Funhouse Painting

I’ve been painting a lot recently, several hours straight each day.
For the past two days it hasn’t gone well: colors and light not quite gelling, paint not the right consistency, texture too precious. I worked on a different painting each day, trying to stay loose, knowing I wasn’t improving the pieces, but pushing through. I have to figure out how to salvage these two paintings, which could work if edited well.
Tonight I opened my studio for the monthly public showing. Didn’t want to waste the hours, so I threw up a new painting. After about 30 minutes it dawns on me I’m painting well, that it’s so easy, that my brush picks up the correct colors each time, even thought I’m being interrupted by people asking questions and friends stopping by. I love that little creeping feeling that I can’t make a wrong mark, and as confidence grows, I paint better.
There’s no clear reason why I painted well today and poorly yesterday. I just have to accept my rollercoaster abilities, be happy for the highs and work through the lows.

New York and my Little Corner

I didn’t get a chance to write about my New Your art trip earlier this summer. Saw wonderful stuff--glad I did, as now I’m so down on art (or maybe it’s just the horrible prospect of me and most of my friends losing our jobs).
Anyway, went to Mary Boone, saw this highly designed paper work by Jacob Hashimoto. It was both lovely and cold somehow. The space is impressive with exposed rafters. It’s also a reminder not to show too much, not to overfill walls with work.
Last night my studio building was open for the first time during the local gallery walk. I had several series up, but it was overload.
Just opened two boxes of paintings from almost 15 years ago that were in storage. Don’t quite know what to think. I don’t even remember doing the paintings, which are citycsapes. They were produced right before I entered grad school, when I quit painting entirely.
Have I improved/developed/matured? Can’t say. Am not thrilled with the old work, but that’s typical—the only work I’m ever really happy with is what I’m doing NOW.
The best thing about last night was that Kid.02, on his own initiative, put prices on the stuff he’s been making in my studio, and sold a pirate painting for $5.

Sanctuary

My studio is fast becoming one. I’m teaching less now, as my winter quarter classes have finished and one school hasn’t hired me for Spring. Although I definitely need the money, time off allows me time to breath, and work. I’m spending several hours each day within these comforting walls, feeling more and more at home.
What am I working on?
• Society Pictures (you can see them on the wall, they are miniatures)
• Regular nudes from models (my figure drawing group is now meeting in my studio)
• Greek Paintings (am trying to finish up the last half dozen, and maybe do a few more. But what I really need to do is show them, have tentative plans for June.)
• Trade Show, California – Turkey (this is a BIG project, will post about it soon)
• Plaster Drawings (still in design stages)
• Trauma and Bedroom Series (only planned)
Can’t wait to go there tomorrow.

Ides of March

Busy weekend. Am emptying out my house of art junk, and filling up my studio. Both things feel great! Also setting up a special area in the studio where my kids can make stuff, although today they just wanted to have target practice in there (with easels…)
A new friend dropped by with a painting she was working on and we talked about what was right and what felt off. I think I was able to help. And in turn she looked at my work, picking out what caught her eye—very helpful to me.
I’m thinking about starting a figurative drawing group for women only, where we can model for each other. My other drawing group couldn’t meet last month, and am anxious for them to see my new space.
If you want to join either, please contact me!
Here’s a funny photo of my Art Orientation class. We studied sculpture, and for a break, made bugs out of candy.

Pray Street

I don’t believe in living with one's own art. I’ve spent the past few days debulking my house of paintings, drawings, frames, and supplies. Canvases rolled up under the bed, paintings stacked in the hallways, closets filled with stretched work (I hate stretched paintings, so easy to damage, so awkward to transport…)
All that stuff now has a home in my studio, where it can be properly inventoried, stored, and looked-through. I can begin to think straight again.
The artwork I want to live with is that of others, my friends and colleagues, inspiration and memories.
Here’s an exception, though. I did this painting of my grandparent’s backyard almost 20 years ago. I remember the afternoons I spent on the patio making it. Now their house is empty, unsaleable in this economy. My relatives still hope it’s valuable, when like all property, it’s not, and moreover, the house if falling to ruins.
But my memories of it are like this painting, dotted with sunshine, softened with a martini, sharpened with practical advice and intelligent conversation. I don’t even feel it's my painting, it has so many other meanings in it now.

Studio Inauguration

Spent the first day in my studio today with crew and friends shooting videos. Have no idea if they will turn out. The light in the studio is quite good for filming, but I underestimated the ambient street noise—my studio is on a busy urban corner.
Have been so worried about multiple things lately—slept badly—and therefore wasn’t at my best for the shoot. I don’t think I’ve talked about it on Kloe before, but I’m making drawing videos to teach online. A sort of fallback if the academic gig doesn’t work out (read: sarcastic understatement).
Now I need an agent. Got any ideas???

Kloe Likes to Party

I know it may look like I’m at a bar, drinking scotch, but it’s really an art opening/event, that only took place at a bar…
And yes, I’m celebrating metaphorically, as I’m now officially moved into my studio! Going to do my first work, a video shoot, this weekend!

Whoo Hoo!

Painted floor today, a lovely chocolate brown! Now the space is empty potential, waiting for all my supplies and paintings.
Start of a new chapter!!!

Today was full of contradictions.

I got called into talk with one of my bosses cause I got a “less that favorable” student evaluation. I almost laughed. She may have sensed I didn’t take it seriously, but really, a few failing students say I’m a bad teacher, should I care?
I graded my art history test. Several students got perfect scores, but many more got less that 20% correct. Does that mean I’m a bad teacher?
Anyway, what I really want to say is that my studio floor is in! And the landlady paid for it!!! Yeah! Tomorrow I’m going to paint it, then I can move in.

Studio Still not There

Still no doors. Defective windows have to be replaced. Floor turns out to be sub-flooring, and I have to put in my own (am I supposed to take it when I move out??). Got a quote for plywood, but will look into linoleum tiles.
Dang.
Loved this show of photos by Lee Materazzi: funny, naughty, scary. A Francesca Woodman for the 00s. Feel like doing just this right now.

Not-Quite-White Studio

My studio is almost finished. I’m pretty tired of being in the downstairs space, totally exposed, no heat, no light. Details remain: no door or jams yet, no screens in the windows, worklights to be installed. I’m going to stain the floor.
I was surprised a few days ago to find the walls painted tan; I’d assumed they would be left raw and I’d do white both for looking at artwork and for easy touch-ups. But it’s too late now, I’ll just repaint when I can.
It’s a scary thought to take on such expense in this economy, but I’ve needed a space to make art for years. If I can’t handle the rent I’ll sublet one of the rooms.
I’ve so many projects to finish, start and store, I just wish I could be in there, tomorrow…

Plaster Experiments

While I’m waiting to get into my studio I’m starting to play with plaster. The Greek paintings were supposed to be white, but I couldn’t really get them there, so I’ve decided to try working with white material.
I got the idea from a documentary about Chartres Cathedral, which I teach in my art history survey. Apparently the 13th century architects etched their floorplans and elevations into plaster trays, creating a sort of primitive blueprint. I’m also interested in the idea of sacred geometry, circles inside of circles, the golden proportion and such.
Anyway, have no idea how to finish it yet, and it might not work, but the plaster is dusty and fun.

Painting Again

My temporary space is working out wonderfully. I love the neighborhood—vibrant and gritty. The thrift store across the street was buzzing (as you’d guess). Coffee shops, bars, tattoo and piercing parlors, pawn shops, used book stores, all the high end stuff. There’s even a little art store that is eager to please and will carry whatever I suggest.
If you’re out tonight at Ray, you can see my paintings at the corner of University and Grim.

Temporary Space

It was “the worst day of my life,” according to Kid.01, who had to return to his BORING school (I wonder where he got the melodramatic streak?). Never, fear, he was cheered by fajitas with avocado and a cuddle with Biscuit.
But for me it was a GREAT day, cause I picked up the keys to an empty retail space below my still-under-construction studio. I can paint here til the drywall upstairs is finished. It’s been raining in SoCal, and way too cold to paint outside in my patio or garage.
I’ve got several projects in the works, but have had no place to organize them. Am planning a big exhibition for next fall, with hundreds of artists from several countries—I’ll be writing about it soon.
For now, I’m just grateful that my new landlady is being so generous (she's letting me use the space for free). Anyway, it’s good PR for her to have someone in this empty space, maybe it will generate a tenant.
Am I excited? YES!