Art by Lisa Plemmons Harrison Caddel

This week was filled with demonstrations of love! The love of God, love from my sweetheart, friends and family, collectors and admirers. I am thankful for this wonderful life I enjoy and all the people in it!

On Valentine's day my sweetheart gave me something I've wanted for a long time... 
a tricycle!

I also realized that artist, Janet Olenik, who came to give the demonstration for the Burbank Art Association meeting on Wednesday has work included in the same exhibit at the Cactus Gallery.  Small world this local art business!

The Burbank Art Association has been invited to show at the gallery space inside Carter Sexton Artist Materials during March.  It will be a mini show, all work no larger than 12 x 16.  I've been considering what to enter. Here are a few choices...

Below are some of the marker drawings I did this week.  I often draw in the evening while the TV is on.  I can see remnants of images from "Alien Astronauts" and the DNA from "Jurassic Park" showing up! 

Coloring with markers is fun!

It has been quite an artsy fartsy week! I've been to committee meetings and written many emails for the Burbank Art Association, and the Cultural Arts Commission. I've been to art history class, exhibition openings, brought my artwork to a new gallery, wrote blogs, rummaged through my art supplies and found what I was looking for, and even made time to paint some little paintings and make some little marker drawings, and share some Valentine heart LOVE daily on Facebook! Whew what a week!

The three paintings above plus another that I'm now realizing I don't have photographed, are included in a new show at the Cactus Gallery in Eagle Rock.  The show, called "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" which runs through March 6th, opens tonight, which is Saturday February 11th, from 7-10 at 4534 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA. Ya'll come!

I hope that Love 
will surround you, fill you, and flow through you 
on Saint Valentine's Day 
and everyday of your life! <3

Below is the piece I mentioned last week that was coarse pumice gel and molding paste.  I accidentally painted it too dark and just couldn't get back to the color I was after so I spread crackle paste all over the whole thing and started again. 

As the week proceeded I had more than one occasion to feel a bit like Alice when she encountered the cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. 

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don’t much care where--" said Alice.
"Then it doesn’t matter which way you go," said the Cat.
"--so long as I get SOMEWHERE," Alice added as an explanation.
"Oh, you’re sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

The question mark is painted over with a florescent color and glows in the dark briefly like the grin of the Cheshire cat. 

As I mentioned previously, I started a new blog, Art Around Burbank. Last week I even stated my aim to post to it three times a week... okay, so I have only posted one time this week so far. Why? 
Because I've run out of art? By no means! Since I've been on the lookout for it, I see it everywhere.
Because I haven't taken any pictures? On the contrary, I've taken a bunch of photos of several different pieces in different locations. 
So what's the big deal about posting to the blog? Or at the least posting pics on the facebook page?

I might have overwhelmed myself. I know I feel a bit afraid. It may be because I feel a sense of responsibility to do it right and yet I don't have a clear concept of what right is.  I may have created a stumbling block for myself and I'm tripping over it.  What a weird way to be creative. Perhaps I need to create a plan instead. Perhaps I just need to pick myself up, quit whining and press on!

One piece of the stumbling block I know is the inability to give credit to some of the artists who have created the beauty I am witnessing. Many times the information isn't readily accessible. I have attempted to find out the names of artists when I see no credit, but mostly without success. Yet, that can't be a good reason not to share their work.

However, I have looked up the artists for whom there is credit and I am fascinated to learn more.  One artist I contacted is willing to give a presentation to the Burbank Art Association in May. That is exciting!

Another little bit of my stalling is feeling that I need to present it in some sort of order, like by area or street or one thing leads to another. Unfortunately that is stopping me so I think I've got to just do it as it comes and map it out later.

Meanwhile this week, I've been drawing with markers.  I think with some influence from the study of modern art in the art history class I'm taking with Jill Kiefer at Carter Sexton Artist Materials.  I also started a painting with coarse pumice gel and molding paste, but it needs more work. 

Six blog posts so far since the commencement of my new blog Art Around Burbank.  Whew!  I am aiming for three per week and so far so good. In the past I have done good to get one post a month done for this blog!  My 2012 goal for this blog is at least two per month. So far this is the third! I am attempting one a week, but if I do two a month I will be satisfied.

On Thursday evening I attended the reception for Art as Prophecy; The Prophecy of Art. I've attempted to link to the Brehm Center facebook photo album of the event.  It was thrilling to listen to two of the other two artists speak about their artwork and process, and equally thrilling to speak about mine.  The questions and comments about the works were quite enlightening.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I've done pretty good about keeping up with my daily goals of painting, writing, praying and moving. The movement that I speak of is intentional movement that could be walking, touching my toes, waving my arms around, dancing and wiggling, such as that.  Nothing so grandiose as actual exercise but a conscious effort to be more physically active nonetheless.

Above and below are the results of some of my painting doodles:

I'm thinking of dividing the one painting above into four smaller ones but possibly hanging them together. Perhaps as they were painted or in a different configuration. Any thoughts?

All the painting doodles were done in a Strathmore pad of watercolor paper.  It has a nice sturdy feel to it. 
Since my work space is small (and smaller still when I leave art materials out), it is convenient to use a pad of paper instead of canvas.

Increasingly I have become aware of the abundance of art that I see in my travels around the city. It enriches my life and has inspired me to share the art that I see in a brand new blog called Art Around Burbank.  I've started my blog by showing the huge mural in the parking lot of my favorite little neighborhood market.  It is pastoral and makes me feel healthy just to look at it!

In addition to this new project, I have been painting daily.  I added to "Sword of Truth" and it has gone from looking like a cross to now looking like a sword.  I used Tri-Art's Liquid Mirror to paint the blade. Below you can see the progression so far. 

It is startling to see the difference in color in these photos. It must be due to the lighting because I haven't changed the colors at all, only added paint to the blade!

"Prophecy in Art; The Art of Prophecy" is an exhibit response to the Brehm lectures I attended in November. "Tsunami in Japan 2011" is included and the reception is Thursday, January 19th in Pasadena.  I've been asked to say a few words about the process of making the painting.  Very exciting!

While shifting things around in the house I found a little 8 x 10 painting from 2008 hiding in the laundry room.  It is part of the Heart of Gold series that began twofold. The motivational impetus came from wanting to be shown in The Metal Show at the Sideshow Emporium. The inspiration for the whole series came from 1 Peter 1:7-9. It is a series of work that continues into 2012. The current piece in process was directly influenced by my reading of Julia Cameron's book, "Vein of Gold."

It is my tradition to welcome the new year by standing outside my house at midnightish banging on a pot or pan with a spoon and yelling "Happy New Year!" at the top of my lungs.  I like to bring in the new year with loud noises so that anyone who is wondering or sleeping will know that the new year has arrived and all is well!

Another tradition that I keep is to select a word(s) to set the tone for the new year.  For a long time I did this randomly by picking from the Angel Cards assortment of illustrated words.  Although the word(s) was always a lovely quality to consider, last year I decided to be more purposeful.  I chose the spirit of adventure to signify 2011 and indeed it did!

This year the words I have chosen are capable, resourceful, and ingenious.  These are the words I intend to keep in the forefront of my mind as I attend to my long list of goals for 2012.

At the top of my goal list, right after the daily's of paint, write, move, and pray is expand my means. I looked up the word "means" in the dictionary and included in the definition were the words resources and capability. Yes, the intention for the year is set!

To the right is the first painting of 2012.  I like it as it is for now, not fully formed but the intention is there in the eyes. I have an idea for the second painting of the year so I will let this one be for awhile to see whether it requires more paint or if it is done.

As house renovations continue, I have the opportunity to review much of the stuff we own as it moves from one place to another. It is extremely obvious that we possess far more than we need. However, using my 2012 words as a guide, it seems it all could be considered resources rather than burdens! So I shall work to determine what is necessary, useful, sentimental, relevant, expired, broken, unorganized or unwelcome. It is quite a task, and then what? We shall see how ingenious and capable I can be! 

2012 is rich! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

2011 is on it's last days.  So many wonderful things have happened in my art life this year. Even in my limited and turbulent space, much art was made. Paintings were shown from coast to coast, and ten times more art was sold this year than last.  Thank you to my precious collectors and supporters! 

I have high hopes for 2012. My heartfelt aspiration is to be of greater service in word, image, and deed. The details of what that might look like are in the works. 
As we experience the last days of 2011, a year I found filled with the spirit of adventure, my prayer is for us all to increase in resourcefulness, kindness, and ingenious creativity during 2012 to benefit humanity for years to come. God bless you in all you do. Amen

What an amazing month this has been!  First I got to meet my art hero, Makoto Fujimura. He is an abstract artist and a Christian.  He was one of the speakers at the 2011 Brehm Lectures on the Art of Prophecy and the Prophecy of Art. I also had the good fortune to see his illuminated paintings for The Four Gospels up close and personal. Delicious!

The Burbank Art Association Fall Member Show was held at the Creative Art Center. It was a marvelous show.  I am so pleased to be included in such a talented group.  As President, it was my privilege to announce the winners of awards.  I even received one myself, third place in the abstract/contemporary category. That was exciting!

Next was the pleasure of attending the presentation and performance of "The Art Experience" by my friend and BAA presidential predecessor, Randall Williams.  He first entertained us with a quick charcoal painting of Jimi Hendrix, followed by an art performance with a dancing girl, and then in his enthusiastic and charismatic way educated us with an amazing art history lesson that connected many successful artists together with their influences.  

Two more paintings found new homes during the Geo Gallery show and a few more ventured on into other shows...

I was fortunate to be accepted into the Experience NoHo Arts Festival by the Rico Adair Gallery who curated the Locals Only Exhibit.  Two pieces sold during this one day event!
It was so funny to me when I walked into the exhibit, I noticed that two of my four paintings were hung in what I considered sideways, however those are the two that sold! Thank you to Takara Adair for knowing what I did not!

Because of my artist friend Johnathan Gallagher, seven of my paintings were accepted by Magnolia Commons and included in their creative eclectic mix of fine art, funky apparel, jewelry, furniture and more during the very popular Holiday in the Park event in Burbank's Magnolia Park District.

A big thank you to my dear artist friend, Heather Leavitt Martinez, for caretaking my painting "Light in the Darkness" from the church to the bar to participate in the Black Friday/Art As Gift exhibit, showing at Steamworks Brewery through December in Durango, CO.

"Spirit on the Road" is in New York City proudly waiting to be auctioned off on December 1st for the benefit of the International Arts Movement which was founded by my art hero, Makoto Fujimura.

December 2nd is the opening of the Holiday Art Show: 100 paintings priced at $100 or less at Carter Sexton Artist Materials in North Hollywood. "Cosmic Flotsam" and "Diamond Lane in the Rain" are hoping for new homes!

The last two paintings shown above are what I am working on in response to the Brehm Lectures. There were so many points to ponder but the image that stuck with me was caused by a brief comment made by Mako that Christian artists working in the world are like canaries in a coal mine. I will submit the finished pieces to the Brehm Center and hope to be included in the visual response showing in December-January.

November was an amazing month for this artist, and December is bright with possibilities! May God bless us all with joy and hope during the holiday season.

Saturday's artist reception for Unique & Unexplainable/Forces of Nature at the Geo Gallery was a great success in my humble opinion! It was well attended and everyone seemed to have a fine time. Both Claudio & I received generous and positive feedback. The remark I found most intriguing was that my work is sentimental. It was an unexpected and yet perceptive observation. 

The food prepared by Heather Spooner was fitting in it's unusual and earthy fall choices and was thoroughly delicious. It was so nice to have that totally taken care of by someone who loves doing it. It made me realize how nice it would be to have specific folks engaged to serve in other ways, such as a photographer and a general assistant. Thanks to Julie Grene and Claudio's mom, Silvia for filling those roles voluntarily!

Before the reception even started, the owner of the building, Marsha Ramos commented to me on the paintings she liked. One in particular, Lightening, she felt needed a different frame so she took it off the wall and began holding it against other frames. One reason she liked it is because it looks similar to the GeoSystems logo, and in the office she has other pictures of volcanos and land forms. Then she told me that she would buy it. She dragged a price out of me and agreed to pay the full price even without the frame.  How exciting!  

Several times since I have said that I sold the painting but honestly, I didn't. Marsha bought the painting. My part was only to say okay, and suggest an agreeable price! I think that is the way all my art sales have happened. The art sells itself to the appropriate owner. It is always amazing to me!