She Wore New Earrings, Abstract by Jeane Myers, Karon Leigh, and Melinda S. Esparza Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza
Sitting in my studio a couple of weeks ago, I eagerly awaited the arrival of a stranger/not a stranger--a friend--I had not met.
When could anyone write such a sentence and have it make any sense before 1996? Ah, then, you know what's coming. Fellow artist and blogger Jeane Myers had written me, letting me know that she'd be in Tucson for a few days, and wondered if I'd be up for a visit. Wow. Of course, I said, and we set up a time.
To have the opportunity to sit and chat face to face about art and to share some brushstrokes on an artists' board with her, was a surreal and wonderful treat for this rather isolated artist.
We got to talking about Winsor & Newton Artisan water based oil paints, which prompted an experiment. Jeane's friend, Karon Leigh, and I pushed some paint around and after they left, I added the background, the "eye" and a few more marks. This is the result. I titled it: She Wore New Earrings (8" x 8," oil on artists' board) and hope this makes Jeane chuckle.
Words can't quite express how lucky I felt having Jeane visit in person, to talk about art, art, art, and to exchange real, in-person hugs. I'm still smiling. If I were a millionaire, one of my wishes would be to visit each of you and have a nice art chat.
I hope you'll visit her website and have a look at her fabulous work. And, then head over to Karon's website and look at her encaustic work. Lovely.
Any time you're in town, my studio is your place for sharing, collaborating, and for a genuine, heartfelt hug.
Maybe you'll even consider visiting during the Tucson 2011 Open Studio Tour coming up November 12th and 13th.
Okay, I can dream.
12 comments:
I wish you a million, Melinda! I love the painting and the title...now I'm off to visit your friends....
hello Melinda - what a wonderful post - it was such a gift to meet you in person and have the opportunity to see your work in person! you are such a good artist - your work just glows and gives off this incredible amount of energy - I love what you titled it! it made me smile very big!!so looking forward to my return trip in the spring xo
How exciting. That is my idea of happiness to visit with friends from around the world in real time. To actually collaborate on a piece of art -- magic. The result is wonderful. So wish I could be there for your opening, but this will happen in due time. Have a lovely time, and I know you will.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara
Hello Linny,
I'll take it! After giving to charity, the best thing to do with a million would be to visit with you and other artists scattered around the globe.
So glad you like this departure from landscape painting. Now it's a symbol of a very good day.
Hello Jeane!
Oh, good. I'm so glad you enjoyed the title and the post.
We had us a good time, didn't we?!
Thank you for your kind words about my work. I feel the same about yours.
Looking forward to the spring...!
Hello Barbara,
Oh, it was a true thrill to have reality mesh with our online personas. It's so nice to know that people communicate who they really are through their blogs. What a great treat.
While there was absolutely no pressure to produce anything, it was a purely playful result and...
It. Was. Magic!
Looking forward to your visit here someday. :-)
What a great opportunity - to get to meet someone in 3D. I can imagine the blethering and the work. How did you find Artisan paints? I think they're easy to clean up (good as I'm a messy worker) but somehow lacking the butteriness of oils.
Hello Bridget,
It really was a great opportunity. We definitely were chattering away and enjoying the moment.
Hmmm. It's been so long that I've been using Artisan oils. I believe it was while I was at the University. I became more sensitive to the fumes and a professor suggested them. When shopping online at places like Dick Blick and ASW Art Supplies, I noticed the section on them.
I find that using the Aritsan mediums help with mimicking the buttery quality we both like. It can be a bit challenging to mix the oil and water, but when the Artisans can be used like watercolors, it adds such a nice range. I wish Duo Aqua and Grumbacher would make produce 200ml tubes instead of the 40ml! Have you tried them?
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!
Sounds like a great experience, and the painting is the proof of that!
Funny, we all do exist in flesh and blood, too.
Hello Don,
It really was a great experience. I'm glad you like the painting too.
Yes, it is always my intention to interact with you and each visitor here as though we have met in person and are now separated by circumstances and time.
To stand face to face (as though once again) is like missing a dear friend who suddenly arrives on one's doorstep. There is a quiet joy involved--a completed circle.
I think as we grow accustomed to online friendships, we'll feel more connected and less virtual. It would be exceptionally wonderful to have yearly get togethers, wouldn't it. Ooooh, and paint outs...
My god, I saw that face just last Sunday morning after a great night out! How you lassies managed to come up with such a true likeness I'll never know :o)
If only I could afford the travel insurance I would hop on a plane right now and bring my big size 12 hog and a tube of Cadmium Orange to see if I could also create some harmony with your Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna, and maybe even take in the Tucson DesertBluegrass festival while I'm there, and still be back in time for tea.
Good to see you having painting fun!
DAVID
Hello David!
HAHAHAHAhahahahaha! We're just talented, I guess...!
Yes, it would be wonderful if you could visit, especially when the Titan Valley Warheads are playing and the Bluegrass Festival is in town. This is a great time to be in the Old Pueblo. Not too hot, and just cool enough to keep from sweating too much.
I can only imagine how wonderfully you'd throw paint around. It would be spectacular!
Thank you for stopping by. Save those pennies and plan for the Southwest someday, k?
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