Backyard Birds

 

Featured image: Backyard Birds

Gosh where to begin?  I played around with this whole piece and everything in it. I think every part of an abstract or semi-abstract work is always experimental, as I rarely have much in mind when I start working. When I began this work last November, I started with a figure, washes, and colors.  I then stepped back and asked myself what the idea behind this work would be. I decided to make birds part of the composition, but how and where to place them became a major struggle.  I tried many ways, sizes, colors and shapes but always painted over them.  If you look closely at the work, you might glimpse the birds I painted over because they just weren’t right. It wasn’t until I put the red bird on the shoulder of the figure that I stopped struggling and felt comfortable with the marks and colors of the bird.  The rest didn’t come easily after that. I tried many birds flying around but that didn’t work for me. I finally settled on a bird at the bird feeder.

This whole work was extremely experimental for me and I learned a great deal from the creation and placement of the birds. I am ready to move on with what I learned to the next work and put these new ideas to work for me. The fun part for me as an artist is always knowing that even as I move on with new ideas, they are never the same in the next work.

Little Hummer

 

Featured image: Little Hummer

Yea! First Hummer at the feeder today!

Stillness

 

Featured image: Yellow Finch III

The finch's yellow 

song 

touches the 

stillness.

Masked by a grey sky 

  metamorphosis 

of the sun happens.

Enjoying the clouds

 

Featured image: A Cloud in the Sky

Just a minute ago I looked up

Toward the sky, puffy clouds

Slowly meandering across the 

Gray blue and white sky. I wonder

I listen. Eyes closed, I travel

Happily to a different place

With blue white sky and 

Puffy clouds. When I open

My eyes, puffy clouds have

Moved on to be shared with

Another, Minutes spend 

Enjoying the clouds.

Change

 

Featured image: Wonderful Flying Machine

Is it too late to change? Am I working towards that dream I thought I was called to do? But what I am doing is not what I imagined or dreamed. I am wondering, is it too late to change direction?  It is hard, change is, I know. 

But I do change – and I make myself vulnerable by putting my new work out there. I have the attitude that change is good, but hard, but imagination is fun and exciting. All the large competition pieces I have been working on this winter are different from other works I have done.  Change is scary. As I work, I think to myself is it worth even entering a competition with this one?  When artists change, they have no one to go to, to talk to about the new pieces. For me, if it gets into a competition, I say to myself well I guess it wasn’t that bad.

The thing about being an artist is it's about being intuitive, and listening to what the creative activity wants me to do. It is really what makes a work unique and original I believe. So I guess I am changing constantly – and I know I am always working towards that dream I think I was called to do.  At the moment, it isn’t what I imagined or dreamed but I get up, show up and have never, never given up. So I guess the answer to my question is – it is never to late to change, and imagine, imagine about this new day and what it is going to bring to you.

Geese

 

Featured image: Goose

Darn it, darn it! Those geese are back on my little island.  Well, it isn’t mine, but I like to think of it is mine, as many of my neighbors on this side of the lake also think it is their little island, or some call it Powder Puff. 

The geese came last year – and now they are back.  This used to be a loon’s nest and I saw them earlier, but they must have gone somewhere else. 

Anyway, the geese are there building a nest, making the little island full of slippery poop. The mom sits on the nest and once in a while the dad helps and sits.  Then, about a month later, we watch as the goslings are in the water swimming behind their parents. Cute? Yes, but darn it - they are on my little island.

Approaching Storm Accepted into Exhibition

 

Featured image: Watching the Storm Approach

I am truly honored to share that my work, "Approaching Storm," has been accepted into the prestigious Society of Watercolor Artists International Juried Exhibition. It is a privilege to have Juror Carrie Waller AWS, NWS select my piece for inclusion in the 2024 exhibition. This year's event saw a record number of entries, making the acceptance even more meaningful as only 55 pieces were chosen for display.

Bird Bath

 

Featured image: Coffee With a Little Yellow Bird At The Bird Bath

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a yellow bird land on the edge of the cobalt blue bird bath. It pecks at the water, looks over at me and asks, I imagine, “Actually, well, what are you going to do about it?”

Then more birds came and did the same thing.  I tried to ignore them and finish my morning coffee. There were  about 15 birds there at the bird bath, now desperately trying to get some water.  Peck, peck, pecking at the hard ice in the bath.  Man, do I feel the pressure or what!

It's the feeling you  get when you give in to the begging, and you tell your daughter she can go to the grocery store with you.  Guilt.  It takes twice as long to go grocery shopping with her. She puts things in the basket that she likes and I put them back telling her that they aren’t good for her, not enough nutrition. Then, as we are waiting in line to check out, she meanders over to the “catch me” things. McDonalds learned from this behavior quickly. They started making happy meals and putting little toys in the very special box the lunch comes in. As an aside, I started eating happy meals lately. There isn’t so much food there, and there are apple slices, so McDonalds listened to moms and dads too. 

Anyway, back at the checkout lane when she thinks I am not looking at her, she slowly drops a little toy - that tiny little doll with long hair and glitter and a pink dress.  I look at her sternly. “Put it back,”  I say. Head down, droopy eyes, shoulders sagging, “ Please mom, I will….”

Back to the birds, guess who wins, hint it isn’t me.  I get up, get the hose, turn on hot water to the ice in the bird bath, and refill the bird bath with warm water.  Such a soft touch I am, everyone knows it, even the birds.

Magic

 

Featured image: Coffee in the Rain

Raindrops sparkle in the sun

Grass is littered with tiny crystals

Silver mist blankets the forest

Ripples

 Featured image: Ripples in the Water on a Sunny Day

Slow moving air

Canoe  meanders

Transfixed round ripples

Reach out before her

Take a Deep Breath

 

Featured image: Wind Breathes

empty the mind of gray

look within to find peace

connect to our souls

Charting Pathways Accepted Into Exhibition

 

Featured image: Charting Pathways

I am thrilled to share the incredible news that my artwork "Charting Pathways" has been accepted into the prestigious 2024 National Fine Art Show at the Lincoln Gallery in Loveland, Co.! The honor of being a part of this exhibition is truly humbling and inspiring.

🗓️ Opening Reception:
📅 Date: May 10, 2024
🕕 Time: 6:00pm (Artists & Guests) / 7:00pm (Public)
📍 Location: Lincoln Gallery, Loveland Co.

Let It Be

 

Featured image: The Present

there is a way of knowing

not mechanical

not taught

but flowing 

within us

we just need to

let it emerge

Earth's Spiritual Powers

 

Featured image: Along the Shore III

Keep your spirit free

Unclogged 

Let nothing come between you.

the earth

and a Creator

sit in the forest

or stand in meadows.

journey past great

Granite rocks

Look up at the

Jeweled

Sky

Become part of the

Earth

Sky

Water

Cherish that mysterious

feeling

of being

Cherish the majestic

Feeling of solitude

Cherish earths 

spiritual powers

its essence

and the good spirits that

exist there

Piano Man's Spirit Named Winner in Online Exhibition

 

Featured image: Piano Man's Spirit

I am excited and deeply honored to share the wonderful news that my piece, "Piano Man’s Spirit," has been chosen as one of the winners in the prestigious online exhibition: Spring 2024 International 2D Online Exhibition for Soul of Artists! 

You can now view the entire exhibition, including my award-winning artwork, by visiting the link below. https://www.soulofartists.com/spring-24-exhibition.html

Her Gypsy Spirit Accepted into Exhibition

 

Featured image: Her Gypsy Spirit

I am incredibly honored to announce that my artwork, "Gypsy," has been accepted into the esteemed Collage Artists of America "Interplay" exhibition. This juried exhibition was highly competitive, with only 99 pieces chosen out of 270 entries. I am thrilled to have my work selected for this showcase of talent.

It is not Art

Featured image: On the Fence

It is not art.

Many say my work is not art. Well, since they often sound like they know what they are talking about in so many things, I may be tempted to agree with them... sometimes.

But, most people don’t know what they’re talking about when it comes to art. If they think that they know art and understand art, and then they call something “art” or “not art”, I say, for the most part, they know nothing about art and what art is. They only call it art because they are told it is art. But honestly, all things called art aren’t art, they are merely  technê.

If someone thinks they understand art enough to say my work is not art, then I believe they need to  label something in order to understand it,  control it and to  sound professionally professional.  Most times, their label is way toooooo small to define something as complex as art. Every time someone labels something, anything,  they, put it in a slot;  like a mailbox, like a category in science, and they destroy, actually take away, the freedom of whatever it is that they are labeling. As I said they are labeling it just to be able to control it and most of the time sell it. Labeling is great for communication and science but not art. For as long as I have been an artist, historically “art” has avoided definition. Why?  Because the concept of freedom cannot be labeled. Think about it – I mean really, REALLY, think about it – if you label freedom, it is no longer freedom but something else. And for as  long as I have been studying history and what is understood as art  - art has avoided labeling and categorization. 

I think back at what happens to “art” once something grabs the title of “art.” It becomes replicated because it is cool.  But the copy can never, never be “art.” And that is why many things that are being called “art” are really technê.

It is  ok to copy “art” but it is not ok to then call  what you copied art.  Think about it, can you be copied? The unique, personal being you are, can never, never be copied. You are unique and one-of-a-kind. You should always think of “art” as unique and one-of-a-kind. Your uniqueness, your one-of-a-kindness, can never be  labeled  i.e. let's all be Christine Alfery, (put your own name here)- it would be impossible.  Wouldn’t you agree?

Always, ALWAYS, think about that when you read or hear something being called “art.” It really is merely technê here. It’s  something being called “art” when it really isn’t.

I can tell you what art is not -this I have found is  the only way to tell you what “art” is.

Each Other

 

Featured image: Friends

Learn to enjoy each other

open yourself to the

creation of differences

celebrate the uniqueness

of each other's life

and their unique differences

From the Earth

 

Featured image: Earth Sings

spiritual connection

        gifts

from the earth

energy forces

        gifts

from the earth

melodies resonate.

gifts

from the earth

gentle heart beat

a gift

From the earth

listen, feel, dream

from the earth

Diamonds

 

Featured image: With Diamonds

welcoming a light-kissed day,

breezy whispers wishing love,

diamonds glisten 

on the water 

Wheels of Time

 

Featured image: Tumbling Stones II

Wheels of Time

sloped hillside

tumbling stone

wheels of time

history suspended

along the

sloped hillside

The Red Dress Accepted into Exhibition

 

Featured image: The Red Dress

I'm excited to announce that my artwork, "Red Dress," has been chosen for the Louisiana Watercolor Society's 54th Annual International Exhibition by the esteemed juror, Kathleen Giles. I'm honored to have my piece selected by Kathleen, a signature member of AWS, NWS, TWSA, PWS, American Woman Artists, the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, the Watercolor USA Honor Society, and the International Guild of Realism. Her work is known for its strong values and intense colors across various subjects. Join me in celebrating this incredible opportunity!

Exhibition Dates: May 1 – May 31, 2024

Celebration

 

Featured image: Celebrate, Celebrate Dance with the Music

Celebration
All’s harmony yet…..
      S…e…p…a…r…a…t…e
Celebration of
Wonder at
the intimate relationship
of all that is.

Unending Circle of Life

 

Featured image: Everything Comes Full Circle

I love this time of year for many reasons.  One reason, and not the only one,  I get only unusual birds that don’t hang around land follow the open ice lines.  You have to be on the lookout for them or you might miss them. This morning, I saw a pair of Mergansers playing in the water. And then there was a bird I have not seen on the lake before, totally white sides with black head and other black markings. Turns out that one was a Merganser also. 

I’m glad to have these exciting things happen in the lake this time of year. I am always grateful for the approaching spring and the renewal of all things including myself. My heart sings with this renewal and it is impossible not to enjoy this glorious morning. Earth is regenerating and earthly forces are giving life to all things in the unending circle of life. 

Soaring Travelers

 

Featured image: Journey of a Blackbird

Soaring travelers
above swaying pines
their mystic way
leaving no trail,
traceless, try to find where
the wide spreading black wings
have touched
the wind.

I'm Honored to Receive 2nd Place Award for Ms. Pileated

 

Featured image: Ms Pileated

I am thrilled to announce that my work, Ms. Pileated, has been awarded the 2nd place in the Nature Homage exhibition! Being recognized among such talented artists is truly an honor.

Statement from Juror Tonya Hopson: “This piece blew me away the minute I walked into it; I said to myself, oh my goodness. Pileated means large red-capped woodpecker. When you look at this media piece, you will notice that not all parts of it are exact, especially when you look at it and see all the little things she has done in there. With all her splashes and splatters, she has done a lot in there. But it is just a beautiful media piece. Blew me away.”

The Nature Homage exhibition featured original and unique 2D and 3D artworks that pay tribute to animals and insects. With 396 submissions from 34 states, having 57 works selected for this exhibition makes this achievement even more special.

She Ran to the Hilltop

 

Featured image: From the Sky

She ran to the hilltop,

Ribbons of wind tugged at her hair

And reached for the blue blue sky

She knew her blood was more like

The earth than anything else

And she let moments like this

fill her up and lets moments 

like this love her, fill her.

Easter 2024

 

Featured image: Talisman III

“Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43

“FREEDOM lies just beyond the fences we build around ourselves.” ~James Nathan Muir

Many of you who read my journal entries know I write a lot about freedom.

James Muir’s quote pretty much says it all for me. But there are other things that make me think about Freedom and how important I think it is. A beautiful example are quotes from the movie Braveheart, which is all about freedom.

 “Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.”

“Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!”

But the most wonderful quote of all that gave us the concept the idea of freedom and what we should look for when we feel fenced in and are struggling:

37 Pilate, therefore, said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.

The concept of truth is everywhere in the Bible, but for the most part, I read and understand truth as Jesus did; it was all about how one is governed and how much it exists in your life – it is the same message William Wallace was delivering when he spoke of freedom.

What did Jesus reply to Pilate?

"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. Don't you realize I have the power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”

Jesus set us free. Through Jesus, God is delivering on His promise to make you perfect. He is using everything that happens in your life to make you more dependent on Him, His words, and His Spirit. He is creating a new heart, mind, and soul in you so you can live freely.

Jesus set us free, and every time I pray, I realize that. Every time I am in a pickle, I realize that it is I who created the pickle, and it is Christ who will free me from this pickle.

I am always overwhelmed during Easter because of what Christ and God did for us. He freed us—we are the ones who need to untangle the knots in our lives and make choices, not out of fear but out of the idea of freedom, as was expected in Braveheart, the Bible, and Christ's death on the cross.

Symbols

 

Featured image: Tumbling Stones

Symbols are powerful because they are the visible signs of invisible realities. ~St. Augustine

My research on the earth, its colors, stones, and rocks, and what they represent to people throughout history is very interesting.  But I have broadened the search and have wandered into symbols. There are so many paths to travel here – it’s hard to narrow them down.  As It turns out, symbols of the earth were just a small small piece of the pie.  So, I am going to travel along that path for a while.  Symbols travel through history like everything else.   Symbols are layered and have become, I think, a key part of communication.  

Memories

 

Featured image: Sunrise in the Morning at the Lake

Her wagon was behind her.  Maggie walked by her side, smelling the smells along the way. Maggie followed her on the path to the back of the woods.  It was so glorious to greet the new day this way. Sitting in her chair, coffee in her hand and the woods filled with bird songs, she watched the sun rise above the horizon.  Maggie is gone now, and she no longer lives by those woods, but she still takes her coffee, sits in the back, and watches the sun rise over the horizon, and the woods behind her house are suddenly filled with glory.

Where is Art?

 

Featured image: Our Connections

Where is art in music?

Is it between the notes and the pauses in between?

Where is art in a painting?

Is it the pause between?????

The pause between the brush and the mark?

Art is the idea and it is between the idea and the creator. 

Seeking Harmony

 

Featured image: Be Different

when seeking 

harmony

be careful

Not to remove

Difference

difference is

uniqueness

uniqueness is you

The Swirl

 

Featured image: Yellow Birds at the Feeder

The swirl

The swirl of startled finches …leaving the feeder

almost touches me … sitting in my Adirondack chair,

enjoying watching the day begin.

Perhaps when they reach me…they will ask me to

fly with them.

Each Particle

 

Featured image: The Present

Each particle
Each instant
A reality

Unforgettable

 

Featured image: Stars in the Sky

Today, well, every day, really stop rushing around and quietly, in your own way, allow your eye to see. 

To see the moon, stars, clouds, the sun, a friend, a favorite color and have an unforgettable experience.

Off Again

 

Featured image: Sparrow

sparrows flocking 

     at the feeder

they are off 

     in a minute

fluttering and eddying

     excited

back again – giddy

where to next, 

     they are off again

     rushing

amazing, such a wonder. 

Nothing More

Featured image: Miracles of All Things Natural

We search for meaning. We label things and meanings. We tell ourselves we are a diamond, a queen, a star. But we are just what we are and appear to be. Nothing more. 

Amulet

 

Featured image: Purple Iris

purple flower – this talisman

holds it all

a moment

a glance

this amulet 

of passion 

and mystery

Sparrow and Me

 

Featured image: Sparrow

sparrow sits on top

of a tree

me 

in my adirondack

basking

in the sun

perspectives

different

Yet the same

we bask in the

Sun

Everything Changes

 

Featured image: Letting Go

blank paper before me

empty

formless

desire-less

i

place a mark

in the middle

everything

changes

Shelter

 

Featured image: Shelter

Shelter

blackness in the void

stranded

ravaged by the 

storm

searching

seeking

shelter 

from the storm

i wonder

He beckons

Shelter

From the storm

She Sang

 

Featured image: Soulful Jazz Singer

She sang

her songs filled the air

She sang

she had nothing to lose

she sang

her glory took her to

the land of ageless

peace

innocence

and kindness

she sang and became a

beacon of dazzling light

she sang to the magic

of yes, yes, yes