How We See

"How we see is by continually redefining normality." Beau Lotto

As an artist who has always been interested in science, I am fascinated by the science of color and vision. As an educator,it is necessary that I comprehend the basics to share with my students. Vision and our perception of color are both complex and dynamic processes.Beau Lotto is the founder of Lottolab,an England based art and science laboratory. View Lotto's TED talk to learn more about the plasticity of our visual perception. More valuable and interesting information,presented in a very accessible manner, is available on his website.I have shared this information with my colleagues and students. Great stuff:)http://www.lottolab.org/

"There's no inherent meaning in information.It's what we do with that information that matters."~ Beau Lotto

Works In Process:A Return To Color

I met with an artist friend yesterday who has become an unexpected source of inspiration and somewhat of a professional "coach." It does help to bounce ideas off other artists who you value and trust and who know you personally. It helps if they can physically see your work as much gets lost in photographs,... mine anyway. Artists tend to work in isolation but occasionaly it helps me to input from a fellow artist. When my daughter left for college, I lost her critical eye. She helped me immensely when I couldn't find direction or when I was struggling with a composition. And she was tough and vocal in her critiques,which I greatly appreciated. I wasn't looking for flowery compliments,only assistance so that I could improve....Anyway, I am uncluttering my head and my discussion yesterday confirmed that I need to focus more than ever and "just do it." You have to love those Nike guys:) So right now I am rapidly transferring new ideas onto canvas. This is effective in documenting the general concepts so that I can later return to refine them.I actually have an abundance of images swirling in my mind,waiting to be manifested...but some of the older work still needs to be completed and there is value in further developing them. Here are some of the numerous images,hastily painted for the sake of peace of mind. So I'm off to a good start for 2009, I actually have a plan and deadlines in January for projects, one of which I vowed to fulfill based on a handshake:)It is my integrity that is on the line, personally and artistically. Yikes! No more procrastination...

DREAM

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also DREAM; not only plan, but also BELIEVE." ...."Existence would be intolerable if we were never to dream."
Anatole France

I am at heart a dreamer and I plan to keep it that way. There is a reason I surround myself with 700 Kindergartners everyday because they still BELIEVE and know how to dream.And color is so beautiful and my new art will reflect that. Kindergartners love color!

PS...so I arrive at school this morning and am setting up for the second portion of our "stained glass" lesson.I told my students how distracted I was attending Kindergarten because everyday at Holy Angels in Trenton we would go to mass and I would be mesmerized by the colors and patterns of the art...it was everywhere...the mosaic floors, the painted ceilings, statues and woodwork, but especially the stained glass windows. I revisited that church this year on the day of my Grandmother's funeral and it was just as beautiful and magical!I was distracted again:)I was in love with the visual richness and architecture of that sacred building. I really do paint my memories and dreams.

Anyway....speaking of dreams, two of my Kindergartners greeted each other this morning,after being separated all weekend and one exclaimed,"I dreamed about you last night!" Then they smiled and unabashedly hugged. We can learn a lot from five year olds. No apologies. A special someone gave me a button at my recent art exhibit...it read "Never apologize for your Art." To me that translates also to never apologizing for my dreams!
Make a great day!

Fixation

This painting is entitled,"Fixation." Once again my model is my daughter, Christina. Her beauty is very unique. At only 18, she simultaneously exudes a youthful innocence and sensual maturity. I am able to paint her as a young woman or as a child and so she continues to inspire my work.

I focused upon color and pattern in this oil painting. Perhaps you can notice the influence of Gustav Klimt. It is still a work "in process" but I am becoming more confident in my handling of the brush and of my palette.

I actually like this piece. I believe it offers a glimpse of my capabilities as an artist. Patience, practice and discipline...