Finding my Artist Voice Part II…….

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art and nature, artist life, finding ones artistic voice, image of yellow-billed magpie, painting of yellow-billed magpie

Earlier this year I wrote a piece on Finding my Artist Voice…..over 2013 I have found that simple is what I naturally like to do.

I have always enjoyed simplicity. I’m the gal who can fit her whole wardrobe into a single suitcase. I don’t like fussy hair and I prefer hiking boots over dress shoes.

I have also discovered that I like lines that are just that….lines. This liking I have discovered reflects my dislike for the meaningless talk. I have never understood the need to explain everything.

Lastly, I have found that I really enjoy painting strong forms. And I have found that I enjoy the abstract often uncontrollable quality of Indian Ink. Perhaps because at 45 I have learned that life doesn’t always go as we plan…..sometimes it is much better!

Below are images of a few pieces based on the Yellow-Billed Magpie. These works reflect my love of the outdoors and my love to create. Plus…. I was drawn to the strong black form with the reflective whites and the touch of yellow that this California bird has.

Indian Ink drawing on paper…..

Oil painting with palate knife on large stretched canvas…..

Indian Ink drawing on paper…..

I believe being creative is an important part of being human…..so here is to being human.

Sabi

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Winter Flowers……..

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photography, rural georgia landscapes, winter flower images

This is another group of pictures I took the other day….titled this grouping as Winter Flowers.

My inspiration came from the dappled sunlight and a memory of a few paintings of artificial flowers by Georgia O’Keeffe.

Finding beauty in the ordinary….that was one of Georgia O’Keeffe’s premises for her famous flower paintings.

Sabi

Monuments in Blue…….

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abstract photography, art, life of an artist, photography, rural georgia landscapes

Had the day off and it was a beautiful day so I grabbed the camera and headed to a local cemetery…. the sky was super and the monuments were really nice against the blue.

In rural Georgia getting outside is a part of daily life…..living life as an artist gives me the licenses and excuse to seize life’s opportunities to slow down and see the ordinary from a different perspective….

Sabi

Misty Island……

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getting outside, impasto, island painting, landscapes, life of an artist, nature, nature art, nature in art, rural georgia landscapes

Below is pictured an oil painting of a little island on stretched canvas. I used very thick layered paint to create a misty look. I got to visit the island this year and below is the story behind the painting…..

This summer was full of outdoor adventures. As a Georgia State Park Naturalist, I get to met and do outdoor stuff with people who like to do and be outside. The park where I work surrounded on three sides by a beauty lake. Off our shores are several little islands of which I have been dying to visit. I finally got my chance this past fall with 4 other ladies to visit one of the most notable islands.

We took off around 10am in canoes and a kayak. The head wind to the island was brutal and the journey took us a little longer than expected, but once there we were able to relax with lunch and a round of apple juice.

The island itself is small, about 60 feet across. We landed on the south side, which has a little beach, where we parked our boats. A short hike to the interior of the island led us to some makeshift seats and a fire ring. There we let our muscles re-coop and ate our lunch.

On the way back, we spotted one of our park resident Bald Eagles. I never grow tired of seeing those guys. No matter how many times I see them, my heart always races when I see them or hear their call. Over all the day was perfect.

A few weeks later, I experienced the island in a much different way. Being a Naturalist, I am outside rain or shine and on this particular day it rained non-stop all day. Part of my job is checking on campers, so on this rainy day I was checking on a hardy group of campers and from their camping spot, I could see the little island. The rain was so heavy the island nearly disappeared. Only the darkest colors of the island where visible and the edges of the island fused mysteriously with the lake.

So the painting below is a combination of these two experiences….a lovely day with a group of canoers and a very rainy day of wet boots and rain gear.

Pictured below are the ladies I went island hunting with…..that’s me in the middle.

See ya outside soon….
Sabi

Paris….Maps….and a Snail…..

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being creative, image of paris map, image of snail

There are a few things in life that I really love…..

Traveling……Maps……Wildlife…..and that includes snails.

The idea for this drawing was inspired by the army of snails we have in our backyard. Their trails shimmer in the light and look like sketched rivers on the ground. I love old maps and Paris is one of my favorite places to visit.

So here it goes….

Seeing with a different perspective can be a bit zany….but being creative is a must.

Allowing the creative self to explore beyond the selfi is an eye open to the world around and an eye into one’s place in this world. Be creative…..you’ll feel better.

Mushrooms in the Rain….

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image of cream mushroom, image of grey mushroom, image of mushrooms, image of red mushroom, nature art, nature photography

Today’s creative moment came right after a down pour. Getting down and getting close enabled the camera lens to see mushroom details. The combination of repeated linear flutes and rounded tops were exciting to see and capture.

Color and texture really came out in this one….

from this angle the mushrooms looked stacked….

Pet Portraits……

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image of black cat, image of calf, laughing cat image, pet portraits

Tried to get a good facial expression from each animal when taking these pet portraits….

Enjoyed photographing the different animals featured here.

kissing turtles…..

smiling kitty…..

sleepy kitty….

kitty laughin at my joke…

itchy spot…..

freckled nose….

Yellow Flowers and Bees….

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image of bee, image of wasp, image of yellow flower

Love my new camera…..

Oh Yes…. It is a Slug…..

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nature in photographs, slug image

The other day this little guy creeped his way out from underneath our dryer….so I have decided to keep him for a while to get close up study of him. Slugs really are interesting critters….curves….ripples….grooves.