October 2009 – WENDERFLONIATIONS

October 28, 2009

Painting Toward the Finish Line

I love and hate completing a painting. I find I’m already dreaming of the next masterpiece, but at the same time, have grown so attached to the current one. I’m especially loving the latest commission painting, now in the finishing up phase, and will be so sad to see it go. Especially since it would look so fabulous hanging on my wall! However, I know she is going to the best home possible and will be loved and cherished. How silly this may sound to some, but they obviously have never poured their time, energy, and spirit into creating something with love. My creations are so meaningful to me and I put everything I have into it. I guess this is why doing commission work is so stressful because you really do have to work to please the customer. I just hope Stacy is pleased with her tree. I am thinking a road trip is in order to deliver the goods. Not only will it be cheaper than shipping, but it will be a great opportunity to catch up with good friends! Here is a sneak peak of the big mama:

I think this will be the last of mega huge paintings for a while. The next two commission paintings I am about to start will be only medium huge (still huge in fabulousness tho). I also have so many ideas for my upcoming work that I wish I could just lock myself up in a studio for a few weeks.

October 28, 2009October 28, 2009

Photo Inspiration

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. ~Ansel Adams

October 21, 2009October 21, 2009

Punkins

There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.

~Linus

It is rainy and beautiful today. The mums are gorgeous and the pumpkins are blissfully unaware of their impending Halloween makeover. Until then, they are basking in the front flower bed spreading their fall cheer. Parker has been ready to carve “those suckers” for days, but I am always sad to make pretty pumpkins into growly goblins so I put it off as long as possible. I will eventually give in and help carve them, however, because I loved fresh roasted pumpkin seeds more.

October 21, 2009October 21, 2009

Progress in Layers

All great artists say that at one point or more every masterpiece goes through an ugly stage. Finished Layer 3 and might have hit that stage (not the great artist stage but the ugly one;-). However, the potential of this painting is tremendously thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

“One never knows what one is going to do. One starts a painting and then it becomes something quite different.” –Pablo Picasso

Oh how wise you are Pablo! Despite the current muddy state, I love the direction this painting is going. I just wish I had the clarity to see it further into the future! So far, I am envisioning a wise and stately tree that is so interesting and filled with a multitude of layers. She simply stands proud in an ambiguous environment of dark and lovely. She seems to protect her environment and claim it as her rightful property.

Now of course you can’t see all this yet, as I’ve only posted details to tease the owner who commissioned her. I might mention that I barely can see it myself and I’m standing in front of the darn thing, but I won’t, because that might scare her a little. But it is there in my minds eye. Now if I can just make her sing.

October 17, 2009October 17, 2009

I am me

“I am Me. In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it — I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself. I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears. I own my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes. Because I own all of me, I can become intimately acquainted with me. By so doing, I can love me and be friendly with all my parts. I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other aspects that I do not know — but as long as I am friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously and hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles and ways to find out more about me. However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically me. If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought, and felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that which I discarded. I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do. I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me. I own me, and therefore, I can engineer me. I am me, and I am Okay. – Virginia Satir

There is no way I could have said it better myself. I want to weep when I read these beautiful words. How often I feel lost in this world. Thank you Virginia Satir for creating this mantra for me to live by when I find myself trying to compare myself to others…when I feel like I should be something I am not…or just plain forget who I am.

October 15, 2009October 15, 2009

Sneak Peak

One of the most joyous and challenging activities as an artist is to create a work of art for a specific person. I’m currently working on a commissioned piece for a dear friend whom I have known my whole life. These photos are but a mere sneak peek at the first, but definitely not the last, layer of her painting. The main purpose of this post is to driver her mad with curiosity and to explain a little about my technique. Being a multilayered gal, I like my paintings to have much meaning and depth. There might even be 10 layers before I am completely satisfied. I have decided that mixed media is the thing for me as I hate to be limited. I typically use tons of gesso as a binding agent and tons of paper, pencils, acrylic , markers, sharpies, photos, pastel, ribbon, stickers,….. I think the purpose of painting for me is to get as messy as possible and be amazed that something can come out of it. I typically walk away as much a work of art as the canvas itself (it’s to irresistible to paint my feet if they are near….or the dog). In the end, I hope to produce something that is entirely meaningful and almost unintentional. I don’t plan any of my paintings. OK, correction, I try to plan my paintings but they NEVER go the same direction I was thinking. I typically let my emotions and intuition guide me in what I am doing. These photos are a few details of Stacy’s massive piece.

Anyone contemplating a Wender’s original (commissioned or otherwise) for Christmas feel free to contact me, superlady@wenderflonia.com. Orders must be placed before the end of October to ensure completion (space is limited).

October 14, 2009

Before It is Gone

If all this cold and rain is any indication, my beautiful garden is soon to be a victim of winter. Despite the spoils of the season, I love this time when the air is crisp and the first sign of dropping leaves emerge. I am still conflicted with sadness, as I see the flower babies that I nurtured all summer begin to fade away. I definitely need to get outside with the camera more and capture the last hoorah.

October 13, 2009November 20, 2009

Being Brave and Dreaming

Life happens so quickly that sometimes I’m running after it in a trail of dust. These are the days that I usually want to find a warm blanket and hideout for a little while. Yet, I must grab every opportunity for life, love, and my spirit’s journey before it is past. If my spirit is not brave then it is hard to take flight, but when flight does happen my boundaries are endless. As my life rapidly takes 360’s, I have no choice but to hold on and see where the ride takes me. In doing so, I fully intend to glean every possible adventure and dream I possibly can. I suppose this is my inspiration these days.

12″x24″ Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
“Spirit be Brave” $100 (+s&h)

12″x24″ Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
“Seeking Flight” SOLD

24″x24″ Mixed Media on Canvas
“She Was Dreaming” $200 (+ s&h)

These paintings are for sale in hopes to lends inspiration and joy to others as they have me. Feel free to contact me via email at superlady@wenderflonia.com. I accept checks, paypal and major credit cards.