Harmonious blends and other artistic musings

Harmony is a combination of units which are similar in one or more respects. It is a medium interval or difference in one or more dimensions. Units are harmonious when one or more of their elements or qualities, such as shape, size, or color, are alike.

In this sketch, done by my husband in preparation for a painting commission of a Chilean vineyard, I am struck by the harmonious blend of the directional lines that lead my eye through the painting. Design in art is not random, it is planned by the use of the elements of design, such as line tone, color and form. In this drawing, the lines of the vineyard rows lead the eye of the viewer toward the distance and then back toward the front. Harmony is achieved by the variegated, yet similar, lines that form the rows of planted vines.

In 2011 I am going to explore all aspects of visual harmony. Whether is it fashion, jewelry design, art, food and wine combinations or just different aspects of harmonious living, I am going to blog on under the rather large umbrella of harmonious blends and other artistic musings. Please feel free to help me find examples from life and living that exemplify harmony.

Here's to a harmonious and happy New Year, 2011. God bless you all and enjoy the coming year.

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Winter Work

Now that my show season is over, it's time for what I lovingly call winter work. Winter work is studio time. It's when I light the fire in the wood stove and sit down at the drawing table and/or easel, both of which are pulled close to the wood stove. It's winter work because when the weather cools off and the leaves fall, the studio is the most inviting place in my life. The warmth of the fire and the smell of the wood and the blank slate on the easel are what inspire and motivate me to work. At one of my shows I bought this glorious coffee mug from Paige @rockbottomceramics. It sits on top of the woodstove and keeps the coffee warm for hours. It's a studio staple. There is purposely a blank canvas on the easel, or in this case, a smooth panel which will eventually be gessoed and painted with an expression of light through leaves. The blank canvas is self care. It's a sign of hope for my future. What will go on ...

Show Season preparations begin

It's March, and that means one thing: TIME TO PREPARE FOR SHOW SEASON! That's right, it's about to get crazy around here. And I mean that in a good way. I've been waiting for show season to start ever since it ended back in November. Even with all the work, all the energy, all the artistic endeavors, all the money and time invested, and all the headaches that come along with it, I am nonetheless excited and ready. So call me crazy, I can take it. And please come see me and hopefully add to your collection of my work. Here's my booth in the process of getting set up in my yard. I know it's only March 13th, and my first show isn't for two months. But here's the deal. Right now it's a gorgeous sunny and 70 degrees here in Indiana, so I absolutely HAVE TO be outside. It's been a long winter, and even though this is only "fake spring," I'll take it. Also, I have intended to give my booth an update and take care of...

Outa the Woods and on the Road Again!

After literally being in the woods in my studio all winter, I'm now ready to take it on the road with my mixed media collage pieces, aptly entitled "Of the Woods". This weekend, to kick off the show season, is one of my favorite shows. It is the Broad Ripple Art Fair, at the Indianapolis Art Center. I will be in booth #53 in the field, unless some last-minute begging on my part results in getting the shady spot next to the Art Center, where I was last year. My booth has evolved over the years, but is still sage green with flowy curtains and dappled light. This year has been one of great learning and experimentation with new techniques and materials. Light through leaves remains a strong theme of my work. I continue to seek that place of solace in the woods. My palette is still muted and earthy, but with vibrant pops of color. I am a lover of coneflowers, ferns, and all the rich textures and layers of flor...

Parts of Art

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