Parasites, Paint, and Friendship...oh my!

IMG_6271

Its all finished!

A few weeks ago Stacey and I, with the help of our amazing paper hanger Shelly Wilkins of Walls Etc., installed the final panel of the BRI mural. If you missed the progress, read about it here.

IMG_6266

IMG_6267

IMG_6261

We started the project back in October and little did I know how good it would be for my healing. Stacey is a very unique person. She is wise beyond her years, extremely talented, patient, and persistent. In her words it was "bashert" destined, predetermined, meant to be. This project landed at the perfect time. She was supposed to get a different project, slated to start earlier but that one fell through. This one came along and Stacey needed help and a place to work on this large piece.

IMG_6281

IMG_6280

A month after my mom's passing we began the mural. The days were filled with painting and discussions about so many things like death, religion, spirituality, relationships, food, travel and love. It was great to just show up and paint and not worry about clients and business things. We also learned new techniques from each other. I taught her how to glaze and she taught me how to see beyond the reference material. Stacey also met my studio neighbors and commented on what a great place the West End is, how we check in on each other and help one another with things. I think she would move in if she could!

IMG_6283

IMG_6286

The mural itself is spectacular. It shows the people affected by the debilitating parasitic disease Shistosomiasis. The mural depicts a family doing their daily chores of washing and filling bottles of water at a local pond. Stacey meticulously illustrates how the disease infiltrates the body and its devastating consequences if left untreated. The second half of the mural (executed first) shows the work being done by BRI in facilitating a mechanism for a vaccine through the doors of the "hut" and lastly the people walking away, immune now from Shistosomiasis.

Here are some more images of areas I painted.

IMG_6299

IMG_6298

IMG_6296

IMG_6290

IMG_6292

I was so happy to see this work installed and ready to move on to the next project but also a bit sad that our daily talks would come to an end. Stacey's next project is working on her son Jonah's Bar-Mitzvah and my next project involves glass, paint, and metal leaf. We will have to have regular lunch dates in order alleviate our withdrawal symptoms.

Stay tuned!

Getting Back My Mojo

IMG_1517

As promised, I am posting some shots of the progress on my first "for-me" painting. I'm really excited an have gotten some good feedback on Facebook and in person.

IMG_1528

IMG_1613

IMG_1616

Here it is today. Still have a bit to go, haven't touched the foreground yet. The lower portion of the window and the chairs are still incomplete.  Moving along though and it feels great. I'm tossing around a few ideas on a name but am open to suggestions. Thoughts?

IMG_1680

Also, in the studio, my good friend and fellow artist Stacey Olson Sachs has me working on one of her commissions. We are learning a lot from one another. I helped achieve the effect for the background using a parchment type glazing treatment as well as the map and gradation of the blue sky that fades out. In exchange, I am learning to "see" more than what actually in a reference photo. I am earning my Artistic License!

IMG_1642

I will be helping install this first half coming up on Friday. There will be a second part to this leading in from the left that will tell the story of people in West Africa contracting the parasitic disease known as Shistosomiasis.  Biomedical Research Institute does research for this disease and harvests affected snails (part of its life cycle) which they supply to other researchers for drug development. Vaccine development is what they're aiming for in their future. It will be installed in their lobby. Stacey has a background in Medical Illustration and so this is right up her alley.

IMG_1643

Its been the perfect way to get back into working again, we have lots to talk about including work, philosophy, and family! And the best part is all I have to do is show up and paint! Stay tuned for photos of the installation. Follow on facebook too!

I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

I've decided to start a new series where we share our work spaces...I hope to post more photos as people share them with me. If you have some you'd like to share, email me at dee@deelitedesign.com I've always loved exploring how other artists organize and use their space for work and inspiration. I've asked some of my artist friends to share photos of their spaces.  What was so surprising is how embarrassed they were about showing their space! As if a messy studio was a sign of failure! I know when Im working, my space blows up.  After each project I have to reset; clean up, put things away, reorganize. When I'm working I am in the moment. As my mom would call it, it looks like a dumping ground! (Keep in mind, both of my parents are neat freaks so having a mess was a n0-no.) Back when I first started working as an artist, my time was split between my basement and my parents' basement. They had tall ceilings where I could do murals. Nothing is better than being able to leave and shut the door without worrying about who's going to care about my mess!

My studio: in current condition...

me-2

Storage underneath tables that roll, paints on metal shelves, and storage above for things used less often. On the mural wall, a work in progress. The wall itself has been used as a practice surface for large scale glazing.

me-1

Ladders and scaffold against the wall, and to the right of the frame, my spray area. Currently being used as storage.

Without further ado, here are some other studios who's owners have graciously allowed us to peer inside. Enjoy!

My neighbors Bill Knapp, billknapparts.com and Barry Sheehan, barrywsheehan.com, who share a space...they are metal sculptors. Each have their own separate businesses but share space.

bill-2

Bill

bill-1

Bill's area

barry-1

Barry working.

My other neighbor, Zach Bowler's studio. He is a ceramic artist. I love what he's done with creating a lounging area in the back.

photo 1-3

photo 3-1

My friend Jeanne Shnupp works in Long Island and does decorative painting like me... jeanniesdesigns.com It seems we all have a need for places to store things!

jeanne-2

jeanne-1

Arlene McLoughlin's space. She also works in Long Island as a decorative artist. arlenemurals.com

arlene-2

arlene-1

Thanks for sharing your spaces with us!

Spring? Where are you??

If you're like me, you are going batty trying to endure the last vestiges of this epic winter. Mother nature is such a tease! Apparently she's giving us one more wallop tonight. Oy vey! To hopefully encourage the coming of spring, I've shared a bit of warmth and light with few past projects that I did that are nature inspired. There are many more in my portfolio.

Enjoy!

Sun through the Trees

garden door

Garden Doorway (mural on canvas)

Safari Bedroom

Safari Bedroom

Straughan Environmental

Straughan Environmental

Straughan Environmental

Straughan Environmental

Straughan Environmental

Straughan Environmental

Straughan Environmental

ecmuralsmall

Main Street Ellicott City (prints available)

Airplane Bathroom

IMG_0237

Girl's Bedroom

MD State Police Dept of Corrections Training Facility Mural

IMG_1627

IMG_1637

Modern Chinoiserie Mural

IMG_0747

IMG_0743

One Step Closer

207927_163679870354913_8331639_n

A few years ago I traveled to Atlanta to be a spectator at the annual "Salon." Salon is "a gathering of dedicated decorative painters from around the world coming together to exhibit their work and discuss old and new techniques, products, and information in the field."   Every year it is hosted by a different member in that person's country. Since Atlanta, it has been hosted in Hamburg, Germany and last year it was in Tokyo. This year's Salon will be in Seattle.  I was curious about the group so when I heard that it was going to be relatively close to me I decided to check it out.

When I visited Salon in Atlanta I was amazed at the breadth of talent that was on display. Members traveled from across the globe to in order to come together in the name of decorative art. Members have expertise in the traditional decorative arts such as faux marbre (marbleizing) faux bois (woodgraining), gilding, trompe l'oeil, and ornamentation.

group panel salon 2011

TOKYO_130523-0165_zps36908a4d

Unlike other groups, to become a member, you have to be juried in. I decided that I would apply for membership but was sure that I wouldn't be accepted because this group is the best of the best! Well, I submitted my portfolio to this year's host and was accepted to participate! I was floored! Participation in this event has been on my list of professional goals for a few years now. The next step is to plan and paint a panel that will be exhibited along side my mentors and peers.  Talk about setting the bar high!

217737_1715940656053_4003365_n