June 05, 2006

Back in the saddle again

Last Thursday night I began a new semester of art classes. I think the last art class I had was about nine months ago so it was great to be back with my group. I'm working on the piece for our wedding reception, and though I have completely procrastinated on this painting, it was for a reason. This is my third attempt at creating a painting for my wedding. The first two paintings I began and have since put aside, dissatisfied with how they were coming along. The painting I began Thursday night has truly inspired me to continue along with this image. Procrastination may have caused my fiance some anxiety, but I'm glad this is what I am working on. I can't wait to finish it (which will probably be this week) and I can't wait for it to be displayed at our reception. Our intention is to use it in the invitations, decorations and favors. I think it's just one more way Jason and I are making sure our wedding is truly "us" and unique.

For this painting, it is a simple image of a couple dancing, with the perspective being that of the woman's back and the man in front of her leading the dance. Neither of their faces are shown, and it is a very elegant and sophisticated image. I'm using a lot of liquin to get a soft, smokey look. I'd love to achieve a sort of renaissance feel to the painting. I'll incorporate light blue into the background to reflect one of our colors, and I think this painting will be a wonderful addition to our wedding reception decor.

Posted by Melanie on June 05, 2006 at 03:21 PM | Comments (0)

May 09, 2006

Liquin

Over the weekend, a fellow artist visted the office of my fiance and commented on some of my work in his office. Jason mentioned how I had incorporated Liquin into my paint for one of the paintings. Unfamiliar with oil paints or Liquin, she asked was this substance was. Liquin is manufactured by Windsor & Newton, and I believe they are the only company that sells this product. Liquin is a paint medium that when mixed in with oil paints, makes the paint go on very smoothly onto the canvas, thins out the paints and gives the paint a shiny finish. Liquin also decreases drying time, which may be good or bad depending on what you are doing with your painting. Since oil takes many days, and several weeks to really dry and set, speeding along the drying process may not be such a bad thing. I first used Liquin just under a year ago, and I really liked the affect it had on my work. It allows me to achieve really smooth lines on the canvas, and helps me along when I do abstract work. Although it is not for every painting, or even every painter, Liquin is a wonderful tool for an artist.

Posted by Melanie on May 09, 2006 at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)

May 03, 2006

The art of marriage

If you have been reading my few and far between entries, you'll remember that I am in the process of creating a piece of art that Jason and I can incorporate into our wedding. Using our colors of dark brown and light blue, and have before me the task of capturing love, unity, trust and marriage on a canvas. Hmph...this task has been hard! I honestly thought an image would simple pour from my mind, down to my hand, to my brush and onto the canvas. Lets just say that I am on my second canvas and I'm still not sure if I have what I want. I have some ideas for a still life incorporating items that represent these ideas and our relationship specifically. But it has been difficult to get started because I have put some pressure on myself to create something meaningful and memorable, for about 150 people will see it the day of our wedding. This painting means a lot to me, though it hasn't been created yet, and I want to make sure that I create something that really captures all that is Jason and I.

Posted by Melanie on May 03, 2006 at 08:39 PM | Comments (0)

April 29, 2006

Still Alive

Hello world. I am still alive, just not very busy keeping up with my painting website (or painting for that matter). But, I just signed up for the June 1st art class so I'll be back in the swing of things soon. I am six months away from getting married so that has kept me busy to say the least. Plus I have been busy with a new job, and various projects around the house. Life doesn't seem to slow down, does it? But I would rather be busy than bored, although lately I have been so busy that I wouldn't mind being a little bored. I apologize to those who "try" and keep up with me through this site - I have let the blog entries become few and far between. Nonetheless, I hope to pick things back up with my art class and after I get married. Thanks for understanding --the artist.

Posted by Melanie on April 29, 2006 at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)

January 09, 2006

Busy as a bee

Ok folks. I know you are probably tired of coming to website with so few updates. I must warn you that since due to the holidays (which have now ended but I am still recovering) and my engagement, I will probably only be posting entries when I have a new painting go up. I'm finishing up a commission and then I will be focusing on creating art for the wedding.

Posted by Melanie on January 09, 2006 at 06:19 PM | Comments (1)

December 15, 2005

Wedding art

In our attempt to keep the wedding personal and unique, my fiance thought it would be cool for me to paint an image (more likely an abstract image) that would represent our wedding, our relationship, etc. that we can display at the reception. Forget some big 'ole picture of the bride; we want art! While I think this is a wonderful idea and I'm very excited, I can't help but wonder how exactly I will capture what Jason and I have on a mere canvas. I suppose I could lock myself in a room with lit candles and Enya playing in the background to give me inspiration, but I think inspiration will come naturally. I just hope that my hand can transpose what I have in my head onto the canvas. I have some ideas already - images floating around in my mind that I think would look really amazing. As with the entire process of planning a wedding, I shall keep you updated on our signature image for our wedding.

Posted by Melanie on December 15, 2005 at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)

December 03, 2005

Soon to be wed...

That's right...I'M ENGAGED!!!

So, I know it has been quite a looooong time since I have made an entry, and even posted a new painting (yikes), but as you can see, a lot has been happening in my life. First and foremost, my wonderful boyfriend of over a year popped the question this Tuesday night, November 29th in a most romantic way. Picture a freshly decorated tree, a house full of Christmas cheer, and Jason kneeling on one knee asking me to be his wife. What a wonderful night. He proposed one year from the day I said "I love you." He presented the gorgeous ring on a red ribbon, telling that we had one last ornament for our tree. Then before I knew it he was down on one knee and I was crying. Now the fun and revelry of being engaged will last until October, our chosen month for the nuptuals (a more specific date to follow soon). We're hoping for October 28th, the date in which he first said "I love you" to me.

To you my sweetie, the man who inspires me and makes me laugh, my best friend, my soul mate, to you I give the world...

Posted by Melanie on December 03, 2005 at 07:48 PM | Comments (5)

October 17, 2005

Confessions of a corn dog addict

When I was in sixth grade, I use to come home from school, plop down on the floor in front of the TV and eat one to two frozen corn dogs (microwaved to golden perfection of course). The ritual continued for many months, and I'm sure there were days when I downed three of the delicious batter-covered dog treasures on a stick. By the time I got to eight grade, my corn dog cravings has subsided but had left their mark on my waist line. Not to be overcome by the lingering affects of one to many after-school corn dogs, I dropped some weight in high school through athletics. Fuled by the classic need to being "cool" in high school, I watched my diet and safely made it through my four years as being "semi-cool" (oh, the drama!).

In college I ate nearly a one corn dog, all but forgetting my middle school addiction. Yes, the NC State Fair and other such events brought me close to this perfectly contained and easily eaten food, but I avoided the corn dog's seductive powers (although I was easily taken over by elephant ears and candy apples). My corn dog addiction of long ago was gone with my youth; I was free!

But I have underestimated the power of the corn dog. Yes, my fierce addiction over a decade old has returned. When did I fall you ask? The Little Princess diner in Cherokee, NC. My boyfriend and I stopped into this quaint little diner and the bottom of the Smokey Mountains last weekend. As we sat down began flipping through our menus, I noticed they had corn dogs, and for cheap! (The other great quality about a corn dog is that you can typically get one for around two dollars). Almost on a whim, I ordered the corn dog (with fries) and a coke - such a classic meal! When the waitress brought our lunch, and I sank my pearly whites into the corn dog, I thought I was in heaven! How delicious the batter! How wonderful the dog! How much fun it is to eat something that is actually prepared and served on a stick!

The lunch at Little Princess led to a stop at a roadside grocery store the following day in Bryson City. As my boyfriend and I stopped in to get some supplies for dinner that night, there before me at the checkout register was a display of hot, fresh corn dogs. I didn't feel so bad when my boyfriend ordered an egg roll as well. The two corn dogs I ate in the mountains were delicious, and I think I can safetly say that the Smokey Mountains are home to some of the best corn dogs.

Salivating from the memory of corn dogs in the mountains, I practically forced my boyfriend to drive me around town yesterday in search of a corn dog! Our first succcess was at Cook-Out. The corn dog was small, and a little charred, so I wasn't that satisfied. The next few stops to Dairy Queen, Goodberry's and Capi's proved unsuccessful. Finally, after a long journey to Holly Springs, we stopped at Sonic where I proceed to eat a second corn dog. Crazy you ask? Maybe a little. But you only live once. Hopefully I can keep my addiction in tact (and my waist line) this time. I plan to go jogging tomorrow morning - can corn dogs be considered the new energy bar?

Posted by Melanie on October 17, 2005 at 05:15 PM | Comments (1)

October 12, 2005

BAM!

For all you Food Network fanatics, you are sure to be familiar with the above chef. Emeril Lagasse is the chef du jour as he is making his much anticipated appearance at my bookstore tonight. Emeril will be promoting his new cookbook, Emeril's Delmonico, which highlights his famous New Orleans restuarant (which I believe was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina). Nonetheless, it will be interesting to hear what he has to say about his hometown. For those of you who are hoping to get a taste of what he is most famous for, sadly I must say that there will be no cooking tonight, just autographs. I would also say I will post some pictures but his publicist has asked that no cameras be allowed inside. Oh well...you'll just have to come see him for yourself!

Posted by Melanie on October 12, 2005 at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)

September 20, 2005

Day off

Today I am off from the bookstore and have already taken a walk around the local lake and grabbed a sandwich with my boyfriend. My leisurely stroll at the lake turned into an hour long hike, as the flat part of the greenway was "under construction" and the crazy mad hill parts where most definitely open. But it felt good to climb and climb...and climb and climb my way back to the car.

Tonight I have art class - hurrah! I missed last week because I was working but tonight I can enjoy dinner with my classmates and then go on to class. What shall I paint tonight? I have no idea once again! I fear that I am in a weird sort of "painter's block." Perhaps because I've been super busy at work and outside of work. Perhaps I just am in a dry spell. Not sure. I'll probably roam about the house and look through magazines and online to find an inspiring image to paint. I'll keep you posted on what I find!

Posted by Melanie on September 20, 2005 at 02:30 PM | Comments (0)