I was recently commissioned to create a seated Buddha painting, which was a really good thing for me because my creative juices hadn’t been flowing much in the two months since I had moved households.  Being a home-based Canceran, I seem to take an extra long time to move through such transitions.  Focusing on creating a contemplative-based painting has helped me to feel more stable.  This is a cropped photo of the composition. It’s still not quite finished, but close enough to share.. and hopefully in time for a studio open house that’s happening this weekend  I am in the midst of several other unfinished paintings, so hopefully having an occasion to show off my stuff will give me the extra verve needed to help these reach completion soon too. (If you click to enlarge the image, you’ll see more detail of the thousands of tiny dots that comprise the background of this painting). Prints, cards, and mounted prints will be available soon!

.

I have also been working on some new jewelry I’m fairly excited about.  I have added vintage settings to some of my glass pendants, and started a whole new line of earrings made of lucite floral and leaf beads, paired with glass, crystal, and metallic elements.  Though all elements used are new, the jewelry has a very vintage feel since these beads were very popular in the 40s.  I feel that they pair pretty well with my pendant jewelry, and the flowers even remind me of elements of my paintings.  Just had to start experimenting with this before the Christmas buying season was over.  So far I am just selling them locally at my co-op art gallery (Six Days Art) and to FB friends, but plan to be introducing them to my stores, my website, (and etsy) soon.  You can view more designs on my Facebook album here … or, if you are not on facebook, see my flickr photostream (these will be replaced with more professional photos later).

.
If you are in Portland, please come to the open house event that is being put on at my co-op studio THIS Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 (5-9pm) and December 3rd (12-4pm) at the historic Troy Laundry Building.  18 artists will be opening their studios to the public.  Located at 221 SE 11th (between Oak and Pine). 18 artists are participating. Visit me in my studio (#10)  to see what’s new on the easel (or to buy a print or jewelry!)