Sorting is any process of arranging items systematically, and has two common, yet distinct meanings: ordering: arranging items in a sequence ordered by some criterion; categorizing: grouping items with similar properties.

Last weekend’s Open Studios of Beavercreek went well, with a couple more paintings (including Thunderbird, a favorite of mine) finding new homes. Unfortunately, on Sunday I could tell I was coming down with a cold, and I’ve spent the last couple of days sleeping (which I needed), worrying (which I didn’t), or working on projects that I never seem to have the time to do.

The reason for the worrying is that it is inspection time in the world of house selling / buying. On my house, we went into it knowing a couple things would show up: a 40-year old furnace and an electric panel that has always worked well, but for some bizarre reason lenders don’t like. I was SHOCKED, however, when some mold showed up in my attic crawl space. Fortunately, no one was scared off and we have again come to agreement.

On “my” house in Salem, my inspection turned up a few repair issues (significant, but not terribly spendy) and a foundation issue which really worried me. It has taken a week, but the seller has agreed to fix it all; thus it appears the move is on.

This is good because it’s time, according to various timelines, I should be making some serious headway. I have been collecting boxes. I reserved a “pod” to be delivered to the house. I’ve started contacting utilities. And Saturday I have a “de-packing” party scheduled; a de-packing party is something I made up. The idea is that I feed my friends and they help me sort through stuff and help me decide what to take and what can go.

The (admittedly vague) plan is to tackle a room a weekend over the next five weekends. Hopefully, at the end, we’ll load up the dog, cats, and a few unpacked essentials and go. It’s unclear now if the closing in Salem will happen soon after the closing in Oregon City, so I’m trying to keep options open/

What is interesting about this is that I see this whole process as a way to refine the next stage of my life.  I’m hoping to get rid of some baggage (physical and emotional) so that when I’m eventually down in Salem, I’ll have less clutter to deal with.

Bringing this back to art, that issue of clutter is one that resonates with me. Last weekend at Open Studios, I thought a lot about what I wanted to continue down in Salem. In the last few months I’ve given up several positions in organizations, and there is only one commitment still on my plate.

Right now I belong to:

• Watercolor Society of Oregon
  • Recently gave up webmaster position
  • Committed to 2016 Fall Convention
• Three Rivers Artist Guild
  • Recently gave up webmaster position
  • No other commitments
• Oregon Society of Artists
  • No commitments
• Open Studios of Beavercreek
  • No commitments

In the future, Open Studios of Beavercreek will only be possible occasionally because of my new location, and the Oregon Society of Artists (based in Portland) will be difficult to interact with regularly. I will keep up my membership in Three Rivers Artist Guild through 2016 because they are helping with the fall WSO convention, but I will not be able to do much more than pay dues. This leaves the Fall 2016 convention for WSO, and then 2017 will be commitment free.

I think I do better not taking on so much, and I’m going to try to to remember that adding commitments is time clutter; time clutter makes it hard to focus on art.

And art is something I definitely want to sort into the “take with me” pile for my new home in Salem.

I’ve decided to use one of the downstairs bedrooms to create a working studio (separate from an office.) With the arrangement of the doors and things, I am hopeful that this space could even be used as an “Open Studio” or other public space to show my art.

But I’m also trying to back burner this plot and work on simply getting moved. Pinterest, however, is an appealing (and somewhat scary) option. Especially when I’ve been stuck for a couple days at home, sick.

I have a confession. I really hate the promotion side of this whole art thing. I like the painting part, but getting out there and selling paintings is not great (I’m just too much of an introvert.)

However, I have been particularly bad the last few months. Here is some atonement.

Open Studios of Beavercreek – THIS WEEKEND

October 9-11 is the Open Studios of Beavercreek. This time I will be at Studio 1, located at 17612 Holly Lane, Oregon City, OR 97045.

Three other artists will be at this location. Just remember… the holidays are around the corner. I bet if you stopped by our studio and a few more you’d have that list DONE!

American Academy of Equine Art – Fall Open Juried Exhibition and Sale

You’ve probably heard me crowing that “Shoes and Shadows” got into this show. And if you’re like me, you’ve ruled out a trip to Lexington just to see it (unless you’re already there; if you are in Kentucky, RUN to the show! Fortunately, the show is available online.

You can just look at the thumbnails, but take a few minutes and click on the images to see larger images.

Now to do some (imaginary) shopping.

I arrived home about three hours ago and have spent that time wandering around the house trying to figure out a game plan.

I think my game plan is to be without a game plan for right now.

In the last week I have spend four of the seven days away from home. Monday-Wednesday I was traveling for work and Friday-Sunday (today) I was at the Watercolor Society of Oregon Convention in Hermiston. The good news is that a lot of painting has occurred in the last week, but the bad news is that I’m wiped out. I’m so glad to be going to work tomorrow (done with traveling) because I need the rest!

Here’s some quick painting recaps for the week.

Monday

While waiting for a meeting I took a 1/2 hour lunch and did a little painting outside the cafe in Standfield, Oregon.

Tuesday

No painting, just an site visit for work to Catherine Creek.

Friday

Drive over to Hermiston for the WSO convention. I took my time and stopped at a wildlife viewing area. Also go lost and stopped by a guard, but that’s another story.

Saturday

Started out the day taking a class on graphic elements in still life from Bill Bailey. I wasn’t able to finish any paintings, but I did learn a lot.

My next class was a lecture by juror Ratinda Das. Unfortunately I forgot to turn in my image for critique, but it was a good lecture anyway.

Next I took a class on making a journal. I thought it was a class on journaling, but it turned out to be a class on making actual journals.

Good to know.

After class I decided to go out on a tour around Hermiston. I took my watercolor stuff.

I saw cows. Lots of cows

I saw some deer.

I saw corn. And a pumpkin field.

I found a nice little pond with a blue heron and later an egret and painted a little.

But my favorite moment was when i saw this Paul Bunyon sized bench.

When I went over to investigate, this was the view.

Wouldn’t you paint it too?

I like this so much I’m really thinking about it for a full sheet painting.

Sunday

By nature, Sunday at a convention is less painting driven. It starts out with a business meeting and then comes the juror demo.

I had watched Ratindra’s video and would have loved to take the workshop this week, but I just couldn’t manage it. Ratindra proved to be a good speaker and his love of painting really came through. But the bills must be paid.

I came away wanting to do some painting, and there really isn’t too much more you can ask for from a convention.

The last week has literally carried me all around the state. When I was hired at OWEB, one of the exciting parts of my job was an opportunity to travel around the state doing financial trainings for grantees. After months of prep, this week (and next) are high training periods. Last week I went to Gresham (okay, it was nearby…), Central Point, Klamath Falls, and Bend. In the coming week I’ll be traveling to Pendleton and Baker City.

In all the traveling of last week, however, i wasn’t able to take a single picture because the battery on my camera died and I didn’t bring the charger. Doh!

So I can’t show you the birds at Klamath Falls, the mountains in Bend, or the… well, I’m sure there was something about Central Point that was fun, but without a camera, I can’t remember it!

Fortunately I plugged in the charger and when I go out this week it should be more interesting from a blogging point of view.

Still, other exciting things have happened besides travel and it’s a good time to do an update.

30 Paintings in 30 Days… Busted

Last Sunday I had made a lot of progress in catching up. And if I had been in the office, I feel like I could have done it. But travel defeated me, even though I took my painting gear and was preparred. Budget hotels, however, don’t tend to have great views.

I’ve decided to give myself a break. I learned that painting at lunch is a great thing and I’m going to try to do it when I get back into real life at work again.

House Sale (Oregon City)

As I mentioned, I put my house in Oregon City up for sale. It was very successful and I got several good offers. While I am waiting for an inspection to put a cap on it, a deal has been struck and it looks like we’ll close October 27.

House Purchase (Salem)

So in the limited amount of time I had between engagements, I forsook day 1 of the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival to go down to Salem for some serious house hunting.

Nine hours later I had it narrowed down to three (maybe four…) homes, but that was as far as I could get it. The porched house mentioned in my August 31 post “This Human Craves Chaos” was still under consideration, but it has been overshadowed by a new home build on an infill lot a little further out (but still within a couple miles of work) and an absolutely STUNNING house right in downtown and ON Mill Creek. I mean RIGHT ON. Like living in a camp site. And a high-priced fixer up right on Busch Park that I was pretty sure wasn’t right, but the park part would have been fun…

Doing some research and thinking about my priorities (and realizing that my father would rise up out of his grave and kill me for even thinking of buying a house on a flood plain (and looking at pictures from the LAST flood)) I reluctantly came to the conclusion the creek house was too risky for my essentially cautious personality.

More research revealed that the new construction home would be followed by more construction RIGHT in back of it. After looking at some plot maps (and my budget) I came back to the porched house.

So this morning we put in an offer and I’m waiting to hear back. Fingers crossed.

Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival

Fortunately, I had a great way to fill my time while I waited. Months ago I had signed up for an all day class: Spinning 2 – Building on What You Know. Taught by an encyclopedia Laurie Weinsoft, it was a good class because we got a lot of opportunity to for hands-on play with the various technique and materials. My only complaint was that Laurie used her inside voice and the class next door used their outside voice; in other words, it was hard to hear.

Still, it was a day well spent. A fleece was purchased (yes, another. A gray one this time) as well as some Firestar and silk to add in, as well as plans to dye the fleece. i’ll finish my white one first though.

Probably…

Well, I’m heading off again tomorrow and I haven’t even packed, but you now know everything I do. I’ll endeavor to do better in the photo department for my next post.

Last Thursday I attended critique group. I had two pieces to be worked and one “show and tell”.

I started out explaining I was competing in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge and showing off this piece.

Then I showed this piece and explained I didn’t know where to go next.

Here’s what I did with their suggestions.

I’m still not done, but at least progress is happening.

Finally, I showed them this painting.

I explained I was interested in going bigger and asked for thoughts. This crop was suggested.

If I decide to go bigger, I know where to go.

The value

I’ve been debating whether to go further with this post… and I’m gotta do it.

While we were discussing a piece (painted by a very, VERY talented artist who has been painting a long time, and in fact someone I have taken a class from) a woman who lives in the building came in and listened to our comments (our group meets in a retirement home that has a big, “public” art area for residents.) This particular woman, who apparently lives in this retirement community, has walked into our group before.

But let me step back a minute and explain about critique group.

The idea of critique group is that a group of painters (or writers, or sculptors, or jugglers…) gets together and combines their expertise to improve their skills. Most critique groups follow a format of one painter puts up a recent work, everyone studies it, then make suggestions. The painter may or may not decide to follow the suggestions.

The best critique groups are very impersonal (at least about the art part.) Members may know that other members prefer a certain subject, color palette, or technique, but they bring an analytic eye to the process and discuss widely agreed upon principles of art. The poster below covers most of them, though some may be added or subtracted.

More experienced painters may also bring knowledge of how jurors look at art or what is likely to be accepted into a show.

The main point is that critique-ers are not criticizing the piece or the artist; they are critiquing.

Critique ~ [kri-teek] (noun)
1. an article or essay criticizing a literary or other work; detailed evaluation; review.
2. a criticism or critical comment on some problem, subject, etc.
3. the art or practice of criticism.
verb (used with object), critiqued, critiquing.
4. to review or analyze critically.

There is an element of trust to this process. There is a trust (sometimes hard to establish and keep) that criticizing is NOT happening; that any comments are made from a place of wanting to improve the piece; that the critique-er knows what they are talking about. And there is a trust that everyone has the best of intentions.

If the artist feels vulnerable, so does the critique-er because they know that if their suggestion is NOT taken it shows a lack of faith in that suggestion (and maybe in the critique-er themself.) Additionally, every artist has the opportunity to put up their work, so the whole group is in the same boat of laying themselves bare.

Into this seen walks a random woman who:

1. Is not part of this group
2. Is not an artist
3. Has not been invited / accepted into the group

While completely distracting everyone by moving around the room, she listens to our comments and then boldly announces —

She tells us that the piece is wonderful and that if she could paint like that she wouldn’t change a thing. That the piece reminds her of (insert a name of famous painter here) and that she met this painter and therefore is qualified to judge the piece is PERFECT!

Here’s the thing. This incident goes beyond annoying. It’s insulting.

The Insult

Why is it insulting?

It’s insulting to the artist who has spent hours on the painting and still knows something is off and can’t quite find it on her own.

It’s insulting because it devalues ALL the time and effort the artist has spent getting it to a stage where she is willing to ask: “What should I do?”

It’s insulting because it says the artist is not qualified to judge her own work.

And last of all it’s insulting to the group, not because our opinions are overridden (the artist can make that choice herself,) but because this interloper is negating the trust we have worked so hard to establish.

Here’s the thing, though, that I’ve really been thinking about over the last few days.

It’s insulting because it implies that artists have no need to develop their talent.

To try to clarify my point, I went online to find some quotes about this.

But the one that comes closest is this.

So I Shouldn’t Compliment An Artist?

I finished this blog, went to bed, and knew I needed to clarify this last point.

No. Please, if you like an artist, tell them. Or better yet, purchase their work. Unless you are part of that artist’s critique group, you are seeing works the artist has judged “ready” and “finished.” The work has been done and the artist is prepared. While I wouldn’t suggest it, the artist is ready for any criticism that come their way. They are ready to answer questions and describe the process.Compliment anything you like about the work: color, content, creativeness. Ask the artist what inspired the piece.

But don’t assume that the artist is just cruising on talent. Remember, no matter how talented that artist is, a lot of hard work went into what you are admiring. Respect that.

Sometimes when I am talking to friends and they tell me stuff about their lives, I feel foolish because I have NO memory of them telling me about any of this stuff… except they did.

Then comes a week like this week and I realize why that is: It’s all I can do to keep up my my life.

Maggie Choate

On Tuesday my mom (Maggie) went in for hip replacement surgery. She’s been in pretty severe pain for a long while now and if my dad hadn’t been going through his illness, this probably would have happened sooner. The last year has allowed Mom to do the necessary research and become comfortable that this was the next step.

The surgery went well and she’s recovering nicely. I wasn’t able to be with her until Friday night, but we talked while she was in the hospital (Tuesday-Friday) and one of her friends drove her home and stayed with her until I could get there.

I think that was the point she kind of conked out. She looks great and is so much more mobile than I thought she would be, but it was obvious that she was ready to be out of the hospital (loud, noisy, and full of people) and home (quiet, familiar and only me (take that how you want).)

I knew from talking to her (and just knowing her for the last ____ years) that my job this weekend was to be there and be quiet. So I brought my painting stuff and vowed to catch up on my painting.

Totally good move.

When I left Sunday evening a few of her friends stopped by for a pizza party and agreed she was looking good. She’ll still be recovering for a while, but she’s on the mend and says she can already feel the improvement in her hip.

Painting

To recap, I am currently behind in posting nine paintings. But it’s not as bad as it looks.

Sept 16

So I got a little more behind this week because Tuesday and Wednesday were not “normal” work days, but full-day trainings with a working lunch. I did get this piece painted. I am liking where it’s going enough to keep it in the pile, but I suspect it will really change if I continue. Still, it’s paint covering a whole piece of paper, so I’m keeping it in the challenge.

Sept 17

Thursday was raining intermittently, so I painted the view from my desk.

Did you know clouds move?

September 18

This is yet another of Mill Creek. I tried to capture not just the ripple but a ray of sunlight on the water. Very mixed results on that.

So with these three, I’m only behind six. Thus begins my weekend work.

Catch Up 1 – Bear

I need to work on the eyes, but other than that, I’m not sure where else to go with this. I like the colors, but other than that, it’s just not cutting it for me. I’ll take it to critique group and see what they say.

Catch Up 2 – Metallic Pears Experiment

I actually started this on September 13, but I wasn’t sure where to go. So I decided to experiment with some metallic pigments I scored at a garage sale. Very interesting…

Catch Up 3 – Ice Dragon

This is another one that I’m not calling done, but I have decided where to go. It’s a piece that started out as just putting down some colors to try to get me painting again. I’ve decided it’s a chained ice dragon. I got to the point where it was sketched in… I just need to finish. I’m putting it in the painting list… call me a cheater if you want.

Catch Up 4 – Stealth Painting

I can’t show you this.

It’s also not done.

But considering I painting on it for 4 hours this weekend, and my week day paintings have been 1 hour… I’m including it!

Catch Up 5 – Gelli Plates

A few weeks ago I purchased a new, larger Gelli plate and a patterning tools. This was my first chance to play with them, and I’m calling this a win.

So… to summarize: I have one more catch up and then I’ll be on track.

Moving On

So the last of the big catch up bulletins of the week has to do with my living arrangements.

Six months ago, when I accepted the job as Grants Payment Coordinator with OWEB down in Salem, I knew that a change in location was probably going to follow.

I had been getting to that point anyway; I’m getting older and government work has a lot of security. While my crystal ball has been busted for AGES, I suspect that I’m going to stay with the way of life that offers the most security. The terrible 2011-2012 year just wore me out.

Unless I got a job with Clackamas County, future jobs will require a commute from Oregon City. Before I got a job with OWEB, I had been contemplating trying to move closer into Portland, where I could have a choice between Multnomah County, City of Portland, State of Oregon, and several other government agency jobs (assuming I needed to look.) When I made the decision to move down to Salem, I knew I was limiting myself to State of Oregon, City of Salem, or Marion County. It’s a somewhat smaller pool in case of emergency (not that much smaller though), and the cost of housing is considerably less.

I took the risk and it’s been a good one.

My initial six months (the state’s probationary period) are almost up and things are going well (9 more days to go.) So last weekend I sat down with a realtor who attends my church and laid out my situation. She recommended trying to beat the winter blues, so burned the midnight oil cleaning the house and yard and I put the house up for sale on Friday.

I’ve been so busy with everything else going on that I’m not even 100% sure what the marketing plan is, but the realtor assured me that we had tons of showings and the price is competitive, so fingers crossed for a quick sale.

And then I’ll have to figure out what to do about moving.

More fun.

Last Update

The house being on the market is, in some ways, good timing because I’m going to be out of town a lot in the next few weeks. One of my job duties is doing financial training around the state and I have 7 scheduled in the next few week. Add the WSO convention and OFFF, and the house sitter will see Finn and the cats a lot more than I will! The realtor is thrilled.

Today’s painting is another try at ripples and I’m pretty pleased. Compare to my September 4 attempt!

I ran out of time and didn’t get a chance to finish some areas, so I think it looks better with a certain amount of cropping.

And yes, if you’re counting, I’m three paintings behind. But it’s a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and I’m hoping to catch up!

September 8

I like how this turned out in general. However, I figured out that water, even when it’s dark, needs to “read” light. Light bulb moment.

September 9

I have some ‘splaining to do.

September 10

I tried to catch up and do two paintings.

I ended up with one weak painting.

September 11

I really like this. I think the reflection needs to be a little blurrier, even though it really wasn’t. And it read more like water than previous attempts. Interestingly, I added a gray way over the water and then it really looked like water.

My Facebook artist friends are always getting me into trouble. That’s my story, and I’ll stick to it. Among the worst culprits is Ruth Armitage whose abstract work I both love and fear. Or, it’s probably more accurate to say, I’m deeply jealous of her ability with abstracts.

A couple weeks ago a co-worker purchased “Ripples” and this reminded me of my vague threats to do more abstract work (as it is a fun process).

This 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge seems a good time to work on this threat, and I even have an idea!

A few months ago I watched a highly touted video (A Designed Approach to Abstraction)  by artist John Salminen who came to WSO a year or so before I came a member and whose workshop is still talked about. In the video, Mr. Salminen talks about designing an abstract by drawing three (basically random) things and then overlapping them.

The other day I was in a (boring) meeting and created an abstract idea.

My artist goals for this weekend was to work on the chapter in Celebrate Your Creative Self about saving whites. This seemed like a good project to work on.

Abstracts are hard. It’s not hopeless, but I’m not sure where to go next.