Cedar Lee December 31st, 2008
Art By Cedar’s year in review: a slide show of my paintings from 2008!
To my friends, old and new–you have been most excellent and it’s been an honor to share 2008 with you. I wish you a New Year full of adventures, fortunate coincidences, and the fulfillment of all your heart’s desires.
Stay tuned for awesomeness in 2009!
Cedar Lee November 4th, 2008
There are 4 new additions to my Sunflower Series. All are 16″ x 16″ x 1.5″, oil on wood panels.
Red Sun IV
Sunspot
Floristan
Ring of Fire II
Some close-up details:
Video!
I have not forgotten that I promised to answer some common questions about art. So, why is art so dag nab expensive anyway? Click here to read my answer!
Another thing I commonly hear from people is something along the lines of: “Isn’t art supposed to be deep and meaningful?” “I don’t get it.” “I don’t understand art, but I know what I like.” These statements really apply to abstract art, but they apply to my work as well. So next time I will attempt to answer another doozy: “What is the meaning of art?” (And more specifically, my art, because that I can talk about.)
Today is Election Day! I voted about an hour ago–everyone please get out there and vote!!
Cedar Lee October 9th, 2008
You may remember my recent painting, Cosmic Dance:
This is Cosmic Dance II.
As you can see, the sun, the moon and the swirls of color are all in the same positions in the sky, but the color scheme is quite different–in place of reds and oranges are soft purples and peach tones. Overall, I think the resulting effect is quite feminine.
The bands of color in the sky were painted with detail and precision. I think it’s interesting to paint light–one of the most intangible substances I can think of, in such a solid way.
As I painted these wispy ribbons of light reaching their way across the sky, some of them told me where they wanted to go. Some of them began to twist, curl, and reach in delightfully unexpected ways.
In the inky blue-black parts of the sky untouched by the dance of the sun and the moon, you can see a thick sprinkling of stars. (Which I literally splattered onto the canvas!)
This painting includes the constellation Pisces, which I intended to stand out prominently from the rest of the stars. I like how the wisps of color to its right resemble two delicate little hands, showcasing the constellation Vanna White-style, or perhaps cradling it in a motherly manner.
Unlike the rest of the paintings I’ve made recently, this one is a seascape. The colors of the sky are reflected off the gentle waves of the ocean.
The closer you get to the painting, the more you can see how the individual brush strokes come together to create the larger image. I wish I could convey how much better a painting is in person than in photographs.
This is how it looks on a wall:
I’ve made a video of the painting process for this one, at the request of the collector who commissioned it. If you’re interested in these videos, then this is for you–but it’s not for everyone. I think it’s cool to watch it all come together in super-fast motion, when in reality it took many hours of work–but then, I’m a painter. So, please watch according to your level of interest:
The YouTube link, should you wish to pass it on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnhtppPvoU
(If you like my videos, do a search for “speed painting” on YouTube. As well as videos like mine posted by other painters, you can find a lot of cool videos of digital painting, in which the artist uses Photoshop to “paint” an image.)
Change is on the horizon. With election day less than a month away and the economy looking dire, there seems to be a lot of freaked-out energy floating around. I’ve turned introspective. Re-assessing my life, making plans, and counting my blessings seems more productive than getting caught up in all the negativity that’s out there right now. Of course I’m not immune to it–but I figure consciously resisting it is better than nothing.
My new puppy Blake, at 12 weeks old, now eats more than my full-grown dog, and appears to be growing exponentially. Life is good.
Cedar Lee September 25th, 2008
Awakening
36 x 42″ Acrylic on Canvas
This is a painting of the first breath of morning–the threshold between today and tomorrow. I like how the light and darkness are separated–which one is in the foreground? Is the darkness opening up to reveal a window of sunlight? Or is the sunlight seeping over the darkness, like a poured liquid?
My goal was to depict the simple happiness of waking up to a new day full of promise.
The light of the not-quite-risen sun stretches its fingers across the sky, in between the delicate swirls of moonlight.
The sun is about to rise behind a young leafy tree, and there is a small flock of birds flying on the horizon.
But the night has not yet released its hold–the sky high above is still full of millions of tiny sparkling stars.
Like all of my recent paintings, this is painted on a gallery-wrapped canvas, meaning the painting continues onto the edges, where the canvas is stretched around the underlying frame, which I built out of wood. The edges are 1.5″ deep.
What it looks like in a room:
And of course, I made a video for this one. (I’m on a roll!)
The YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKTV3c4Cf-s
The timing of this painting is perfect, because today is a happy new day indeed!
Last year, you may recall, I told you about my aunt and uncle who live in Italy who were about to adopt a little girl from Africa. Sadly, that adoption fell through because of lack of communication and international bureaucracy. They were heartbroken–our whole family mourned with them, as we had already thought of this little girl as one of ours.
But they decided to start the process all over again and were placed with another child. This time it is truly happening for real! They arrived in Bamako, Mali today and by now have probably already met their new son, Ichiaka! (Pronounced “ee-SHA-ka.”) He is about a year and a half old and he is healthy and beautiful–I’m so happy for my aunt and uncle, who have waited so long for this, and I can’t wait to meet my new cousin!
One more thing and then I’ve got to get back to work–
I have a recommendation. If you love food (mmm, who doesn’t?) and you are looking for a good read that also makes you think, read this book! I’m not even halfway through with it and it’s already impacting my life.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver.
Cedar Lee September 19th, 2008
Fiery Sky
40 x 46″ Acrylic on Canvas
Details:
In this painting, the sun’s fiery heat and sheer enormity are taking over the whole sky, setting the landscape ablaze in a wash of white light. The moon’s light, in the form of soft blue tendrils, gracefully retreats into the darkness in the face of the overwhelming sun.
Once again I am symbolically exploring epic themes: Yin and Yang, the balance of the universe, the great unfolding of time and space, the eternal beauty and mysterious workings of the cosmos.
What this painting looks like in a room:
You can watch me painting it here:
The YouTube link, should you choose to pass it on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZDTmAUMrO0
This weekend we’re having some friends over to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox (which officially falls on Monday.) We’re going to sit around a campfire in the backyard and sip hot apple cider. And this Saturday is the 11-year anniversary of the day I met my husband. I am lucky to have shared this much of my life with him–together we have come a long way.
I just got my copy of my 2009 Cats & Dogs Calendar in the mail! It looks SO GOOD! The pages are thick and glossy, and I like the layout better than last year’s.
My new dog Blake is now officially enrolled as a student in Puppy Obedience School. We start next week–wish us luck.
Cedar Lee July 9th, 2008
Enjoy!
And the YouTube link, if you wish to email it to people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCXO-dMdbvE
Cedar Lee June 27th, 2008
A couple years ago, I did a painting called “Emerald Leaves,” from a photo I took of an old, stately tree in a city park in Venice, Italy. Our trip there was a college graduation present to myself and a second honeymoon for my husband and I. “Emerald Leaves,” as you can guess, included an abundance of leaves in several shades of brilliant green.
The painting I finished yesterday is the same tree, from the same angle, but during the fall. The leaves of the tree are now shades of brown and warm orange.
This painting is going to a brand new gallery out in Utah that is opening in August!
40 x 30″, Oil on Canvas
Russet Leaves
Here’s a video of me painting “Russet Leaves:”
The YouTube link, for you to share with your friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCoYrvfixLo
Also for the Utah gallery, I made a near-copy of my previous painting “Daisies.” This version has more vivid colors and a slightly darker background than the original “Daisies.”
18 x 24″ Oil on Canvas
Daisies II
The painting demo event at the gallery last Saturday went great! I got a constant stream of curious visitors all day long.
I’m so grateful for all the people who stopped by to see me–besides the crowds of passing tourists, I was visited by a friend from high school, an employee of the North Carolina Arboretum who suggested I have an art show in their gallery, and a fellow artist, who until this point I had only met online!
At one point my entire family showed up and filled the gallery with boisterous laughter for a couple of hours.
Cedar Lee April 28th, 2008
I was recently contacted by some people who have a really tall wall in their house that needs a really tall painting. They’re commissioning a 6-foot-tall, 4-foot-wide painting of a fall tree. I won’t say any more about the plan for the painting (you’ll see that when it’s done.)
This will be one of the largest paintings I’ve ever done, which is exciting. For a painting this large, I have to build the underlying frame and stretch the canvas myself. Building large canvases is an art in itself, so I thought it would be cool to share that process with you.
I made this video explaining how I stretch a canvas:
So, that’s what I’ve been up to.
Also, this past weekend I got my garden mostly planted. I’m going to install a drip irrigation system, which will save me a lot of water and a lot of time this summer. I ordered enough irrigation hoses and connectors to install a low-pressure system in all the garden plots in my front and back yards. I can’t wait for the stuff to arrive in the mail!
My husband and I are going to start riding our bicycles more often. And for the past couple of weeks I’ve been lifting weights. I’m working on incorporating my plans to become ripped into my schedule. We’ll see how that goes.
This is a busy and happy time of year for me!
Cedar Lee December 14th, 2007
I just finished another portrait. I’m so happy with this one!
Erika
20 x 20″ Acrylic on Canvas
Want to watch Erika as she emerges from the canvas?
Here’s the YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otH4kSqZmvc
Or just watch it here:
I’m working on something potentially cool. I’ll keep you posted.
Cedar Lee December 5th, 2007
Three new portraits today! They are all acrylics, on 9 x 12″ gallery-wrapped canvases.
The first one is called “Hot Date 1954.” Here’s the reference photo I was given–as you can see, I had the challenge of taking a black-and-white reference photo and putting it into color on the canvas.
And the painting:
Detail:
The next one is called “Kurt and His Dad.” This photo was taken on Kurt’s wedding day.
The reference photo:
The painting:
Detail:
The last one is called “Millie” and my reference photo is another black-and-white. I’m not sure how long ago the photo was taken, but I know this striking young woman is a grandmother now.
I made a video of this one, so you can watch me paint it from start to finish!
And here’s the YouTube link, if you’d like to email it to your friends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcXJsLHMe1o
It turns out that today’s snow is the just-enough-to-be-slushy-and-hazardous sort. Oh well. There’s plenty more winter ahead.
