St. Andrew Apostle Church recap

I really need to get better at actually photographing commissions before they leave my studio. Luckily, this one is at least in a public location, so I stopped by to snap a few (very poor quality) pictures for you.

As part of the church's visual revitalization, I was commissioned to paint two angels on the seven foot panels of a newly-constructed alter wall.

It was truthfully a very challenging project. I did a lot of research into the Catholic Church's teaching on angels and tried to create a composite of information written by those who have claimed first-hand encounters. 

A bunch of super-generous folks helped me out by posing for different sketches during the planning stage of the project.

The hardest part was working around a few pretty jarring visual elements in the church, some of which will eventually be changed, some of which must stay.

Working in the movement and color palette of the stained glass windows was a particular challenge.

There are still a few changes that would really go far in terms of making this a beautiful church (a.k.a.-ripping up that terrible carpet.) All in all though, I think things are moving in the right direction.

Taking Risks

OK, I'll admit it: I am a retiring perfectionist. I'm prone to wanting to make the absolute BEST decision every time. A simple question about what materials I should use for a certain project has me acting out the tired role of "artist who doesn't actually produce art" from time to time. Not to mention how badly the bigger decisions can paralyze me. 

If you are allergic to decision making too, you might want to check out this article from lifehacker.

The simple tip of treating a choice as an experiment vs. a final, life-altering act has me breathing a sigh of relief. There are some choices that we can't take back, but most are reversible. And that little fact might just allow me to make some great art today...or some terrible art. Either way, I'll be making work, and that feels a whole lot more productive than making nothing at all.

"It isn't enough to just make beautiful objects. Real art inspires other people to make art too." 

This gem from my husband over coffee this morning. And he's right. The best art that I have experienced leaves me a little breathless and itching to dash to my studio.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the work of

Lauren DiCioccio

Every few months, when I am feeling kind of artistically stale, I peak at her website. It's like gulping down fresh cool air after being buried in sand. I feel suddenly so alive that I can't contain it all. I have to go make something rightthisminute or I am just going to explode with the fullness of it.

Do you know what I mean?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some art to make.