“Cow Study #8″ and trying acrylics

Cow Study #8
6″ x 6″
acrylic on panel
©2012 Tracy Wall

Sometimes it happenes where I don’t quite have enough time to do what I want or need to do.  I may actually run just a little late. (oh my!  what a surprise!)  ;)

In the art world, when deadlines loom, running late in production can be an exhibit killer.  Sometimes I get the work done, but just wait for the oil paint to dry (at least to the touch).  This is where acrylic paint comes it.

Acrylic paint dries much quicker than oil paint.  Although you usually can’t intermix the two, each medium has it’s advantages.

Quick drying time (sometimes in less than an hour depending on how thick or thin I apply it)  can be ideal when I’m running behind, or if I want to use multi-layers of paint on a piece.  Quick drying time can be problematic if I like to push and pull and manipulate the paint while it’s till wet (which I like to do).

As is what happened a few weeks ago: I needed work quickly, so I decided to be adventurous and try my hand in acrylics.  I had to revamp my process, but had fun!  There’s a partner to this one I’ll show next post.

“Night Lights #8″ and painting demonstrations

Night Lights #8
6″ x 6″
oil on panel
©2012 Tracy Wall

Another little study in my exploration of evening lights that forever enamor me in my Night Lights series.

For the next two Saturdays (today!) (and most likely more) I’ll be painting from 11:00 – 3:00 pm at Abend Gallery in Denver.  Stop by and say hello!

“Morning Meeting”

Morning Meeting
20″ x 16″
oil on canvas
©2011 Tracy Wall

Been getting loose ends tied up this week by finishing governmental responsibilities, taxes, paperwork, etc.  Clearing away more of the extra clutter and junk to make room for new.

I’ve toyed with smaller versions of this painting, but this is the first full size.  You can see it and other Western themed art at Framed Image throughout January!

“Backs Against the Fence” and 2012 Word of the Year

Backs Against the Fence
oil on gallery-wrapped canvas
12″ x 30″
©2011 Tracy Wall

Pretty “quotaliscious” here….

In the past few months, I’ve been doing a lot of looking back in life and comparing it to what I want to see when I look forward.  I’ve been feeling a little too safe, with only slow calculated chances taken.  So how then do you make changes and grow without taking chances?

“I have always had a dread of becoming a passenger in life.”  .  — Queen Margret II of Denmark

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” —Anaïs Nin

What perfect timing.  I approach somewhat of a milestone birthday this year and can feel my “back against the wall” in that the time is now to start a shift.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” — Maria Robinson

Don’t get me wrong; some shifting has already begun (like potential gallery associations) and I’m ecstatic!  But new experiences can help break me from the plateau.    It’ll involve believing in myself and taking a chance or two (or three, or lots more!)

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”  — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

So I’ve chosen the word Adventurous to be my 2012 Word of the Year  and (thx to Mirriam-Webster and Dictionary.com) can be defined…..

ad-ven-tur-ous  (adjective)
a : disposed to seek adventure or to cope with the new and unknown <an adventurous explorer>
b : innovative <an adventurous artistic style>
Adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily with a lack of caution.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”-- Helen Keller

This doesn’t mean you’ll find me bungee-jumping or anything crazy.  Just trying things new to me.  Some things I try will be tremendous and fabulous.  Some might be uneventful or may not work out as well.  The key for me: no fear of poor results, no trying to meet others expectations.  Just me.

“You can find your life if you are willing to embark on a great adventure, for those who seek to protect their heart are surely the ones who will lose it.”  — Anonymous

Whether these adventures are in art, massage, business, relationships, travel, or fun pursuits, this is the only life I know I’ll be living (reincarnation still up for debate in my book) so I best do all I can in this one.

“One must have the adventurous daring to accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the most interesting game in the world — making the most of one’s best.” — Richard Willard Armour

Can all these intelligent quoted people be wrong?

“Transition” and new exhibit at The Madden Museum of Art

Transition
12″ x 30″
oil on gallery-wrapped canvas
©2011 Tracy Wall

How apropos this piece is next up to post here at this time.  A new year is all about moving forward down the road you really want.

I’m transitioning into 2012, and even when things seem bleak or curious and you have no idea exactly how things have happened or how they’re going to turn out, you have to find a reason to laugh.  (Even if it’s at me!)  :D
(ok, be nice though) ;)

“Laugh (n): A smile that burst.” — Mary H. Waldrip

As I gather my thoughts for my next post on my 2012 Word, stop by the Madden Museum of Art starting tomorrow and catch this painting and another in the newest exhibit.  (Note: I’m proud my other piece accepted into this show — “Tennyson Street Theater Goers” — was chosen to display on their website.)  It’s a beautiful facility with amazing exhibitions; stop by and see a sample of Colorado!

Heritage Fine Arts Guild of Arapahoe County’s
annual statewide “This is Colorado“

January 12 – February 23, 2012
(juried group exhibition)
(I’ve had 2 pieces accepted: “Transition” and “Tennyson Street Theater Goers”)

The Madden Museum of Art
6363 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Opening Cocktail Reception: Friday, January 13, 2012
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m

Exhibition viewing hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Free Admission

“Horse Study #8″ and 2011 Word(s) of the Year: Balanced Vision

Horse Study #8
5″ x 7″
pastel on paper
©2006 Tracy Wall

This little pastel horse has come out of the barn for the Western Show at Framed Image.  Check out the show if you’re in town!!

** Alert!! Long, deep introspective post below! **

The New Year has passed and it’s time to review 2011 and reflect as to how my 2011 ‘Word(s) of the Year’ have panned out.  Sure I have a list a mile long of concrete measurable goals to conquer, but I also like the ‘Word of the Year’ concept from Christine Kane. (read about it here)

Last year, I chose “Balanced Vision” as my Word(s) of the Year (read my post here) and I like where it’s taken me.  :)

In general, I’ve got a much better idea as to what I want and need my life to look like; a little more clarity.  (Do I sound like a lost soul?  I’m really not, just sometimes feel like I’m spinning my wheels.)

Having a vision of what I want makes it far easier to figure out the detailed decisions of daily life.  During situations where I was at a crossroads, taking the time to see clearer what I want makes it so much easier to see how to keep the balance to move forward.  Besides, how will you get someplace unless you have an idea of where you want to go?

So here’s my results of keeping a balanced vision…

Finish things/clear out the old:  Getting a clearer vision helps to get rid of those things that don’t fit. The more unfinished/old unwanted stuff hanging around, the more it keeps me from where I want to go, and the more space it takes up in my head, too.

So I’ve been clearing out a ton of clothes, nick-knacks, files, books, junk, etc…  I’m fixing what needs fixing, clearing out what needs to be gone.  It’s like washing my windows to see clearly, literally and figuratively. (So then the new doorbell I just put in can help me recognize when to open the door to opportunity.)  ;)

Balancing styles/techniques in my art: I’ve been forever searching for my visual voice, that style that makes a “Tracy Wall painting”.  For the first time, I’m actually getting a handle on it.  I really like what I’ve been producing lately, which has not always been the case.  A little looser, representational with a little abstraction, a little faster, more expressive, a limited palette of colors is all where I’ve been heading.  (Even though as an artist, I’ll probably be changing directions anyway; and that’s ok.)

Balancing art production vs. art business: I’ve learned so much in the past year about handling the business side of art and how that weaves into my everyday life.  It’s easy to imagine painting all day every day, but if I didn’t pay attention to the business/marketing it’d stay a hobby.  I’ve learned about my production rate, working with galleries, and marketing.

Balancing art vs. TOJ (the other job): My biggest challenge seemed to be finding a working schedule, and now I’ve started to shift to juggle my work as an artist and my work as a massage therapist.  Consolidating TOJ, makes more room for art. :)  I’ve got a few chess pieces in place already to make a major shift this year to spend my TOJ time more productively and let go of that which isn’t.

Balancing time: work vs play:  To take it one step further, how about the idea of time-off?  <gasp!> Yeah I know that painting is playful work, but it’s still a job.  There’s challenges and struggles, deadlines and economics like any other job.  Definitely made some headway here: no longer am I working the sure-death 7-day workweek.  Sounds like a no-brainer, but being self-employed, I sometimes feel the need to take any work when I can get it.  No matter how much I love the work, it’s important for me to get away to recharge and refuel.  I actually get most Sundays off now!  I feel human again.  The past few months I’ve even been getting back to just goofing around sometimes.  Amazing!

Balancing my loves/friends: Working as I used to (see above), it made it hard to keep in touch with those you care about.  Now that I’m making a little down time it helps me reconnect not only virtually, but in person too. (I have some fun friends!)  Will definitely continue this.  :)

Balancing home vs away:  I anticipated traveling more this past year, again helping to recharge when I’m finding myself in a rut.  I love exploring new places, and have recently been reminded of this.  It’ll be addressed this year.

Next post, what’s in store then for 2012? ….

“Mountain Huddle” and the Western Show

Mountain Huddle
20″ x 20″
oil on canvas
©2011 Tracy Wall

I’m kind of in love with this one.  :)  I’ve been itching to go bigger (thanks Clyde and Ken for the encouragement!) and still keep my loose brushiness, and this fits the bill.  Not the strongest composition, but I’ve grown attached to it.  :)  A fun one to paint!

This is an original piece for a new exhibit, “The Western Show” at the Framed Image.  It’s January in Denver, and that means the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo is in town.  Everything is all western around here for 2 weeks (when it’s not blue and orange for the Broncos, but that may not last long).  Drop the reins, dismount, and mosey in to see a wonderful show of horses, cows, and cowboys.

The group exhibit (I’m joined by 9 other artists) is going on through mid February, so check my “Now Showing…” page for all the details!

“Horse Study #50″ and Happy New Year!!

Horse Study #50
6″ x 8″
oil on panel
©2011 Tracy Wall

“A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.”  ~Author Unknown

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”  ~Benjamin Franklin

I’m not sure if I’m as big on making resolutions for the new year as I am towards making goals.  Resolutions (like lose weight, make more money, get fit, keep my house clean, etc) are usually vague generalizations, while I see a goal as being specific and measurable.

As you may have read here in previous years, I like to have my “Word(s) of the Year” to help keep me focused as to where I want to go and what I want to do when challenges arise and decisions are to be made.  For 2011, my Word(s) were: Balanced Vision.  It’s been a while since I’ve referenced them here, but they have definitely been on my mind.

I’ll talk more about how 2011 has gone and my 2012 Word of the Year in the posts to come, but in the meantime, thank you for taking the time to touch base with me here.

And here’s a genuine wish from my heart to yours for 2012 to be our best year ever!  (I just know it will!)