 6
1/6/24
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Day 6:
Backgrounds matter, sometimes they can overpower the whole picture. Here's the crabapples from day 4 in alcohol inks. The alcohol inks are more playful and much more open to exploration than watercolors are. Today, I'll remove the ink from the background, leaving a much more subtle effect. It won't be fighting with the main focus of the painting. I'll post the result tomorrow. |
30 in 30, Day 5
1/5/24
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Day 5:
W.I.P. "Blue" This is one of those paintings that self doubt says" You can't do fur." That's exactly why I should to it. Just turn up the music and keep working. Photo credit Samantha Golden, Alpaca pines llc Farm and Fiber Mill |
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30 in 30, Day 4
1/4/24
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Day 4:
I didn't get into the studio yesterday so I pulled from my home photos and found this one. I like the composition and am interested in which medium would be best for this picture. I'm not sure watercolors is it. I will do this again in alcohol inks and oils at some time this month. |
30 in 30, Day 3
1/3/24
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Day 3: WIP What's on my easel. I don't like to show the beginnings of paintings because they look so unorganized and it's hard to see the vision but, since my goal for 2024 is to create more paintings here we go. This is just laying down paint and figuring out where everything goes. It's a messy process. I usually have several paintings going at the same time to allow the oil paint to dry. What's your day 3? |
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30 in 30, Day 2
1/2/24
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Day 2: Peonies, indigo blue, and baby's breath.
Life gets so busy with painting ,running the gallery that I often don't take the time to sketch. It's an important exercise. One I need to do more often. |
30 in 30, Day 1
1/1/24
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Day 1: Auld Lang Syne
Years ago William Ball and I painted en plein air at various sights around Rockford. I purchased a bound pad of watercolor paper for just that purpose. To this day, I still use the pad whenever I watercolor en plein air. It has become a nice visual diary of the places I have been over the years. But, it bothers me every time I open my pad and see these three unfinished paintings. I know why I never finished these works. I didn't like my work so I abandoned them. Usually that's a fine plan, except when I have to look at them whenever painting with this pad. So, I gave myself a gift, I finished the pieces with ink. They are finished. I can move on. |
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Jill Rae, Blogging It 12/30/23
Well, that went fast. And just like that here we are to the end of the year. I'm one of those crazy people who writes yearly goals each new year. My goals are personal, financial, family, art etc. I haven't solidified my art goals yet but roughly they will include things like; learn something (finish reading the book on color theory), create 14 paintings, enter 5 shows, post alcohol ink classes, develop more classes. Investigate out of state shows I can enter by mail? Have more shows at the gallery. When I've finalized my list I will post it. Sometimes saying it out loud helps to keep one more committed.
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A great way to get the creative juices flowing after the holidays is to do a 30 in 30. That is create 30 paintings or pieces of art in 30 days. I've done several of these and I have to say although they were very helpful they can also be very stressful especially as I attempted to post in my blog daily. (Maybe I'll just post on Facebook and on the first page of this web site.) I don't know. The point is do something everyday, there are no rules. so in between changing over the gallery, do year end bookkeeping and tax forms, along with starting some physical therapy and scheduling a few tests I will be painting. I have two paintings started... maybe I'll just work on them everyday and post my progress. Maybe, I'll go back over some unfinished pieces and complete them. The main point is to do something and enjoy it.
Please consider joining myself and several members of the Rockford Art Guild as we attempt this. And don't forget to post your progress on my Facebook page, JillRaeFinallyArt. As a side note: I am packing away the Rockton painting until next year. I just feel like I need to move on. I'll post the latest before I pack it away. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. |
Jill Rae, Blogging It 12/5/23
The holiday season is in full swing with community programs and many opportunities for artists to be seen and get their work seen. It's a mistake many artists make to assume that their work can stand on it's own with little salesmanship from the artist. They may feel that it's the job of the gallery or the venue to promote them, and it is to an extent. But, no one can sell art as well as the person who made it. All through out my life I saw the power of just showing up and the opportunities that presented themselves because i did. This is no different. So when you're asked to participate in a program consider it. The game of art is to get as many people as possible to see your work and for your work to make an impression on those people. Nothing makes an impression quite as much as meeting someone in person and finding the story behind a piece.
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Artists Sunday was November 26th. The gallery hosted an art party . We didn't have a huge turn out but we did enjoy spending a relaxing afternoon painting with those who did show up. We started a community painting that we decided was titled" A December Wedding in Rockton" It's not finished yet but it was fun just watching people come up with ideas. I'll post more as it develops.
And lastly, I'd like to announce that I will be doing a 30 in 30 in January. It's the goal to paint, draw, create some artwork each day for 30 days. There are no rules so if I can't do it one day it's okay. It's just I'd like to really try to paint more and January can be a very slow month in the gallery freeing me up for painting. Anyone interested in joining me? |
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Jill Rae, Blogging It 11/18/23
And then I fell hard....
I guess the with way the neuropathy was making me unstable, it was bound to happen. I hurt my left knee and shoulder and was out of the gallery for 4 days. I started back last Tuesday and Samantha was nice enough to come to the gallery for the first three days and help me. I'm on my own now, using a cane, and moving really slowly. The first word that comes to mind is fear. Fear that I will fall again and hurt myself even more. Fear that I won't recover. It's been a week and when I say slow.... yep, I am. Fear that I won't be able to keep up with the gallery at this pace. All the crazy things that go through your mind. So, I feel I need to be proactive here and join the local wellness center that has heated pools for aerobics and water walking etc., and talk to my doc and my knee doc etc.
I guess the with way the neuropathy was making me unstable, it was bound to happen. I hurt my left knee and shoulder and was out of the gallery for 4 days. I started back last Tuesday and Samantha was nice enough to come to the gallery for the first three days and help me. I'm on my own now, using a cane, and moving really slowly. The first word that comes to mind is fear. Fear that I will fall again and hurt myself even more. Fear that I won't recover. It's been a week and when I say slow.... yep, I am. Fear that I won't be able to keep up with the gallery at this pace. All the crazy things that go through your mind. So, I feel I need to be proactive here and join the local wellness center that has heated pools for aerobics and water walking etc., and talk to my doc and my knee doc etc.
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I often think about if I could just turn the clock back 30 years on my knees. Just think about all the shows I could participate in, all the classes and things I could do around the gallery. It's a silly dream. And then yesterday I realized, hey thirty years ago my girls were young, too young to leave home alone. I was learning about recreational programing as the Superintendent of a small park district. Many of the things I learned at that time has helped my with programing activities and festivals for the gallery. I was the Girl Scout Leader to two troops. And oh, I was going to have a son in two years. Thirty years ago I had neither the time or the money for the gallery. Just saying...
As I finally got back to painting yesterday, I had to clean up a bit of a mess from a spill I had last time I was at my painting table. A few of my photos had gotten wet and I went through the pile to throw them out. I noticed my color wheel was destroyed and stuck together, unable to salvage. Then I flipped it over and found this fortune from my last lunch at Happy Wok. I thought it was fitting as I dreamed of better knees and a pain-free shoulder. "Grab the wheel of change to steer your life towards your desired destination." Heated pool, here I come! 
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Samantha designed the flowerbeds Infront of the gallery.
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I started working on a painting that I had started before Mark had his surgery a month ago. As I sat down to work my first thought was how was I going to do this? I was so excited when I started it. Sometimes fear and self doubt are all around us. I went back to my old standard," lights and darks" and some beautiful colors and all should be well. I quickly got back into it. It's a bench on our back deck. It was a beautiful Fall day and the crab apples and leaves were falling all around. I was just about to sweep off this bench when I noticed what I thought was a really interesting composition. So often I see things that just seem to talk to me, "Go get your camera. You need to paint me." This is my W.I.P.
Jill Rae, Blogging It 11/9/23
Wow! It's been awhile since I've written in the blog. There's so much to tell.
First, have you ever thought about those wonderful professors that made a real impact in your life. Where are they today? I was talking to a guild friend of mine about those who influenced us early in life. There were three professors at U of I that still to this day, I hold on to their words of encouragement on the days I need a little boost. They are Edward Betts who was a watercolorists who taught me oils, Roger Blakley who was a sculptor but taught life drawing, and Jerry Savage a painter and sculptor, who taught a drawing class. All three of these men loved art so much that I felt I could not do any less than my best for them. After about 43 years, I looked them up. The first, two are no longer with us but Jerry Savage is still in Champaign. I was thrilled to find many of his works and words on the internet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XBBGaCKCXA I watched some of his videos and felt reinspired by him all over again. Am I still giving my best everyday? Well not always.
I decided to write him and let him know that after 43 years I still think of him and draw on his words. I didn't expect him to remember me, I was a 20 year old under graduate who was unsure of myself and had a bit of an attitude. But I loved art and hid how important it was to me, just incase it turned out I wasn't very good. He did respond to me and was grateful to hear that he made an impact. Of course, he didn't know who I was but that wasn't important. I loved his words as he wrote, "Eventually I concluded that the identification of one’s core is the North Star. In the process of identifying one’s core, one needs to be non critical, curious and courageous. One’s core contains the beauty of the cosmos. Once contact is made with the core, the beauty of life is seen. In these revelations purpose of life is established. Meaning, beauty and discovery is everywhere. Life is a gift." So I compel you to take a risk and reach out to someone who inspired, helped or was just kind at a time you needed kindness. See what happens.
First, have you ever thought about those wonderful professors that made a real impact in your life. Where are they today? I was talking to a guild friend of mine about those who influenced us early in life. There were three professors at U of I that still to this day, I hold on to their words of encouragement on the days I need a little boost. They are Edward Betts who was a watercolorists who taught me oils, Roger Blakley who was a sculptor but taught life drawing, and Jerry Savage a painter and sculptor, who taught a drawing class. All three of these men loved art so much that I felt I could not do any less than my best for them. After about 43 years, I looked them up. The first, two are no longer with us but Jerry Savage is still in Champaign. I was thrilled to find many of his works and words on the internet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XBBGaCKCXA I watched some of his videos and felt reinspired by him all over again. Am I still giving my best everyday? Well not always.
I decided to write him and let him know that after 43 years I still think of him and draw on his words. I didn't expect him to remember me, I was a 20 year old under graduate who was unsure of myself and had a bit of an attitude. But I loved art and hid how important it was to me, just incase it turned out I wasn't very good. He did respond to me and was grateful to hear that he made an impact. Of course, he didn't know who I was but that wasn't important. I loved his words as he wrote, "Eventually I concluded that the identification of one’s core is the North Star. In the process of identifying one’s core, one needs to be non critical, curious and courageous. One’s core contains the beauty of the cosmos. Once contact is made with the core, the beauty of life is seen. In these revelations purpose of life is established. Meaning, beauty and discovery is everywhere. Life is a gift." So I compel you to take a risk and reach out to someone who inspired, helped or was just kind at a time you needed kindness. See what happens.
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The gallery has always been a work in progress first starting with a little storefront that was 11' by 18' to an expanded gallery, then the classroom last December and now our signage. This has been a long time coming and we are thrilled to have our name proudly displayed on this wonderful building that was built in 1845.
It's so impressive that Mark was able to install the sign. He just got his second new hip less than 4 weeks ago. His journey started July 3rd with his first hip. It has taken him awhile, and there's still some to go but he is doing wonderfully and is looking forward to all the projects and activities he will be able to do now, including playing trains with David, our grandson. The gallery is ready for the Christmas season. We just had a very successful Jingle Bell ROCKton weekend and look forward to to the activities in the coming weeks starting with Small Business Saturday where most of the downtown shops will be passing out beads or charms so you can make a bracelet. Our charm is a painter's palette. The following day, Sunday November 26th is Artists Sunday where we will be celebrating art from 12 to 4pm with some of the gallery artists who will be doing demos or available to talk with you. We will also be doing a community painting which we hope you will add your marks to the canvas. Please come and join us, have some fun, see some art and possible support a local artist by purchasing one of their pieces. |
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So as you can see, we've been busy. My neuropathy continues to be a bit of a problem. The medication has helped a bit with the electrical shocks but I continue to have numbness, tingling and other sensations in my legs and back. It has made me feel very off balance. This has been a bit of a problem with getting the gallery ready for the season but my daughter Samantha has been a great help. I feel like I'm tripping a lot but am told that in time I will get use to it and walk more steady.
I haven't been painting much lately. This is a problem and as I find myself a bit bummed with my current state I know that painting will help raise my spirits. So I plan to spend the rest of the afternoon painting. And I have decided to do a 30 in 30 in January. I put the challenge up to the Rockfort Art Guild and have a feel takers. Would you like to join us? I will post more information later. |
Jill Rae, Blogging It 10/18/23
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Art Scene has come and gone. To the left is a picture of my wall. You will notice all the holes in the wall. We do Art Scene in the old abandoned building right by the Coronado Theater. Well, the first floor is occupied. But the upstairs has these huge empty rooms just waiting for someone to bring them back to life. The stairway, woodwork and stained glass on this building is magnificent. I believe it housed an insurance company at one time. I love the old buildings of Rockford, the craftmanship, the artistry. These are all things that are no longer affordable to do in today's world. But luckily they still exsist, if we can just preserve these wonderful buildings.
I've been away from the gallery for a week. Mark got his second hip replacement a week ago. He is doing well and looking forward to the time he can once again climb ladders and preform rehap miracles like he has in the past. I am reminded how wonderful it is to have the gallery to go to. Don't get me wrong, staying at home was fine, watching movies and catching up on some book work. And I can get pretty lazy if allowed. But I am someone who thrives best at having a schedule. So after a week of talking about pain levels and noticing I have some of my own, All of a sudden I have neropathy in my feet. - So fun, I started to feel a bit lost. I knew getting back in the gallery would fix that for me, and it has. Even though it's not Halloween yet, we are preparing for Christmas . I am painting two new Nutcrackers for the front of the gallery. And although this doesn't take much mind work it's just perfect for me right now. I love the act of brushing paint on a surface. I find it relaxing. So here I am, I've completed some work today; got the newsletter out, wrote this, sent out a few emails etc. Now, I just get to relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon smearing some paint on wood. How delicious! |
Jill Rae, Blogging It 10/3/2023
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After a busy weekend away, I'm back in the gallery. I had a lovely morning class with a group from CLR (center for learning in retirement). After cleaning up, it's now time to focus on this coming weekend. We have two wonderful events this Friday and Saturday; Vintage Shop Hop in the gallery and Fall Art Scene in Rockford. I will be showing with the Rockford Art Guild at 304 Main. It's the same block that the Coronado theater is on. During the pandemic all the art shows stopped, like everything else. It's been difficult to get back into the habbit of doing shows. I'm a few years older now and lugging around my artwork has become harder.
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There was a period when I stopped doing shows all together. I have a gallery, what do I need shows for? I couldn't have been more wrong. It's important for an artist to keep putting their work out within the art community. It's vital to get your name out there so people recognize it in the various shows that they attend.
For this Art Scene, I gave myself the goal of showing nothing but oil paintings. I just returned to the medium this summer after, lets say 40 years. I have really enjoyed it. I forgot how much I love the smells and consistency of oils. I had forgotten how wonderful it is to blend colors together right on the canvas as one color transforms into another. I also forgot how long it takes to dry, so I find myself working on several paintings at a time. Not wanting to limit myself, I'm giving myself a year to just paint and explore and work developing my own style. At the guild we are each allowed 6 feet of wall space. As I painted each piece I vacilated over showing each one. Is this painting good enough? One day it was, the next day it wasn't. One in particular caused me quite a bit of problems - the cosmos. That was the painting that I swore at and stormed out of the gallery one day. (No one was around to hear my rant.) I decided to put it in the show as it demonstrates where I am at this point in time. This morning one of the women in my class told me they just loved the painting. Well there you go, you never know do you? You just keep on going. I'm calling this piece, "Letting Go". |
Jill Rae, Blogging It 9/21/2023
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The busy season is just about to start in the gallery. We have four classes starting this week -they're taught by other artists. Then we get into the Vintage Shop Hop and The Fall Art Scene in Rockford both the first weekend of October. The following week I will teach an alcohol class for CLR. That will be followed by Mark's hip replacement surgery in the middle of the week. After that, everything takes off as we race through the Holidays.
I've been aware of trying to balance things out a bit more and to really focus on my priorities. That's not always clear but I became aware that I was painting much less than I used to. I mean, what's the point if I'm not doing my artwork, right? So, it finally occured to me to set up a perminent painting spot in what will one day be our kitchenette. This allows me to transition my art back to oil painting and to do a bit each day... or most days. The problem is that I've really loved it and have been spending quite a bit of time painting and not doing other things. The gallery traffic has been pretty slow lately so that works out okay. My goal is to preview my return to oils at this year's Art Scene. It's been going okay. I've struggled a bit with having to wait for the oils to dry so I have several paintings going on at once. All of the paintings seem to be cooperating except for one painting... I actually swore at it as I was leaving the gallery one day. (It was just us two around so no one heard me.) Have you had paintings like that? Are they there to annoy you or teach you something as you push through it to resolve the issues? I think this one has something to teach me. And to be honest, I'm hoping to put this in art scene but it's not clear the paint will be dry. I'm appling it with palete knives so it's thick. So what am I doing this week? Totally playing around. I need a painted pumpkin to give away at Vintage Shop Hop so I'm painting Halloween in acrylics. What can I say? Hoping to put some serious painting time tomorrow. Sometimes I just can't help myself. |
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