New Painting, "Searching all of MY Days"

16" x 20"
Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas
Available

The minute I heard my first love story,

I started looking for you, not knowing

how blind that was.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere,

they're in each other all along.

Rumi

There are so many things I could say about this painting. The act of searching, or always looking, has been a double edged sword for me.  Part of me feels like there is something in me that has been "searching all of my days". My restless spirit, my "monkey mind", is a part of my personality that fuels my ambition, my desire to create and moreover be successful. However, it is also this anticipation, this always looking ahead, that often keeps me from being fully present in the moment and enjoying my life as it is. I am working on staying present and realizing the gifts of my life, my beautiful family, the time with my precious children that are changing every day.  

This is why I do what I do...

"A Season's Awakening"

Fine Art prints available here.

Please see the words below from a client of mine who purchased the original painting above. Her email nearly brought tears to my eyes...it is always my hope that my art will bring those who decide to hang it in their home the same sort of joy that I felt while creating it.

"I have always loved to draw.  As a kid I always said I would be a teacher and artist when I grew up.  I started out as an art major in college but ended up switching to languages mainly because my art classes were so early in the morning and I am a night owl--how lame is that? But really, who can create anything at 7am? Part of me has really regretted it. I still like to dabble in things whenever I can and I try to at least make all the cards we give out for birthdays, thank yous, and such.  Honestly, when I saw your painting A Spring's Awakening, the colors, the style, everything reminded me so much of myself and my love of art as a child that I mourned the loss of my childhood dreams and cried all the way home.  But it also helped "awaken" in me a hope that I can make time for such things again.  

See, you are inspirational!"

Pre-Show Insomnia

Throughout my life I have dealt with bouts of insomnia. It was at its worst during college and during each of my three pregnancies. One of the unexpected benefits of my yoga practice has been that these little spells have been kept at bay for the most part. That is, unless it is the night before an art show. Then nothing can keep me asleep.

So, in a pre-emptive strike, I tried to go to bed early last night, like senior-citizen early. Without fail, I "woke up" at 2:45. Around 3 I decided to go into the studio to work on some commissions. But despite the deadlines that are looming on those, I was drawn to these tiny canvases in the studio and decided to create some more little paintings from my "Lyrical Forest" series.  7 new little guys came to life! I am going to run them up to Elle Realty today so they will be on display this evening. Here's a description:

Lyrical Forest

5" x 7"

$50 apiece

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
Gina often incorporates text into her works. Her paintings express things she cannot verbally convey. Art, for Gina, is literally her way of processing her thoughts and feelings. This "mini" series was created in layers incorporating pages from Gina's personal parchment paper journals, transparent layers of color and texture, and her signature birch trees. 

At least if I can't sleep I can be productive, right? Now I can look forward to spending the entire day loving on my kiddos before Mr. D and I head to the show tonight. Which by the way is from 7-10 at Elle Realty in Lakewood, a cute little boutique real estate office right next door to the Green Spot. 
Elle Realty
718 N. Buckner Blvd., Ste. 304
Dallas, TX 75218

Hope to see my Dallas friends tonight!  Now, off to go make pancakes....

Art Show!

Hope you can join me Saturday evening from 7-10 in Lakewood as I exhibit several new works at Elle Realty.  Cocktails and bites, live jazz and great art...come play!

Elle Realty is a boutique real estate firm located next door to the Green Spot.

‎718 N. Buckner Blvd., Ste. 304

Dallas, TX 75218

(214) 324-5297

I will also have my new note cards ready for the taking. They can also be purchased on my Etsy site. 

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Kiki Curry

Being a creative person myself, I am always fascinated to see how other like-minded souls tick. Thanks for joining me today as I interview lifelong Dallas-Based Artist Kiki Curry. Kiki will be debuting some new works at the ArlingtonMuseum of Art, click here to learn more about her show, "Ectoplasmic".

 Education

Self taught - 

Fashion Merchandising College - Dallas

Current City/Hometown

Dallas

hometown - Waxahachie

Describe your work in one sentence. 
I create what is in my heart.

What are your passions? 

Art, fashion, travel, educating myself, spiritual growth

What are your goals? 

Spiritually - to be a person that will make a difference in another person's life

Physically - to honor the temple of body, mind and spirit

Emotionally - to be happy and in gratitude

Artistically - I am a spiritual being in a human experience, enjoying the life of an artist. It is my intent for my art to raise the consciousness of those who view it

Who are your creative influences?

Georgia O'Keeffe - Maxfield Parrish

Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do?

Seeing through the eyes of a child and

Exploring Mexico and having the opportunity to study at the Institudo of Arte in San Miguel de Allende

Travel opens my awareness of self and creates gratitude - especially in third world countries

Is there anyone whom you really look up to as an inspiration?

Dali (but I didn't look up to him) I admired his confidence and accomplishments

Georgia O'Keeffe - I admired her fortitude to break from the herd and live where she did 

How do you set the table for your muse?

I am the muse.

What's your working style? 

I work at art 24 hours a day. When I'm not creating, I'm thinking, when I am sleeping, I'm dreaming of creating.

What are your websites/social networking links?

www.kispirit.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/artofkikicurry

http://kikicurry.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/new-kikis-art-youtube-video-subscription-link/

http://network.artwallzine.com/profile/KikiCurry

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=733251693

View my latest art videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxeHKcUs4xw

Greetings!!

By popular demand, I am now offering note cards featuring some of my original Artwork.  I just picked these up from the Printing co. and I am so happy with the quality of the card stock and the images. I hope to get these into some retail stores soon, but I still need to do some research on that. Speaking of, would love to hear from my dear readers if anyone has any leads! They are so wonderful I just know they will sell. 


In the meantime, for purchase info click here. 

These unique designs are from some of my most cherished paintings and are sure to make a statement when friends receive them.


Cards have been professionally ordered on high-quality, heavy matte card stock with matching envelopes. These are great for all of your stationery needs! Their size and quality lend them to be matted and framed for display if you choose not to mail them to some special person. 

DETAILS

- Set of 6 folded cards, 2 of each design 
- Blank Inside
- Folded Size - two designs are 5" x 7" and one ( "I Love You As Big as the Sky") is 5" x 5"
- Each card is paired with a matching white envelope
-Materials used are of the highest quality
-Gift Idea: I can tie them up with ribbon for you to give as a gift. Perfect for a Mother's Day, teacher gift, or birthday gift!

** Note cards are shipped safely and securely in protective mailers. Save on shipping by purchasing more than one item from my shop!

If you are ordering this as a gift to be shipped to someone else, I would be happy to include a personal message for you.

If you are interested picking and choosing the designs you want for your set of six, just message me and I will customize the set for you. Thanks for looking!

These designs created from my original artwork are also available as fine art giclee prints here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67562286/i-love-you-as-big-as-the-sky-12-x-12?ref=pr_shop

and here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67487155/detached-11-x-14-giclee-print

Newly Commissioned Painting, "The Testimony Tree"

30" x 40" x 1.5"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

I am in love with this painting on so many levels. I am extremely happy with how it turned out. Secondly, I got to create it for a family that has had a very special place in my heart for most of my life.

But the most special thing to me about this piece is the story behind it....

Sherry contacted me because she was looking for a meaningful present for her daughter Natalie's 25th b-day. This was a big birthday for Natalie, and she wanted to give her  something that would begin her list of collectibles, of "haves", of things that she could save and one day pass along when she has a family of her own.

Back in 2003 when Natalie was in high school, she had written her mom a very meaningful letter. This letter was so special that Sherry had saved it over the years and turned to it nearly every day for comfort, reassurance and a testimony to the fact she had done a "good job" raising Natalie to grow into a mature and beautiful person.  Still in its original frame from 2003, the letter was looking a little aged, the frame was starting to come unhinged, and Sherry wanted a way to honor the letter and the beautiful words it contained while preserving it in a way that would become a fairly heirloom that could be passed down to Natalie when she is ready to have it.  

Sherry visited my website and saw my abstract cherry blossoms and how I often incorporate text into my work and asked me to create something along these lines showcasing the text of Natalie's letter.  

This painting felt like such a collaborative effort between me and Natalie I even placed the signature of her letter and my signature of the painting together at the bottom right corner.

This painting will hang in Sherry's living room until Natalie is ready to have it in her own home.  Sherry thought of the title and I couldn't have come up with a better one myself.

New Painting. "Stay in This Moment"

Stay in This Moment
12' x 12" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas
Available

One day, some people came to the master and asked: "How can you be so happy in a world of such impermanence, when you cannot protect your loved ones from harm, illness and death?" The master held up a glass and said: "Someone gave me this glass, and I really like this glass.  It holds my water admirably and glistens in the sunlight. One day the wind may blow it off the shelf, or my elbow may knock it from the table. I know this glass is already broken, so I enjoy it incredibly."
-Achaan Subato

Newly Commissioned Painting, "In the Garden of Truth and Light"

Mr. D and I recently returned from a weekend in Las Vegas with some dear friends. While the boys were gambling, we girls went shopping in one of the totally outrageous and over-the-top (what else would you expect in LV?) malls they had there.  Amidst the high couture and garish lighting and fountains,we were captivated with these beautiful clusters of poppies that were blooming.  My friend Erin even mentioned that they reminded her of one of my paintings.  It was so random, but we just played the tourist card and snapped a few pics.

Believe it or not, a few days after our return I was commissioned by a Client to make a poppy painting.  

(Cue "Twilight Zone" music.)

Just goes to show if you are patient, listen, and have faith, you will find that the Universe is unfolding exactly as it should.

In the Garden of Truth and Light
24" x 24"
Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas
SOLD

This painting was made especially for a woman who truly comes to life when she is outside working in the garden. I light-heartedly refer to Cathy as a "plant artist". I wanted to create something that stayed within the confines of her request for a bright poppy painting, but also conveyed her own personal warmth and light.


I wrote a personal message to her on the back that read: "While spending time in the garden, you can fall into a deep meditation...one where you have complete identification with the earth.  At this higher conscious state, we realize that the light of love is all around us because it is a part of our divine nature."

Why Do People Buy Art?

Absorb, Absorb, Absorb

11" x 14"

Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas

Available for purchase via Etsy

People don't just buy art. They buy the experience, the memory, the feelings that it evokes. The object of art itself is simply the vehicle to preserve this.

Every painting represents something. It is a part of my journey, and when someone decides to purchase it for themselves, it becomes a part of their story.

What this painting means to you may be something completely different than what it means to me or someone else. I will forever look at this canvas and remember working in the little studio in my old house, with my daughter, then 3, coloring alongside of me. I remember her chubby hands awkwardly holding the markers, the smell of Elmer's glue drying next to us from a craft we had just made together, and watching the free and organic way she drew with abandon.  I remember thanking God for that very moment I was able to do something I love and share that love with my child.  That feeling is forever attached to this painting, much like the way listening to a certain song instantly transports you to another time and place.  It is a snapshot of my life.

I wonder what will become of this, how the story will continue.

Our Anniversary

Today marks 6 years of wedded bliss for me and Mr. D.   In six years, there have been three beautiful children, two unruly dogs, two homes (one to begin and one to grow up in ), two thriving careers...we joke that we certainly have a lot of baggage to show for that fateful day we were married at the Maison Dupuy courtyard in New Orleans.

I love our life. The joy I feel every day at the sheer beauty of this journey we are on together never ceases to take my breath away.  And at the foundation of it all is us, our love.  The secret is the love.

I was shopping yesterday and saw this inscription on a dinner plate, of all random things, but I was so taken by it because it exactly describes my love for Mr. D, my gratitude for the unconditional love he shows every day and my hope for our lives together.  I took a pic and gave it to him via email as sort of a digital card this year...feel so techie. :)


These words inspired me on so many levels that I wanted to share them with you so that they may do the same...

Newly Commissioned Work, "The Puzzle of the Universe"

21" x 24"

SOLD

The words of one of my favorite poets, Rumi, have the power of universality.  He lived and wrote in the 13th century of the Persian Empire yet his words speak to me so poignantly. All sacred art is like that. 

I love this translation of Rumi by poet Robert Bly:

Night and Sleep

At the time of night prayer as the sun slides down,
the route the senses walk on closes, and the route to the invisible opens.

The angel of sleep then gathers and drives along the spirits,
just as the mountain keeper gathers his sheep on the slope.

And what amazing sights he offers to the descending sheep.
Cities with sparkling streets, hyacinth gardens, emerald pastures.

The spirit sees astounding beings, turtles turned to men,
men turned to angels, when sleep erases the banal.

I think one could say the spirit goes back to its old home;
it no longer remembers where it lives, it loses its fatigue.

It carries around in life so many griefs and loads
and trembles under their weight. But in sleep they are all gone. All is well.