When I updated my website to include all of the paintings that I've made for the CSA exhibits, I was surprised at how different the body of work was from what I was painting just prior to the project.  And I was also surprised at how much work I had made!  Here's a screenshot of the CSA paintings (those last three were done for the Tiny show at Spindleworks, made at the same time):

Updated work from the CSA exhibits + - fills a whole page!

 Here's a screenshot of the body of work the was produced just before the CSA project (minus the first one which didn't fit on the first page!):

The paintings from before the CSA project (minus that first one)

I'm really struck by the difference in palette; the older work was about dealing with migraines and chronic illness, so they were pretty dark and a bit angry.  The CSA project allowed me to focus on something bigger than my own issues and something more cheerful-- even though I always find a way to bring something haunting into my work!

One of the most intriguing results of this CSA experience, for me, has been evolving my perception of what my influences were-- What I went in with and what I came out with. And other's perceptions, too. The artists, the farmers, and the viewers. It's not always about the food itself. For me, it barely was. As one of the other artists, Maina Handmaker said in this Forecaster article, "I learned a lot from them: not just about raising animals or picking vegetables, but really about raising a family and being connected to a place in the community."

"The Hub" Monotype

Had another great night making monotypes.   I really loved the image of the big barn from the day before, but I wanted to flip the composition.  I loved the result and so I made one more (so far).  In the second one, I added red to give more dimension and a hint of the color in real life.

 ....

Read more about the project here: http://csaart.org/


If you have a few dollars you'd like to donate to this project, please visit our Indiegogo page-- the thank-you presents begin at the $10 level!  http://www.indiegogo.com/CSA-Community-Supporting-Arts

Hit the studio today making more monotypes for the CSA Project at the Harlow Gallery.  Like the last set I was working on, I'm really digging the look and feel of this process.  My husband taught me a method for monotypes using water soluble Speedball ink on a plexiglass plate.  I played around with it and really found that I liked covering the entire plate in custom color mixed ink and then using a reductive method of drawing my image in.  I'm finding that it leaves an almost ghostly appearance which matches the hazy memories I'm working from (as well as the instant photographs to jog the brain).

I've been neglecting my blog (as most bloggers do) but it's not because I have nothing to say.  Quite the contrary, I have much to say but I've been blogging on the CSA project website and not here!  Shame on me!  So here I'll cram it all into one post and then I promise I'll keep posting here at the same time.  I mean, I know you worry.  I'm ok, really.  ....

By the way-- if you have a few dollars you'd like to donate to this project, please visit our Indiegogo page-- the thank-you presents begin at the $10 level!  http://www.indiegogo.com/CSA-Community-Supporting-Arts

Encaustic monotypes are starting to be a fun new pasttime of mine! I love noodling with it and seeing what results I can get. KISS is my new mantra for this project -- "Keep It Simple, Stupid"

I've been MIA from my blog but I assure you-- I've been working hard! Teaching workshops, getting Sweetland Retreat up and running, home renovations, and summer heat; it's keeps a gal busy.