What to Expect – New Work, Mixed Media

What to expect (from me)

Mixed Media, Oils, gesso, Inda Ink, old house numbers, glue, stamps, found objects.

18″ x 24″ x 1″

painted sides, ready to hang

I just needed, in the middle of a long commission that I am currently trying to finish, to paint for me. This is what came out. I guess I don’t want to behave yet. I don’t know if I ever will.  I guess that’s what you all should expect…

Raw & Radiant,

Heather

www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some original art today

What happens when you stop trying to live a life you think you want to have and live the one you actually could have?

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone elses opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.

                

~Oscar Wilde

Its been awhile hasn’t it? I have not written in so many months that it feels strange and vulnerable to do so now. That means it’s time to do it, so here it goes.

What happens when you embrace the life you have and really know down to your toes, for maybe the first time in your whole little life. that it’s also the life you really, really wanted all along?

I have been through transitions before, the type that leaves you breathless and shaky, and the kind that leaves you shivering and exhilarated. This one, for me has been a little of both. My divorce from my life mate of 15 years is nearing its final completion. It’s one of the fastest divorces this side of the Mason Dixon Line and well…its good. I am feeling less and less like I failed and more and more like I’ve been set free. I didn’t even know I wanted to be set free, I was so used to my cage. Now that the doors have been blown off my life for me, I am grateful for every moment of agony it took to get here… today.  Change is the only constant in this life, the only constant. I can count on things changing, planning to have my life not change is the ultimate recipe for disaster. I have accepted and grown with the ending… and today just a short hop from when it began, I am free. How can I now, not be grateful for that freedom? I have also rediscovered myself, reimagined myself, relearned to love myself again… and because of that work I found love again with a wonderful human being. 

I am not an artist that can use angst to create with and from. While I suffered through my change and then grew into my new self, I created very little art to record the process. I left this moment in time to the imperfection of my memory. It has not been recorded or preserved. Not the end of what I thought was my last relationship, relationship….nor the beginning of my new, knock my socks off relationship either. Sacred these moments are, and I don’t want them to be documented in my work. They are private and just for me to know. I am selfish in this memory hording. I hold these moments so dear, yet I am compelled to not record them in my work…not currently anyway.

 I have been working, and change always inspires new work, but while I have had incredible highs and lows, I have not created in those moments. I am growing still…again…perpetually. I want my work to reflect that experience, not record the pain and joy of living, but the actual living, in the moments as they happen, to capture forever in a grain of sand. The futures just a pearl clutched in a sweaty palm.

I am in love.

I am love.

Love is what I am and want to be.

I am loved.

I am sure again that I am worthy of being loved, not because some one else loves me, but because, maybe for the first time in my life, I really know who and what I am. I love that, I love who I think I am today…I love that I still do not know for sure what I am capable of. I love that I am more sure of myself and that I took a little time to roll with the punches. I am proud of myself. So, I am in my own way becoming the person I have always needed and in that process, I’ve met someone who thinks I am pretty cool too. Nice how that works, right?

I am.

So, in short life keeps happening.

I keep on keeping on.

I am living right out loud and naked. You want to see what happens next?

Wonder what freedom for real will do to the BAD! Kitty?

Well, then you will have to come back, read, feel, see and experience for yourself my explanations of reality.

Welcome to my world, I hope you like your stay.

Raw & radiant,

Heather

www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some original art today

 

New Work- Transition with Song

New Work…let  me know what you think, I am a starving for attention artists dontcha know…and its been 4.5 months for new, I mean really new work so revel or throw money…either one works.

‘Transition with Song’

24″  X  18″ x 1″

Oils/Mixed Media

$475.00 USD with free shipping to anywhere in the world.

Here is the quote that helped the work along:

 ”I strew flowers. Not one shall I find without scattering its petals before thee…and I will sing… I will sing always, even if my roses must be gathered amidst thorns: and the longer and sharper the thorns; the sweeter shall be my song.”

~St. Teresa of Lisieux

Raw & Radiant,

Heather

buy this new work today at: www.badkittyartstudio.com

You will find it in the 2011 Gallery….it’s the first of the year….you know you want it.

 

New Art- Hand that Feeds – oil painting

Hand that Feeds

‘The Hand That Feeds’ – Newest artwork!

oils

18” x 24” x 1”

Finished sides needs no frame and ready to hang

(any shiny spots in the picture are just wet paint reflections, it’s seamless, I promise you. It also looks waaay better in person, because I ain’t a photographer, I’m just a humble painter. )

Here is the quote that inspired the work:

“I think I’ll be a clown when I get grown,” said Dill.  “Yes, sir, a clown…. There ain’t one thing in this world I can do about folks except laugh, so I’m gonna join the circus and laugh my head off.”  “You got it backwards, Dill,” said Jem.  “Clowns are sad, it’s folks that laugh at them.”  “Well, I’m gonna be a new kind of clown.  I’m gonna stand in the middle of the ring and laugh at the folks.”  ~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 22

 This work was such a struggle at times and at others a gift. I am realizing an episode of growth, a growth experience and it feels fine. I know I’m on to something when I dream about the work, when I can’t stop thinking about the work, and yet when I work on the painting, I fall into the hole of “I don’t know what I am doing!” Yeah…I tell ya, that’s the good stuff.

I am letting whatever happens…happen.  I am trusting the flow and going blind. I am forgetting everything I thought I knew and learning all these things I didn’t know – that I didn’t know. Sometimes it feels like my studio is in another slice of time, just like this one, only much, much better.

I think I am telling myself stories. New stories. I just might start believing in them too.

What story are you telling yourself? Do you believe it?

Magic lives in the answer.

I think I’m channeling hippies now. Groovy.

This work will be made available on my web site for purchase first, (where it’ll be less expensive) then off to the gallery. Thanks for being here today!

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some art today

New Art- Positive Reduction

‘Positive Reduction’

18″ x 24″ x 2″

oils on canvas

Will be available for purchase on my web site in the 2010 gallery.

Here is the quote that helped inspire the work:

The work was like peeling an onion. The outer skin came off with difficulty… but in no time you’d be down to its innards, tears streaming from your eyes as more and more beautiful reductions became possible.
-Edward Blishen

This abstract, mixed media oil painting took a year to complete. You’ll be saying…”no way BAD! Kitty, really?” (maybe not but I like to think about you all reading this and in my head you talk back, sometimes…no I’m not crazy, ok maybe a little bit) The simple answer is yes. I have painted this canvas 5 times. I hated each painting, and it would get thrown in the corner to wait until I had run out of supplies again. Well, I ran out of supplies. I picked up the cursed canvas and plopped it down on the easel. Then I stared reducing the very abstract color riot that was there. It started working! I felt something give inside my head and I finished this work over the last week. I had to wait for the paint to dry each time, because…like I said I’m outta supplies and therefore no drying alkids. OMG! I hate waiting for paint to dry, but nothing but oils give the depth of color and texture, IMHO, of course.

The picture of the wooden dressmakers dummy is one that I have had in my special pile for years, he had to become an enlightened fairy with dusty butterfly wings for this world. Dontcha’ think? Yeah, me too. Prepped and glued and textured him in there and bam! it feels good and done now. The background is a sunny orange/yellow, but very soft. I really liked how free this one made me feel…I think the whimsy may be returning on its own. Isn’t that nice?

Have a great day and thanks for being here.

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some art today (because we need supplies!)

 

New Art- Impersonal Divinity -it’s what you make of it.

“Impersonal Divinity”

18″ x 24″

Oils on gallery wrapped canvas, needs no frame, painted sides and comes ready to hang

Available for purchase on my web site in the 2010 Gallery

Here are the quotes that helped this work along its path:

“If therefore my work is negative, irreligious, atheistic, let it be remembered that atheism — at least in the sense of this work — is the secret of religion itself; that religion itself, not indeed on the surface, but fundamentally, not in intention or according to its own supposition, but in its heart, in its essence, believes in nothing else than the truth and divinity of human nature.”
-Ludwig Feuerbach

AND

“Not necessity, not desire –no, the love of power is the demon of men. Let them have everything –health, food, a place to live, entertainment –they are and remain unhappy and low-spirited: for the demon waits and waits and will be satisfied.”
 -Friedrich Nietzsche

Many cultures worldwide, have mythology about Gods, Goddesses, and people who sport horns. The overall history for horned people is, (with the exception of some forms of Christianity, who demonized ancient mythology to created the Devil, and to help convert pagans (witches) into their belief system) that horns represent a connection with a higher power, the God-head, the Creator. In most circles of world study, this is commonly is refered to as the Horned God Myth.

I use horns to represent the animal/divine earth nature, the connection to higher-power wisdom, and to the feelings of rebellious freedom. I take back the history and reinterpret it with a modern twist.

This painting is a work about you, the viewer. Depending upon your internal dialogue, your systems of belief and faith, your systems of fear and self-awareness, your reaction to this work is revealing of your nature at this time. Do you see a picture of the devil? A shaman? A mythological creature? Evil? Good? Provocation on your belief system? It all depends on your mental state and state of awareness, personal history and levels of judgement. I think that is interesting.

This work is about the act of demonization that seems to be running rampant in our modern culture. Don’t understand something, someone, some other religion, culture, lifestyle? Well, then fear, hate and demonization are the order of the day. I don’t agree with that stance, I know there is a middle ground, a gray area if you will.

That is why he is painted in gray-scale, to represent that middle ground. You might think this work is of a certain race of human, but is he? His wide nose, large lips, broad forehead, may define him to you as being of one race or another. It’s not clear and that’s the point. That is my point. You don’t know, but your gut reaction to this simple work, should tell you a little more about yourself. Are you happy? Mad? Interested in the history? What are you feeling? Please feel free to share that feeling or to not share it as you see fit. Just don’t ignore that feeling, live with it and let it help you sort out what you really believe is true for you. It’s important that we discover our own truths, so that we might better facilitate understanding and peace amongst ourselves.

I want to convey my thoughts on the unknown, the different, the sacred. Those thoughts are simply this, demonization of the different is an act of violence and hatred. It never elevates it only destroys what is possible. It is evil. It is destructive and immoral. It is an act of hate and fear. It is useless to human beings, unless…it is being used to enslave, subordinate and control.

The most glorious thing about being human is that under everything, the skin, the religion, the cultures, the rules…we are all human. Blood, bone, organs, hearts, spirit and mind. Under our skin, and clothing we are truly a family of human. The differenced between us are our greatest gifts to each other. Diversity is freedom. We can reach a place where we are all on the same level…that of being human. I don’t have to agree with you, to love you, to learn from you or to protect your freedom ( or my own) to be or become what you (or I) desire to be.

It’s  true.

We don’t have to draw lines in the sand over difference, we could choose to see that we are all one family, the family of man. We could stop the desire to control, to rule, to over protect the ideas of self, to have the most of anything or everything in order to have more power. We could choose to embrace the differences and stop trying to rule over each other. We could choose love, peace and understanding…we really could.  

This work is a celebration of the art of evolution. The evolution of wisdom, peace, understanding and virtue that I know humanity could one day reach. I pray everyday for this to be so. I pray for peace, and I know it begins within me and you….one heart and soul at a time.

Thanks for being here today, I sure appreciate you all.

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some art today

New Art- Lucinda- #3 from the pin-up girls series

‘Lucinda’ #3 from the Pin-up Girl Series

16″ x 20″

Oils on flat canvas panel, this will need mounting and/or framing to hang

Available for purchase (with FREE shipping to everywhere in the world) on my web site in the 2010 Gallery.

Here is the quote that helped this work along:

“All women do have a different sense of sexuality, or sense of fun, or sense of like what’s sexy or cool or tough.”

Angelina Jolie Lucinda is…well she’s a bunch of fun. She loves to fish, go camping, drink beer, tell tawdry jokes and drive real fast. She is a rebel, a lover, a friend. I found an image very close to this painting in an old 40′s calendar, and I knew that one day I would paint her. After making a few changes to the background and to her figure, I got to work. It has taken me over a week of daily work to get her finished. The colors are 1950′s bright and fun but not garish like they tended to be back then. A much more modern color palette has been used to better compliment todays colors and styles, but all that old-time feeling is there. I love painting the vintage pin-up girls…why you ask? Well, because they were shaped much more, lets say round back then, the bodies were curvy, sexy, strong and honest. I was born with a 1950′s body myself, round, curvy and made for comfort and fun, not speed and hard edges. I really love to bring these lovely ladies back into the world, with just a hint of a modern twist. Let’s celebrate the sexy, let’s worship the honest. Let’s praise the strong. Let’s be free in our bodies and honor what makes us each so special as a woman. Whatever brand of woman who is today…let’s just be happy with who we are, doing what we are doing and loving every damn minute of it all. Have a great day, and thanks so much for being here today. Pray for peace, it begins within. Heather http://www.badkittyartstudio.com Support Living Artists, buy some art today

New Art- I know why-Original oil painting

‘I know why’

16″ x 20″

Oils on flat canvas panel. Will need framing or mounting for hanging

Will be available on my web site in the 2010 gallery

Here is (the part of) a poem that inspired the work:

“What dreams we have and how they fly

Like rosy clouds across the sky;

Of wealth, of fame, of sure success,
 
Of love that comes to cheer and bless;
 
And how they whither, how they fade,
 
The waning wealth, the jilting jade —
 
The fame that for a moment gleams,
 
Then flies forever, — dreams, ah — dreams!

~Paul Laurence Dunbar

I worked on this painting for many weeks…a little at a time. It’s self-portrait, a mirror and an explanation of my observations of self awareness. It’s a visual poem.

I hope you enjoy the work.

Pray for Peace,

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some art today

New Art -Set Free- original oil painting, urban art, outsider art

‘Set Free’

18″ x 24″ x 1″

Oils on gallery wrapped canvas, finished sides, needs no frame and is ready to hang

Will be available on my web site in the 2010 gallery

Here is the quote that helped this work along it’s way:

“I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing,

still of nothing am I in want. “

Terence (185 BC – 159 BC), Eunuchus

*and*

“I love stuff as much as the next guy, but I’ve come to understand that, regardless of the cost of acquiring it, the price of having it is freedom. “

Colleen Wainwright, Communicatrix

 

Set Free, I want to be, I am set free. This original oil painting, done in an outsider/urban art style is representative of the act of letting go. Letting go of dogma, tyranny, slavery, and the need to be accepted. Letting all of the anger, fear, worry, and pain, go. Letting go of  wanting, letting go of the need to please. I am letting my work do it’s thing. I am letting the world influence my imagery. I am letting go of fear. I am setting free my inner child to play and create a world I want to live in. I am letting go of the need to express myself in acceptable ways. I am letting go of pretty. I am in free fall, I will learn to fly or bloom where I am planted. I forgive myself for not being, right now, in this moment, perfect.

I am loving. I am free. I am. I choose happy. I choose freedom. I choose to allow. I choose to accept choice and self-control. I choose risk. I choose not knowing. I choose life. I am willing. I am willing to fail. I am willing to succeed. I am willing to be brave. I am willing to love. I am willing to risk. I am willing to be imperfect and grateful. I am willing to be wise. I am not sorry. I am not sorry for living the life that I have. I am not sorry for what I do not have. I am not sorry for being true to me even if that sometimes disappoints people I care about. I am not sorry for being honest, alive and awake. I am not sorry that I am here today with all the trials and tribulations and the moments of darkness and uncertainty. I am not sorry that I am a soul that happens to have a body. I am not sorry that I am free. I am. I am. I am. That is always enough, if I let it be.

Can you see? I have been set free.

I hope you enjoy the work, and thanks for being here today.

Pray for peace,

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some art today

 

Why the shitty economy is really good for my creative insanity

 ‘Burning’

original oil painting (SOLD)

             Economic recovery, my ass…it’s more like “it’s still really crappy out there, but just a little less crappy for some of you but not all of you.”

I’ve been struggling with the current conditions of the economy for two years now. The art just isn’t selling like it used too, and I’ve grown to understand that I was depending on sales to feed the flames of my creativity. Go without  sales as a full-time artist, for any length of time, and you start questioning your value, your work, your message. But all that is only true if I am tied to the act of selling work to personally evaluate my enthusiasm for creating art.  In short, my opinion is the only value based opinion, of what I am doing that counts. What art critics, patrons or the public think of my work isn’t essential to the act of creation. Judgment and comparison will make my work suck and more importantly totally fuck up my brain and muse. So, I’ve discovered, that being at a lower rate of sales has hit me in the old confidence department. When I was selling as fast as I could paint (for years on end) I unknowingly became dependant on that feedback to spur myself to greater heights. What I created was also driven by that feedback. Now that I am selling at a much reduced volume, I have had to find out what really makes me tick as an artist. This is earth shattering stuff, I tell you. 

 I have had to find ways to make high quality fine art with less money for supplies, and less time to create, because I had to go full-time with my day job. For the first time in 11 years, I am not a full-time, self-supporting artist. I am a full-time artist with a full-time day job. I used to go on and on when I was younger, about how I would never work a full-time job again, that I would eat beans and live under a bridge before I sold out to society EVER!  Well, you can see how well that worked out, right? LOL

I obviously was miss-guided and naive.

Whatever.

Having less of everything has brought me to this place, where for the first time, I am really free. I can paint or create whatever I feel like doing. If it sells, great. If it does not, no big deal. I can say, do, express whatever I want too…just because I can. I have too. I don’t have a choice about being an artist, I am what I am. I do have a choice in how that directs and forms my life. If I depend on you all in the world to validate my work with words and purchases, then maybe I’m not really being  true to me, the artist. I’m riding the gravy train, I’m going with the flow, I’m taking the path of least resistance….but am I risking myself? Am I learning, sharing or growing?  I am really following my heart or just creating what sells? Sometimes they are not the same thing, you know.

I’ve been forced to take weeks on current works to finish them. I am used to 2-3 paintings or creations a week, and now I am lucky to finish that many in a month. It’s good, I’m not rushing to get to the next great idea, I’m learning all that I can from each experience. I feel like some voice is making its way to the front of my work and I like the feeling of being authentic. I like what the economy has done for my work and my self awareness. I like that the economy has made me redefine and reshape myself into what is happening today. I like that I am not stuck, that I am growing, that I am free. I like what struggling has done for my brain, body and spirit. I like what is happening, and that’s why I think the hell-in-a-handbasket economy has saved my art, and made me become a better me in the process.

Long live the struggle, smelting the gold from the stone, one drop at  a time.

Raw & radiant,

Heather

http://www.badkittyartstudio.com

Support living artists, buy some art today.