Thursday, December 19, 2024

Often Imitated

If you are wondering why this seemingly-random photo appears in my blog, first read the previous post as that contains several details.  

Specifically, regarding this Hokusai-inspired piece, read below for more interesting facts.  

Currently at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City this as well as Hokusai's iconic Great Wave and several other amazing color woodblock prints and more are in a special exhibit while on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  

Catch it if you can!



 

Monday, December 16, 2024

The Great Wave

 




Currently at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City curators have assembled a spectacular collection that contains one of my favorite pieces....Hokusai's Great Wave, as it is commonly known.  And what a delight it was to take in all of these spectacular works and stand up close and personal with this amazing icon of the art world.  It is small and yet, in my opinion, monumentally mighty.  I love so many parts of this extraordinary composition, including the bold Prussian blue, the encapsulating movement, the proportions, the contrasts, the raw power and beauty of nature portrayed with such ease as well as all the metaphors that correspond to life and the natural world.  

And, be sure to notice Mt. Fuji in the middle distance.  Read about that in the images below.

Ahhhhh.....something beautiful





Thursday, December 12, 2024

Last-minute Gifts

Need a last-minute gift?

I used several of my favorite images and corresponding inspirational verses to compile this beautiful spiral-bound 4" x 8" desk calendar.  The above image is the cover and below is October.  I am in love with it -- the quality, the photos and verses, the size, the functionality and the versatility as it fits easily in many spaces.


So, don't delay.  Purchase yours soon as supplies are limited, and they have been very popular already.  $18 includes tax but shipping is extra.


To request your calendar, use the following email:  sjbfbusiness@gmail.com

Monday, December 2, 2024

Making More


 "You can't use up creativity.  
The more you use, the more you have."

                                                                                            --Maya Angelou

Monday, November 25, 2024

Happy Birthday!

 


Yep!  It's my birthday, and because in late November in these parts it's a bit too cold for my liking and watersports, I'm still spending the day doing other things I love, including being outdoors.  Anyway, this is me, the person responsible for some amazingly beautiful and original works posted in over 1870 editions of this blog.  I love nature, beautiful things and creating all sorts of even more beautiful things.  Today I celebrate me....ahhhhhh.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Holiday Gifts -- Desk Calendar

 





Recently I used several of my favorite images and corresponding inspirational verses to compile this beautiful spiral-bound 4" x 8" desk calendar.  The above image is the cover and below is October.  I am in love with it -- the quality, the photos and verses, the size, the functionality and the versatility as it fits easily in many spaces.


So, don't delay.  Purchase yours soon as supplies are limited, and they have been very popular already.  $18 includes tax but shipping is extra.

To request your calendar, use the following email:  sjbfbusiness@gmail.com



Monday, October 28, 2024

Kaliedoscope




As seen in these images, anything is possible, one stroke at a time.  Recently in one of my art classes featuring the Zentangle Art Method, founded by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, we used the above combination and completed it on a 3.5" sq .....and then pushed repeat!   We sure had fun and the results are stunning.  Have a look.











Monday, October 21, 2024

Kaliedoscope


As seen in these images, anything is possible, one stroke at a time.  Recently in one of my art classes featuring the Zentangle Art Method, founded by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, we used the above combination and completed it on a 3.5" sq .....and then pushed repeat!   We sure had fun and the results are stunning.  Have a look.













 

Autumn @ Lake Delhi


 

Monday, October 14, 2024

In Downtown Dubuque

 


@ the Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Dubuque, IA

All pieces are for sale






Monday, October 7, 2024

2025 Desk Calendar


Recently I used several of my favorite images and corresponding inspirational verses to compile this beautiful spiral-bound 4" x 8" desk calendar.  The above image is the cover and below is October.  I am in love with it -- the quality, the photos and verses, the size, the functionality and the versatility as it fits easily in many spaces.

So, don't delay.  Purchase yours soon as supplies are limited, and they have been very popular already.  $18 includes tax but shipping is extra.

To request your calendar, use the following email:  sjbfbusiness@gmail.com


The remaining image features the entire calendar, including thumbnails of each month.


 

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Mosaics

 


During a recent daylong Zentangle event at the Shalom Center in Dubuque, Iowa, the participants and I got busy putting pen to paper and created these beautiful pieces.  The photos above and below feature the same triangular-shaped pieces each drawn by separate artists yet when matched side to side, there are many delightful combinations resembling a kaliedoscope. 



"Anything is possible, one stroke at a time."
                                              --Maria Thomas, 
                                                                   Zentangle co-founder


                 We also spent time drawing organic patterns, including those in the two                               remaining images.


Monday, September 30, 2024

BTL JOOS


 One of the patterns present in my piece is inspired by and named for the movie Beetle Juice....notice the tangle name BTL JOOS as well.  The timing corresponds to the updated version of the film along with the season of ghosts and goblins that is quickly approaching.  Regardless of pattern names and the world of entertainment, I love indulging my creative spirit by putting pen to paper and then several hours later relishing in what has appeared.  How fun!

Thursday, September 26, 2024

More Art is Happening!

 


With much excitement and pride, I am eager to announce the opening of an upcoming art exhibit at the Dubuque Public Library that features more of my work.

Friday, October 4, 2024
5:30 - 7:30 pm




Thursday, September 19, 2024

Monday, September 16, 2024

Now Open




"Passionately Amalgamated"

-- by Stephanie Funke


In this post are images of my work presented in the exhibition "Passionately Amalgamated" in downtown Dubuque, Iowa, at the store PLANTED.  

The exhibit is up through September, and the store is open everyday except Mondays.  

All works are for sale.  Please stop in, let me know you where there and consider purchasing a piece that speaks to your heart.  Thank you.