End of an Era

It's a strange feeling somehow being the last day of my 20's!  It's kind of like a point in life where one looks back and sees if anything has been accomplished or if life has been enjoyed to the fullest. I can hardly describe the feeling. It's a bit like standing on an edge of a horizon, about to step into the next level or stage.  

As far as my paintings go... so far it's been difficult getting a flow with all the traveling and things.  But I did manage to get one finished and another started.  Also, I was so excited to pick up film prints from my "new" 80's Canon T50.  Here are some of my favs:  

Here's a shot of my old work place Atwaters in Towson, MD from when I was visiting America in May 

Mom and Dad's dog Nelly-Bell (wish she was coming with them to visit Berlin!)

The remainder on flicker are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mindin4/sets/72157645899646864/

Also, a few photos from Zakopane, Poland: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mindin4/sets/72157645573867807/

Meetings and Goals

In the states I met with my friend who is an art consultant. Had a coffee and some common sense for breakfast with her.  Just realizing the cold hard facts of finally growing up as an artist. It's not always fluttering around and day-dreaming all the time. There needs to be some taking responsibility once in a while. 

So, I'm setting two goals for the end of this summer: Getting my portfolio together (for a possible internship) and painting a series of paintings along the lines of this painting: 

Different animals and nature with surreal acrylic backgrounds.  Some silhouettes and some not.  I'm excited to be doing this because it's given me a vision for summer and something to be accountable to.  I don't have the most ideal studio space but it's gonna have to do and I'm gonna have to quit having excuses and get to work!  And now, I'm also accountable to YOU (whoever is reading this blog) to show up to work to on time ;) and bring it! 

Stay posted! 

Another thing: If I have a good flow going I'll have the time to do some portraits.  I'll be looking for a few volunteers to have portraits or pet portraits done.  First 3 are free! After that will have to charge.  Let me know if you're interested.  

Having fun and being productive

To start out with, Julia, my little Finish friend/sister came to visit from her land and so did lifetime friend Cindy.  Here's a pic of us hanging out in the living room (with my painting in it's place on the wall)

Visitors!

Fun times cooking with Cindy for the church! 

Julia has a nice red coat

 The same week Connections Resource Center (where I volunteer) had a teem from the U.S. mid-west and we painted up a lot of the library.  

Painting over the people...or bottles...game pieces..?!

Mean time, I started getting things together for showing my art on that Saturday at Connections 

One day Julia and I decided to brave the rain and do a photoshoot. It was at fist a good idea but I ended up getting a cold! 

Not happy about the rain...

 Julia took these two pics ahead! She has a good eye! Here's a link to my Flickr with more pics of Julia: Julia-Flickr 

Watching the trains

Pensive...

We had this huge plan to go to the TV tower but that all got crushed by shopping! (trying on leather jackets :) 

Hot Chocolate!

Love these stations in the center! Good affordable cappuccinos! But we got Hot chocolates instead!  

thats how we role

Mean time, I was trying to finish up at least one more painting to exhibit...

The process: Picking background colors

Finding the perfect color for the foxy-fox

Here he is, my Mr. Fox

Getting ready Saturday for the exhibition

Hanging one over the books!

Up on the wall!

The Show!

Photo by: Lauren McElhaney

Photo by Julia

Getting ready!

I just ordered business cards and I'm finishing up some paintings as well as printing out stuff..etc. and Cindy's helping me! Also Connections library (where Im having a gallery) will be having a group from america come and help semi renovate! So next week we'll be painting walls and moving things around for it to look really nice on the 29th! Fun times!

Photoshoot fun!

I did something new this last week- a photoshoot, here in Berlin! It was so much fun!  I had my friend Pouriran join me. Helen wanted capture her little boy after just turning two! So cute.

Peek-a-boo!

Another bun in the oven

The typical <3 :="" photo="" td="">

How about this one? I tried an app on this and loved the result- showing the movement so well.

Pouriran took these beautiful photos: 

Photo by Pouriran Montazery

Photo by Pouriran Montazery 

Exhibition

If you're in Berlin at the end of March you're invited a little exhibition I'm having!  Just come- it will be fun.

Finished Paintings and possible exhibition!

I'm grateful for actively producing more paintings.  That's what I say: Just keep painting, keep going. Even if the result is not your favorite! And it seems to be that I'm probably going to be show-casing some paintings here in Berlin at the end of March into April!  Stay tuned! 

Some of the paintings that I will be showing is the The Tiger, Sunrise, Lake Montebello, Bird on a tree (if it arrives in time!) and a few other surprise ones!  I gave the Spring Flowers to my Aunt for Christmas which was bitter sweet and The Winter Elk has also been sent away. I also quietly sold the watercolor of Flowers in 2013.  Honestly, as my own greatest critic, the paintings are not always ideal to me when they're finished. But as they sit around the house and I look at them over and over again, they grow on me more and more.  So, when they leaves it's a bit like losing a family member! Ha! At least the big Bird in a Tree is coming my way soon! 

"Sunrise"

"Spring Flowers" (before finishing details on the peach flowers)

"Winter Elk" sent away to the states :)  :(

I feel like a kid on Christmas.  I can't wait til' it gets here! "Bird in a tree" for my living room!

 Mean time, Illustrating course is going great!  I'm learning a lot about watercolor and I finally got to try out my new watercolors that my sister gave me for Christmas!  My dad commissioned me this painting of Zaccheaus in a tree with Jesus's hand outstretched towards him.  I like the circling effect around the little man in the tree.  As if Jesus is zeroing in on him. Although, with watercolor, there is so much to learn.  So far, I'm a big fan of painting, scanning and then photoshopping!  It's great because then I can work on my tablet as I travel on the train! 

Happenings

A lot has been happening in "Mindy's Studio" (which is where ever I am by the way-haha) ;)  

I just sent this painting to my Aunt for Christmas as a surprise: 

It was a painting I started in Vienna.  I'm so glad to have made that trip in the spring to Vienna.  I started 4 paintings in one week!  It's amazing how space and supplies can boost painting! The finished product of "Spring Flowers" has more details but I was in such a rush I couldn't get a photo of it.  

Her'es another one I finished recently that I started in Vienna: 

It's still available to be altered if you think it should be.  Just let me know!  I call it "Sunrise".  It was something I dreamed up because I wasn't sure if I would ever wake up early enough to see a real sunrise, ha! I put the track of the first song from Pride and Prejudice on rerun and painted away!

On the illustrating side of things.  I attended my first group critique right before I packed my bags in the states to head back.  It was super encouraging and insightful!!  Also, people wanted to know how I did my cat in the trees illustration.  Everyone in the group is really advancing as well! I have two more classes to catch up on after Christmas and being sick! Time to get back to work!