Monday, September 26, 2011

encroachment








a bit about this piece...

Slowly but surely, the suburbs are coming together, like tectonic plates, moving toward the center. Houses are built; shopping centers are placed on top of hallowed battlefields, erasing all that once was. Abstracting two aerial views of my area, I've synthesized a coming together of the worlds. By enclosing the wild areas of our world, we are corralling the wild into the tame. I am again, striving for a meaningful piece of art, which encompasses my current concerns, as well as striving for an interesting and beautiful piece of art to view.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Finally Autumn...

It was a very long and trial filled summer, and I'm glad it's over. I've been working on submission for shows, and also the Lazarus series of work, combining fiber and paint.



Lazarus III  fiber, paint, canvas  20x20"

I hope the fall is a quiet, comtemplative time around here.


The last of the coneflowers are being harvested by the bees..

Thursday, September 1, 2011

New work at Studio A

It's always a sense of relief and unbelief to hang a show.  All those hours of work, all that over thinking. Then it's hung, and pray to God it all looks good. My new solo show opens up tomorrow, Sept 2, at Studio A, in Fredericksburg Va.
It's been a summer of extremes, but at least I've made my studio time a priority. Fall is always a busy time with shows, art festivals and such. It pays off to be consistent in the studio.

"Lily"  acrylic on wood  14x14"

Besides pricing, I think keeping the mojo going when all your work seems to be in the 'ugly' stages is the most difficult. Staring at a painting or fiber piece looking for it to start to 'sparkle' is agonizing sometimes.  I feel most insecure about my paintings (today, ask me tomorrow). Maybe because it is what I was trained in, or maybe because painting has been so over analyzed, but it takes me as long to make a good painting as it does anything else.



'Moonrise'   fiber   37x23"

If you are interested in any of the pieces, let me know, I've priced them very reasonably, and have a good supply on my hands. I'm also going to be participating in the Baltimore Inner Harbor Art Festival this month, check the side bar for more information.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Getting ready for a show

My show at Studio A in F'burg opens on Sept. 1st, and the ensuing chaos is now in session.. So much on the to do list, I weary of it. But onward I go..



Work still going on, it will be done!



piles of stuff, ok, never going to be featured in "Studios' magazine! I know I know..


Art quilts and paintings.. all in a row.. not!!





On the easel (floor) right now..

And my son took a great class on street art, and has gone and done some work..Wonder where he gets his art gene from? :D  Love it!


Saturday, August 6, 2011

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Etsy store sale!

The whole rest of July, I'm offering everything at 50% off, I need space!  Go have a look, I'm listing new art every single day.




Friday, July 22, 2011

up close and personal..



Hand dyed and commercial fabrics. Hand and machine stitched, appliqued, quilted and embroidered. Going 3-d for these latest pieces.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Words do matter

Many many thanks to those who stop by and comment, look and keep up with this blog. It's not much of a word blog, there are plenty of those, but more of a visual and image blog. I do try and explain some of the thought process that goes into the making of the art.  Much of my work is word related, if not exactly with text directly, but by books, movies and poetry. I have much admiration and a bit of envy when it comes to those who are, as the Irish say, have the gift of gab. Musicians, poets, and writers amaze me with being able to evoke a feeling or scene, merely by using words. Over simplified, perhaps, non the less, still an amazing feat.



I am very fortunate, that the well does not run dry for me. I do not have 'blocks' or lack inspiration. I do get lazy, and lack direction, occasionally. When this happens, I go back to the basics, line, form, shape, color, etc.. working in my sketchbooks, going back to black and white. Simplifing. Luckily, it does not happen a lot.



I work on several series at once. It does not confuse me to do so. I am lately very interested in bluring the line between 2-D and 3-D.  Very interested, as well in dark to light and contrast, both in color and shapes.

And always hope for a little (or a lot!!) of narrative and story telling in the pieces.



Raising the surface and the bar a bit.

..and a little poetry to go on..

When my love comes and sits by my side,
when my body trembles and my eyelids droop,
the night darkens, the winds blow out the lamp,
and the clouds draw veils over the stars.
It is the jewel at my own breast that shines
and gives light. I do not know how to hide it."
Rabindranath Tagore

Monday, June 27, 2011

Lazarus II

Lazarus II by Lorie McCown
Lazarus II, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Mixed media, acrylic and metalic paint, fiber, thread, fabric on wood. 20x20"

Monday, June 20, 2011

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Friday, June 3, 2011

Library Show is up..

My June show at the Central Rappahannock Library in Fredericksburg Va. is hung, and looks great. It's nice to see them all together in a great, well lit spot.  It will hand the entire month of June. Normal library hours.
All works are for sale.

http://www.librarypoint.org/arts






                       Detail shot of  "Prairie Poetry"  hand and machine stitched, appliqued and embroidered.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

New work


"Taken refuge"  24x30"  fiber/mixed media/hand dyed fabrics

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Adding fiber and paint

Mixing the media..









aspects of the 'lazarus' series

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

June Library Show

Next up is my show at the Headquarters Library in Fredericksburg. .. Lots of new work going up! Here's a sample..

Acrylic on canvas 36x24"



Mixed media on board 18x18" Paint, fiber, thread, fabric.



..and of course some poetry!



When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling,

I surely understand what pleasure streams from the sky in morning light,

and what delight that is that is which the summer breeze brings to my body

---when I kiss you to make you smile.


Rabindranath Tagore


Friday, May 13, 2011

Fredericksburg Art Festival




If you are looking for something to do this weekend, come out to Hurkamp Park and visit the Festival. I will be there with new fiber work, and knitted items, tent #6. Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-4.



Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sketch book for May

Doing pretty well keeping up. Lots of painting in it this week. Here's a peak. All of these are water color.








I don't always get to it each day, but I'm pretty consistant, week by week. No rules, just marks.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

To the paint studio

Also sewing some as well.

With all the news and world events, I retreat somedays to block out the constant chatter. The wonderful transitional season of Spring is here and with it, the blooms and green that can't help to inspire.






Friday, April 29, 2011

Nice way to start a Friday!

That was fun to watch... Good luck!