Nebulae.

I worked on a figure drawing to begin with today because I'm afraid of feeling incompetent and the only way to get over that is to power through the feeling and practice so that I get better.

After that, I gave myself permission (isn't all this angst fascinating?) to play with some more small paintings. They are works of art in their own right but because they are smaller, I'm am not so intimidated. I can have fun while I work out ideas and see what works. I'm now ping ponging, yes that's the technical term, from big works to small ones and back again.

Nebulae are star forming areas in space where gas, dust and other material bunch up, attract more material as they gain mass. They are incipient stars. My paintings are in the process becoming something more, as are my capabilities as an artist and well rounded human being.

Kathleen Faulkner, who I've been following at kathleenfaulkner.blogspot.com stopped by my studio/gallery, and we spoke for a bit. Her blogs are picturesque and poetic as is her work. It was fun to see a real person.

Kristen Gilje stopped by as well. She may be showing at my gallery this fall. In the meantime, check out her blog kristen-gilje.blogspot.com.