taking time to try new things

As a member of the New Rochelle Art Association, I feel as if I should participate in as many shows as held.  The last show was the Jules Bauer Award Show and featured a prize for watercolor.  I didn't win the Jules Bauer award, but I did win Best of Show for this watercolor, titled Waiting for Racetime.  It is a painting of my daughter, Nicki waiting for her turn at a big invitational meet.  I was trying to convey the pre-race jitters she goes through.  The body language portrays that.

 And I also won 3rd prize in the mixed media category for this painting, Nature of Gemini.  

It was a good show, and a good month.

Now I've signed up for Traci Bunkers 30 day Art Challenge (see badge at right).  You make the rules, you just need to create for 30 days consistently, no excuses!  I'm up for that challenge.  I think a better challenge for me would be to see if I could update my blog for 30 days straight!

The Nature of Gemini

My latest work - 24"x24" on birch plywood

WhenI designed this piece I had difficulty choosing which swan should be the white (good) swan and which should be the black (evil) swan.  I couldn't decide if I was creating this with evil conquering good in mind, or that evil was the protector of all things good. 

Seeing that there is enough evil conquering good in the world, I decided to go with the latter thought; my black swan would be a guardian, and my little white swan was submitting to being protected and allowing for someone else to take care of her.  This is something I struggle with personally, letting someone else care for me, letting go of control, relinquising the reigns if you will. 

From this the title "Nature of Gemini" was born.  Gemini is a dual-natured sign, a mix of ying and yang and represented by twins.  Gemini's easily see both sides of an issue and can be restless, much like my swans and me.