Heather

Whew!  I haven't been faithful to this blog for the past few weeks due to an  intensive  few weeks of school.  I've been taking sewing classes at City College of San Francisco with the goal of being able to make clothes for my body that isn't as able to buy off the rack at stores as much.  In addition, I have hated some of the fashions that were available and thankfully, the "bling" look is disappearing.  My schedule has been to paint during the day, go home, eat dinner, and head to my sewing studio at home until bedtime.  Even then, i needed to take an extra day and all weekend to work on projects.  I have so much respect for clothes construction now and also respect for the amount of time required to make a garment that fits.  Like so many construction projects, the preparation is an essential part of any successful outcome.  In garment construction, that would be the fit on the body.  I took a fitting course taught by Lynda Maynard, a fabulous instructor and it was like the Rosetta Stone of sewing for me.  Sewing a muslin test garment and then having her and my classmates fit it on me was a revelation.  Sewing is definitely about problem solving and puzzles so I am thoroughly enjoying the process.

But my days are about continuing with my portrait project.  Below is "Heather" which was completed last month.  Also 7 in X 5 in, oil on canvas board.

I have 3 portraits in progress right now and I am not sure if i like working like this, going from face to face to face.  The ultimate goal is to have 10 portraits done in time for Open Studios in October.
Which brings me to another reason I am learning to sew:  i need another revenue stream in order to fund my studio.  Since I am focusing on portraits this year, and since they will be given as gifts, AND, after paying the rent for next month, I will have nothing left in my art account,  therefore, I need to have an alternative to selling paintings.  I haven't been as aggressive in seeking out new venues for showing my work but frankly, if they existed, i would have applied.  I have kept in contact with a couple of curators but it is tough out there for everyone.  So, in the meantime, I continue to further my practice with my portrait project.  I did a quick and dirty portrait of myself to be sent to New York to be in the "Self Portrait Project" sponsored by Art House Coop.

Oil on canvas, 4 in X 4 in which was a challenge painting so small.