This is what you get when Cheryl does the massive SAM Picasso exhibit, eats excellent Mexican food then goes home to watch The Guardian Owls. The Guardian Owls movie is great animation – I was absolutely fascinated how they could give so much expression to an owl. The Picasso exhibit was dark but inspiring. He was a genius but when I compared how I felt leaving his exhibit say versus an O’Keefe exhibit, I know who I would love to have on my walls. Picasso showed only one landscape. He primarily painted people, especially women. Usually women unhappy or crying. I like our stuff better!

I like this double page spread in my new art journal. I learned to lay down paint, then to press Saran Wrap on top and let it dry. Organic shapes were left that I could draw, trace, paint and generally have fun with as this combination cave wall and narrative landscape emerged from my meditation.

Interestingly, this painting was followed by the short story currently on my sandybrownjensen blog called “Endangered Species.”

I am starting a new long term art project I’m calling My Tarot. I pull a card from the deck, study it and paint my own understanding of it. This should take about twenty years!

The card for this weekend is the Three of Discs, which is appropriately the card of the writer and artist. That said, it means applying the qualities of pure hard work, discipline and dedication.

When I painted it, I noticed that for me it is a sort of triple mandala. The great sources are the Sea of the Unconscious and the gifts it throws up on the beaches of creativity; the Sun of Insight and Inspiration; and in between, struggling for consciousness, is Craft, the Human as World Tree.

January 10, 2011 Three Self Portraits with Insect, Birds, and Animal Spirits

When we were kids, Mom and Daddy had Mahalia Jackson records. I liked her music and I especially responded to the album cover. This is a warm up scribble drawing. I took a long break from teaching and doing very much art – this is my way back in.

This eucalyptus tree has waited patiently for me to paint it for at least 20 years. Two weeks ago I approached it with a warm “Hello, remember me?” I searched for a safe place to sit and spend some time with colored pencils and sketch book. This was the service road – the road where all the Latinos work endlessly to keep the grounds perfectly beautiful. This is also where a person could encounter a rattler, even on this 88 degree December day.
I chose a rock where I could sit comfortably. The tree and I communed. I chose my pencils but kept adding colors as I saw the subtle variations in the pale bark. It was quiet except for the red headed woodpeckers. They are always there as far as I can tell. I seem to be the only one fascinated by them. The locals see them too often I suppose.
I did have a visitor during my hour perched on the rock. A golf cart strained to make it up the hill and the driver stopped directly in front of me. He respectfully hesitated before he addressed me. “Senora, you draw?” He wanted to see my barely started sketch. “Muy bueno.” Big smile. I asked him what he was working on? He gestured up the hill at the ancient cabins. He said he lived nearby and he was very happy. He could go home to his wife and children every night. Not like other times- at least that is what I think he said. He seemed very sweet – it was so nice to meet someone like that.
I found out later from a handsome and strapping Irishman that they were replacing the 1940’s plumbing in the little cabins. He looked so capable, the Irish guy and I could tell he would have liked to walk and talk. He is new to the United States. But no, I had no extra time to talk. I was missing spa time to get in some art time. Then another attunement session. Seriously, I would like to go to Glen Ivy for a personal art retreat. The place is a visual feast and is loaded with source imagry I probably do not even know is there yet. This is the year of doing things differently.