Crimson Fire Studios

Gone too Soon

2011-06-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted on this blog in months. My plan for the summer was to start posting new work. Instead I am in a state of shock and grief. My beautiful 21 year old son died in a motorcycle accident on June 10th. I can not even begin to tell you how hard it is just to get up every morning and face this reality. The world keeps on turning the birds keep on singing and my heart will never mend. We had the most amazing relationship. We talked almost everyday. I know that he loved me as much as I loved him. His sisters were his best friends. His smile was infectious and lit up the room. He was handsome and funny and so many people loved him. There is so much we take for granted and we never know when our lives will be shaken to the very core of who we are. There is no rewind button with death we don't get a do over. I long to hold and kiss him again, to tell him how proud I was of the man he was becoming.

Houston Cityscape Finished

2010-10-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished the large cityscape. I admit it took me way to long to finish this painting. I am a perfectionist and my own worst critic. I keep walking by it and then adding more to the painting. It is very difficult for me to get a really good photo because this painting is so large. The lighting is a real problem. I try to take photos without the flash and in natural light. Here are a couple of photos of the completed painting.

Making Time For Art

2010-07-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

I have this little problem it is called perfectionism. I am sure that I am not the only one with this problem. The little critic seems to be there trying to spoil all the fun. It is hard to just let go at times. I want to just go with the flow and find the joy in creating and experimenting with new projects. Instead I find myself procrastinating making excuses why I can't possibly find the time. I love art and have done many types in my quest for creativity. I feel grumpy and unsettled when I don't get to do something creative. However I will let housework, TV and running around with my family get in the way of making a full commitment to art. I know the real reason is that I want to make beautiful paintings or stained glass without mistakes. The other thing is that I would like to be a full time artist selling my art on Etsy. I find that I am busy comparing myself to the other artists and will procrastinate. How can I learn to play without judging my work? How do you play to bring yourself back to creativity? Do you procratinate rather than be creative? Whats stopping you from your dreams?

Below is a wind chime that I made a while back. Now its time to get creative again!

Where I have I been?

2010-06-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a really good job of keeping up with my blog lately. I apologize for being lax in the blogging world. I am trying to be better about keeping up with facebook and also myspace too. I bought the magazine Artful Blogging in hopes that I can improve my blogging skills. I was in a bit of a funk and not feeling very creative. My daughter and I made some pillows for her room that was fun. Sometimes you have to do something different to jump start your creativity. I hadn't been near my sewing machine in quite awhile. In fact I was looking at some of the presser feet going what the heck are these! I also spend a great deal of time reading for my students. I just got done reading The Demon King. It was pretty good book but those darn trilogies. If you are looking for a good book and don't mind Sci fi The Adoration of Jenna Fox is and excellent book. The pillow below is one that we made. I love black and white so much fun.
We are leaving to Colorado for a mini vacation July 1st. When I get back I plan on doing a make over on my blog, my studio and my etsy store. Don't you wish you could have a clone or something to get all the things done you want to?? Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone!

Update on Cityscape Painting

2010-05-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted as much lately. It has been busy with school wrapping up. I really am looking forward to summer spending time painting and working on my etsy shop. I plan on making some glass wind chimes and other pieces. I wanted to update you on the progress of my Houston City Scape. I am still adding more to this painting. Photos also help me to see what I need to do to make the painting better. Please give me so me feed back. I really need to work at learning to take better photos and photoshop.This painting is large and it is hard to get a decent shot. My art room is packed with furniture right now. My son move out this weekend into his own apartment. I had mixed emotions of course happy for him sad for me. We went through a lot during his teens sometimes I didn't think either of us would survive!
My oldest is married and lives in Houston only one more at home and then it will be empty nest .

Mean Kitty and Shrek 4

2010-04-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

I love cats and of course dogs too! My daughter's cat is so not the cat we wanted, no lap cat is she. I believe she thinks she is a Tiger! We want her to cuddle and hang out with us, but she has other ideas. If you try to put her in my daughter's bedroom and she doesn't want to go she will chase you and grab your leg LOL!
My daughter wanted to name her Dolce but that didn't work she only answers to Kikki. We started calling her mean kitty after a video on youtube because she looks like Sparta. We think she is his sister. Here is the video

Then my daughter found this video of Shrek 4 our cat loves food so we thought this was funny!

I haven't been blogging much or painting much either. I am so excited about summer. I want to paint and work on my house and blog more. I had a health scare and I was going to a lot of appointments. I had a ct scan to check my lungs and ended up finding cysts on my thyroid. I have to go back in June to make sure that the cyst hasn't grown. Well I will blog more about this later.

Michelle

Love Reading? Here is a really cool video encouraging reading

2010-03-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

One of our library techs sent this video to us a cool video made by a middle school ! I love how they made something so innovative!

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Fabulous Friday Follow March 19th

2010-03-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

I hope I am not to late in posting this! I went on a road trip today with my family to Fredericksburg Texas. We went to have lunch with my husbands mother and our daughters. We had a wonderful time and it was a beautiful day out! We ate lunch at the Frederickburg Brewing Company. We had some delicious fried pickles with habanero ranch dip and ruben sandwiches and of course they have beer to sample. You can buy samples of the diffrent beers they have before you order a full beer. Then we visited some of the local shops. I look forward to when the wildflowers begin to bloom and we can go visit Wildflowerfarms. I have enjoyed spring break and wish it would never end. If you ever visit Texas you should visit this wonderful German town with wineries, bed and breakfasts and breweries.

Friday Follow March 12,2010

2010-03-12T11:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Follow! I am so excited it is finally Friday and that it is officially the start of our Spring Break!
I am looking forward to getting a lot done around the house and working on painting! I also have plans to work on my website and all the things I can't get done while I am at work. Did you know that Sunday is Pi Day? Check out this fun link http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/12/pi.day.math/index.html?hpt=C1

Cityscape Update

2010-03-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

I have been working on the cityscape painting, however it has been a slow process. I have a lot more work to do this painting. I have to learn some things about photographing my paintings too. This is a big painting and was a little difficult for me to photograph.It seems as if there is never enough time to get everything done. If we could complete everything just by imagining it wouldn't that be wonderful! I work as a Library Tech in a middle school. Last week was bookfair, so much fun and so much work!! The kids love it and it really helps our Library to add more books and have authors come to visit. I love reading! I just finished James Patterson's new book. I would give it about 3 stars. It was some what lacking. The best book of the year is Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I would give it 5 stars followed by Catching Fire with the third book Mocking Jay coming out August 24th 2010. This series will have you sitting on the edge of your seat asking for more!

Friday Follow #8 Lovin the blog Hop

2010-03-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

This is awesome you should definetly sign up!! The Hosts are awesome!!Here is our 8th week of Friday Follow. Can you believe it? Eight weeks and still going strong. This is so much fun! Everyone's blogs are so different. I love reading the stories.

Welcome to the Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's how YOU can join the celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many blogs as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one - but you can follow each blog. Follow a few or follow them all.

The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Friday Follow # 7

2010-02-26T07:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines I Heart You My Friends!

2010-02-13T08:20:00.001-08:00

I made these stained glass hearts a couple of years ago. The heart on the right is my abstractheart. The glass didn't break where I wanted it to so I stitched it together. I sold this piece on myspace.

The pink swirl heart I am going to put up for sale in my etsy shop. The larger window heart is beautiful and I hope to get some better pictures to show soon. I plan on working on more stained glass when the weather gets warmer. I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day!!

Abstract Modern Cityscape New beginnings

2010-02-04T21:25:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to paint in awhile. I am so excited about this painting and working again. I have so much more to do. This is just the underpainting. Please feel free to leave feedback and let me know what you think. I really wish I could paint every single day I love to paint!

Breathless.. Ashley Elaine

2010-01-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

I created this painting of my lovely daughter Ashley Elaine a couple of years ago. She is a beautiful strong and independent young woman. I created this painting using acrylic under painting and oils on top. The painting is painted on a 18x 24 gallery canvas.

Abstract Heart Studios Name Change

2010-01-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

I am changing my blog name to match my business name. I debated about doing this but I feel like everything should match so that it won't be so confusing. I am working on a fan page and paintings and such.

Grandma Jane

2010-01-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Grandma Jane I just want you to know how much you mean to me. I love you more than you will ever know. I am so sad today because you may be leaving me soon. Thank you for being the best grandma ever! You are the person I admire most !! You always worked so hard no matter what. I love your sense of humor and your laugh. Thank you for the cherry pies and the sandbox ( tractor tire) LOL!! I wish that you would never leave me... Thank you for being Santa Claus and all the love you gave me... I was so lucky to have the most amazing Grammie ever!! Love and Kisses always your Michelle

New Day Dreams

2009-12-27T22:59:00.000-08:00

I haven't kept up with my blog lately. I have been totally obsessed with Etsy and getting my shop set up. Then came the holidays and it was trying to balance shopping and decorating and everything else. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever find the balance to everything. I need to paint, market my paintings and a family life, clean house and work?? Am I just crazy to hope that I will figure it all out ?? I love painting and feel at odds when I can't create. I hope to fulfill my dreams and be a full time painter and artist making a living doing what I love most.

Etsy Pounce treasury

2009-11-30T21:07:00.000-08:00

I was so excited because I made it into a pounce treasury yesterday! I am trying to figure out how to add that as a link. It is really late and I have to get ready for work tomorrow so it will have to wait until tomorrow. Please check out my new store!

XOXO

Michelle

Crimson Fire Studios

2009-11-29T18:11:00.000-08:00

I have finally opened my etsy store. I had signed up with etsy back in 2007 with the shop name CrimsonFireStudios. I have recently begun to post my paintings there. I know that I need to post more than just the five I have posted. I am just a little nervous because I haven't really put my work up for sale before. I planned on using AbstractHeartStudios and will use that store in the future. It is a struggle to work full time and take care of a household . I really want to dedicate my time to painting and other works of art. I also have the issue of not really having a dedicated space to create. I intend to spend more time blogging and putting my paintings and art works online. I hope that everyone is had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! My daughter and her husband came from Houston to visit and it was so much fun to be together as a big family. Our house is a little crazy with a new puppy and a not so happy cat ( hates the puppy) LOL!! People in and out all the time. Here is a picture of one of my latest paintings. I would appreciate any feedback on my store and my paintings. The name of the painting is Mystical Forest. The painting is 24x24 and an abstract painted in acrylics and oil on birch plywood with the edges painted black. You can find this and my other paintings here at my etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/crimsonfirestudios

Wishcasting Wednesday

2009-10-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

Wishcasting Wednesday I just came upon this link today http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/wishcasting

Todays wish " What do wish to let go of ?"

I wish to let go of negative thinking about myself and about others. It is so easy to get caught up in allowing myself to feel negative instead of positive.

I also wish to let go of feeling sorry for myself when things don't go exactly the way I expect them to.

I wish to let go of fear and the negative critic that holds me back from believeing in my own creativity and dreams!

Leaves of Autumn

2009-09-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

Autumn

The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up,
as if orchards were dying high in space.
Each leaf falls as if it were motioning "no."

And tonight the heavy earth is falling
away from all other stars in the loneliness.

We're all falling. This hand here is falling.
And look at the other one. It's in them all.

And yet there is Someone, whose hands
infinitely calm, holding up all this falling.

Rainer Maria Rilke

Torn paintings

2009-08-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

I just finish this painting yesterday. I had been deliberating if it was finshed. Unfortunately today someone in my family left the door open to the room I was painting in. The cat jumped on the easel knocking my painting down putting a hole in the canvas! I am pretty upset about that right now. I know that the cat didn't know any better. There for I have to forgive her. It is just so difficult to make people understand how much time and yourself you put into a painting. It took several months to paint the layers of different paint. Ocean Peace was painted with acrylics first and then with oils on a linen canvas. Does anyone know how to fix a hole in a canvas? This is the second painting in 2 months that has been ruined. The other painting was a portrait of my daughter. That was on the fire place mantal leaning, my daughter and her husband took it down to show some people on there wedding night. They placed it on the mantal wrong down it fell hitting the corner of the brick putting a hole in it. I will fix it the best I can and give it to her. I have to say I would never have imagined this happening once let alone twice... sigh. Did anyone else have something this horrible happen?? How did you feel about it? I feel like crying and I don't want to become so upset that I can't paint. There are so many worse things that could happen in my life. Well I am going to go outside now and look for the metor showers maybe falling stars instead of paintings would make me feel better unless they fall on me haha.....

Evening In the city Painting

2009-07-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

Evening

The sky puts on the darkening blue coat
held for it by a row of ancient trees;
you watch: and the lands grow distant in your sight,
one journeying to heaven, one that falls;

and leave you, not at home in either one,
not quite so still and dark as the darkened houses,
not calling to eternity with the passion of what becomes
a star each night, and rises;

and leave you (inexpressibly to unravel)
your life, with its immensity and fear,
so that, now bounded, now immeasurable,
it is alternately stone in you and star.

- Rilke Maria Rainer

Water Lily

2009-06-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Water Lily

No desire opens me: I am full,
I never close myself with refusal-
in the rythm of my daily soul
I do not desire-I am moved;

by being moved I exert my empire,
making the dreams of night real:
into my body at the bottom of the water
I attract the beyonds of mirrors...

Translated by A. Poulin

Rainer Maria Rilke

Megan Chapman's Paintings at Wear Art Thou

2009-05-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

Megan Chapman is one of my favorite abstract artists. I love her use of color and emotion in her paintings. I first discovered Megan and her art on myspace. I later followed her blog, which was informative to artists and allowed a glimpse into Megan's journey as an artist. I recently visited the lovely shop Wear Art Thou http://wearartthouaustin.com/in Austin, Texas. If you are in Austin you should definitely visit their shop and check out Megan's beautiful paintings. Andrea the shop owner is really wonderful.I look forward to seeing more of Megan's work. You can find and purchase more of her work at these links.

http://meganchapman.blogspot.com/

This is Megan's Etsy site.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5013386

Creative Path

2009-05-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

Where does the path of creativity take you? I have always loved art and have explored many different forms of creativity along the way. It drives my husband crazy because he believes in focusing on one particular thing at a time. I love painting , stained glass and photography. I am fascinated with color shape and light. The following photos are of the beautiful Mayfield Park and Preserve in Austin Texas. My plan for my future is to take the path that will lead me to being the full time working artist that I have always wanted to be.

Water Dreams

2009-04-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine Holly Allen sent me some beautiful maple leaves all the way from Iowa.

This is a mixed media piece acrylic and oils on 140lb water color paper. Here is a close up of one of the leaves. This piece has a luminescent shine to it that was hard to capture in photos. I will try to take another picture that shows the one inch borders.

April Poetry Month

2009-04-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

April is National Poetry Month
This is a poem from one of my favorite poets Rainer Maria Rilke.
I will be adding some more of my art work and updating my blog today.
I hope that you enjoy this poem. Please share some of your favorites with me.

Falling Stars

Do you remember still the falling stars
that like swift horses through the heavens raced
and suddenly leaped across the hurdles
of our wishes--do you recall? And we
did make so many! For there were countless numbers
of stars: each time we looked above we were
astounded by the swiftness of their daring play,
while in our hearts we felt safe and secure
watching these brilliant bodies disintegrate,
knowing somehow we had survived their fall.

Translated by Albert Ernest Flemming

Rainer Maria Rilke

Falling Leaves

2009-03-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

This is my first post on a blog. I have been following other peoples art blogs for a while now. I decided it was time to start a blog of my own. This painting is an abstract that I did this fall on arches 140lb cold press watercolor paper,with acrylics and oil.