I was finally able to put Dora Woodrum's painting over the fireplace. It's not hung yet but leaning up against the wall since I'm not sure I can leave it there because of an outlet behind the center piece which may be a fire hazard. If not, I'll move it to my bedroom across from my bed where I can see it all the time. I just love this painting!!!
Since meeting Dora on the HGTV Blog, we've become friends and exchange messages on Facebook and Twitter. I hope one day to meet this amazing lady.On a side note, I was able to get my new sewing machine out of layaway at Nuttalls which is near me in American Fork, UT. Awesome place, tons of fabric and machines, classes, helpful people, and they let me bring my dog inside. He's only peed in there once on a plastic display and they just laughed. Apparently another dog had done the same thing and Mr. Darcy had to respond like the gentleman he is. They have some sweet embroidery machines that would be a dream to have but a very faint dream for me right now. (sigh)The new machine is a Brother Limited Edition Project Runway Innov-ís 40. My old machine is a Kenmore 30-stitch that is at least 20 years old. It still works great and was recently serviced but it was just too slow for me now. My mother has a Kenmore that they purchased when I was about four or five and it still works too. It has these awesome cams that fit into the top of the machine in order to make fancy embroidery stitches. Of course, this was because computerized machines were a far distant thing but I loved using the different cams when I was sewing. Mom taught me how to sew when I was nine and I've been sewing on and off since then, including two years in the Costume Department at Bob Jones University as a student worker.I was able to buy some soap making supplies yesterday, not the good stuff but enough to get me started. Hopefully I'll have some made within the next few weeks and up for sale at my Artfire store.That's it for now as I need to go paint ...
I'm working on several paintings, one from my class this week, one from last month that needs a few final touches, an abstract that I think needs a splash of color, and a commissioned painting (that is super secret).
Hopefully I can finish most of them this weekend and post those that I can. I probably won't be taking another class until October since I need to go to the November Masterpiece class and can't afford to go to the classes each month and still pay for the masterpiece one.
I finally talked to Jon McNaughton about an apprenticeship which I'd been putting off because of the time involved and needing to attend workshops. I felt that I needed to get a good foundation in technique in the classes before I went all out since I'd have to stop the monthly classes for a while in order to pay for the masterpiece class.
I now am trying to make sure I get in at least 10 hours of painting a week, which I'm still struggling with since I've been on a Spring cleaning binge. I've been going through boxes that haven't been opened since I moved to Lehi or since I moved to Utah in 2006. If I haven't used it, thought of it, or needed it in two or more years, then I probably don't need it. I have boxes of receipts that need to go, home decor objects I don't use anymore, craft items, computer items (cords, connectors, modems, etc.), books, and more that are heading to a future yard sale or local thrift store.
The main consolation in this besides getting rid of stuff is that I'm probably driving my sister crazy with it all, especially when I drag her into helping out ... mwaaahahahahahaha!
Okay, lunch break is over, so back to documenting stuff.
While obsessing over the HGTV Dream Home 2011, I met an awesome artist who does a lot of abstract art. Now, I'm not a fan of most abstract art even though I've done a few pieces in digital format, but I enjoy this artist's work. Her name is Dora Woodrum and you can see her work on her website - NiceModernArt.com.
Dora's work is reasonably priced and she's very open to working with you if you'd like different colors (and probably sizes too!).
I particularly like the piece below, titled "Circle of Life." The gold background with the red and black remind me of both the sunrise and sunset of each day.
Dora's Fan page is located on Facebook, so feel free to visit and like her page!
