March is Support Women Artist Now Month

The Women Arts Blog is tracking events and activities in honor of this celebration of female creativity.
Visit the blog to learn more about how this event is being observed around the country.

Art As a Life Raft

Life Raft ~Katie O'Hagen

Still Standing (Frame 6) ~slk

I recently had the good fortune to read about this wonderful portrait artist, Katie O'Hagen, in Artists  Magazine (April 2013 Preview).
Her realization that her "art emerged as the only thing keeping my head above water," resounded with me as I have often found that my art is a place of refuge and renewal when everything else in my life seems to be shifting beyond my control.
Her painting, "Life Raft" captures the feeling that art is maintaining life while acknowledging that both are always a work in progress. 





In Frame 6 of Still Standing I am attempting to express the fundamental powers of the desire to create. Art moves me to survive the worst of the things life has thrown at me over the years. It provides me with the language necessary to accept and overcome those events and circumstances which threaten to overwhelm me. It gives me a voice to influence change. As I work through the process of making, art gives me the wisdom to identify that which I can control and the serenity to accept the things I cannot. Although the clock may move at fluctuating speeds, art inevitably gives me the courage to move forward. 

New Project 2013

Conceptual Drawing ~slk

This conceptual drawing was selected by the Official Great Wellsville Balloon Rally 2013 committee for use on the 38th annual Great Wellsville Balloon Rally Posters and T-shirts. I will be meeting with the committee soon to discuss specific details and expectations for the final painting.
I am very thankful and excited to have this wonderful opportunity!!!
Project guidelines permitting, I will post images of this work in progress as it evolves. Many thanks to Kathleen Decker for encouraging me to get involved with this project.

Studio Planning 2013

Currently in the works...
I am planning a solo show this year!!!!
For the first time ever all of the images from the Facing Phases 2009-2012 series will be available to the public at one location. Reprints and Originals will be sold here.
Preview Facing Phases

In March
Wellsville Art Associtaion Annual Photography Show
In April
Wellsville Art Association Seven Counties Show
In October
Wellsville Art Association Annual Member Show
Learn more about Wellsville Art Association Events 2013

Accepting Portrait Orders throughout the year.

NEW THIS YEAR!!!! DISCOUNTS AND PRIZES
 available to Blog followers and fans of  SheilaLynnK Art Studio on Facebook

LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME NEW WHEELS!!!
Vocational Rehabilitation Grant has been approved!!! I will be working with ACCESS-VR to obtain a pre-mobility device which will facilitate increased independent mobility and connectivity with local art resources and a Studio presence at local events.

Stand-N-Ride Electric Scooter

NEW ADDITIONS TO STUDIO RESOURCES
The Abundant Artist Learning about the business of Art
Jerry's Artarama Supplies and Compentitions
Veteran Artist Program Military Veterans in the world of Art. Creative Veterans moving forward.
Artists Network Art Lessons and Competitions
See.Me  The new location for Artist Wanted Competitions and Exhibitions
Looking forward to adding new resources in the days to come.

Providing connections for B.O.F.A. the Belfast Organization for Artists
Visit the page to follow current events and activities.

Commissioned portraits available

Youngest Nephew IV
"Making the decision to have a child is momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside of your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

Adjusting to the New Year and enduring frigid temperatures in upstate New York. 

I am now accepting orders for commissioned portrait projects. Visit the Portrait Gallery on my website to browse the portfolio or commission a project.

Session 10

Just completed the 10th session of this mixed media project.
You can also follow progress at Sheilalynnk Art studio on Facebook.
This is a composite drawing taken from multiple snapshots that I have taken this year.

During the month of November some friends and I conducted an experimental project. 

30 days, 30 pieces, 30 minutes each. 

Every day we/I would work 30 minutes on an art project. I would then post the image on my FaceBook Studio page. The majority of my work consisted of experiments with water color and colored pencil. I have limited experience with this media. I wanted to use this idea as a way to improve my skills in this area. I missed three posts during the month but was pretty satisfied with my commitment to this adventure. 

I continue to work on portrait projects that have been ordered for Christmas. I will also begin a new mixed media drawing that is for the winner of the mixed media drawing contest from my Facebook page. 

December is going to be a busy month. 

New Muse?

 The Wellsville Art Association Annual Member Show 2012
Memorial Portrait #3 First Place Professional Portrait
Youngest Nephew #3  Second place Professional Portrait
Parody Lane Second Place Scenic Landscape

In February of this year I made the decision to draw birthday portraits for all of  my nieces and nephews. I have been working on Portraits all summer.  As those jobs were winding down I was inspired to draw a more colorful drawing of my youngest nephew. I wanted it to be similar to the innocent images found in coloring books. I wanted to express the way that children give color to life.
Satisfied with the finished work, I began to develop a composite mixed-media drawing incorporating candid photos of some of the children in my life.

It stalled out.

As autumn began Life and Death got in the way of any desire to create.
The much anticipated visit from my younger sister and her family was a cheerful distraction from my studio mission. Their presence magnetically pulled family members out of the woodwork. This visit was clouded by the unexpected death of a cherished Uncle.
Following his death and all of the emotions associated with that loss, I attempted to re-connect with family members I hadn't seen in years. Soon after that  I became consumed by apprehension about the Fungal Meningitis Outbreak . I was on a quest to find out if the meds I received on 9/26/2012 came from NECC, the corrupt Compounding Company that supplied similar medication to clinics around the country.
Because I have spinal adhesive arachnoiditis caused by a medical error in 2007, this concern produced a significant amount of fear and frustration.I began to express this in my sketchbook.
Although I am dealing with complications from the medication that was used, I am relieved to know that my pain management clinic does not do business with this company.

A new shipment of fresh canvas and new paint has inspired me to return to the studio. I have resumed work on this composite mixed-media drawing. These are the early layers of that image.

This work is intentionally colloquial with the intent to express a familiar feeling of youthful exuberance.