artist at play
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Moniker
If you’re not familiar with the word moniker, you may think I’ve acquired a Boston accent and plan to write about someone named Monica, hahaha! But, no. I’m here to share a nickname, aka a moniker, for the art in which I play with cut-out paper shapes and which I referred to as mini-Matisses when… Continue reading
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And … It’s a Wrap! (really)
OK, one final bit of giftwrap from Christmas 2023. Continue reading
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Wrapping up Christmas 2023
As I scroll through iPhoto thumbnail images on my phone, evidence of further adventures in painting Christmas giftwrap catches my attention. Not sure why I didn’t post at the time—since our celebration of the holidays didn’t spiral out of control, I don’t have that as an excuse! In any case, here I am to post… Continue reading
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Cut-Outs Hang Out
Before we leave my debut mini-Matisses to seek their fame and fortune*, I want to share this photo from the page in my art journal where they hang out together. They make an attractive group of fledglings, don’tcha think? *Opportunities for fame and fortune abound, hahahahaha! Continue reading
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Feeling Scrappy
I feel scrappy and carefree as I work on this piece, determined to get paper cut-outs and scraps glued in place in the little ink-outlined box in my art journal come what may. No matter that:• the glue messes up,• the ink smears and is uneven,• I don’t yet have the right scissors at hand,•… Continue reading
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Shape Up or Ship Out
Oh my gosh, I am dialed in to shapes everywhere I look, and today’s mini-Matisse was inspired by the ribs of a wooden ship, so shape up or ship out, dear readers, hahaha! I continue to experiment with background texture that will enhance without overpowering. Played here with penciled journaling. Even with a light hand,… Continue reading
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Cut Out for Cutting
She began cutting and we stopped talking, both of us listening, I think, to the sound of the scissors. For those of us enamored of the world of textiles, this sound is a little symphony. —Elizabeth Berg, The Art of Mending I keep a small bare-bones sewing kit upstairs for simple mending jobs. It’s a tin… Continue reading
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Hangin’ Out With Henri
I like to imagine I’m hanging out with Henri at his place, every horizontal surface layered with painted papers, cut-out shapes, and scraps. We chat in a relaxed way about this and that, work companionably in long stretches of silence, narrate process and observation to ourselves periodically as we investigate collage configurations and compositions. Every… Continue reading
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Précis
The major purpose of a précis is to present faithfully, as briefly and clearly as possible, the important ideas of a reading selection that is being ‘cut down.’ To ascertain those central important ideas, the writer of a précis has to read carefully, analytically, and reflectively. In my work with students of any age, when… Continue reading
My Story
In 2014, I grab an unexpected opportunity to paint.
To make art.
I get hooked.
In 2015 I start a blog—a diary of my creative practice.
I post my paintings and their stories. The good, the bad, the ugly.
In 2025 I begin writing poetry and include a poem and painting in each post.
My compass points: shake hands with fear, be playful, get messy, trust my gut.
