I offered to make a painting for Kim and Sonexay’s baby girl, due in June. We decided on a theme of cherry blossoms. I did a paper collage, an idea I will follow. But I got interested and started a slightly different idea. This one is on a panel, a hollow core door that Gregg cut in half then added a support at the bottom. The size is 24″ x 40″. I’ve been exploring textures and this should be a challenge; blossoms, trunks, leaves, water, light and dark. I thought Kim would like to follow my progress, so if you’re reading this, you are a voyeur!
Installing my art show at HART
Gregg and Bobbi installed my show, and I just sat there. We agreed on placement, and got 25 pieces hung in less than two hours. We had a nice lunch with Bobbi and caught up on her treatment for breast cancer. I’ve already had an inquiry, and sold a piece. The show “On Golden Pond” opens tomorrow night and we will be there with bells on.
Eulogy to Robert Rauschenberg
Rauschenberg was 82 when he died Monday. Do you ever wonder about the Port Arthur, Beaumont area of Texas? Lots of creative people are from there, like Janis Joplin, John Alexander, and the Winter bros. Is that where the “crossroads” is? How did they get so creative?
Log cabin photo
My new show of paintings will be at HART from May 22 to June 8. This is one of the photos that I’ve been painting from.
Painting more than writing
The last entry was September, 2007. I still haven’t finished that story because I shifted my focus to painting. Forrest & Graham moved out in June, and by July I had made myself a nice studio. A whole room to myself, and I spill over into Gregg’s office, especially when we are framing. I got “Bettie in Blue” into the national juried show “Boundaries” at the Asheville Area Arts Center. It sold! Now that’s encouragement. In October I showed some paintings at the Haywood Public Library. The subject was an old log cabin that sits in my “stone” garden. I sold two paintings from that show to a retired veterinarian who had tested animals going into space at Randolph Air Base. Gregg and I inherited my parent’s house outside of San Antonio, just south or Randolph. Coincidence or conspiracy? Hey, my kids are funny, they had to get it from somewhere. Anyway, Dr. Harry also commissioned a painting of a log and stone potato cellar that was on his property and provided me with photos. I’ve done several paintings from these photos.
Gregg and I spent December in San Antonio until the week before Christmas. We celebrated Christmas at F&G’s home. Talk about freedom, no Christmas decorations! So I’ve been on a painting streak, a series I call “Disappearing Rural Architecture Portraits”. And I’m having so much fun. I will be showing these in the Gallery at HART Theater, May 22 to June 8. There is a diversity in surfaces; paper, canvas, and panel. The sizes range from small for me, 8”x10”, to a screen that’s 80” x 56”. The play at HART is “On Golden Pond” and the rural theme should complement the play nicely, I think. If you aren’t going to be in Waynesville, check out the Portfolio part of this website.
If you haven’t been counting your blessings every day, get to it!
Yellow Money
Yellow Money
© by Susan Livengood
No love lost for this parking garage. The cold damp lair of the dread “combustis inginis” is striped with ominous shadows. I find my pepper spray, scan for movement, lace keys through my fingers, gather my bags, exit the car boldly, and stride to the security door. “I fear no evil, for I am the meanest…”
“Hey!”
The loud voice startles me, my can of spray drops and rolls to his feet.
“Integers, you scared me!”
“Sorry. I saw you yesterday. I’m Detective Brown, everybody calls me J. Can I help you carry anything?” He scoops up the can and hands it to me. “I thought I knew everyone on the roster. Are you new? Why do you come in at this gawdawful hour? I never forget a face. Are you working dispatch?” he asks, sliding his keycard at the door. “Allow me.” The door doesn’t open. He slides his card again and the door still does not open.
“Signs and portents,” I mumble, returning the mace to one of my bags and groping to find my keycard. Why am I at the Police Station at 4:00 a.m.? Synesthesia is a short circuit between the senses. Some people hear color or taste numbers. I see the colors of numbers. Numbers are my friends, much more entertaining than people. Certainly quieter than this popinjay. My abilities and education have led me into a unique profession. I am Sharon Swain CPA, Forensic Accountant, TRACKER.
“It worked this morning,” the noisy, nosy man said.
Rigorous accounting protocols and charming shades of colors reveal trails of money that are oh, so carefully hidden. For the last few months I’ve been working at the Chancey Crossing Police station as an independent contractor, reporting directly to Lieutenant Bradley Cornwall. He’s one of the few people who values my mathematical talents and is not concerned with my eccentricities.
Let me know if you’d like to read the rest of this story. SL
Beginning on Public art mural- I’m on the scaffold
Mozilla Firefox Start PagePublic art mural San Antonio TX 1991-2000
self portrait, Short Ridge
Warren
