It's Getting Busy Again

I note that the last time I sat down to write my blog that it began snowing and kept snowing the entire time! A girl could get a little discouraged about that kind of thing. This time I waited a few days for the snow to melt and I’m pretty sure we’re safe now. (You’re welcome) In addition to delivering amazing weather reports I want to share some news about upcoming classes and exhibits. Seems like there’s an awful lot of artistic activities going on around here. Hmmmm could be this is my life and I love it!

Please consider stopping in to see the art exhibits I’m showing in. In addition to art by yours truly you can see art from other local artists. How cool is that? A whole bunch of artsy stuff to look at in one place! Spring Fine Art Show & Sale Presented by the CNY Art Guild, April 13 & 14 Aspen House 8550 N Entry Rd, Baldwinsville, NY (Radisson) Eva will have new paintings, jewelry, cards and prints available. Artist Spotlight-Eva Hunter Hosted by Karl’s Custom Framing, May 1-31 Address 134 S Peterboro St, Canastota, NY *Demo & Reception May 29 6-8pm Fine Art Show & Sale Presented by the Onondaga Art Guild, May 4 & 5 Emanuel Episcopalian Church, DeWitt Feathers and Petals Solo exhibit, June 1-30 Marcellus Free Library 32 Maple St, Marcellus, NY

In addition to the private and small group lessons offered in my studio, you can find me teaching in a variety of local venues. Here’s where I’ll be…

Watercolor Master Class I sold out but we added a second date! Watercolor Master Class II Fri, April 19 11-4 Art Store 935 Erie Blvd E. Scarf Dye Class Wed April 24 1-2 Westcott Community Center Watercolor Basics Fri April 26 12-2 Art Store Watercolor Painting Thurs May 23 6-8pm NOPL N Syracuse Pastel Master Class Sat May 25 11-4 Art Store Oils & Inks Sat June 29 10:30-2:30 Art Store Fantasy Story Painting Thurs & Sat July 18 6-8pm & July 20 10:30-3 this is a new two-part class to be held at the Everson Museum of Art. Save the date, more details in future news.

Click here to register for any of the classes held at the Art Store. Please note that all materials are included in classes held at the Art Store and you receive a 20% discount on purchases the day of your class! How cool is that!

Thanks for all the fun we’ve been having in classes! Recently I taught an alcohol ink class at the Clay Senior Center. I met some wonderful people and am looking forward to offering some more art classes there. Stay tuned for dates and info. Last weekend I taught a Water Marbling Class at the Art Store and wow, what a riot! Talk about color explosion; my favorite kind!

And, yes even with all these fun classes and art shows I’m still creating new pieces of art! My most recent pieces are a combination of alcohol inks and oils, and I just love the way these mediums look together! Check out the Rose of Sharon image below. This piece is 14 x 14-inches and when it’s done drying it’ll be framed and available. I’m hoping it’s dry by the time the 1st art show comes around! Here’s looking forward to the arrival of Spring. I hope to see you around!

Upcoming Classes and Exhibits

Hello from the art studio! As I sit here typing on yet another snowy morning, I can’t help but be excited for Spring to get here! Yes, I’m aware of how mild our winter has been, and I’m not sorry for wanting warmer weather. There’s much going on in the Spring and I’m excited to share some new things happening……………..

First please save the date for my SOLO Art Exhibit! I’ll be the featured artist all of June at the Marcellus Library. Woo-Hoo! I’m secretly hoarding images of my new artwork in case you’ve noticed a lack of them on my social media pages. I’ll have a ton of new work available during the show, be sure to stop in for a looksee!

Second, I’ve got new classes lined up at The Art Store on Erie Blvd. All materials are provided for the classes at the Art Store. Sign up in person or online at theartstore.com Classes being offered there are as follows…

#1: Ultimate Watercolor Masterclass Sat. April 13, 11:00-4:00,

#2: Basics of Watercolor Friday April 26, Noon-2pm

#3: Water Marbling on Paper Friday March 22, 12:00-2:00pm

New Classes in my studio are online now. Check em out here! We’ve got a small Weeknight Painting Group getting started, Color Theory workshops, Watercolor Painting, Pastel Painting and as always small and private lessons are available!

Coming up in the warmer Spring and summer months will be a class to dye a bathrobe! Be sure to keep an eye out for that one as space is going to be very limited!!

Eva will also be participating for the first time in the Onondaga Art Guild Fine Art Show the weekend of May 4th. More details to follow, but please save the date.

Stay warm and enjoy that white stuff if that’s your bag. As for me, I’m going to fire up my encaustics and warm up with a little hot wax painting.

Art As Meditation

A meditative state is when your body and mind are in a deep state of relaxation. It’s not about the absence of thoughts, but more about not getting tangled up in them. If you think about it, you might think that the process of creating art is rather stressful and completely NOT relaxing. I wouldn’t hold it against you if that’s what you thought; but I will tell you that you’ve got it wrong.

I’ve been working on a special commission piece for a client, (heck all my pieces are special; there I said it). At first it was a challenge to think about all the things that needed to go into it. Talk about getting tangled up in my thoughts! The process of creating new artwork begins with a discussion with the client. We discuss things such as: subject or theme, reference photos, specific requirements, budget, timeline, deposit, framing, etc.

After listening attentively while the client shares their ideas, I ask questions and take copious notes, look at their reference photos and thank them for the opportunity. This meeting usually takes no more than an hour or so. Then the fun begins.

Once I’m able to begin working on the piece, I go through a process of drawing quick studies of the subject and thumbnails of the composition/concept. This is where all those tangled thoughts start to really dance and tangle even more. Sometimes they get a little knotted and frayed and need to be weeded out. Too much of a good thing can be bad, and too much of a bad thing can be, well; bad. Then the color testing begins, and I won’t bombard you with that kaleidoscope of fun this time. Suffice it to say that there tends to be a few days of moving things around and making decisions. It’s all good though because something truly amazing happens. As I work through these processes, I find my awareness is heightened, decisions seem easier to make, I can “see” the piece in my head and that tells me how to bring it to light. Doing the actual work of putting brush to canvas fills me with a sense of inner calm and allows the clients’ idea to emerge through the tip of my paint brush.

The process of creating art is truly a meditative state for me. I’m in my studio most days 10-5 and am always surprised when my husband opens the studio door at 5pm to inquire about my day (and what’s for supper?) It’s not that my time has flown by, but rather that I was in each of the moments that make up my day so deeply that time seemed irrelevant. Now if I could only figure out how to apply that to those little lines on my face.

When you’re ready to discover your inner calm, consider taking a class with me. Art can be used to create calming environments too, take a look at the image below. Look how inviting and comfy that sofa looks. Soft blues and violet are soothing colors, swirls give the eye a place to wander in the painting, leading to a sense of peace and relaxation. The room looks cozy, and the poppy painting adds to the feeling of comfort and calm.

On A Cold Winter's Day

Hello, it’s me Eva; Happy New Year from the studio! Ever wonder what I do on cold winter days? You know, the kind of day where you just can’t make yourself go outside in all that white stuff? I hear yah and totally get it. Even if it meant I’d get to go to my art studio and make art; my heart says yes but those freezing fingers and toes say no way. Leave the snow scraping for another day! The studio is warm and dry and conveniently connected to my home. Every winter when we get our first real snowfall, I am so thankful for this wonderful space. I am thankful for all of you too and looking forward to another great year of art, classes, shows and events!

I’ve spent a few days updating my website, adding classes, New Art on my shop page Prints and notecards. I’m excited to share with you that I’ll be offering a new subject this year: Intro to Color Theory! Everyone can benefit from understanding color theory, no matter what your medium or experience. There is also a new Weeknight Painting Group being offered, and some surprises TBA. Register for these new offerings via the Classes page.

Winter in the studio gives me a chance to regroup and organize for the coming warmer months. Like taking care of techie things, which I tend to put off and am finally able to check off the to-do list! Love that feeling. It’s also a time of re-stocking items for shows and festivals that I’ll be participating in.

Oh but what about art making and actual painting you ask? Well, that never ends. There are currently five paintings in the “work in progress” stage on my easel. There’s also a list of painting ideas that I want to create. This list is added to on a regular basis. It is a practice that I highly recommend to all my students and art friends…

Make a list of the projects you want to create. Do it in a sketchbook! This way you can add notes like details, color, and your inspiration. Draw several compositional studies of your idea. This will help you with placement of the components that you want to put in your piece. Do color swatches and test out your palette colors. Sometimes the colors we think we want to use don’t actually work when we start painting with them. Save yourself the frustration and cost of making color mistakes (yes, that was a shameless plug for Intro to Color Theory class)

Cold winter days in the studio are filled with artistic activities. By keeping busy and continuing to create; I know that I’ll have whimsical art that brings you joy. And that my friend brings warmth to my soul. Happy painting!

How To Seal Alcohol Ink Paintings

Have you discovered the delightful results you can achieve with alcohol inks? Those highly saturated colors and swirling blooms are amazing! The artwork created using these inks deserve to be protected so you can enjoy them for a long time.

If you’ve ever taken an alcohol ink class with Eva, you’ve heard her review and demo the steps to care for and protect your masterpieces. After classes she usually sends out an email reminder with written instructions too (how nice of her).

She thought it might be useful to other people to share those instructions and so here you go; How To Seal & Protect Your Alcohol Ink Paintings…

Be sure to let your alcohol ink piece dry completely before trying to seal it; give it a day or two.

Step One

Krylon Kamar Varnish is a non-yellowing, acid free spray, and vital in protecting your alcohol inks from interfering with any other product. Apply in thin, even coats, making sure to dry well between each layer. This is the most important thing you can do to protect your artwork.

Step Two

Krylon Gallery Series UV Archival Varnish matte (or glossy if you prefer). After you’ve got at least 3 layers of the Kamar varnish, then spray several thin, even layers of the UV protection over that, drying between each layer.

Step Three

Krylon Acrylic Crystal Spray- Once you have both the Kamar varnish and UV sprays completed, you can add a non-yellowing clear coat to finish your project.

These are the steps that Eva follows to seal and protect all of her alcohol ink artwork. She also frames them under glass to add another layer of protection. If you are interested in learning more about painting with alcohol inks please consider taking a lesson with Eva. She offers private and small group classes in her Clay, NY studio. Come with your friends and share the fun!

Take A Class

The Best Place to Hang Art?

Howdy and hello from the arctic snowy realm of Clay, NY. Today is a blustery day and cold reminder that winter is still here (even though it never really felt like it actually arrived). Wherever you are, I hope you are warm and safe.

As I sit here in my nice cozy studio trying to figure out what to write for this blog; I remember a comment made to me awhile ago. It was basically, “I love that piece of art! But, I can’t purchase it right now because I don’t have the perfect place to hang it.”

Whaaaat?

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard that comment. It’s a common observation at art shows, festivals, pop-ups and events. Always involves someone just ooh-ing & ahh-ing over a piece of art they just love. There’s usually a bit of excitement as they exclaim how much it’s so perfect and blah, blah, blah they just don’t know where they’d hang it….Many an artist friend of mine and even myself have been left wondering what the perfect place to hang art is for these people. I’m here to let you in on a little secret….

There is NO perfect place to hang art. I’m gonna give you a moment to calm down and think about that.

The secret is to purchase art you love and hang it where you will be able to enjoy it the most! Think about it. Is there a room or place where you spend the most time? Hang art there, because you’ll be able to enjoy it the most when you’re in that space. Art can help us create moods and enhance how we feel. When you’re looking at art that you love, ask yourself why you like it. How does it make you feel? Is it calming and relaxing? Buy it and go hang it in the room you like to chill in! That would be perfect!

Still need to know the perfect spot? Ok, here’s an idea. Look for places to hang art that you might not expect, like a small horizontal piece above a door or a tiny print at the dog’s/cat’s eye level by their water bowl.

Just buy art that you love, from local, living artists (the dead ones don’t need to pay bills). Be unique. Unlike the mass produced stuff you find at big box stores original art allows you to show off your personality and your own uniqueness.

Image above is a watercolor painting I did recently while staying in a cabin for an extended weekend. The bent birch trees where fascinating to me and I just had to paint them. It’s a smallish painting roughly 6 x 9 inches, done on Arches 300GSM paper. Where would you hang a piece this small? If it were up to me, I’d suggest matting it with a 1 1/2-inch mat board in maybe a blue-gray color mat, and popping it into a nice wooden frame. Now you’ve got a painting that’s roughly 10 x 15, which would fit almost anywhere. Hang it where you’d enjoy it the most. Perfect!

Where've I been? Good Question...

Yep, I know, I know; I did it again. Missed a month to post my blog. August came and went in a whirlwind of activity, and it was impossible to get to the keyboard. My apologies, really. I do appreciate you taking the time to read my posts and I know you look forward to them. Thank you for your indulgence. So, what’s kept me away? Plenty………………….

In July we traveled to Georgia to celebrate our grandson Leon’s first birthday. He’s such a cutie pie and you will most likely see him in a painting of mine before too long! We spent about a week or so there and although we loved spending time with family the blazing sun and high temperatures were a bit oppressive. After a few days rest back home, we packed up and flew to visit more family in Colorado.

Happy Birthday Leon! (Told yah he was a cutie pie!)

As you may recall, Colorado is one of my most favorite places on the planet. Tons of artistic inspiration!! Hikes are like eating eye candy for me! The western landscape with its reds and golds are absolutely stunning. Yes, I did some painting while there. Did a bunch of studies to use in studio as reference materials and worked up a few more detailed paintings. They’re not quite finished yet though, so you’ll have to stay tuned. Returned home in the middle of August and took a nap (LOL)

August was spent prepping materials for a fresh new batch of my funky bohemian style bowties. The whole process takes about two weeks and since I was sold out during Art Mart last holiday season, I wanted to get going on them. Before I can hand marble each tie, they need to be scrubbed and prepped with a mordant. While they dry, I whip up a couple 5-gallon buckets of goo (that’s what I call it anyways) the goo lets the colors float on the surface. I clean out my 7-foot marbling trough and poor in about 2-inches of goo. Once it settles, the fun can start! I add the colors one at a time, and manipulate, twirl and create designs into the paints. Then I carefully place the tie over top, picking up the design first on one side and then flip it to catch the design onto the reverse side. A quick rinse to remove most of the goo, and then they dry and cure for a minimum of 10 days. This is to ensure good adhesion of the designs. Then I wash them in a mild soap and add fabric softener, another dry on the line, a quick ironing and finally they’re ready! Once I take their pictures both tied and un-tied versions, I post them to my website.

I’m STILL taking pictures of this current batch. Not only did I do 36 new ties, but I also added 12 pocket squares and 12 lapel pins to the mix! Can I just say, they look gorgeous!

August is also the time when I hand paint glass bulb ornaments. These were also wiped-out last holiday season for which I am grateful. I really enjoy painting these and was happy to have the chance to refill my stock. If this is something you are interested in learning how to do, I offer classes both in my studio and at the Art Store.

So, now we’re into September and I’m still working on getting all those tie photos done, sealing ornaments and carding my jewelry. Oh, yeah, I forgot to add I’ve been making new jewelry too! Earrings, necklaces and bracelets, oh my!

September is also the time when my returning students resume their private lessons, and when I schedule new group classes outside my studio. SO, here’s your insider scoop on where you can catch me teaching

1. Alcohol Ink Painting Class on Sat. Sept 17, 2-4:00 at the Art Store, Erie Blvd. Call 315-474-1000 to register ($25 all materials included)

2. Pan Pastel Painting, a four-week seminar for beginner and experienced art enthusiasts, Begins Sat Oct 8th 10:30am-12:30pm, runs Oct 22, 29 and Nov 5th Classes held at the Art Store (See #1 for info) All materials provided, fee is $25 per session

3. Alcohol Ink Ornaments Sat Nov 19 Session 1 from 11am-1pm, Session 2 from 2-4pm all materials provided fee is $25, held at the Art Store

So, thanks for hanging in there with me, I had a lot of catching up to do. I appreciate you very much! Have a wonderful day!! Stay healthy and enjoy the rest of our nice weather before that white stuff starts falling!

Happy 4th of July!!

Creating art that explores our daydreams and the places we go when we need to escape is important to me. It’s one of the reasons I paint the scenes you see on my website. Daydreams offer us a way to escape reality for just a little while and can help us figure stuff out. Heck, I used daydreams extensively as a child and for different reasons do so now as an adult in my artistic practice. When you hang one of my paintings in your space it is my intention to invite you into my daydream, to explore the scenes and characters, to visit and stay awhile. Deciding which piece of art to hang on your walls can be a challenge. From office to apartment or home the art you live with can help you create a specific mood. You are always welcome to visit Eva Hunter Art Studio to see a piece in person. We can even bring it to you to try it out in the space you want (local Syracuse, NY area only).

Download and print this free greeting card just for being one of our favorite subscribers!

Don’t miss the Redfin article we’re featured in: “Make a Big Splash in a Small Space: Tiny Apartment Decor You’ll Love” As a renter there are different types of apartments that you can choose from and put your artistic stamp on. From custom art and handmade ceramics to glass art, you can make a meaningful impact in a small space that you’ll love coming home to each day. So, whether you’re renting a studio in San Diego, CA, or an efficiency apartment in New York, NY, you can find tiny apartment decor that represents you. To help you find artistic inspiration, Redfin reached out to us to share our best advice on picking meaningful decor for your tiny apartment. Find out what we had to say so you can create a space that you love. Make a Big Splash in a Small Space: Tiny Apartment Decor You’ll Love

As the fourth of July holiday looms closer and closer I find it impossible to ignore. Don’t get me wrong I like a celebration as much as the next person. I’m just not feeling it right now. The state of current events in the United States gives me a great deal of anxiety. Whatever your beliefs are, I respect your rights to have them, and I expect the same in return. Isn’t that what united means? (United definition- joined together politically, for a common purpose, or by common feelings.) Somehow, we seem to have lost sight of this, and it frightens me. Yes, I know I don’t usually get political here. Nor do I usually create political commentary art. So, when I do it’s because something pissed me off! Better to create art than yell and scream, or worse.

We all have our challenges in life, and I don’t need to go into the gory details of mine. Suffice it to say that a long time ago it was made pretty clear to me that my voice didn’t matter; that I should be quiet and do what I was told. Children react to the situations they find themselves in and I was no different. My rebellious nature helped me ignite my imagination and I discovered a way to get through childhood. Sure, I was very shy and quiet but, it took my pain and words and channeled them into color, pattern and whimsy.

It is still always difficult to express myself vocally; childhood memories shout, my vocal cords close up, my mouth clamps shut, and my face responds with wide eyed fright. My usual reaction of escaping into a world of daydreams is no longer my go-to-choice. Now the adventures, characters and scenes that once replaced stressful situations give me strength as I use them to fight through the chaos and speak the words in my heart.

Art helped me find my voice, it’s how I’ve healed and grown into the strong, independent woman you know. Finding the joy in life and letting it bloom in color on my canvas is one of my greatest loves (right up there with dark chocolate gelato)! Learning how to take my daydream escapes and turn them into art that communicates my love of life and everything about it is the best thing I ever discovered.

Enough of the Eva back story and semi political commentary; let me tell you about an invitation I received…In June I was contacted by a Content Marketing Specialist at Redfin. (Redfin writes a real estate blog offering tips and information about buying, selling and renting a home. Including topics relating to home improvement, life & style, local insights, finance, etc.) They asked me would I like to collaborate on an article about how to personalize your home or apartment with meaningful art. Of course, I said yes! Please take a moment to check out the article. Not only will you find my words of advice but the advice of a few other artists as well. Here’s the direct link to the Redfin Article

My voice does matter! People ask me to participate in collaborative articles. (Check out this article on Artsy Shark I am featured in also Artsy Shark article

Through the art classes I teach both in my studio and in local spaces my voice is sought out to help other artists improve their skills. You are reading my words in this blog, essentially hearing my voice. When you look at my art you are entering my daydreams and seeing my voice.

So yeh, our voices all matter. Let’s use them to re-unite this big ole world we live on. Happy 4th of July! Be safe and be kind.

Art Website and Other Stuff

Sun & Snow Touched Blooms

Amethyst Aster Bouquet

Blue Iris at Sunset

Country Road

Hello and Happy Spring from Eva Hunter Art! It is Spring, right? Last time I checked our weather here in upstate NY was trending more on the side of Spring. So, let’s go with that. I like it better. The flowers are blooming, the snow has melted, we’ve set the heat to off (yay!) and allergies have reminded me to refill my prescription.

It’s been a busy winter and spring here in my studio. Pastel classes at the Everson Museum and the Art Store CNY were a great success and I’ve been invited back to offer them again in the fall! I’ve also added them to my offerings here in studio. They’re available here: Classes

You’ll notice a few changes to evahunterart.com all intended to make things a little easier to navigate. That’s why the Classes tab is now separate from the Shop page. They were a little buried there.

As most of you may know, this whole technology thing isn’t my forte (I’d rather be painting). It’s necessary though and can be quite handy once you get the hang of it. With that in mind, let me tell you about a recent debate I had with a tech advisor. We were discussing the option of having an online art portfolio page in addition to the other tabs in the navigation bar (she was all for adding it).

I on the other hand was more of a solid no. It would make sense to add if I wasn’t trying to also sell my artwork. Right? Why make visitors to my website look through a portfolio, fall in love with a painting and then make them have to search for it in the shop pages? Sounds frustrating to me. So, that is why you can see all my art in the Shop page here: Original Art If you love a painting, wonderful, click on it and add it to your cart! Easy-peasy, thank-you.

Speaking of original art, check out the new pieces at the top of this blog/newsletter! They’re my most recent pieces and I’m happy to share them with you. The painting of snow-covered crocus is done in oils and is currently in varnish drying mode before I add it to the website for sale.

Amethyst Aster Bouquet is a pastel piece that I demonstrated during one of my pastel classes and finished in studio. It’s matted and framed under glass and will be added to the website soon.

As a valued subscriber to my newsletters, you get first dibs on these paintings. I truly appreciate your support and encouragement.

Blue Iris At Sunset is also a pastel painting, this one done on an archival pastel board, matted and framed under glass. It is online Blue Iris At Sunset

Country Road, pastel painting of a country scene, the long drive home to the comfort, peace and quiet. Done in soft pastels on pastel paper. Size is 8 x 10, unframed. Sealed to prevent smudging. Available online Country Road

Hey, what do you think of that fancy new scrolling thing on the home page of the website? Pretty cool, I think. It’s a new feature, so what the heck, I’ll give it a try. You notice that it’s flashing, “Wild Flowers Coming Soon” That’s the title of another new painting. Yes, I say it’s new even though it may look familiar to you. See, what happens sometimes is that paintings aren’t always quite done when we artists think they are. Sometimes they have more to tell us. Which in the case of Nonni’s Bella Giardino is exactly what happened. Originally done completely in alcohol inks, this painting kept bugging me to tweak it. It took me a little while to figure out just how it wanted tweaking. Oil paints! It wanted oil paints applied with a palette knife. Okay, okay, I’m listening.

Applying oils over the top of inks was new to me, and well you know I do love to experiment. Taking what I know about both mediums and following the “rules” for each, I went for it. This was a multi-layered process which required sealing of the inks, protecting them with a UV protectant, and then applying the oils. These also require drying between layers and applying varnish once all the layers are dry. Oils gave new life and depth to this painting, so I changed the title to Wild Flowers. It seems to fit better and the painting seems happy with the new additions to it. As soon as it’s dry it will be ready to add to the website. If you want to call “dibs” on any of these pieces, send me an email, I’d be happy to hold it for you.

Current and Upcoming Exhibits have been added to the home page. But here’s one that hasn’t been added yet………….Wednesday May 25-Aug 1, 2022 a new installation of my art will be on display in the Upstairs Gallery of The Art Store CNY. If you’re local to Syracuse please go check it out. My art hangs with some other amazing artists, give ‘em all a looksee will yah.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Why'd You Paint That?

Have you ever wondered why artist’s paint what they paint? Why does one artist choose one subject over others? Or why does an artist paint in a certain style? After perusing my website for the first time, a visitor commented, “What is behind your concentration on spiders? I have a fear of spiders, so I noticed right away.”

“Good question and thanks for visiting my website. I hope the spiders didn’t scare you away; please visit again”.

I thought the answer would make a good blog post, so here it goes…

The imagination of an artist is both a curse and a gift. It provides a plethora of ideas and inspiration for creating art. Compositional suggestions, random snippets of real and imagined characters and landscapes provides us with the ability to see the world differently from non-artistic folks. I paint what my imagination throws at me, I enjoy the assortment of styles this forces on me. It keeps skills sharp and is more fun. The colorful chaos that swirls in the depths of mine is a constant source of inspiration for creating art. Until it isn’t.

It was during one of those painful moments of artistic block, that the search for something to create turned my eye towards our scary, hairy little friends. Inspiration sort of jumped out at me from within the darkness of a closet. In other words; a big ole spider surprised me. Seeing it jump in response to my shrieking got me to wondering, what’s it like to be the spider that is suddenly surprised by a big ole hairy human? So, while wiping up the spider goo, the ideas started taking shape. (I’m sorry to all you spider lovers. It scared the crap outa me, and c’mon the closet had an assortment of shoes ready to protect me!)

Recording my thoughts and sketching answers to all the questions that my mind was conjuring up helped develop the theme beginning to take shape. Or was it just nightmare fodder? Maybe a little bit. Researching spider images kept me awake for many a night. Fortunately the sleepless nights helped fill the sketchbook and added more fuel to the series of paintings that were now caught up in the chaos stream.

Painting spiders to express shock and surprise required help from a creepy model; so I used a porcelain doll. Using duct tape to position her in a variety of poses added to the creep factor. (I didn’t add the tape in any of the finished pieces. To see that, you’d have to look through the sketchbook) These paintings were also influenced by my research into other artist’s (Francis Bacon and Max Beckmann for example) Prior to any creepy, spider artwork my paintings had been fairly bucolic in nature. Thus the need for research. This is common practice in my work as an artist.

After completing my first spider themed painting, it was time to give it a title. This can sometimes be a difficult task; sometimes the mind has nothing to offer. Other times it offers a gift. Deciding to title the first piece, “Meeting Miss Muffet” led to the series being titled along the altered lines of the Little Miss Muffet nursery rhyme.

And so my friends that’s why I painted spiders. The series as it currently stands is as follows:

“Meeting Miss Muffet”

“Along Came A Spider”

“And Sat Down Beside Her”

“Eating Their Curds Away”

“And Frightened Us All Away”

Yes, I know the series is missing “Sat On Her Tuffet” I’m working on it; stay tuned!