Life and other stuff

It sure has been a while since I had something fun to share here. My former husband of 20 years (Joe) was diagnosed with cancer in October and life has been pretty crazy ever since. I think we all must live with a belief that those who are close to us will continue to be there. If we focus on how much our friends and family mean to us, and how fragile we really are, I think we'd live in a state of fear. So, we go along confident that those we love will be there for a long time. Having Joe become suddenly and seriously ill, has been earth shaking for me and my whole family. I've been working hard at helping my children feel secure, and my business when I can. But, I openly admit, the kids come first. :)

As for art... I'm developing work in my imagination which I look forward to bringing into real life. When my mind drifts to scary thoughts when I'm going to sleep, I use my imagination to create beautiful pictures. It's fun, life affirming, and gives me ideas of images to create when I actually get to paint again. Following Thanksgiving, I'll be working on a new ornament for Christmas. A gallery that has invited me to do an art showing in April has asked me to participate in a Christmas ornament fund raiser and I'm ready for a new fun assignment. I'm planning to paint a special dove and then embellish printed copies to press between glass. Then I'll use the same method I use for the pendants to make an ornament. I can't wait to see them in real life! I'll post pictures when I get the first done.

Till then, Happy Thanksgiving!

One day at a time

Life has been more crazy than usual here at my house. My sweet ex-husband is sick with cancer and my sons are now with me full time. When he was healthy, their dad had them from Friday to Friday and we traded off. So, I was a 50/50 mom. Having them here all the time is a blessing, but it makes getting work done pretty tough. I can't imagine how single moms who work out of the home have time to get any thing done at home. Today Joe starts chemo, so we are praying that he'll be back up here in Northern Cali to enjoy his boys very soon!

As far as the art business goes, I've created a few new pendants from the art I've been painting. I have an opportunity to do an art walk (FOR FREE!!!) on Saturday and I'm looking forward to getting feedback from folks on the new stuff. I really love them and it's always interesting to see what other people love. I've been surprised by what gets people excited. Here's the original painting that I took the images from:

And, here are the pendant images that I used for pendants:

The second dove is from another painting in the same series. It's always interesting to see what other people see in our art work. I believe that the imperfections in art leave space for the observer to insert themselves and interpret from a personal place. While I admire artists who can recreate the world so perfectly that it looks like a photograph, I also appreciate a folksy style that leave lots of room for the observer to interpret.

A new series of paintings

I just love it when I wake up in the morning with fully formed creative ideas on my mind. Last week I had just such a morning. I had just bought a whole bunch of canvases at Aaron Brothers because they were 70% off!  Some of the canvases were a size I've never used before, 12x30. I didn't know how I would use them until I dreamed up this chakra tree idea. Since I love symbolism, I thought this would be super cool, if I could pull it off. My goal is to a three painting series (at least!)

In case you're not familiar with chakras, according to Wikipedia: Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. They include seven colors, starting with red at the base of your spine (root), orange for the sacral (reproduction, creativity), Yellow for solar plexus (gut), green (sometimes pink) for the hear (compassion, love), light blue for the throat (speak your truth), dark blue for the third eye (intuition), and white or purple for the crown (enlightenment).

I used these symbols and the tree to represent the human body. The first one I did in a primitive style.The second painting is in a bolder more whimsical style. I love them both and can't wait to work on the third.

Chakra Tree Prim

Chakra Tree Bold

My creative process

Today I've been thinking a lot about my creative process. I guess it's different for other people, but for me it is a wild ride. First an idea starts small in my mind. I visualize the project coming together and very often switch it around many times in my imagination. I thoroughly enjoy this process as it gives me a chance to make the project over many times without using any resources other than my time. I can change everything about the project, the colors, scale, etc. Finally, when I'm ready to commit my idea to canvas, start the quilt, begin to sculpt, or write it down, (depending on the kind of idea I'm noodling) I love the beginning. I'm thrilled as my vision begins to take shape...

Then, almost always at the half way point, I HATE it! It's wrong, what was I thinking? Since this always happens, I push past the middle point and begin to fall in love again. Once it's finished, (in the case of a painting) I sign it and put it up on the mantle. When I pass it, I have mixed feelings of love and displeasure as I see what I think are imperfections. Within a couple of days, the imperfections become my favorite parts and I no longer want to part with the project at all! :)

Here are my latest pieces. I'd love to hear your process, too!

Monarch on California Poppy (16x16) on the mantle.

Monarch on Sunflower II with Karen Wall Garrison's little gift

New butterflies just in time for my big show on Friday

I just finished these little paintings for the art show I'm doing on Friday. I'm so excited! Please stop by J27 Gallery between 2 and 9 this Friday, September 16. Check out my web site www.LauraPallatin.com events section for more info!

Butterfly and Lantern Gallery visit

Jim and I went to visit Sunshine, the owner of the gallery in Pacific Grove that carries my art, Butterfly and Lantern. Since I've been invited to show my work at J27, we motored over to the coast to get a few of my pieces so I'll have plenty to show. Here's a picture of me at the gallery with Sunshine.

While I was admiring Dick Crispo's work, I noticed this cute little birdie pair in a nest that I created! How fun! Now I've been shown with Dick Crispo! I'm really moving up in the world. :)

Two galleries have invited me to show my art!

Can you believe it! On Thursday, I received two requests for my art! As I type this, I'm in denial... My artwork is wanted... I'm so excited!

So, just to let you know, this didn't happen all at once. One gallery (Heart & Soul - more info at http://www.facebook.com/HeartnSoulStore) is also a shop which sells my book, cd's, and pendants. The owner, Carly, has been working on her gallery for some time. I wasn't sure that my work was what she envisioned for her shop, so I didn't really say any more than, "If you'd like to see my work, to see if it fits in, let me know and I'll bring a few pieces by." Well, she went to my website (www.LauraPallatin.com) and checked my work out herself and decided that my work is what she wants! Woo-hoo!!!

The other gallery, in downtown Sacramento called J27 (www.j27gallery.com) was recommended to me by another gallery I am in called Trezhurs in the Land Park section of Sacramento. I submitted some images of my work and was invited to do a showing on a Friday, September 16th!

I guess that this success feels sudden, but really it's the result of working on my business. Every day I get up excited and happy because I get to work on products that help people feel good. Be it art, pendants, books, cd's, cards... they all go together to help people live happier lives.

Blessings,
Laura P.

EnVision Cards

I've been working on putting together a workshop to share my love of art as well as support people in their personal goals. The result is EnVision Cards. The cards are 2.5 x 3.5 (ACT/ACEO size) and are all inspirational in theme. I'll post some examples of the cards here. I also started a blog just for the cards at www.EnVisionCards.Blogspot.com

I'd love to get your feedback, and maybe see you in a workshop sometime!

Getting Ready

I feel that I'm in a "getting ready" phase right now. I have so many wonderful things coming up, my head is swimming. On Friday the 5th, Jim and I will be attending the grand opening for an art gallery which features my work in Pacific Grove. Sunshine, the owner of "The Lantern and Butterfly" is such a wonderful lady! I'm so excited about seeing her and celebrating her special day. (now to figure out what to wear!!) I wish I knew Robin Brown of Magnolia Pearl personally, I know she could help me pick out the perfect outfit.


At the end of the month, August 27th, I'll be teaching a class I'm really excited about, too. I'll be helping people create their own personal inspirational art cards. I am pleased that it will be a fun class that will uplift and inspire each participant. And, everyone will walk away with little works of art that inspire and support their life's path.

Then, when Jim's knee is all better, we'll be heading up the coast through Oregon and maybe all the way to Washington. We're going to wander up the coast as the spirit takes us. I'm really looking forward to the adventure.

But, before then, the boys will go back to school… Rachel will be coming home... Jamie’s working her fanny off and will be back in school soon… The work and family blend into a wonderful life.

I hope you're feeling as blessed.
Love,
Laura