Through the Woods

The dark sky threatened and the wind tore at her hair but she walked on.

Through the Woods. Original mixed media art on 10" x 10" stretched canvas. By Karen Smithey.

Illustration Friday Trick or Treat

As she walked through the cemetery in the twilight of the day, it seemed as though she could hear voices echoing 'trick or treat.'

First Snow

Just like flowers drifting down from the sky, lazy petals homing to earth...

First Snow. Original 6"x6" mixed media collage on gallery-wrapped stretched canvas. By Karen Smithey.

Make a Joyful Noise

Make a Joyful Noise, Original 6"x6" mixed media painting on gallery-wrapped canvas. By Karen Smithey.

Oh Little House

Oh Little House, Original 8"x8" mixed media painting on gallery-wrapped stretched canvas. By Karen Smithey.

Heart's Desire

She roamed the world in her dreams, but she always returned to her heart's desire...

Heart's Desire, original mixed media painting by Karen Smithey, 8"x10" gallery-wrapped canvas.

She Wore Two Rings

I like to imagine that she's sitting perfectly still and serious for her first-ever portrait when she realizes she's left both rings on! She knows that everyone will notice! and, in trying to move her hand out of the picture, ensures that, indeed, everyone notices--she wore two rings...

A change of pace--something more in line with what I was doing a couple of months ago.

Illustration Friday Grow

Once she'd left, going home never felt the same...

Hometown, 6"x6" Mixed media collage, acrylic on canvas. Original by Karen Smithey.

I See You

Sometimes I think that if I can only look closely enough, then, truly, I'll see you...

I See You, mixed media collage on 6"x6" gallery-wrapped stretched canvas. Original by Karen Smithey.

An Update on The Big Draw and Be Brave

It's been a busy week around here. Richard had to go to another conference (he's been a presenter now twice for the State Department of Education, talking to other administrators about a new and innovative program he's implemented at his school). That left just me with the three munchkins--well, one of the munchkins is 5'10" now, but in my mind he's still a little boy. Then Jenny got sick, and so between that and pumpkin patch field trips and driving to town to pick Joel up from baseball, and Katie's chorus practice after school, and then doing every day mundane things like feeding the animals and the children--well, I haven't gotten all that much done out here in the studio.

However, I did sell two paintings this week! Up the Endless Stairs and Is It a Very Very Big Flower or Just a Small Girl went quickly--I'll ship those today.

I've been drawing lots, especially in the evenings, pages and pages of faces and my 'girls'. It seems as though I can sit forever and draw while the kids do homework and listen to the audio tape of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. To make all that drawing even more delightful, other people seem to like 'my girls' as much as I do. It's a very joyful process, almost like putting a little bit of my soul on each canvas.

As for Be Brave, I've made a rather brave commitment to definitely positively absolutely PUBLICLY do NaNoWriMo this year. I've joined officially at the NaNoWriMo website, and so far Olivia and Sue have promised to join in with me. I'm hoping that others of you will, as well. Of course, many of you know that I taught advanced math for many years, but my major at Michigan State was English education with an emphasis on writing, and as an English teacher I always wanted kids to know that each of us--every single one--has a story to tell. I believe that writing is about sharing part of oneself and that often school teaches us that writing is about grammar and spelling and punctuation FIRST and communication second, which of course makes people stop writing entirely.

So, I've been brave and signed up at NaNoWriMo. I also took my birthday money (ahead of time, of course, since I don't turn 44 until November 22nd) and bought myself an AlphaSmart Neo, inspired by Olivia. It should arrive tomorrow, and I am so excited! The Neo is a small laptop wordprocessor that runs for up to 700 hours on three AA batteries. I'll be able to take it everywhere with me during November and then transfer my writing to my big computer once a day. It was scary to make a big purchase like that (the Neos are on sale during October for $199), but I know that having spent the money, I will feel even more committed to completing my 50,000 words during November.

I'll try to take time to scan some of my drawings, but I'm really itching to start painting, so I'll do that first!

At the Door

And slowly, oh so slowly, she reached for the door knob. Even in her most wonderful dreams, she'd never gotten to open the door. Until now.

6"x6" Original Mixed Media Collage on stretched canvas. By Karen Smithey.

Up the Endless Stairs

There were no railings to hold onto, nowhere safe to fall--so she kept climbing...

My Basket Is Empty

In the midst of what seemed like plenty, she looked down and saw that her basket was empty...

[I've been reading The Grapes of Wrath and The Good Earth, can you tell?]

Illustration Friday Extremes

Though he looked at it again and again, he never could decide: Was it a very very big flower, or an extremely small girl?

Back Again

I've been fighting off a cold and struggling to get my internet connection to work right, but here I am, back again, finally. I've 'finished' a few more paintings this last week, and done my daily requisite of sketching. The sketches aren't scanned yet, but tomorrow promises to be a full day in the studio, so I'll get those up tomorrow first thing.

It's been interesting to see how I approach the sketching. If I'm drawing my faces, it's all very doodle-like with faces all over the page. If, on the other hand, I set out to 'draw' then I'm usually looking at something specific and don't shift to something else midway. I'm much less committed to any individual face than I am to a sketch. It's an interesting distinction; I'm not sure where it comes from.

I'm looking forward to starting NaNoWriMo at the beginning of November. I have no plot in mind except that I'm going to try and do with my writing what I'm trying to do with my paintings--reach something real inside me and communicate it somehow. I'm not planning on this writing being public, per say, since I believe that an important component of NaNoWriMo is that the emphasis is on quantity, not quality--but if anyone's interested in 'buddying up' and at least trading word counts back and forth, I'd sure like the company. (Olivia...??? Sue...??? Anyone...???)

The Big Draw Day Five or Six, I'm Confused...

I'm off a day, I think. These sketches are from last night. I sat down with a magazine, opened it, and started to draw. I'm going to try and draw something from life today.

DOTEDTSY or BE BRAVE

Today has been a good day. The weather's cool and cloudy--I even had to turn on my little space heater out in the studio, just to take the chill off! Love this time of year. I started working on four new pieces. I find I work better if I don't have to twiddle my thumbs while waiting for the paint to dry. So I'm being cozy and productive at the same time! Also, I'm rereading Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath at lunchtimes, starting today--I do love Steinbeck. And, I've already done one load of wash and cleaned the kitchen! Yesiree, it's a good day.

I've needed to be brave twice today. The first thing I did was to talk to someone who has recently accused me of some bad stuff. I'm sure she knows, deep down, that this stuff is not true. This is someone I have called a friend, someone I have defended and supported and all that other stuff friends do for each other. I realize now that we've never really been friends, as you don't turn on a friend the way she has turned on me. But--and this is the hard part--I'm letting that go. I'm not angry, just sad, but I'm not going to avoid her just to help her feel better. So I talked to her this morning, just the way I would have a month ago. I can tell she felt uncomfortable, but that's okay. I feel like knowing the truth has freed me in some way, and has certainly explained some things that have happened in the last six months or so...

I've chosen two pieces to send off to Somerset Studio. This decision has been complicated by the fact that I've sold a few of my faces. But I've chosen, because I realized that this is NOT the only time I can EVER EVER EVER submit something. It's just the first time. So if, in two weeks, I make something that I love even more than I do 'The Juggler' and 'In the Clear Wild Star Light,' I can send that in, too.

Not every decision is a final, momentous one.

Not only am I brave, I'm profound, too!

Illustration Friday Open

All she needed to do--all she had ever needed to do--was to open her heart and let it lead her Home.

PS Illustration Friday is having a special opportunity this week--the top 40 vote getters from this week's topic will go to a gallery show in Long Beach (!!!). You can submit a piece until next Friday and the voting will be open for another week beyond that. Go check out all the wonderful entries, register in the forum (if you haven't already) and vote!

Some of Kelly's Drawings

I found these over by the couch in the studio tonight (I'd say I was cleaning, but that would be a lie). Some of these I saw while Kelly was here, but a couple I didn't. I hope she doesn't mind me putting them up for you all to see--Isn't she talented? And NICE, to boot! give her a big hand, folks!

The Big Draw Day Four

Here's some doodling from today. I usually sit in the room with Jenny while she goes to sleep--I know, I know, it's a horrible habit. But when Joel and Katie were little (not even two years apart) it gave me a chance to be somewhere quiet and peaceful for a little while every night. Same thing holds true now. Anyway--I'll probably do some actual drawing while she's falling asleep.

This is a Cop Out

I know this is a cop out--I didn't get into the studio until after dinner tonight, and I can't seem to choose. It seems as though some of my favorite pieces have gone to live elsewhere, and nothing jumps out at me when I look at them...

These are four of the choices I don't think I've posted on the blog. The top one is called "In the Wild Clear Star Light," the second one is "There Burns a Fire Within," the third one is "Heart to Home," and the fourth one is "In My House on the Hill."

If you have a strong opinion, let me know. I think I'm going to stick to my 'girls' for the sake of some continuity, though I have some earlier collage pieces I really love.

DOTEDTSY Day Two

Tomorrow (and I am telling you all this so that I cannot chicken out) I am going to pack up two of my pieces and ship them off to Somerset Studio magazine. I've wanted to send something for ever so long, but truly am terrified of rejection.

Any suggestions on which ones to send will be deeply appreciated.

And a P.S.: How many of you have trouble reading the black text on the red background? I don't have trouble reading it, but that's just me. I already KNOW what I wrote. ???

The Big Draw Day 3

Oh my, what a day yesterday was. I went tile shopping with my friend Dianne who is remodeling her kitchen (who knew there were so many different kinds of tiles?), found out I'd lost my debit card when we went to lunch, got a headache on the way home, walked in the door to a phone call from a neighbor saying my two wooly goats were stuck in some old barbed wire and that other neighbors (bless them) were out working to free them, got all goaty and sweaty working in the pasture (though I didn't get peed on by goat boy, like the neighbor did), went to pick up my girls, went to board meeting that was okay until the closed session and then turned ugly--Whew! Big breath! You'd think I'm channeling Faulkner here, or something, with all these LONG sentences.

Here's my big draw from this morning. I did it from this picture of Beaumont Tower on the campus of Michigan State. I'm really starting to 'get' this idea of negative space, I think. More epiphanies? Maybe. Yesterday I drew faces in my notebook--I only like about one in every five faces--is that normal?

I'm off to paint for a while. It'll be interesting to see what comes out of my brush this morning--maybe big black and grey swirly clouds all over the canvas? Hmm.

[Ed. Note: I see again that my writing skills are sorely lacking. I went to the board meeting, but it was the meeting that became ugly, not I. At least I don't think I became ugly. Although I did get all red and drippy. But you get my point.]

DOTEDTSY

I keep wanting to call this DOTTSYED (Do One Thing That Scares You Every Day)--so forgive my if I get confused. (Ed. Note: or, apparently, if I forget how to use English.)

My scary thing today is going to my board meeting tonight. My last four years on the board have been filled with nothing but conflict and strife. I have only fifteen months left to go in this, my second term, and I really cannot wait until I'm done. I've thought about quitting, but that's not the kind of person I want to be.

I don't like conflict. I know there are people who thrive on it, who are good at it, people who don't get sick to their stomach at the thought of a confrontation. I am not one of those people. BUT--I know that I am on the school board for a reason. I know that I bring a unique perspective to this service, as I am married to a school administrator, am a mom, and taught advanced math and English for nine years before I started my family. I do tend to look at things from the teacher perspective first and foremost, but I believe I have a broad viewpoint. I love this little school, and I want what is best for the school and its children. Always.

So think of me tonight at 6:30, when I head off to my board meeting. It is scary for me to stand up for what I believe in and for what I know is right...

I Have a Song I Love to Sing

I Have a Song I Love to Sing, Acrylic and collage on 8"x10" stretched canvas, by Karen Smithey

I feel as though I'm beginning to actually sing the song I love to sing...How about you?

Too Restless

Too Restless, Acrylic and collage on 6"x8" stretched canvas, by Karen Smithey

Must Read

A wonderfully funny post from the 'Alien in a Foreign Field' aka Maddy--read this one!

When in Doubt

When In Doubt, Acrylic and collage on 6"x8" stretched canvas, by K. Smithey .
Oh, she looks ever so wise and knowledgeable. This girl always knows what to do when in doubt...

Break-Out Blogger Award! For Me!

Sweet Maddy over at Whitterer on Autism has kindly awarded me a Break-Out Blogger award! I'm very excited, and now I get to pass this along to some other wonderful bloggers.

First, to Sue Doe-Nim--never a dull moment there. She always speaks her mind; an admirable quality that I don't always manage to possess...

Second, to Elizabeth, who has really been on a roll lately with all her sketching (but who, I hear, has a nasty cold today--get better soon!)

Third, to Kelly over at Kikipotamus the Hobo. She's funny, smart, loving and seems to live thoughtfully, a quality I'm trying to work on...

And last, to Tammy Vitale, whose wisdom and talent are irresistible.

Of course, if there were no limits to how many I could list, I'd just point you to my sidebar Blogroll--

For information on how to nominate your own Break-Out Blogger Awards, simply click on the link above.

I always feel like Sally Fields--"You like me, you like me! You really like me!" Yay!

This Month...

I've joined a couple of--I don't know what you call these blogging movements--but I've joined in on a couple this month.

At Olivia's blog, I found out about DOTEDTSY--Do One Thing Each Day That Scares You--started by Jessie and inspired by a wonderful quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. I feel as though the last six weeks or so have been full of things that scare me, from standing up to the neighbors about their vicious dogs, to being true to what I know is right as a school board member and parent, to painting faces... I'm going to do one small (or large) thing every day that I would have normally avoided. I know this will push me...

And at Elizabeth's blog, I read about The Big Draw, a month-long commitment to doing at least one sketch every day. I've been drawing/doodling faces like crazy since my big breakthrough, but I'm also going to make myself sketch from life.

And so, I submit my first 'big draw'--the view out my studio window, including my old old barn...

Muira

When my sister and I were little, we'd put on shows for my mom and dad. They'd have to tune the "TV" to channel 13 to watch "The Glance Hansen Show." We performed in the archway between the entryway and the livingroom. I was always Glance Hansen (much more glamorous than Karen Hansen, don't you think?) and my sister was Glance's lovely co-host, Muira (pronounced MYOO-RAH). This morning, the girl in this painting named herself. She's Muira.

Ten Days with Kelly Jo

Oh, I had the most wonderful time while my friend Kelly was visiting! She's one of those people who are terrific to have as a guest--goes with the flow, likes my kids, likes me (!)--and she's smart and funny to boot!

We didn't do anything very exciting, just hung out around home and played in the studio and talked and talked and talked. I apologized a few times because things aren't very exciting around here, but eventually she convinced me that she wasn't necessarily here for excitement.

We went into the VERY COLD pool with the kids (cold because the night-time temps have dropped into the low 50's) and swam around until we were blue.

One morning we went to visit the little cemetery around the corner from our house. The original families who settled this area buried their family members there, so the oldest graves are from 1888 or so. We took lots of pictures that day--of the rocks, the lichen covering them, the worn old gravestones, and the funny curlicue metal fence that surrounded the family plots. I'm sure some of those pictures will find their way into my digital art...

Poor Kelly got chased a lot by Phoenix, my little bottle fed boy goat. As Jenny said earlier this spring, "He's got one tentacle left!" so he's feeling very manly and trying to do what manly goats do--only he's trying to do it with anything that moves. .. Kelly was very patient with him.

We did make some art, and I spent time painting while Kelly sat curled up on the sofa in the studio, reading magazines and books about art-making.

Really, just a perfect visit. I hope she had as much fun as the kids and I did.

Illustration Friday The Blues

So sad. So very sad. That's all he seemed to be able to say...

Just a sketch this time. I may work this one up into a painting during the week...