Looking west on the Solstice

Solstice night, lights and flowers from the kids

Between now and May Eve it was high solstice with brilliant bright skies by day and warm calm at night with fireflies. The red winged blackbirds were long gone. Before that my birthday flowers were in full bloom. Now it is so hot they would wilt, instead it’s time for zinnias and gladiolus to rule. Time to can tomatoes and make herb salt. First Harvest, Happy Mid-Summer!

Birthday Lilies

Hickory King non-gmo corn chips, Jennifer at Sunflower Sundries, 1 stem of Royal lilies, Wayne Ferguson ocharina

icicle radish, heart tomato, herb salt, gladiola

It’s been a quietly creative time at home. I’m sitting here thinking of how to make my simple life sound exciting for a reader. One way might be to rattle off titles to the new dozen paintings since the last update. Having a one-track mind is one way to accomplish fast paced tasks for a slow-paced gal. Now is the time to start revealing projects in preparation for the season of showing and sharing coming up.

“Excavation”, Bay of Naples, “2 Birds”, Sarah C Vaughn quilt

Following some mysterious instinct certain shapes like triangular roofs insist on being a part of the design. It led me to finding my dad’s photo of the view from our balcony in Naples. The shape of the horizon is etched in my psyche. Also, the attendant protection I felt when my grandfather brought me up to Vesuvius. The smell was fearsome. So was Pompeii.

Cadmium red, zinnias and Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

“National Center for Atmospheric Research Portal”, daily art practice 5.22, “Bamboo Blackbirds”, “Madonna”

I am celebrating the successful completion of a challenge. Creative Visionary Program for the second time added depth to my perception of layers seldom considered like what do I want? What are my favorite colors – what to choose? Do I like acrylic paint? Getting out and about to visit friends and soothing places frees my thinking in all this. Being inspired by a quilt design and the soft sound of the swan ocharina, offers different delights.

“Vesuvian Gardens” by Kathleen O’Brien

I can see traces of fresco-like areas in the final series “Vesuvius”. The shapes of pathways and archways that engaged me in the spring were dominant in design.

“Vesuvian Gardens” and spring value paintings by Kathleen O’Brien

“Vesuvian Gardens”, acrylic paintings, 12×12″ by Kathleen O’Brien

Studio Visits

Having visitors to the studio is just plain fun, plus the communication and connection fulfills top priorities for me as an artist. Showing art and talking about the process gives the viewer insight into the reason behind aesthetic choices that bring meaning to the experience of original art. It’s is different than what is perceived on a screen.

That is what a new collector observed as we looked through portfolios. She came knowing that she wanted to see “State of Grace 1” from my website, and did go home with it. But when she saw “Ojo de Dios” she realized the subtleties and nuances could only be appreciated in person.  The energy of it was something that she wanted to experience in a certain place in her home. Connecting an artwork with the person it was intended for, is both synchronistic and rewarding. When the person realizes the same principle at work, that is communication at it’s finest.

Schedule a time to visit easily using this form or use the sign up button on the contact page. There is no obligation, just the opportunity for mutual inspiration, find tranquil art, peaceful land, and the healing power of nature. Bring your curiosity and explore process, methods and more.

REIMAGINE

Once CVP ended I focused on a fun project, “REIMAGINE” sponsored by Arts Connect in Lexington. It is an exhibition of work by artists who have chosen a local elementary school student’s drawing that has inspired them to create an artwork in their own style and medium. The collaborative originals are auctioned online to raise funds that are shared among the participating public schools for art supplies, the artists and Arts Connect as the program administrator.

Online Auction Opens Monday, 15th September at 9:00 am. The exhibit will open on September 19 at the Downtown Main Library. A print and digital catalogue with photos of both artist and student work, will be available. Mine is called “Beautiful Mystery”. More on this later.