LDS International Art Competition

"Make Known His Wonderful Works" was the theme of this year's art competition. It happens every three years. I entered and was rejected 3 years ago, and this year I entered and they had I made it through the first round of judging. They requested that I send the framed painting to the Church History Museum for the final round of judging. So I sent it off 2 weeks ago and am waiting to hear back. If they like it, it will be part of the 2012 exibit in the SLC museum. If they don't, they will mail it back to me.

The exibit begins in March. I can't wait to find out.

Alex's Kindergarten Art

The school year is coming to a close and today Alex brought home all the art he made in Kindergarten. I was very impressed.

Mary Free Bed Art Exhibit

After church today we drove to Grand Rapids to attend the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital's Annual Art Exhibit Reception. It was exciting to see my painting up on display. The hospital bought it so it will be there for years to come.

It was only in that first moment of seeing it up - in public - that it occured to me that I painted myself with no clothes. The hallways of the hosptial were full of people.

I am slowly easing myself into life as an artist. This meet and greet atmosphere was a good example of what I'm not used to. For so long I have kept myself safe in the world of practicing technique but never finishing a piece, naming it, signing it, selling it. I think I am ready for that world now. I certainly enjoyed today.

My little patch of heaven

The humidity broke today and the weather is perfect! Chris left for Washington DC yesterday for a conference, so the boys and I spent this morning hanging out enjoying what our own yard has to offer. I love where we live. We have been in this house for 2 years and I still am in awe of the surroundings. Being on the river, towered over by a huge canopy of trees, having the art studio, and now a new swingset (thank you Chris)  

Chris built this swingset a couple weeks ago. The boys love it and use it all the time. Chris burried those 12 foot posts in almost 4 feet of concrete underground. Its pretty sweet.

The window box plants are growing out of control. I planted those flowers from seeds and they have grown wild. It was the first time I have ever had success growing a plant from a seed. 

The boys had a great time painting in the art studio. I love working right along side those boys in there.

Here are some more pictures of what the art studio looks like. The posters on the wall are a timeline of art history from the begining. It was a project I did in college and I actually use it. Amazing.

Someone Bought my Art!

I am so excited right now. I just got a check in the mail from the Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids for $300. They bought my art! I submitted this piece called "Freedom" to be displayed in their anual art exhibit. They chose a couple to buy and mine was one of them.  

I have been making art my whole life but this is the first piece that I felt right about. It was the first time that I felt there was a piece of me up on the wall.  And now that piece of me lives a Rehabilitation Hospital where people with spinal cord injuries will spend days and days looking at the walls as they consider their new life. 

I am so blessed. My Heavenly Father has given me everything I have - most importantly the knowledge that my life is taking the shape he would have it take. 

 

Dr. Seuss Exhibit

We had a really fun day today exploring Lansing. We went to a local gallery that had a Dr. Seuss Exhibit. It had some amazing drawings, paintings, and  sculpture. They had a traditional bronze sculpture (pictured above), but they also these great sculptures that hung on the wall called "Unorthodox Taxidermy" made with real beaks and horns. (pictured below) They were awesome. 

So many firsts

I did my first oil painting. I am really amazed and embarrassed that I've done art my whole life and never picked up oils. I always thought they were reserved for "masters" who only did a certain style.  It was so fun to play with medium that was forgiving! It will probably be a long time before I go back to acrylics or watercolor. (for now) 

Please, as a favor to me, don't look at the gourd.  (It is hideous and I just wanted the painting to be done so I skimmed over it. )

Welcome to my life

I decided to start writing a blog. Mostly because I am way out here in the boonies of Michigan and I love reading and catching up with my long lost family and friends who have blogs.

Lately, I have had this insane desire to connect with old friends, (I mostly blame facebook) develop my artsy side, not eat all my son's halloween candy, and be more grateful for everything. I think that blogging will help me accomplish these things. I am always more grateful for my life when I put in on paper (or screen) sit back and look at it and think... oh its been way worse. 

I chose the title "house of bricks" because I love classic tales like The Three Little Pigs and how stories like that can be sentimental while they are symbolic to life. Plus, I actually live in a house of bricks.  

So as for the artsy side, here are a couple of the projects I've been working on lately:

• The 4' by 4' charcoal on linen piece pictured above entitled "Freedom"

A book I illustrated as a gift for my Mom. The text for the book was taken from a journal entry I wrote in the summer of 1990.

• Just Mom and Me 
• Just Dad and Me