Travel is Fatal…

     We have been traveling this spring in Costa Rica and Mexico. It was the first time in Costa Rica and it was an eye opening journey. We rented a four wheel drive vehicle. Don't kid yourself – you need this to get around. Roads are archaic. The alternative would have been a bus or hired drivers which would have put one of us in the back seat. We did 1100 kilometers in three weeks over several well traveled routes through the western side of this country the size of West Virgina.

    Envision contemplating volcanoes, Oz green hillsides, cerulean lakes, cloud forests, rivers flowing into the ocean, beaches rocked by earthquakes, waterfalls waiting for rainy season, walls of fish, dolphins dancing on the waves, turtles drifting lazily by the boat, and tons of birds including the illusive quetzal.

Same Quetzal as Turquoise.

Quetzal as green.

     Then there are butterflies. There is one that is transparent - really. There is the morpho, a jewel. Its outside wing color is like an old leaf. The inside a miraculous blue that is like a window to a sky in another universe. Its wing span is about 6-7 inches and it does its best to steal your eyes when it floats by then vanishes in the undergrowth. The new one added to our list is named a Postman Moth but it flies during the day. There was a hatch day - we drove through thousands of them for an hour and a half.

Montezuma beach/Pacific & Postman Moth

     Ticos, the term Costa Ricans call themselves, are an open and welcoming people. We lunched with a young couple we met on the ferry across Nicoya Bay. We were schooled in the eco philosophy of the country by a guide on a mission to change views to help the the environment. Another guide knew exactly where and why the quetzal could be found. Ate in a soda-a local eatery-where we found the ultimate fruit smoothies for breakfasts while people watching Ticos and tourists in Montezuma.

Volcano Arenal - Dawn - Pastel Plein Air, Costa Rica. 

     Yes I painted there. But it is too much to take in and cameras hardly do justice. Every turn of the road revealed yet another amazing view. Flowers are everywhere, looking like truck loads of plastic flowers have been randomly sling-shot all over the country side during a seventh inning stretch.

      Came home to find the Adirondacks was finally shedding the most mean winter endured in a long time. Chickadees have forgivingly returned to the feeder that went empty after our departure. Crocus and snowdrops obligingly whisper the promise of spring. The lakes are "out" and deep blue. It is good to be home.

      Now back to the studio and Face to Face the exhibit, about 2/3s of the portraits have been printed, and awaiting pick up.  I have posted hours on my website for when I will be in the studio, barring weather too good not to paint. Hint: Rainy days are good to call and stop in.

     Time to get back to work. Happy Spring!

To Sleep, Perchance…

We are such stuff
 

As dreams are made on, and our little life

Is rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vexed.

Bear with my weakness. My old brain is troubled.

Be not disturbed with my infirmity.

If you be pleased, retire into my cell

And there repose. A turn or two I’ll walk

To still my beating mind.

Prospero, The Tempest, Will Shakespeare

There was an interesting article in the New York Times Sunday Review on the benefit of sleep about a year ago. The illustration was what caught my eye: a layered cutaway of the head with little cleaner people sweeping the detritus of the day out of the brain.

The article instigated two thoughts. First, the illustration was telling the story well enough to compel reading about sleep. It made me wonder how I could have made that idea work and then about how paintings should work. It also made me consider the value of sleep.

Murder of Crows, Heaven Hill  12x18 pastel

First thought, a painting can tell a story, one story is usually best, something that draws the viewer in, instigates involvement by the viewer with the piece. A successful painting will provoke emotion, resonance, revere, annoyance. One of my paintings "Murder of Crows" was viewed by someone who said it annoyed him because it reminded him of shoveling snow. That kind of reaction is fascinating. Another series of paintings when viewed in exhibition provoked the feeling of being swirled around in the same space. One piece had a viewer comment on feeling the wind.

The article was questioning why we, as human beings, need sleep in spite of the fact that it would have seemed detrimental for our survival to be asleep when evolving in the savanna. The writer went in one direction explaining how sleep clears out accumulations of chemicals made during the day while using the awake brain. These chemicals, if left lying around in our heads, could trigger dementia and other aged brain issues. How, perhaps there is something that could be taken to alleviate the need for sleep - in spite of the fact that if sleep is what is beneficial for the brain, that there needs to be some pharmaceutical that could do the same thing. Shades of 5 Hour Energy ughh.

The article did not even come close to the idea of an afternoon nap or a brief walk to clean up some of the days accumulations. Did not recommend more than in passing, actual sleep really being a good idea for your health.

So I will. Not that I practice what I preach in any consistent way. A cat nap in the afternoon will often allow me to complete that insane to-do list I conjure for myself everyday. An afternoon nap turns tired children into charming, lovely creatures for the duration of a day so why not adults, who surely would appreciate it.

As for sleep at night, it is hardly recommended to look at emails just prior to heading to bed nor tackle the pile of bills or other bookwork. That will usually defeat the whole purpose of slipping into darkness and quiet of the wee hours.

Contemplation 20x16 pastel

Sleep, if one gets enough, is where some images appear, stories begin and creativity is renewed. Dreams that are vaguely remembered color the next day. Whether those peculiar, worrisome sorts or the nebulous, colored ideas that arrive after all those little guys have swept out the junk from yesterday, that is the plus of enough sleep in the personal equation.

Not enough sleep and things seem to move too slowly. I become convinced I am unable to achieve what needs to be done and somehow not quite enough umphh is left for the effort needed to actually create.

I do wish for more time in the day, more energy for the creativity. I need to resign myself to more creativity initiated with less waking time.

Methinks Master Will was on to something.

"To sleep perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub, 

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause. There’s the respect

That makes calamity of so long life."

Hamlet, Will Shakespeare

January. Working on the next steps for Face to Face - The Exhibit 2015

Isabella - April 26, 2014*

I am currently working on printing the portraits for everyone who had participated in Face to Face:
Drawn to Saranac Lake. Also finishing up several childrens' portraits whom I did not make sit for the 2 hours necessary as older participants have done. I have had to time myself, because it is so easy to get involved and perfect the work when I have a couple of reference photos.

BUT. I am timing myself - as I had done with everyone to get to the same stage of doneness.  Then working on each file in the computer, then printing each one. It is the first time I am seeing them in a group since I started stacking them in my studio a year ago.

The Stack as of October 11.

With over 180 portraits,  The Stack is now as tall as the portrait in the background. I did put one under glass, but I do not have any frames to finish.

So here is the money story for 2015: I've been notified that I will receive partial funds for my 2015 Decentralization grant request but that will cover about 20% of the framing - when it comes. Remember it is over 180 one-foot-square portraits.

Yeah Yikes. So now I am switching gears from the fun stuff - meeting people and painting their faces, to the Artist-as-the-Fundraiser/Framer/PR Person. I am asking everyone I know to help pitch in on the framing. I have arranged a couple of win-win-win options to help.

To help contact me: deleifheit@gmail.com 

Tomi - December 11,2014

Mark - December 3, 2014

Bob - December 4, 2014

This project will be a large work in progress for the foreseeable future.

To keep up sign up for updates.

To receive your print call and we will set up a time to pick up regardless of when you sat. Just don't do it all at once! It is only one of me. No Intern. No Secretary. No Board. Just me.

Thank you for checking on the project.

Artliveslong, D

My studio is in beautiful downtown Gabriels. See you soon.


* PS. My Grandgirl Isabella volunteered and showed my how to do kids. 

Countdown

December 1 Carol

The last faces are coming into being.
Of note, when I began Face to Face on January 21 the sun was returning. Now it is vanishing or not even making an appearance in the afternoon. Even though the faces have been made inside they have always been affected by the vagaries of light. A lot like plein air painting - light could be strong and bouncing around the Compass Printing shop or vanish in clouds then faces are illuminated by a florescent  light. 

Stay tuned.

The End Game

Andrea and her sweetie

Tomorrow is December 1. Only two more weeks to finish the capture of Saranac Lake faces.The easel gets packed up for the last time December 12, then Judi will attack the corner with the vacuum and begin to pull the art dust out of the corners of Compass Printing.

Roy

I am still not sure exactly how many faces will be included. I do know that as many as there are, it is a lot of individual prints that I am coming up with. Pick up of portrait prints can begin on my open studio weekend December 13 and 14, at my studio in Gabriels.

The other end game is:
I am retiring from Adirondack Artists' Guild as of the first of the year. I have been with the gallery for twelve and half years. The Guilders are my extended family. I will miss the process of working with others, leaning on friends when in need. The coop is a fine structure for learning about human nature. The framing of Face to Face and other commitments will make being a coop member too stretched for me. I will be focusing on my studio work, fundraising and framing for Face to Face. I will still be showing off my work on my studio/gallery wall so do check it out.

Lynn

Not very different is the departure from Compass Printings front corner where I have been learning about Saranac Lake, people, new and old friends and my self. Being allowed to capture Saranac Lake faces has made me a better artist. That sounds mushy but it is true and for that I am am grateful to everyone. Where else but Saranac Lake could I have pulled off asking about 180 people to sit down for a couple of hours while I made every effort to find and show the person sitting in front of me? What a privilege.

Chris - Yes I did get him to sit!

It still scares me every time I sit down and look at a person. It is not like the landscape painter who says "I can move mountains." Noses belong in a certain place as do eyes, smiles, ears and foreheads. Not everyone is ready to sit, for the process is just as unnerving for the sitter. Eye to eye! When was the last time anyone asked you to do that? It has been a big deal for all concerned.

For volunteering, for sitting still, kinda sorta, and participating in the process, I can not say thank you enough to all of those who sat. Thank you.

See you in Saranac Lake! and Gabriels.

Onward,  Diane

Rounding the turn…

Kathy - August 18, 2014

Here is number one hundred three in the Face to Face: Drawn to Saranac Lake project. Kathy was the very first person who contacted me in January. Why not til August? Life has its turns and it was having turns with Kathy this year. But when I say I hear stories from each person I paint, I strongly suspect Kathy hears more stories. Kathy is a florist. Think, "These roses are to be delivered where?"

Another sign of rounding the turn is finally – after 8 months – the funding has landed in my bank account, clearing up some things and allowing me to replenish colors that have worn down to mere nubbins of color. The grant from NYSCA covers only materials, not time, not travel, not the many hats that I have found myself wearing for this project. Costs are higher too than when I first estimated a year ago. It is part of doing business, but in my mind so unnecessary to have had to wait.

As I prepared more square boards for this months paintings I realized I am over halfway towards what is solidifying into the final number in the 160 to 170 range of participants. Folks are making appointments to sit in October and November – it is September after all. I finish up December 12.
Email me.

All of which means I need to knuckle down and begin the printing process for those who have sat for me so far. I am aiming to have a good number of Face to Face portrait prints ready for pick up during Artist at Work Studio Tour, September 27-28, 10 to 5 each day at my studio in Gabriels.

Fresh Paint, on the St. Lawrence

During Studio Tour, there will be lots of paintings on my gallery wall made this year en plein air in the Adirondacks near and far. Yes, I have been busy. Between faces and the landscape I may have made more than 150 works so far this year.

Visiting my studio is a great opportunity to see the work and fall in love with a piece. A purchase of my work does help the project. Consider buying a painting as giving a mini grant and you get to take home a piece of the Adirondacks. It is a whole lot less bookwork for me than applying for a grant too!

First Color, Great Camp Sagamore - Sold

Stay tuned. Though I say I will make the effort to post more often, life does take its turns.

Artliveslong, D

Ketchup!

Mia: Vincent, do you still want to hear my Fox Force Five joke?
Vincent: Sure, but I think I'm still a little too petrified to laugh.
Mia: No, you wont laugh, 'cus it's not funny. But if you still wanna hear it, I'll tell it.
Vincent: I can't wait.
Mia: Three tomatoes are walking down the street- a poppa tomato, a momma tomato, and a little baby tomato. Baby tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him... and says, Catch up.
Thanks to Pulp Fiction I will try to Catch up.

Six months into Face to Face, I have made 73 faces.  Six more months to go - I suspect there will be at least that many again by mid-December. July spots are all booked. Only a few left for August which I hope will be teachers and kids. I am very happy with the response to the project. It will be a true snapshot of the variety of people drawn to Saranac Lake in 2014.

One feature of Face to Face was the opportunity to record both actors who are in Pendragon Theatres production of RED by John Logan. Burdette, who is Mark Rothko in the show, wanted a before and after. Tyler graciously sat during Saranac Lake's first Third Thursday Art Walk. There are only three performances left then Burdette will gratefully return to to his hirsute self.

Burdette aka Mark Rothko and Tyler

But that's not all. No, not an info-mercial but – Ketchup.

I am participating in two shows which opened this week. Plein Air: An Adirondack Perspective with myself (pastel), Janet-Marie Yeates (oil), Sarah Yoeman (watercolor) and Frances Gaffney (graphite). Four women, four methods of making plein air images in the Adirondacks. It is in the Widlund Gallery at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek NY. Our local public radio station (NCPR) will have a small sampling of the work on line. But nothing takes the place of seeing works up close and live, so head down to North Creek and check out a beautiful visual taste of the Adirondacks while it is up through July 31. We have a reception from 5-7 July 12 to meet the artists. Do come.

The other show is an invitational to explore Lines and Colors. About a dozen North Country artists are exhibiting at Pouring Light Studios in Malone NY. The theme was a retro jump start to produce work that touches on what got each of us involved in making art in the first place using color and line. It is a fun and yummy exhibit. From Karen Davidson's personal explorations in collage to Geoffry Cobb's sly comment on line and color, there are eye opening pieces that engage and challenge the viewer. The exhibit is up until August 9 and is well worth the trip.

That should be enough for one month but there was also an opportunity to help Eric Rhoads' Publisher's Invitational Plein Air Camp in mid- June. I was able to show groups of painters a couple of places to paint close to home, one not on Eric's carefully plotted painting location maps.

Here is finished piece which is hanging in the North Creek exhibit.

Beware. Mosquitoes be here. Plein Air - Pastel -11x14

Then there is the garden, but that would be another story.