Tag Archives: tree

The Devil is in the Details

December 23, 2018 roxannebaldwin Leave a comment

My father was a detail man. He was a commercial artist, and his specialty was filling in the designs on the fabric of shirts, pants, diamonds, and just about anything else that was advertised. I can’t imagine how he had the patience to do such a thing, but, perhaps it’s just that it was income, and you do what you can do.

So, I think I’ve started channeling my father, the detail man.

I really, really used to think detail was boring. I would do drawing with large flat spaces, and details, as a touch. After all, that’s what I was taught was good composition.

I’ve switched to loving detail.

And letting the details lead the story…..

Can you find the kitten?

So, at that point, I took a loose idea…..and just let the detail flow.

As my drawing progressed, I realized I enjoyed detail. No longer boring, just put on some music and dance. Or, in this case, detail, detail, detail.

More recently, I’ve kept spaces for detail.

Yes, I filled around each clover blossom on this. I didn’t mind it. A few years ago, it would have driven me out of my already somewhat insane mind.

A few years ago, this is when I really details really took off…or dragged me down to earth as the case may be. I wanted to make my artwork more painterly, but I was fighting, tooth and nail, against the medium,

However, the details started sneaking in. Thanks, Dad.

So, I’ve taken a new direction, in my work. Let the details rule! Or rock and roll, if you prefer.

My motto in life has become, “Let It Flow”, both in my dealings with life, and in my artwork.

Winter Depression….Just Deal with it!

December 28, 2016 roxannebaldwin Leave a comment

The title is a note to myself, not to those others who are suffering from SAD. It makes one third of the year horrible, so I have tried many techniques through my art to …just deal with it!

So, one year, I did a drawing each month to make peace.. An example was making peace with December:

Last year, I searched for Paradise and signs of hope:

This year? I’m slipping into depths again…and I’m thinking maybe I should just look and celebrate the beauty in the starkness.

Perhaps, that’s a strategy for dealing with depression in general. As an artist I once knew said, “I prefer to find beauty in ugliness.” So, for now, that’s how I’m going to deal with it this winter.

To the Rescue

October 22, 2016 roxannebaldwin 2 Comments

While I was searching through my artwork, deciding what to enter in the show…I came across a drawing I had done in the very late winter, in the March mud. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I could even draw anything that remotely looked like a landscape. I had put the drawing aside, thinking it wasn’t so good.

As usual, drawings seem to get better with age. On second thought, I decided it had some merit…I really liked the tree!

So, here is “Waiting for Spring”…just rescued from the circular file.

In the Details…

August 5, 2016 roxannebaldwin Leave a comment

So, I’ve settled into a comfortable routine with this drawing. Here’s a progress shot of a detail,

Here’s to show you…an image a long time ago, that I’m trying to improve upon. Light through the trees is not particularly a paradise image, but it is hopeful.

On the Subject of Reiki

June 16, 2016 roxannebaldwin 2 Comments

I’ve managed to put up my own Reiki site. So, it’s on its way. Reiki Master Roxy’s Pages So, for now, I am using this oldie but goodie drawing of mine as a logo. In case you haven’t seen it, Sun Tree:

Having said all that…

May 28, 2016 roxannebaldwin 1 Comment

Yes, it’s been a while. Topsy Turvy winter into spring…kind of chaotic, don’t want to go there.

But still, I’ve had a revelation, I’m more a healer than an artist. So, I’m going to start my Reiki practice again.

But no, I’m not giving up art. It means so much to me, and to many other people. I am, however, going to try to get my ego out of it. That means, back to the intention of making joyful, healing art..without worrying whether it’s a deathless work of art.

So, I realized what I mean by paradises now. They’re gardens! Flowers and plants in a harmonious composition.

So, with that…remember this picture from last year?

I decided to do a complete drawing of the garden in the reflection. Haven’t gotten a name for it, but it doesn’t really matter. Maybe I’ll be an egoistic artist, name it Garden 1, to mystify people. Anyway:

Come on in, the Water’s Fine!

January 7, 2016 roxannebaldwin Leave a comment

Sometimes, without a real plan, you just have to jump into a drawing. I took a photo, since I’ve been lost for an idea, and planned to draw it. I made a pretty sketchy sketch, giving little insight to me on how to %(@@#ing handle the large drawing.

So after much deliberation, I decided not to be deliberate. I’m going to jump in, feet first, and improvise what I am doing as I draw. Maybe it will work, maybe not. What is life without suspense and mystery after all?

Here’s a peek at the very beginning of the big drawing, and not so coincidentally, my new studio, which is actually just a corner of the living room. Yes, the intended designer showcase entertaining area, has become part office/media center/studio. I’ll be entertaining guests in the kitchen, probably.

It’s not as messy as my old studio..but give me time. 😦

Downloading……Please Wait…….

December 16, 2015 roxannebaldwin Leave a comment

This is the finish of ‘White Tree’. True, not a name brimming with pizzazz and originality, but it is true. It’s also a winter themed drawing, that may end up as a Christmas card, next year, with a more imaginative title at that time.

And so, now what’s next?

Honestly, there are so many ideas that come to mind, having been exposed to this beautiful, new-to-me environment, that I have a bottle neck in my mind. Picture if you will, a computer trying to load down so much at once, that you end up with a blank screen, and a little circle going round and round and round and…..

Wait a moment? Wasn’t I saying something about crows?

December’s Over…so is 2014

January 1, 2015 roxannebaldwin Leave a comment

A good way to start the New Year is to finish what you start, and no, I don’t mean the bottle of vodka. I finished “Making Peace with December”, this morning. Here ’tis.

So, one more month of the dreaded winter, gone. Happy New Year, everyone. May your 2015 be awesome, fabulous, fantastic…and any other superlative you can think of.

On the subject of New Year’s Eve, I made virgin pina coladas for my Special One and myself. Somehow, we managed to act as silly as if I put 100 proof rum in them. But when I woke up………….No Hangover! Maybe I should sell the recipe, I bet I’d make a fortune.

But back to the subject of healing themes and making peace with wintertime. Now it’s January, so it follows, that the next drawing should be “Making Peace with January”.

I did do a January piece a couple of years ago. It’s called January 2nd, because it was my second try at creating it, the first being consigned to the circular file of unsuccessful projects. Also, January 2 sounds as if it’s a significant date…..the holidays are over and back to regular life.

In case you haven’t seen it:

Oh, and by the way, you can always see my complete body of work at roxannebaldwin.com

Roxanne Baldwin's Artsy Blog