Wine Revisited

(Before)

(After)

Sometimes when an original piece sits around the house long enough (for me a year and a half), it may get modified by the artist. I was inspired to change "Wine" -- a piece I had created over a year ago. It has hung in my hallway all this time. Then today, for some reason I decided it needed flowers, the sun and a bird.

As I was painting it, I thought to myself how much I love wine and vineyards -- and the city of Temecula on Rancho California Road. I recently joined the Wilson Creek Winery Family by wine club membership. I was formerly a member of Ponte Winery wine club. Both these wineries have exquisite wine and restaurants. I have some very fond memories from these places.

My original depiction of my love for wine, lacked happiness. When I looked at it, it was just okay. But today, as I was painting, I was feeling so much joy and happiness by adding the flowers, sun and birds. I'm quite pleased with the modified version as it depicts what I feel when consuming the nectar of the vines and more of my artistic "style". Cheers!!!

Off The Palette Of An Artist

As an artist, I spend alot of money on art supplies. One of my pet peeves is when I am done painting, I have left over acrylic paint that dries with the days I don't paint. I've been saving these dried treasures for quite awhile now. I knew there was something artistic I could do with them. I created "Off The Palette Of An Artist".

Exploring Different Mediums

My favorite medium to work with for my art is acrylic. Sometimes I add ink in a pen form to my acrylic pieces for emphasis and to draw attention to some of my more hidden elements. But overall, I love the sliding of acrylic on a paint brush. To me, this medium is the easiest to manipulate and flow on to a canvas along with where the brush may take me in my creations.

I have explored many mediums in my artistic creations. I've done paper mache, floral arranging, scrap booking, card making, carving wood, painting wood, watercolors and drawing. I've used different shades of lead pencil in drawing. I have several of those pieces in my poetry scrap book. Most recently, I wanted to explore what I could do with color pencils.

The piece displayed here is named "Abuelita's Curiosity". I sketched out my piece initially using a lead pencil, then I colored it with color pencils.
The drawing depicts my grandmother (Welita), who died in 1967. I remember her in her apron and she always seemed to be doing laundry. I actually took two places I remember her living and combined them into a new and original place in my mind. She lived in a little house next to railroad tracks and then she lived by an airport in a little house with her washer in the back yard. She always had Nopales Cactus in her yard, because she made the most delicious nopalitas.
She often stood at the edge of her yards just looking out aimlessly at things. In this piece, I have her standing on a crate (she was less than 5 foot) to catch a glimpse of a bird she heard through the fence, which sparked her curiosity. I was 7 when she passed away, but her memory forever lives on in my mind and heart.

I framed this piece and it hangs in my dining area of my house as a constant reminder of the beautiful soul she was. I have a hope of one day seeing her again.

Morning Glory

This canvas didn't start with "Morning Glory" in mind. It was actually going to be an abstract with a rooster in the center. When I looked at the piece, it didn't appeal to me at all. So I took the 8" x 8" gallery wrapped canvas over to the sink and started washing my error off the canvas. As I removed the rooster, I noticed how the abstract colored lines I had painted gave an interesting background. So I left some of the original painting to use as background. I painted over it and you can see the artful effect it provided.

I've always loved to visit gardens -- one of my favorite gardens is located on Vancouver Island. I love Roses, especially because of how beautiful they are and because of their fragrance.

My mother grows the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen in a yard. She always has an arbor full of morning glories. In the early morning when I drive up to her house, there are always birds feeding off her flowers and seed trays. There are usually one or two humming birds buzzing around. I chose to paint the birds in white and gold because there is nothing more heavenly than those two colors together.

In my art, I use alot of clusters of three. Those three elements when grouped represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I usually, along with listening to music and lost in my creativity, ask for assistance from God in guiding my hand to be used in a vision which will make those viewing feel happy or like what they are seeing. Like myself as a collector, the pieces that I have collected from other artists move me emotionally in one way or another.

Also, in many of my pieces you will see swirls. I don't like alot of open space in my life. I love being around beautiful things and love being around my family and friends. The swirls bring me comfort. I think it is residual stemming type tendency from my childhood autistic world.

And the color in my art. I love color, color and more color. My first born son brought color into my life. I've always been attracted to color and glitz (sparklies), thus my art is colorful -- sometimes I think to the extreme. To me color represents diversity and I have acceptance and tolerance to each unique person, who I feel has purpose in this life for each moment that we have breath. I also have a hope that our purpose continues after this one!!

I have a sense of humor like no other. I love laughter. I love happiness and good times, thus most, if not all of my work is whimsical and bright -- just like "Morning Glory".

What Inspires Me To Paint?

I know like others, when you are someone who networks via the internet, you are going meet individuals and they become consistent tweeters and facebook friends. Although I haven't met these fabulous individuals, they are a part of my life and I look foward to chatting with them on almost a daily basis.

One particular day, I was ill and had stayed home. I was using facebook as a means to not remain idle. I had several ladies from UWIB United Women In Business who kept me company via the Internet for the most part of my morning. By the end of our time together, they made me feel reenergized and creative.

I went into my studio and thought how often, people we know are down or going through a crisis. The bird by the nest depicts one of these individuals and her heart is dark and her head bowed down. Flying toward her are two birds who bring with them love (as depicted by the red hearts in their beaks). I called this piece, "In My Sorrow, You Brought Me Love". This piece is a tribute to all those who go to the rescue of their friends who may for some reason or another may not be themselves and need that extra love to get through it!!

I gifted the original to a friend of mine, who whenever I see her, always exerts positive energy, love and encouragement towards me.

Cindy's Colorful Canvas In Cafe Press Shop

This past week, I upgraded my Cafe Press Shops to the Premium Level. Now all my artwork can be purchased in one location rather than having to go to separate shop links to view.

Along with Fine Art America (http://cynthia-koch.artistwebsites.com/), I found another way to provide my art on various products that can be securely purchased and shipped safely through Cafe Press. This site provides mugs, journals, clocks, totes, tiles, prints, greeting cards, postcards and note cards. (Prices range from $3.99 to $39.99)

Cindy's Colorful Canvas can be found at:

www.cafepress.com/CindysColorfulCanvas

Because I work full time as a Human Resources Manager, I don't have alot of time to market my art or spend time in art memberships or art associations, so until retirement, in hopefully five years, I want to introduce my art in its beginnings to hopefully build a fan base of interested collectors.

Eventually, I'll buy what I need to securely package and provide a safe means of payment to collectors for my original art.

Anady's Trophies and Engraving in Hemet, California (http://www.anadystrophies.com/), through my friend who is the owner of this shop, is generously displaying my original art and offering it for sale to her customers. The original pieces are gallery wrapped canvasses ranging from 4"x 4" to 8" x 8" various sizes. Those pieces featured at Anady's are Robyn 1, Robyn 2, Snail Trail, Morning Glory, Everything Is Rosey, Hibiscus In The Morning, Warm & Sunny, & Purple Night & Blue Birds.

I thank you for your time and interest in my art!! If you have any special requests you would like me to paint and post for possible purchases though these means, please be sure to drop me a line.

What Could I Have Done Differently?

Quite often when I think about what I do for a living, I also ponder what could I have done differently. I've been a Human Resources Manager for almost 8 years and prior to that I was an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent for 11 years. That's a long time to be in one position. Prior to that I was a Temporary Clerical/Secretary for Kelly Temporary, a legal secretary, a secretary for a tumor registry (fascinating job), a secretary/payroll acounts payable/receivable for a family owned custom furniture business, a church secretary (LOL), State Board of Equalization Audit Control Office Assistant II, Compliance Office Assistant II, and Del Taco Countergirl. I attended community college, a vocational college and took a few classes through University of Phoenix. I was 17/18 years old when all this began. I am now 50 years old.

At the age of 49, I remembered that I really love art.

I sing, play improvised piano (a boyfriend from my senior year expanded by childhood piano lessons by teaching me this method), and I play guitar. I've been told I have a better than average singing voice, but I'm still pretty limited on the instruments. Although I remember my second year in college playing a concerto piano piece by Bach (how did that ability go away?). I used to be able to memorize the words to song, so I could sing solos without music. Now I only remember the chorus when singing along to music. Brains are so clear when you are young.

I love computers. Thank God for technology. I can do alot on a computer. I do alot of computer created documentation for my employment. I developed the newsletter for the school district I work for. I also assist our IT with updating our District website. Fun stuff.

During the summer of my Junior year in highschool, I was offered a scholarship to the Los Angeles Institute of Art. Unfortunately, due to transportation issues, I was unable to accept. I did art every year, up until that point in my life. I drew, I did ceramics, paper mache forms, carved, you name it -- anything to be artistically creative, I did it.

Well, I guess I'm just wondering what could I have done differently with my life -- with my life, I'm speaking basically about my career life.

Now that I've rediscovered my love for art, I was all excited about painting and marketing my creations. I have been told by many people in my life that I should market my creativity. I'm an organizer of events which include decorating, etc. So I've put my art on websites which recreate my art, but as of yet (a little over a year), I have sold a tote bag on Cafe Press - "Class In Session". Just two weeks ago, I had a friend invite me to display my gallery wrapped art in her shop which is a beautifully decorated trophies and engraving shop. She committed to buying one of my pieces. This was very encouraging and I'll have to see how successful selling originals through this means does. However, this on line stuff is getting pretty disheartening. I've been told be persistent and don't give up.

I'm utilzing this blog so people might get to know me as a person and eventually realize what my art portrays and possibly why I paint it.

Let me share alittle about my childhood. I was born in East Los Angeles (really, I can't believe this myself) at Los Angeles General Hospital. I didn't meet my biological father until I was around 22 years old. He died when I remarried and after I had my twin boys in 1998. I look alot like his mother.

From birth to about 7 years old I lived in an autistic world, with research now a days, it was most likely Aspergers Syndrome, which sometimes allows it's victims to come out of their trance like world. I give credit to my Aunt Mickey who used to hold me for hours and call out my name. I remember memories of my Abuelita dancing to cubias and the smell of folgers coffee, beans and oatmeal in her kitchen.

At the age of four years old, I was sexually abused by a cousin in my mother's family (while my single divorced Mom worked) -- of course, that woke me up for a brief moment only to be able to get the perpetrator sentenced to Patton Mental Hospital for a while. I remember the smell of the courthouse and everything a four year old child can remember. I remember sitting on an adult's lap while I testified and identified the man who had violated my small innocent body.

I have some great childhood memories from when my Mom remarried, but for the most part, my childhood sucked. I wouldn't wish my childhood on any child.

There were some happy memories I remember, but mostly as an older child. Trips to Abalone Cove, Redondo Beach Pier, Long Beach, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, growing gardens, pay day and McDonalds or a movie. My parents did the best they could, but our family was poor. I remember going to school with two pieces of stale bread and cheese with a hard edge. Rarely did I have a lunch that included fresh fruit or the coveted desserts. I remember not having a lunch and the lunch lady setting me at a table with a piece of bread and butter and some water and then she told me to tell my parents I owed her a nickel. Why do we remember those sad times?

For some reason, I guess because I was so outgoing, my friends included kids whose families had money. I loved spending the night at those houses, because they ate well!! I also remember those were the friends who didn't have too many boundaries either. I remember smoking with my friend Stacey Cadoo at about 9 years old on the roof of her two story house. We smoked in her Mom's bathroom as well and when her Mom would knock we would spray hairspray and say we were doing each other's hair. I had a great slumber party one year with about 8 girls who spent the night -- I must have been around 10 or 11when that happened.

Getting lice from a friend who spent the night for one night at my house in 6th grade didn't help my popularity either. My mother panicked when she saw the bugs on my head and she shaved me bald. Then realizing what she had done, set up an appointment for me to get a wig, which up until the 6th grade graduation had been a daily running marathon from the kids who wanted to pull it off. Mr. Noonan was my savior and would wait with me after school until I could walk home safely without the cruelty of the daily marathon and teasing. This was also a very painful time for another unpleasant memory which I chose not to share, but was horrific. Let's talk about something that could push me even further over the edge. I was called "Licehead" until 8th grade by a girl named Georgia. The end of 7th grade I had long hair and pretty much told her to "Kiss my ass!" Then it stopped. Of course, the next year I attended a Seventh Day Adventist Academy. Then every year there after until I graduated I went to a different school each year.

At some point my Dad started to make money and then we rarely went hungry. I remember a pool table and a really great Christmas where we got about 14 presents each. Soooooo, ....

Through my faith in and by the grace of God, I still remain a positive and very optimistic person. It is so much easier to be happy than to be miserable because of what other people did to make it that way. I focussed on the people who loved me and made me laugh. Who invited me to their house (the Ciolli's) just because they loved me. My beautiful cousins Yaya and Sandra who made my childhood bearable and my teens terrific!! My Mom's brother-in-laws and sisters who took me into their homes and shared some awesome times with me. Pam, a 25 year old single woman, who drove me up the coast and let me spend the night in her apartment on many occasions as a teen. The times my brother, my Mom and Dad and I would swing on a patio swing as a family in the back yard of our home or set up the tent in the livingroom and sleep there. The nights of story telling and gazing at stars. Those are the times I reflect on. My parents have been by my side through my adulthood and have been fabulous Grandparents. I love their souls tremendously. Those are the times that make my art happy. I don't paint dark ever, because there just isn't any reason for it and I don't like horror or sadness.

I've been married to four different men, because if someone starts to mistreat me or take me for granted, I don't want to be around them anymore. I have four children who are the best things that ever happened in my life and I would marry their father again, just to assure they were the children I ended up with. I'm hoping husband number four lasts.

So now, now that all this past is behind me, all I want to do is paint. I want to sell my art to support my acrylic and canvas habit -- and that's all I have to say about that.

My Tribute To Robin

A little over a year ago, I rediscovered my love for art. I was surfing the internet in order to network with other artists to receive inspiration for my art direction.

In my search, I've met numerous artists, but none have come near to who I consider my most favorite artist, Robin Maria Pedrero. Not only are her works a visual journey, the person that she is goes beyond words. Because of her wonderful personality and tremendous works of art, I've become one of her collectors. I own several of her works. I have told her if I were to win the lottery, I would go on a Robin Maria Pedrero spending spree.

When I want to be inspired to paint, I go to what I refer to as my "Robin Maria Pedrero Wall" and receive energy and inspiration to begin my works. You will see her influence in my art. She provided me direction and encouragement. I prayed for guidance with my art and God led me to her.

When I would receive my beautiful works from her, not only would I receive high quality beautiful pieces she produced, she always included extra gifts as well. The presentation of her packages goes above and beyond. She would write encouraging words in each package I received. As you can see, I am one of her numerous fans. Along with being a collector, we have become friends who have never met in person, but through our love for art.

Soon after meeting her, I tried to figure out a way to repay her for getting me through some of my toughest times. Then I thought, I would paint her something. The piece within this blog is "Tribute to Robin". It will never be reproduced or sold. She has the original as a gift from me to her. It is such a small token as to what she has given me. I found out in a recent interview she had, a painting she did called, "Happiness" was inspired with me in thought. Needless to say, I own that piece and it is even more special to me after hearing her interview. A God thing indeed.

You can travel the visual journey yourself and share in the wonders of her art and her upcoming worldwide events by visiting her website at www.gallery523.com -- where there are many links you can view and purchase her works for your own enjoyment.

Paint brushes up to Robin Maria Pedrero!!

You Are My Son Shine

Today, I want to celebrate my son, Marcel. Tomorrow he turns 27 years old. I can't believe the time has flown. I can tell you from the first moment when he looked up at me with his wide open eyes, I knew he would be incredible. My son has the most contagious smile I have ever seen on any other human being. When he smiles, his eyes sparkle and he warms your heart. You can ask anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him. He is gifted. At the age of 2 years old my son read. He read words out of context. I know this because I thought he had just memorized the words I had been reading him since he could sit up, but no -- when I pointed to different words in the books, he repeated what the words said -- INCREDIBLE!! He has always had a song in his heart. His favorite song I would sing to him was "You Are My Son Shine." His favorite book was "The Big Hungry Bear" - it's about sharing the big ripe strawberry. To this day he applies that book with all situations -- he is a giver. He's always been inquisitive and creative. He was always the honor student and pushed himself academically all his life. He currently teaches chem labs, is working toward his doctorate in chemistry and is a DJ for the end of the week and weekends. He does alot for many community events and services. He is a young man of service whether through work or just for the cause. He has alot to offer this world. I know my son will be part of a change for making life better. His research will find answers to find preventions and cures. Last December, when I decided I was going to pursue my passion for art, he bought me a french easel and canvasses, because he wanted to support my love for art. At the same time, I painted him this painting appropriately named, "You Are My Sonshine" -- I had it framed in gold. It represents the colorful, brilliant person that he is, depicts the Son Shine, heart and feathers. The feathers are the depictions of my thought that my son has been an angel on this earth and one of my dearest blessings. You will see the feathers are falling - they represent what is left because he is constantly going and doing. He sings, he dances, he works, he serves -- most of all the hearts represent -- he loves. He loves all!! His family and his friends mean the world to him -- He means the world to us.

My Art In A Nutshell -- Fine Art America Prints/Cafe Press - Cindy's Colorful Canvas

It's been awhile since I have blogged on this site. Probably almost a year ago -- I've been busy creating. I've done well over 100 pieces and now am ready to start marketing and getting my art out to those who may be interested in purchasing or viewing some of my art.

I have art at http://cynthia-koch.artistwebsites.com/ (Which is Fine Art America where copies (not originals) can be purchased as prints, canvasses, and greeting cards.) I've purchased greetings cards from them and the quality is superior!! You definitely get what you pay for.

I have also listed my art on Cafe Press where several of my pieces can be printed on mugs or totes, purchased and shipped securely. I am listed under Cindy's Color Canvas -- www.cafepress.com/CindysColorfulCanvas

I also have an account at http://www.artneighbor.com/ -- I have many of my originals as specified, but just haven't figured out how to sell them and then ship them safely.

I have some of my smaller art pieces on display at Anady's Trophies and Engraving in Hemet, CA.