Getting back on track

Boy have I neglected this blog. I have nothing to blame but laziness and sometimes I'd just rather do other things - like painting.

I started a oil painting class and it is so different from acrylics. I'm really liking it though. I finished my first piece, it's a contemporary interpretation of figs.




I really like it, I have it in my kitchen.

Also, I'm networking with some other, or I should say a lot of other artisans from throughout Louisiana. We all have our work on http://www.etsy.com. If you're not familiar with etsy, it's a website that sells all things handmade. It's really a cool site and you should really check out the LArtisans. I'm sure the official site is http://www.lartisans.etsy.com, this will bring you to a list of all the talented people who belong to our group and their wares. We make and sell everything from jewelry, candles, soaps, clothes for women and children, original artwork, natural mineral make-up to just about everything. You really should check it out.

Anyway, that's it for today. I'm going to try to post less and more often and each time post a piece of my work (which is why I started this blog, to promote my artwork!).

Well, til next time.

Kat

"The purest and most thoughtful minds are those that love color the most." - John Ruskin (English Art Critic)

Hurricane Gustav's Eye Getting Closer

Well things are picking up here. It's getting windy and we've been having light rain off and on. For the most part it's not too bad. We're boarded up pretty good and I can hear the wind blowing. The eye will be passing over in about 5 hours or so. Things are definately going to get interesting.

The funny thing in the midst of all this are the hummingbirds. Obviously I brought in my feeders and we can see the hummingbirds flying by the back porch looking for their food. The weather does not seem to be affecting them. I'm tempted to go put a feeder out.

I guess you're wondering how can she see the hummingbirds when her house is boarded up? My husband cut narrow peep holes in all the boards so it wouldn't be so claustrophobic and we can get an idea of how bad it's getting outside. Good thinking on his part.

The lights blinked a few times awhile back, but obviously we still have power. I don't know how long that will last though. The wind and gusts are definately picking up, we just had a pretty good gust a second ago. Maybe I won't go put out another feeder.

I've been hearing about the water spilling over the levees in the Industrial Canal in New Orleans on the west side of the canal bordering the upper 9th Ward. I hope those levees hold. God knows New Orleans does not need this. Maybe this storm will move quickly so the winds will change and the water will be pushed back out of the lake and thus the Industrial Canal. If N.O. floods again, I think it would be just too much for too many people.

Well, I'm really losing my train of thought and my mind is wondering. I'm getting back to the TV and storm coverage.

'Til next time - Kat

News from the front lines of Gustav

Well, it is the calm before the storm. Literally.

It's 10:30 p.m. here in Lafayette and it will probably start getting ugly sometime overnight, last through the day tomorrow and into tomorrow night. The next few days are going to be interesting to say the least. Especially since the eye is supposed to pass over Lafayette. Scary.

I thought I'd write a little while I could and I'll keep this blog up-to-date through the storm - as long as I have power.

Like I stated, it's really calm and still here right now. Sorta eerie. The funny thing though is the hummingbirds. I left my feeders out on my patio, protected by a substantial porch and attached to the inside of a large cypress post, and they are not letting up on the feeders. But all the other birds were very quiet this evening. Lafayette is like a ghost town. Everything boarded up, businesses as well as homes. A lot of people here have stayed, but are staying in just waiting. That's the hardest part, waiting and not knowing what's going to happen. It's really nerve wracking. Well, since nothing is really happening right now (but it's coming) I'm going to sign off and check back in tomorrow.

Hey, after this my tag 'No Fear Art' will have new meaning. Til tomorrow.

Kat

I did an abstract that I called "Eye of the Storm", I'll post it tomorrow if I can.
Well, I'll try now.



There, that's "Eye of the Storm". I actually did this piece about 10 days ago and it reminded me of the ragged look of hurricanes from the satellite images that you see. Little did I realize that it was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Hurricane Gustav

Well, as I've probably stated in past posts, I'm in South Central Louisiana, basically Lafayette and Gustav has us in his cross hairs.

We - my husband, son, and myself are staying. We are boarded up, stocked up, fueled up and ready. Our house is pretty sturdy and we are 25 miles inland and 25 feet above sea level (unlike N.O. which is below sea level). I'm sure we are going to be OK but it's going to get pretty dicey here in the next 12 to 18 hours. I'm worried about tornadoes.

We have 2 generators in the likely hood that we will lose power. At least I can run my refridgerator and maybe a small window unit. It gets pretty stifling hot here in South Louisiana and it seems to be more so after a hurricane passes. I think the storm sucks up all the air and brings it with it, so after it passes, it is so still, hot and muggy.

Well my husband has me doing some more chores, bringing in plants. So I'll write some more later.

Kat

Old New Art and de Kooning

It's been awhile since I've written anything. I guess I've been thinking does anyone read this? Why bother? Well, maybe one day someone will and I guess I just want to bring whoever up-to-date. Basically bring my art up-to-date on this blog. Just what the title says, 'Old New Art'. It's pieces that I painted earlier this year, so it's old to me, but it's new to my blog.

All of these pieces were inspired by Willem de Kooning. He was a contemporary of Jackson Pollock and was part of the Abstract Expressionism movement in New York in the 40's and 50's. I love his work, the boldness, the color, the craziness of it. To me he painted like he was angry at the canvas. I really love that period in art.

Well, I really can't think of too much to say this evening, I just get to the art.


This piece was the first one I did in the de Kooning style. It is called 'Breakthrough". It was done with acrylic on a 16x20 canvas.


This piece is called 'Chatter' and was done on a 11x14 canvas. I did incorporate some colorful fabric into the painting which was mostly done in acrylic.


This is one of my favorite pieces that I think I'm going to keep. It is so colorful and cheery. I actually did this one in about 20 minutes on a sheet of 12x16 paper canvas. I named this one 'Tropical Fish'.

I hope you like these pieces. Til next time.

Kat
- Fear eats the soul.

Lamenting the Loss of Rock

I know this is supposed to be a blog about art, particularly MY ART, but I'm having a rock moment, more like revival. I know in my last blog I posted about Led Zeppelin and veered from art and I'm going to do that again. Not just about Led Zeppelin, but about rock in general. I figured though, that music is art and rock is music, so, I'm still blogging about art. Just a different genre.

WHERE IS ROCK, WHERE HAS IT GONE????????? It can't be dead, maybe just hybernating. I'm talking about earth shaking, mind blowing, goose bump giving, makes you want to move, makes you want to cry, makes you want to love kind of rock!!!!!!!!!

When did Hip-Hop and Rap and what I like to refer to as the Divas, you know, Mariah, Gwen, Beyonce, Fergie, Britney, Christina, et al, take over. I guess I was living my life and not really paying attention. All you hear anymore on supposedly 'music TV', you know, what the M is supposed to stand for in TV, and Video Hits 1 (where are the videos?), is this type of music. Not that I have anything against Hip-Hop, Rap or the Divas, I have alot of their stuff on my i-pod - alot. But where is the Rock? It's not on the radio, not top 40 anyway. Or if they do play rock, I seem to miss it, so it's not heavy into the rotation.

Does nobody like rock anymore? Am I just an old foggy who is longing for past youth? Why don't we have any really good rock bands right now? Where are the Led Zeppelin's, the AC/DC's, the CCR's, the Who's, the Lynard Synard's, the Pink Floyds, the ZZ Tops of this time, this decade? Did rock die with Kurt? Is rock past it's prime?

I can only think of a handful of bands or artists that are currently popular that can be called true rock and roll. And no, Justin Timberlake and John Mayer are not true rockers. Let's see there's Nickelback, Kid Rock (love him), 3 Doors Down, hummmmmmmm I can't think of anymore. If someone can point some out to me, please do. I'm ready to listen. Just bought Kid Rock's CD "Rock and Roll Jesus" today. It's awesome, bad, hardcore, everything rock should be. Some of the lyrics were a little raunchy (Too Hott and Sugar), but the music is pure Rock.

You know, last decade you had Nirvana, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Creed, Oasis, Melissa Etheridge, 3rd Eye Blind, U2, but now hardly any. Are we in a rock drought? I know my son, who is 19, and alot of his friends listen to classic rock because of the absence of good rock right now. Will we ever have the kinds of bands again that can fill stadiums?

Wake up all you promoters and producers. The boomers still love their rock and roll (and will listen to new bands with a good sound) and their kids are sick of the same old shi - stuff that is being shoved down their throats. All I can say for any garage rock band that is practicing right now . . .

"For those who want to rock, we salute you!"

'Til next time.

Kat

No art news today, just - Led Zeppelin!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited, tonight my husband and I, along with several friends are going to a concert featuring the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra fronted by a rock band covering Led Zeppelin. My husband and I caught this concert last summer at the spur of the moment. My husband didn't want to go because he thought it would be 'lame'. Quote, "I don't want to hear some orchestra playing Led Zeppelin, how can it be any good? It's probably going to be lame." Well, I said "We're going, tough shit." It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Let me give you a little history, now I'll be telling my age, but so what. The way my husband got me to go out with him back in Feb. 1975 was that he had 2 tickets to the Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti" tour. That was our first official date, I was 17 and he was 21. I fell in love with him at that concert, and we have been together ever since.

Well, this concert was so awesome that I said if they ever do it again, we're going again, and it's TONIGHT!!!!!!! I'm so excited, you could close your eyes and swear you were at a Zeppelin concert. They have a great light show and the music is so rich and full, it just envelopes you. I believe this rock group tours the country and performs with local symphony orchestras. I think it's called the Led Zeppelin Experience. If you ever get a chance to go to one, I highly recommend it. Especially if your a Led Head.

I wish the remaining members of Zeppelin, Plant, Page, John Paul Jones and Bonham's son (I can't remember his name, but he's a bad drummer, just like his dad) would do a U.S. reunion tour. I know last year in Nov. they did a concert in London where you had to put your name in a lottery in able to purchase tickets. We did, but our names weren't drawn. But, if they ever do a reunion tour here in the States, I'm going. I don't care how much or how far, I'm there.

Gotta go and get ready, 'Til next time.

Kat

More About Art, Fabric, Time and Just Ranting in General

Hello out there. I just realized that I haven't posted anything in about 2 weeks or so. I read somewhere that if you want your blog noticed, you should post everyday. OMG, everyday!!!!!! What would I say, Hello, Goodbye? And, who has the time? Sometimes I don't know if I'm an artist or someone that spends way too much time posting art and updating art on umteen different art sites. It's very time consuming. I really think I have to pick a few good ones that get alot of traffic and stick with them. Like 3 or 4 sites, not 10 like I have now. I want to paint and create not constantly update and check-in with all these different web sites.

Anyway, I've done a few pieces incorporating fabric and I'm not thrilled with them. They are OK. I'm going to post them here and see if I can get any input from anyone who may possibly view them. I have a blog counter, but I don't know if it's working correctly. I've gotten comments, but the counter doesn't show that the person leaving the comments visited my blog. What's up with that? Anyway, (forgive me, I start alot of my sentences with anyway) these are the acrylic and mixed media fabric pieces that I just finished.

This one is called "Bridging the Gap":





and this next piece is yet unnamed:





Now that I've seen this second piece through the lens of a camera, I think I like it alot better. I think I'm done with this one.

Maybe I need to take pictures of my work as I'm doing it to get a different perspective of the piece. I'm sure other artists do this. Or, when I get stuck on a piece and don't know if I'm finished or not, take a picture of it and down load it to get a better idea of where to go with it. Yet again, another time consuming thing to do that involves the computer.

I'm done for today, I'm burnt out sitting at this computer and want to paint. Til next time. (I'll leave a quote for this blog later.)

Kat

Quilting, Fabric and Art

I'm torn - no pun intended. I don't know if I want to quilt or paint or create art with fabric. I'm having a Sybil moment or more like a Sybil week or month.

My first artistic outlet was in the form of making quilts. I love fabric. These are some of the quilts that I've made:







I'm itching to do more, but they are so time consuming, especially the quilting part. And, I love planning the layout, picking the fabrics and piecing them together so much better than the actual quilting.

I do have some ideas for little girls quilts, which wouldn't be so time consuming, since they would be smaller. I also have some ideas for some artwork incorporating fabric.

Like I said, I feel like Sybil. I have creativity ADD. I'm jumping from one style to the next, one medium to the next. I think right now, I'm working on little girls quilts, a mixed media and acrylic piece of art, a reg. piece of art and a piece of art that just uses fabric, no paint. I know that my work probably suffers, because I'm jumping from one piece to the next. When I get bored with one, I move onto another. Do other artists do this? I know I've heard other artist's say 'I just work on one piece at a time.' or 'I just do what I know will sell.' I can't do that, I've got to love what I'm doing, or I'm not doing it.

Well, that's all for today. I've got some other on-line projects to do, then onto trying to get into my creative mode.

Oh, by the way, my .99 auctions are ending tonight. Looks like a few might sell, but not for much. I guess my little experiment back-fired. (Pitiful little laugh)I guess I know what my art is worth. Oh well, I won't be discouraged. Like my statement says, 'It takes courage to have confidence despite it all.'

I quess that can be my quote for this blog even though I have that in my blog statement. Til next time . . .

Kat

Listing Art on e-Bay

OK, other artists reading this are probably thinking 'you're crazy' or 'yeah, you better list for .99 because that's all it's worth'. Either way, that's what I just did. I listed a bunch of my paintings (some are 18x24) on e-Bay with most bids starting as low as .99, two starting at 4.99 and I believe a few at 9.99. We'll see what happens.

Things are so slow now, I thought I would list pieces that I was thinking of painting over anyway because for some reason or other, I'm not really as pleased with them as I once was.

Also, I remember reading sometime back a blog from one of the most successful e-Bay selling artists of all time (whose work now sells for thousands of dollars), that when she first started selling her art on e-Bay she would list everything at .99, sometimes pieces would sell for .99, sometimes they would be bid up to a more fair price and it was a risk she was willing to take in order to get her work out there. She basically did this until her work could command much higher starting bids. I wish I had the guts (and inventory) to do that. I guess I'm a little more attached to some of my pieces and if they sold for too low, I would be really upset. (Maybe that's why I'm listing older pieces that have been around for awhile. I'm over 'em.)

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens. It's sort of a little experiment. But, with e-Bay so fucked up right now - with all that best match bull shit, who knows if anyone will even see my listings. I'm not about to pay 9.95 for feature plus on a .99 listing. It's so depressing over there, I don't know why I keep putting my work on e-Bay.

Do you know what insanity is? It's when you keep doing the same thing over again and expecting to get a different result each time. That's it, I'm insane. E-Bay has driven me insane.

That bring's me to my quote for this blog and I should look at my .99 art sale this way:

"There is an ancient meta-physical law that says if we desire more abundence in our lives, we must create a vacuum to allow ourselves to receive the good we seek. The way to create that vacuum is by giving away what we no longer need or desire but what can serve others."

Nice. 'Til next time.

Kat

Why 'No Fear Art'?

Good morning all!

I just went back and read my previous blogs and realized that I never explained why I use the term 'No Fear Art' when everywhere else (e-Bay, Etsy, MyArtSpace, FineArtAmerica, web site, etc.) it is just Kat Crosby Art. Well. . . awhile back someone left a comment for me on a piece, I believe it was 'It's a New Day' (posted in a previous post). They said that I use color, placement and objects obviously without fear. Well, I was a little taken aback by that comment, but then realized that it was meant as a compliment and so embrace it. Thus, 'No Fear Art' was born.

The ironies of my journey into this realm of art and painting and putting it 'out there' is:

- I'm fearless, yet afraid
- I'm an outsider artist, who wants to be on the inside
- I want to do ugly art that is pretty and colorful
- I want to show everyone, yet no one
- I'm passionate about my work, yet get so depressed.

Just last night, as I was falling asleep, I was thinking about my art (as usual), but those seeds of insecurity and self-doubt crept in and my thoughts went to 'Why am I doing this? I suck. How can I possibly show anyone my work face to face? (It is so much easier on-line, your insulated.) I should just give it up. But, I can't and won't. I'll just keep on keeping on.

Well, I sorta write down and collect quotes and sayings that I read and pick up here and there. I think from now on, I will end each blog with a different quote. Instead of 'quote of the day', it will be 'quote of the blog'. (I know, I have a nerdy sense of humor.) One of my favorite quotes is "Fear repeals abundance rather than attracting it." So, that is my quote for this blog.

No posting of paintings today, maybe tomorrow or the next. Take care til then.


Kat
"Fear repeals abundance rather than attracting it." - author unknown

New Paintings - Women w/ a Retro Vibe

This past Saturday I had a creative streak and did two new paintings and started on a third. The third one is really going to be cool when I finish. It's really late right now, so I don't feel like taking pics and posting the unfinished work. I'll leave you in suspence, maybe tomorrow.

Here are the two I did complete. I think they are really cool and have a 50's retro vibe - sort of Martini Lounge. That's what I was going for. I love that late 50's early 60's swinger style. Like I said, Martini Lounge, tiki room, doowop style. I love that stuff. I guess that is why I'm also drawn to Pollock, de Kooning and that whole New York Style of abstract expressionism. It's all from the same era.

Anyway, here are my newest pieces. Both are 18x24:

This first one is simply called "Woman and a Bird"







And, the second one is "Don't Look Back"







Hope you like and I hope someone at least looks. Here's hoping and as usual, til next time.

Kat

Napa, Painting, Reading

Well I'm back from my vaca, and glad to be home. It was a wonderful trip and can't wait to go back with my husband and good friends.

Napa is absolutely beautiful and the weather was fabulous, so different from this South Louisiana 90 degree temperatures with 80% humidity. I could have a spent a few more days there, but was still glad to come home. I'm sort of a homebody and love just hanging around home, doing little chores, gardening, pampering my pups and painting. But, every now and then, I need an adventure to get me out of my comfort zone. Plus, it's good to experience other places, people and create lasting memories that can never be taken away. I'm an uneasy traveler, but I do realize that travel, especially with family, is so rewarding and leaves such a lasting impression and really brings family closer.

I can't wait to get back to painting. I did finish one today, that I had started before my trip, but haven't taken pics yet, so it's not ready to post. I need to get back into the painting mindset. I've just been catching up with laundry, grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, etc. (ya think my husband or kids would do that while I was gone? Right.)

Also, I started reading this great book on the plane trip home and can't put it down. It's cutting into my painting time. It's "The Gold Coast" by Nelson DeMille. It's "the Great Gatsby" meets "the Godfather". It's an oldie but goodie book that has been laying around and I never got around to reading. It takes place in '88 or '89 and was published in '90. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the "Sopranos", so Mr. Bellarosa, a character in the book, who is the head of the N.Y. crime family, in my mind IS Tony Soprano. Great book, I can't put it down. I highly recommend it.

In art news, I'm in the process of setting up my own web-site to showcase my art along with this blog. I'm going to keep my e-Bay store for a little while longer, I had my first really big sale from my e-Bay store the day before I left on my trip from a return customer, yea!!!!! So, I better keep things as is for now. But I will keep you informed of domain names, etc. I'm still trying to work things out with EBSQ art who I had my domain name registered with and am waiting for them to free it up so I can use it for my own site that will be set up through another art hosting site, that I think will be a bit more professional. Anyway, I'm itching to get back to my book. Take care and. . .

Til next time, Kat

Trip to Napa - Not My Usual Paintings

Hello again. Just wanted to let 'whoever' know that I won't be posting next week, I'm going on a girls trip with my mom and sister to Napa, CA. We have never done this and have always wanted to. It's mom's treat, so we're going. It will be fun.

I HATE TO FLY!!!!!!!!!! I'M A NERVOUS WRECK!!!!!!!!

I know I'm being silly and air travel is the safest way to travel, but I'm still nervous. Thank God for Zanax, don't leave home without it. I'm in no way condoning drug use, but if you need it for true anxiety, that's what it's for. And, I have anxiety.

Well, onto two new pieces. The first is "Evening Glow":




and the next is "Giving Him Props". This is an inspirational/spirtual piece that was done with acrylic and mixed media. This is a favorite, is on my counter top and is not for sale.




Hope you like these pieces and here's praying for a safe trip. Til next time.

Kat

Funky Quilt Art

Hello everyone, this is a piece I did awhile back which draws heavily on my past quilting experience. It's somewhat of a collage done like a quilt with pieces of painted paper canvas built upon a black painted gallery profile canvas.

My first artistic outlet was creating quilts, but I found I liked picking the colors and fabrics and putting them together in a creative colorful way better than doing the actual quilting and finishing.

This piece is taking that geometric piecing and doing it with paper and paint. It is very colorful and was fun to do. It is called 'Funky Quilt Art' and is 12" x 12".



If interested in this piece, please contact me through this site, my e-mail or at www.katcrosbyart.com

Thanks for looking and hope you like my work. Til next time.

Kat

Colorful Outsider Art Mixed Media Abstract Paintings

MY PICTURES DIDN'T COME OUT IN THAT FIRST BLOG, URGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Let's start again.

Hello again, after my mini-tantrum Friday night, I figured I should be better behaved and post some of my work. Since this is what this blog is all about, my art and trying to get it 'out there' to be seen.

These are some funky mixed media and acrylic pieces I did earlier this year. I used different interesting objects for interest and texture. Cardboard, fabric, a metal grid just to name a few. I wanted these to be edgy and colorful and was in an optimistic mood when doing these, especially the first two. I don't know how artistically relevant they are, but they were fun to do and I definately had a vision in mind when doing them.

1.) "It's a New Day":


11" x 14" - $75.00

2.) "Life's Calling":


11" x 14" - $75.00

3.) "Water Ways":


12" x 12" - $85.00

4.) "Still Waters":


12" x 12" - $85.00

5.) "Reflections":


16" x 20" - $95.00

All of these pieces were done on gallery profile canvases and do not require framing. And, as you may have quessed, they are all for sale. If interested, please contact me through this site, or visit my e-Bay store at www.katcrosbyart.com.

Thank you for reading my blog and viewing my art. 'Til next time - Kat

Why am I blogging?

Why am I blogging? Does anyone read these things? Will it bring my art any exposure and ultimately any sales? I'm doing this because 'they' - the powers that be, said "in order to sell art online, you have to have a blog". What do they know? I guess we'll see.

I'm not posting any additional work tonight, because it's late and I just wanted to post since it's been a couple of days since I've done so. Will anyone read this? God only knows.

You know, I think I have to post tomorrow or another time when my thoughts are clearer and I can show some more of my work. Also, I have to build a web site. I currently have an e-Bay store - www.katcrosbyart.com, but haven't sold anything in a month and I think e-Bay is getting ready to dry up as far as art sales go. They are getting too greedy with listing and final value fees. Now they want their sellers to not charge shipping fees. What the F? We won't charge shipping but will go up on our prices, which will make it that much harder for starting artists like me to sell. (I can't imagine it being any harder.)

So, in the long run, it will bring in more money for e-Bay in the way of Final Value Fees. They think they are so smart - who do they think they are dealing with? Do they think we or the buyers are that stupid? Come on, give me a break. And, very few people that shop e-Bay for art are willing to pay what the art is really worth, they want garage sale prices. OH, OH, OH, and, sellers can no longer give negative feedback to buyers!!!!!!! So basically a buyer can bid whatever, say $10,000.00, on a piece of art, never pay for it and get off scott free!!!!! No negative feedback, no nothing. What's up with that shit? Unbelieveable!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, enough of my rant against e-Bay. I guess the good thing about blogs is it gives you a forum to rant and put your thoughts out there. Yeah, but does anyone really read these things?

Till next time.

Kat

First Post - May 15, 2008

Hi everyone, a little bit about me. I'm a self-taught artist from South Louisiana. I was born and raised in New Orleans and that fabulous ecclectic city has shaped who I am. I have lived in South Louisiana all my life, but have traveled extensively.



I started out doing small pieces of art, mostly ACEO's, but have moved on to bigger pieces. I have sold alot on e-Bay, but want to move onto other venues. I find e-Bay is not too art friendly and there doesn't seem to be a market for my style of art.

Here are a few of my early pieces:


This is a small chunky piece that is 4 x 4 x 1.25 called "Emerald City".


This is another small chunky piece that measures 4 x 4 x 1.25. "Lolli Pop Art". This is a fun colorful piece.


Another 4 x 4 x 1.25 called "Dueling Sunflowers". This is a really cool piece where the sunflowers continue onto the sides of the canvas - wrap around art. This piece was painted outdoors sitting in my backyard on one of those beautiful early fall days on a Friday afternoon having a cocktail. It was a fabulous day and I wanted to capture the crystal blue sky contrasting with the warmth of the sunflowers.

That's all for this evening. Till next time.

Kat