2007 line drawing series - flowers evolving

The image above is an example of a line drawing drafted in graphite - the lead is of medium density. I’ve chosen this medium to express the tender-delicate side to life. I have found flowers to be a source of interest due to much time-spent gardening. I began arranging flowers, picked from the garden when spring had just begun; in due course, with much enthusiasm, I noticed the various lengths of longevity among the many varieties of cut flowers placed about the house. I began to wonder what it would take to extend the life of a flower. In order to have a longer lasting bouquet they would need to be attended to carefully, but what would be needed? There are many factors to consider with the life span of a cut flower, since they are no longer receiving the nourishment from the soil cut flowers should have clear-nutritious water at all times and be in cool temperatures – this will help keep a flower longer. Also, there are the old homegrown remedies that have been passed down from generation to generation to maintain a healthy bouquet. I’ve provided some of these remedies in the latter under “tips & home remedies”. Another factor to consider is a flower from hybrids, which usually come from a long line of descendents. With years and years of propagation the original flower looses its robustness - clearly the heirloom flower is especially resilient. As well, placing indigenous flowers in their right environment will outlast an extraneous flower unfamiliar to its habitat or climate. Bouquets purchased at your run-of-the-mill grocery store probably have very few indigenous flowers to your area. Fresh homegrown flowers can be found either at a farmers market or meandering around a field or any wildlife habitat – they are in conditions where they were breed and respond to the idiosyncrasies of their surroundings.

I spent days in the garden observing buds blossom then gradually arrive to their ultimate finale – there are many subtleties that occur before a flowers eventual collapse. This insight is the passing of life, not only in the garden but also within ourselves. One begins to appreciate the life span, conditions and needs of these frail objects. I’ve watched flowers bud and decay in several different conditions and confines. Nature’s clock has allotted each blossom to bloom for: days, weeks or even months. Then there is the cycle of life spawned by the warmth of spring and the eventual hibernation or even death that gives way to winter. I can only turn my thoughts to how delicate life can be, – the everlasting cycle, the turning over with each season. I’ve begun to draft the first cut of a fresh bud to its ultimate conclusion. The three images above are samples of different stages of a flower lived, within a three-week period. I plan to create many stages to show the slow or even quick changes, the dates that they are drawn and the temperature of that day. This sounds sort of like a cataloguing of life, in some sense it has become this – there is the fine line of beauty and science that lies within a flower’s being, there is a splendor that lies within the many stages of existence, which prove to be as captivating as the next - recognizing life itself.

Tips & home remedies
The stem of the flower that will be in water should have all its leaves pealed away – this is to prevent water from molding over time and flowers absorbing bad water; cut flower ends at an angle to give the ends ample surface to absorb water & food; one crushed Aspirin dissolved in water has been suggested to prolong the healing process of the stems cut ends - this allows the stem to absorb food and water for a longer period of time; sugar for food – use a splash of nectar used for hummingbird feeders; if handy use bottled spring water; change the water when it becomes cloudy; keep most flower displays in a cool and semi-lit areas in your home – heat or direct sunlight will only speed up the burgeoning process; place tired flowers in a cold bath over night or simply place the vase in a refrigerator for the night; Home Recipe: 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar to 4 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon of bleach - flowers will stay fresh.

 

Period of 2006

Abstract forms were my main concentration during the last few years, until recently when I came to an abrupt halt. During much personal change in the last year pulled me away from abstract expressionism. No longer was I able to tap into my emotional-well, which abstract work requires much of. Frustrated of the liberating experience taken from me and struggling to make sense of the loss; I once again returned to realism during this lull. But over the past few months I have grown to love my works of still life painting, used with the impasto technique, which leaves a textural surface - such as the thick brush strokes seen in Van Gogh's work.

As I continue on this journey of realism painting I become enamored with the idea of colorful fruits as painted forms. As I look at the simplicity of compositions, the abstract clouds come to mind; I feel they somehow still lie within my conscience. I'm happy to say I still carry them with me. I hope to tap into my emotions once again to create the soft sensual forms that describe a deeper part of myself, but during the interim I am enjoying the simplicity of still life painting and finding a different part of my humanity, which I'm not quite sure what that may be at the moment, but has been a fulfilling progression.

At present I live in San Francisco with my husband and work out of my studio.

 

Period of 2001-2005

With oil painting I have created shapes of lush, lavender clouds that are superimposed on olive colored skies and golden ovoids with soft edges that blend into pale-pink backgrounds. The tranquil and slow floating forms come and go, fading in and out of sight, and then eventually work their way onto my canvas. I refer to these images as cloud abstracts.

My cloud series has been a great challenge, one that is enjoyable and at the same time an emotional whirlwind. I came from a draftsmen background and the technique I used was crosshatching with pen and ink. The change to oil painting, using the glazing technique, was an adjustment during months of painting. The two mediums are very different all together. The transition from ink to paint has been liberating, as well as difficult and tricky at times.

The evolution of simplistic forms began with realistic studies of cloud formations with oils on board and canvas. I observed the gradual changing hues of ocean panoramas and skylines, which eventually came to fruition in abstract bands. As I continued back and forth from realism to abstracts, the two processes synchronized into biomorphic spaces. The open sky began to offer images that I was not mindful of when first painting cloud formations. I searched the skies for months and finally found the simplistic shapes I so desperately desired, ovoids and spheres.

The painting technique called glazing, combined with scumbling is very delicate and allows me to implement the soft images on my canvas. The images are produced with a fanned sable brush used in a swirling motion. This process is an ideal technique for the smooth transparent spheres and elliptical forms.

Glazing requires layers upon layers of semi-transparent applications of paint and medium to build upon an image. My current challenge is to find some sort of solidity between each layer. There are many slow, contemplative, intermittent periods to contend with, such as probing and prodding into the subconscious until the precise images are captured. It can be distressing during drying, which can last two to three days.  This leaves the artist to thoroughly contemplate the next layer of color.  The creative process is fully present during these moments and at times things come together serendipitously or gruelingly.

At times artists are able to tap into a deeper and unknown part of themselves,- and here begins the emotionally invigorating, and at times distressing process to extract a part of their humanity.

 

Period of 2000 - 2001

THE SAGAMORE HOTEL PROJECT - South Beach, Florida

Marty and Cricket Taplin are avid art collectors who renovated the Sagamore Hotel in the Art Deco District of South Beach, Florida. I was included in a large commission for the
project and produced 175 pen drawings of seashells.

Over the years, my continued relationship with the Margulies Taplin Gallery led to my unexpected involvement with the Sagamore Hotel Marty and Cricket, as well as Marty Margulies - as art consultant for the project, were fond of my pen drawings with watercolor and asked me to send samples of my latest work for a possible project. At the time, I had been drawing images of shells that reminded me of the beaches, salt-water bays and alcoves, throughout the Florida Keys - where much time was spent during my youth. The majority of my works reflect natural objects and tones envisioned from the eastern shoreline.

With a fine tipped repidograph pen, a crosshatching technique was used, which etchers, engravers and draftsmen have used for centuries. Densely crosshatched lines molded shadows and creases in each shell, as well as lightly crosshatched lines that highlighted rotund exteriors. After a drawing was finished, a wash of watercolor was applied for subtle hues, as well as - the occasionally bold color - printed on creamy-white surfaces.No image is alike, they are all one of a kind.

As I look back on the project, I feel a sense of tremendous accomplishment. On occasion I ask of the well being of the Sagamore when I come across drawings of my own. I think of what the drawings represented that year, an absolute period of compulsiveness, as well as a result of elegant charm. As I reflect, such a project eludes my capacity as an artist, such an enormous amount of work seems nearly impossible.

Beyond the project, I truly enjoyed working along side Cricket and Marty Taplin, - and Marty Margulies. Their passion and vision for the arts made this project possible and fulfilling. Cricket was especially encouraging throughout the process, as each batch of drawings were mailed out; she always expressed great interest in every drawing.

My many, many thanks to three dedicated patrons of the arts, as well as good friends.

Period of 1990 - 2000





Many pen & ink drawings of birds indigenous to Florida, as well as tropical birds from Hawaii, Africa, South America and the caribbean were purchased by world-renowned art collector Marty Margulies (he is included annually in Art News Magazine's top fifty art collectors in the world).

During this period Marty encouraged my interest in birds; I was commissioned on several occasions to create bird drawings for his building project - Grand Bay Residences - on Key Biscayne, Florida.

My interest led to many visits to the Everglades, Merritt Island, the Georgia coastline and many other state parks. Patience photographing rare or common birds lead to my love for the natural environment and the unique beautiful wings in the blue skies.