'Realistic dreamer' is not an oxymoron. ~Vanna Bonta

' The wishing star'

found objects (the star is a old door handle plate from a 50's hotel that was being torn down in my area, the center is an 80's earring) super fine glitter, flat marbles, plaster on recycled cabinet door covered with resin & oil paints

2005 (Sold)

***

Oh how I miss those days! You know, the ones where I made art like a freaking lunatic and sold it just as fast? Ahhhh, memories...*sigh*, on with the quotes...

Art is not a reflection of reality, it is the reality of a reflection.

~Jean-Luc Godard

***

Of course it is happening inside your head... but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?

J.K. Rowling

***

We've run into a cultural situation where we've confused the symbol with the physical reality, the money with the wealth, and the menu with the dinner....and we're starving on eating menus.

~Unknown

***

Good Morning and Happy Friday Friends!

Mate Man comes home today from his week long business trip, and being that we as a family have never spent a night without him...it's been tough for all of us...we miss our Man!

I have the show coming up at The Hub in Danville next week and I am busy getting all the paintings together for that. I accepted a showing at the Darklight Gallery in MO. for February of 2008 yesterday...that will be fun too. UUUmmmm, let's see...I have not worked on the sketchbook project all week because I have been drawing out a new painting...and now I have to finish the little book....because if I start this new painting, I'll get all OCD and never get back to what I need to do. Argh! So today I will finish the book so I can start this new exciting and very challenging work. I am not one to do a drawing under a painting very often, I usually approach a blank canvas like I am a crazed woman...stalking the canvas with my dripping paintbrush...but this time I have started with really what I think is the best drawing I have ever done. I am excited to apply color. It's going to be my first in a art deco style, (one of my favorite periods, I love bold graphics). Anywho...I'll share photos of that real soon.

In other news I've gotten an award!

The lovely and talented Cynthia was kind enough to gift me with the honor...and I love it! Thanks Cynthia!

And I didn't even prepare a speech! :)

So, I am supposed to now bestow it upon 5 other rockin grrrrls and without delay here they are in no particular order:

• Blue Jude : because she's lovely, and she rocks hard...you'll see
• Trish @ The Functional Artist : because well...she rocks, simple.
• Gloria : because she's got an eye for what's beautiful in this reality & that rocks
• Juliann @ the Color Speaker : because she rocks my world with abstraction passion
• Andrea : because her work makes me want to sit and stare, and there ain't nothin finer than that.
• Kathy Holmes : because she writes from the soul and she's not afraid to take a playful romp in the deep end.

So Rock On Sistahs!

As you see I have bestowed (I loved that word! Yum) on 6 wonderful people and that's because I don't follow directions, evah!

I think we should have another award...say a genderless rockin blogger artist? Because I know some great guys and they need love too!

*Grins*

Love to all...now go spread it around a little, so it can grow on.

The work in the picture today was my first resin work...and I have a couple of works that need to be coated now with the wonderful stinky stuff.

I am just a happy camper today with my honey coming home.

Well I better go get the boys off to school so my day can really begin...

I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Love to all,

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com/

The SketchBook Project Update

The Sketchbook project work(s) in progress:

Please click on (all) pictures to enlarge them.

Page one

Page 2

Page 3 Unfinished

Page 5:

It says on the left:

We hardly ever realize we can cut anything out of our lives anytime, in a blink of an eye.

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10 (unfinished)

Well I am almost done with my project...some fine details are left, the last page (#11) and the front cover have yet to be done. I am pretty pleased with the project so far...what do you all think?

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

I have to scoot and get to work, but I wanted to share with everyone first.

Happy Monday to all,

Heather

www.badkittyartstudio.com

Ancora imparo. Greek for I am still learning.

The daily grind, the successes and failures, the hard work and stress, all gradually unfold as a profound teaching. And central to that teaching was the realization that the spiritual path is nothing other than living our very life, fully and confidently, in the immediate moment - and that nothing can be excluded, especially not our jobs.

~Michael Carroll

***

Be careful what you say. It comes true. It comes true. I had to leave home in order to see the world logically, logic the new way of seeing. I learned to think that mysteries are for explanation. I enjoy the simplicity. Concrete pours out of my mouth to cover the forests with freeways and sidewalks. Give me plastics, periodical tables, TV dinners with vegetables no more complex than peas mixed with diced carrots. Shine floodlights into dark corners: no ghosts.

~Maxine Hong Kingston

***

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

~Albert Camus

***

Hello all.

I have been dealing with the invasion of flu bugs...a sure sign that school has started for the year...week two and three of us have the flu. Gee thanks!

Other than that...

I have just agreed to a booking for a solo show in April-May 2008 at:

Doodles Studio & Gallery

This will be the second for sure booking from my 20 artist review requests that I sent out at the start of the month. I am working on 2008's bookings already and that is so very nice. For anyone who is counting...I sent out 20 requests to galleries all over the country and so far the tally stands at:

2 bookings for 2008 (solo shows)

1 still in the running for possible showing (they asked for more info)

7 rejections (one gallery said they would love to show me, but they had to close the doors to the gallery because of sales, or lack there of)

Not bad really, I am pleased that my new artist "package" is getting a lot more attention and positive responses. Whew! I think I am getting the hang of this "fishing" for gallery representation/shows...finally.

I have been working on the sketchbook project all week and am about halfway done. I had this great idea about what I was going to do with it...and while working on it...I went a whole different way with it. Of course, so much for plans. When the show is over, I am going to make this book into the first "treasure hunt" artwork for the city of Lexington, KY. (where I live presently).

Mate Man and I were talking about found art...and how I want to start creating work just for that purpose...and he said, "wouldn't it be fun if it was a treasure hunt instead?" I of course thought that was a groovy idea...and we started brainstorming on the idea. So far, we are going to have clues on the blog and more clues with the clues that are found...and hide art somewhere in the city...and the person who follows the clues and finds the art wins! Then we will start another one...depending on how long it takes people to catch on and play the BAD! Kitty Great Art Hunt game with us. I think it sounds like a really fun thing...of course we can involve businesses around town (small business only, no box stores...supporting the community we live in...always!) and make it really fun. This sketchbook will be the first art for the treasure hunt. We will also post information about the hunts in the local papers and online resources. Who knows what else I will come up with for future "Treasures".

Fun, right?

Anyway...I must be moving on down the road for the day...I have to finish planning for the next showing in September (my birthday month BTW, I'll be 38 this year...funny isn't it?)

at The Hub in Danville, KY. and I have to take Middle child over to the doctors...Houston I think we have an ear infection.

Oldest Son, by-the-by, informed us that he has gotten a job at Home Depot, and is getting all his ducks in a row for finishing his education. We are all so proud of how he is taking his life to higher places! Whoo-Hooo!

That's all for today folks, I hope you are all in happy places being happy people today.

Heather

www.badkittyartstudio.com

doodling with fear

BAD! Kitty Art Studio

***

working on some ideas for the Sketchbook Project. I got my book in the mail yesterday and am looking forward to doing a project that I didn't think up...just have to let the muse out of the back room with and see what happens.

Fun Stuff.

The topic: Fear.

I am going for an enlightened approach to the subject matter.

We shall see what happens from here.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com/

todays sketchbook page

Today's doodle:

a robot head from the front of an old sci-fi book I had once...I only liked the picture on the front, that's all I remember of it anyway.

Hope all is well in your world.

Heather

www.badkittyartstudio.com

lookie-loo!

above: see, I told ya...goldfish!

watercolor pencils and sharpie

***

Of all created things the source is one, Simple, single as love; remember The cell and seed of life, the sphere That is, of child, white bird, and small blue dragon-fly Green fern, and the gold four-petalled tormentilla The ultimate memory. Each latent cell puts out a future, Unfolds its differing complexity As a tree puts forth leaves, and spins a fate Fern-traced, bird feathered, or fish-scaled.

~Kathleen Raine

*grins*

Gallery rejections so far:

4 out of 20

Gallery thumbs up so far:

2 out of 20 (the 20 I sent out that is)

It's maybe it'll turn out who knows what will happen stuff, but I was asked to submit more info to one and told yes for the other in 2008, Yippee!)

Not too bad!

Heather

www.badkittyartstudio.com

I must learn what is true in order to do what is right.

above: a doodle from my sketchbook this week...now I am drawing fancy goldfish. She looks like she is in first position in a ballet class or something.

Above: Vintage post card from 1920's

BAD! Kitty Art Studio

Quotes for the day:

***

We are great fools.

"He has passed his life in idleness," we say.

"I have done nothing today."

What! Haven't you lived?

That is not only the fundamental but the most illustrious of your occupations. "Had I been put in a position to manage great affairs, I would have shown what I could do."

Have you been able to think out and manage your life?

You have performed the greatest work of all.

In order to show and release her powers, Nature has no need of fortune; she shows herself equally on all levels, and behind a curtain as well as without one. To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct.

Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately.

All other things, to rule, to lay up treasure, to build, are at most little appendices and props.

~Michel Montaigne (1533 - 1592)

***

To Achieve Your Dreams Remember Your ABC's:

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.

Believe in yourself.

Consider things from every angle.

Don't give up and don't give in.

Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come.

Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches.

Give more than you planned to.

Hang on to your dreams.

Ignore those who try to discourage you.

Just do it.

Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.

Love yourself first and most.

Make it happen.

Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal.

Open your eyes and see things as they really are.

Practice makes perfect.

Quitters never win and winners never quit.

Read, study and learn about everything important in your life.

Stop procrastinating.

Take control of your own destiny.

Understand yourself in order to better understand others.

Visualize it.

Want it more than anything.

'Excellerate' your efforts.

You are unique of all God's creations, nothing can replace YOU.

Zero in on your target and go for it!

Wanda Hope Carter

***

Well, allow me to introduce myself to you as an advocate of Ornamental Knowledge. You like the mind to be a neat machine, equipped to work efficiently, if narrowly, and with no extra bits or useless parts. I like the mind to be a dustbin of scraps of brilliant fabric, odd gems, worthless but fascinating curiosities, tinsel, quaint bits of carving, and a reasonable amount of healthy dirt. Shake the machine and it goes out of order; shake the dustbin and it adjusts itself beautifully to its new position.
Robertson Davies (1913 - 1995)
Source: Tempest-Tost (1951)

***

In order for me to be my very best me...

I must continue to travel in...to find my way out.

Have a great day all,

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com/

Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted line. He caught every other fish.

The Most Perfectly timed Words evah!!!!

from Keri Smith

*one of my favorite artists*

Her blog link is also in the sidebar *wink*

Fish #1 - sharpie

Fish #2 - sharpie


Fish #3 - sharpie

Fish #4 - #2 pencil

BAD! Kitty Art Studio

Quote for the day & Sketchbook lookie-loo's

***

A little fish, overhearing a fisherman remark that water is essential to life, became panicky and swam desperately in search of water, until it reached the ocean and asked a wise old fish where it could find water. The old timer laughed and said, "Why, you've never been out of water. You've had water all the time, but you didn't know it." So it is with faith; you have it, it is with you. You simply have to realize and use it and it will grow.

~unknown

***

Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.

~Ovid

***

Patience is what you require when the fish are not hungry.

~Unknown

***

"You got that look again, Alvin," said Arthur Stuart.

"What look is that?"

"Like you need to piss but you're afraid it's gonna come out in chunks."

~Orson Scott Card from:

The Crystal City

***

So it's been another busy week of work, classes and a bit more travel.

I have been carrying my sketchbook around with me to try and learn how to draw a good carp in my spare time.

The first one was evil looking so I kept going...and I think I am getting the hang of it. Scales are hard. Fins are hard. Drawing a good carp is hard.

I want to do a big carp painting...but I figured I might better look into learning how to "see" a carp first. Drawing not being one of my many (ahem) talents...I have been working on it in small doses.

I have been painting, but not much of any value is coming out right now. I am painting over some old canvas that I didn't like the original work on to keep costs down while I experiment.

This summer just has not been very productive with all the work, meeting and greeting, and travel...not to mention the classes. I am looking forward to a slower pace real soon so I can get back to me...just me.

Looking forward to the fall I guess.

Just wanted to check in with you all...share a little of what I have been doing and let everyone know I am still alive.

Well, next week should be a little slower and I hope to get back to regular blogging again.

There will be a new show going up at The Hub bookstore and cafe in Danville KY starting September 5th. The show will run for two months. It's a very cool place that is as well known for it's books and treats as it is for the fantastic art they display. So I am excited about it.

I submitted my info to another 20 galleries across the country this last week. We shall see what happens with that...maybe something good will pop.

I am off to spend a family day...and catch up on the domestic chores...

send help...or the Merry Maids.

Aieeee!

Love to all my peeps!

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com/

I am as vigilant as a cat to steal cream. ~ Shakespear

BAD! Kitty Art Studio

Quotes and an update:

This sense of honor is the sense of right. It is the soul's instinctive love for the good, the true, the commendable, and its instinctive scorn of the base, mean, and vile. There is a confusion between that false honor which cares only what another thinks or says, and the true personal honor which cares first for what we are. It is too true that many a man who would resent with a blow the epithet of "thief" or "liar" will lie and steal in secret apparently without a qualm of conscience. The true root of honor demands reality and hates shams. One should be taught to abhor and reject in his own heart everything which he would resent in an accusation made by another. He should learn not to tolerate in his own inner consciousness what he would fear or blush to have known to friends or foes. This is the sense of personal honor that dominates and molds character and that endures the heaviest stress of life.

~Edward O. Sisson
Source: The Essentials of Character, The Macmillan Company, 1915

***

Which is the woman, which the child?

The joyous laugh that opens doors,

steals sugared moments from the shelf?

Or the dreamer mixing metaphors

with tears to make a book of self

To read aloud in winter's rooms

When summer's sounds have ceased to bloom?

~Katie Louchheim

***

Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats.

~Howard Aiken
***

Hello all.

I have been buried alive in work, life and travel.

The weeks have flown by.

As a family we have been offered an opportunity recently, and as we ponder our course of action and our need/desire list, I see that life isn't ever going to be easy. Like Bruce Lee said, " Do not pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength for a difficult one." I used to really play the pain game with these issues, these days I find that I respond to challenges with a quiet, panicky calmness.

Internally I seem to seethe and boil with the thought process...the talking to myself, my higher self about the situation at hand. I even run a low grade fever when I am processing...so that burning smell, that's just me over here thinking.

I find that these days, I am spending less time second guessing everything and everyone. Concentrating on what is right for me...then moving outward to the rest of the people in my life. Needing to know what my own feelings are well in advance of trying to then compromise an entire families needs against that inner truth.

Compromise is a total act of love.

While I think, chew and ponder this situation, this stage that I find myself in...the vault of memory gets opened to lend in the effort of uncovering truth, motivation, and resistance. The past is really so very un-useful to my needs right now. Rarely do I find myself rifling the files of past experience for answers, the answers are not in things I have done already...but lie in what will I do with what has been presented?

New work in the studio is showing my experimental side right now...and I am so easily influenced these days by the outside world.

I am having fun at the easel again. I am working on a new technique that looks promising, and just farting around with materials in general. I am working on a booking for another show in September-October 2007...I will announce that show when the details are all ironed out. I am still waiting for the results from my submission to a juried art event in November that looks really promising. That too will be announced when I get the information if I made through the process or not. Fingers crossed.

I was accepted/joined the Sketchbook Project and will soon begin that huge undertaking for a really fun large scale event. I am looking forward to opening my new sketchbook and diving into the topic of fear. When all 500 books are displayed it should be quiet powerful in it's statements.

Fun right?

I may be prone to bouts of morbidity right now,

so...let's just enjoy it shall we?

I hope you all are well and good in your lives.

I leave you today with this thought that was a recent topic on Zaadz:

If you had an extra hour today, how would you spend it?

I would paint uninterrupted while listening to my favorite music up really loud, drinking a Bloody Mary and dancing...yeah baby...don't forget the dancing.

Yours today

Raw & Radiant,

Heather

www.badkittyartstudio.com