tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-375110440929286252024-03-05T21:36:57.395-08:00Painting and PaintingMelanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-60096874860102708662015-11-12T11:17:00.001-08:002015-11-12T11:17:36.864-08:00Collaborations with Ursa Ensemble continue<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'gill sans', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="border: 0px; color: navy; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Draw with me this Friday!</span></h2>
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<span style="border: 0px; color: navy; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Collaboration in Concert: melody & line by Ursa Ensemble</span></h2>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">13 November 2015 | 7:00 pm<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1637513356487762/" style="border: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Ursa Ensemble" border="0" height="167" src="http://www.dankhaus.com/images/resized/images/Ursaensemble.jpg" style="border: none; float: right; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Ursa Ensemble" width="250" /></a></strong></div>
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The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ursaensemble/" style="border: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Ursa Ensemble</a> is a Chicago-based Chamber group that seeks to present uncommon music to audiences in unique ways, unconventional places, and with individual interpretations. Ursa Ensemble members are fiercely dedicated to making Western Art Music less intimidating, but still deeply moving, to the uninitiated listener. Their Collaboration in Concert events give listeners the opportunity to create a unique art piece under the tutelage of a professional painter, poet, author, photographer, or other artist, while gaining direction from the ensemble’s live music.<br /><br />This program features works by German, Austrian, and American composers:</div>
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<li style="background: url(http://www.dankhaus.com/plugins/system/jat3/jat3/base-themes/default/images/bullet.gif) 20px 7px no-repeat; border: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">Horn Quintet by Mozart</li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.dankhaus.com/plugins/system/jat3/jat3/base-themes/default/images/bullet.gif) 20px 7px no-repeat; border: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">Symphonie No. 9 by Haydn (arr by N. Jeffery)</li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.dankhaus.com/plugins/system/jat3/jat3/base-themes/default/images/bullet.gif) 20px 7px no-repeat; border: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">Duo Concertante for Violin and Viola by Paul Chihara</li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.dankhaus.com/plugins/system/jat3/jat3/base-themes/default/images/bullet.gif) 20px 7px no-repeat; border: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">Ruckus by Pierce Gradone</li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.dankhaus.com/plugins/system/jat3/jat3/base-themes/default/images/bullet.gif) 20px 7px no-repeat; border: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">Ursa Dances by Joe Clark</li>
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This Collaboration in Concert utilizes artistic collaboration, unique spaces, and audience participation. Chicago painter <a href="http://melaniepbrown.com/" target="_blank">Melanie Brown</a> will guide the audience through a few basic points of her specialty, then engage with audience members as the ensemble performs to create an artwork based on the music itself. </div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">$20 for General Admission & $10 for Students | <a href="http://bpt.me/2402510" style="border: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Purchase Tickets</a></strong></div>
Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-31219490258603407542014-05-03T16:56:00.000-07:002014-05-03T16:56:03.752-07:00Here We Go Again!In case you didn't notice, I've been a bit absent from the blogging. Why, you ask? Well, 2013 was all about making and giving birth to son number 2 and now I have a brand new studio companion! At 8 months we are now getting into a routine and I'm starting small with some observational work.<br />
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Two kids are definitely more of a challenge than one, but I've made some changes to my work life and have carved out more time for art making. I've been updating the website and have added new work to the<a href="http://melaniepbrown.com/section/288588_200_and_Under_Sale.html" target="_blank"> $200 and Under</a> section and plan to add more as the days go by. I'm also hoping to resume the <a href="http://melaniepbrown.blogspot.com/2012/11/song-path-work-continues.html" target="_blank">Song Path Project</a> I began before the baby in the very near future, so look out for more work shortly!<br />
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Thank you and be well,<br />
Melanie<br />
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<br />Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-53438476639107576662012-11-12T07:12:00.000-08:002012-11-14T07:43:01.848-08:00Song Path Work Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm spending a lot of time in the studio with my ear buds listening to <a href="http://wcawm.com/site/" target="_blank">Ryan Ingebritsen's </a><a href="http://soundcloud.com/songpath/whitewatersongpatheq" target="_blank">Whitewater Songpath Project.</a> There are many reasons this project is so incredibly engaging to me. Yes, it is the beautiful sound of nature with its silences, water, bird chirps, and all you would expect from a recording of a hike through nature. But more deeply, it is the experience of being inside a composer's head and the chance to experience the audio landscape as he experiences it. </div>
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Exploring marks, texture, and combinations of materials is what drives my visual work. It happens to be adding up to landscape imagery right now, but it is the love of each part that makes the whole that thrills me as I work. As Ryan composed his Songpath piece he did so by physically moving through a space and listening to the texture, combinations of sounds, acoustics, and I can't begin to guess as to what other many other subtleties. When speaking with Ryan, I was delighted to find he was thinking of his piece as more of an abstraction of sounds that happen to add up to a landscape, but it's not a portrait of a landscape. He was moving through a space with particular sound properties which he used to compose a piece- by moving physically through the space he composed a symphony. His symphony just happens to have an instrumentation that is an entire ecosystem.</div>
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The following drawings are done to specific portions of the Songpath recording spanning from 4 to 10 minutes in duration. These represent the first 20 minutes of the piece so far and are in order.</div>
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Here is Ryan talking about his Song Path project. Enjoy!</div>
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Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-6970889379155855792012-07-15T22:12:00.000-07:002012-07-15T22:12:04.334-07:00New Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I4hFn-q0jy-vTza0RDqB6WsGJR_eSMG0kPXyTbzglSD4PQ2qQ94Ap8OM1dt6f__LO_aU8xLHmcEbLQzdEXfB0Pcieb8UnXkcEY-EgwKfhRV5VVnbec7l8CEGDmo3HEubPxewkkI/s1600/2012-07-15+16.30.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I4hFn-q0jy-vTza0RDqB6WsGJR_eSMG0kPXyTbzglSD4PQ2qQ94Ap8OM1dt6f__LO_aU8xLHmcEbLQzdEXfB0Pcieb8UnXkcEY-EgwKfhRV5VVnbec7l8CEGDmo3HEubPxewkkI/s400/2012-07-15+16.30.45.jpg" title="You Can Hear the Valley" width="338" /></a></div>
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I am enamored by texture, mark, and color, the possible juxtapositions of which are endless. Through my many years of painting and drawing from observation I have digested an enormous vocabulary of ways space can be created. When I allow the material to work in tandem with my memory and imagination I tend to arrive at landscapes- maps of my moods and the structure of my thoughts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY37TF2Z4q-8JKp0GehmWoBSliRzLDGMoL_m5_aj6NZl0gbaR2qgXfB1KV9zSzUab9upm_ovnchMgLBmwviXwBzAcOk-OQGUIeg1XFmrQgx6igUoNWB5ayIkIJuQPfQMzc0JmQ8AI/s1600/2012-07-15+16.31.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY37TF2Z4q-8JKp0GehmWoBSliRzLDGMoL_m5_aj6NZl0gbaR2qgXfB1KV9zSzUab9upm_ovnchMgLBmwviXwBzAcOk-OQGUIeg1XFmrQgx6igUoNWB5ayIkIJuQPfQMzc0JmQ8AI/s320/2012-07-15+16.31.50.jpg" title="You Can Hear the Valley: detail" width="320" /></a></div>
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With this new project I have embraced the landscape by listening to <a href="http://soundcloud.com/songpath/whitewatersongpatheq" target="_blank">Whitewater Songpath</a> from composer and musician <a href="http://wcawm.com/site/" target="_blank">Ryan Ingebritsen</a> and have allowed the audio to influence my decisions. I am very excited about where this is headed and quite pleased that Ryan is enthusiastic as well. This is the very beginning, but I will be posting as more work is made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFvhDUgBd8j2gKM6H89bJeb1mrC8XAE0Ad0I69Qr5fl2J6uVXilevq2WRhyphenhyphenKy-9J9u_ZWZvEPM8NMUkP6CCPU9OjLupxkr0w1_OaWy7dWi0dAOdb4QNTho-nnOFUIwjr6_-E163c/s1600/2012-07-15+16.32.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFvhDUgBd8j2gKM6H89bJeb1mrC8XAE0Ad0I69Qr5fl2J6uVXilevq2WRhyphenhyphenKy-9J9u_ZWZvEPM8NMUkP6CCPU9OjLupxkr0w1_OaWy7dWi0dAOdb4QNTho-nnOFUIwjr6_-E163c/s320/2012-07-15+16.32.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have always surrounded myself with musicians and have in the past privately used drawing as a way to connect with performers while sitting in the audience. Making work to music allows me to actively and physically listen to sound- my marks are dance steps that are coaxed into choreography by the influence of the audio. <br />
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<br />Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-50754018359209700532012-04-24T09:23:00.000-07:002012-04-24T09:23:23.589-07:00Improvising the Landscape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Small improvisations:</div>
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Improvisation: Pink</div>
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ink, acrylic, dry pigment</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46axH3GeVH-15YX57EShYZYyllr5z4ihyphenhyphenFHGgdZdKhvirsQS4HMbHDEXseffL3MaUzAHRMeTChsEVGWCCfwO-WDAfNi35ZLPkyRLn2zISB6OT5r_IQqLAVWMMdJ8R905kYf8yKLI/s1600/Melanie+Brown+JTP-10-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46axH3GeVH-15YX57EShYZYyllr5z4ihyphenhyphenFHGgdZdKhvirsQS4HMbHDEXseffL3MaUzAHRMeTChsEVGWCCfwO-WDAfNi35ZLPkyRLn2zISB6OT5r_IQqLAVWMMdJ8R905kYf8yKLI/s320/Melanie+Brown+JTP-10-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Detail: </div>
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Improvisation: Green</div>
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ink, acrylic, dry pigment and charcoal </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc6OyZGG_4KGZQcxVCJahVqCKelaQD2yacxHKu3K64ZRGc4v-nU7KCg9J5JpURwV_v4pOS4QQnnZ9robB4HCswH4f8TJiINJs7JA0uK8_nIK3g6Eo8TwQnzThg5k72iAhyphenhyphenfnDlKU/s1600/Melanie+Brown+JTP-12-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc6OyZGG_4KGZQcxVCJahVqCKelaQD2yacxHKu3K64ZRGc4v-nU7KCg9J5JpURwV_v4pOS4QQnnZ9robB4HCswH4f8TJiINJs7JA0uK8_nIK3g6Eo8TwQnzThg5k72iAhyphenhyphenfnDlKU/s320/Melanie+Brown+JTP-12-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Detail:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhftOAGVlGQp5O84ZKlN-MFC6X7bHLSGcvIgkNG69Nxq6SmAQJA7dV8IOSWLqaLu9qb9bWH3G82w1FplvThzlhyScv1dAZHMUbR1nLHc4EjJu4sWoJ55RVIOIx53cYJrE4yIilY8/s1600/Melanie+Brown+JTP-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhftOAGVlGQp5O84ZKlN-MFC6X7bHLSGcvIgkNG69Nxq6SmAQJA7dV8IOSWLqaLu9qb9bWH3G82w1FplvThzlhyScv1dAZHMUbR1nLHc4EjJu4sWoJ55RVIOIx53cYJrE4yIilY8/s320/Melanie+Brown+JTP-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Swarm Landscape with Fence</div>
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ink, marker, acrylic</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayR8G1hgb4isR1zJDsMUb9kuwYQefHszqTzsXLQr8sco72kTcssmIUGgR551TidYtJpjwyeDl7m0Stp7mzla9mdCB5uOQA0hqw9hqQCPi5jAtI_1jnXpAEtf9Z9Djnk2ELjFXJMg/s1600/Melanie+Brown+JTP-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayR8G1hgb4isR1zJDsMUb9kuwYQefHszqTzsXLQr8sco72kTcssmIUGgR551TidYtJpjwyeDl7m0Stp7mzla9mdCB5uOQA0hqw9hqQCPi5jAtI_1jnXpAEtf9Z9Djnk2ELjFXJMg/s320/Melanie+Brown+JTP-33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-65900371165596367852011-02-05T12:39:00.000-08:002011-02-05T13:47:27.845-08:00Sketching Reunion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_2KjP_T5MKANO8jKnQGzo9hHJTGqT9hMFsK7EIcLJCv6Desc9m2nTocfb-OUnOnHjnyO7pD_SPzuPJLHCwFPdiEVfkYcImozgBnSCQd1jEMt-J0ACaxMOxeOakCJYO4dYxtqrek/s1600/Phin142011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 219px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_2KjP_T5MKANO8jKnQGzo9hHJTGqT9hMFsK7EIcLJCv6Desc9m2nTocfb-OUnOnHjnyO7pD_SPzuPJLHCwFPdiEVfkYcImozgBnSCQd1jEMt-J0ACaxMOxeOakCJYO4dYxtqrek/s400/Phin142011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570317976375849154" /></a><br />I received a beautiful sketchbook and fountain pen for Christmas and it has brought me back to my love of sitting around and sketching. My son is to the point that he can play independently for a little while, so I've been finding little pockets of time here and there to sketch at home. Until now my mommy-painter life has been focused on working in the studio and I've missed that quietness. <div><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YPOJaH_4eyhiPAQLeQDWIIECM-vtUa_6rh0tWkL5zW3LXMIT1rbzzZw2SvKwioqmEZ5VghmtwOnnhSN7uJ6l1hNZ31J5ynp0m-_zADi-b-4Hu4vWoVcJWWakqZVwkq8dr40f29Y/s1600/sketchbook3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YPOJaH_4eyhiPAQLeQDWIIECM-vtUa_6rh0tWkL5zW3LXMIT1rbzzZw2SvKwioqmEZ5VghmtwOnnhSN7uJ6l1hNZ31J5ynp0m-_zADi-b-4Hu4vWoVcJWWakqZVwkq8dr40f29Y/s400/sketchbook3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570322089408498818" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0NYeiJ95KWWiN_9Rr1sD86GxnJb7z37lMUPD_dstPmsDpQUH8_SXd510moIeyjNulvcArJS_JRJJDpR-JUQ5T2fKPmUOUBLOV_UPBW3yayE9MA4AwblJ8-jUcIthbM9V-si8h3U/s1600/sketchbook2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0NYeiJ95KWWiN_9Rr1sD86GxnJb7z37lMUPD_dstPmsDpQUH8_SXd510moIeyjNulvcArJS_JRJJDpR-JUQ5T2fKPmUOUBLOV_UPBW3yayE9MA4AwblJ8-jUcIthbM9V-si8h3U/s400/sketchbook2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570321155429416994" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenfq46c1B-Df2GQb-cfzo88W-yRHls_p92WA695UFUrfGcqo-TUv0uw3ZTLrloY71gkZk59ewLdQrprKfC-pHw8s51cTPJ2zuVrXY6w0RGw2txHZR12oDYxLvmdNeKsPZQA9qgjQ/s1600/sketchbook1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenfq46c1B-Df2GQb-cfzo88W-yRHls_p92WA695UFUrfGcqo-TUv0uw3ZTLrloY71gkZk59ewLdQrprKfC-pHw8s51cTPJ2zuVrXY6w0RGw2txHZR12oDYxLvmdNeKsPZQA9qgjQ/s400/sketchbook1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570320290162257314" /></a><br /></div><div> I also feel myself in a bit of transition in my current Bird series- the past few pieces have contained very few birds and more of the landscape. I'm starting to feel like I'm hanging onto the birds when all I really want to paint is the landscape. We'll see where I go. Here are a few recent paintings:</div></div><div><br /></div><div>This one is about 4' wide- it's not so easy to see it here:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMsxNzvs0LJe7xbxZtFgblGuon2F1K608FZoWTmsY9jch1LlQx2x3-4EcQJO7l6K__Oa2LoC2cLy8bc8kLWV2Exhg6q8DbQYmi8WLnljbmcAasZ-HWfXd2X09RQtXo-agYVndmis/s1600/jan242011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMsxNzvs0LJe7xbxZtFgblGuon2F1K608FZoWTmsY9jch1LlQx2x3-4EcQJO7l6K__Oa2LoC2cLy8bc8kLWV2Exhg6q8DbQYmi8WLnljbmcAasZ-HWfXd2X09RQtXo-agYVndmis/s400/jan242011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570323455007254066" /></a>My first "bird-less" landscape in a while:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfMtx7Yuk6Ny76Ad4WYb9W9mUF7uZxeWivnEL6He2c30mqV_f-opUEEn-zHM7-v9WtDnQoD3m94VuyYYedxj2OeD_jTmE0rYV2LfJHuFiWLYKTO2e99IpoZRzUygwXvIEuBxwKhU/s1600/jan242011a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfMtx7Yuk6Ny76Ad4WYb9W9mUF7uZxeWivnEL6He2c30mqV_f-opUEEn-zHM7-v9WtDnQoD3m94VuyYYedxj2OeD_jTmE0rYV2LfJHuFiWLYKTO2e99IpoZRzUygwXvIEuBxwKhU/s400/jan242011a.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570323768569256082" /></a><br /><div>And this one is still in progress. I put a moon in for my moon-man child:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KLSK-d3LLkumqXtUNjkZZyWajN4kcZL4mxKiLByLn4rJ6eiFO1vktZJwm-4IbvoAaYwnDroGCgceXeDFGUblYY4WbrNZWDhXeufZ9b6nQQHvwcJScDLd0CzhpWEEVkDjMtlCOOM/s1600/jan26GEDC0239.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KLSK-d3LLkumqXtUNjkZZyWajN4kcZL4mxKiLByLn4rJ6eiFO1vktZJwm-4IbvoAaYwnDroGCgceXeDFGUblYY4WbrNZWDhXeufZ9b6nQQHvwcJScDLd0CzhpWEEVkDjMtlCOOM/s400/jan26GEDC0239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570324074143054578" /></a><br /></div><div>Hope you all are safe and warm wherever you may be-</div><div>Melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-2684267400139206452010-11-22T17:05:00.000-08:002010-11-22T19:20:49.549-08:00Making Spaces.Just a quick post of what has been going on in the studio lately. I've been trying to create more variety of spaces within my paintings lately and also work on a larger scale than my 12" and 18" squares of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Phin's</span> early childhood. Since I'm working with acrylic, I don't have to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gesso</span> my canvas before I start work. I've been employing different methods of starting a painting- leaving the canvas raw in some parts, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">gessoing</span> others, and priming some parts with dark brown. I don't have a concrete image in mind when I begin and use a general idea of what kind of spaces I want to create and the finding of at least one bird to anchor my work. I love making marks and splotches of color and the way that I can use the act of painting to find and describe worlds.<br /><br />Well, onto the images. I'm not much of a writer:<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is an 18" square:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_NTP2yTQw1faYlUe-jqB8oxvo6njI5e8Ii-vqJu8xxuSF6v4N2G_tLGI5LqKlklbLU6lAxZdSNoLVqBvx81Y4lfn2tHBLT5MGSILQEkdy_dTSF2x-fLsg0m6BwsoALB5liRfvwc/s1600/nov2010b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_NTP2yTQw1faYlUe-jqB8oxvo6njI5e8Ii-vqJu8xxuSF6v4N2G_tLGI5LqKlklbLU6lAxZdSNoLVqBvx81Y4lfn2tHBLT5MGSILQEkdy_dTSF2x-fLsg0m6BwsoALB5liRfvwc/s400/nov2010b.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542546449211679234" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one is maybe 3 feet wide- not sure:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVDcJXa8gUATZcE3229tDlyL91i-WqVAQ9w-owxDlPYU2hUYR-Oni7-CMnI0glRN1OueSF26JxB5cJQaUOGn3zWa3P2eSBQK0RKMYvDAVSIlfDob9hAGnQG-O_OTKVG2rVCdE10c/s1600/Nov2010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVDcJXa8gUATZcE3229tDlyL91i-WqVAQ9w-owxDlPYU2hUYR-Oni7-CMnI0glRN1OueSF26JxB5cJQaUOGn3zWa3P2eSBQK0RKMYvDAVSIlfDob9hAGnQG-O_OTKVG2rVCdE10c/s400/Nov2010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542546194890570194" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">And this one is day 2 of my latest. It's about 4 feet wide:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkoPyPPBq5vPlMiNg6gKfqUn8iS9IIZhTb6RsU6jfMRLMmDezeTmgnZqusDcS1Mm8QCCvdiaxDsgWnkV2_sxVJZV8gVbzufOS-bVQawdnJIDS3ouv0NZ6biTUv07nL-SKjxkuKSs/s1600/Nov19.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkoPyPPBq5vPlMiNg6gKfqUn8iS9IIZhTb6RsU6jfMRLMmDezeTmgnZqusDcS1Mm8QCCvdiaxDsgWnkV2_sxVJZV8gVbzufOS-bVQawdnJIDS3ouv0NZ6biTUv07nL-SKjxkuKSs/s400/Nov19.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542546191752387330" /></a></div><div>...Wait, that's day one, here is day 2 (and closer to the actual color):</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3xpIN3Mkr28IZ7zxzJgjA05n4PtvTx1ES341_Vp7HxDdmC-AhNGi63t-NgCfp8bd-pQ7OGZPFIcuH0oC6MA1dc-Wj-ySJczGTASL_7nzjRQP7bRcjTGoaXNs0aQrW4OFltkA_-E/s1600/nov22.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3xpIN3Mkr28IZ7zxzJgjA05n4PtvTx1ES341_Vp7HxDdmC-AhNGi63t-NgCfp8bd-pQ7OGZPFIcuH0oC6MA1dc-Wj-ySJczGTASL_7nzjRQP7bRcjTGoaXNs0aQrW4OFltkA_-E/s400/nov22.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542579472152369922" /></a><br /></div><div>I'll be working on the piece above this Friday from 2-6 during <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lillstreet's</span> <a href="http://www.lillstreet.com/">"Sip and Shop"</a> on Nov. 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>. Grab some wine downstairs in the gallery and come on up to the 3rd floor. You can visit me and refill your cup!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Thanksgiving to you all- I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to make work. </div><div>Best,<br />Melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-61430960095158871312010-10-09T07:19:00.000-07:002010-10-09T07:49:57.341-07:00Open StudioSadly, I had the flu for last week's open studio for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ravenswood</span> Art Walk. I am very sorry if I missed any of you. This weekend, however, is the <a href="http://www.lillstreet.com/exhibition-details/25">Member's Show</a> at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lillstreet</span> Art Center and I will be in my studio from 10-5 on Sunday, October 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span>. Come on by if you can!<div><br /></div><div>4401 N. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ravenswood</span> Ave.</div><div>Chicago, IL 60640</div><div>Studio 304B (3rd floor across from the Print Studio)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be painting on this:</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4i6waSaxruh3GgGQ3r0xArUsKuaJYPNrfHFIkSyXDB7hyYN0Sq81vgfdZxIiEv0saVt_iD7ZOnwDSl6jJdAdDA5aHUePYbq6Q6CtcFZBPeUREOWKnyfo2GrgkVmuimZbI1zjyng/s1600/GEDC0102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4i6waSaxruh3GgGQ3r0xArUsKuaJYPNrfHFIkSyXDB7hyYN0Sq81vgfdZxIiEv0saVt_iD7ZOnwDSl6jJdAdDA5aHUePYbq6Q6CtcFZBPeUREOWKnyfo2GrgkVmuimZbI1zjyng/s400/GEDC0102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526053923354580626" /></a><br /></div><div>I started it last week and put a moon in it for my moon-man son. (He has now claimed the painting for himself.) </div><div><br /></div><div>I still have most of my work from the Bird show, so I have a lot of nicely framed paintings hanging in my studio waiting to find a home. You can go <a href="http://s793.photobucket.com/albums/yy218/Mollusk11/Birds%20Memory%20and%20Material/">here</a> to see the work from that show on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Photobucket</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope to see you tomorrow!</div><div>Best,<br />Melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-75681096094204447842010-06-14T15:13:00.001-07:002010-06-14T15:34:42.494-07:00Show at Matrix Extended!Hello all,<div>I am happy to announce that there will be another 3rd Friday celebration this Friday, June 18th, at Matrix Gallery at the<a href="http://www.zbcenter.org/"> Zhou B. Art Center</a>. If you weren't able to make it last time, you have another chance to come see my work as well as the other 3 floors of galleries and studios. Pierre, the gallery owner, did a wonderful job of hanging and lighting the show and you should come see my work while it's out of the dirty and chaotic studio!</div><div><br /></div><div>After the last opening, I had the good fortune to meet <a href="http://www.metromediastrategies.com/About_Jim_Pfeiffer.html">Jim Pfeiffer</a>, who invited me to talk about my work on camera. You can see the result <a href="http://www.metromediastrategies.com/Melanie_P.html">here</a> at Jim's website. Thank you, Jim, for making me look somewhat articulate and coherent :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the details for Friday's opening:</div><div><br /></div><div>Matrix Gallery</div><div>Zhou B. Art Center 3rd Floor</div><div>1029 W. 35th St.</div><div>Chicago, IL 60609</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Friday June 18th from 7-10pm</div><div><br /></div><div>I will still be having my June Open Studio Saturdays and Drawing Sale, too. So many opportunities to come and see me and my work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Details for the open studio:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.lillstreet.com/">Lillstreet Art Center</a></div><div>Studio 304B 3rd Floor</div><div>4401 N. Ravenswood</div><div>Chicago, IL 60640</div><div><br /></div><div>Sat June 19th and June 26th 1-5pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope to see you soon!</div><div>-Melanie</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-26678176097759054752010-06-11T16:01:00.001-07:002010-06-11T16:18:51.095-07:00Saturday Open StudiosHello all,<br />I would like to announce my summer drawing sale starting tomorrow, Saturday 6/12, from 1-5pm and continuing on Saturdays throughout the rest of June (6/19 and 6/26). Come by to chat, browse framed and unframed paintings and drawings, and watch as new drawings are made fresh daily.<div><br /></div><div>Here are some samples of the latest ink drawings framed and available:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnoMV5QgLJxrOsnBomzPR0ZUlz6a6S6-fZKmu78DA8UOWkIkRiVXhO6rDNkZERjpXR1wjLxOo_5YHmxzU2i2gaHtordO5unKbNHFUUBFXJ9g7BJo4T52qoGKrpefZdaBQaE40btY/s1600/Feeding.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnoMV5QgLJxrOsnBomzPR0ZUlz6a6S6-fZKmu78DA8UOWkIkRiVXhO6rDNkZERjpXR1wjLxOo_5YHmxzU2i2gaHtordO5unKbNHFUUBFXJ9g7BJo4T52qoGKrpefZdaBQaE40btY/s400/Feeding.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481657881249123122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDwujqaNhJmwvH2BD21m1mlgSstnMAAG1LU3enrn-Vysc41m8jtQ3KDuPyj8wMD9Jw6j9X16Jgo_CXPpV_16jhr0hCjrIg6T1qkBQej2YaJIasH7MxabmrKw2BbcMRAijqv2cSX4/s1600/bird+drawing.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDwujqaNhJmwvH2BD21m1mlgSstnMAAG1LU3enrn-Vysc41m8jtQ3KDuPyj8wMD9Jw6j9X16Jgo_CXPpV_16jhr0hCjrIg6T1qkBQej2YaJIasH7MxabmrKw2BbcMRAijqv2cSX4/s400/bird+drawing.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481657727407487266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnm0tJrvmpX6njwNHif0FI7yb9rSTK0SitwT37EHRB1GcMXMJug5XqBTXTu9IHJa2QMDmYq_J1KNDyOMqojoyduO81oVygdPvKR1xx3eh5aRBTW8NlEeQjIq7EMYo6eAtphMyZtA/s1600/baby+bird.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnm0tJrvmpX6njwNHif0FI7yb9rSTK0SitwT37EHRB1GcMXMJug5XqBTXTu9IHJa2QMDmYq_J1KNDyOMqojoyduO81oVygdPvKR1xx3eh5aRBTW8NlEeQjIq7EMYo6eAtphMyZtA/s400/baby+bird.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481657562214247842" /></a><br /></div><div>Drawings range in price from $5-$150, but you needn't be looking to buy- you can just come to look!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lillstreet Art Center</div><div>Studio 304B</div><div>4401 N. Ravenswood</div><div>60640</div><div><br /></div><div>Need directions? Can't find me? Call 773.895.9871</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope to see you sometime this month!</div><div>-Melanie</div><div><br /><br /></div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-57426253015160436222010-05-18T21:10:00.001-07:002010-05-18T21:59:56.400-07:00Birds: Memory and Material Recent work by Melanie P. Brown<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5DVzMOK93w2KR7sVPF6r76i8epxup6sEG88GwNdNOvDCHKmOJG5Pvg7_n3rj9HSKNOEf4U7GJkwb-BLqPjGU39MiEge0j66ujj_LZoCwnwR6PbMd_eCp2xBV2gHy7jgq4sOI2E/s1600/PurpleSkyAcrylic12x16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5DVzMOK93w2KR7sVPF6r76i8epxup6sEG88GwNdNOvDCHKmOJG5Pvg7_n3rj9HSKNOEf4U7GJkwb-BLqPjGU39MiEge0j66ujj_LZoCwnwR6PbMd_eCp2xBV2gHy7jgq4sOI2E/s400/PurpleSkyAcrylic12x16.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472838695240786370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Birds: Memory and Material</div><br />I am very pleased to be showing at <a href="http://www.chicagoartmatrixgallery.com/index.html">Chicago Matrix Gallery</a> in the <a href="http://www.zbcenter.org/">Zhou B. Center</a>. The opening is this Friday May 21st from 7pm-10pm. The entire building will be open with art everywhere, so not only do you get to see me, you get to see the work of many other talented artists on all 4 floors. It is located at 1029 W. 35th St. in Chicago not far from the Sox stadium and red line stop. The gallery is on the 3rd floor.<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div>I am feeling pretty good about myself for making all my own frames (don't look too close, but I dare say the ones I made over the last 2 weeks are far superior than the ones made in January. I am improving!) I know that I could do something besides home made frames, but I just want the entire thing to be made by my hands- my paintings are things, not just images. </div><div><br /></div><div>Phineas came along today as I loaded and unloaded paintings- he slept the entire time we were at the gallery. He will be at the opening, and I'm sure Mr. Night Owl will be excited and silly. So if you'd like to see my little studio muse, he will be in attendance. He has to be- most of the paintings were at least partially painted with him sitting in my lap and/or giving me directions. "Mommy make Goopy!" "Mommy mix purple now. Now use little dark blue" He's the bossiest studio mate I've ever had, but that's what I get for rooming with a 2 year old.</div><div><br /></div><div>My talented photographer friend, Kat Ramsland, took wonderful photos of all the work in the show. If you can't make it, or just want a preview, here are some of the pieces included in Friday's show. I'll include my artist statement for the show below all the images. Enjoy and I do hope to see you there!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10shpxjAEeVt9HWu_kYWu_LwZKSSbzjkJojZpvOgmMbKforyI9kblz3Tyn3kQzzR9Xy-WIYXiQ0flYkNzrwThokMMfGTIx9XhIWEII7p0xIejTaRvuh0cijy77C9nV2s5DU2s2J0/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10shpxjAEeVt9HWu_kYWu_LwZKSSbzjkJojZpvOgmMbKforyI9kblz3Tyn3kQzzR9Xy-WIYXiQ0flYkNzrwThokMMfGTIx9XhIWEII7p0xIejTaRvuh0cijy77C9nV2s5DU2s2J0/s400/IMG_3404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472835096495541042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbH461G_IBBf0iUSIcnDte8VJMOxhFkEmpwKiTMh7mlQUrHhUfp4Q0-lVA2w8DHkshjzUxfzXxzFMx7Gbm_KRFmGrHjYByb4MiuPt63Xg0oOicQcoVScXqDyGQRYqqmnyH9WahkY/s1600/HuntingAcrylic18x18.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbH461G_IBBf0iUSIcnDte8VJMOxhFkEmpwKiTMh7mlQUrHhUfp4Q0-lVA2w8DHkshjzUxfzXxzFMx7Gbm_KRFmGrHjYByb4MiuPt63Xg0oOicQcoVScXqDyGQRYqqmnyH9WahkY/s400/HuntingAcrylic18x18.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834867506956130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiFGSRSyVweT4kC55Kb_RpgRaLaNTZc87_5NwfpWYuZQBMLFr0PB749HFd31wGOK6dgWs6TC90KPS-GMDivZv3S04iVOCkpau8jAvkzNG019RMdm0cJse_cbt3xDONQ4cOAH0M2Y/s1600/ApproachingStormAcrylic36x48.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiFGSRSyVweT4kC55Kb_RpgRaLaNTZc87_5NwfpWYuZQBMLFr0PB749HFd31wGOK6dgWs6TC90KPS-GMDivZv3S04iVOCkpau8jAvkzNG019RMdm0cJse_cbt3xDONQ4cOAH0M2Y/s400/ApproachingStormAcrylic36x48.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834614285105122" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjJ3dI3txRwC-EUfOihpM_D0jK-R86ELGbfjMwqCzAsXhDk0eSUVK3MBsyD73ve5qQghmj4LGSBLt0rs0yQUJ2vdo92U6J2ydlXgA0Y9H9sco-z1JtnaAiX4kXBhmEKJMsqOEfD4/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjJ3dI3txRwC-EUfOihpM_D0jK-R86ELGbfjMwqCzAsXhDk0eSUVK3MBsyD73ve5qQghmj4LGSBLt0rs0yQUJ2vdo92U6J2ydlXgA0Y9H9sco-z1JtnaAiX4kXBhmEKJMsqOEfD4/s400/IMG_3047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834379789515762" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(Click <a href="http://s793.photobucket.com/albums/yy218/Mollusk11/Birds%20Memory%20and%20Material/">here</a> to see the full catalog of images on my photobucket account.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="printoutstyle"><b>Bird Series- Artist Statement</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="printoutstyle"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:15.0pt"><span class="printoutstyle">The recent work was inspired not by dreams, but by an actual event I witnessed while walking my dog. I looked up and there were crows gathering on the roof of a house. I was curious, so I kept watching and saw a drama unfold. There was a nest of baby robins under the gutter of the house and the crows eventually swooped in and flew off with one of the babies and promptly began pecking it to death and eating it. The mother robin was on a rooftop just helplessly watching and the babies thought they were getting fed. I kept seeing their little mouths open as they stretched up toward their predators. It was horrible to witness, and I had to make some drawings about how much I hate crows. (I’ve been attacked and chased by a crow for about quarter of a mile in the past, so we have a history.) The amazing thing, though, is that I seemed to be the only witness of this drama even though there were a number of commuters walking home from the metra. I’ve always been aware that there are hidden worlds with epic dramas occurring right under our noses — plants strangling other plants, fights to the death among insects, even just fruit ripening and going bad, or metal rusting. There are stories all around us and I try to be open to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:15.0pt"><span class="printoutstyle"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:15.0pt"><span class="printoutstyle"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:15.0pt"><span class="printoutstyle">I always try to keep my imagery so personal that it is open for interpretation. By keeping my imagery limited to the bare bones of my memory, the work can resonate with the viewer on a deeper level than if I were to spell it all out in a traditional narrative.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="printoutstyle"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="printoutstyle">-Melanie P. Brown 2010<o:p></o:p></span></p>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-37109579554429955052010-03-23T19:31:00.000-07:002010-03-23T20:24:58.116-07:00New Show in May<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Hello all-<div>The past 2 months have been mostly about taking care of my family as the colds and flu of the season pass through. I'm hoping my son's ear infection and terrible cough is the end of it and we can get back to the drafty studio again with a clear conscience. The show I was in at Ryerson Woods: <a href="http://www.artslant.com/chi/events/show/91386-aviary-artists-passion-for-birds">Aviary</a>, was a wonderful experience. The opening was well attended and even had appearances by live birds of prey. I sold a painting to another one of the artists in the show- it is a 4'x5' oil painting. It's the last oil painting I made before Phin was born and it was always his favorite to look at. I'll miss it, but I'm happy it's going to a good home. Thanks <a href="http://www.donrambadt.com/Site/Welcome.html">Don!</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0EecN3pDcS-3OoFjTLkkrpttu9wlk7Q2bvfXmMwjuWgoHv90bxDLJIy524RrPj18zBRhoy-yawlcbK6_EUQ_JmzhjNJq_ELF9XxmdJOroBFSjLBUwdIUZSeWmBjLS-h_pAXPe5Q/s1600-h/BrownDivingBirds1.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0EecN3pDcS-3OoFjTLkkrpttu9wlk7Q2bvfXmMwjuWgoHv90bxDLJIy524RrPj18zBRhoy-yawlcbK6_EUQ_JmzhjNJq_ELF9XxmdJOroBFSjLBUwdIUZSeWmBjLS-h_pAXPe5Q/s400/BrownDivingBirds1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452024621392124610" /></a><br /><div>Happily, this sale will help me fund a solo show this May at <a href="http://www.chicagoartmatrixgallery.com/index.html">Matrix Gallery</a> in the <a href="http://www.zbcenter.org/">Zhou B</a> space in Chicago. I'm really excited for the opportunity to see all my birds together and will be harassing all of my friends, family, students, and strangers to come to the opening on May 21st. </div><div><br /></div><div>And now for some images. </div><div><br /></div><div>First, some unfortunate bears whom I chanced upon in a dream:<br /><div><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJuCFALsOzdKk1UAmoxcVMspt4f4wlahjCK-2uvraCW15r2hjKDGddpIuInCrPh925OxnUmYldH09hsx5cKoQ7MYyTA7N_-hCd5xPCXhHTCE_lMA_kVQSTXn9e75c7kgJpQGscbs/s1600-h/2-17-2010+8.jpg%3B12.jpg%3B37+AM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJuCFALsOzdKk1UAmoxcVMspt4f4wlahjCK-2uvraCW15r2hjKDGddpIuInCrPh925OxnUmYldH09hsx5cKoQ7MYyTA7N_-hCd5xPCXhHTCE_lMA_kVQSTXn9e75c7kgJpQGscbs/s400/2-17-2010+8.jpg%3B12.jpg%3B37+AM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452028775576381282" /></a><br /><br /><div>Now, some of the newer paintings/ newer versions of paintings:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPhSIsKsqvsJ6D-ZsUMUvPQKoRwSN85hsHg_KFH_gn1IicuZdwhnuN2rdFjQFKrQoQwUNbbSI7SLLjiSZs-Uh8fm9HgHEtJuV-4UWfDeqmPyZiJ1dWGeRmZ_diXYRv_29dAXap1Q/s1600-h/GEDC1377.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPhSIsKsqvsJ6D-ZsUMUvPQKoRwSN85hsHg_KFH_gn1IicuZdwhnuN2rdFjQFKrQoQwUNbbSI7SLLjiSZs-Uh8fm9HgHEtJuV-4UWfDeqmPyZiJ1dWGeRmZ_diXYRv_29dAXap1Q/s400/GEDC1377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452030236540572178" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>18"x18" acrylic on canvas</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmLWFRHTARDJ2EY0tBHWFQSF9ngU6DhOC8ly29ejd2s2PRSsAIYGtzmXUm5NOTV2vexRYSV9v6l5GhyphenhyphenPc9uaePxjoSIBev80d9nbVxNXZlDcuY3PXkHEVKljS_edo9bG6Y-xp9WA/s1600-h/GEDC1375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmLWFRHTARDJ2EY0tBHWFQSF9ngU6DhOC8ly29ejd2s2PRSsAIYGtzmXUm5NOTV2vexRYSV9v6l5GhyphenhyphenPc9uaePxjoSIBev80d9nbVxNXZlDcuY3PXkHEVKljS_edo9bG6Y-xp9WA/s400/GEDC1375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452030131668131522" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>12"x12" acrylic on canvas</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6UXV8GfbuiiTEU5ejThnEaP2c7f9A8YMIaZW4gRZAX5bSBgGhrCrk9XU7J9jCoSiO_UKCNX6KCi5VgvLw4gf1ldaAGdbd1WXZzGbGXa7lNjvjlaKICdoki8WyxdAERLmIZ_w5KY/s1600-h/GEDC1372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6UXV8GfbuiiTEU5ejThnEaP2c7f9A8YMIaZW4gRZAX5bSBgGhrCrk9XU7J9jCoSiO_UKCNX6KCi5VgvLw4gf1ldaAGdbd1WXZzGbGXa7lNjvjlaKICdoki8WyxdAERLmIZ_w5KY/s400/GEDC1372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452030033556024370" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2'x3' acrylic on canvas </div><div><br /></div><div>And, of course, the cutest thing going on in my studio. Thanks for making this fantastic movie, Jane!</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YyQ6F3h-E74&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YyQ6F3h-E74&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Happy beginning of Spring, all and hope to see you all in May!<div><br /></div><div>-melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-19202620146950539432010-02-04T21:11:00.000-08:002010-02-04T21:41:49.172-08:00Dreaming<div style="text-align: center;">So I've had a lot of dreams about sewing my body:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitzu5sV7t2ADx4mNc9H7i5oZB_WipuN3Z8GCy8o7lz4_qkYBSnGfJ-f14-MZanC8MpCVpzNTS-6YwH6P7z3HXM0YtlWi3uACjdGeWRBFJPpneJbffHKk3qtyyPANxyWfWXYaFzDc/s1600-h/2-4-2010+9.jpg%3B03.jpg%3B38+PM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitzu5sV7t2ADx4mNc9H7i5oZB_WipuN3Z8GCy8o7lz4_qkYBSnGfJ-f14-MZanC8MpCVpzNTS-6YwH6P7z3HXM0YtlWi3uACjdGeWRBFJPpneJbffHKk3qtyyPANxyWfWXYaFzDc/s400/2-4-2010+9.jpg%3B03.jpg%3B38+PM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434623805765911810" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>And trading feet with someone so I could take care of her infected toe for her:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EPS3uXSzDfsGBPWp9MpzwnupzbMCWWWfzNDWUje5NAAYZQOD63-c-uxFw-jHQOhqAF67LPoijNbtOFPcxpK3b_pJwkRg4n_Youw8pntmryPt_0j_hHY6htUr2_3UrSg1dmK3Qmg/s1600-h/2-4-2010+9.jpg%3B01.jpg%3B31+PM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EPS3uXSzDfsGBPWp9MpzwnupzbMCWWWfzNDWUje5NAAYZQOD63-c-uxFw-jHQOhqAF67LPoijNbtOFPcxpK3b_pJwkRg4n_Youw8pntmryPt_0j_hHY6htUr2_3UrSg1dmK3Qmg/s400/2-4-2010+9.jpg%3B01.jpg%3B31+PM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434623451419823250" /></a><br /><div>I have been more prolific with these dream drawings in the past- I'm having more vivid dreams again as my son gets older and we all get to sleep through the night again. The idea of getting up early to do this has not happened- I still remain hopeful. </div><div><br /></div><div>The studio of late has been a good experience- Phin is still with me most of the time and paints with tempera on a big piece of paper on the wall next to me. He also sometimes sits in my lap as I paint and tries to tell me what to do "mommy mix dark blue. little white. make goopy! Put right there." I started my newest painting by allowing him to guide my color mixing and also allowed him to make some marks on the blank canvas for me to play off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here it is:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKFV2Ldfto8TEFYH1t7rBi8Gb7E5RSekiOqEKt81L7tlXTVopIxl3Gr-YIrFRTgJnZAHu2u4OnbHdBDVccFWUl3AQY7JPF9O9KB504gtzOZiGK3kH-9MKKg0R8SkDV69B8jrPMGo/s400/GEDC1329.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434626070050574162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 391px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And here is what Phin was doing while I painted:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hNMATIYehE8q2_N_NhKyZVKDvFxtms92QYrboXtNq2T8CDrU9S1RQlbO0SsUT1g2p8BEPVX2HeH2dB4hEv-Bi-pQqxH9fBX-qkkYkynlioxMxQiXHbBQPUtABWnPzXFueXX8xIQ/s400/GEDC1318.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434626631566216802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>It's strange, but having him with me all the time has helped to focus my work. I can't sit and think and sip my coffee if I want to get anything done- I just have to do it and do it now. That directness and speed has really served me well and I'm just pushing on with the bird imagery as far as it can take me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am very excited that I will have every Thursday without him and can begin printing again- I have begun a new etching and am looking forward to posting new prints in the near future.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have also been working on these two pieces- mostly done:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqY040pPbVWGkbXnNJz8oDy8mnbYLP-hMJWnrwUTPxayDHIEEdefnEykeRTARi0fBdLZovR2sRPkBAOI6kJ4UuAznPqRFNPMO4TVvrnVrRf_NcOigdXm3_MRY-0YWuYdkzdVEq4s/s1600-h/GEDC1323.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqY040pPbVWGkbXnNJz8oDy8mnbYLP-hMJWnrwUTPxayDHIEEdefnEykeRTARi0fBdLZovR2sRPkBAOI6kJ4UuAznPqRFNPMO4TVvrnVrRf_NcOigdXm3_MRY-0YWuYdkzdVEq4s/s400/GEDC1323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434628073347066690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px; " /></a>Acrylic on canvas 18" square</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel7pV5WOxWYs1vKJ9vTOvr9A9g915Z8I5EFyUMISvw4VFc7rRup3DLP3onmlCzUy-o83JNOwnjbpH3deJA3c_ir2H3t5r7jajiJ7iwTGYR5Iu1vN034Jra_veT21TVOvOJ-BPyFw/s1600-h/GEDC1321.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel7pV5WOxWYs1vKJ9vTOvr9A9g915Z8I5EFyUMISvw4VFc7rRup3DLP3onmlCzUy-o83JNOwnjbpH3deJA3c_ir2H3t5r7jajiJ7iwTGYR5Iu1vN034Jra_veT21TVOvOJ-BPyFw/s400/GEDC1321.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434627971151681986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Acrylic and ink on canvas 3'x4'</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm beginning to realize that while I make all this work I don't necessarily know what to do with it once it's done. I have decided to show as much as I can this year and have already had a group show at the Robert Wayner Gallery and will be showing elsewhere early this Spring- you can check my website for details as they come. It's not a part of art making I've been concerned with in the past, but I'm feeling more of a need to have the work seen and am now willing to part with some painting time so that framing, postcards, and proposing shows can get done. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is coming up on midnight, so I will now go and dream and perhaps draw about it in the morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div>Melanie</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-13431304428427468222009-12-10T19:30:00.000-08:002010-11-23T07:00:13.434-08:00Winter in the Studio<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsuELlm494i_2RF5i15o-EJ38DJpYKZiGYPr5pN95vpITv5qIVu7ewFxW8xLz5qMXLHv9ODrazVazvZY_sJXP390MGhwzajz3dhP8d5E2yzwtqSWHbu3dQ3gWprmFHXqoRshtkD4/s1600-h/12092009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsuELlm494i_2RF5i15o-EJ38DJpYKZiGYPr5pN95vpITv5qIVu7ewFxW8xLz5qMXLHv9ODrazVazvZY_sJXP390MGhwzajz3dhP8d5E2yzwtqSWHbu3dQ3gWprmFHXqoRshtkD4/s400/12092009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413817924653976482" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>I need to work on larger works, so I started the above yesterday. It's 3'x4'- not huge, but much bigger than the 1 and 2 foot squares I've been painting on for most of the year. I'm still concentrating on using the "stuff" of acrylic paint. I began this one on the ground by covering it with matte medium. I then sprinkled dry pigment in spots and then used a giant piece of charcoal to move the medium around and to find marks. I'm hoping I don't finish this one too soon- it's been a good couple of days. I'm missing Winston (see the<a href="http://melaniepbrown.com/section/196737_Winston_Series.html"> rat paintings/drawings on my website</a>). He may need to make an appearance.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm still working on small works, too. In the one below I'm remembering the Grand Canyon- it's a 12" square. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncK5fgwUiqFEDIR6mhPYBi-W66A2GP2OZp3jAZDcaJ4_1pnYV2T8OTlLsX2_GJ0piT6v_od09lepGGb6KSc9SpmrMnyte72Y-Nq0x2KqZm7ezupUKE62A-hlGlRh0kSz-0g3-O74/s1600-h/Two12x12acrylic.canvas.2009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncK5fgwUiqFEDIR6mhPYBi-W66A2GP2OZp3jAZDcaJ4_1pnYV2T8OTlLsX2_GJ0piT6v_od09lepGGb6KSc9SpmrMnyte72Y-Nq0x2KqZm7ezupUKE62A-hlGlRh0kSz-0g3-O74/s400/Two12x12acrylic.canvas.2009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413817630881311842" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My 2 year old studio mate is also doing work of his own- he has been given red, yellow, blue, and white tempera paints and a new mixing palette. He is thrilled and has figured out how to make gray on purpose. He also likes to tell me what colors to mix, "A little yellow here" and "now more white". Eerily it's often what I had planned to use next. I suppose he's been in my studio since he was 2 weeks old and he probably knows my habits by now, so perhaps it's not so surprising.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here he is sitting on my chair with me and giving instructions:</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQSSwsHE1SyIM0xA_s_DSBYIxL_mDkwz26jPDfrIGfbachBYqvX8dmb5sDR_SGsIki6MJUG26vIdLUWSPR9l6fzR8r1buKpqVKPbC__JHfjYAN0RDerQWpqtYZmVVC3r59tgjuyA/s1600-h/phinandme2009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQSSwsHE1SyIM0xA_s_DSBYIxL_mDkwz26jPDfrIGfbachBYqvX8dmb5sDR_SGsIki6MJUG26vIdLUWSPR9l6fzR8r1buKpqVKPbC__JHfjYAN0RDerQWpqtYZmVVC3r59tgjuyA/s400/phinandme2009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413821266291587538" /></a><br /></div><div>I'm hoping for some dreams to draw soon- I have done so few since the birth of my son. I suppose I need to be able to reflect upon waking rather than immediately be needed as mommy. I hate the idea, but I may need to get up extra early to get an hour jump on the kid. It may be the only way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wish me luck, world. This late sleeper is going to set up for tomorrow morning and try it. (Stop laughing, Mike.)</div><div><br /></div><div>-Melanie</div><div><br /></div></div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-855279156425058902009-11-23T10:23:00.000-08:002009-11-23T15:16:32.868-08:00Mike is off this week, so I get to paint alone in my studio. I had my first solo session in quite a while yesterday and worked on a couple paintings. I love having my son with me, but it is quite different to be alone with my work. I kept stopping after 10 minutes, since that is usually how long I have before I have to help <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Phin</span> with something. <div><br /></div><div>Well, here is what happened:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_K8QAiqmizZqUSM3Da7ooxdy8P1VM9ZQINI9dNRVhX6sFdP4KUvvmYSXgJc0lCcXwQvLvH7uqMJI1M3c4i4sVfroXSA5MbxdnrTNtdVeMu647R4EOT8i5E5jq-gqD05dRpML_rQ/s1600/pinkskyacryliccanvas18x18.JPG"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_K8QAiqmizZqUSM3Da7ooxdy8P1VM9ZQINI9dNRVhX6sFdP4KUvvmYSXgJc0lCcXwQvLvH7uqMJI1M3c4i4sVfroXSA5MbxdnrTNtdVeMu647R4EOT8i5E5jq-gqD05dRpML_rQ/s1600/pinkskyacryliccanvas18x18.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_K8QAiqmizZqUSM3Da7ooxdy8P1VM9ZQINI9dNRVhX6sFdP4KUvvmYSXgJc0lCcXwQvLvH7uqMJI1M3c4i4sVfroXSA5MbxdnrTNtdVeMu647R4EOT8i5E5jq-gqD05dRpML_rQ/s400/pinkskyacryliccanvas18x18.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407368530887119282" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>It's an 18" square and the pink in the sky is actually a bit more orange in person. </div><div><br /></div><div> Here is a detail:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaekg_ZNKP55LkveiVa3AaowSqseocyz81x1AP6R80SfYIcc8AS8pWOJJFAxdGz2MSTUuULYWwYbgerjcQMrhTjem_GX8s3DotR2PgaNCcekepV4NB-v-bkV8JF49ccibSGVWV8s/s1600/pinkskydetail.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaekg_ZNKP55LkveiVa3AaowSqseocyz81x1AP6R80SfYIcc8AS8pWOJJFAxdGz2MSTUuULYWwYbgerjcQMrhTjem_GX8s3DotR2PgaNCcekepV4NB-v-bkV8JF49ccibSGVWV8s/s400/pinkskydetail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407369654526004882" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also began a new piece:</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg158dsSY3milIBTWZRvKGszjbdX3It4w15uFCgbU2aHO5I9xuaY-BRFsPme0-xu3xb6aNsxtiOs7EMLzSi1Dy7ilirQkcr8EWW9nTg6MBJ7TdzfOBzPnaaMKgxN_QWRujZ0MDUps/s1600/nov21a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg158dsSY3milIBTWZRvKGszjbdX3It4w15uFCgbU2aHO5I9xuaY-BRFsPme0-xu3xb6aNsxtiOs7EMLzSi1Dy7ilirQkcr8EWW9nTg6MBJ7TdzfOBzPnaaMKgxN_QWRujZ0MDUps/s400/nov21a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407374402315263634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>detail:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElMDtY5-MVbm0u7b3NJ6VHZ5n46Rc3WECQMrtdcb04q6wI9Cb0Pwzr4sMIjys3HxH1JtwjQJYhYfyCQ3GthjbtXReLmR1b9F0nlYwO4UqzQ6kLz2YuuPTzmrlSgChouiPGo27y9Q/s1600/nov21c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElMDtY5-MVbm0u7b3NJ6VHZ5n46Rc3WECQMrtdcb04q6wI9Cb0Pwzr4sMIjys3HxH1JtwjQJYhYfyCQ3GthjbtXReLmR1b9F0nlYwO4UqzQ6kLz2YuuPTzmrlSgChouiPGo27y9Q/s400/nov21c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407374636128514626" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>detail:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7ZC4AVQLPFREqD0qa3rfyhs32Xeilho4BG7RfcjJ4XzamaS8GRgZvGTThtGXm_qlBUdSEZ9-fsCYtuh9yCGnUy1RxxkigWeT955QsdTYLy3CX7JcoWO4S0hv0ooxbTJydKit2aw/s1600/nov21b.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7ZC4AVQLPFREqD0qa3rfyhs32Xeilho4BG7RfcjJ4XzamaS8GRgZvGTThtGXm_qlBUdSEZ9-fsCYtuh9yCGnUy1RxxkigWeT955QsdTYLy3CX7JcoWO4S0hv0ooxbTJydKit2aw/s400/nov21b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407374633383762594" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>More and more I am starting completely abstractly with no plan of where the birds will go- more of just an idea of color and what kind of space the piece will have. I then "find" the birds and paint out what is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">unnecessary</span>. I have always enjoyed letting a painting reveal itself to me- I actually can't imagine painting any other way. To me a painting needs to be alive and changing- a constant dialog between us.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I will be showing at Chicago's Black Walnut Gallery in January, but before then you can come visit me in my studio Dec. 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> and 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> during <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Lillstreet's</span> open house. I'll be there from 12-5 both days.</div><div><br /></div><div>4401 N. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Raveswood</span></div><div>60640</div><div>3rd Floor<br /><br />There will be free kids activities from 12-5 on the 5th, so feel free to bring the younger members of your family.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy the Holiday week!<br />-Melanie</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-65428675216256340732009-09-13T05:59:00.000-07:002009-09-13T06:27:09.830-07:00An all-image post for my friends I haven't seen in a long time.<div><br /></div><div>First, the little urchin in my studio- he's a pretty good studio mate.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBPyfD2AJLUjufvHqq2mbiSz09Ox6Dcq8sOgVl5-poIg3_qvq1WaHNAsMhTIeYnTpRz45-XnJ0MuzDwyfoHP_EbTaTcNEcyBYAnyk-h-vXOijTJBuwx9w7CrNofyuUo4zQNl9Iyw/s1600-h/jan19studioshot2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBPyfD2AJLUjufvHqq2mbiSz09Ox6Dcq8sOgVl5-poIg3_qvq1WaHNAsMhTIeYnTpRz45-XnJ0MuzDwyfoHP_EbTaTcNEcyBYAnyk-h-vXOijTJBuwx9w7CrNofyuUo4zQNl9Iyw/s400/jan19studioshot2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380939417672399426" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAePQFb1A574vqUDxI1BjG-ZZpddhgv12tppiCIA8DjqkvefS6_Ud3dcz2Lpb7UeCeZ_bb3gCl-SHmcfCZ7IEoI5kWwBRVYbTKNyw7N6ueiMFyFSmSd2AZatoDPslgqFy29uwvN0/s1600-h/sept12+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAePQFb1A574vqUDxI1BjG-ZZpddhgv12tppiCIA8DjqkvefS6_Ud3dcz2Lpb7UeCeZ_bb3gCl-SHmcfCZ7IEoI5kWwBRVYbTKNyw7N6ueiMFyFSmSd2AZatoDPslgqFy29uwvN0/s400/sept12+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380938540799338834" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdqb99f2Lnx9r9T6Tw98ikYjUK0jN387SurXgWuozPL_ewrfF2HEBL1Upq4fTx9o_UBU32W0Vw5qMagUlriVnmg4dUv2ZBZNstLDRMFZcUsOqI1ecEhta0mi_vpbWFaxpU6_w1ac/s1600-h/sept12+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdqb99f2Lnx9r9T6Tw98ikYjUK0jN387SurXgWuozPL_ewrfF2HEBL1Upq4fTx9o_UBU32W0Vw5qMagUlriVnmg4dUv2ZBZNstLDRMFZcUsOqI1ecEhta0mi_vpbWFaxpU6_w1ac/s400/sept12+015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380938392167730242" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQiiDnHeprJEg5mJECpbRMiQ2UPW7k8oEAtEpglJlPXA5_2cT2flZDHAZQlyy69u9zn1kOOp9hKkaTLlcT7J3GdfgXBOkqYjT8iwYSwuUYWFC8C1QWYPtZ8ghiT1CeoAhiai8p3Q/s1600-h/sept12+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQiiDnHeprJEg5mJECpbRMiQ2UPW7k8oEAtEpglJlPXA5_2cT2flZDHAZQlyy69u9zn1kOOp9hKkaTLlcT7J3GdfgXBOkqYjT8iwYSwuUYWFC8C1QWYPtZ8ghiT1CeoAhiai8p3Q/s400/sept12+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380938189552779602" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70mH47Qb9PeFAOJz6nKTKUvg4bNLB3p7qTGoCzEAnPnF6-1PmEVchSHAlsVp3fSGNaDR-bpmHaOcoMXk5Vbgo9KI4z2MhNYeAv_NmHzQyf3M6esijbxoeZAxqOYaICMo33Zpnmq8/s1600-h/Feb3+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70mH47Qb9PeFAOJz6nKTKUvg4bNLB3p7qTGoCzEAnPnF6-1PmEVchSHAlsVp3fSGNaDR-bpmHaOcoMXk5Vbgo9KI4z2MhNYeAv_NmHzQyf3M6esijbxoeZAxqOYaICMo33Zpnmq8/s400/Feb3+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380937931566641378" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I made this painting with Phin on my lap. He's a good muse.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4oisXlYT1J9cRaqG2zfQf4COxTiBQVi8i6zeQ1VRGDbXtjDfilJDtFYZNDI4JNS2wabyQEht3fosfRAWyrtCkqJhQG1V2yG4nu2jR7YgIW_0wTjJNp2uMw1iOxtVoJKf8iEckKw/s1600-h/FEB10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4oisXlYT1J9cRaqG2zfQf4COxTiBQVi8i6zeQ1VRGDbXtjDfilJDtFYZNDI4JNS2wabyQEht3fosfRAWyrtCkqJhQG1V2yG4nu2jR7YgIW_0wTjJNp2uMw1iOxtVoJKf8iEckKw/s400/FEB10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380937378437518882" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These are the drawings I did right after I saw crows eating baby robins. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMc3Oro3tXj0rDgokPTP2t2bHCwU-4808uLoSs1ERGODef4jzA1icp-OLSkFtbSwtA79oIKgXtnPZ9exwXmfSZ-fc4ZGXBf68kyqS-mxBAmP3a3P93o_aCSrxoK34Uow1J3A1c-Y/s1600-h/crow+drawing3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMc3Oro3tXj0rDgokPTP2t2bHCwU-4808uLoSs1ERGODef4jzA1icp-OLSkFtbSwtA79oIKgXtnPZ9exwXmfSZ-fc4ZGXBf68kyqS-mxBAmP3a3P93o_aCSrxoK34Uow1J3A1c-Y/s400/crow+drawing3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380937260164247538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC6IBiH0XwkbgpU7pfXrWrM7OVl44s6C3cYIG1dXTKuybvmQuRgbcoKOv-kpyqOVFnJs4vaHXYesUOQ_z9xU5-eVSwYIfkLFIQfkVzl6lhcRs8lqBpZM7qx0nIdTFezyesPqVPCg/s1600-h/crow+drawing2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC6IBiH0XwkbgpU7pfXrWrM7OVl44s6C3cYIG1dXTKuybvmQuRgbcoKOv-kpyqOVFnJs4vaHXYesUOQ_z9xU5-eVSwYIfkLFIQfkVzl6lhcRs8lqBpZM7qx0nIdTFezyesPqVPCg/s400/crow+drawing2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380937169720163682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjDfGtUHj3lu_6nraPDGktrP_koyZDGaWcBw9WTkJRce9vN3kLPCw8ZsST7SyOQGMGELj6fppdnaED8ZJo1k7RYkipdypLS-gNvjf35gnuKnr-M5Hst4eOcSc0q7_4Uf615axJys/s1600-h/crow+drawing1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjDfGtUHj3lu_6nraPDGktrP_koyZDGaWcBw9WTkJRce9vN3kLPCw8ZsST7SyOQGMGELj6fppdnaED8ZJo1k7RYkipdypLS-gNvjf35gnuKnr-M5Hst4eOcSc0q7_4Uf615axJys/s400/crow+drawing1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380937084646459394" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLMm3_KuNLfuzCZw8A4GCjWnN5TOL4Dc5kNMyInSXCggEU8oBFKXfHSgIFJ9HEN7l1hOBLEGy20Xi77ILj99L6dYlOs64aJDJoM2rOhdKJnHJv4EZ0oj0GEr_31XFh0VRrgcASBc/s1600-h/birds_diptych_left.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLMm3_KuNLfuzCZw8A4GCjWnN5TOL4Dc5kNMyInSXCggEU8oBFKXfHSgIFJ9HEN7l1hOBLEGy20Xi77ILj99L6dYlOs64aJDJoM2rOhdKJnHJv4EZ0oj0GEr_31XFh0VRrgcASBc/s400/birds_diptych_left.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380936981148418002" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2WWKslStGloc3Ki1J4rwomosocFc5dQeR9Xq63QUkly1n1uQ7hZ0MTg8E0vXq8GQqqiDf4vIkJj3j9XhMdbi2Z2kPtRpUz3QanH9BvQ7HlAhZCyGM0I31kf7AR-KD7U27Kl2qZc/s1600-h/birds4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2WWKslStGloc3Ki1J4rwomosocFc5dQeR9Xq63QUkly1n1uQ7hZ0MTg8E0vXq8GQqqiDf4vIkJj3j9XhMdbi2Z2kPtRpUz3QanH9BvQ7HlAhZCyGM0I31kf7AR-KD7U27Kl2qZc/s400/birds4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380936780145919074" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My last oil painting before Phin was born. It was his favorite as an infant- he still likes yellow. It's a good size- about a 4 1/2 feet- maybe 5.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gxCP9w4Jq1Xe5XIGi1j9NEKmGEI06V9ifvbV8aZoqQXC0WMyr7RnWhOoc4Vrz5MDRJ_VS4QzNr6IUYsk3MeyjlstPhRcTpn6lmxWnbCm6Y5ZU_NcPnhS9-xLpLMSHeC8dADU3zk/s1600-h/birds1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gxCP9w4Jq1Xe5XIGi1j9NEKmGEI06V9ifvbV8aZoqQXC0WMyr7RnWhOoc4Vrz5MDRJ_VS4QzNr6IUYsk3MeyjlstPhRcTpn6lmxWnbCm6Y5ZU_NcPnhS9-xLpLMSHeC8dADU3zk/s400/birds1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380936587328645938" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUHwGjQepeXfZugWH6LSMlhet3J-rIHW8NxlYd4v6xmGIMx6eIYNp2y7XpNhfkdnARChfK6HdwzJiENNc8xAi504rf1zReQrP-mClfH5F1eVig6WCC4qZ4tkip7-rcPyZLnpdiOA/s1600-h/birds2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUHwGjQepeXfZugWH6LSMlhet3J-rIHW8NxlYd4v6xmGIMx6eIYNp2y7XpNhfkdnARChfK6HdwzJiENNc8xAi504rf1zReQrP-mClfH5F1eVig6WCC4qZ4tkip7-rcPyZLnpdiOA/s400/birds2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380941960283788786" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_L-VgndIvytlN2hnELqDu-QSQi38hc7olFVZZ4D6cGt7eXcvbmUHk6q86J0J8euLuY6eZ_9CAAy30HffhpspM0JTCRzc7FHdEuPps6S3bwNz0tUtAb8l5n1165WuL5SFEU9xpOg/s1600-h/bird3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_L-VgndIvytlN2hnELqDu-QSQi38hc7olFVZZ4D6cGt7eXcvbmUHk6q86J0J8euLuY6eZ_9CAAy30HffhpspM0JTCRzc7FHdEuPps6S3bwNz0tUtAb8l5n1165WuL5SFEU9xpOg/s400/bird3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380936428048180290" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70YnQf1NzYgq8j7DjTaukXYXqi4R4WdzSSSmeTpXu0Dx4OStB-MsH_-yAtcnydPx_4esV5TS73Ab0ggoEGuTwt8tUu_JvS1_2xfnBi22-5MKnOVaZkWkEKPn5ZYd6v9-6jQP63Es/s1600-h/april14+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70YnQf1NzYgq8j7DjTaukXYXqi4R4WdzSSSmeTpXu0Dx4OStB-MsH_-yAtcnydPx_4esV5TS73Ab0ggoEGuTwt8tUu_JvS1_2xfnBi22-5MKnOVaZkWkEKPn5ZYd6v9-6jQP63Es/s400/april14+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380936294450404098" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Take care all- and go see <a href="http://lindawarrengallery.com/">this</a> show if you're in Chicago:<a href="http://lindawarrengallery.com/"> http://lindawarrengallery.com/</a></div><div>Melanie</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-74749691719969733732009-08-30T20:27:00.000-07:002009-08-30T20:50:29.822-07:00Summer is EndingAfter a summer of art and children I am always left feeling very creatively nimble. Being around the children who still make anything into art and haven't yet compartmentalized genre (collage, sculpture, painting, etc.) and just make is uplifting. I have enjoyed the summer and all the energy of said children, but I am looking forward to more time in my studio. I have been able to get some work done the last couple of months:<div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_QMuY8Wd8WhOR6zjEQqTMlw8XxI953j__6m4kg25sSvy2ReOwiQDl1vA6t3PlZyJim2DYRKeMYCCJ1VExXPDED1Eh97cZIdMt9amtsf17uhG17zIwTnrXQxSmPK6aUe71lXnYfk/s1600-h/aug302009+008.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_QMuY8Wd8WhOR6zjEQqTMlw8XxI953j__6m4kg25sSvy2ReOwiQDl1vA6t3PlZyJim2DYRKeMYCCJ1VExXPDED1Eh97cZIdMt9amtsf17uhG17zIwTnrXQxSmPK6aUe71lXnYfk/s1600-h/aug302009+008.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_QMuY8Wd8WhOR6zjEQqTMlw8XxI953j__6m4kg25sSvy2ReOwiQDl1vA6t3PlZyJim2DYRKeMYCCJ1VExXPDED1Eh97cZIdMt9amtsf17uhG17zIwTnrXQxSmPK6aUe71lXnYfk/s400/aug302009+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375965764422979154" /></a><br /></div><div>Thanks to a former student who moved across country and gave me a large bag of many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-stretched canvas, I've been able to just walk in to my studio and make things. I'm really enjoying the small squares.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL407yDFq6wd9hDVLFx5XYz7ec88JsGgBJikJ2lB7rlMmsp_pjjleIoTlLyf-sVdevW5BGT0JudOSaRwS4BUkbt1u5CBVefbSB4f5QcT3L9JRQiQas9XwhddTyNGMgI0_LJzuHr4Q/s1600-h/aug302009+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL407yDFq6wd9hDVLFx5XYz7ec88JsGgBJikJ2lB7rlMmsp_pjjleIoTlLyf-sVdevW5BGT0JudOSaRwS4BUkbt1u5CBVefbSB4f5QcT3L9JRQiQas9XwhddTyNGMgI0_LJzuHr4Q/s400/aug302009+010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375966510788463378" /></a><br />I'm still working with bird imagery, but letting the imagery fall to a secondary role to the language of the paint. It's acrylic mixed sometimes with wax and/or gloss medium. I'm happy with it now, but it was a big change from oils.<div><br /></div><div>Here is a larger work also from the last couple months:</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIz12wslefafweOPfiByqgynQn_YAA749cFMk3JhqOjx43Et6u2fhaxknvcEbvRQPe1nrKl2KSDIjUSM_qp4tvz_-H5RXhIGG4u_CexnKeQgmmvXE_bI89-efYu_DGLT41gFSeWj4/s1600-h/aug302009+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIz12wslefafweOPfiByqgynQn_YAA749cFMk3JhqOjx43Et6u2fhaxknvcEbvRQPe1nrKl2KSDIjUSM_qp4tvz_-H5RXhIGG4u_CexnKeQgmmvXE_bI89-efYu_DGLT41gFSeWj4/s400/aug302009+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375967562655423810" /></a><br /><div>I haven't been able to get a good photo of it, but I do believe it is finished now.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you know, I can't do a post and not include something about the little guy who is with me most of the time in the studio and otherwise. My son will be two at the end of September and he is putting my drawing output to shame. Last week we had a wonderful morning in the studio- he and I both making our own work. I gave him brushes, black and white tempera, charcoal, (and he found a pen). I put up a large piece of paper taller than he is and he made this gorgeous painting:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeHY5CG1Rzg1-mDWHwWgmchnrrAfhutVYkb8ENaAESfjTdhLX253xQF9XzeZTqvOifrjosUvXiZUQydwyyvxwRCHqVsDiOJOV2W5pjdvG3gC663uBs07YJ1Kz1uaVXlEH-3lN-ro/s1600-h/aug302009+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeHY5CG1Rzg1-mDWHwWgmchnrrAfhutVYkb8ENaAESfjTdhLX253xQF9XzeZTqvOifrjosUvXiZUQydwyyvxwRCHqVsDiOJOV2W5pjdvG3gC663uBs07YJ1Kz1uaVXlEH-3lN-ro/s320/aug302009+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375968894996472674" /></a><br /><br /><br />It seems so funny to me now that I was worried about being an artist and having a family at the same time. I'm not saying that it's easy, but the difficulty makes me seize moments I do have with much more focus than I used to when time was easier to come by. <br /><br />Here's to the end of summer and to crisp nights, sweaters, and more time in the studio!<br />Be well,<br />MelanieMelanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-61311097932838580832009-06-28T20:30:00.001-07:002009-06-28T21:00:39.294-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiafnTVOVKJILimqnuuvjP0aU91smdYaNK8NhLRAEEs_-5nGDePsYl5FS4ylhst8hnGhWSUBfO9Eq0fGMSeUqrX9h-nxCAkt6gKOGXzCEEiGCXu07aaRyFRW_N2IhjhqA4RChx7A/s1600-h/june27+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiafnTVOVKJILimqnuuvjP0aU91smdYaNK8NhLRAEEs_-5nGDePsYl5FS4ylhst8hnGhWSUBfO9Eq0fGMSeUqrX9h-nxCAkt6gKOGXzCEEiGCXu07aaRyFRW_N2IhjhqA4RChx7A/s400/june27+033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352594340050150738" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just a few photos of what has been going on lately in my studio. I've been keeping a large piece of paper up as a sort of brainstorming piece.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL2DP5hsLQFyylVERqEkqegJ_wCXMr2EizsX5eDeAYubYbG8BNpo_2RBS4fhipwyGAqQzxS6Mm-9VfOz9NRry5H4TeIvtmQ6L2BheVQ-0p1rWyIvqaJiUj17wN43WNSwu-jHBjSk/s1600-h/june27+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL2DP5hsLQFyylVERqEkqegJ_wCXMr2EizsX5eDeAYubYbG8BNpo_2RBS4fhipwyGAqQzxS6Mm-9VfOz9NRry5H4TeIvtmQ6L2BheVQ-0p1rWyIvqaJiUj17wN43WNSwu-jHBjSk/s400/june27+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352588403726963410" /></a><br /><br />Here are a couple details:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNGuxtg2CkZsYUt0M9K9OLSpWhyVrrpIVAf6O56Gh0EltjjfaEPmNyEKJURET8ypopfskFRD3YNe4p4-oERsMTE5SOjYDRmSqrvqb-0mZDwj-CT7It_qGBXL3hkQ0Dhz_UI8VUrA/s1600-h/june27+026.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNGuxtg2CkZsYUt0M9K9OLSpWhyVrrpIVAf6O56Gh0EltjjfaEPmNyEKJURET8ypopfskFRD3YNe4p4-oERsMTE5SOjYDRmSqrvqb-0mZDwj-CT7It_qGBXL3hkQ0Dhz_UI8VUrA/s320/june27+026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352588707679179858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRFx5D-UGBWOLeQOkFgeekudey3R81_KjvXSKNC5sDXjKT8xUV3feaPTnwtzpxOcqMMseoCL7kHm8z0YzT2KeDczsC1-B55gs71Fi9gEx7OkPLYCeJz2imATRfqITmTHfT0rOxzc/s1600-h/june27+025.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRFx5D-UGBWOLeQOkFgeekudey3R81_KjvXSKNC5sDXjKT8xUV3feaPTnwtzpxOcqMMseoCL7kHm8z0YzT2KeDczsC1-B55gs71Fi9gEx7OkPLYCeJz2imATRfqITmTHfT0rOxzc/s320/june27+025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352588957719380034" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Keeping a large drawing going is something I've done a lot in the past. I use it both as inspiration for new paintings as well as a way to draw from old paintings as a form of investigation. I've been keeping with the bird theme but am trying to get further away from forming actual birds but rather capturing the fluttering of wings and different atmospheres. I'm really using the material to find where the birds are.<br /><br />Here is the latest painting in progress.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInsqQcqAQ47kW785ETT4dyltTxZ-FCs9GkvZDpiUn9_U_9SORTOIHI7UPnXhgKdtKtZY5EMKLxOdKxxqb2P7FSo2TUdNzj5c2VH6NPqR2R30sYFbUGB2wB6kcsi5mvobr3KE1GkA/s1600-h/April26+012.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInsqQcqAQ47kW785ETT4dyltTxZ-FCs9GkvZDpiUn9_U_9SORTOIHI7UPnXhgKdtKtZY5EMKLxOdKxxqb2P7FSo2TUdNzj5c2VH6NPqR2R30sYFbUGB2wB6kcsi5mvobr3KE1GkA/s320/April26+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352590519442118114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9p57L82uk6QeQS5kRDfn2dWsIf8_LW5zSK3-VofUqBVd45DgEZdG1pyybDWB5WlEY57y56gz-xpWcPrNvvPIyUJE-t43H974LEiVydicGOzaUdanNN_hgXKHEUCpNXqdEJNH6e0/s1600-h/may29+006.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9p57L82uk6QeQS5kRDfn2dWsIf8_LW5zSK3-VofUqBVd45DgEZdG1pyybDWB5WlEY57y56gz-xpWcPrNvvPIyUJE-t43H974LEiVydicGOzaUdanNN_hgXKHEUCpNXqdEJNH6e0/s320/may29+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352590845362594338" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />I started with raw canvas with a ground of acrylic medium. I used some dry pigment and ink on the wet medium to try and find new space, mark, and color.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhQttBI5S6MTcOOF_qH6PfKILUItKAaTJWxRmihiKy2u8eGFzBviHLBt6FxHDaHjzDFzLgTeZVWrtyd2N83ylrmIF8DinEq4HQvmWurGWULr3CFhQNt3KXO_hjodyLUeDZjHhSPY/s1600-h/may29+016.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhQttBI5S6MTcOOF_qH6PfKILUItKAaTJWxRmihiKy2u8eGFzBviHLBt6FxHDaHjzDFzLgTeZVWrtyd2N83ylrmIF8DinEq4HQvmWurGWULr3CFhQNt3KXO_hjodyLUeDZjHhSPY/s320/may29+016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352591305652274434" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend I've gotten a bit further on the painting. I've continued to use ink- even rubbing it over and into some of the places in the painting- as well as wax medium.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoGOkpTB7BhM7u5efGgu8tii2krCLdzkKCOW74sb1Wu8e8zZk7ad9prLtq-_pO2qLjPXIMNFb9m0oaS26oDfCljXps7zbUBfKZkMPOR49JB9Y4v57i09IkRqRgb598D7pzIkixdE/s400/june27+015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352592004970665282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><br />I hope to update again very soon- I've been full time at my job this summer and I absolutely love teaching art to children and being part of that kind of creativity. But wow, it's hard to carve out a time to paint- I just want to be with my son at the end of the day.<br /><br />Be well!<br />Melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-90882677435714920642009-04-08T07:20:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:30:49.592-07:00Well that was silly...Hello all,<div>Despite the snow showers we still keep getting it is officially Spring, so I decided to concentrate on cleaning and organizing home last week. And wow, that failed. </div><div>A) I am a terrible organizer and so-so cleaner. </div><div>B) My son follows me around undoing all of my straightening up,</div><div> and C) Going without painting for 10 days is a big mistake. My mental health kind of depends on the painting.</div><div><br /></div><div>So this week I'm back on track and getting into the studio and leaving the mess behind. If we have food, clothes, and the house doesn't smell, that's enough home success for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm working on a painting that I began on raw canvas and with the most unappealing dark colors and no texture. Just thought I'd start out really, really differently and see what happened. Here is how it looked after the first day:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82o21vMZlo-C7aA1UVdNrsRfsFC0ZiDJj45-RWoX-cq8iK2iC7_77FqjhNsDzTL1ecFQ5tinb7ITAoHMeuZ5Ht7Jy3-jCO1XTCKioWwA0rzIcdflwlSigswDQCNY-GT6L_CwagZA/s1600-h/april7+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82o21vMZlo-C7aA1UVdNrsRfsFC0ZiDJj45-RWoX-cq8iK2iC7_77FqjhNsDzTL1ecFQ5tinb7ITAoHMeuZ5Ht7Jy3-jCO1XTCKioWwA0rzIcdflwlSigswDQCNY-GT6L_CwagZA/s320/april7+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327550130161873602" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I let <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Phin</span> do some marks at the bottom - he chose cerulean and it became a branch. So, yeah I think it was really ugly. But like I tell my students, ugly doesn't necessarily equal bad- just like pretty usually doesn't equal good. I was trying to find another way to get from A to B.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, here is what happened next:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN_T_P_x223YBNEc92TWR-yMiRT0EWX7KazqdFK6-Rh-OCnOp9qF73BGKG_Ew7crsPFMHcE1pk5Y6QnNb14ZOX1m-UWhKDx6tEZz1_57Vo1C-BMOQOu_iHYpSnx3Xa-itziWTefo/s1600-h/april14+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN_T_P_x223YBNEc92TWR-yMiRT0EWX7KazqdFK6-Rh-OCnOp9qF73BGKG_Ew7crsPFMHcE1pk5Y6QnNb14ZOX1m-UWhKDx6tEZz1_57Vo1C-BMOQOu_iHYpSnx3Xa-itziWTefo/s400/april14+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327550464784875090" /></a><br /></div><div>I decided that I needed to put a moon in for my moon-loving son (though it kind of turned into an orange). Here are a couple of details so you can see the texture a little better:</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltqIqMPixCMzWPWQu7GOlsc4LTck1UZYws9UZTPNpAKL_iw89uluQisoGbDANQTyACjAH16kSvPTEthGwkia7j5HI_RhqFjrNSGEyRXf2gYWqeetilWIhDP7nX7bEinUdx-mO06g/s1600-h/april14+010.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltqIqMPixCMzWPWQu7GOlsc4LTck1UZYws9UZTPNpAKL_iw89uluQisoGbDANQTyACjAH16kSvPTEthGwkia7j5HI_RhqFjrNSGEyRXf2gYWqeetilWIhDP7nX7bEinUdx-mO06g/s320/april14+010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327552257200441362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3RzfbUqn_1B6Iwk39MDVX3x6EjgHPsiet70AY7JYHcjEvbZJEzAVbfs76lxq9z_9nzy6nZHgbD0VwCMWYTRmK4qd8iM59APjqXR_iM2nWl8AjYr1MQt2sSU5R9K12maWzWKL8gc/s1600-h/april14+011.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3RzfbUqn_1B6Iwk39MDVX3x6EjgHPsiet70AY7JYHcjEvbZJEzAVbfs76lxq9z_9nzy6nZHgbD0VwCMWYTRmK4qd8iM59APjqXR_iM2nWl8AjYr1MQt2sSU5R9K12maWzWKL8gc/s320/april14+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327551323182769634" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Eh, not the best thing I've ever made, but it opens up some new ideas for me.</div><div>I'll write again soon- hopefully with new dream images. I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">de-cluttering</span> this week to make some more space at home- both literal and mental space- so that I can start drawing at home again. I've got a couple dreams I need to get down on paper. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week wherever you are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be well,</div><div>Melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-60629802858646329002009-03-23T15:23:00.001-07:002009-03-23T15:56:04.603-07:00Serious PlayIt has been so long since the last post- the late winter illnesses really threw me off more than I ever thought it would. Also, the transition of the toddler to the toddler bed and the 3:30 a.m. crying fits have made me a bit less productive as well. Happily, spring is coming, the lingering colds are getting better, and I now have a high chair that reclines in my studio!<div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIolFwXm4XeYo_7ib5-gAI6zdtrcXKQBsO0XF38OBZapyaF9oLEdlJfLPU91bE9H8huLa3elLVzZ46neqs-TMneLzUNJe58DdXLvgFhQz5eRBN65j8TV2_eQe84DkmmbFy0Qi6KE/s1600-h/mar23+005.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIolFwXm4XeYo_7ib5-gAI6zdtrcXKQBsO0XF38OBZapyaF9oLEdlJfLPU91bE9H8huLa3elLVzZ46neqs-TMneLzUNJe58DdXLvgFhQz5eRBN65j8TV2_eQe84DkmmbFy0Qi6KE/s200/mar23+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316519672575999970" /></a><br /></div><div>I don't know why I didn't think of this before- he can eat, draw, play with his cars, and sleep in the high chair while I paint. I was spending so much time in the cafe downstairs from my studio while Phin ate and now I can stretch canvas and the like while he eats in my studio. Fantastic!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtvjU6qplBZK6qGR2MP2aZXFTB3roUyRkcDXwyvVv8gWTiC-UCYKpt3754KPbx7QwqpM_lg91DORb5sEOnqim9ui6rrGUtqbDZqQnWXWXbpRUXw622HXWto_lgHkw4qjIhYduWBg/s1600-h/mar10b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtvjU6qplBZK6qGR2MP2aZXFTB3roUyRkcDXwyvVv8gWTiC-UCYKpt3754KPbx7QwqpM_lg91DORb5sEOnqim9ui6rrGUtqbDZqQnWXWXbpRUXw622HXWto_lgHkw4qjIhYduWBg/s200/mar10b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316520013281611954" /></a>I also painted my studio floor and did some general cleaning to better accommodate the toddler in my studio rather than a baby. The pack n' play just isn't cutting it for him anymore- he needs to roam. </div><div><br /></div><div>OK, so the work. I stretched a canvas today and realized that I used stretcher bars that I had just taken a painting off of because it was warped. My lord I am an idiot. Phin was asleep, so I decided to work on what I had around. I had quite a few things I had done as demos for my Intuitive Painting class, so I put them all together. I'm going to have to get a piece of wood to adhere it all to and work on it some more. It's 3 pieces of cardboard, a plastic ping-pong paddle, a cd case, and a shirt sleeve. I used to be really snobby about acrylic paint, but I love it now. It holds everything together plus I can put wax, salt, and sand in it for texture. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am really enjoying the collage because I really, really don't know where I am going with it and have a level of (productive and healthy) fear and confusion about it that I haven't had in a while. We're getting ready for a parent workshop at work next weekend addressing nurturing creativity in children (it's free for those of you in Chicago- pre-register <a href="http://www.lillstreet.com/mm5/kids.htm">here by calling</a>). I've done a lot of thinking about how easily children assimilate multiple mediums into one piece of art. I guess I'm trying to knock down some learned barriers and just make art out of anything. Here is the piece so far:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhRXLXXX_mBOEBIoPxekYhEapZQi1JeeyDwFPZOaQHWlAVeTiDGV0DkkJ5GWe611aH4NcEUTXXUukcgvqOqBXwkmlkdpoho0fT9gOAElkTASkWZ8sdkMqZTbtSU9my_9hgO6OWBE/s1600-h/mar23+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhRXLXXX_mBOEBIoPxekYhEapZQi1JeeyDwFPZOaQHWlAVeTiDGV0DkkJ5GWe611aH4NcEUTXXUukcgvqOqBXwkmlkdpoho0fT9gOAElkTASkWZ8sdkMqZTbtSU9my_9hgO6OWBE/s320/mar23+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316520375893460914" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Be well and I promise the next post will be soon :)</div><div>-melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-90126734299684763742009-02-26T14:33:00.000-08:002009-02-26T14:53:50.714-08:00Painting to MusicWe had a visitor to my Intuitive Painting class last night. His name is Adam Marks and he is the pianist for The <a href="http://www.fifth-house.com/">Fifth House Ensemble</a> here in Chicago. They reach out to other artists and programs in the area and incorporate the resulting collaboration in their concerts. Adam brought recordings of the pieces they will be performing this Saturday at the <a href="http://www.meritmusic.org/">Merit School of Music</a> and played them for my class. I was really blown away by the work that came out of my students and it will be projected during the concert. I could not resist the siren call of paint and music and made my own work along with my students:<div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rH6Hr8gk6q5gnIX1jGZXSa_r4x_DSq5TVuQBEONhj0ZXR6ulUVd56RRtxdyrFmSqWIlQbTkO_DHS2u4w8T9Vw_ODD1SoJMzf6MWCTTi30DJVaRr68UTpvRSUNR44AT19Mifd62s/s1600-h/Melanie1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rH6Hr8gk6q5gnIX1jGZXSa_r4x_DSq5TVuQBEONhj0ZXR6ulUVd56RRtxdyrFmSqWIlQbTkO_DHS2u4w8T9Vw_ODD1SoJMzf6MWCTTi30DJVaRr68UTpvRSUNR44AT19Mifd62s/s200/Melanie1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307238826890272914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2f7ODhIPqdrvz-9l0DDupIXp9MIPMDJ-IURDwQuczj0NSdPf_CFAf97L3h_zlAK5PJVXBEc2CaEdfCS86rqVS4qDsyv7tiSNOH76o62JaOb9cXal-222FmKpvA66ymaWfdVwBK8/s1600-h/melanie4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2f7ODhIPqdrvz-9l0DDupIXp9MIPMDJ-IURDwQuczj0NSdPf_CFAf97L3h_zlAK5PJVXBEc2CaEdfCS86rqVS4qDsyv7tiSNOH76o62JaOb9cXal-222FmKpvA66ymaWfdVwBK8/s200/melanie4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307239223082578466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJXNdz6WgbRT0FFlrk0hKB_ogENjmKBFgJCyH0nUVTv6Zfti-BXoDMZ9mQjIGPvUlFTcmeYPiTiDAMM5I2srulzX4qQrO2JqsDFK0ZzRYW6cRY2c77Ru1GMshRunm0nko0Jt5jMs/s1600-h/melanie3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJXNdz6WgbRT0FFlrk0hKB_ogENjmKBFgJCyH0nUVTv6Zfti-BXoDMZ9mQjIGPvUlFTcmeYPiTiDAMM5I2srulzX4qQrO2JqsDFK0ZzRYW6cRY2c77Ru1GMshRunm0nko0Jt5jMs/s200/melanie3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307239218314163906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80gIbIGRi-S9QXkrOZoNYnJdVKaaWMSfNB6FVsswnAzsP0ooqjsNXXzTaCTEHAwHfBlYH2hb1Ak_Elu04jCRPRyPK8zy6MhxVuv_SIV4Q3-8wmwrVHGMczsw3-ini9v766DwdHew/s1600-h/melanie2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80gIbIGRi-S9QXkrOZoNYnJdVKaaWMSfNB6FVsswnAzsP0ooqjsNXXzTaCTEHAwHfBlYH2hb1Ak_Elu04jCRPRyPK8zy6MhxVuv_SIV4Q3-8wmwrVHGMczsw3-ini9v766DwdHew/s200/melanie2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307239221001889602" /></a><br /><br /><br />I don't know why I don't do that more often- it taps into a different place in my brain to do quick automatic paintings to music. I'm hoping my students enjoyed it as much as I did, and I look forward to looking at all the work and having a chance to talk about it next week. It's so important to step back from the usual painting routine and just play. It felt really good.<br /><br />Enjoy your day!<br />Melanie</div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-80276792199346311562009-02-21T02:24:00.000-08:002009-02-21T02:58:13.160-08:00Stomach Bug Go AwayWow. The past 10 days have been an experience. I thought painting with a one year old in your studio was difficult, but I had never had the delight of a stomach flu hitting both parents and child at once. I had the special treat of having it twice! Sickness does make for vivid dreaming. Most of mine involved some sort of escape, either from a place or from my body with a lot of floating, spinning, and flipping through space.<br /><br />Happily, I'm back on the ground now and hoping to get back into the studio this weekend to stretch another couple canvasses and get to work. I do think I'm finished now with my first acrylic piece on canvas. Phin had helped me with part of it (which was planned) and put a few purple crayon marks on part of it (unplanned). But I'm leaving the crayon marks in because: #1. Phin was there and is a huge part of my life, and #2. The marks integrate just fine with that portion of the painting, so why would I change it?<br /><br />Here are the "Phin marks":<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJvsMIvuo-1DfefPveZrjlSlNxO5csannneh5LG3pIl77Mc7TXyoQcFvLJ7MPUynILEDgHXSZGSzHo27507-xPJMFqAAeJyMGGqdW9aw4jVGVtDPqeYNiTZYswmSfZA3a25Hw680/s1600-h/Feb3+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJvsMIvuo-1DfefPveZrjlSlNxO5csannneh5LG3pIl77Mc7TXyoQcFvLJ7MPUynILEDgHXSZGSzHo27507-xPJMFqAAeJyMGGqdW9aw4jVGVtDPqeYNiTZYswmSfZA3a25Hw680/s320/Feb3+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305200639240861618" /></a><br /><br />And here is the finished piece:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGkdyfwgKayM1G-PylwR49tlCl0Twoar1csTxX5k6iB-EzbwnHTI9eZld0bDnK8nunNIoxiXfNK5LbHrX55zayUyhXcCXtw0vo4NRjrDoYc35S7uz5-aaCfFPd2JMWApqXIPPZs0/s1600-h/Feb3+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGkdyfwgKayM1G-PylwR49tlCl0Twoar1csTxX5k6iB-EzbwnHTI9eZld0bDnK8nunNIoxiXfNK5LbHrX55zayUyhXcCXtw0vo4NRjrDoYc35S7uz5-aaCfFPd2JMWApqXIPPZs0/s400/Feb3+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305201064854573266" /></a><br /><br /><br />I also was able to get a small painting on panel completed the day before the illness came to stay. I think having to work quickly because Phin is there with me actually helps me in the studio. I do a lot more active thinking with a brush and knife in my hand rather than agonizing over each step while sipping coffee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ko2kdN1mXeX4v_CRLHSEGIJxImb0L9_sPxRP6TgQlB3niBOKToVHAcBkuPtLAbpqQhqz5oKRdNnIeGxgswh1FTs7J77XmJ-VVuml1ZTNZIwTSsO0vtY_dNhbgur-Uq4sbcrLDTc/s1600-h/FEB10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ko2kdN1mXeX4v_CRLHSEGIJxImb0L9_sPxRP6TgQlB3niBOKToVHAcBkuPtLAbpqQhqz5oKRdNnIeGxgswh1FTs7J77XmJ-VVuml1ZTNZIwTSsO0vtY_dNhbgur-Uq4sbcrLDTc/s320/FEB10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305201770167093074" /></a><br /><br />I'm still working with bird imagery, but am starting to think about what may come next or start mixing with the birds. I may begin to take some of Phin's obsessions as fodder. He cannot get enough of the moon and planets. I am updating this blog at 4:30 saturday morning so I don't have to keep telling him, "No moon, mommy is working" when he wants to look at images of the moon on the screen. "The Moon" is a pretty huge subject and one of the most common poetry inducing items. But I'm thinking of it more as a quality of light and a way to play with the space of the painting. A week and a half ago there was a full moon and Mike called to have me take Phin outside to see it (now every time we put on coats to go outside Phin both signs and says "moon" in anticipation) It was impressive. Here is a page from my journal:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHrPlfOQc3HSFolRVNRw5GEkZVE33jrtW_7JLZeL0-yVdMb0twUwipHXGj9Oiet1FMacWSC88QM7wY04CPoJjlfxEQQiOJfmfgdpTlq6x3EceI1SMp9znmySE4RYhw7guvPQF-Ms/s1600-h/Feb9a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHrPlfOQc3HSFolRVNRw5GEkZVE33jrtW_7JLZeL0-yVdMb0twUwipHXGj9Oiet1FMacWSC88QM7wY04CPoJjlfxEQQiOJfmfgdpTlq6x3EceI1SMp9znmySE4RYhw7guvPQF-Ms/s320/Feb9a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305202459031324274" /></a><br /><br />City living. You just don't get an unobstructed view of the low, full moon.<br /><br /><br />As it is Saturday at 4:45 a.m., I'm going to slip back into bed now and hopefully dream. I will leave you with this sketch from my journal of my sleeping Phineas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxMGF0oBtVknZKjfqPM9nAxX6gzFBaU4cqdZy0vx0nZa1XtpgG2EySYjsmza-J8_3RnUvVBeHGps6OqB62eQgD71kHThozqVnwPlZ13zMcu1XGQr4hrd0cDNlG4Tw8K3Gf-4lgIY/s1600-h/Feb10a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxMGF0oBtVknZKjfqPM9nAxX6gzFBaU4cqdZy0vx0nZa1XtpgG2EySYjsmza-J8_3RnUvVBeHGps6OqB62eQgD71kHThozqVnwPlZ13zMcu1XGQr4hrd0cDNlG4Tw8K3Gf-4lgIY/s320/Feb10a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305202678499794594" /></a><br /><br />Take care,<br />MelanieMelanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-23664436896021068282009-01-28T06:55:00.001-08:002009-01-28T07:05:03.003-08:00Morning JournalI've been trying to find more bits of time to get some drawing in, and I've come to realize that I almost always wake up around 4 and don't sleep for about an hour. Aha! What a perfect time to slip out of bed and draw some dreams. It worked yesterday (for about 30 minutes until Phin woke up because I wasn't there- we still co-sleep.) Here is the dream from Jan. 27th:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7365O95zFX38t0Y2ntj89ljnUtNBYLzJKXCyDvUXqn6dQGridwrL_7C9pfiDxZ021kR3L1M7LBfpgCwaBGeA7Vmw8EPpi45QW7POslpN9WGE8vB1cwqpriona__eppNLKbV2M0c/s1600-h/Jan27.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7365O95zFX38t0Y2ntj89ljnUtNBYLzJKXCyDvUXqn6dQGridwrL_7C9pfiDxZ021kR3L1M7LBfpgCwaBGeA7Vmw8EPpi45QW7POslpN9WGE8vB1cwqpriona__eppNLKbV2M0c/s400/Jan27.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296360045164234450" /></a><br /><br />Today, Phin was up many times in the night with what I'm guessing was teething pain. Needless to say, at 4:00a.m. I was comforting him and giving him a bottle instead of drawing. I did manage to do a quick sketch of him during breakfast, though. So that's something. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4KgkGYrag3OfkS2_l4_4VGDDoN3O_ejyDz-BS5UHlE-4FVr21jvAwl2lR08lqkOP4MZDgXMJLpF2swCXnqP-bcEXFt_D7L0fjYy7F-qDppbARTTcU2_BYSoOB5lXbyIVl7fEnVw/s1600-h/jan28a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4KgkGYrag3OfkS2_l4_4VGDDoN3O_ejyDz-BS5UHlE-4FVr21jvAwl2lR08lqkOP4MZDgXMJLpF2swCXnqP-bcEXFt_D7L0fjYy7F-qDppbARTTcU2_BYSoOB5lXbyIVl7fEnVw/s400/jan28a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296360642847580258" /></a><br /><br />Now it's time to change a diaper and get ready for an art-viewing adventure with a friend from college. Phin hasn't yet been to a large art museum- we'll see how he likes it.<br /><br />Take care, all!<br />MelanieMelanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-10711320254614098602009-01-21T13:16:00.000-08:002009-01-21T13:57:22.455-08:00Painting with a One Year Old in your StudioNow that Phin is walking and doesn't happily hang out in my wrap anymore, it's become a bit more interesting in the studio. I still have the pack 'n play and he does play in there sometimes, but he really wants to be on the move exploring. I'm amazed at how flexible I have become and how much I can accomplish in 10 minute bursts. He sits on my lap, he draws on a piece of paper I put on the wall next to my painting, and I've recently decided to let his presence in the studio be seen in the work.<br /><br />On Monday we did our first collaboration, as you can see by this detail shot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHrvQDnvA_2DHb80YTvXu5Ru1hcAY85GCAQNatUsPAcee6n9OJ4Kf8LRHRwVNIj4jc1nCproZ3wjULh_Bn_OhyphenhyphenvXDR4Al4vP7ikixEvZfmIehOrokOV3ic2GUmAxA1Gx1JTdUVFg/s1600-h/jan19phin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHrvQDnvA_2DHb80YTvXu5Ru1hcAY85GCAQNatUsPAcee6n9OJ4Kf8LRHRwVNIj4jc1nCproZ3wjULh_Bn_OhyphenhyphenvXDR4Al4vP7ikixEvZfmIehOrokOV3ic2GUmAxA1Gx1JTdUVFg/s200/jan19phin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293868254877516514" border="0"></a><br /><br />I have begun a 32"x34" painting on canvas with acrylic. In my pursuit of exploring the paint, I did not prime the canvas first with gesso. Instead, I painted some marks directly on the raw canvas and used medium to coat some of the other parts of the canvas. That way I could really play with the surface I was working on- the paint goes on so differently to raw canvas versus one with a paint or medium ground. The collaboration came when there was a spot in the lower part of the painting I needed to "mess up". Enter baby. I gave him a mechanical pencil and let him work in that spot making both pencil marks and moving the wet paint around. He enjoyed it and I love watching him discover different materials and all the ways he can use them. I'm not sure how "present" his mark will be in my future work, but I do want to continue to paint and I do want to continue to have him with me as much as possible. So we'll just see how it goes.<br /><br /><br />Here is the full painting in progress and a studio shot of my guy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVFeSKX0lSTc5xR4kBSW3wPC6ExJrAyTXhkPJueRHuzF369WMG9o5Ch4-h5cD_lW5QkWc313JQw_s_5fL-2EqygjdZF19NXU-E2EpGERlffc6csTR5wtPEpFX0vQ-wCsWvG5v_eM/s1600-h/jan19phin2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVFeSKX0lSTc5xR4kBSW3wPC6ExJrAyTXhkPJueRHuzF369WMG9o5Ch4-h5cD_lW5QkWc313JQw_s_5fL-2EqygjdZF19NXU-E2EpGERlffc6csTR5wtPEpFX0vQ-wCsWvG5v_eM/s400/jan19phin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293868854118179826" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpGbFh-5c60z79YfwW5dxaa4eKX1uWU5g7i-XBGNQ4us6KbYOSMM5XHM6iK0rY0h_kd2muthLWJJxt57kdQnA51CU1mzhHI9FYlekXSTZ8OsBm_oiwLNv9o1syHup618HTbfziE8/s1600-h/jan19studioshot3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpGbFh-5c60z79YfwW5dxaa4eKX1uWU5g7i-XBGNQ4us6KbYOSMM5XHM6iK0rY0h_kd2muthLWJJxt57kdQnA51CU1mzhHI9FYlekXSTZ8OsBm_oiwLNv9o1syHup618HTbfziE8/s320/jan19studioshot3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293865860792715522" border="0"></a> Have a wonderful week and be well!<br />Melanie<br /></div>Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37511044092928625.post-47476819761402371632008-12-04T21:02:00.000-08:002008-12-04T21:14:21.974-08:00Lillstreet Open HouseHello all-
<br />Lillstreet's holiday open house is happening tomorrow 12/5 from 6-9pm. My studio will be open, but so will the entire building. It's always a really fun night, so I encourage you to come by and make your way through all 3 floors of gallery, classrooms, and studios. There will also be free activities for children if you'll be bringing any, so they can make their own art. You can go <a href="http://www.lillstreet.com/">here</a> for more information.
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<br />It's been a busy couple of weeks, so I don't have a new art image to show you. But I did recently rewrite my artist statement, so I will share that instead. So here goes:
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMichael%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C02%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.printoutstyle {mso-style-name:printoutstyle;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="printoutstyle"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="printoutstyle"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I have always had a rich dream life, and a need to make these things I see in my head visible. I use art to squeeze them out like a saturated sponge of its water - to share with others, yes - but mainly to get them out so I can examine them. As a sensitive person living in the 21st century I am constantly soaking up the visual information that bombards us all daily. I believe that all these images are then filtered through my subconscious and shown back to me in dreams. I use visual language to create a plane of reality where seemingly disparate images come together to create a world unique to my experience. I paint and draw from my intuition and seek to distill dreams and memories to their most succinct expression. I allow the physical material I am working with stay fresh and alive so that the image I hold in my head and the material I use to put it to canvas or paper combine to create something that is neither pure abstract expressionism nor surrealism, but rather something in between. I'm telling stories, but the act of painting allows the narrative to evolve as it is told. It is a relationship that fills my life with constant surprise, joy, and terror.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Hope to see you tomorrow!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Melanie
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<br />Melanie P. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01930095541666954585noreply@blogger.com0