pamgarrison

are you in portland right now?!?!

Happy Cinco de Mayo friends.  This painting I'm working on above seems fitting for today. It also reminds me of my friend Jennifer Mercede's work. Which brings me to the Portland question of the post title....if you are in Portland right now, you've got to get over to Jennifer's studio and scoop up some treasures! I am so sad that she's letting go of so much at such great prices and I'm missing out due to loacation. She said things are flying out the door but has more left if you are in the area: 

Jennifer Mercede BlowOUt Art Sale:

Today!

3015 NE 19th Ave, Portland.

{Ed: Sunday- if you missed it and want to make arrangements to pop by while she's packing up today, email her at: jmercede@hotmail.com}

Hurry, and then torture me with photos of what you got! I love love love her artwork as you know.

For those of you like me, far away, here are a few more shots of color around here this morning:

a few originals left from this collection

Thank you so much for all the painting loving over on my etsy. The ones on the left that say coming soon have all been listed and there are a few more left if you are interested! xo

new original paintings over on my etsy

Painting, painting, painting, it's all I seem to want to do these days.  I finally have some fully completed pieces

and have listed them for sale over on my etsy shop!

Here are some bits of them:

Here's an instagram of them all in the works:

Oh, how I love color....and pushing it around on the paintings!

a lot of painting going on lately

Every since I spent the weekend painting with Jennifer Mercede, I just don't want to stop.

And I haven't, pretty much off and on, with many painting supplies left out in the family room amonst all the other living that goes on in there.

Painting on wood panels...

        Everything within range gets paint on it...like journal pages...

On this page I was writing about how I feel like I have so many many ideas but spin round and round and have a hard time gaining any traction with my ideas.

My friend and fellow journaler Hope , recently asked me some journaling questions for her column over at the lovely Ripple Effect. You can see more of my journaling pages and answers to her questions here. And boy, the quote by Maya Angelou on today's Ripple Effect post is pretty much sums up where my thoughts are. The need for change, yep, so I don't feel stuck like the thoughts on the journal page above. Working on it!

 

And even though I've left the supplies out and use them frequently, occasionally I try to pick up at least a little, which included cleaning off my paint palette. The dried paint peeled up easily and struck me as so pretty, that I couldn't resist sewing it down on another journal page. Which then turned into a creative to do list instagram:

 

 Off to tackle something on the list, hope you have a great day!

new paintings, new prints

I've been having such fun painting, painting, painting, thouroughly inspired by my playing alongside Jennifer Mercede weekend before last. Above is one of my favorite new ones. Here are some more in the works:

 

                     Here's one that I showed last post, it's a little farther along now, still not done though:

I will be listing some original paintings on etsy when I have a few more done, but for now, I am super excited to have finally made up some prints of the paintings for my etsy shop! Thanks to the teachings of Sarah, my computer tutor extraordinaire, I've got some ready to list. I'm so thrilled with the quality of the prints. They'll be up in my etsy shop soon too, and I'll be printing more of each, and adding to them as paintings are completed.

 

It's it obnoxious to be in love with one's own product? Because I am; I'm really proud of them and so pleased with the quality. Here are some closer peeks:

     But for tonight, I've still got paint on my brush and a few more marks I'm wanting to make.... I'll get         back to the computer to list them after the ideas stop coming so quickly that I'm afraid I'll forget them!

Back soon......

painting with jennifer mercede

             

{an instagram taken while looking over one of my paintings in progress this morning}

This weekend I was lucky enough to take a painting and doodling workshop at Studio Crescendo taught by Jennifer Mercede.  I have always loved her art, and have posted about it here before, but was thrilled to be able to watch her create in person and hear more about her process. The class certainly did not disappoint. I woke up this morning inspired and dying to paint some more. Haven't been able to yet, but soon, I must get back to it soon. During the class I instagrammed a few photos like this one below of Jennifer and me at the very end. We are holding my purchase, a Jennifer Mercede original. Lucky, lucky me.

               
Here's what it looks like hanging in the living room:

 

              

                                      This instagram was taken when the paints first came out :

               

          and later this one of one of mine (a giant 30x30 canvas) in the early stages:

                 

which, after various exercises (including one where we had to cover over 90% of it) now looks like this:

                  

It's still not finished, but when I look at it I see a barn on the bottom center that I just don't think I'll be touching, that way I can call it "she bought the farm" ;) . Like I said before, I'm itching to get back to painting on it.

This is as far as I got on the 2nd board, a 12x12" piece:

                 

The doodling part of the lesson came quite naturally as you can imagine if you've seen my journals or other paintings.

Then there was this piece below :(the closest I got to finished? Not sure.) It's on a birch board sized 20x20.

                 

            Here are some of the "sweet spots" to me:

                        

             

               
                 

On the 2nd day I brought in some other pieces that I had started previously or that were blank so I could take the opportunity while the paint was out if inspiration struck.  I worked on all of them at least a little bit. Working on lots of things at one time is what is most comfortable to me, if I had to work on one and only one at a time, I would feel very constrained. I like the freedom I feel with lots to choose from. I also usually have a journal present when painting to slap the extra paint down on some pages. You know I'm crazy like that. It doesn't bother me at all until it comes time to clean up.

                    

                   

                    

                         

                    

                  

The best part really was getting to know Jennifer though, and getting to see her think while she worked. Here is another instagram of her painting Jenny's dogs, using a photo as inspiration:

                    
Want to see the final portrait? Go to Jenny's post here and see it from start to finish. So cool.

I could go on, but really, I'd be saying the same thing over, so instead, I'll finish by saying a great big thank you to Jennifer for coming down to teach, and Jenny for asking her! I think her teaching gigs have just begun...if you like to paint or doodle, I highly recommend you enroll yourself in Jennifer Mercede's Paint and Doodle School!

 

what a fun art weekend

This weekend my friend Charlotte was able to escape the New York snow and fly my way. We headed up to see some favorite artist friends, Syd and Mary up at Syd's Art Clinic in Solvang. The four of us have talked about meeting there for so long, and it didn't disappoint!

              

         

We all had canvases pinned to the wall and went to town. Syd really inspired us all to be playful and try new things and we painted until late into the night both Friday and Saturday. And then of course, there's the usual laughing and eating and thrifting and chatting and planning that happens when we get to hang out. Here's Syd hard at play:

           

and Mary...

           

and Charlotte...

             

Here's a photo of my first painting in progress:

         

which currently looks like this:

    

It's still a work in progress, and I'm still having fun with it.

 

 

We had some fun with visitors Carol, Sukey, Colleen, Jill and Susan too. Thank you, and Happy Birthday to both Syd and Mary!

But our adventure didn't end there, Charlotte was actually in town to teach a workshop at French General. Here she is with part of the gang. How cute does Kaari look busy at work in the background?

              

Here's Charlotte with Kaari's adorable mom. (Did you notice that Kaari and her mom have very similar sweaters on?  They actually weren't the same, bought at two different stores in two different countries!)

 

                    Kaari's whole family is so great, including her sister, artist Molly Meng. It was so fun to finally meet her!

 

 

            

There were so many more people there, but I only got these few photos, and even that felt like an accomplishment!

It was a whilrwind weekend, but it sure was fun!

 

 

 

 

 

newest paintings

Pink Parfait

Poppy Field
 

Life's a Hoot




Orange Crush

 All available over at Etsy : pamg.etsy.com  ....other non-painting items coming to my etsy soon!

pink parfait

I've started a new painting again. I can't work on just one, so while I continue on the last one I showed you, I'll show you this one too. It's 13" x 34", a fun size to play on. Here it is in full:

 

I feel so influenced by my friend, the super talented and oh so fun Syd McCutcheon. I'm jealous of anyone that is taking this class she's teaching, it's going to be great fun. Often, when I'm working on a painting, she'll give me great input and nudge me a little further. She also sends me great painting links like this one of Jesse Reno. I just love how they tap into their playful sides, just like Jennifer Mercede does, love her too. We'll see where this one ends up, I'm going to go back to the big giant one so I can give you an update on it's progress (or lack thereof) soon. {The big one is the one behind this pink one here:}

i've been playing with paints lately

 

               

                

 

couldn't resist

        

I couldn't resist taking a photo of the jar holding paint brushes behind the sink this morning. The light was hitting it just so. I'd go out and paint if it weren't 105 º out. Guess we're finally getting some summer weather here in So.Cal.  I'm sure the unbearable heat will go as quickly as it came and I'll be back at it soon; I'm itching to slap some paint on some journal pages in a manner too messy for indoors.

Hope you're enjoying cooler temperatures!

not much getting done around here

I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted. I feel like I've been getting some creative time in, but don't have much to show for it. A little bit here, a little bit there. I did finish a new flea market apron for myself and added my initials as the only bit of color. (photo above). And I added ties to one my friend bought at the flea market and sent it off to her.

It's been one of those weeks where everything is taking longer than expected and just making it to the post office feels like a success. I did some painting too. And then covered it all up, even though now I wish I hadn't...

All of it gone now, just couldn't find a groove...maybe next week I'll have a go at it again.  And I'll have some finished things to show soon I hope.

 
Almost made it through one full week of school; the homework and sports schedules are already tiring, but how can this sight not make a mama smile?

more painting

You know I can't work on just one thing at a time, let alone one medium...so when working on the baby's painting, I painted on another as well. I call this one Orange Crush. Here it is full size (30"wide x 24"tall with 1 1/2" edges), almost finished:

On the last post Tanya asked: Can I ask you about the marks on your paintings? Do you draw over your painted background with pencil before you paint it in, or is that something else added after the fact? The answer is both. Sometimes I take pencil and doodle on a layer, then cover over it with another paint level like this (on a different painting):

Sometimes I find shapes in the paint and pencil around it to bring it forward, like on the edge of Orange Crush shown below. The blue blob of paint was there and it looked like a flower with leaves to me, so I penciled that over the paint markings that existed:

And sometimes, I just pencil on top of all the paint, sometimes filling it in with paint or crayon, and sometimes not, like this:

So, as usual, I'm making it up as I go, no hard and set rules. Just seeing what shows up and where inspiration takes me. Hope that helps Tanya! 

 

something other than stitching? whaaaat?!?!

 

One of my dearest friends just had a sweet baby boy and when asked what she wanted for babie's handmade gift, chose a painting. I've been having so much fun painting with the little cutie in mind. I was able to visit him in the NICU  last week and am going up again tomorrow. I'm hoping to have the painting finished so that when he gets to come home it'll be hanging in his room. {There were complications during birth, but we all believe he's going to be able to come home soon; prayers are welcome if you are so inclined}

I don't want her to see the painting here and not in person, thus the peeks only, but the writing tells him he is loved, loved, loved.

This post is dedicated to the readers that have been missing a dose of color in all the stitching posts of late! xo

dreamsicle creamsicle sorbets

 

I can't resist using Lorelei and Suzan's descriptive words for this set of paintings. Once they left them in the comments, I couldn't get them out of my head: dreamsicle, creamsicle sorbets. Perfect for this beginning of summer sale. Here they are, I hope you like them!!!! I'm starting a whole new set too, painting seems to be  where my art heart is right now.

 SOLD- painting above: sweet summer day   12"x16" 2 1/4 " edge      $260

painting above:    moody blues 24"x24" 1 1/2" edge   $425.00

  

 

SOLD- painting above:  this nest is best    24" x 48" 1 7/8" side edge    $750.00

painting above: all in a day's work   24" x 20" 1 1/2" edge   $365.00

 

SOLD -painting above: easy afternoons 20" x 20" x 1  3/4" sides    $210.00

 

painting above: spring meadow  10" x8" 2" edge    $165.00

painting above:  sherbet sky 24" x 30" 1 1/2" edge   $485.00

 

 

SOLD - painting above:  on summer 16" x 12" 2 1/4" edge    $250.00

SOLD - painting above:   summer folly 24" x 20" x 1 1/2" edge    $385.00

this weekend

This weekend I'll be listing 10 paintings. Here's how I'm planning on working it:

I'm going to put the paintings up for sale here, on my blog. Once they are up here with names and dimensions, if you are interested in one, you'll just email me and let me know. I'll send a paypal invoice and once payment is received, I'll mark them as sold here. I'll put any that don't sell here in my etsy sometime in the next couple weeks. Buyer to pay actual shipping charges (determined before actually shipping so that you'll know the rate). Of course, for shipping prices it matters where the paintings are going, and the size of the painting as well (sorry, U.S. only this time while I learn more about the art of shipping large paintings...any advice welcome.) Please allow 5-7 days for packaging once payment is received. These are all cradled panels made using either hardwood or birch and pine. (Which mean they have nice thick edges of at least 1 1/2" or larger. The sizes vary, and will be posted alongside the photos of the piece. I'll be listing more non-cradled paintings (like before), and their prices will be much less than this cradled collection. I figure it'll be less confusing to list the similarly priced paintings in groups. So, if these cradled pieces are too pricey, there will be others that are not, coming soon.

Thank you for the comments and emails expressing interest and enthusiasm; it is very encouraging and I am really excited about continuing down this painting path. Have a great weekend!

making some finishing touches

 

 

paintings for sale soon

There. I said it. I'm committed now. When Amy called the other day, I overheard my husband say, "our kitchen has turned into an art gallery". And he wasn't saying that with any pleasure in his voice. Nope, none. Which is fair. Now I've moved the art gallery to the outside anyway, hahahaha. But seriously, I've got to let go of some of these so I can keep going on others. I mean, really, how many of one's own things can you hang in your home? Sheesh! Although, as I write this my Dad is constructing me a 5'x5' cradle wrapped board to hang in my dining room. Not even sure I have enough paint for 60"x 60"! Oh darn, I guess I'll have to make a trip to the art store soon....

meet my easel!

Remember how I said I was out playing with a new toy? Well here it is! My Dad made me an easel out of an old rolling clothing rack he found left in the rafters by the previous owners. I put some big paintings on it so you can really get an idea of the size. There are 3 paintings on it and the smallest in the upper right corner is 18x22 just for scale. Anyway..... Isn't it great? I am in heaven. It's so beautiful, but I think I need a wide angle lens to really capture it to show you. Here are some of the details that my Dad made that make it over the top cool to me:

 

Isn't it great?!? So I got down to playing a bit...

 

 

brown paper packaging

After seeing this video, I wanted to doodle and paint on throw-away paper myself. I was in luck, having just ordered new painting panels that were wrapped in brown paper packaging for safety. A whole bunch of ink doodling with a paintbrush and coloring in with paints and I'm still at it, having fun, just.because.  Thanks to Alisa Burke for the inspiration and absolutely true message; it is all about the journey. You can own a part of what she created on the video, or other things from her prolific artist's hands here. Here are more shots of the fun I've been having in various stages. {Ed: I used different black calligraphy inks, and all different brands of acrylic paints, all different price ranges}

        I hope you have a colorful weekend!

messing around

I was looking through some old artwork recently for design inspiration. When I came across the designs I had made for PapayaArt a few years ago,  I couldn't resist taking some paint to them.The papers seemed so flat to me. Here's what the paper above looked like originally: 

I  submitted the papers to Anahata and then she worked her graphic design magic and produced the final papers. Not having any luck finding a link to show you; I think they are all sold out (new collaborations are in the works).Here's another close up of the piece above after attacking it with ink:

Such a different feeling. Too bold for gift wrap, but it's coming alive now and will have a new purpose...not sure what yet. Not worried about that, just playing. Here's another original as it was submitted . They started as 22x30 watercolor papers. 

  And after playing on top with some ink:

Just an exercise in loosening up. That, and allowing myself to mess with something that I thought was finished before. It served it's purpose and now it's onto other things...

can you spot 2 things wrong with this picture?

I'll tell you, if you can't figure it out. It's that this is my kitchen floor and 1. I don't live alone and 2. I have a bad back and should not be painting on the floor. Both things considered, I still can't stop. Anyone have any easel suggestions (for and against, good ones and bad ones, what to consider blah blah blah)? Thanks. Here are some pieces in progress: 

I'm excited to tell you that I donated a painting to Haiti by Hand, sweet Rebecca Sower's relief project for her Haitian friends and it sold before I could even post about it. Thanks for that!  Stop by and see the other donations and art pieces available. I know she's got some really great items from artists you'll know constantly arriving.

 

 

still engaged in a love affair with paint

 
 

still painting

I've been working on 3 big pieces over the week. So fun. All are on wood art boards, all done with acrylics and watercolors.

 

I have no idea where I'm going with all this, but I'm sure that it's somewhere that my bank account wouldn't like. I find myself wanting to order more wood art boards, more paints, more brushes, an easel...oh my!

WIP

Having fun playing with paint on a big wooden canvas. {Ed: I ordered Wood Painting Panels from dickblick.com} I'm finally at a place where I feel like there is hope for it, ha! It's sure to change from here, but I feel like it's found a direction. It's 24x24 and I'm really enjoying working in this large size. Gonna set this aside for a bit and gesso another one now. Not sure what I enjoy more, the feel of the paintbrush on the wood, or mixing up my own colors (acrylics and watercolors). Feeling very lucky that I get to play this way. Constantly trying to grow creatively. Hope you get some creative play in today too.

last week's activities

Old ornaments that are new to us this year. Wonder if I'll ever be able to resist their siren song..
We had some guests this weekend, so last week I spent some time painting and collaging something to go over the fireplace. It's really big, about 30x30". Those are photocopies of our family silhouettes. It's a work in progress, but far enough along to use on the giant blank wall.

 

And then I went to work on Holiday cards...late I know. I ask you, do your children put you through this when you ask them to take a picture for Christmas cards?!? It was not as fun as it looks in hindsight. Oh to be young and silly and fun...

monday morning crafting regroup

Stitched bits in progress on the back of the couch



continued stitching on the latest sampler

                    

more doodling and painting layers in progress

 

 

rounding up painting supplies

 

 

stacking up the new beginnings

 

 

and cutting wallpaper rolls in half to list on etsy 

...and it's already 1pm! Must.finish up. something!!! Wait, I can procrastinate a bit more...maybe the kids and I will run away to the beach for the day instead.... there's always time during my son's football practice and my daughter's cross country running to return to my messes in progress. Ya, that sounds less overwhelming, right Scarlett? After all, there's always tomorrow.

why can't i ever do what i'm supposed to be doing?

So, since I'm supposed to be stitching away to list little stitched bits as promised, I suddenly have a huge desire to play with paints. My crafting schizophrenia is getting really annoying! Here is my family room floor right now, covered in different pieces I'm dabbling on.  My poor family; I placed them right by the door so I could see them in the light, which is also the door to the outside. Kindly, they haven't said a word (yet!). Up at the top you can see one I'm making just for me. I call it 'Wanna Be Jennifer Mercede'. I recently saw her artwork in Tumbleweed in Portland (such a cute shop!) and fell head over heels for it. You can see more of Jennifer Mercede here, and I loved watching this fun video of her working.

At least I've been creating which is waaayyy better than the other "should be doing"s like laundry, cleaning, groceries etc. Ok. I'm going to stop painting here and let these percolate in my brain a little. I'm  going to finish up some stitching now, now that I got that out of my system. Here's my favorite thing from this morning:

 

That's what I really want to do most of the time anyway, and obviously, it doesn't matter much what it is. Just have to be making something!

creatures from an enchanted forest

Some paper mache creations that will be in my etsy shop soon. I'm going to list all the things I'm making at once (hopefully Friday), but just wanted to give a sneak peek. And here is a close up of one of the paintings I'm listing too...I think the creatures above live in a place like this!