Lindsey has been preparing/finishing a series of canvases and prints with the theme of repurposed materials/urban sprawl that she and Tom just hung at Té House of Tea this morning. To keep me company and share mutual encouragement, she did some of her work here at The Compound while I finished sewing my final collection.
She also brought in a blank 18 x 24 canvas and stuck it under my nose. I often note that I can’t paint on larger canvases. All that white space intimidates me, and I’m used to working on 3 x 5-INCH and 4 x 6-INCH canvases for One Word Art, the paintings I sell to raise money for AIDS and HIV organizations. Lindsey suggested that I visualize the canvas in sections and paint them as I normally would the small canvases. I’m not sure she meant for me to take her so literally, but that’s what I did.
When I put down my base coat, every section was a shade of blue or green except one, which I painted red. I jokingly said that I was going to call it “Green and Blue and Red.” And then, as I layered on colors, I finally said the painting was just “Red.”
While Lindsey and I were painting, we were joined by Tim, who started a couple of canvases of his own (in oils, which I love, love, love to smell, since I only work in acrylics), Tom spent some time sketching, and Rhonda helped Lindsey stamp and finish her title and price cards to hang next to her finished works. The creative energy was amazing, and Lindsey occasionally checked out my painting, at one point saying that it reminded her of a patchwork quilt.
Did the suggestion of quilt panels put something in my head? (If you’ve read here long, you know I’m a several-time panel maker for the NAMES Project’s AIDS Memorial Quilt.) Was I subconsciously remembering that World AIDS day was upon us once again? (Because in all honesty, I’ve been so wrapped up in sewing and other things that I only realized with a jolt at midnight that it was December 1.)
I don’t know, but when Lindsey came by this morning to pick up her paintings and Tom, she reminded me of (Red)™ and pointed out that my painting and its title were the perfect way to mark World AIDS Day 2009.
I dedicate this to all of you who are living with HIV/AIDS. You’re not alone; worldwide, we’re still fighting the fight with you by giving our time, our money, and our efforts to raise awareness.
Red, 2009
So, so, SO in love with it! And remember, I called “shotgun” on this piece.
— I think it’s the perfect way to leave your mark on this day.
–Oh, and I cannot thank you enough for letting me turn your house into my sweat shop. Although you did kind-of beg me to do it…
Craft nights are my favorite of our nights together. 🙂
Craft nights are my favorite of our nights together.
Almost as good as sparkly, sparkly vampires.
Thank you. The last few nights with you and Rhonda, and Lynne, and you and Rhonda and Kathy, and of course, Tom and Tim and the menagerie, have been great.
Except for our stupid heaters.
Damn heaters…. I wish I had a sparkly vampire to keep us warm.
Are vampires warm?
Not in Stephenie Meyer’s world. Vampires are very cold.
Hmm… warewolf then. Team Jacob!
Traitor.
Yeah!
“And remember, I called “shotgun” on this piece.”
I will outbid you.
I’ll cut a bitch.
Watch it–he also packs a fierce Top Model.
I know A biker gang.
I’ll double the bid !!!!
It’s truly stunning. Seriously – I love this very much.
Thank you, Terry!
Is there anything creatively that you can’t do beautifully, Becky? Wow! Now I have to “fix my face” before the students get here. =0)
Thank you. I think everybody is creative but few of us get nurtured in that direction. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by creative people who inspire me to attempt new things.
Beautiful work, Becky. As always.
Thank you, David.
Thanks for posting.
Thank YOU.
I’m a little sick and that painting makes me feel better. I love it. 🙂
Aw, thank you. I hope you’re feeling better REALLY soon!
What a beautiful completed ‘canvas’. It’s put together in such a way that one’s eye doesn’t alight on it in any specific place but roves over the whole thing. It’s a tremendous thing to see.
I’m amazed at the many and various talents you display (along with the others at The Compound) – not only writing but sewing, cooking, painting, and do many more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughtfulness them with us.
Thank YOU, so much, for your kind words.
I suspect this painting is unforgettable. I’ll ask myself in a few years. So very beautiful, Becky.
Merci beaucoup, monsieur aimable.
(I’m speaking French in an effort to keep you around now that you’ve emerged. Do you suppose anyone ever speaks French to the groundhog?)