Mary Medrano's Blog

Chuck Close at San Jose Museum of Art

2009-10-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

On the way to the Chuck Close show, the first thing I see before I even get out of the parking lot is a face in the arrow on the ground.

Closeup: (Isn't that cool?)

I'm always struck by the beautiful San Jose Museum sign and building. I love the bold graphic - that's what first catches my eye. Then there is the blending of the old (originally the San Jose post office) with the new. The new wing was added to the original building in 1991. Gorgeous.

Out front, you cannot miss the incredible statue by Italo Scanga. "Figure Holding the Sun"

The new wing:

The old wing and "Figure Holding the Sun":

I went to see the Chuck Close show. Geez, this guy creates so much work. He is prolific. I love to see his process. He is one who really works something over and over. I love how he uses a grid, the color, and the myriad of printing processes he's explored. He's used very few subjects, a friend, his wife, his daughter, and his own self-portrait. Truly inspiring work and show. A must see. No photography allowed inside.

Michael Jackson's Thriller World Record Attempt

2009-10-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

It was so cool to be walking down Lincoln Avenue Saturday and all of a sudden see Michael Jackson's Thriller being performed. Yep, full costumes, music, videos, cameras. Right here in San Jose. In talking with people at the event, one being my ex-boss Stan Harris from etc group, who was filming, there was an attempt to set a new world record for the largest number of people simultaneously dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". We got to see it 3 times, 2 dress rehearsals and then the real thing. It was really cool. Here are some pics. The location was the parking lot in front of a very cool costume and dance store called Adira Dance. Check them out some time.

http://www.adiradance.com

Here's the official news blurg: On Saturday, an attempt was made to set a world record for simultaneous dancing to Michael Jackson's “Thriller.” Dancers in the US, Australia, Germany, Russia, and Pakistan all participated in the massive, highly coordinated event. Although no official announcement has yet been made about a world record being set, videos have begun surfacing that illustrate the success and the global scale of the endeavor. From various locations around the world, the “Thrill the World” dancers achieved their goal to orchestrate one of the largest coordinated dance routines ever witnessed on the face of the earth.

A Beautiful Wedding

2009-10-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad I rethought this BLOG to encompass more than just art because I can included precious times like I had this past weekend in Michigan.

On Saturday, October 17 my 86 year old dad married a beautiful 86 year old woman named Helen Cox. The full story is in the article covered by their local newspaper the Adrian Daily Telegram in Adrian, Michigan.

http://www.lenconnect.com/lifestyle/x536355872/Grand-Court-residents-both-86-tie-the-knot

I am so happy that I was able to be at their wedding. It was by far the best wedding I've ever attended. I cried when the bride walked up the aisle, and felt pure joy for my Dad at his happiness.

My friends and family made the weekend even more special.

My husband and I stayed with my lifelong girlfriend and her family in Dexter, MI. They are my extended family and I appreciate every moment with them.

My brother Mark and his wife Tracey lent us a car to get around in. So thoughtful. It was shining clean, detailed and filled with gas. How nice is that?

My brother Jim and his wife Terry suggested another get together on Sunday so we could spend more time together. We walked around Dexter, and went to the Cider Mill.

My brothers and their wives are all saints. They take care of my Dad and make sure he has as comfortable a life as possible. I love them all and I will be grateful forever.

Janet and Jerry, their family and animals (4 cats and forever precious McGeyvor) were hosts extraordinaire.

What an amazing weekend. Here are some pictures.

Helen and Dad

Walking up the aisle after the ceremony

Me, Dad, Helen, Sam

Happy times

At the Dexter Cider Mill the next day

Janet and me at the Huron River behind the Dexter Cider Mill

Railroad Crossing as Sculpture

Terry and Jimmy

Tracey & Mark

Dexter Depot

Jerry & Janet

My future studio!

Halloween Street Lamps

2009-10-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Every year we decorate our street lamps for Halloween with our next door neighbors, Kirk and Leah. We have done this for years under cover of darkness. When we were finally caught in the act several years ago, we disvoered that the adults enjoy it as much as the kids.

We have 11 street lamps on our street and we put 3 images (faces or characters) on each lamp. Here are a few pictures of this year's lamps. We cut the images out of black contact paper. If you live near San Jose, you can see these on Nevada Avenue between Bird and Hill.

Enjoy!

Paintings from Mug Shots

2009-10-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday morning and I just looked at two paintings that I made this week. Each of these is from the same reference photo - interestingly a celebrity mug shot. Sorry, I don't know who the celebrity is. I am completely ignorant of pop culture. I made the photograph off the TV screen. Why was I watching this show? Mug shots make good subjects for my current work.

Here are the two paintings I made. I think I'll call them "Pink Girl" and "Pink Boy" or something like that. Brilliant!! Many of you know I am title challenged. I guess my creativity goes into my painting. By the time I'm done I haven't an ounce of creativity left when it comes to titling my work. Actually, that's not exactly true. It's days later and I still don't have a good title.

Here you go...

Getting Ready for Open Studios 11/7-8/09

2009-10-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

I've been getting ready for Open Studios November 7 & 8. So far I've made a new postcard advertising my painting lessons, a new business card, and am working on a brochure that will be ready in time for the event. I also got a new credit card machine that works without a phone line, and had new checks made reflecting a new address. I just received an order of 12 x 16 inch backing boards to go along with limited edition prints that I will be selling. Two nights ago I made 15 new prints in the 12 x 16 inch size. To help the artist community that I am part of, I will be volunteering along with Lori Krein to publish the event on all of the freebie online and print media sites. This is the very unromantic vision of being an artist.

I've had people say things like "don't you feel guilty painting all day when your husband is out working". I've had people sarcastically ask whether I can get the time off to do something with them. These are the type of comments that confirm that people have no idea what it's like to be a full time artist - and that's what this blog is all about. It's a behind-the-scene look at everything that goes on before the painting are displayed anywhere outside of my studio.

Hopefully, this blog is an education for non-artists, and a validation for artists who are in the same boat as me. We are all on our own paths trying to make a living doing what we love.

The painting above is called "A Touch of Color". I thought it would be appropriate for this entry so that it's not just of words.

Enjoy the day. Thanks for reading. Comments welcome!!

Studio shots

2009-09-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

I thought you might like to see what my studio is looking like these days. It's been about 2 months since I've moved in. The floor is looking better every day.

Although my big white wall is filled with works in progress - the few visitors I've had tend to gravitate to my earlier work on the back wall. They are familiar with it - it's like seeing an old friend. It's comfortable. Here are a few pics of my studio from today.

My easel. Isn't it beautiful?

My little man.

Works in progress on the wall and my painting table.

Looking toward the front door.

"Buy Now" button - whoo hoo

2009-09-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can't paint for some reason or another. You name it... Today was one of those days. I was just distracted, uncentered, offcenter, whatever you want to call it, so I decided to figure out how to add a "buy now" button on my website for my painting lessons. I figured this was an excellent use of my time. Long story short, future and current students can now make payments for painting lessons via my website. How cool is that?

I am so proud of myself, I just had to write about it. If you want to go see this beautiful "buy now" button, OK, it's not so beautiful, well... yes it is - you can check it out here:

http://www.marymedranogallery.com/Pages/lessons.html

BTW, if you know anyone that would like to take some painting lessons and use my brand spankin' new 'buy now' button that would be awesome.

Red Jacket

2009-09-03T21:38:00.000-07:00

It was a great painting week. I have really settled into my new studio and am thoroughly enjoying my time there, meeting the other artists, and making art full time.

Here are progress shots of a painting I made today. It is from a photograph in a catalog. I mention this because recently my brother asked me whether I paint from photographs or not. I said I don't because all the answers are already there. So, since he made a liar out of me, or maybe I made a liar out of myself, here's a painting I made from a photo – almost. There are things that are different than the photo just to keep it interesting. It's a bit more realistic than most of my paintings, but I still enjoyed making this one. It is 24" x 20", acrylic on canvas.

Two Contacts Per Week

2009-08-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

You probably don't know this, but about six months ago I set a personal goal to make two contacts per week to either enter a competition, contact a rep, do the leg-work to find new venues, or contact a gallery about a show or representation. I do this with the hope that some of my efforts will result in either a group or solo show, a new gallery, or a new art consultant* relationship.

So, you ask... what were the two contacts I made this week? Every now and then something happens that I call 'a gift'. I receive an email or phone call from someone saying they would like to include my art in a show they are putting together. That very thing happened this week. I received an email from Christine Benjamin, an artist/curator who is putting together a show for Psycho Donuts. It will be a Halloween/Day of the Dead show and she wants monster, skeletal, creepster type art. Cool. All I had to do is email her back and say 'I'm in'.

First contact for the week done. Yay!!

The second contact for the week took much more time and effort. It began with a trip up to Sonoma County to hang out for a couple days. In the process I visited galleries, ate great food, drank a little wine, and visited every little city on the 116 loop from Healdsburg, out to the ocean to see Bodega Bay, and then ended up in Occidental at their farmer's market. Yep, that was the fun part.

One of the little cities we stopped in was Forrestville. We visited a gallery there called Quicksilver Mine Co. Yes, it really is a gallery, and a fabulous one at that. I thought I would be a fit so I asked the gallery worker what their procedure was for artists who would like to get into their beautiful gallery. They had a sheet of instructions that I took home with me. I read it over and submitted the required packet which included:

• cover letter stating whether I was looking for a group/solo show or representation
• resume
• artist statement about my work
• 6 photographic quality printouts of my work
• self-addressed stamped envelope for return of printouts

It probably took about two hours of time to get this all together and send to the gallery.

Second contact for the week done. Yay!!

Now you know why I call the first contact resulting in a group show, a gift.

Wish me luck with my second contact of the week.

* The art consultant doesn't work for the artist they work for their clients who are art buyers. Those buyers are either individuals who want art for their home or more typically, corporations and health care businesses who want art for their walls.

Downtime

2009-08-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

Downtime for me is any combination of the following:

* Looking at other artist's work
* Not cooking
* Drinking a little wine
* Taking a drive in the country
* Seeing new sites
* Daydreaming
* Leaving my cell phone behind
* Turning off the computer
* No emailing, Facebooking, Blogging, etc.
* Reading a good book
* No painting or sketching
* Time alone
* Time with hubby

This is mandatory to making my creative time more effective, more enjoyable, and hopefully improved.

I just had a chance to do all of this up in Sonoma County with my husband.

Now I am rejuvenated and excited to go back to my studio and make art.

Two Faces On Paper

2009-08-14T19:37:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure why exactly, but this was a long week of struggles. I was stuck on making one particular painting work. I don't know if this has something to do with me being in a new studio or what, but I was just stuck. Today (Friday) I decided before I even set foot in my studio that I was not going to work on that same 'ol chair painting again. I had had it with that and I needed to do something radically different to snap out of being stuck.

My idea was to go in and #1, work on paper. #2, work with pencil, ink and acrylic. #3, make some faces. something I was familiar with, therefore comfortable.

I made 6 paintings on paper today. I am happy with two of them. What I'm most happy with is getting past a point where I was stuck, and ending the week on a high note.

This one is called Gray and Sharp for lack of a better title. Suggestions for a title?

This one is called Red Nose, Blue Eyes. I know it's lame but I'm tired and literal right now. Any suggestions for a title?

Icing on the Cake

2009-08-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

The good news about all the hard work in the studio is that every now and then I get into a show. The even better news about that is sometimes I even win an award. That's much less frequent, but definitely worth striving for as it truly is icing on the cake.

Other icings on the cake?

Nice words
Good painting days
Collectors that want to visit
Collectors that give me gifts
Collectors that treat me to events
Selling a painting
Building comraderie with other artists in my community
Success of my students
Success of fellow artists
Just being in my studio
Having friends and family that support me being an artist (especially my husband)
Having all of my favorite art books in my studio
Having a LaFuma chair in my studio for long-time studying of my paintings
Having that same chair for napping
Having a microwave and mini refrigerator for creature comforts
Being able to offer a friend a beer or a glass of wine
Privacy, which leads me back to the flip side of being in the studio for days/weeks/months...

Tonight I will go to a reception in honor of several artists and myself whose work was accepted into a national show called Figures & Faces at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, juried by George Rivera of the Triton Museum. This is the first show I've been in where a catalog has been made of the pieces in the show.

Another icing on the cake.

Chairs, Chairs, More Chairs

2009-07-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

I had a great week of painting in my new studio. It's a wonderful place.

What I realize is that I am definitely not afflicted with attention deficit disorder. I am able to focus for hours at a time on a painting. In fact, at times this week I was so focused I lost track of time. That's the best. I am especially grateful for this uninterrupted time because I haven't had that for over 2 years. I am so happy.

I continue to paint chairs - those magical instruments of comfort, relaxation, calm, stability, nurturing, home. Like I said before I have a thing about chairs so why not paint them? I realize over the years I actually have painted several chairs so this isn't new. I'm just more focused right now specifically on them as subject rather than supporting character - for now. Only time will tell where this will lead.

This is the second chair I painted. It was just a study in discovering the chair parts - in other words, drawing it with paint from a different angle than the previous post showing the first painting I made in my new studio.

This painting shows a little more of me in it. I had the idea of the chair sitting in water. I like the stability of the chair and the motion of the water.

Since I like the water idea so much I began another painting this time a bit larger - 3' x 3'. It's not finished, but I like where it's headed.

This painting is 40" x 30" I think. Again, just a beginning of an idea. Chair legs and water.

It sure is fun painting again.

Helpful People and Travel

2009-07-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

I continue to work on my studio to make it my own. This week I worked on an area of my studio that my friend Barbara calls the helpful people and travel area. It is just inside my front door to the right. I have a curio cabinet there that is filled with gifts from friends. There are pictures of people who are helpful to me. I also have my art books in this area. I look at all of the artists in these books as helpful people.

My studio is getting feng shui'd because friends like Barbara share their knowledge about the ancient principles. It's fascinating, playful and fun. I usually take their advice because what they tell me just feels right.

Here's a definition of the Helpful People & Travel corner from the web:

The HELPFUL PEOPLE & TRAVEL area is located in the northwest corner of your home and/or business. In the individual rooms it is located in the front right section of the Bagua. This area represents the energy that brings helpful people to us or guides us to the helpful people on a daily basis. In addition, this area represents helpful beings, such as God, angels, spirit guides, and spirit animals. It also is the area for travel.

What does this area of your home or business look like? Are there helpful people there? Travel?

Here's a picture of what this area of my studio looks like.

Sometimes I Just Have to Paint

2009-07-15T08:22:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I just have to paint no matter what is going on.

This is the first painting I made in my new studio at The Alameda Artworks. It is 2 x 2 feet.

There was construction noise, I was still setting up and the place was a mess but I decided enough is enough, I needed to paint. This chair has been with me at two studios now. It is actually one of two chairs in my studio with a matching glass table top. It was a set that I "stole" from our kitchen because I needed a table and chairs and didn't want to go out and buy a new one. I love the iron work and the wicker seat. I love the lightness of a glass table top. It is light in looks, strong in character and has been privy to many conversations with friends and family.

This is another painting in which I painted over an older painting. In this case the older painting was my "Art Walk" sign that I used at my Campbell studio. The vivid reds and oranges peek through the surface paint. The surface colors are inspired by my new light-filled studio.

The simple subject of the chair represents worlds to me. It is something that I have had a "thing" for forever. It is comfort, and strength. It is nurturing, a resting place. It is a simple shape that can be complex in design. It offers a sense of place. It cradles and is patient. Sometimes it is rickety and precarious. Other times it is overstuffed. Aren't we all at times?

I found this about the history of "The Chair" on Wikipedia. "The chair is of extreme antiquity, although for many centuries and indeed for thousands of years it was an article of state and dignity rather than an article of ordinary use." Accompanying the text was this painting titled "Vincent's Chair" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1888.

I can't imagine life or my studio without several. At last count I have:

4 black folding chairs
2 white folding chairs
1 armless studio chair on wheels for painting
2 armless chairs with matching table
1 antique wooden chair

Good-Bye ArtWeek

2009-07-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

ArtWeek magazine has closed it's doors. It was an art magazine for artists. It felt comfortable, unpretentious, straightforward. It arrived in my mailbox every month. It inspired me. I never saw it at news stands. It was special - only museums and art stores were good enough for it. I will miss the 13.5 x 10.5 inch giant. June, 2009 was the last issue.

Recently, I decided to step up my efforts of getting into shows so I used the magazine's "Competitions" section as a resource. I would curl up on the couch with my magic marker and circle everything that I thought looked interesting. After that I would go to the web and do some research. I would check out the judge and the venue. I would look at the artwork of previous shows. If it seemed far fetched or if the link didn't work, if they weren't looking for paintings, or the location didn't include the SF bay area or if everything on their website was realistic, on and on I wouldn't enter and it would get the big black X.

If a competition passed the first set of criteria I would give it a number based on the entry deadline. There were many months I would go through this exercise and then... I would do nothing.

The May, 2009 issue was different however. I did my regular routine of circling and X'ing. I submitted some images, got some rejects, even won an award (Yay!!) I am waiting to hear the results of other entries I sent off. Wish me luck!!

Good bye ArtWeek, I will miss you.

P.S. You owe me $65 for my recently renewed 2-year subscription. ;-)

From Dining Room Table to The Alameda Artworks

2009-07-03T15:35:00.001-07:00

Studio 5 - Day 1

Hey there "sister", I have a new studio. That's my big news. It is light and bright and big. I mean BIG. I have never had anything close to this size before. You know I started out painting in my dining room. It wasn't long before I discovered I'm not very neat. A painters tarp draped over the dining room table wasn't going to cut it.

I headed out the back door and set up "shop" in the garage. I stayed for five years. I was messy and loved it. I learned how to paint in my garage. I'm still learning of course, and will continue to learn for the rest of my life but that's where I really learned how to paint. You know what I mean.

After five years in my garage a very scary yet exciting opportunity came up - my friend Lorraine called to let me know that she was moving out of her retail space in Campbell, CA into a new space a few doors down - her space was available and did I want it? OMG. I was scared to death. I would be leaving my garage, my privacy, my sanctuary. I would be gaining exposure, retail sales and experience and a very public studio space. I wanted to try.

I was in Campbell for about a year and a half when I realized that I'm just not a retailer. I'm an artist. I struggled with keeping retail hours. I struggled with painting in public and never completely got comfortable with that. I struggled with event after event that were interruptions to my creative life. You name it Campbell does it. There were celebrations of holidays, parades, sidewalk sales, barbecues, concerts, cinemas, Santa Claus and belly dancers (now that's a visual). It is a great city with great volunteers and merchants. They give incredible amounts of time, effort, money, and their selves. I met interesting people. I also met boring people. I dealt with a couple of drunks, welcomed the mentally ill, smiled at homeless people. I bought flowers weekly from the flower vendor. I met a lot of artists. I made new friends. I saw babies and grandpas, young lovers and art lovers. I worked in a public place and I knew it was time for a change.

I made several visits to my friend Lucy at The Alameda Art Works (an artist studio complex with 34 artists in San Jose) during my last six months in Campbell. She would point out studios that were available or nearly available. It was enticing. The studios were private and bright. I didn't just want one - I craved one.

Another friend enters the picture. Lisa. Lisa took her son to summer Art Camp with Lucy at The Alameda Artworks. Lisa discovered the same thing I did. There was a very large space available but who could rent that? It was way too big for one person. Lisa was also looking for a studio. She was working out of her home and was ready to begin the search for a real studio. Our paths crossed when we both discovered we were looking for a new studio and that we could share the large space that was newly available at The Alameda Artworks. Long story short - we are now mates in Studio 5.

My reflections on being in Campbell is that I feel good about helping to get the artists unified by offering to design a brochure listing the artists' galleries. The city was against it because it would soon be out of date. We (the artists) didn't listen and produced the brochure anyway. Turns out the city was right. The brochure was outdated relatively quickly when someone moved. As a result of a few rebellious artists, the city of Campbell now has a thriving Art Walk, and is on the third revision of the brochure. I imagine there has been tens of thousands of dollars added to Campbell's coffers as a result of the monthly Art Walks.

I had the best neighbors in the world in the Courtyard in Campbell. We cried like babies when I left. I will remember fondly our shared laughter and tears. I miss you already.

Now you know how I got from my dining room table to The Alameda Artworks.

Mary

Ancient Girl

2009-03-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Evolution of the other girls I've been painting. It's funny to me that the evolution in this case is going more primitive.

Entries and Exits

2009-03-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a new series of paintings. I have no idea where it will lead, but I sure am having fun. This is one from that new group. I call it Entries and Exits. It has something to do with paths from the ancient to now. The checkerboard has been in my work for years. I love the pattern. In doing a little research I discovered it is a symbol for water, life-giving, centered. I like all of those meanings.

Meditation

2009-03-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

I made this because I love the photo of this Buddha. I need to spend more time meditating, and this is my reminder.

Angel Wings

2009-03-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

This little sweety is in many paintings and drawings lately. I don't know her. She is from a b&w photo I bought at a junk store somewhere, sometime. I really don't remember. I sure do love her though.

Perseverance

2009-02-12T21:51:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I've been in flux with my paintings and to be honest just didn't know what to show. Anyway, here's one from today that I like. It's called "Perseverance" (how appropriate) and is 24" x 18".

Happy New Year!

2009-01-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

It didn't take long for me to realize I'm not a daily painter, at least not one that paints and posts daily. To start the new year off on a better blogging foot, I've changed the name of this blog to "In the Studio". This keeps me from constantly feeling like I've missed a self-imposed deadline. With respect to all artists out there who do paint and post daily, my hats off to you. You are amazing.

I wish I could say I had something fabulous to show you for the month plus that I've been gone, but well... maybe I do and can show it at the end of the writing. I'll think about it. I can say that I had a wonderful break spent reading, visiting friends, baking and eating way to many cupcakes. I even made a trip to Santa Barbara with my husband. That was the best of all. We hung out for three days with no agenda other than to ride the tour bus, eat, drink and be merry. We also visited the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. WOW. What a great museum. They had a Picasso show in two of the galleries showcasing his drawings. What freedom, imagination, and wild creativity he instilled in his work. It gave me a huge boost of inspiration.

We also walked on the beach, saw hundreds of pelicans, and went to the wharf. I never understand why wharfs are so special. They're tourist traps. They usually are filled with run-down low-end shops and food. And what's up with letting cars drive on them? That is always strange to me. I did buy a hat though. OK, that's what it's for. Dumb tourists like me who bring a winter hat and discover it's hot and sunny.

We also visited the Santa Ynez Valley (the wine region). WOW. Fabulous. I found myself saying how beautiful it was, repeatedly.

OK, I thought of what to show. In honor of the Picasso drawing show, here's a recent painting I made that combines my love of painting people, with huge respect for Picasso in the background. It is just 14" x 11" on a birch panel.

I will try to be better at posting, but I'm not making any promises. I would like to hear from you at any time. Please feel free to comment on any of my posts, my paintings, ideas, and whatever other random thoughts appear on this blog.

Wishing you all the best in 2009.

PEACE. LOVE. HOPE.

Mary

"The Last Persimmon" - SOLD

2008-12-09T20:18:00.001-08:00

I didn't accomplish much painting today. It was a struggle. I needed something to end my day with a sense of accomplishment, so I painted this sweet little persimmon. It's almost the end of the season and I'm going to miss getting baskets of persimmons from our friend and neighbor Sharon, who has supplied us for the last month or so. Thanks Sharon. It's been a wonderful persimmon season this year.