August 2014 - |
A life well lived I've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about the things I want to be doing. I always say (rather guiltily) that I should be doing more. Hiking, traveling, doing non-project art, spending time with friends and the people that are important in my life, getting healthier, partaking in other non-art activities. Getting out of the studio. It is hard when the next deadline, project, and idea always looms. It's not easy working from home, either, when I feel my professional career is 'always on.' I make no claims to living my life well at this point, but I have started paying more attention to myself and the things I want to do (aka need to do over the long term) as opposed to the things I need to do (aka need to do right now.) I've realized that when I continually keep my nose to the cutting board, I look up and find that life has passed me by. This can make an activity that should be enjoyed one that becomes resented. A life well lived means one that is more inspired, has more growth and productivity, connects with more people, and has stories to tell. Upon looking back at this year I'm a little surprised to find that some of these different activities have been assimilated into a somewhat regular routine! Going outdoors has big meaning in my life. I meet with friends in a zoo sketching group, and I've even managed several weekend camping trips this summer (see the bottom of this newsletter for camping treasure.) In May, Steve and I took a weeklong trip to New Mexico with the Western Interior Paleontological Society to collect brachiopod and gastropod shells, crinoids, and plant fossils from the Pennsylvanian era. I also recently gave a paper sculpture demo at the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, and am glad that I made the choice to attend the conference also. It was wonderful seeing some of my old friends, and even though I do not yet know how the talks can relate to my work (ah, discovery!) the many subjects were inspiring and invigorating! |
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Together 7" x 7" |
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Together was created as a commission. Experiencing the collaboration of two minds and two stories working together to create a work of art was a welcome challenge. Thank you to my collectors for creating this opportunity! Loons mate for life and hold special meaning for my collector and her husband. Theater and music brought them together, and if you look carefully, you can see the music notes woven into the nesting material. I had a lot of fun with textures and patterns in this piece, even including a paper that was special for me in my own wedding. Although the original has sold, Together is available as a limited-edition giclee and an open edition 'mini giclee' card. |
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Awards |
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| The Artist's Magazine Finalist Animal/Wildlife 2014 Annual Art Competition |
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Gold and Bold 21" x 12" |
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Upcoming Events
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Sculpture in the Park |
August 9th, 9:30am-6pm Admission: |
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| Come join me this weekend for the largest outdoor juried sculpture show and sale in America. | ||
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Society of Animal Artists August 23rd - October 22nd The Wildlife Experience
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 I am pleased to announce that my piece, Dragons in Darkness, has been accepted into Art and the Animal. |
Art of the Animal Kingdom XIX June 14th - August 24th |
| Parting Shots | ||
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I feel so lucky to have witnessed this special moment while camping on our Indian Mountain property in South Park. I am unsure on her identification. She's got about eight bright iridescent feathers at the base of her throat. Typical rufous have a larger patch of spangling, and typical broadtails have none. The tiny fresh chicks are all bolbous, tightly closed eyes, with a lot of growing to do. However, when I returned to the spot three weeks later, the nest was gone - torn to pieces and laying at the bottom of the tree - a sign that the chicks had fledged. I must have just missed them! |
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Tiffany Miller Russell www.wildlifeinpaper.com |
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