ereisa wells gentile

tree pods

In my work at the moment, I am clinging to anything nature or plant-related in my work - a result of being cooped-up by this Winter weather. There has been snow on the ground here in Brooklyn since the blizzard last month and, with a newborn making it next to impossible to go out, I am going a bit stir-crazy. I was looking for a bit of inspiration and came accross these seed pods my friend Grace brought back to me from California last year.

                    

After a little digging around I'm pretty sure it's from a Brachychiton (or Kurrajong Bottletree). Looking at it I can't help but think of those of us on the East Coast... cramped inside our tight little quarters just longing for Spring to come.

                   

This a study I recently finished inspired by the pods and will be the premise for a larger paper-cut that I am also starting. 

 

                   

                   

 

Finnian made an interesting backdrop until he tried to take a bite of it...

 

                  

In the midst of these dismal, gray days I received a package in the mail. What's better than getting a package? Especially when it contains a beautiful gift - a hand-made baby blanket for your delectable daughter?

 

                   

                   

My friend Kara Garrett, one of my favorite childhood friends who I reconnected with a couple of years ago, also happens to be an artist and made this very special monogrammed blankie for the baby. I just love the colors. :) Kara writes a very funny and interesting craft blog Roses are Blue with her sister Alana and you can purchase her work at her Etsy shop Kersplash. Thank you again Kara! :) 

a day in Manhattan

FINALLY. Finally, it's Spring and the weather the past two days has been absolutely beautiful. I took a trip to the city yesterday with my husband to collect some much-needed vitamin D from the sun and in search of inspiration. Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way talks about the importance of "filling the well".  That it's important to take in other people's creative work and to have interesting experiences outside of the four walls of your studio. I feel like I have done quite a bit of work so far this year and it was time to get out and take in some art and the energy of New York. We had a plan of sorts (a trip to the flower district and on to the Whitney Biennial) but the thing about New York is, you have to be open to whatever comes up while you are there... interesting things crop up every other block it seems.

We began in the flower district so I could pick up some reference...

                    

                    

Randy made a friend in one of the shops... he has a thing for animals with jobs.

                     

We came across a flea market - I was pretty taken with these beads...

                     

                     

Of course, we had to stop for a hot dog... I know I know, but I can't resist.

                     

It's been awhile since we've been to the Whitney and we forgot that its far less pricey on Friday nights, so we opted instead for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We spent most of our time looking at Asian art - we had never seen that section before. There are some beautiful things...

                    

                     

                     

Then, with our dogs barking, we went back to Brooklyn. I got some nice take home inspiration as well. These:

                    

                    

                    

                    

And this:

                   

It really does make me excited to work. Have a great week and enjoy this Spring weather. :)

-Ereisa

yet ANOTHER snowy day in Brooklyn... :)

What is going on this Winter? Maybe my memory is foggy but I don't recall nearly this much snowfall last year. I know I've said before I'm a snow-lover but even I am starting to tire of it. I'm ready for Spring... open windows... longer days... flowers and budding trees. Still, I wasn't going to let a 16" snowfall pass without getting outside to enjoy it. 

My husband and I took a long walk to the store for emergency supplies: like butter for biscuits and cabbage for coleslaw which will accompany the barbecue spareribs that have been slow cooking for bout 6 hours now. When you're still in the heart of Winter you must have comfort food.

                   

                  

                   

                   

                   

We came across a feeding frenzy... these guys really hit the jackpot behind the bakery.

             

And then this guy showed up...

             

He looked pretty impressive among the poor Rock Doves... (don't you just love that fancy name for pigeons?)

             

Then my husband caused some trouble with a snowball:

             

Back at home the sun came out. Finnian found a nice spot...

             

...and I went to do some studies. I so enjoyed photographing them against some of my wood canvases and in the strong sunlight. It's making me think about how I might combine my wood pieces with my paper pieces in the future. 

             

             

             

            

            

            

I really have missed the sun. :)

-Ereisa

snow day in the studio

                   
 

Everyone in my studio is enjoying the snow storm outside... including me. :)

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

... and the snow :)

the cats took the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep...

                    

                    

and someone was none too pleased about my disturbing her nap by the radiator...

                    

Several of the bloggers/artists I admire have been making jewelry as of late so I decided to give it a go today using paper clay. It's great stuff - very easy to work with and needs no firing once it's done. After it hardens it's easy to sand and paint and I understand it's carvable which (of course) I am going to do. ;) It's a little porous which I'm not sure I love (you can see it in the photos). I may move to wood later on since I prefer a smoother surface. This one is painted with acrylic and the drawing is done in waterproof felt-tipped pen. 

It was a lot of fun to do:

                     

Here it is with a bird pendant I love made by brightcolorart on etsy.

                      

I'm looking forward to doing more.

-Ereisa

carved painting

                  

This is a fairly recent painting I showed at the BWAC group show this Spring. As you can see, Finnian is hanging out on the window sill. Cats are so funny. None of the three that we live with spend any time in my studio but as soon as I set foot in there, it becomes the most interesting place in the house. I usually have to battle it out with Olive who is obsessed with my paper cutting and lays on the table next to me trying to swat the X-Acto knife. 

I have been painting on wood for many, many years and also have some background in printmaking (mainly woodcuts). Several years back, I started carving into my paintings a little, just for a bit of texture - nothing major - but I always planned to do more at some point. See? Procrastination rearing its ugly head. 

                  

Recently, I came across a company called McClain's that sells beautiful Japanese woodcutting tools. I had to have them. Once they arrived I immediately did my first piece... a painting of a woman which I'll post about at some point. Honestly, I couldn't wait to get through the painting part to be able to use the tools. They didn't disappoint... the blades went through the wood like butter and I am now officially hooked. I love what carving does for a painting. Although I am definitely still in an experimentation phase, I think there's a lot of possibility in it. 

                  

This particular piece came about in an interesting way. My father-in-law is quite talented in wood working and was kind enough to let me raid his wood shop. I don't always work on recycled wood but I like to whenever possible. Not only is it better for the environment, but it allows me to come up with some interesting canvases and stretches my imagination.

The theme for the show was "The Color of Hope" in which artists were asked to create work that reflected our feelings and attitudes about that phrase. My idea for the painting was to paint these dried Lotus pods (among others). I wanted to convey a scene in which these dormant plants (still in the dark) begin slowly coming back to life from the roots up. I think many of us felt the outlook for our country was pretty bleak prior to President Obama's election and the painting is meant to reflect the feeling of slowly coming back to life and our renewed hope for the future. 

The show opening was an interesting experience. I haven't participated in many shows and it was fun to lurk near the wall and eavesdrop on some of the comments made by passers-by. My husband was like a kid every time someone stopped to look, getting wide eyed and elbowing me. Some of the things I heard were surprising and it made me realize how differently people view art.  "It's like an optical illusion" was one (and looking again I could kind of see it) and "Well, she certainly has a lot of patience" made me laugh... um, no. Not really. 

Have a great weekend,

Ereisa