An Oil Painter's Journey

Guys Having Drinks

2012-01-16T21:13:00.002-06:00

30x30 Oil on a beautiful Birch Panel.

Best time ever!

2011-11-16T00:50:00.003-06:00

It is almost Thanksgiving... you know that I love it. Turkey and corn and pie! This year is exciting because all of my kids will be here. They have all been here before, of course, but this is the first time that even my baby had to travel to make it to the table.

I am busy preparing already. And also ripping out the ceiling of the basement to move my studio home. . . . clearing away distractions and buckling down.

will try my best to remember to post a picture or three.

Finally, something that I like!

2011-09-29T10:37:00.003-05:00

I finally have something to share.
Been painting a lot of crap this year. :-)

This is 30x30 oil on Birch Panel. The panel is isolated with shellac- and my original plan was to have the wood showing through. But, I didn't like it, felt it was a bit gimmicky- so painted the whole thing.

Feeling over the hump- already moving on to the next one.

What a summer!

2011-09-19T13:56:00.005-05:00

There have not been many paintings.

I did paint, and go to the studio almost every day, but I have nothing to share here. I made piles of studies, and a few large messes. My dear friend John would say that this is a good thing. He says that this frustration and disapproval of my own work will be followed by a huge breakthrough. I hope so.

In preparation, I made a trip to Des Plains, to Owl Lumber and picked up some nice birch plywood. I have been busy with shellac and rabbit skin glue, and have several panels ready to go. My dilemma and one thing holding me up, is size. I love to paint big, but my studio is crowded with large unsold pieces. So, I am going a bit smaller. I have a few 20x30 pieces that will probably get paint first.

I have to apologize for the state of my blog. Between all of the deaths, Autumn's stroke, the many losses from every direction. I have been distracted for a few years now. I have really had a hard time moving on. So...

Rick and I went to Burning Man a few weeks ago. It was one of the greatest experiences ever.

First Friday

2011-05-26T11:05:00.002-05:00

They used the one image of last years work, but I will be filling the Lobby of the LLAP with some new paintings too and portrait samples. Johanna is a fantastic artist and teacher, so you wont want to miss her show. The NAAC show will be here too, as well as some crazy installation piece in the upstairs rooms of the mansion.
Come see.

First Friday

2011-05-06T22:15:00.004-05:00

Tonight was a lovely First Friday at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park. I had my studio open, and had a nice bunch of folks stopping in to discuss taking classes and commission art work. I heard that a crazy gremlin was turning my sign around. Gosh, I wonder who??

This is a nice little study that I did a few weeks ago as a demo at a local grade school. Usually these demos end up as burn pile material. I find that talking and answering questions does not really go too well with good painting- but I am kind of happy with this one. It was a lot of fun painting with the kids- who really wanted to eat the models. :-) I hope to do it again!

2011-02-17T20:41:00.001-06:00

Excuse the shadow at the top. I finished this one last month.

"Adam" 23x23 Charcoal

Drawing of Norma

2011-02-16T13:40:00.003-06:00

Taking commissions, of course. Finishing up a painting today, to.

I am having so much fun with these portraits. Let me know if you want to imortalize someone you love.

Working from home

2011-02-01T16:25:00.001-06:00

It is really coming down outside, with more on the way. So yesterday I cancelled today's class and brought home my work. One WIP drawing and a large painting that is on the home stretch. I also have some webwork for two projects to keep me busy. If you are looking for me at the studio, shoot me an email or call and I will make my way over there. This is a great time for commissioning charcoal drawings. Stay warm, friends. :-)

Happy New Year, welcome 2011

2011-01-05T10:51:00.001-06:00

Can not even believe another year has passed! This next year promises to be a big year of changes and adventures.

I have a large painting on the easel and a few drawings going too. New Classes are starting too. I am teaching out of my own studio, Creative Artistry and in McHenry at The Studio Art School. Send me a note if you would like to come and paint with me.

Learning More About Charcoal

2010-11-10T10:45:00.006-06:00

Went and hung out with some of my online artist friends in October. Gathered from all over the country in a small Missouri town- a few more days with Graydon Parrish. I really enjoyed all of the company, and was able to put aside what I thought that I knew and really learn some new things. Since that time, I have been drawing a lot using my family as models. I figure that way, I will have something good when I get through learning. Have done my middle two kids and working on my oldest child and youngest dog. Really am loving turning form and thinking about form in new ways.

These are going to look amazing when they are matted and placed in nice gold leaf frames. Since I would like to do a few more, I am taking a limited number of portrait commissions using this method, a much less expensive alternative to the painted portrait. There is still time if you would like to give a portrait for a Christmas gift, contact me. Gift Certificates are also available.

What a summer!

2010-08-15T17:45:00.003-05:00

Today I am home working on my poor neglected website. Have had family around all summer it seems, and have hardly been to the studio for the last few weeks.

This has been the most glorious summer in years. Nice and hot- lots of rain, so green that it is almost blue.

Over the next few days will be gallery visits and marketing then back to the studio and back to work. I promise!

Lori

Blinding Light will hang through June

2010-06-08T00:01:00.009-05:00

6 days

2010-05-29T16:21:00.007-05:00

It is hard to believe that this 6 year old idea will finally be out there in 6 days.

Blinding light began with 6 still life paintings created in 2004 and 2005 for the NYC "Representing Reality" show. It really came together through a series of lake paintings, hallway paintings, and even a few city scapes- all with one common thread, light so bright that you might want to reach for your sun glasses. The new large paintings created this last year are still just the beginning.

Oh my poor neglected blog.

2010-05-23T23:32:00.004-05:00

Stupid facebook has taken me from you... Or not as I am spending so much less time online these days. Not intentionally, just life that has crept up on me these last few years.

And besides that, I have a solo show just around the corner- less than two weeks away, and I am painting my butt off trying to get ready. I can not wait to show you my new work. I will be filling the Sage Gallery and also the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park Lobby. More information here. See you there!

Sage Gallery
401 Country Club Road
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

The grey is lifting.

2010-03-13T00:09:00.003-06:00

I saw a fly buzz by the other day. The snow was still on the ground, it was the kind of fly that Rick calls a zombie fly because they are still kind of stunned to be awake and act like the flying dead. I don't call them zombies, I call them promises of spring. I know, they are flies! But, this has been two back to back extraordinarily long winters with barely a warm day in between. Even flies look good to us now. Happy Spring, my friends!

I have 7 pieces in the LLAP Resident artist show. These three are in the Dole gallery, there are three in the Sage gallery and one in the lobby. They will be hanging all month, so stop by. If you give me a call and let me know that you are coming, I will meet you there. :-)

Thinking outloud.

2010-01-21T20:43:00.005-06:00

OK, so while I am here. this is totally thinking out loud, or just dumping my thoughts out and trying to make sense of them here, publicly. Not saying that my views are correct and not sure if I am qualified to even say a word about Art with a capital A, but this is my blog, so I will say what I want. :-)

While I work through the why of MY painting, I have been going to the Art Institute a lot lately. Once and sometimes twice a week for the past few months. Checking out the new modern wing- trying to get it. OH, there is plenty there to love, I am not saying that there isn't- but there is a whole lot that sure seems like a bunch of the emperors new clothes to me.

And I am learning. Over the years I thought that Cy Twombly was possibly the worst artist to ever be put in a museum. The recent Cy Twombly show was actually an eye opener. Not that I am a fan, but seeing his work all together like that gave me a better understanding. And while not my cup of tea, actually very beautiful all together.

Thankfully they have changed the exhibits some and removed the loud clown on the toilet videos that made standing in the Gerhard Richter room impossible. (!!!) Even though Gerhard has really bridged the gap between modern and traditional, I bet he would have been pissed to hear that obnoxious clown while looking at his beautiful paintings.

You know, there is so much to consider. Like the really wonderful room, possibly the best room in the museum, over looking the incredible Millenium Park that holds nothing but 6 white panels. It makes me mad every time that I see that, like that room was stolen from some hard working painter. Even though have been in a thousand discussions about why that is art, and have even heard some good arguments for it, I struggle to accept it. I'm thinking that I could go stand there forever and not change my mind.

And who cares? It is like you can not challenge it anyway- else be labeled an enemy of art, closed minded or stupid.

Hard as I try to keep an open mind, still I get so opinionated about it... Which is why I keep going back, because if there is something to it, I will find it.

I do understand and enjoy some of the color field paintings, and think that they are easier to bitch about than to create. Much of the modern art is quite beautiful. But the piles of trash? The length of sausage casings? the three poles? I am really not interested in a gimmick or tricks, but there also needs to be something more than just old dead technique, and I feel like I am getting closer to that thing. (or maybe had too much coffee)

There will always be artists taking the easy way out by doing nothing, which IMHO is actually preferable to those who settle on exploiting others, for example, a mediocre painter exploiting the bravery of a fallen policeman, fireman or our troops to make up for missing skills. No one would dare criticize your compositions or color when you paint your own self with their glory.

Like I said, I am unqualified, and very possibly wrong. I do know that for the rest of my life I will be learning how to paint, and a huge part of that is always learning/considering/growing into what to paint. Who knows where this journey will take me, but I am pretty confident that it will not be to show empty canvas, a can of shit or to a whole career built on exploiting other people's accomplishments.

Grey January Greetings!

2010-01-21T12:31:00.006-06:00

I am getting emails about my poor neglected blog. I am sorry, I will try to do better.

Many of you know it has been a time for us here, we have had real world life pushing this blog to the back burner. There was a birth a college graduation and several other really good things. But there were also the several deaths and the care of my adult daughter. So, while I have been in the studio working- blogging has not been high on the priority list.

Anyway, I am working hard- focusing my direction, painting, reading, thinking and growing. Really growing- and I see an exciting new direction forming in my sketchbooks.

Anyway- thanks for the nudge to post, and stop by the real world anytime and visit.

Working toward my Spring solo show...

2009-11-16T23:07:00.003-06:00

Hello friends,
I am working hard toward my May show. This is what is on my easel today- a work in progress, in case you were wondering- I am still here :-) My blog updates have been slow, but work is progressing at a good speed.

Not shown are a few portraits in the works as well as a portrait bust that I am working on in terracotta.

Driving Light

2009-10-20T16:25:00.003-05:00

Just finished this- 36x48, oil on canvas. Pardon the glare.

Still among the living.

2009-10-13T14:08:00.003-05:00

I have not completely forgotten my blog- it has just been a time these past months.

After my brother died in December I had a hard time coming up for air. And just as I was starting to, (a few days after my last post here) my daughter had a stroke, which landed her in a coma on full life support. Lots of stories to get her to here, but the bottom line is that she is going to be OK. We all will.

One of these days this blog will be updated properly, but for now I leave you with this picture of what I am working on right now.

XO Lori

Summer Reflections

2009-08-05T15:37:00.003-05:00

I miss my blog- and my studio, and I promise to be back soon.

It is that time of year when the family has grabbed my attention. With a son home from college and a daughter making a long awaited visit home. There has been time with my brother's widow, and a trip to Florida to rescue his airstream from the swamp. And there is another death on the horizon as my Father-in-Law is living out his last few days of fighting with cancer. So much going on that it is hard to get to the studio.

I have been attending a sculpture class- so at least there is a little bit of creation going on.

Stop by the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park to see the lobby where my new paintings will be hanging for the month of August- and I will be sure to be back in the studio before too long.

Love, Lori

Life

2009-06-12T23:37:00.005-05:00

We were lucky enough to have a robin's nest right out side our kitchen window this year. Delighted that we could enjoy our coffee and watch the good parents raise their family. I had no idea that the father robin was so involved- and this dad was a great one, chasing off the squirrels and the sparrows. standing nervously near the eggs so mom could run off for a moment. And feeding the kids giant june bugs and worms. So much fun to watch. This is our baby robin- he fell out of his nest a few days before they were ready to fly away so Norma picked him up and put him in a hanging planter placed a little under the nest, (there was no room IN the nest) and she hand fed him worms for a couple of days. We were standing there watching when "Albert" finally flew away. This picture was taken a few minutes after his first flight.

Smack-dab in the middle of everything.

2009-06-11T14:04:00.004-05:00

Sometimes it feels like I live in the middle of everything. I regularly see, (and feel equally at home with), both sky scrapers and corn fields. Art museums and galleries fancy city restaurants and farm stands. I like small towns and Love big cities.

Never a suburbanite, I do sometimes feel lost at sea here in the badlands of big box stores where I have never fit in.

But if I look- I can still find light, even if we do have twisted it all up with our crap.

This painting "Old Strip Mall" is 36x48 oil on canvas.

Today is a nice day for making frames.

2009-05-25T17:32:00.002-05:00

Sure, I know that it is Memorial Day- but it is kind of cold- so we stayed home and made some frames.

The Modern Wing Member's Preview

2009-05-14T23:44:00.024-05:00

The flowers in Chicago were so glorious- even on the gloomy day- it was thrilling to be on Michigan Avenue. Bravo Chicago!
I saw the new wing on a rainy Wednesday, a preview for the members. I have been looking forward to it for months and was not disappointed. Click on any of these images for a closer look.

The thing that I really love about the opening of the Modern Wing is the space that is left on the other side in the non modern wings. But I do plan to spend a lot of time here this summer.

The building is OK- mostly boring and reminds me of an empty IKEA store. But they were not done with the floors, so maybe I will like it better when that is done.

What is it this time? ... the flu again.

2009-05-06T00:38:00.002-05:00

I am seriously sick of the flu. I am sure that people will die of it, just like they do every single year- just like they have forever. The fear that I hear is freaking me out. Don't people remember bird flu? Sars? Anthrax and mad cow disease? What about when a few people get food poisoning and they throw away a whole season's worth of perfectly good tomatoes... I could go on and on and on. So obvious to me that fear sells news. So the fear of the day is swine flu.

And I am not buying it one bit.

You watch- next week it will be another pretty suburban blue eyed missing girl for Nancy Grace to cry about for weeks while the inner city violence goes unchallenged and unreported.

When I watch the reaction to this flu, again- it seriously causes me to call the whole world stupid. I am thinking about looking into some flights to Mexico- I bet that there are some deals out there.

What a Great Time!!

2009-05-01T00:09:00.000-05:00

It is the best week of the year, I think. The days that the leaves open on the trees, also the days before the lawns have been mowed, when the grass is lumpy and organic looking. And SO green!

I have an OK painting on the easel, but have a special painting in the planning stages- it will be big and it will be different.

Not much else going on- have been doing flesh studies, color and value studies- and spending way too much time on facebook and other forums with my artist friends.

keeping in touch.

Love, Lori

Settling in- stop by!

2009-04-23T21:56:00.004-05:00

I am getting comfortable in the new space- the furniture is in, and most of the supplies. Now is time for buckling down to my continued color (and drawing, composition, intent, content, etc....) studies. If you are in the neighborhood, do stop by and say Hello- I always love to have visitors.

Hello Out there!

2009-04-02T00:17:00.003-05:00

Having some technical difficulties, should be back with you shortly!

My new space...

2009-03-13T17:36:00.003-05:00

They let me take a look at the space today, opened up with the wall removed.

I took this little video to show it off.

My poor easels are going to get tired!

2009-03-01T02:10:00.003-06:00

I am moving again. Some of you know about my studio travels, some of which are chronicled here on this blog. Almost four years ago I moved from my home studio, (the basement in the winter- breezeway in the summer) to the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park. I started on the third floor, a nice room, but small. 6 months in and the tower opened up- so I took it, with it's walk in closet, private bathroom and beautiful views- it really is the best studio in the building. But 13x13, too small to teach, and I wanted to bring in some workshops. So, after a year in the tower, I moved to the giant studio in the basement- the biggest studio they have.

It was too big so after another year I moved across the hall to the most perfect, clean bright big but not too big studio that is the closest to the front door, and everything about it was great. I loved that studio and planned to stay forever. So what did I do but move home in September. (for many reasons- most of which have been resolved) So I am going back. The space is being prepared- and I will write more when it happens.

Another City Walk

2009-02-18T13:02:00.001-06:00

I have some catching up to do here on my blog.

This one is 30x30 oil on canvas

On The Road Again.

2009-02-18T12:52:00.002-06:00

My little brother was a bit of a gypsy. On the road more of his life than not- this painting is about the morning that he left us.

I was with him when he died. His hospital room was up in a tower and had one wall of windows overlooking a small lake. I had spent the night with him in his room, and just before the sun came up, when he started bleeding and the nurse sent me out for a moment, I stepped into the next room and looked at his beautiful view. He died a few hours later, surrounded by loving family.

This painting is of that view, and the time of day when it is not dark any more, but not light yet either. I imagine him wearing a tie died shirt and driving off in his VW.

This painting will eventually hang in his airstream.

Coming up for air.

2009-01-02T18:06:00.003-06:00

I have been away- my little brother was sick for a few weeks, and then died on the 19th of December. Not a whole lot to say about that- well nothing to share here on this blog. Just that is where I have been, and I expect to be back soon.

Love, Lori

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-16T12:58:00.005-06:00

It has been a busy few weeks around here, since before Thanksgiving- and now I am hustling to catch up with Christmas.

This year we fed Turkey to 17, and had 3 more for desert- followed by building 14 frames to get my work all spiffed up for the Artist Project at the Merchandise mart. I did sell some things there, and made some good gallery contacts too, and if given the opportunity, will certainly show there again next year.

So with the holidays upon us, I am painting quietly most days...Doing some studies, learning some things and planning some new series. I also need to update my website, as it is woefully out of date. I can not believe that it has been more than 2 years since the gallery was updated! That will change soon :-)

Merry Christmas, Friends!

Artist Project at the Merchandise Mart

2008-12-06T12:41:00.002-06:00

Greetings from the 7th floor of Chicago's Merchandise Mart! I am sitting here with my paintings, watching the beautiful people. Wish you were here!

I will be here for the rest of today and all of tomorrow.

Frames

2008-11-30T21:21:00.002-06:00

In preparation for the Artist Project show, I have spent the last few days building fourteen new frames for my paintings. My brother came up and helped me with this- and set me up with all that I need to make more when I need them. 10 are for panels- replacing the cheap studio frames- and three are floater frames for large stretched canvas, so that I can avoid that cheap-no-frame-painted-edge.

A lot of work, but framing sure can give the painting that extra something special.

A Big Cityscape

2008-11-19T09:45:00.003-06:00

I call this one election night in the Heart of Chicago, because the reference pictures were taken at about 5 o'clock on election night.

This painting was a challenge on many levels. One, it needed to be painted big..and I had to overcome the camera distortion in my reference pictures.

It is a big painting- 48x36, oil on canvas.

Yes We DID!

2008-11-05T14:41:00.003-06:00

How appropriate that this is my one hundredth post- as we turn the page to a whole new chapter. The long dark days of George Bush are finally coming to an end. Thank GOD!

I was there in Grant Park last night and still have tears in my eyes. When Barack Obama was announced to be the winner, I have never seen anything like the cheering, hugging, crying and jumping up and down that I experienced last night. The crowd was beautiful, this country is beautiful.

I took this video after McCain's concession speach, the prayer, the pledge, the national anthem. We were all tired, hungry and had to go to the bathroom, but these were all my new best friends and we were about to hear Barack Obama Speak.

I walked from Grant Park to the Metra station- about a mile and a half. It was like this most of the way- the whole grid of Chicago looked about like this, and every now and then a whoop would go through the crowd and people would start cheering and crying again. Here it is in front of the Art Institute, on Michigan Avenue. It took a little more than an hour to get to the train station, What a wonderful night- Congratulations America!!

It is time.

2008-11-03T20:18:00.001-06:00

Art School

2008-10-28T21:34:00.002-05:00

This painting is still on my easel. Mostly done, I will try to get a better picture of it when it is finished. 24x24 ol on linen on panel.

Artist Project

2008-10-27T22:42:00.004-05:00

I have been accepted to participate in the Artist Project at the Merchandise Mart in December. I have always wanted to be a part of this kind of show.

If you are in the area and want to attend, let me know and I will get you a couple of tickets.

Today I am working on a new painting, should have something in the next day or three... I will also be preparing my whole body of work to sell in December.

A New Season

2008-10-11T16:33:00.003-05:00

I tried to hold onto Summer- but it would not stay. Usually I am ready for fall by the time it finally arrives, but not this year. I want to enjoy the sun some more.

Keeping busy doing color studies, drawing and have painted the same poor apple several times. Am also working on finding a new studio and finding new galleries.

Nothing to post, but wanted to pop in to say hello.

Light Kids

2008-09-15T17:17:00.005-05:00

This one is hard to photograph- but I wanted to post it anyway. I may pick around with it a bit and take a new picture. If I do, I will edit this post with the updated picture. After the Crystal Lake Sparkles, I wanted to do more to explore the effect of blinding light. Not done with this exploration, you can expect to see more like this.

Local Color

2008-09-08T21:30:00.005-05:00

This movie is for all of us who are weary of the bullshit in the art world. It opens in November. I doubt if it will change anything- but it will be nice to see, anyway. Here is a clip:

Excitement in Liverpool

2008-09-03T22:32:00.002-05:00

I wish that I could be there this week- but will look forward to some videos!

"The city is rumbling...

Final preparations are underway for the arrival of the mysterious La Machine commissioned by Liverpool ’08 as a highlight of the city’s Capital of Culture celebrations. "

Learn more...

Spinny Life

2008-08-28T00:14:00.006-05:00

I found this picture the other day of Fred sitting on "spinny chair", the only chair that I have ever owned that had a name. Seeing this picture brought back many good memories of happy times in that house- that town. Memories of spinny chair and a sweet toddler Fred.

I am in the middle of moving out of my fabulous studio at the arts park- and even though it is what I wanted- truth be told, I am a bit sad. I know that all that will be left of these last few years will be memories, just pictures in a drawer, (or on a hard drive). Of course there are paintings- but there would have been paintings without the studio. Probably more of them. Eventually I will find another space to rent- or not. One thing that will not change is my commitment to painting, even here- part one of my early self portraits is shown in the background of this 20 year old picture. I was a painter before the LLAP and will continue to be a painter.

I will be moved out completely by the end of the weekend. Then the plan is to not have a plan for a while- but I will be around if you need me.

Love, Lori

Summer Nap WIP

2008-08-13T00:24:00.004-05:00

I am returned from a deep sea fishing adventure. Caught a whole bunch of delicious red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, and didn't even get a touch seasick. I was a little homesick though-so it is really nice to be back in the studio.

This one is almost done. A summer nap. 24x24 Oil on Linen on Panel.

Sultan's Girl

2008-07-31T10:03:00.004-05:00

This video has been around a while- an old favorite. I love to watch it for it's muse like qualities. And whenever I watch it it reminds me that I must live in London before I die. If you enjoy it, there are several more videos about the Sultan's Elephant on youtube.

Vote Republican! (ha!)

2008-07-28T16:13:00.001-05:00

Sparkle Done

2008-07-24T13:40:00.004-05:00

All finished. I am mostly happy with this, which was inspired by this early lake scene that I did three years ago, and sold last year.

sparkle WIP

2008-07-23T00:47:00.004-05:00

So here is what I have been working on this week. Still not finished- but you can see where I am going. So very excited about where this might be destined to hang, (more later- don't want to jinx it :-) It is 4 feet square- a big one for me. Though I just visited another 4 foot square painting at Rositas in DeKalb. Rick and I painted that one together in 1987- it still hangs prominently in the restaurant, (while I smile happily knowing that I signed my paintings with a different name 21 years ago than what I use now).

Most of the work that I created during those years has been burned. I have a few dozen in the attic and basement, but most of it is gone.

For this painting, I took hundreds of pictures at the lake, over several days- and stood there mouth hanging open, staring at this gorgeous light. (trying to memorize all the colors.)

Most important to remind you that this is an unfinished painting.

End of Vacation

2008-07-21T01:44:00.004-05:00

It has been a busy week. Rick was home and Norma was gone. We have visited several friends in the last week- two reunions, one good by dinner and a museum. I have a big painting on the easel that should be done this week. It is a 4 foot square painting of Crystal lake, full of blinding light. I will try to add a picture tomorrow

The support is nice, even if it is canvas instead of linen. I stretched this over a heavy duty stretcher bar using some nice brass tacks, then used rabbit skin glue and a nice oil primer. I have been making my own supports for many years, and am very particular about the materials used.

bull- anyone can write it.

2008-07-15T20:11:00.005-05:00

Bla bla-de-bla-bla bla! I could write all the bullshit that you want, but it wont make my paintings good if they are not.

It shocks me how many people fall for words.

Vacationing.

2008-07-14T21:33:00.002-05:00

Garfield sold for the reasonable price of $510. So I wonder if I can reasonably look forward to opening my presents this Christmas. :-)

Rick is home from work this week while Norma is gone. We are doing a staycation. So far the kitchen is still waiting for a coat of paint. We are working out some video ideas for a friend, and a new identity for me. ( for website, cards brochures etc..).

We also vented the grill in the breezeway- a chore put off for many years. Clipped some bushes and picked cherries and raspberries. Tonight we rented a boat off of Crystal Lake to go out and get some pictures of the beach from the water. I have a big 48 inch square canvas that is just begging for a new beach scene.

I am still off of nicotine, and I know it is hard to believe, but am still a little grumpy. I do hope this passes because I can not concentrate am distracted and not myself at all.

I love summer- the cows in the beautiful deep green field were glorious during tonight's golden hour!

Garfield Goose!!!

2008-07-08T23:53:00.007-05:00

For most of my life, the existence of this puppet was a question. The show was real, I knew that- but no one had ever seen the toy. And in the years before the internet- there was no proof that I could find that a garfield goose puppet was ever made.
I had this puppet when I was three. I think he must have been new for me to love him so much. I do remember laying on the floor and talking to him, I remember that he was my best thing. And I remember when our house burned down, he was the only thing that I worried about. The replacement that was promised turned out to be impossible to get, as I recently learned- there were only a few ever made and they were out of production. I bet I bothered my parents for a good five years. (but it was much longer before I got over the loss. )

When ebay came on the scene, I started searching, expecting to buy the first one that I saw. It took two years of searching every few days before I saw the first garfield goose puppet- Finally proving that I had not imagined him. His price skyrocketed out of my price range on the first day- and I think that he sold for around a thousand dollars. This is only the fourth garfield goose that I have seen on ebay in 10 years- and it is by far the best one. Has his crown- and the packaging! I am not going to bid .... but have scooped up some good pictures for my Garfield folder. And let me tell you- it sure makes me happy to consider bringing Garfield home!

And Dad, if you are reading... You did promise to find another one for me. :-)

What is Art?

2008-07-07T12:01:00.001-05:00

Good news from the Art Rep who took my paintings for a visit over the weekend. More info coming when she returns from Europe, but she did bring my paintings back- and they will likely be commissioning a few. Excellent!

L

A Zoo day

2008-07-03T23:48:00.003-05:00

A trip to the Milwaukee Zoo is always a treat. If you like zoos at all, you will appreciate the Milwaukee zoo. I love the way that they move the animals around- not leaving them in the same enclosure forever. And they are often placed so that they can see their prey. The Lions and Tigers are not bored out of their minds like at the brookfield zoo.

Milwaukee zoo has a large breeding population of Bonobos- and when we lived near the zoo, Little Fred and I used to go to the bonobo house a few times a week- just to watch a mother nap with and cuddle her baby. Going back today brought back many fond memories- and I even recognized some of our old friends after all of these years!

On the art front- a rep came and borrowed three of my favorite paintings today. I don't think that she will buy them, but she is showing them to her client, so fingers crossed!

Hot Town, Summer in the City

2008-06-23T20:16:00.016-05:00

Ah the city! Summer in the city is so hard to resist. The people, the water, the flowers and the food. Last week Norma and I went it to see the Jeff Koons exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. I have not been there in years- because the last time that I went, there was one giant area that was just filled with garbage.

OK, ok ok... I know, it is art. At least the owner of a MFA can probably find a way to explain why, I am sure. But to me, that whole room full of actual garbage was nothing but a room full of garbage. The emperors new clothes. A huge scam. Masturbation. And worse- using valuable space that could have been given to an artist.

Like the crowds in the story about the emperor- everyone can see that it is just a room full of garbage, (or an empty canvas or a piece of found junk) But the art speak is tossed around just so that folks are afraid to question. Everyone says that they see the beautiful kingly robes- out of fear of looking stupid. I will allow that it is quite possible that I will one day "get it" and read these words and feel shame. I will let you know if that happens. ( I change my mind all the time about everything :-)

This time I didn't see any garbage at the MCA. In fact, I saw much to like. I really enjoyed the Koons show- despite the fact that it was a VERY inappropriate place to take my teen aged daughter! I am much more liberal about such things than most folks are, but giant pictures of penetration closeups (the artist and his former porn star wife) are a little more than I want to show her, (thankfully it was behind a wall- though still visible from the main gallery). I loved Koon's sculptures and I loved his humor. His colors are amazing and he has balls. ( I saw them :-)

Koons, Hirst, Freud, Richter and Close, are Rock Stars. They are all artists of their own time- I like that.

Meanwhile, as the Art Institute expands into their new modern wing- the last few weeks have been exciting. I have been to AI twice so far this month, and both times found old friends, back from long years in storage. The best part of the new modern wing will be the space that they free up in the old side. Because just like punk rock had to back to Rock's beginnings- to not be influenced by the 70s- I prefer to skip the teachings of Joan Mitchel, (not to be confused with Joni) and go back to our beginnings.

Representing Reality has a few more weeks to hang- so come on in if you have not seen it yet. Call me and I would love to join you.

Lori

Working Out

2008-06-20T13:03:00.002-05:00

These days you will fine me riding my bike to the studio- and working out a bit when I get there. Have a little 3 times a week class where we are learning kung-fu- mixing it up with some other fighting arts in my studio.

Sketching cows and sipping ice coffee are sure signs that summer is really finally here.

Lazy "Daze" of Summer.

2008-06-09T17:50:00.006-05:00

The show is hanging nicely and my very wonderful house guests have gone home. School is out for the summer, Hillary has conceded and I have a nice little painting of pinwheels on the easel. Life is good.

It really is important to look for the good in life. I ran into some people in the world yesterday- really selfish and rude. The kind of insensitive people who make life unpleasant. Knowing that there are people like that in the world makes it easy to look forward to death.

So today, optimistic about the long warm days ahead, I plopped some shiny pinwheels in a vase- because pinwheels, like flowers and balloons, can be temporary and a little bit fragile. Like joy- like life.

Love, Lori

Representing Reality 08

2008-06-08T08:49:00.002-05:00

Here is a little video of the Sage Gallery, where I have my work in the show- Representing Reality 08.

The four artists from around the country are Jeff Gola, Lori Kiergaard, Leslie Sealey and Beverly Ferguson.

Olberman- right again.

2008-05-24T17:23:00.002-05:00

I do not know what is going on with Hillary. I am embarrassed that I once admired her and stood up for her. What a nut job she turns out to be. Yesterday's comments by her were really outrageous.... Good old Keith called her out, too. (if you have not seen this, it is more then worth your ten minutes):

New Hall- or Sage Hall Redux 2

2008-05-22T18:36:00.005-05:00

This is the third Sage hall painting. I may have more- as this exploration has been fun.

another Tuesday

2008-05-20T09:07:00.002-05:00

Oh these Tuesdays keep coming. Let's just hope that this day ends the bickering.

Step 2

2008-05-15T23:56:00.002-05:00

I am on day 3 of step two of the nicotine patch- and feeling quite proud of myself!

Many of you know that I have been sucking on the nicotine lozenges since the day that they came out- a switch from the gum that I used for years before that. I quit smoking in the spring of 2000, and have been supplementing my nicotine ever since. I have only been half joking when I would consider starting to smoke to get off of the lozenges- I mean, they were way more addictive than smoking. A person can not smoke anywhere anymore- but a nicotine lozenge? You can have that anywhere you want. Anyway- stepping down- hoping that by July, I will have this monkey off of my back. Yippee for me!

Been working on a great big canvas, and enjoying the crab apple blossoms, bleeding hearts and lilacs.

a comfort

2008-05-06T14:51:00.002-05:00

I read today, words from an Austrian Lawyer, Christoph Herbst, about the family of Elisabeth Fritzl. Herbst said he had the impression that the victimised family had a loving relationship when he met them.

"My experience of the family was a very positive one. Looking at the way they treat each other, it is really very loving, they are open towards each other and they play together," he said. "If you see the family with your own eyes, it makes you feel much better than looking at the whole case in theory and from afar," he said.

This is such a relief! While I sit here far away and certainly theorizing- it was looking really bad. Thank you for better information. Now I plan to picture them in a beautiful bubble of love.

a little corner of the world

2008-05-05T13:45:00.002-05:00

My new studio is feeling more and more like home. In fact, it is so comfortable, it is hard to believe that I have only been in here for 4 months. There is exactly the right amount of room to do everything that you could want to do in a studio. I have my printing area, and my kitchen area and slop sink. There is an office area and a meeting area. I have a place for drawing, for framing and a spot for mulling and tubing paint. Lots of storage, of course- and a nice place for reading and taking a nap, (and there is nothing like a good studio nap!) This space is just right to have a few extra easels for people who want to come and paint with me.

You can see the area that I have gravitated to for painting when I want to sit and paint. Nice because of the proximity of the window and color charts.

Come visit- I will make you coffee!

Love of Light.

2008-05-03T13:44:00.005-05:00

As I am sitting here, finishing up my painting of light flooding my dining room table- the same table where We have eaten many happy family meals, played games, paid bills and decorated for holidays- The whole time, all of these long years, she was in the cellar. I am filled with sadness over the story about Elisabeth Fritzl, the Austrian teenager thrown into a dungeon under her house, raped by her father and having 7 of his children. Oh my God!

I complained all winter about the lack of light. I complained about the cold and will be heard complaining when I don't get out enough. I really think that I have never had cause to complain about anything.

Three of Elisabeth's children had never seen sunlight or the sky or anything outside of their prison- not ever. But Elisabeth had. She knew her father was her monster- she knew what she was missing all of her 24 years in hell- and when I think of all the things that I have done since 1984, and all the ways that I have changed, my heart is aching for her. When I try to imagine how good she must feel now that she is free, it is easy to understand that she may never have a good day. How could a person just get over that and move on? Is it even possible to heal?

Here, across the ocean there is little that we can do about it other then to read what has been reported and hope that the photographers leave them alone. All we can really do is care.

Sending out love, caring and prayers to you Elisabeth Fritzl and to your family. May God's perfect comfort be your blessing. May angels surround you and protect you for the rest of your life.

WIP Dining Room start

2008-05-02T18:25:00.003-05:00

Chugging along..... 24x24 oil on panel.

and now for something completely different.

2008-04-27T18:07:00.004-05:00

Not sure what I was thinking. 24x24

Eggs and Tea

2008-04-24T20:43:00.003-05:00

Here is what I am working on- an obviously not finished work in progress.

I will say here, in case any super delegate is surfing the blogs... Hillary Clinton, who I once supported has crossed so many ethical lines that she makes me sick to look at.

I will never vote for her.

New Orphan Works Act Due Out This Week

2008-04-23T09:10:00.003-05:00

by by The Board of the Illustrators' Partnership

April 22, 2008

Today the House and Senate sent us draft copies of the new Orphan Works Act of 2008. They haven’t officially released it yet, but we’ve been told the Senate will do so this week. A quick analysis confirms our worst fears and our early warnings. If these proposals are enacted into law, all the work you have ever done or will do could be orphaned and exposed to commercial infringement from the moment you create it.

There is more here.

Also from the site:

This exchange suggests that if Copyright Office proposals become law:

- Unregistered work will be considered a potential orphan from the moment you create it.
- In the U.S., copyright will no longer be the exclusive right of the copyright holder.

Apparently you have to pay a private company to register your work- but even if you do:

-It would allow anyone who can’t find you (or who removes your name from your work and says he can’t) to infringe your work. Since infringements can occur anytime, anywhere in the world, they could be countless but you might never find them.

Representing Reality 2008

2008-04-20T18:09:00.002-05:00

Click the image to enlarge.

Happy Spring :-)

2008-04-20T09:10:00.004-05:00

Spring is finally here! This painting was created in celebration of that. Cabbage and pussy willows always make me think of spring. And sheer curtains always let in good smells when you can finally open the windows.

I am not sure if this is finished yet- I thought that it was, but as usual, seeing it on a jpeg makes me cringe.

unstuck and back to work :-)

2008-04-17T21:14:00.006-05:00

Unstuck and working- I should have new painting number one finished tomorrow.

After the outrageous bad behavior of the so called moderators of last night's democratic debate- I feel the need to post this:

Spring Cleaning.

2008-04-07T12:48:00.007-05:00

It is finally almost warm here- and time to clean out the studio and start fresh.

So we had a big fire- built for losing all of the failed paintings.

Much better now!

:-)

In Political news....sort of. My favorite radio host, Randi Rhodes, was suspended from Air America for swearing and calling Hillary Clinton a "whore" at a private comedy event. So, now Air America is acting like Fox news and I will stick with NPR until I find a true liberal radio station. Darn!

Home again

2008-03-30T09:13:00.002-05:00

I have returned from our 3000 mile driving adventure. Norma and I went south to visit family. (and it felt real good to see the sun!)

I did take paints- but only painted one little study and never took a picture of it before giving it to my dad.

Am looking forward to getting back to my studio and back to work.

Homer and Hopper

2008-03-17T10:05:00.004-05:00

I went to the Art Institute the other day to see the Hopper show. I love Hopper, and have seen several. I did not plan to spend much time outside of Hopper- but amazed to discover how much I enjoyed the 130 watercolors by Winslow Homer. I have always known that watercolors do not get the respect that they deserve. People think that it is more difficult to be an oil painter, but oils are easy. With watercolor, your mistakes will show up. Still, I have always enjoyed looking at oil paintings more than watercolors- and was not really all that interested in seeing the Homer watercolors, until I saw them.

WOW, his work was amazing! The Hopper show was good too. Here is a link to the show- it runs through the middle of May.

Also, this is a good place to mention that I can hardly wait for the new wing to open. Once the modern art is moved out of the old part of the museum, all the stored away old paintings that there is not enough room to show will finally come out and see the light. That will be a good day!

for sale

2008-03-10T11:32:00.000-05:00

You can buy yesterday's study here

Full Box of New Crayons

2008-03-09T21:46:00.008-05:00

Goofing around in the studio today. Rick was in working on his own project while I was playing with bright colors like a child.

Only have about an hour and a half in this study- 8x10 painted from life.

Re: Hillary Clinton's negative campaigning. She recently suggested that McCain would be a better choice then Obama! Is she trying to be his vice president? Her 3 am telephone call ad was just too much for me- and then I remembered when I loved Bill for saying this: (you tube has everything :-)

To Winter

2008-03-05T04:57:00.004-06:00

by William Blake

O Winter! bar thine adamantine doors:
The north is thine; there hast thou built thy dark
Deep-founded habitation. Shake not thy roofs,
Nor bend thy pillars with thine iron car.'
He hears me not, but o'er the yawning deep
Rides heavy; his storms are unchain'd, sheathиd
In ribbиd steel; I dare not lift mine eyes,
For he hath rear'd his sceptre o'er the world.

Lo! now the direful monster, whose 1000 skin clings
To his strong bones, strides o'er the groaning rocks:
He withers all in silence, and in his hand
Unclothes the earth, and freezes up frail life.

He takes his seat upon the cliffs,--the mariner
Cries in vain. Poor little wretch, that deal'st
With storms!--till heaven smiles, and the monster
Is driv'n yelling to his caves beneath mount Hecla.

It is March- this snow is melting :-)

Creation

2008-02-28T10:22:00.004-06:00

Every day someone will stop by my studio and say something like "I really wish that I could paint, I can barely make stick figures." It seems that many people think that either you can or you can not create. But anyone can learn to paint, there is no magic in it.

No one would ever sit their child down at a new piano and expect him to play beautiful music without having many lessons and a lot of practicing. It is the same with painting. There are lessons to organize the practicing. There are rules to learn and learn how to break. Drawing, composition, value and color. Techniques and Methods, materials. It can all be learned, but must be practiced. And like the piano, if you take the lessons and follow through with practice, you can learn to play.

Then somewhere along the line you get to the hard part. Deciding what to paint. And that is something that you need to dig inside for.

Kindness

2008-02-26T20:42:00.001-06:00

“Spread love everywhere you go: First of all in your own house... let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness.”

~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

The Economics of a Studio

2008-02-25T18:34:00.005-06:00

It is snowing again tonight. We are supposed to get another 7 inches or so. The snow cover has stayed around all winter, something that does not happen every year, and it is so dark..... we are quite tired of it here.

So maybe it is just part of my winter funkiness- but I am thinking that even though it is a great time for painters educationally, it is a crappy time for painters economically. People are not buying paintings when they are having a hard time paying to heat their homes, put gasoline in their cars and keeping groceries around. The uncertain economic future makes the purchase of art seem frivolous.

Everyone tells me the same thing, that sales are down. I know that I sure would like to sell a few more paintings then I do. With studio rent and the cost of materials, it is getting harder and harder to make ends meet.

No answers on the horizon- I suspect that the economy will get worse before it gets better. But March is around the corner- that always cheers me up.

Love, Lori

2 Million Minutes

2008-02-19T20:28:00.004-06:00

2 Million Minutes, a documentary that my husband worked on last year is suddenly riding a wave of media attention. Tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 20, on Good Morning America, they will be discussing the film. Rick did the opening titles.

learn more about the film here.

Monday Evening Post (actually Tuesday Morning :-)

2008-02-19T00:43:00.004-06:00

I finally got back to the studio tonight. Some family obligations have kept me away for close to a week, until yesterday when I went in and prepared a stack of panels. Today was presidents day, a day off of school, so I hung out at home.

Tonight I got to play in the paint with a student, trying out different glazing techniques. Fun fun fun. And it went well, student left excited to do more experimenting. I have not been using a grisaille for several years now, though I used to. Getting out the books and reading the many ways to do one thing. Showing how I did it, and how others do it- squeezing out paint and trying things out- that is the fun part of learning with others. While we are learning, it feels just like goofing around.

The rest of the week will be all studio all the time.

Hope all is well with you, and have a great week!
Lori

DeKalb

2008-02-14T23:20:00.005-06:00

Sending up prayers for my friends in DeKalb.

DeKalb is my hometown- I was born there and my family (some of the first settlers) was there for 6 generations before me. I moved away when I was 30. It is weird to think that something so horrible could happen in a place that for most of my life was the center of the universe. Actually, it is unthinkable that it happens any place at any time.

So sad.

New City Walk

2008-02-11T23:55:00.000-06:00

I stayed late at the studio tonight and finished this one up. I think that it is done.

24x24- Oil on Canvas on Panel. I love the way that it looks like paint. :-)

Like hope but different

2008-02-11T23:13:00.000-06:00

This one follows "Yes we Can", posted below.

Learn with me.

2008-02-09T20:24:00.002-06:00

If you are interested in hanging out in my studio, painting and learning together- send me an email and I will give you the details.

I have a great space- good coffee and plenty of easels. I love to learn about painting, and love to share what I am learning.

Join me on the journey to master oil painting.

Chicago Series

2008-02-08T23:42:00.000-06:00

Chicago keeps calling me back- there is more to explore here.

This is a detail of my new work in progress- part of my ongoing cityscape series. It is one corner of the whole- which will be 24x24 oil on canvas on panel.

Of course I will post the whole thing when it is finished.

12 to 14 inches of snow!

2008-02-06T11:23:00.000-06:00

If you live where it snows- you know that when you look out at the driveway that needs shoveling of the foot and a half of snow- the weather man will come on and say that you got 3 inches. The way that they measure snowfall is different than the way that you measure it (with snow shovel and back muscles). The schools here are closed for 12 to 14 inches of snow expected. That might look like 3 feet of snow on the driveway.

So I am staying home from the studio today- not because I can not get there now, but more worried about getting home later. The way that the parking is at the studio, I can imagine myself getting plowed in and stuck there.

I do have a few panels here to sketch out- so work to keep me busy. My computer is still sort of hanging on. But the Apple Store Genius Bar guys don't hold out much hope for it lasting very long.

Yesterday I did a nice painting of a teapot from life. Good exercise- but forgot to get a picture. I am still working on my 2008 self portrait and another Norma painting. Neither are finished- but here they are so far, (t does not look like it, but they are both the same size, 24" square).

Stay warm, friends.

Oh what the heck- one more

2008-02-03T22:38:00.001-06:00

Soon- Super Tuesday!

2008-02-01T16:48:00.000-06:00

This is the first time in my adult voting life that Illinois voters have any voice at all in the primary election. I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Ego

2008-02-01T00:26:00.000-06:00

I sit here in the middle of a computer meltdown. As a mac user, I am not very used to this problem, (in 10 years of mac usage- this has never happened to me) but I downloaded a corrupt printer driver today and my computer is now deleting itself (!). I am typing this post as I back up what is left in preparation for a disk repair. Dang, I needed my computer tonight too!

It really is funny how we get when we have computer problems. It can get as ugly as road rage, though I have mostly learned to go to "that Zen place" when confronted with both traffic and computer slowdowns.

So while I wait for the back up, I thought that I would chatter away here about how ego can get in the way of everything.

I was thinking today about Rob's garbage cans. There are two of them, sitting at the door of his studio. One marked "ego" and the other marked "performance anxiety". Both are supposed to be deposited before approaching the easel. Rob Howard is a great teacher and a great painter too. His instruction to remove ego and performance anxiety from the studio is great advice*.

Easier said than done.

If we let it, our ego can really get in the way. How can we grow if we are busy protecting ourself from failure. How can we grow if we fool ourselves that we know it all? And if we are not growing, are we really artists? I'm just asking.

I am not suggesting that I am able to deposit my ego every time, but it helps a lot when I can do it. And the paintings that are created with an ego on the brush are always ugly.

* Actually, all of Rob's art advice is good advice.

Lori on Mylar

2008-01-31T01:06:00.000-06:00

Today in the studio I worked on some prints and I painted an egg with the fake chicken feet. It is part of "50 from life" that I agreed to do this year. I have done 4 so far with paint, several with pencil. (but I am only counting the painted ones). These life exercises, like my color work are separate from my vision. They are exercises to help me reach my vision. This learning will never stop- the carrot is on a stick.

It is biter dangerous cold- but the studio is warm and the coffee is hot. Yesterday at the studio I had people stopping by all day long. It is nice to have folks stop in- painting is a lonely adventure. The successes and the failures are each often so subtle that sharing the excitement or disappointment is not easy. We work alone.

The internet, with all of its flaws- and despite all the flaming- has united painters from all over the world in a way that has never been seen before in the whole history of art. With the sharing of ideas ranging from the technical to the deeper questions, we are being propelled toward greatness. I may never get there, but it sure is an exciting time for painting.

Painting through a midwest winter.

2008-01-28T23:30:00.000-06:00

I already feel settled into my new space. It feels comfortable like a second skin. Just right! It still needs a bit of painting, mostly to lose the high chroma blue shelves and doors- but I like the way it is feeling.

I have done three little paintings from life in the room, several pencil sketches, played around with some walnut ink, and my 2008 self portrait is almost done. Not bad for January- normally my lowest production month, (due to all of the short grey days).

I have been closing my eyes and seeing beautiful paint. New ideas, combined with new learnings I think. Not looking back.

Love, Lori

An "Art Background"

2008-01-16T10:30:00.000-06:00

I have explained many times why I do not publish my resume. Maybe it is because of my familiarity with commercial art, ( my husband's webpage) where demo reels are the only part of a resume that matter. But I do not think that a resume, listing shows and press would make my work any better or worse. I think that my work should speak for itself. Words are not part of my process. And while intent is part of the process. I figure that if I need words to explain my intent for a picture, then I have failed.

If you did see my resume, you would find that it does include press- in New York City even.

Anyway- I found these pictures recently, and thought that they were fun. These are me at my first gallery show. It was a solo show at the Mode Zero Gallery, 1985. Looking at these paintings, it is easy to see why learning is so important. They also prove the value of my summer bonfires.