Marilyn Krug Art Blog

Wayne Thiebaud's "Cakes"

2011-04-10T00:55:00.000-07:00

Flowers and Frosting

2011-04-10T00:20:00.000-07:00

I returned Friday late afternoon from a week of painting in sunny Eugene, Oregon (between bursts of hail, rain and sun) as April bursts on the scene. There's something about finishing a workshop, it is like a marathon and when you're finished, there is an elation and relief at having completed it, and coming home to sleep for 12 hours with dreams of painting and color. I dreamt of patterns and layered glazes of color then my dreams morphed into painting like Wayne Thiebaud's Cakes, visualizing thick layers of various colors of paint subtly and deliciously blending like frosting.

With spring approaching, my new granddaughter Anika arrived less than a month ago. Daffodils burst forth to great her home to Portland. Now tulips are springing up and my chive buds are on. My passion for painting is in high gear.

Much going on in the way of events in the fall and winter, finished a major commissioned piece (6 feet x 6 feet), and new exhibits in fall and winter were very successful. A very long cold winter was brightened by many festive and fun and fundraising events in the art community. I opted out of having surgery on my right hand in January (having gone through that a year prior on my left) and just try not to over-do my hands, when trying to open stuck paint jars. I'm way too young for osteoarthritis but humbly learned the hard way when your doctor says take calcium and Vitamin D, do it! You don't get it back and reconstructive hand surgery is major and takes at least a year to heal, no matter what the surgeon tells you before (that 12 week-thing is just initial healing and physical therapy).

Some new works are completed and delivered just weeks ago to my main gallery. Another gallery owner recently did a studio visit and checked several paintings out for commercial placement. Major construction in the lower level of the house began followed by studio renovation, a project that was put off for nearly 3 years. The ceiling is lifted to align with the roof slope, and four 4-foot skylights are being dropped in (one will open). I have lots of windows and doors so plenty of open space onto the 60-foot deck. Funny thing, we just learned local building codes require a ventilation fan that will never be used. (Again, 3 doors enter my studio and there are tons of windows that open too, as well as a whole house fan and heat pump.) I won't gain floor space but it feels like a face "lift" for the gallery walls, more spacious.   Right now it really looks spacious with nothing in it but studs, beams, wires and a sink. Electrical work is done and will be inspected Monday. Then drywall begins.

I am looking forward to resuming teaching a late spring course in May, after we return from Santa Fe / Taos for some intensive art indulgence.   With time built in to see my new granddaughter, Anika.

Sometimes things take awhile to soak in, to impregnate into our brain. things we know but can't exactly feel. We hear it, we know it, but the lines don't connect. I have finally caught on to karma. What negativity one put out there comes back 10 times, and whatever positive energy we unleash comes back as well. Sometimes, almost instantly we are plagued or blessed; the lines are now so clear, but sometimes not soon enough. We progress as long as we continue learning and sharing positive energy, thoughts, and most importantly, action.

Footsteps

2010-08-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

In Spring 2010 I entered the old building downwtown, formerly known as "The Metropolitan". Abandoned for years, it was just getting cleaned out with a bulldozer parked in the center of the 9,000 square foot main floor. Dust and debris covered the floor, while treads from shoes of the cleaning crew left their marks. Some of the tiles looked like abstract landscapes, but the shoe treads reminded me of my history with this building. I photographed the drab tiles on the floor, most of which are worn, cracked and scarred from years of use, misuse and neglect. I was getting ready for this space to made into a lively center of arts projects this summer, in which I was to be one of several studio artists. I was reminded of the history of the many pairs of feet that had trod on this urban landscape, including mine and my mothers, years ago.

My mother, Christeen Bolt, was one of the people whose busy feet walked through the Metropolitan Store when I was young. Later as a young mother, I brought my own children to buy trinkets and such. It was an easy challenge to find how many things we could each buy for a quarter -- metal cricket clickers and plastic toys for party favors, plastic french fry baskets, surplus sewing notions, ribbons, bags of marbles. It was a cavernous store full of all kinds of mostly useless and unattractive stuff. Probably ugly shower curtains were to be found there, too. Perhaps it was nicer in its heyday, before I was born.

Mother taught elementary school, first in California, and later in Oregon, retiring in 1986. She passed away in 1998. When I later had the sad chore of going through her belongings, I got to what was left at the bottom of her closet. As I sat on the floor, I found myself eye-level with her shoes, standing straight up in the metal stand, looking ready to go for the day. In front and center were her worn out tan, leather size 10-1/2 shoes that she had worn on playground duty. Even after retirement, they remained her go-to ugly-but-comfortable shoes for her big, flat feet. She used to say that her big feet gave her a "Good Understanding of Life" and always ensured she left a "Big Impression." It took me a few years of maturity to appreciate her dry wit.

The gaping empty shoes mirrored the emptiness I felt, as I foolishly and fervently wished her feet so suddenly be back in these shoes, with all the rest of her intact and healthy. Her shoes reflected her journey and passion in life: educating young minds. Her feet, always so steady and strong as she watched over her students in the classroom and on the playground. Big feet that pressed the gas pedal in the car, ferrying us kids to music lessons, the library, swimming, and the beach. Great, beautiful solid feet that carried her as she laughed, chasing her grandchildren.

Although her feet will leave no more impressions, the places those feet took me continue to influence me, my children, and eventually their children.

Now, there are footsteps here in this art space, this Project Space. Laughter and conversations of those creating art as well as those appreciating and supporting art being made. Leaving their own impressions.

Small feet, big feet
Footsteps long forgotten that left no impression
Footsteps from people no longer alive
Footsteps from those who have forgotten being here
Footsteps from some, who will remember.

I am a painter. I make art, I create. I photographed several of the floor tiles with the most 'character' to inspire mixed media paintings on 12 wood panels. Applying up to 20 layers of paint with brush, rag, screens and scrapers, I added my own collaged images. The finish looks like wax, but is actually 2-3 layers of my own recipe for faux encaustic (wax) that adds a depth and aged look. Shown above is one of the finished wood panel pieces, showing a division of 4 tile spaces.

For the Wildlife: Washing Our Faces in Oil

2010-07-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

I work in a series of paintings, so many ideas spring to mind that I don’t want to put them all in one piece. It is just as easy, and provides more creative outlets for me to do several pieces as a series, rather than just one. I utilize recovered/recycled papers, often using salvaged pages from National Geographic magazine, treating it with a solvent that dissolves the ink, leaving some text exposed, mingled among ink colors dispersed in random patterns. Each 3x3 canvas is sealed with my unique faux encaustic media.

This Quadtych represents the creatures and birds of the sea hoping for rescue and salvation from the Gulf Coast oil disaster. Clockwise L-R are (1) a seabird circling the sun, escaping the oil, yearning for salvation;(2) is underwater view of a sea turtle with the sun shining above, with the turtle’s outline digitally “solarized” to create a glow;(3) is a crested seabird soaring above the water, its wingtips nearly touching those of its brothers and sisters; (4) is a zoom-out of many seabirds randomly flying around circular shapes, now representing the dangers of multiple oil wells threatening the ocean and its inhabitants.

In the process of finishing this piece, I was using the National Geographic pages in another series that I am simultaneously working on (I have to find something to do while waiting for paint to dry). I randomly chose one page out of hundreds that I have on hand, because it had a pattern I thought would work, but I didn’t need the other half of that page. The design didn’t look like anything I would use so when I turned it over to check the pattern on the reverse side, the following text stood out:

“There is only one joy for us,
And this is all we need,
To wash our faces in the new oil,
Of the drilling rig.”

This, I discovered, was a page from an article pertaining to Russian oil drilling, however, I knew the text could not have appeared in my hand by accident, and the words were meant to be part of this piece. So, maybe I should call this a “Five Tych” since the words of the fifth element are a necessary part of the whole. The title of the piece, had to be: “Washing our faces in the New Oil”

Each original piece of art will be sold on a Special Wednesday night event on July 21, from 5-7:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the National Wildlife Federation. Location: Project Space, 150 Liberty Street, Salem, Oregon. For information, visit www.saaprojectspace.org.

Art Speaks, Project Space and More

2010-06-24T01:49:00.000-07:00

A 2-1/2 week exhibit called "ART SPEAKS: Are You Listening?" turned into a two month interactive exhibit, and coordinating about 30 artists in a magnificent museum like setting was something, and gave me a new appreciation for gallery owners. Sales were good, the location was fantastic and the rent was better than excellent (donated by Salem's premier patron of arts and culture). This summer begins with PROJECT SPACE in downtown Salem. If I could figure out to do the easy link I would, but it is at saaprojectspace.org. Working as a studio artist in a 6000 square foot building, with several other wonderful artists. I feel privileged to be a part of this space. With a brief break I am going to a family reunion, and will return refreshed (yeah right) and eager to enjoy a warm summer with collaborative artists. We're also doing an art benefit for "the birds" in the gulf, more to come on that at the website referenced a few lines up there. Life is good, always good, today.

Lost and Found

2010-05-04T02:06:00.000-07:00

When google mail changed to gmail I lost my way... then I lost my password, and so forth and so on. So I'm back, able to blog. I continue painting and showing up for life. Facebook has taken over for keeping up on my life, so please find me there, and I guess I'll get back here again someday.

Winter

2009-05-07T02:15:00.000-07:00

Rex the Border Collie waits for dryer, warmer weather when Mom will toss the ball for him again. In the meantime, a harsh winter was survived only by thoughts of painting, and acting on it. In January, some friends and I took a week long workshop with William Park. I also could look forward to teaching a repeat of my fall session in mixed media. Next: the results!

A Gala Evening: Winter 2008

2008-12-22T17:47:00.000-08:00

A challenge was handed to me: paint at a live event (for pay). I had a month or two, to think about my approach. Like anything else, you're never sure how things will turn out. On December 10, however, I was on stage in the Salem Conference Center, at this gala benefit auction for the Boys & Girls Aid Society. Beautifully adorned Christmas trees and accompanying room settings complete with toys and gifts were auctioned off; I was to paint the scene of the gala affair during dinner and the auction, which ended with the auctioning of my finished painting. I had a couple days before to set up and sketch and get a feel for my direction.
With 4-5 quick sketches it fell into place: it would be like my landscapes, with rows of tables (instead of rows of vineyards or crops) surrounded by trees. I took an actual photo too, just to put it into perspective, and did a quick color study that afternoon. Then the evening arrived and I began....
A bad photo of the room; then laying in my "rows" on a 40x40 canvas. Then I filled in tables, trees and "sky". There I am onstage, with about 500 happy diners watching. Lastly I added people, shown in the final painting at the top of this blog. The evening flew by, and before I knew it, my painting was the final Item 15 on the block. I was really pleased with the result, it turned out exactly how I hoped.

Making Art: lessons in creativity

2008-11-22T02:06:00.001-08:00

This was my first free week after finishing up teaching a 5 week course. I will always remember where I was the night Barack Obama was elected president: I was teaching that Tuesday night with several stalwart students. We have mail-in ballots in Oregon, so no lines or rush to vote. My husband promised to text me when Barack hit the 270 mark, and my students were dying to hear when my phone kept buzzing and buzzing. So, shortly after 7pm we took a little break, i looked at my phone and, well we nearly danced a jig. It was hard to focus back to painting. But paint we did! The theme of the term was doing a series, and I'll be repeating the class, with opportunities for advanced students in Winter term. I was so impressed with these students, some beginners, some younger, some older, some returning to painting after several years of sabbatical. With their permission I took photos of their work with a promise to post at least one of each on my blog. Everyone had such wonderful, individual style. I humbly present this art, applaud the talents, and encourage them to keep "making art". Shown first at the beginning of this blog, is one of my class demos that I finished up. Some students were quite prolific, with series in birds, trees, abstract landscapes, and nonrepresentative paintings. it was a great exploration, with lots of talent. I forgot to put labels on each photo when I uploaded, so I credit Jessica for her birds and trees; Geoff for his landscape and starry night; Liz for her swirling purple creation, and so much more of hers I could have put here; Randy's balanced shapes with his wonderful colors; Maribeth's textured zenlike beauty; and LouAnn's passionate sunsets. May you all keep making art.

Settling into Serious Work

2008-10-09T00:36:00.001-07:00

There is no end to discovery with art. That's why I teach, that's why I continue learning. This week I am going to paint with a friend who uses joint compound with acrylic paints and sands between layers. I've had a big bucket of joint compound for some time, just waiting for the right time to get in and explore with it. I am blessed with wonderful friend-artists who freely share what they know. Also getting ready for the Holiday Showcase at Salem Art Association, so that is always a challenge to create one-of-a-kind but affordable art. Just as much work goes into small pieces as large. Just as much creativity and planning but that can be replicated easily and appealing as an irresistable gift for the discriminating holiday shopper. Trying to separate art from kitsch, fine art from craft. I've adopted a quote to sign off with, which will inspire and float me for awhile until I hear the next inspiring thought to share: "Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war. It demands greater fidelity to the truth and a much more perfect purity of conscience."
- from "Thomas Merton on Peace"

Inspiration Manifested

2008-09-25T05:10:00.000-07:00

The investment in exploration the past few months has paid off. I have done some demonstrations at the State Fair and local gallery, and enjoyed Paint the Town in Salem area at 9 locations. Paintings are coming together, old paintings have been quickly completed and a series of new paintings has emerged. It is hard to stop! Getting ready for Open Studio Tour this weekend with a preview Friday night. Much to do, looking forward to an 80 degree weekend. Woo hoo! Have updated website and learned In-Design and got postcards ordered from 48hourprint.com. Great job, got them mailed out and distributed, a few left to drop off at key points but hey I've got 1-1/2 days left, right? Art inspiration has paid off, I can't believe how well everything is turning out. I am happy with results. I couldn't ask for more! Also I consented to teach classes starting in October in Acrylic media, doing a series of painting with aspiring and experienced artists.

A Year of Exploration and Discovery

2008-09-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

It has been a year of facing fears and the unknown, growing and celebrating. It is fall 2008, and the warm extended summer and cool crisp nights get us nesty for winter.

Sometime last year I had a new website set up with a solid plan to have it done in 2 weeks. Well weeks turned into months and eventually I will have hit a year on October 12, 2008, with no advancement done. What have I been doing? Summer of 2007 was a banner year, sales were good, even great. I thought I would do art festivals again, having come off a successful season. But fall hit, and with it my husband's cancer returned and we slogged for 6 weeks to radiation therapy every day, Monday through Friday. He finished treatment right before Thanksgiving, neither of us having much appetite or energy, so we played it low key. His strength returned, lab tests looked great, and after having been sidelined for a few months, we hit the road in February 2008, heading for Las Vegas and Arizona to reinvigorate ourselves. We celebrated Valentine's Day with a two-day stay at a Venetian suite, shopped and dined sumptuously and then headed to see friends in Arizona, relaxing, shopping, catching up, light hiking, shopping, cooking, and even hit a flea market in bustling Kingman. Antique art shopping is always a favorite pasttime with my friend Mary.

In early April I went to a Donna Zagotta workshop with a friend, for a week in Hood River. Fabulous! The buds were wanting to pop on the pear trees, Mt. Hood towered to the southeast, and the Columbia River beckened to the north. All restaurants in Hood River seem to feature dishes and drinks made with pears. Pear dumplings (scrumptious), pear chutney, poached pears, pear wine, you name it.

In late April, I headed to Taos, New Mexico and participated in a two-week Intensive Studios Seminar, with Alex Powers, Fran Larsen, Topher Schink, Skip Lawrence, and Katherine Liu. OMG was it fabulous, and the word "Intensive" was quite appropo. It was WORK. We arrived a couple days early to get our bearings, see the Rio Grande, and explore Taos. Then it was down to work. Some have asked what techniques I learned. Well, none, it wasn't that kind of a "workshop". It was a seminar to explore one's strengths and identity. Two of the instructors said I should stick to landscapes, 1 said definitely figures, and the other two said do whatever you like. Well I like so many things, that was my struggle, to find an identity. What I came out with was, I shall do 30-40 landscapes. After that, I can move to something else if I want. Meeting with 100 other artists from around the world was amazing, all striving to improve their voice in the visual arts. I may go back again. Some have gone for 7 years or so. We stayed an extra day in Taos and took in the first art festival of the season, then off to Santa Fe for 3 days of gallery exploration and fine dining. A wonderful city, met a lot of wonderful and friendly artists.

In late May-early June, I went to San Luis Obispo, California, for a week's stay at a the Avila Beach Resort and took advantage of a Robert Burridge workshop. How fun was that! Intensive freedom! I explored new mediums and we stuck our paintings on the wall. Some of my fellow students mistook my paintings for Bob's. Bob is one heckuva teacher. There was no fear. No wrong. We had official permission slips to do anything we wanted. I bought two of Bob's original paintings from his "circus" collection as a souvenir.

Returning to Oregon, and welcoming home my son and his wife from Japan, I had decided back in February I would take the summer off from festivals and teaching. I would enjoy family, and painting. And I did. I mulled a lot. Mulled over what I had learned, discovered. I explored. I did 9 on-site plein air paintings (at least I started them) and set up tables on the deck with my festival canopy over me, and had lovely bright white light to paint under all summer long. We had company most of the summer, coming and going. I gave the gift of a "summer off" to my husband. We held onto our sanity together that way, without the pressure of creating huge bodies of work for summer festivals after traveling so much. Life is good, my husband feels great. I think I took like 3000 digital photos this summer, for inspiration and memories. I had two paintings accepted into the All-Oregon Art Annual this year (professional division), which exhibited in late August. Didn't win an award this time (as I did a couple years ago) but it was the only thing I entered this summer, with all that was going on.

So now I am looking forward to our fall studio tour. I have busted out new paints and materials and have hit a roll! I had to order new cards and restock my galleries with original paintings, prints and cards. New paintings have poured out of my soul. Rest is good. The sabbatical was successful. Invigorating, inspiring, and I'm more happy with what I'm painting than ever before.

I will update this as events warrant. I have scheduled nearly nothing else for the rest of the year, an exhibit or two in the winter, one in January. An exhibition in October, small things.

It has been a year of facing fears and the unknown, growing and celebrating. Now, I face my website with updates of new artwork! Find me at krug-art@krugart.com.