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| "Busy Bee a" 30x24 on paper |
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| "Nap Time" 30x24 on paper |
In process works
If art doesn't seem weird at first, it's probably because it's already been done.
I've discovered that with passion for what you paint comes an impulsive brush stroke, and that results in a genuine outcome that doesn't seem forced or unoriginal.
This is, in a way, a take on the glass being half empty or half full. You can look at bubbles like a child does, whimsical, fascinating and playful, or you can think of a bubble as an air pocket of soap. If the bubble bursts it's just plain ole' soap! We can choose what type of life we put our heart and energy into. It's how you look at it~
"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."
Proverbs 27:19
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| "Impulsive a" 36x36 |
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This is, in a way, a take on the glass being half empty or half full. You can look at bubbles like a child does, whimsical, fascinating and playful, or you can think of a bubble as an air pocket of soap. If the bubble bursts it's just plain ole' soap! We can choose what type of life we put our heart and energy into. It's how you look at it~
"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."
Proverbs 27:19
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| “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ― Pablo Picasso |
I learn so much from Lelia, who has no idea what a great teacher she is! But, one day she will read this and know, and that is such a reassuring thought.
Every experience is an opportunity to discover something. If you ever watch a child playing when they aren't even thinking about you being in the room, you will see the dumb-founded amazement in their face from the most simple things. I thought about that this week as I watched her coloring on the floor of my studio while I was painting. She is not over-thinking what she is doing like I do. What I do requires some thought, of course, but watching her made me want to go back to painting the way that I love to paint, and for the rest of the week that's what I did. I have woken up each morning and gone to sleep each night thinking about painting and feeling excited to get back to it. Children are so refreshing!
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| "Outside" 48x48 |
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| "Puzzle" 48x48 |
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| Had to sneak this one in, too :) FYI "Shrimpin'" boots are essential for Easter egg hunting. |
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| "Hide" 30x22 on paper |
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| "Seek" 30x22 on paper |
Concept Journal Entry #3 "Play time"
Pictures speak louder than words, so this photo collage should say it all, but I'll go on anyway...
These are the days of legos, wagons, bouncy balls, baby dolls, and crayons. After all the fun, what's left behind is one big, unorganized mess made by one very busy toddler. She is so full of energy and her enthusiasm is contagious. The love and joy I have in my heart because of her makes me over flow with inspiration to translate that feeling into paint. My work has become much looser and more zealous with energetic brush strokes and mark making. Also, my color palette develops from the juvenile, girlish colors that have taken over in our house. More (many more) paintings to come....
These are the days of legos, wagons, bouncy balls, baby dolls, and crayons. After all the fun, what's left behind is one big, unorganized mess made by one very busy toddler. She is so full of energy and her enthusiasm is contagious. The love and joy I have in my heart because of her makes me over flow with inspiration to translate that feeling into paint. My work has become much looser and more zealous with energetic brush strokes and mark making. Also, my color palette develops from the juvenile, girlish colors that have taken over in our house. More (many more) paintings to come....
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| "Play time" 40x30 (Lyons Share Gallery) |
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| "Merriment" 28x22 (sold) |
Available Paintings!
Again, I have a few paintings in between galleries. If anyone is interested in them, please let me know! I now have a paypal account on my blog. These paintings will be for sale online until the end of the week.
Thanks!
Again, I have a few paintings in between galleries. If anyone is interested in them, please let me know! I now have a paypal account on my blog. These paintings will be for sale online until the end of the week.
Thanks!
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| Afloat 36x36 |
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| Free Style 36x36 |
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| Treading Water 20x20 |
Tizzy
This is the start of a new series of paintings. Agitation, unsettled, wound up, excited energy, nervous energy, in a frenzy are all words I would use to cohesively characterize the zealous application of paint in each painting throughout this series. More to come!
This painting will be for sale at Merrill Miller's Interiors in Orange Beach, AL as of tomorrow!
This painting will be for sale at Merrill Miller's Interiors in Orange Beach, AL as of tomorrow!
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| Tizzy 36x48 |
A little motivation quote which I borrowed from a brilliant and inspiring designer I know, Hadley Binion, who happens to be one of my very best buds ;) A great reminder that, as artists, we can't get too comfortable. The harder you work, the more you get out of it, in more ways than one.
Up for Grabs
These paintings are currently in between galleries. I rarely have available art in my possession, but it seems like people are always asking me if I have any art in my studio. Just thought I'd throw this out there! If anyone is in the market, contact me.
Also!... Don't forget, I have paintings for sale in an online gallery via Agora Gallery in NYC. Click the link to see art for sale.
"Drinks at 5 a" 24x18 SOLD
"Boat Drinks" 30x40 SOLD
"Sharp" 42x30 oil on paper
I am wrapping up my "Lady-like"series of paintings with these last two. I have gotten all that I wanted out of this concept. I have a different driving force now that I am eager to explore. Stay tuned.....
"Dainty" 36x48 (available at Ashland Gallery)
concept journal entry #2 ("Ladylike")
Southern women can be harsh and bold in statements and still remain "ladylike" and poised. I am using the same conflicting characteristics in this series of paintings. I am not just using different textured papers to convey the feminine qualities. I am continuing to do paintings on stretched canvas, but the application and colors relate to the concept. Harsh, heavy, bold strokes and colors with gold and silver leaf paired with delicate pastels and creamy whites applied in thick "cushy" textures are intentional choices.
"Persistent" 48x36 (available in Dallas @ Blue Print)
"Ladylike" 36x48 (available at Ashland Gallery)
Christmas 2012
This Christmas we had LOTS to be thankful for. For one, this will always be remembered as the first Christmas for Santa Clause to come down our chimney ;). I have never been so excited for Christmas to come!
We were hit by a tornado the evening of Christmas day. We were fortunate to get away with minor damage, but we missed major destruction by about 100 ft. Some of our best friends are left with inhabitable homes. This Christmas was a huge reminder of how fortunate we are to have each other, and grateful that no lives were lost. Please say a prayer for fast clean up and recovery for the people most effected.
concept journal entry #1
I said I was using this blog to discuss my reasons for painting. I haven't gotten around to actually doing that until now :) Busy couple of months.
The process I use to develop new art involves thinking and writing almost more than painting. I enjoy painting with some kind of idea or feeling involved. It is great to be able to sell the work, too, though. So... it's important to keep in mind what people are drawn towards, aesthetically. I'm pretty sure painting to match the wallpaper is considered a faux pas by the great artists of the world. I actually really like it, though! That's the decorator in me I guess. However, the contemporary artist in me wants to break ground with the next great body of work that will really get notice. And so, this is where I am now;
Southern Grace and Lace?
Now that I have a daughter of my own, I am thinking about the way we raise girls down here in the south. There is a standard (among some people) of how to dress your child, which happens to be the same way many of us were dressed as children and the generation before that and on and on. This is just one example of how traditional southern women approach the decisions in life. In some cases it's a "keeping up with the Joneses" affect and for others it's a choice people make for the time-honored style. I am a huge fan of tradition and carrying on a family heritage and local customs (and hand sewn lace and smocked dresses for that matter), but sometimes it's okay to embrace change and new ideas that you aren't comfortable with or used to seeing. I can't keep up, or is it that I can't hold back from embracing newness? It's just that it seems like nothing changes here, and sometimes I feel like I am forcing myself into the standard, not just with my child and how she is dressed, but myself in many other aspects. Anyway, this all boils down to maintaining your originality and unique qualities and priorities despite what is expected of you.
So, with my paintings, I have been exploring alternative surfaces to paint on while still maintaining my recognizable style of painting. It's a way to throw unexpected flare onto something that has become somewhat of a standard for me. Words like grace and beauty, dainty and feminine are rolling around in my head as I paint. With these paintings, I am exploring an alternative to whats some might consider "good-lookin'" (as we'd say 'round here). I am excited to see where this new approach takes me. Stay tuned :)
"Dainty"12x16
The process I use to develop new art involves thinking and writing almost more than painting. I enjoy painting with some kind of idea or feeling involved. It is great to be able to sell the work, too, though. So... it's important to keep in mind what people are drawn towards, aesthetically. I'm pretty sure painting to match the wallpaper is considered a faux pas by the great artists of the world. I actually really like it, though! That's the decorator in me I guess. However, the contemporary artist in me wants to break ground with the next great body of work that will really get notice. And so, this is where I am now;
Southern Grace and Lace?
Now that I have a daughter of my own, I am thinking about the way we raise girls down here in the south. There is a standard (among some people) of how to dress your child, which happens to be the same way many of us were dressed as children and the generation before that and on and on. This is just one example of how traditional southern women approach the decisions in life. In some cases it's a "keeping up with the Joneses" affect and for others it's a choice people make for the time-honored style. I am a huge fan of tradition and carrying on a family heritage and local customs (and hand sewn lace and smocked dresses for that matter), but sometimes it's okay to embrace change and new ideas that you aren't comfortable with or used to seeing. I can't keep up, or is it that I can't hold back from embracing newness? It's just that it seems like nothing changes here, and sometimes I feel like I am forcing myself into the standard, not just with my child and how she is dressed, but myself in many other aspects. Anyway, this all boils down to maintaining your originality and unique qualities and priorities despite what is expected of you.
So, with my paintings, I have been exploring alternative surfaces to paint on while still maintaining my recognizable style of painting. It's a way to throw unexpected flare onto something that has become somewhat of a standard for me. Words like grace and beauty, dainty and feminine are rolling around in my head as I paint. With these paintings, I am exploring an alternative to whats some might consider "good-lookin'" (as we'd say 'round here). I am excited to see where this new approach takes me. Stay tuned :)
"Dainty"12x16
Unbound Perspectives
Last week was my group exhibit, Unbound Perspectives, at Agora Gallery in New York. It was a great excuse to take off to NYC with the girls (14 to be exact) for three days. Can't wait to do it again.
The paintings in the exhibit are available online. Click here to view paintings:
Agora Gallery, Sarah Otts
What a fun week! Thanks to my mom who did all the planning! Great trip :)
The paintings in the exhibit are available online. Click here to view paintings:
Agora Gallery, Sarah Otts
Hotel Chandler was a great choice! Highly recommend it.
@ Agora Gallery in Chelsea
My sweet college friends flew up and surprised me!!
**Here is a affordable opportunity to give the gift of art.**
I am having prints made of the three paintings shown below.
All are 8"x10" prints, $50 each.
Email me to place your order. SarahOtts2@gmail.com
scroll down for more info.
I am having prints made of the three paintings shown below.
All are 8"x10" prints, $50 each.
Email me to place your order. SarahOtts2@gmail.com
scroll down for more info.
print of Faithful 8x10, $50
print of Delta Cypress 8x10, $50
print of Chapel 8x10, $50
Place your order via email. The prints will be ready to be picked up the week of December 17th. They will be on heavy stock "art" paper and protected in a plastic sleeve. They will not be matted or mounted. The original versions of these oil paintings on canvas will be for sale at Ashland Gallery during the month of December. You may also purchase the limited prints at Ashland Gallery and Lyons Share Gallery while they last. Place an order before they run out! Merry Christmas!
Cypress Trees
If you are already familiar with my paintings, you know that I like to paint more than one subject matter. Painting abstractly is my number one love. That's worth underlining because I devote more creative energy and concept into those paintings.
However, my other favorite thing to paint is the beautiful scenery in the Mobile delta. It's comfortable, the tried and true. There is not a lot of thinking behind it for me other than discovering new ways to interpret the same serene, abandoned, predictable state of the delta (and that's a good thing).
The cypress trees have the most interesting forms. I always notice the way the water washes away the base and darkens the bark right where the tree meets the water. The roots that rise above the surface are a convenient compositional tool, as well as, the distant tall pine trees. From far away, a pine tree is so thin and dainty with a top-heavy little bloom on top. And then there is the moss on the tress, palmetto bushes on the bank, water lilies. It's a beautiful place that doesn't get a lot of credit around here!
AND..... I'll admit..... these paintings tend to be a great way to get the hunting and fishing men in your life interested in buying a piece of original art. Wait... isn't there a holiday coming up next month?
Opening Reception at Lyons Share
Last night was the preview party for my exhibit at Lyons Share Gallery in Fairhope. I am so appreciative of my supportive friends, family and clients who came to the reception. Thanks to Mike, Kelley and Pat for putting together a top-notch party to kick off the exhibit! The work will be on display all month. Please, stop in anytime. First Friday is tonight, November 2nd and the Lighting of the trees will be on the 15th.
