The Organic Life of an Alabama Gypsy: "Handmade by Me: Art, Design, Fashion and Construction..."

ART FROM THE PAST

The below drawing was the very first pencil drawing I had ever done as a young person. I remember sitting down with a pencil and piece of paper with the idea and determination to draw a cheetah (my favorite animal at the time), and with my surprise, I drew this image...I had no idea that I could draw so realistically! I couldn't get the pupils of the eyes right, so I did without! I have since lost that drawing...all I had for so many years was a xerox copy...and now, only a digital image...

1986~DRAWING 101 at Auburn University, Auburn Alabama (below):

My first experience with vine charcoal...

ANATOMY PENCIL DRAWINGS (below):

Auburn University Department of Fine Arts, Auburn Alabama

BELOW: My very first attempt at drawing a portrait...

I drew this with vine charcoal...

BELOW: My first nude self-portrait (charcoal-life size)...

In 1985-86 I attended a women's college called Brenau located in Gainesville, Georgia. I wanted to study Dance and was a very good dancer...at least that's what my instructors from Brenau Dance Academy told me and were quite optimistic and encouraging when I suggested that I wanted to study Dance! My Dad, on the other hand, was not so optimistic and did not support my interest in the subject! So, I decided then to pursue my second best interest which was Photography! In 1986-87, I transferred to Auburn University as a Sophomore. Unfortunately, at that time (30 years ago), Auburn's art department did not offer a degree in Photography! Oh well...next! I then chose my 3rd best interest...Fine Art! My Dad did not oppose, so I went for it! As time went by, I realized that college was not for me...so I quit! But not without the promise to myself that one day I would return! 2 kids later, older and wiser...and wanting nothing more than to complete my Fine Arts Degree, I returned and I excelled! Man, that was one of the best and most fulfilling times of my life! I wanted an education and I enjoyed it immensely!!! I discovered so much about me as a person, a mother, and Artist! It wasn't until after I returned to art school that I realized I could paint! I had always had an interest in printmaking, but to be honest...I wasn't that great at it! It wasn't until later that I discovered how much I loved painting...and I was pretty damn good! At least that's what my instructors, colleagues, and critics...newspapers and my followers/buyers told me! Yep...I actually had buyers!

Believe it, or not...

The below image is a photocopy of a newspaper article about my work! The bold black mark is where my name was typed...I'm much more comfortable posting my name online these days then I used to be years ago, hence the bold black mark! Unfortunately, it's the only copy I have! Whoops!

The painting "Within" was about my oldest son, Tripp, who is Autistic...I gave the painting to a dear friend of mine at the time named Alan...I don't remember his last name...Harmon!!! YES!!! Alan Harmon! I remember! Yay! I wonder if he still has this painting...

Senior Project 1997: I always painted on large canvases...the smallest of this series was 6x6...the largest canvas extended 14 feet...each wing spanned out 3 feet...these figures were larger than life size, to give you an idea of size and depth...

I sold the above painting which was my very first out of this series...it was titled, "Contentment"...

There were 6 paintings to the above series, but I only have photos of the 2...
I donated one of the paintings to Auburn University, which hung on the walls of
Telfair B. Peet Theatre
(http://www.auburn.edu/main/welcome/theatre.html)
for years...the rest I burned, as I have done with many things...cleansing...nomadic life...and such...

Watercolor

Tattoo

ROADSIDE TREASURE JUNKIE

I have been a Mixed-Media Artist for 30 years...I have created pieces with garbage, found objects, vines, paper, anything and everything...whatever I had available...

Treasures, I call these objects...

loooooong before Pinterest...
(https://www.pinterest.com/)

I made this jewelry box for Kayla as a birthday gift...

Commission

This vase stands 3 feet and is used as a table base at

The Roosevelt Apartments grande foyer in Atlanta, Georgia ...

(http://www.livetheroosevelt.com/)

BELOW: My personal business card...

ROADSIDE TREASURE JUNKIE in ARCHITECTURE

Store Frontal
https://www.downtownauburnonline.com/

Interior Design/Architecture

Milk Jugz

Resource: Found materials...

MURALS

BELOW: This mural was painted on the walls of Bourbon Street Bar in downtown Auburn, AL...

(http://aubourbonstreet.com/)

BELOW: This mural was commissioned by First Baptist Church of Auburn. They wanted a "Folk-Art'ish" look for kids and in a short period of time, so I did the best I could for them. This was painted on panels which fit together to create a large backdrop...you can see the chairs in the front row to give you a size comparison...

BELOW: This was a commissioned piece for an individual. I painted directly onto her kitchen wall, which I regret doing...I wish I had painted this image on canvas! The individual I painted this for sold her house and I'm quite certain it was/will be painted over! Maybe not? Such a shame, though, if it has been...!*sad face* I will never paint my heart and soul onto drywall EVER again...