Busted Flat

A couple of weeks ago lots of people, (including myself) were 'busted flat in Baton Rouge waitin' fer a plane', or more specifically, in the New Orleans Airport due to cancelled flights because of snow flurries in Atlanta (snow in Atlanta? and people are denying unusual global weather patterns?) Everyone was freaking out because they were SO inconvenienced. But not this gal - she had the right idea .... make the best of whatever life hands you. And this artist did the same - sketch and take photos of people just being people. I was presented a perfect opportunity to stop and take in the "now" because I had a wonderful few hours to stop, be in the moment, and see life just being itself.

Busted Flat

Acrylic on Canvas, 6x6"

Sneaks

I used to wear these type of sneakers as a kid. Now they aren't called sneakers anymore, and they look like something out of the future with all kinds of crazy designs, embellishments and odd looking rubber sculptured heels. Found this pair in a thrift store in exactly my size - I'll take em!

Sneaks

Acrylic on Canvas 6x6" $100

Pink Stripes and Orange Slices

Pink Stripes and Orange Slices

Acrylic on Canvas, 6x6" $100

Shirley's Christmas Ornament

The green bulb on the left is a vintage ornament that belonged to my mother when she was a child. The metal hanger must be authentic too, because it is so sturdy and feels like metal rather than tinfoil. You can buy bulbs that are recreations of the originals, but there is a glitzy look and feel to them that you don't see in the real thing. I realize I could spend the entire new year just painting these bright, cheerful Christmas ornaments, such eye candy!

Shirley's Christmas Ornament

Acrylic on Canvas 6x6 $100

Two Cups

Two Cups

Acrylic on Canvas 6x6" $100

Cup o' Cherries

I wanted to do a "Christmassy" color schemed painting - ok so blue is not green, but... close enough. We are getting our white Christmas today - on the 26th ... close enough, I'll take it... hoping everyone's new year is like a bowl of cherries ... or at least a cup!

Cup O' Cherries

Acrylic on Canvas Panel 6x6" $100

Two Cupcakes

Acrylic on Canvas 6x6" $100.

Red Apple

Busted flat in Baton Rouge (or close)...8 hours in the Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport - whew! Its been a very long day due to bad weather in the NY area. But the good news is it gave me the opportunity to take some cool photos while waiting... of airplanes at interesting angles, the guys in the brightly colored vests that transport the luggage, other travelers like me who had mega hours on their hands and nowhere to go. Even with all that time, I can always find some way to be busy. We artists can always find some new artistic challenge in any given situation - like our work is never done, theres always a new scene catching our interest that we have to capture in one medium or another - isn't that so? Does anyone else feel the same?

Speaking of rouge, I don't think I'll ever tire of painting brilliant red apples - simple shapes but those vibrant reds and oranges, who can resist?

Rouge Pomme

Oil on Canvas 6x6"

Lime Slices

One of the topics we spent a lot of time talking about in the workshop was every artists dilemma (or at least one of them) which is marketing. Consistency counts with blogging, and posting regularly is key. Sometimes its impossible to do a painting every day, and in those events one should post something from their inventory. That being said, since I'm "on the road" and I don't think my hotel mgr. would appreciate my pulling out the paints and turps do a new piece (altho I have done that before) here is a painting I did this summer. I'll be spending the day today kicking around in New Orleans - my second favorite city. Bourbon and voodo and crawfish oh my! Returning to NY tomorrow.

Lime Slices

Acrylic on panel 12x12"

'Tis the season

I was certainly launched into the holiday spirit this past week, traveling to New Orleans for a painting workshop, and getting a big dose of North Pole weather temperatures. If you ever have the opportunity to attend a Carol Marine workshop, go for it. (That in itself is a challenge, considering her workshops fill up 18 months in advance.) She's the real deal, an excellent teacher, very talented and equally sweet. There is something about taking workshops that catapults me into new places of experimentation. I was working in oils this time around, getting re-familiarized with their unique traits. A very different experience from acrylics, but wonderful just the same.

Christmas ornaments

6"x6" oil on panel $100

Ice Cream Cones

Why paint Ice Cream Cones in the winter? Because they are reeeeally fun to paint. And why stop at one with so many flavors/colors to play with? I became obsessed with soft serve ice cream cones this summer - those lovely folds of luscious creamy calories. But being the purist that I am, I had no interest in consuming them, only painting them.

This is a great exercise I give to my students - keep painting the same thing over and over till you know it so well you can do it with your eyes closed (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating there). The first one is usually kind of stiff, because you are feeling your way around it, as you paint it successively you SHOULD (ahem) get loose and confident. And by the time you get to the 4th - or the 14th, you know your subject so well you can paint it with ease, in very few, expressive strokes. The goal is to enjoy the journey and see where it takes you...

Soft Serve Ice Cream Cones

Acrylic on Canvas 9x12" $200.

For more information or to purchase contact patti@mollicastudio.com