... to try

I am going to try.

Again.

I am going to try again to paint and post photos of the paintings I have done.

No promises.
No apologies.

I cannot not paint. I will always see my little world through the lens of "If-I-were-painting-this-I- would-do-it-this-way...." I love translating everything into dark and light patterns and making color decisions.

I love working.

I am going to try.

...it's been so long, I can't remember how to do anything......

I just spent a few hours painting in my studio....
I used to think I was an pretty good painter. All such confidence is gone.
That is probably a good thing. I have gotten tighter and tighter in rendering. Need to loosen up.

So that is what I concentrated on with a  small composition of a sunflower. If I can stand what I did by tomorrow I will post a photo of it (if I remember how...)

I have also started a landscape painting of an area of the river which I always find interesting. After I came back to the house after painting, I decided to smash into that landscape a bit too.... to loosen it.

I wonder if I can paint again????????

2014 was in many ways truly discouraging.
I will make 2015 be a better one!

...lost.....

This has been a most discouraging time. After the disaster of the failed Open House, I have not been able to pull myself into my studio. So far in 2014, I have finished two very small paintings and not bothered to post either of them. Right along with that, nothing has been sold all year.

I am truly feeling lost and that no one notices or cares and that includes me.....

The one bright spot has been the installation by a dear friend, Dave, of a set of shelves on the west wall of my studio for the display of small paintings. They are lovely and the paintings look well displayed.

I have considered making a Web Site.... perhaps that would bring a bit of interest... or not.... My despondency stems from a rejection of my work to a web site long long ago. The person in charge said that my work was too ordinary. I guess he is right. It is so ordinary that no one notices it. I am considering making paintings which are MUCH more loosely constructed.... I am also considering just quitting. Never to paint again. I think I will go lose myself by watching a movie.

Here goes 2014!

A palette is the most interesting tool I have available. It holds all the pigments I have available to create all, every, and each color imaginable! And the space to mix them ~ each and all! 

 

To start this 2014 year I decided to clean mine. If possible, I will send the photo I just took of my fresh, clean palette with my,as yet, very mysterious tablet. It is quite stunning to this old lady to be able to discover the tablets' abilities! Even a few of them....one by one. (I love that it knows to start sentences with capital letters!)

 

Back to the palette.. I did save a few bits of paint as I cleaned it. They were fresh and still usable!

 

I started a painting a few days ago so that when I came back to the studio, I

I would have something under way ....started...would not need to figure out totally new thoughts....But now I am thinking,WHY NOT!?!

Very few people are at all interested in what I have been painting....Perhaps this is a time for NEWNESS!

(I wish I knew how to make grammatical corrections on this tablet...many are needed. I will discover that as I go step by step too!)

 

I will not immediately toss out all that I have been doing, just approach my paintings with a new outlook.... with less hesitancy...more willingness to accept what I wish to do....more artistic courage.

 

So,off I go.....new year, new steps to take... small and timid for now.....Deep breath....I am off!

(Sent from Samsung tablet)

Christmas 2013

"View of Bethlehem"

8" x 8"  Oil on Canvas Panel  

Isn't Christmas in out hearts wonderful! The story, the symbols, the colors bring quiet joy. Today is the day for putting Nativity Sets on display, for decorating a tree, and for contemplation.

Mt. Harrison Autumn

Mt Harrison Autumn  Oil on Canvas Panel     16" x 20"  

My grandmother lived about 9 miles from our home. The trip included crossing the Snake River which I always loved as a child. I loved seeing the river calm, like in this painting, wild, choppy.... whatever, The colors were always interesting in all seasons. We visited often, so I saw the river often. It still holds charms for me. I enjoy drawing and painting it in many seasons with or without a view of Mt. Harrison included.

 Raven

Oil in Gallery Wrapped Canvas Panel   24"x24"

Sold

 

 

 

Connor's Creek at the Bend

Oil on Canvas  24"x20

sold

 

Two commissions finished and approved!

 

That approval is always a wonderful event! Doing commissioned work always includes at least twice the pressure. I always want to make the best painting I can to please my own aesthetic sense. Add to that the desire to please someone else and their wishes for the work; to make it the best for them too.

 

Now on to other challenges! Happy Monday!



Salt Lake Temple

Salt Lake Temple 

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas 48" x 16" sold

Salt Lake Temple

(detail)

I am so thrilled that this painting finally was delivered and seems to have been happily received! It took far longer to paint than I had thought....  They always do..... The dear clients were VERY patient and even visited the slowly progressing project a few times through the summer.

One day soon, I expect to be back at work....

Summer 2013....

"Lily of the Valley in Crystal"

Oil on Canvas Panel   14" x 11" 

"Pink Rose and Syringa in Mixed Bouquet"

Oil on Canvas Panel   14" x 11"

"Sunshine"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas    6" x 6" x 1 1/2"

Other than a commissioned piece which is almost finished, and one or two unfinished pantings, these three little paintings are my entire summer production of paintings.... A bit of a crisis of confidence..... Perhaps it is over, perhaps this is the end.... Or perhaps I am just getting started....

GREAT evening!

To begin the evening, at about 6:00p.m. thunder began rumbling. I have never experienced this sort of storm.... the thunder was an incessant, though distant, roar for about 40 minutes! It was accompanied by rain like I have only seen in the Orient (Hong Kong and Manila). I wish I could have watched it from above the clouds. It must have been a spectacular show! Now that we have enjoyed a good soaking, of course our Idaho wind has begun....

While it was still raining, I went out to the studio and stretched a small canvas. During the time that it took to listen to a recording of a Beethoven String Quartet, I was able to get it stretched and the first coat of gesso onto the canvas.

This is significant only because of the rough few weeks have have spent questioning if I, by painting, am adding anything to life or only adding to the world's piles of stuff. I remember suggesting to a friend whose wife was complaining about his time spent in studio work, that if he COULD quit, perhaps he should.... He continued, and so will I.

There is no possibility that I will be able to stop seeing the world through color relationships, shapes and visual ideas. My vision may be too ordinary, as I have been told several times in different situations. but I will continue to make what I hope is art....

Then to top it all off, as I walked back to the house a most wonderful red sunset met me!

Begining stretching

All stretched!

First coat of gesso applied! Ready to complete on Monday!

Wonderful red suset! Perfect evening!

Dark Red Rose 2

Oil on Cradled Canvas Panel    8" x 8"    

I can't think of a worse time for all this to happen.... (Google refusing to allow me to post my photos from the place I have them...). Many artists are right in the beginning of a great challenge, 30 Days, 30 Paintings, sponsored most generously by Leslie Saeta.

I really needed this because I have not worked consistently for months. I need this boost! I need the satisfaction to find out that that I can still swing a brush.

I have been contemplating a move of Blog for a while. The photo thing proved to be the last straw.

I considered just giving up. I cried.
Then I decided I must go forward with the Painting Challenge and I must be able to post on Leslie Saeta's blog with the other participants!

So...
Done!

Of course, in my ineptness, I put the wrong address here.... But I have changed that.

Moved to:

http://marilynrmillerstudio.wordpress.com/


I do hope you who have been so encouraging will come visit...
It is so much easier to leave a message for me at this new place, which is one major reason to move.
Come, help me feel at home in the new place!

Also, I can again, post my own photos of my paintings!

Good bye Google

Google, in its finite wisdom, no longer allows me to post new pictures. I no longer have access to Windows Photo Gallery on my computer. Therefore, unless this is changed back again, this is my last posting.

Is this corporate quarrelling?

Is this progress?

Am I missing something obvious? Am I too  e stupid????

I could get photos from a phone..... but that would not allow for sizing and editing or give adequate quality of photograph. And I do not have a smart phone nor can I afford to acquire one.

I could post from Picasa Web Albums, but there are only six images shown; all old ones; and no visible way to get to others.

I could get photos from this blog, but they are already on the blog. I need the blog to post new photos, not ones already here....
                       

Second Day ~ 30 in 30

Passage to Time ~ Persimmon and Feather

Oil on Panel with Gold    6"x6"    



Leslie Saeta Challenge Painting # 1 for Marilyn Miller

Persimmons, Pears, Pomegranate and Feather

Oil on Panel 6"x6"   

Thank you, Leslie Saeta! Here we go.... Painting # 1 .... 29 to go.... I can hardly wait to get out to my studio to make the next painting happen.



A Little Snow Scene 

Oil on Canvas      5"x7"
   

We did not get a "White Christmas" but New Years is definitely WHITE. Happy New Year all!

A special "Thank you" to Leslie Saeta for her 30 Daily Painting Challenge... Starts Jan. 2.

Because of several events during the last five months of 2012, I have painted very little. I am using her wonderful idea to jump start my painting activity again.

I will be doing several at a time (hoping for at least two a day to begin) so I can skip Sundays and still have paintings to post.

Today is my day to prepare! Exciting for me, a little intimidating because it has been so long, and really challenging to be consistent for a whole month!!! Here we go! Happy New Year!

A Christmas Painting.....

 

"Come to Bethlehem"

Oil on Canvas Panel 14"X11" nfs

 

During the summer plans were made for a program of Christmas music for our community planned and performed by members of our Burley West Stake, Church of. Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was asked to make a painting for the cover of the program. While I was contemplating it, a wonderful photograph came on a Blog I have been following, "Huntsman's in the Holy Land". It showed a group of students  standing near Bethlehem in what is called the L.D.S. Shepherd's Field. I was so excited. As I looked at it, I could see this painting and felt it would be perfect for the cover.

 

I was able to contact Eric Huntsman who graciously gave his permission to use his photograph.

\

Our program was held Sunday, Dec. 16th  and was a wonderful experience for all who attended.

What must be on my Christmas Tree....

 

 

 

 

First, of course, Lights!

Lights to represent THE LIGHT of the world, Jesus Christ.

Lights to dispel the darkness.

Lights to brighten us and to shine in our eyes.

Then come the Glass Ornaments. Most are round, but some are differently shaped like the small blue ball with the convex silver and pink sculpted front that was my Grandmothers, perhaps from as early as the 1920's, no later than the 30's. And the small pink bell which has a glass clapper and rings! There are also hand blown Santa's, French horns, violins (though I prefer to think they represent the cello...), and tear drops.

There are glass ornaments from all the decades our immediate family has existed. From the 30's, the glass bell that rings and a small pink glassine Christmas tree. From the 40's a clear green glass ball with a paper top reminiscent of the scarcity of World War II days. The 50's brought ornaments of every color! Many painted with “Merry Christmas”, snow scenes, a Nativity, churches, a sleigh, and stripes. Through the 60's, and 70's my mother collected wonderful ornaments as marketing was done for the Drugstore, all colors and sizes. She got enough ornaments and lights to have our tree be all pink, or all blue, or all red, or all colors mixed. She got a wonderful six foot white plastic tree to display all and put it up religiously each Christmas to the delight of all who saw it. My Father always loved her creations and always photographed it each year.

On my Tree, there must be Every Color! Red, pink, blue, yellow, orange, green. and violet! There is lots of white and gold. Bright colors, and pastel colors, and I even allow a bit of brown, maybe some grey.

There must be Creatures! Lots of birds, a family of partridges, several pairs of doves with long tinsel tails, butterflies and a mouse. I really need at least one cat and one dog, preferably a fawn colored long hair Chihuahua....I'll keep looking.

There must be Snow and Ice! We are in the north, but sometimes the only white Christmas that happens is with snow ornaments. There are clear sparkling snowflakes and crocheted snowflakes. And lots of icicles. I have two hand blown by an acquaintance in SLC and wonderful set of a dozen hand blown icicles given my Mother and I by our neighbor/friends, Kathleen and Randy

Places I have visited (or wished to visit...) are represented. China is here in the way of small plastic triangular rectangles of colored braid with tassels which I found being sold one day by a street vendor in Hong Kong. I am so glad I bought them. I never saw them again until I came back to Burley in 1991.A crafts show on television showed how to make them! I was so tickled and made many with colored ribbon and nylon yarn tassels. They are wonderfully oriental and Christmassy, colorful and fun!

 The Philippines is represented by translucent butterflies made of gapis shell.

Switzerland is represented with a small Indian infant doll with fur hair and beads made by my artist soul mate friend, Karin and several small colorful silk stuffed and beaded stars. She is a glass artist.... I wonder if she has ever considered making small glass angels?

Iran and our older brother, Iraj, are here too with turquoise ceramic ornaments given to us by Iraj's wife when they came to visit. Iraj lived with us for a summer while he apprenticed with my Father in the Drugstore as part of his pharmaceutical training. Our association with him has enriched our lives in many wonderful ways.... and I feel that the Wise Men may have come from Persia.... Also, on a trip to New York at the Metropolitan Museum, I found a gold ornament from a Persian design.

From Washington D.C., I have two annual ornaments from the White House. One I bought to commemorate 2007 when my Aunt Glenna and I were guests at the artist reception at the White House because I was invited to paint an ornament of City of Rocks which hung on the tree in the Blue Room. What a fine day that was! The other was given me by Linda and Dr. Joe Petersen who so graciously gave us the gift of a stay at the Marriott for that occasion.

 Israel, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Jewish people are represented by a tiny trio of olive wood Nativity ornaments given me by my friend Cheryl. Perhaps the most important object on my tree comes from a dear friend in Salt Lake city, a fellow artist and Jewish man who made a beautiful brass ornament of Hebrew letters saying “Shalom”. I do cherish it and hang it with reverence each year.

There must be Books! Tiny books of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, and “A Christmas Carol” hang each year. Today I decided I must make a new small book of Luke 2, the first Christmas story. as an ornament....

There must be Toys! Julie, my music mentor friend, gave me a small articulated nutcracker/soldier. I have thought many times this year about the first time I saw The Nutcracker Ballet performed. It was a magical Christmas present ~ tickets to attend a performance by the Utah Ballet at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake when I was probably 11 or twelve years old. Ballet was my first love and that performance still lives fresh in my mind.

There must be Temples! I have pretty, gold replicas given us by Judy of the Salt Lake Temple because it is THE Temple., Nauvoo because several of our family progenitors did get their work done in it before coming west, and the Logan Temple where Mom and Dad were married May 29, 1935.

There must be Hearts! The two red hearts Mom bought to represent their love for each other. I love remembering them as I put them on the tree each year.

There must be Music! Bells, French Horns, Cellos... and piano sheet- music.

There must be Stars! As many stars a possible! I have mirrored stars and the Swiss silk stars. I think I would like to carve and paint some wooden stars. I have for the past several years painted stars with jewels on glass ornaments and have one on my tree. One thing is missing so far this year.... Last year my star tree topper was broken. I must find a GREAT star for the top of my tree. It won't quite be Christmas until I find it.... maybe today!

 

Wishing each of us and all of us Christmas JOY!

Murex Lace Shell & Maple Leaf

                                                     Murex Lace Shell and Maple Leaf



Oil on Cradles Panel  8"x8"  $125

 





My paternal Grandfather returned to his native Denmark to serve as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in about 1905 and returned to Idaho and his family in about 1908. He brought this wonderful shell with him then.

 

As a child, I was sure it was the seas around Denmark that I could hear roaring by putting my ear to its opening.

 

I loved knowing that by touching this shell, I was touching something of my Grandfather who died before I was born. Much of our Family History is represented by it. One of my father's brothers was born and died while their father was away. Another brother, just older than my father, also died during that time.

 

The leaf was caught my eye a few days ago while walking my little Lili Chili Chihuahua.

 

I thought the choice to paint them together was purely random.....

 

But in the process of painting, I became more and more aware of the Divine Patterns they have in common with each other and even with me and with you.

 

 

Completed Saw Blade Painting

Four Seasons  Saw Blade

 

Spring: Doe & Fawn, Bear and Cubs

 Summer: Antelope

 

Autumn: Mule Deer

Winter: Elk, Mountain Lion, & Canada Geese

 

Today! Finished!!!!!

 

Mary and Tyler brought this five foot plus saw blade a few years ago. It sat in the garage for a while. It has been hanging in my studio as hung by Tyler for a few years too while I have struggled to take time to paint it with the animals he and his family love to hunt.Ty is a bow hunter. All have bagged deer. Their living room holds many of their trophy animals. This will go there also. I am so happy to be able to let them kmow it is complete and will be anxious to see it in its new home.

 

The saw blade itself is from Ty's family. His grandfather owned a saw mill and Tyler was able to keep this blade as a memento. I was quite surprised by it. It is a beautiful object, well designed and very heavy. I enjoy being able to move my cnavas around as I paint, not possible with this. It is being held in place to be painted with   drywall screws and has stayed in place very nicely. Because it is such an interesting object of itself, I wished to retain some of the original texture and color and to make sure the blade keys were visible. Each tooth has two pieces to allow changing single tooth replacements.

 

I was amazed at the sharpness. As they were hanging the blade, it ripped through six or seven layers of the roll of heavy cotton damn canvas standing next to the easel.

 

 

With my family, I remember as a child seeing a similar saw in action at a sawmill here in Northern Idaho. It was impressive to watch as large logs were turned into raw lumber in very few minutes.