Monday, September 14, 2009

Bonus!

It's not a painting...it's my business card(s)


German Work in Progress

I guess this blog is technically a "work in progress", somewhat like myself and maybe alot of us. Alot of us who are in between one thing, place or person and another.


I went to a restaurant/bar in Milford, CT yesterday with a friend of mine, Lucy. There we met several people. We met a man and a woman, cousins, who were hanging out for the night drinking some beers. She a large woman in pink with bright yellow hair (it was yellow, not blond) in her mid 40s texting her 31 year old lover. And the man, a red-faced Red Sox fanatic. He shared with us that he dresses his persian cat in a Red Sox shirt (cat sized of course). Next to me sat a family from Germany. They were very intersted in learning about the locals and me. I was asked about everything from football to politics. They were visiting their sister, brother-in-law and nieces with their parents. At some point, they decided to take pictures of me. I guess they never seen a real life puerto rican. I drew they a little sketch with my facebook info and they gave me one back.


As I have been painting and creating I have begun to notice that art, like life is a work in progress. Not everyone is where they want to be or what they should be.

El Saludo- Acrylic, color chip paper, unfinshed

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sept 13....I have alot of painting to do!

Hello Everyone!


Ok...So, I've been slacking off. But I swear a have a great reason. I've had a rash all over my arms and back for over a week. It's pretty hard to create art when you're itchy. I went to two doctors. One told me eczema the other poison ivy. I rather have poison ivy....so, I have poison ivy...ick! Besides that work has been...a tad stressful. I won't mention why.


I went to a lovely gallery in Bridgeport, CT., City Lights. There was an art reception for serveral Latino artists, two of whom I know.

I really missed being in the "art scene". Conversing with artists, professional and novice. I love it. I feel alive in this environment. I knew that I haven't been in the foreground in art like many of my peers but it doesn't mean I didn't yearn for it. Ahhh....art, the liveliness of the colors, the rawness of the emotions it evokes on the viewer.


Well, I see I have one follower on my blog. I have to say thank you. I hope there are others who by their faith, this blogger's goal of daily creativity will be realized.


P.S. My husband took this photo...
The Artist's hands

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Day 18

It's Thursday, which means I worked at both jobs today. I was slightly frustrated in my first job. I don't want to go into details...but I guess when I have a day in mind I like to keep with the schedule as best as possible. I'll just say I didn't get to have a lunch break.

So, by 3:00pm I was running on steam alone. I got a boost when I entered my second job. I really enjoy both jobs but the people I wokr with at the second are at a slightly slower pace and are very sweet. Okay...so while I should have been painting, I was working on a Facebook page.

And yes, I do have one myself. But now, I need to pick up the husband. I'll post a painting later.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Day 17

Today i met with the ladies of Casa Boricua. I enjoyed the meeting though the one person who needed to be there, had to re-schedule. It was kind of a let down because this person may be the one who may "make it or break it" for the continuation of the organization.

Before that I was at work. It was Happy Hour Wednesday for the folks at the center. I like to think we have a good time. I know I do. We danced, had alcohol-free sangrias and burritos. The perfect combo for a sober party.

At the end of the day, a couple of friends of mine went out to Joker's Wild in New Haven to have a good laugh oe something like that.

After a pretty long but fun day I still had time to do a little painting. This is a long brush with layers of light hues on dark hues. Acrylic on canvas.

I've entitled it,


"Tag Sale at dusk"






Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Day 16

I'm feeling pretty good today. I met with an artist yesterday by the name J.C. Aguayo. He paints scenes of Puerto Rico and does portraits. I am also going to be meeting with another artist/designer who works out of Stratford, CT this friday.



I was feeling so good that I worked on a painting that evoked happiness and stirred up the crazy in me. Strangely enough, when my husband saw it he was reminded of a funhouse or carnival. He also says that he might be slightly crazy. Ah, true love! Here is that painting which is now entitled:





CARNIVAL

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Day 14

I was interviewed yesterday for a web-based educational show. Basically, the show is about different careers paths for youth to get interested in. It will target middle and high schoolers. I guess what I do is interesting. Maybe more kids would choose to do what I do. Well, it took about 5 hours to get all the takes in. Apparently, I'm not that good at answering questions while a camera is rolling. I won't be able to see the final copy for about a month. I'll upload it here when I get the link.



I've been working on a couple of paintings at the same time, so I'm thinking I'll have them all done sometime by this tuesday. Today is Sunday by the way. Well, here a little fun sketch for today.





Chalk pastel on blue Pastel paper


Saturday, August 22, 2009

Here's another one.


Sketch of a little girl.

Pencil on Watercolor Paper


Day 13?

Well, ahem...I've been real busy these last 9 days. I'll sum it all up. First, I should tell you I have a full-time and part-time job. I work with older adults with memory impairments (Dementia, Alzheimer's). I basically play games and do art with them everyday. There's a little more to it but, I like to keep it simple. Additionally to that, I apparently I will be on a web show aimed at getting youth into professions that they may not know exsist. I'm pretty sure middle schoolers don't think an 93 year old can hula hoop or play video games.





Besides that, I decided it would be a great to help out an organization that is in some help. Casa Boricua is an organization who mission is "to service as a voice for disadvantaged individuals in the entire Puerto Rican & Hispanic community of Greater Meriden". They need alot of help!





AND...So here I am 13 days into my 80 days with only 6 of 9 pieces of art. Ughh. I think I might be a little over my head. Hopefully, I'll catch up this weekend. DAy 13?!@?












Thursday, August 13, 2009

Day 4

I worked both jobs today.

Yes, two.

What, did you think the paints just walked up to my front door and said "Hey, smear me on so me canvas" Oh no, I work, alot. When I came up with the idea of creating 80 pieces of art by my birthday, I did not count on being tired after work. Nor did I think about hard it would be the 4th day in. Oh well...

Not much artistic or creative happened today...at all. I still have some time before the evening is over but I'm so tired. Well, let me see what I can do. Maybe art isn't always so planned. It just happens.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Day 3 Aka The Laundry Mat

Hi everyone!




Well, at this point its just me reading back to myself. I've had a long day today. I started by escorting my father and mother to the dentist office. The nerve of the guy (dentist) to charge $1,500 for dentures. I'm talking about one set, not for both of my parents. Ughh! Needless to say we decided to go somewhere else. That was the beginning of my day. I end the day with a trip to the laundry mat.


I actually like going to the mat. I watch a little tv, throw things in the machine, watch tv, stick the clothes in the dryer, watch tv, fold some clothes. Tonight I threw some quarters in the machine but didn't check to see if there were any clothes in it, there were. I told the counter girl and she gave me my quarters back and got me on another machine. The lady said the machine would just have to cycle again.


About 15 minutes later the owner of the clothes returned and asked about the machine. I decided to let her know that it accidently re-ran her machine. And, no the machine wasn't on. She was furious. She said by re-running her machine that I had "ruined hundreds of dollars worth of her clothes". If anything I cleaned them alittle bit cleaner. I apologized again and stated it was purely an accident. She didn't let up and told me I wasn't sorry or remorseful enough. At this point, you're thinking, "uh-oh". I got a pissed at this point and told her that if I wasn't, I would not have told her. I finally got tired of her hovering over me and staring me down.

"OK, enough! Why don't you go dry your clothes and see if they did indeed shrink by me accidently washing them over again." I must have changed the water from cold to hot and obviously, ruined her wet clothes. I just don't understand.


Well, here's the art for the day......


Day 3, The Mat


Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 2

Yesterday I began my new journey in re-discovering my art self. I was super tired after working on the first painting last night. I stayed up completing it to my satifaction. One thing you'll learn about me is that it takes a me a while to feel a painting is right. I guess I critique myself pretty sternly. Many of my paintings in the past had never seen the light of day. They lay quietly in the dark space under my parents home's porch crying quietly to be appreciated. I, (or I should say) we don't have a porch so, I'm going to have to face them, like them or not.

Today, I was greeted by my dog, Luna. She is always so happy to see me when I get in from work, no matter how tired I am or how much my day may have sucked. So, tonight my subject matter will be her. But before I paint. I eat. I will have my painting posted later on tonight. See you then.







Monday, August 10, 2009

Day One




Hello,

My name is Nora and I am an artist.

Well, I was...I mean, I never quit art, I just took a long break from painting. For about a year or so long I stopped painting. It may have been from the stress of work (or lack of) or maybe from planning a wedding and not having the cash-o-la to paint. I just don't know what happened. I just stopped.

When I was a child I loved to paint, draw, color. Whatever I could use to make my mark. As a teenager, I taught other kids how to paint and painted murals for local businesses. In college, I instructed kids in creating Murals and participated in many art shows, ranging from college grade to professional showings. But somewhere afterwards, around 2006 I slowed down to a near halt. I used to show my work for Hispanic Heritage Month but I just stopped.

It wasn't until I recently spoke to a girl friend of mine who, also an artist, inspired me by her indecisiveness (You know who you are!) to get going with what it is I love to do, paint.

So, here I am on my first day of creating art everyday for 80 days. Today I am starting and finishing my first painting. I will post up a pic as soon as I can.

Now, why 80 days and not 100 or a year? In 80 days, I'm turning 30.
Art, Day 1

Not exactly what I had in mind when I started but it's a start. In a day, not too bad.