Marion's Tree

Last Valentine's Day, I gave a talk at our local library about why I paint, what I paint, etc. at "Art From the Heart." I shared my love of trees and showed some of my recent paintings. Then I invited audience members to share their favorite tree stories. I chose one story to inspire a tree painting. And "Marion's Tree" is the result. I was inspired by Marion Howard's story about a tree she saw on the coast of Cornwall, England. That tree was bent over, or like Marion said "shaped by the wind."  Marion related that we are all shaped by the events that happen to us in our lives. I had to agree. Sometimes the winds of life blow us in a direction we didn't intend to grow. Sometimes we have no choice but to grow the way we are guided.

ART from the HEART

Last Thursday evening, Valentine's Day, I had a wonderful time at the Darlington Public Library presenting 'ART from the HEART.' I spoke about why I paint and what inspires me to paint. Here is a preview story of the event: 
Our Local Newspaper: The Republican Journal

Kate Bausch: The First 50 Years
Opening Reception is tonight! Everyone is welcome.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Ullsvik Hall Lower Level
6-8pm
Art, Music, Food, Friends!

The show continues through July 15, 2012.

5 Polish Sisters

5 Polish Sisters
Each painting 6" x 6" 

Acrylic, Sequins, Beads on Board

I was so excited to begin this commission for Marian and her 4 sisters after I met with her at a coffee shop where we talked and shared stories. We realized right away that we had a lot in common. We both attend yearly "Sister's Weekends" with our female siblings where we hang out, reminisce, and exchange gifts with our respective sisters. Her upcoming annual gathering with her sisters is what prompted this commission as the painting will be gifts for each of her sisters. Hopefully they will take a picture with their paintings. If they do, I'll post it here.

 

Ahhhh! The blessings of sisters!

Why?

Yarn Bombed Aspens

12" x 36" Acrylic on hardboard

Just off my easel

Happy Valentine's Day!

Currently on My Easel...

24 x 36  Mixed media ( acrylic, collage, oil pastel )
Still thinking on the title

This mixed media piece began life as an acrylic painting of sticks. I was stuck. The sticks were going nowhere so after about a year of noodling on it, I finally pasted over the entire image using squares of colored mulberry paper. I quickly brushed on 3 horizontal bands of acrylic color letting some of the old image come through. I sketched on the branches using my brand new set of oil pastels (Christmas gift from my husband). This is my first try at oil pastel. They are really putzy! But I like the results.

Untitled...

Untitled, 18" x 24" acrylic on hardboard

Another powerful exercise in art therapy.

"Lucia"

 "Lucia" 16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

Inspired by St. Lucia, patron saint of those who are blind, who is often portrayed wearing a wreath of candles  on her head.

"Perhaps"

Perhaps, 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas

 

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”  

-Eskimo proverb

Raven and the Wren.

My latest painting, Raven and the Wren was inspired by my Grandma Vogel (who loved birds) and this beautiful poem by David Wagoner.

Stand still.

The trees before you and the bushes beside you are not lost.

Wherever you are is a place called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,

Must ask permission to know it and be known

The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,

I have made this place around you,

If you leave it you may come back again saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.

No two branches the same to Wren.

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows

Where you are. You must let it find you.

Viterbo University's dedication of new nursing building

 
"SISTER TREES"
 I was commission to create 4 paintings for Viterbo University's new state-of-the-art nursing building. Its glorious architecture sparkles with thoughtful and stunning artwork. Pictured here is my series which was inspired by my three sisters who are graduates of Viterbo. Left to right: Mary, Kris, our brother Tom, me, and Nancy taken on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, at the dedication of the building.

"HEALING TREE" (formerly "Vestibule Tree") happily greets all who enter Viterbo's new nursing building.

Catalpa Love

My love for Catalpas trees is most likely due to my Grandma Vogel, who lived next door to us and had a giant Catalpa in her yard. Cool. Soft. Shade. I photographed a fantastically old and twisted Catalpa in Platteville, WI yesterday and I am so excited to begin a painting of it. Oh, those velvety leaves are calling me!

A work in progress....

I've made a few changes since taking this photo. So now I've made it a bit too dark.... I need to lighten up. (In more ways than one!) 

Iconography - Another one of my passions!

I am a diverse artist with many styles and passions. I began studying iconography about 8 years ago.  My icons are written in acrylics and gold leaf.  Icons are rich with symbolism and color.  Although I am Catholic, I feel drawn to this Orthodox form of worship. Perhaps this passion is in my Polish DNA.

Mary Magdalene 

Saint Cecelia - Patron Saint of Musicians

Christ the Bridegroom

Saint Francis of Assisi

Christ the Good Samaritan

Christ the Good Shepherd

Christ the True Vine

John the Baptist

Mary and Saint Augustine

Christ and the Woman at the Well

More Creepers!

I have sketchbooks full of doodles. Here are a few more Creepers.

CREEPERS!

Being a life-long doodler, I thought I'd share a few of my doodles. My daughter called them "Creepers" and the name stuck.

I usually start with a scribble...  then the scribble tells me what it wants to be.