Coming up for air.

I have been away- my little brother was sick for a few weeks, and then died on the 19th of December. Not a whole lot to say about that- well nothing to share here on this blog. Just that is where I have been, and I expect to be back soon.

Love, Lori

Merry Christmas!

It has been a busy few weeks around here, since before Thanksgiving- and now I am hustling to catch up with Christmas.

This year we fed Turkey to 17, and had 3 more for desert- followed by building 14 frames to get my work all spiffed up for the Artist Project at the Merchandise mart. I did sell some things there, and made some good gallery contacts too, and if given the opportunity, will certainly show there again next year.

So with the holidays upon us, I am painting quietly most days...Doing some studies, learning some things and planning some new series. I also need to update my website, as it is woefully out of date. I can not believe that it has been more than 2 years since the gallery was updated! That will change soon :-)

Merry Christmas, Friends!

Artist Project at the Merchandise Mart

Greetings from the 7th floor of Chicago's Merchandise Mart! I am sitting here with my paintings, watching the beautiful people. Wish you were here!

I will be here for the rest of today and all of tomorrow.

Frames

In preparation for the Artist Project show, I have spent the last few days building fourteen new frames for my paintings. My brother came up and helped me with this- and set me up with all that I need to make more when I need them. 10 are for panels- replacing the cheap studio frames- and three are floater frames for large stretched canvas, so that I can avoid that cheap-no-frame-painted-edge.

A lot of work, but framing sure can give the painting that extra something special.

A Big Cityscape

I call this one election night in the Heart of Chicago, because the reference pictures were taken at about 5 o'clock on election night.

This painting was a challenge on many levels. One, it needed to be painted big..and I had to overcome the camera distortion in my reference pictures.

It is a big painting- 48x36, oil on canvas.

Yes We DID!

How appropriate that this is my one hundredth post- as we turn the page to a whole new chapter. The long dark days of George Bush are finally coming to an end. Thank GOD!

I was there in Grant Park last night and still have tears in my eyes. When Barack Obama was announced to be the winner, I have never seen anything like the cheering, hugging, crying and jumping up and down that I experienced last night. The crowd was beautiful, this country is beautiful.

I took this video after McCain's concession speach, the prayer, the pledge, the national anthem. We were all tired, hungry and had to go to the bathroom, but these were all my new best friends and we were about to hear Barack Obama Speak.

I walked from Grant Park to the Metra station- about a mile and a half. It was like this most of the way- the whole grid of Chicago looked about like this, and every now and then a whoop would go through the crowd and people would start cheering and crying again. Here it is in front of the Art Institute, on Michigan Avenue. It took a little more than an hour to get to the train station, What a wonderful night- Congratulations America!!

It is time.

Art School

This painting is still on my easel. Mostly done, I will try to get a better picture of it when it is finished. 24x24 ol on linen on panel.

Artist Project

I have been accepted to participate in the Artist Project at the Merchandise Mart in December. I have always wanted to be a part of this kind of show.

If you are in the area and want to attend, let me know and I will get you a couple of tickets.

Today I am working on a new painting, should have something in the next day or three... I will also be preparing my whole body of work to sell in December.

A New Season

I tried to hold onto Summer- but it would not stay. Usually I am ready for fall by the time it finally arrives, but not this year. I want to enjoy the sun some more.

Keeping busy doing color studies, drawing and have painted the same poor apple several times. Am also working on finding a new studio and finding new galleries.

Nothing to post, but wanted to pop in to say hello.

Light Kids

This one is hard to photograph- but I wanted to post it anyway. I may pick around with it a bit and take a new picture. If I do, I will edit this post with the updated picture. After the Crystal Lake Sparkles, I wanted to do more to explore the effect of blinding light. Not done with this exploration, you can expect to see more like this.

Local Color

This movie is for all of us who are weary of the bullshit in the art world. It opens in November. I doubt if it will change anything- but it will be nice to see, anyway. Here is a clip:

Excitement in Liverpool

I wish that I could be there this week- but will look forward to some videos!

"The city is rumbling...

Final preparations are underway for the arrival of the mysterious La Machine commissioned by Liverpool ’08 as a highlight of the city’s Capital of Culture celebrations. "

Learn more...

Spinny Life

I found this picture the other day of Fred sitting on "spinny chair", the only chair that I have ever owned that had a name. Seeing this picture brought back many good memories of happy times in that house- that town. Memories of spinny chair and a sweet toddler Fred.

I am in the middle of moving out of my fabulous studio at the arts park- and even though it is what I wanted- truth be told, I am a bit sad. I know that all that will be left of these last few years will be memories, just pictures in a drawer, (or on a hard drive). Of course there are paintings- but there would have been paintings without the studio. Probably more of them. Eventually I will find another space to rent- or not. One thing that will not change is my commitment to painting, even here- part one of my early self portraits is shown in the background of this 20 year old picture. I was a painter before the LLAP and will continue to be a painter.

I will be moved out completely by the end of the weekend. Then the plan is to not have a plan for a while- but I will be around if you need me.

Love, Lori

Summer Nap WIP

I am returned from a deep sea fishing adventure. Caught a whole bunch of delicious red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, and didn't even get a touch seasick. I was a little homesick though-so it is really nice to be back in the studio.

This one is almost done. A summer nap. 24x24 Oil on Linen on Panel.

Sultan's Girl

This video has been around a while- an old favorite. I love to watch it for it's muse like qualities. And whenever I watch it it reminds me that I must live in London before I die. If you enjoy it, there are several more videos about the Sultan's Elephant on youtube.

Vote Republican! (ha!)

Sparkle Done

All finished. I am mostly happy with this, which was inspired by this early lake scene that I did three years ago, and sold last year.

sparkle WIP

So here is what I have been working on this week. Still not finished- but you can see where I am going. So very excited about where this might be destined to hang, (more later- don't want to jinx it :-) It is 4 feet square- a big one for me. Though I just visited another 4 foot square painting at Rositas in DeKalb. Rick and I painted that one together in 1987- it still hangs prominently in the restaurant, (while I smile happily knowing that I signed my paintings with a different name 21 years ago than what I use now).

Most of the work that I created during those years has been burned. I have a few dozen in the attic and basement, but most of it is gone.

For this painting, I took hundreds of pictures at the lake, over several days- and stood there mouth hanging open, staring at this gorgeous light. (trying to memorize all the colors.)

Most important to remind you that this is an unfinished painting.

End of Vacation

It has been a busy week. Rick was home and Norma was gone. We have visited several friends in the last week- two reunions, one good by dinner and a museum. I have a big painting on the easel that should be done this week. It is a 4 foot square painting of Crystal lake, full of blinding light. I will try to add a picture tomorrow

The support is nice, even if it is canvas instead of linen. I stretched this over a heavy duty stretcher bar using some nice brass tacks, then used rabbit skin glue and a nice oil primer. I have been making my own supports for many years, and am very particular about the materials used.

bull- anyone can write it.

Bla bla-de-bla-bla bla! I could write all the bullshit that you want, but it wont make my paintings good if they are not.

It shocks me how many people fall for words.

Vacationing.

Garfield sold for the reasonable price of $510. So I wonder if I can reasonably look forward to opening my presents this Christmas. :-)

Rick is home from work this week while Norma is gone. We are doing a staycation. So far the kitchen is still waiting for a coat of paint. We are working out some video ideas for a friend, and a new identity for me. ( for website, cards brochures etc..).

We also vented the grill in the breezeway- a chore put off for many years. Clipped some bushes and picked cherries and raspberries. Tonight we rented a boat off of Crystal Lake to go out and get some pictures of the beach from the water. I have a big 48 inch square canvas that is just begging for a new beach scene.

I am still off of nicotine, and I know it is hard to believe, but am still a little grumpy. I do hope this passes because I can not concentrate am distracted and not myself at all.

I love summer- the cows in the beautiful deep green field were glorious during tonight's golden hour!

Garfield Goose!!!

For most of my life, the existence of this puppet was a question. The show was real, I knew that- but no one had ever seen the toy. And in the years before the internet- there was no proof that I could find that a garfield goose puppet was ever made.
I had this puppet when I was three. I think he must have been new for me to love him so much. I do remember laying on the floor and talking to him, I remember that he was my best thing. And I remember when our house burned down, he was the only thing that I worried about. The replacement that was promised turned out to be impossible to get, as I recently learned- there were only a few ever made and they were out of production. I bet I bothered my parents for a good five years. (but it was much longer before I got over the loss. )

When ebay came on the scene, I started searching, expecting to buy the first one that I saw. It took two years of searching every few days before I saw the first garfield goose puppet- Finally proving that I had not imagined him. His price skyrocketed out of my price range on the first day- and I think that he sold for around a thousand dollars. This is only the fourth garfield goose that I have seen on ebay in 10 years- and it is by far the best one. Has his crown- and the packaging! I am not going to bid .... but have scooped up some good pictures for my Garfield folder. And let me tell you- it sure makes me happy to consider bringing Garfield home!

And Dad, if you are reading... You did promise to find another one for me. :-)

What is Art?

Good news from the Art Rep who took my paintings for a visit over the weekend. More info coming when she returns from Europe, but she did bring my paintings back- and they will likely be commissioning a few. Excellent!

L

A Zoo day

A trip to the Milwaukee Zoo is always a treat. If you like zoos at all, you will appreciate the Milwaukee zoo. I love the way that they move the animals around- not leaving them in the same enclosure forever. And they are often placed so that they can see their prey. The Lions and Tigers are not bored out of their minds like at the brookfield zoo.

Milwaukee zoo has a large breeding population of Bonobos- and when we lived near the zoo, Little Fred and I used to go to the bonobo house a few times a week- just to watch a mother nap with and cuddle her baby. Going back today brought back many fond memories- and I even recognized some of our old friends after all of these years!

On the art front- a rep came and borrowed three of my favorite paintings today. I don't think that she will buy them, but she is showing them to her client, so fingers crossed!

Hot Town, Summer in the City

Ah the city! Summer in the city is so hard to resist. The people, the water, the flowers and the food. Last week Norma and I went it to see the Jeff Koons exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. I have not been there in years- because the last time that I went, there was one giant area that was just filled with garbage.

OK, ok ok... I know, it is art. At least the owner of a MFA can probably find a way to explain why, I am sure. But to me, that whole room full of actual garbage was nothing but a room full of garbage. The emperors new clothes. A huge scam. Masturbation. And worse- using valuable space that could have been given to an artist.

Like the crowds in the story about the emperor- everyone can see that it is just a room full of garbage, (or an empty canvas or a piece of found junk) But the art speak is tossed around just so that folks are afraid to question. Everyone says that they see the beautiful kingly robes- out of fear of looking stupid. I will allow that it is quite possible that I will one day "get it" and read these words and feel shame. I will let you know if that happens. ( I change my mind all the time about everything :-)

This time I didn't see any garbage at the MCA. In fact, I saw much to like. I really enjoyed the Koons show- despite the fact that it was a VERY inappropriate place to take my teen aged daughter! I am much more liberal about such things than most folks are, but giant pictures of penetration closeups (the artist and his former porn star wife) are a little more than I want to show her, (thankfully it was behind a wall- though still visible from the main gallery). I loved Koon's sculptures and I loved his humor. His colors are amazing and he has balls. ( I saw them :-)

Koons, Hirst, Freud, Richter and Close, are Rock Stars. They are all artists of their own time- I like that.

Meanwhile, as the Art Institute expands into their new modern wing- the last few weeks have been exciting. I have been to AI twice so far this month, and both times found old friends, back from long years in storage. The best part of the new modern wing will be the space that they free up in the old side. Because just like punk rock had to back to Rock's beginnings- to not be influenced by the 70s- I prefer to skip the teachings of Joan Mitchel, (not to be confused with Joni) and go back to our beginnings.

Representing Reality has a few more weeks to hang- so come on in if you have not seen it yet. Call me and I would love to join you.

Lori

Working Out

These days you will fine me riding my bike to the studio- and working out a bit when I get there. Have a little 3 times a week class where we are learning kung-fu- mixing it up with some other fighting arts in my studio.

Sketching cows and sipping ice coffee are sure signs that summer is really finally here.

Lazy "Daze" of Summer.

The show is hanging nicely and my very wonderful house guests have gone home. School is out for the summer, Hillary has conceded and I have a nice little painting of pinwheels on the easel. Life is good.

It really is important to look for the good in life. I ran into some people in the world yesterday- really selfish and rude. The kind of insensitive people who make life unpleasant. Knowing that there are people like that in the world makes it easy to look forward to death.

So today, optimistic about the long warm days ahead, I plopped some shiny pinwheels in a vase- because pinwheels, like flowers and balloons, can be temporary and a little bit fragile. Like joy- like life.

Love, Lori

Representing Reality 08

Here is a little video of the Sage Gallery, where I have my work in the show- Representing Reality 08.

The four artists from around the country are Jeff Gola, Lori Kiergaard, Leslie Sealey and Beverly Ferguson.

Olberman- right again.

I do not know what is going on with Hillary. I am embarrassed that I once admired her and stood up for her. What a nut job she turns out to be. Yesterday's comments by her were really outrageous.... Good old Keith called her out, too. (if you have not seen this, it is more then worth your ten minutes):

New Hall- or Sage Hall Redux 2

This is the third Sage hall painting. I may have more- as this exploration has been fun.

another Tuesday

Oh these Tuesdays keep coming. Let's just hope that this day ends the bickering.

Step 2

I am on day 3 of step two of the nicotine patch- and feeling quite proud of myself!

Many of you know that I have been sucking on the nicotine lozenges since the day that they came out- a switch from the gum that I used for years before that. I quit smoking in the spring of 2000, and have been supplementing my nicotine ever since. I have only been half joking when I would consider starting to smoke to get off of the lozenges- I mean, they were way more addictive than smoking. A person can not smoke anywhere anymore- but a nicotine lozenge? You can have that anywhere you want. Anyway- stepping down- hoping that by July, I will have this monkey off of my back. Yippee for me!

Been working on a great big canvas, and enjoying the crab apple blossoms, bleeding hearts and lilacs.

a comfort

I read today, words from an Austrian Lawyer, Christoph Herbst, about the family of Elisabeth Fritzl. Herbst said he had the impression that the victimised family had a loving relationship when he met them.

"My experience of the family was a very positive one. Looking at the way they treat each other, it is really very loving, they are open towards each other and they play together," he said. "If you see the family with your own eyes, it makes you feel much better than looking at the whole case in theory and from afar," he said.

This is such a relief! While I sit here far away and certainly theorizing- it was looking really bad. Thank you for better information. Now I plan to picture them in a beautiful bubble of love.

a little corner of the world

My new studio is feeling more and more like home. In fact, it is so comfortable, it is hard to believe that I have only been in here for 4 months. There is exactly the right amount of room to do everything that you could want to do in a studio. I have my printing area, and my kitchen area and slop sink. There is an office area and a meeting area. I have a place for drawing, for framing and a spot for mulling and tubing paint. Lots of storage, of course- and a nice place for reading and taking a nap, (and there is nothing like a good studio nap!) This space is just right to have a few extra easels for people who want to come and paint with me.

You can see the area that I have gravitated to for painting when I want to sit and paint. Nice because of the proximity of the window and color charts.

Come visit- I will make you coffee!

Love of Light.

As I am sitting here, finishing up my painting of light flooding my dining room table- the same table where We have eaten many happy family meals, played games, paid bills and decorated for holidays- The whole time, all of these long years, she was in the cellar. I am filled with sadness over the story about Elisabeth Fritzl, the Austrian teenager thrown into a dungeon under her house, raped by her father and having 7 of his children. Oh my God!

I complained all winter about the lack of light. I complained about the cold and will be heard complaining when I don't get out enough. I really think that I have never had cause to complain about anything.

Three of Elisabeth's children had never seen sunlight or the sky or anything outside of their prison- not ever. But Elisabeth had. She knew her father was her monster- she knew what she was missing all of her 24 years in hell- and when I think of all the things that I have done since 1984, and all the ways that I have changed, my heart is aching for her. When I try to imagine how good she must feel now that she is free, it is easy to understand that she may never have a good day. How could a person just get over that and move on? Is it even possible to heal?

Here, across the ocean there is little that we can do about it other then to read what has been reported and hope that the photographers leave them alone. All we can really do is care.

Sending out love, caring and prayers to you Elisabeth Fritzl and to your family. May God's perfect comfort be your blessing. May angels surround you and protect you for the rest of your life.

WIP Dining Room start

Chugging along..... 24x24 oil on panel.

and now for something completely different.

Not sure what I was thinking. 24x24

Eggs and Tea

Here is what I am working on- an obviously not finished work in progress.

I will say here, in case any super delegate is surfing the blogs... Hillary Clinton, who I once supported has crossed so many ethical lines that she makes me sick to look at.

I will never vote for her.

New Orphan Works Act Due Out This Week

by by The Board of the Illustrators' Partnership

April 22, 2008

Today the House and Senate sent us draft copies of the new Orphan Works Act of 2008. They haven’t officially released it yet, but we’ve been told the Senate will do so this week. A quick analysis confirms our worst fears and our early warnings. If these proposals are enacted into law, all the work you have ever done or will do could be orphaned and exposed to commercial infringement from the moment you create it.


There is more here.

Also from the site:

This exchange suggests that if Copyright Office proposals become law:

- Unregistered work will be considered a potential orphan from the moment you create it.
- In the U.S., copyright will no longer be the exclusive right of the copyright holder.

Apparently you have to pay a private company to register your work- but even if you do:

-It would allow anyone who can’t find you (or who removes your name from your work and says he can’t) to infringe your work. Since infringements can occur anytime, anywhere in the world, they could be countless but you might never find them.

Representing Reality 2008

Click the image to enlarge.

Happy Spring :-)

Spring is finally here! This painting was created in celebration of that. Cabbage and pussy willows always make me think of spring. And sheer curtains always let in good smells when you can finally open the windows.

I am not sure if this is finished yet- I thought that it was, but as usual, seeing it on a jpeg makes me cringe.

unstuck and back to work :-)

Unstuck and working- I should have new painting number one finished tomorrow.

After the outrageous bad behavior of the so called moderators of last night's democratic debate- I feel the need to post this: