I’ve been in creative purgatory limbo lately. It hasn’t happened in awhile and I can’t say I’ve missed it. Very scattered unfocused energy creeping in and causing some creative chaos. Battles between what media do I want to work in - Cutting paper? Gluing paper? Painting in watercolor? Painting in acrylic? Painting at all? Back to cutting paper? x’s infinity. There are lots of new pieces currently in progress but not in any shape for public viewing at this time so instead, please enjoy a watercolor I recently found upstairs that survived the 2018 flood. This painting is 3” x 3” and was done in 2008. Thank you for stopping by!

I’m visiting some Patsy Cline today for Carolaoke Song #43. After last week’s ‘too big of a bite’ that I tore off with "Tears Of A Clown", I needed to just sing instead of concentrating on everything BUT singing. Sometimes being a one gal karaoke show gets complicated managing the hopes and expectations of what you’d like to do verses what can actually be done with what god gave you and the materials at hand. Today, I really just needed to sing and not worry about a broadway production, so this recording is more of a straight ahead live affair. Please enjoy my version of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”. It felt really good to sing today and that’s my takeaway.

Carolaoke Song #43 - Patsy Cline - "Crazy"

Original Song Reference:

It's October 1st! Happy Freaky Friday! And to celebrate the spooky season, I'll be sharing more of The Bird People Tarot cards I'm working on. Even though the tarot card for the day I was born is The World #21 (everyone has one), I've been feeling more like it really should be The Hermit card. Especially given my propensity to bury myself deep inside the rabbit hole, while the whole world is on fire, making my items. I come up for air here and there to make sure I don't completely lose track of reality, but the making of my things has really been the only thing helping me maintain good mental health and clarity. Speaking of the tarot deck, I've been investigating affordable and feasible ways to get this deck printed as a tangible item to purchase in the future and I've been pleasantly surprised about my choices out there on the internets! I first have to finish the entire deck for that to happen, but I'll keep everyone posted. Until then, please enjoy and I hope this finds you safe and well.

Upright Meanings:
Contemplation
Sanctuary
Self-discovery
Caution
Solitude
Pondering life’s mysteries
Reversed Meanings:
Fear
Wisdom spurned
Self-pity
Confusion
Enforced silence

Upright Meanings:
To seize or usurp
Teamwork
Helpful advice
Negotiations
Success
Reversed Meanings:
Carelessness
Futility
Overconfidence
Misinformation
Stubborness

Title: The Museum Series | Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Year: 2021
Media: Acrylic Paint, Paper Diorama and Collage on Wood Panel
Total Dimension: 6” x 6” (1.5" Cradle)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak currently in progress for today's studio closeup. Painting has been extreme therapy lately. I think working with color is what's really helping. Color and jazz. I've also been adding layers and layers and layers and layers of varnish to the middle bands of color to the pieces that are finished. I really want the shininess of the middle color part of these pieces to contrast with the chalky gesso borders (aka "the walls" of an actual real world museum). The varnish also gives the acrylic paint more depth and hopefully the appearance of an oil painting. The plastic feel of acrylic paint when it dries has always bothered me but it dries quick and works nicely with vintage papers. The varnish I am using is for acrylic paint specifically so I'm hoping for a good archival experience.

Today's (tonight's) song offering was deceivingly difficult. It certainly put me through my vocal paces today, but that's good! I need the challenge! It's certainly not a masterpiece but at least I finished the whole song because there were several times I wanted to give up. But I didn't! That's also something. Recently, I've been in a "throwing things I make away" mood again but I've been fighting that with all my might. It's probably Mercury in Retrograde and yes that's a thing. A very real thing. Please enjoy my version of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles', "Tears of a Clown". I love how the music for this song sounds like a circus. With a symphony attached.