Creative Mess

Beginning a New Series

2011-09-26T19:11:00.002-04:00

All summer I had this piece on my "to do" list. I sketched out several word collage pieces that I wanted to do and the first in the series...LOVE...was created as the focal point of my "Wall of Love."

So, here's the run down of what I did:

#1 Painted over an existing piece that I no longer liked : - ) upcycle!

#2 Sketched out lettering
#3 Painted "Love" in my Favorite Color (Turquoise of course!)

#4 Pasted Circles! (cut from magazines and junk mail...more upcycle!)

#5 Hang

More work from my "word series" to come.

Summer Fishing

2011-07-08T10:36:00.003-04:00

Salty air, hot pier planks under foot, cork handled fishing pole, earthworms in black dirt, crickets chirping in mesh buckets, cocoa butter sunscreen, fresh cotton beach towels, cold drinks in coolers, sandwiches wrapped in plastic, sunburned noses, tugs on the line, wrist cranking and winding, big smiles, prized catches, a good summer day.

String of Fish

2010-04-29T09:46:00.001-04:00

Summer is on its way and I’m reminded of photos I’ve seen my entire life. The snapshots contain freshly caught fish being held up by proud fishermen. The documentation of their achievement offers proof of their angling prowess. This composition is so common and prolific through decades of family photos and is another common thread that binds us…socially, culturally, and historically. I’m fascinated by this ritual and created this piece and a series of others showing the simple beauty of this tradition. My grandparents are featured in this particular piece. I love my grandmother’s hat with the orange scarf and my grandfather’s bulky arms. I also love that they are holding the string of fish together. They look so happy and connected.

No Lipstick in Heaven

2009-12-22T09:31:00.003-05:00

Growing up in rural North Florida, our home was surrounded by pastures. Creeks and swamps twisted through the land to the east of my great grandparents house. From our kitchen window, through the pear tree branches, we could see the pink house and the tall cypress trees just beyond. The land that surrounded us was full of farm animals and pets. My dog, Buster, who I chose from a litter of scruffy puppies, was smart, independent, tough and lovable. He was the runt of the litter and no one understood why I picked him but the love was instant. Every school day, there was a routine. Buster scooted under the fence as Papa and I road away in the teal pickup. He ran through the field, east, following us along the road as fast as he could. The pasture between the two houses was a few football fields long. Buster ended his journey at the pink house where he visited with the great grandparents until the teal truck returned in the afternoon. As we passed the creek, Buster would begin his fierce run through the pasture back to our house and just as we pulled into the gravel drive, he would shoot under the fence and meet me as I opened the truck door. Every day, without fail. Daddy Clayton called him "Bullet" because he was the "fastest, little dog" he'd ever seen. Buster was a country dog, who'd never been on a leash or even seen a vet. He slept under the shed, he ate scraps from our table and loved to chase critters around the field and swamp.

One day, Daddy Clayton saw Buster chasing a rabbit through the creek. Happy dog, tongue hanging out, running full force through the mucky water. The trouble with living in Florida, near water though is the gators.

I've wanted to create this piece for a long time and I've thought a lot about how it should be done. I realized as sad as this was and still is for me, I wanted it to be humorous and honor my sweet friend.

Diatomic Love

2009-10-19T20:09:00.003-04:00

So overused and overstated..."love"....but when it is true...no other word fits the description. When every cell is zapped into overdrive and your pulse pounds so powerfully that you are sure everyone around you can feel the shock waves radiating from your chest...it is the only word to describe it...love. The complicated part of being in love is that as time passes and comfort settles in...you can forget that intensity...the initial spark of "falling" in love...and you may even forget...love...

Inspired by all those things...every stage of love....the blazing fire...the tiny heart attacks...the anticipation....the complete connection....the soothing familiarity...the adoration...the appreciation....and the desire to keep it all very close and secure and to infuse every molecule in your body with it as not to lose any part of it...that is diatomic love.

Fishing with Mama

2009-07-14T10:30:00.003-04:00

Summer smells....moist overgrown grass, beach, air just before the rain, earthworms at the bait shop, cocoa butter suntan oil, watermelon and cucumbers. Summer textures....sand underfoot, salty wet hair, cool grass, cane poles in hand, slimy seaweed, grilled corn in my teeth, and warm tomato juice running down my arm. The summer is fully of flavors, textures and smells.
It also reminds me of fishing with my mom....against my will, of course. I hated it because my mom's idea of fishing was taking her cane pole to some mosquito infested lake or river, surrounded by tall grass full of snakes. It was also unbearably hot. I really did not understand what she found appealing about it. But she loved it and wanted to go every weekend. Mom would threaten us to be quiet (for fear of "scaring off" the fish) and watch my baby sister to make sure she did not fall in the water. I would attempt to make it tolerable by bringing a soft cotton blanket to sit on and some yummy snacks to eat, but at thirteen years old, "fishing with mama" was not my idea of fun. I wonder if I have children one day, will I make them do things that they hate and will later write about? That's funny to imagine.

Frog Songs

2009-07-06T11:26:00.004-04:00

I recently read an article in Oxford American about these folks who go out to listen and record frog calls during the wee hours of the night. Apparently, here in Florida, frog species are diminishing greatly and researchers are discovering yet another consequence of urban sprawl. The article was a bit depressing but it was full of vivid descriptions of these riotous reptiles and the variety of their songs. I've since made it a point to listen carefully when I'm outside in the evenings, especially after a summer rain, and try to distinguish the different calls. Some frogs make a sound like glass marbles clacking together, while others chirp or groan. Another interesting fact I discovered in my reading is that Florida is being invaded by the Cuban Tree Frogs who are eating much of the native frogs. Weird.

I've always loved frogs and have fond memories of collecting the green tree frogs that gathered on our window next to the front door. One evening, after Wednesday church, we came home to find a ton of them on the window—sending my grandma and brother inside screaming. My brother's mission, upon our return was to take the bath he was SUPPOSED to have taken before church. He made the mistake of sitting on the pew in front of my grandmother, where she could clearly see the "pile" of dirt behind his ears. Needless to say, she nearly twisted his ear off and told him to go straight to the tub when we got home. I relished my brother's circumstances and took the opportunity to return a mere fraction of the torture he'd bestowed me on many previous occasions. I gathered as many frogs as I could fit in a mason jar and quietly opened the bathroom door and before he realized what was happening I dumped them all into his bath water...it was glorious...simply glorious!
After my brother ejected himself from the tub like a 4th of July bottle rocket, I was doubled-over laughing, holding an empty jar with rain frogs jumping all around me. I did get in a tiny bit of trouble, but it was well worth the "I'm disappointed in you" lecture from my grandmother, while Papa winked and smiled at me behind her back. Then, I carefully gathered all my lime green buddies and returned them safely to the great outdoors and went to bed early with the biggest frog-inspired grin on my face.

Beetles & Beauty Queens

2009-06-23T16:33:00.001-04:00

I am fortunate to have a grandmother who keeps tons of old family photos. The "Beauty Queen" in question is my mother. I think she was only about 14 or 15 years old and according to her handwriting on the top of this photo, she placed in the "top ten." It's a Southern thing, I guess...pageants. I have personally never entered a pageant and find the contemporary pageant culture a tad wacko. It was early 1960s, though, girls did not wear much makeup and there was no bikini contest. It was just cute, local, girls in their glamorous best. This photo was exciting to find, because my mother is the LAST person you would every imagine in a pageant. She was a tomboy who preferred a cigarette on her lips over a dash of lipstick. She was tough, strong, and sometimes a little crass, not exactly the prissy beauty queen we think of. The beetles represent freedom and ingenuity for me. They are so powerful and strong. I love their hard exterior shells, rigid, segmented legs, and their structured underbellies. Many people find beetles icky, but for those who take the time to explore the microcosmic world in which they live, you will discover a noble and diligent species who work very hard and contribute so much to the planet. I guess I find similarities between beetles and "the" beauty queen. Tough, exterior surfaces hiding tender insides. Sometimes repulsive and crass, never prissy, but forever present.

Pear Belly

2009-06-04T12:23:00.004-04:00

As I stand in front of a display of gorgeous summer fruit in my local grocery, the smell reminds me of over ripened pears that fell off the tree, just outside our back door, growing up. The pear tree was planted along the fence line, so it was a perfect summer snack for the cows. The big bellied beasts would stretch their necks through the barbed wire fence, seemingly unfettered by the prick of the barbs. Their fur getting tangled and leaving evidence on the fence of their activities. As their necks stretched and strained, their pink, nubby tongues extended out to curl around the juicy piece of fruit. I would watch them and then feeling sorry for one who couldn't quite reach, I'd pick up the out-of-reach piece and dangle it above her nose, holding the pear by the stem. She would wrap her tongue around the pear and brush my fingers with her sandpaper tongue. The feeling always made me laugh and squirm at the same time. If you've never looked directly into a cow's eyes, you should. They have the prettiest eyelashes and those sweet pear bellies are just irresistible.

I Choose Happy

2009-03-24T12:14:00.004-04:00

I'm a typical moody artist and as a result, I struggle with "happiness." The concept seems simple...but I think everyone can relate to it...it's not always easy being happy.

Recently, I discovered the philosophy of "choosing happiness." I saw "Choose Happiness" on a piece of art hanging in an artist's studio (go figure...another artist needing to remind herself). So, I've adopted this as my new mantra and one that I am constantly reciting to myself...."I chose happy." Reminding myself to be grateful for everything I have and encourage positive thoughts...doing my best to overcome those "Debbie Downer" moments.

Also, I'm celebrating (what I think is) a significant birthday in a couple of days, making this new motto more and more useful. This most recent collage is about basking in the glory that is happiness and shedding the layers of "gunk" that weigh us down...like a good salt scrub in a hot shower...you gotta just let it go....schlep it off and bask in the illuminating glory of happy.

Singing Flowers on the Wall

2009-02-27T14:11:00.004-05:00

One of my fondest memories is riding with my grandfather ("Papa") to and from school everyday. He had a 1965 TEAL Chevy truck which at the time I was a little embarrassed of because it was old and a little noisy. We would listen and sing along to the one 8-track he kept in the truck, "The Best of the Statler Brothers." So, this piece is inspired by those memories and dedicated to an extraordinary and wonderful man, my Papa.
P.S. I dream of cruising around town in a fully restored '65 chevy pickup (in teal or turquoise--surprise, surprise, right)...I'm on the lookout and plan to buy one before I turn 40!

Creatively Mobile

2009-02-09T20:23:00.003-05:00

I am experimenting with mobile blogging. I just got an iPhone and I'm completely in love with it. So this is a test to see how well it works...fingers crossed! Oh, and if you want to get notices about new posts...just go to the "Baby let me follow you down" and become a Creative Mess "Follower"

Turquoise Okra & Pink Butterbeans

2009-02-09T12:28:00.000-05:00

Who ever heard of...
Turquoise okra and pink butter beans
Glorious golden strawberries with cobalt leaves
Rainbow rutabagas and chartreuse squash
Fantastic fuchsia carrots with shimmering silver tops
Baby blue tomatoes plump on lavender vines
Coppery corn with orange husks reaching for the sky
Peacock blue watermelons cut them open to see
Peacock eye seeds and flesh of lime green
Purple potatoes peek out of the dirt
Eggplants ripen with a lovely paisley perk
Maybe no one's heard of a garden mix like this.
But imagine how amazing the taste if one did exist.

My spring fever inspired poem.
Charity Wood, January 22, 2009

Spring Fever—Too Early.

2009-01-29T15:50:00.000-05:00

It's way too early...but I have Spring Fever! It's not even February but we had a couple of gorgeous and sunny days that really "infected" me.

So, I'm continuing to work on these digital collages and I just finished this one (Marie & Me) I have lots of drawings I did in college of insects. I usually dipped the drawings in beeswax and really love the effect. I've always loved insects and thoroughly enjoy drawing them and incorporating them into my work. Insects live very inconspicuous lives; but without them, the world as we know it could not exist. This idea plays into my belief that it is the small things in life that can have such a profound affect on us. What do you remember about your childhood? What are your most vivid memories? Some of them might be huge events...but most are the little things. The kind words of advice your great grandmother gave you or the time a schoolmate embarrassed you or making homemade buttermilk in kindergarten class. The latter was a memory of mine. Four students per group took turns shaking a mason jar filled with milk fat (or whatever buttermilk is made of) and after shaking for a long time, we opened our jars and got to share the yummy, creamy buttermilk...I'll never forget that. I'm not really sure how that event shaped me, but it must have done something to stick with me after 30 years.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-08T12:52:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness for 2009! Big changes are coming (finally!) and I am looking forward to a creative and productive year. 2008 was a weird year for us...illnesses and disappoints seemed to plague our family but it really made me appreciate how lucky I am every day that I'm well and feel creative and happy. So, that is what I am taking into the new year. Stay present, positive, and open...I want to be ready to receive all the gifts of inspiration from my family, friends, and the world around me. It's so important for us to focus on our goals without comparing ourselves to others. I have to remind myself of that sometimes...but it's an important lesson to remember.

I want to share a couple of pictures with you. One is the Christmas card that didn't actually get sent...I did send Christmas cards...but this one was a reject design...but I love it so much, I have to share it. The other item is a new piece I'm working on...I hope you enjoy and leave feedback if you are so inspired.

Heat & Misquitos

2008-09-18T16:00:00.001-04:00

Well if that doesn't describe Florida this August and September...I don't know what does. This year has been particularly terrible for misquitos and it all reminds me of my childhood summers in Florida. The beach, swimming and camping...summer, glorious summer! I saw a small little girl who came inside from being in the summer heat and her fine long hair was wet with sweat and it was sticking to her little neck and face. My little sister called it "spheat head" (she was 2). She used to get so annoyed and fussy with her "spheat head." But, that's summer in Florida. You gotta love it!

Home Reno!

2008-07-17T16:48:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to post my home renovation pics for a while...but this summer has been weird. Now that I'm getting back into my groove...I thought I'd share. The bummer thing is I lost my master bath "BEFORE" pictures...so you'll have to imagine a TEENY-TINY 1950s pink and black tile bathroom with the smallest shower known to man as my Master Bath BEFORE.

We started the renovations in January and they were supposed to be finished by my birthday in March but they actually finished in late April...not too far off. We are thrilled with the results. Our house was built in 1954. The previous owners completed some very good renovations before we purchased the house in 2003. They added a room onto the front of the house, off the master bedroom which they used as a library and I've made it into my studio (with boy weight set--ugh).

The laundry room could only be accessed by going out our side door, through a fence gate and around to the back of the house....needless to say...that had to be changed.

Here's what we did:

1. Renovated Guest Bath
2. Busted through hall linen closet to create access to Laundry Room and renovated Laundry Room.
3. Built new Master Closet along wall in Studio. (20 feet of organized bliss!)
4. Renovated Master Bath (included expanding by eliminating two closets that were adjacent)

I'll post more pics of all the renovations...for now...see the slide show of the bath reno pics.

Summer's Coming!

2008-04-24T14:27:00.001-04:00

I LOVE Summer...it is truly my favorite time of year. A native Floridian, I love the heat....really...the hotter the better. I love the beach, boating, swimming and all the wonderful outdoor adventures of summer. I am ashamed to say that as long as I've lived here and as many times as I've been swimming...I only recently learned to dive (not scuba--just jumping in head-first). I can't believe it took me 33 years to learn to dive...but alas it did. Thanks to my brilliant teacher and husband, Andrew...I am a diving fool! I can't wait for our pool to heat up so I can make my first dive of the season. (I'll keep you posted on that.)

Another reason I adore summer....the clothes. I love summer clothes...the colors, the fabrics and the styles....I wear sandals EVERYDAY and I'm crazy about flirty skirts that are so breezy and comfortably cool...I get excited just thinking about it.

The only down-side to summer are the biting bugs. I don't mind other bugs...just the ones that want to suck your blood. Vampire-bugs are truly dreadful and can shut down an otherwise lovely outdoor picnic or social gathering. No-see-ums can invade every crevice of your body and they love getting into your clothes and your hair and eating you alive. They are really more annoying than the worse mosquito.

Bugs aside. This is the most glorious time of the year and I am so looking forward to sweating by the pool, Margarita in hand, soaking up the rays. Summer's coming!

BFA Class of 1996

2008-03-19T13:38:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking alot about organizing a reunion of my former classmates from college. I am looking for our Grad Show poster so I can begin remembering everyone and attempting contacts. I remember looking silly in that poster and I sure hope I can find it...I have such great memories of that time in my life, although I took myself entirely too seriously and I didn't have enough fun...and by fun I mean flirting, dating, etc. I missed out on some potentially fantastic experiences with some great people...but alas...regrets.

So the goal for this year is to make contact with as many of those folks as possible and get us all together. Wish me luck!

Also, here's another few collages I've been working on. I'm so in love with these.

Dreamy Collages

2008-03-12T16:53:00.000-04:00

"I Dreamt of Cinderella's Castle" is the first of a new series of my digital collages. I'm crazy about them and this one in particular. I've been thinking a lot about my family roots and my dreams. Dreams that I have while sleeping and then those "wishful" dreams I had when I was a child. This new series illustrates some of those dreams. "I Dreamt of Cinderella's Castle" illustrates my excitement about seeing Cinderella's Castle for the first time and then my disappointment when I discovered there was nothing inside...or at least visitors couldn't go inside. I think that has changed since the 1980s but at that time it was all a facade.