Bronson Hill Arts

Saturday, January 7, 2012

IF Grounded

Grounded on a Rubber Sole
4x6 Watersoluble Pencil on 120# Paper
©2012 BE Deuel Bronson Hill Arts

“Grounded“. It’s one of those words that can mean so many different things.

In the mundane aspect, it can refer to the design of an electrical plug or the purpose of a lightning rod. In a child’s/teenager’s life, it can mean the end of the world; at least in the short run, which can seem like forever for them. In relation to the metaphysical, it can mean being well-adjusted and able to deal with reality.

Do I consider myself a grounded person? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I’ve worked relatively steadily since I was 16, keep a decent home, support and love my family and friends. I can be so insanely realistic at times that I can irritate others with my apparent “negativity”. There is quite a bit of evidence that I am well-grounded.

But, even at that, I still dream dreams that aren’t practical. I would love to have an animal foster home and a fulltime art business. I have always wanted to write a book. It would be incredible to spend 6 months in an RV with my husband exploring the U.S. with cameras and canvas in hand!

On a smaller scale, I would be thrilled to have enough time to sleep and read in the hammock every spring, summer and fall day. Oh, actually, that would include the dream of being able to afford to hire someone to clean my house and weed my gardens! I would enjoy sampling a meal in every restaurant and diner in this area that we live in and anywhere else we‘d fancy.

I suppose what makes me a “grounded” person is that I know that the odds are that these dreams are, most likely, not going to happen in this incarnation. But what makes me happy, is still be able to enjoy those dreams and the reaching for those goals.

Yes, grounded is good, but happy is better.

Monday, January 2, 2012

IF Highlight(s) In 2012!

Highlight(s) for IF
6x6 Permanent Marker on Smooth Bristol
©2012BEDeuel

Recently, I was feeling like I was in a deep funk. Life's been ridiculously chaotic and full of petty annoyances from petty people. It was definitely getting to me.

While I'm not usually a cosmetic person, the thought of dying my hair again was appealing. Maybe it was just that I needed a different view when I looked in the mirror. My face showed every stress very clearly. I thought maybe a little color framing it would give it the perk up that my emotions couldn't.

And, honestly, I'm glad I've done it.

Has it changed the existence of the problems in my world? No. Does it really take years away from my appearance? No. Has it made the world a nicer place? No, not at all.

But I think I look brighter (physically, that is!) and I do feel lighter. Maybe even a little bit sparkly!

So, here's to a little thing that's made the start of the 2012 a little nicer for me.

Hopefully, you're doing something nice for yourself to start the new year and continue to do it throughout the year!

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I was going through a very old portfolio and came across a couple of pieces that I just love.

The Bette Davis portrait I did, as I remember, in my senior year of high school, back, well, a few decades ago. It's done in a pointillism style with ink. You can actually see where it was damaged at one time across the upper lip. But, I just couldn't part with it.

The other piece was a "doodle" of sorts. About 3 years out of high school, I had the luxury of having a ton of time to experiment with all sorts of artwork styles and designs. This picture of the Enchanted Crone is done in ballpoint pen, both black and blue. It was something that had flowed very easily and, again, I was thrilled with the results.

These pictures are reminders that every pursuit will have successful moments.

But that the time has to be invested in those pursuits to achieve those successes.

Like all new years past, I'm sure you've made your resolutions, which as we all know, are easy to keep for the first couple of weeks. It's the later weeks when it gets tough to keep your promises to yourself.

Don't overwhelm yourself with trying to succeed unendingly. Work at it patiently and success will happen, maybe in a small way to start, but all the same!

Enjoy everything you choose to undertake in 2012! This month, next month, and every month that follows!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

'Tis A Season...

As always, life moves forward one day and backwards the next. It often feels as if we're on an escalator that never quite makes it to the next floor.

Whenever it seems as if I've figured out how to manage- or juggle might be a more appropiate word- my many interests, responsibilities and limited time, something always sidelines me. The best laid plans of mice and men, and all that jazz.

On the positive side of things, I've stumbled into another outlet for my painted wine glasses, another way of creating some unique, perhaps even quirky artwork.

A newly revamped gift shop (and, now, florist) in town, Robbins' Nest, was looking for someone to create some painted glass pieces. After struggling for a bit, trying to do it the "right" or traditional way, I went, "Duh!". Why? Why not do it the way that I do it on paper? And, truthfully, I really liked the results. It also makes it more fun to do!

Floral Hurricane Glass

Practicing Making Roses

Wine Grapes Glass

Wine Grapes Glass Detail

Time will tell if anyone else likes the work enough to buy the pieces. In the meantime, I'll keep playing with designs and colors, trying to find the right combination. Trying to find the time to keep creating new pieces and ideas while balancing everything else life throws our way!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Still Here!

I'm still here! Haven't forgotten all my Friends and Fellow Fans of Life!

We've just been busy here in the non-virtual world. Several wonderful opportunities have been stepping up to our door and a-knockin'. We've been taking the time to invite them in for some tea and chat, you might say!

So, we will be back. And, soon, I'm sure. Thank you so very much for all of your continued support!

And, take time to enjoy your non-virtual world, too!

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On another note:

I would love to have your suggestions on a holiday give-away from Bronson Hill Arts! Something easily customizable, or a print, or some notecards (which can be customizable, too), or anything else!

I'm planning on running it next week so that I can get it mailed to the winner by Thanksgiving week, so let me know what you think, friends!

Thanks, again!

Friday, October 14, 2011

IF Scattered

Scattered & Frazzled
6x6 Colored Pencil on Smooth Bristol Paper
©2011 BEDeuel

Too much paper and detail to track effectively. Demands on your time coming from all directions. And, boy, is the house ever a mess!

Seems to describe life as of late which makes it a very appropriate topic to illustrate. Thank you, Illustration Friday. Enough said, I think!

Take some time to yourself this weekend and enjoy it!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

IF Hibernate

With the topic at Illustration Friday being "Hibernation" this week, it was too easy to think of cold and lots of protection in which to hide from it. And with the thought of cold, as well as the arrival this week of actual cold weather, it was bound to make me realize something:

It's official: the shortest summer (that I can remember) is over.

In some ways, it's good. In other ways, it's not.

Let me start with the "not" list.

The days are short. The temperature is very fickle, making it difficult to decide how much to wear at any given minute. The gardens and trees are fading. And, the worst, winter is coming up fast and furious. Indoor confinement and difficult travel lay ahead.

The good?

The shorter days make it easier to settle in earlier in the day. It feels good to put on some clothing that is soft and comfy, instead of trying to strip down to the bare basics without being arrested. Once the gardens are done, the workload is cut in half with only the house needing to be tended. The trees will turn gorgeous with vibrant colors to fill the heart with wonder and an urgency to appreciate the quick passing of time.

Winter, though, how can that be good? Unless you're a skier, snowmobiler, or general winter-sports fanatic, what fun is winter?

The fun is the excuse to use the fireplace and snuggle with whatever pleases you, be it a fuzzy blanket, a loving pet, or your best friend and lover. The fun is making sinfully indulgent comfort foods and drinking hot chocolate on a daily basis. The fun is watching the first flakes land and change the world before your eyes. The fun is knowing that there will be another spring in which to enjoy so many other pleasures of living.

With the change of the seasons coming around again, make some fun with it. Take a moment to realize it can all be good.

Here's hoping it is and will be all good for you!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Some Coloring Fun

With fall pretty much parked outside the house, I've found a little more (not a lot of) time to hit the studio. Also, I'm trying to rest my left wrist a bit, to ease up a chronic case of tendonitis, so the keyboard is on light duty right now.

So just a quick blog to share the newest ones:

These last 2 have been submitted to Teri for the Twenty Minute Challenge, which I enjoyed trying, immensely. Same reference photo, 2 different takes on it in 2 separate 20-minute blocks.

Check out the TMC at http://twentyminutechallenge.blogspot.com/ !

Let me know what you think!

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A while back, I posted about personalized notecards that I did for a lovely young woman's bridal shower. Her wonderful mother took the design one step further and had the bakery recreate it for the cake for her shower!

I think it worked very well!

Hope this post finds you and yours safe and secure and finding time to enjoy each other!