Patti Edmon Artist

Painting my heart out, painting out loud, painting outside the lines... so many ways to express intuitive painting. Over the past several months I've been totally into abstract. My love for color is deep and each layer of every painting tells a different part of the story. Crowns 24x36 acrylic on gallery canvas, my favorite painting ever, was accepted for Linus Gallery's Abstract Exhibit and I couldn't be more thrilled. This (and most all other) was inspired by Jean Michel Basquiat ... not his work so much as his approach to painting. Let it fly! Dig down to that primal place where the real essence resides - otherwise known as 'flow'. I'm not using Facebook, searching for galleries, sending my work out. I don't know, it has been a personal process, and OK, so I have hundreds of paintings!! Next step is to do the thing - you know, website, social media schedule, etc. etc.  Have you done that yet? Wow, so daunting. And time cons...

I recently figured out that if I don't like a painting maybe it's just not finished! Brilliant observation after several years, but it made me wonder if other artists have consciously come to know that or if it's embarrassingly obvious... The one constant in every piece of art I've created is layers. I love layers. I live to layer. So, it would seem that I would have already come to this conclusion. But I've spent considerable amounts of time working on a piece only to file it with the other shunned canvases.  I don't know about y'all (ok, I grew up in Upstate New York but I've lived in Kentucky for a hundred years), but does this ring a bell? I mentioned it while in workshop with the fabulous and talented  Wan Marsh (at Random Arts in late August) and she looked at me like I'd just informed her that the world is round.  So, whether or not it's a no-brainer that fact changes the entire process, makes each step less 'brain surge...

My next post will be on a redesigned page that reflects an amazing journey since I last blogged - in early 2015!  I believe with all my heart that we are always 'in-process' and possess infinite creativity, but I haven't always felt that way. I recently uncovered the perplexing switch that allows monkey mind, fear and resistance to block the journey to becoming as complex, complete and evolved as possible. Can't quite put my finger on it (bad pun), when exactly I began painting without pause, without question, and thankfully without that nasty, clingy critic rambling in my head. OK, I still hear it occasionally but can shut it up and listen to my studio music instead.  I've come to realize that those whiny voices aren't real, that self-doubt can be overcome and that my insatiable love for the creative process has paid off. I am ready to send my work out into the world. If you know me you know that I'm not one to boast or call false attention to my...

Spring... the ideal metaphor for life, the awakening: dormant bulbs that rise, cracking open the winter-hard earth; the miracle of trees, seemingly barren, suddenly laden with buds sprouting at the tips of once empty branches. The beauty of a still morning, silence broken by birds that call through now-opened windows. And the storm that strikes here and there and there... violence wrenching apart the calm, torrents of rain puddling on saturated ground and clouds, beautiful purple-gold bellies turned to gray rage, swirling masses capable of the ultimate destruction. Then the aftermath, a step taken out the door that reveals washed, dazzling brick and pavement and rooftop, enveloped by the warmer air perfumed with hyacinth, lilies, nectar dripping from God's own hand. The seasonal roller coaster also wreaks havoc on my joints and absorbs my energy and passion drained despite the splendor of dogwood and cherry blossoms. Such effort to quell the frustration caused by the familiar inabi...

Some people have the knack. I don't, but wish I did. My husband's aunt, a former New York jazz singer, definitely has it in spades. When she moved here to be closer to her sister (my mother-in-law), two sons and one grandchild (and us:), she found a one room house for rent on a farm in the middle of lots of other farms. What might look like a big empty space took on an aura of charm once she took over. She's managed to create one of the most fabulous homes I've seen. I'm always amazed by the many faces of creativity - music, art, writing, cooking and decorating. Before Gail this was a concrete walk with a plain door (which she stained). She transformed the entrance, where my son hung out, into a quaint garden laden with flowers... they're everywhere you look - planted in the ground, in pots, on vines, and window boxes, a talent I wish I had; unfortunately, I have a brown thumb (raw umber:) Along with the lake - my absolute favorite place - I love being in the ...

This canvas, which there doesn't seem to be a decent way to photograph, is the second in a series of flowers (the fourth of which is nearly complete). I've spent most of my free (ha) time working on these 10 x 10's and haven't had much else in the way of projects to post. Wow, the weeks have zoomed by faster than I can say "blog post." As soon as I vowed to post more often the world began to turn (hey, good name for a TV show); from having our upstairs bathroom ripped out, collapsed sewer lines (out in the street:), Alice's recital, birthdays and an anniversary (20 years!), a visit from my best friend... and did I mention ten days at the lake? And now it's July. My father asked me why I blog (oh yeah, Father's Day too:) and I thought a minute and told him that I do it for my self. Sure, I like to share art and ramble but the biggest benefit comes from the other bloggers out there - yes, you. If you are reading this then chances are I've visi...

Some of us can't keep up with the essentials this time of year, let alone creating a virtual encyclopedia of tricks, techniques and handy ideas. If you don't know about Seth Apter's Secret Sunday, it's time. This is the fifth Sunday that he's posted a veritable wealth of info from artists of all media and style - with the previous weeks' treasures posted on his sidebar. The blogs I've visited in the past hour(s) are brimming with creative works that make me long for a trip to the studio. Everyone seems so productive. I have been busy up there, finishing the commission of journals, projects in various stages that I hope will be wrapped up by Wednesday. Not a lot to show off though... hmmm, I posted a photo of the wreath on the front door, now maybe the fab swag I made to drape over the mantle? Or the sled I salvaged from a junk shop and embellished with pine cones and greenery... wait, I think Martha does that. And believe me, I am NO Martha (if she even is t...

Anyone who has a daughter - or son - with a passion for performing arts understands the energy, dedication, aching feet, tears, exhaustion and adrenalin.... and then there were Alice's issues to cope with - ha. The past two weeks have revolved around the production and performance of Sleeping Beauty. I help with costumes and work backstage until the last performance, which I then enjoy with dh and my son and other friends and family. I could fill pages with the delight, pride and amazement at my daughter's growth, both as a dancer and a young lady. Quite simply, she blew me away. This was her second performance en pointe and her grace and poise were stunning. These photos were taken at dress rehearsal by one of my best friends, who also happens to be a commercial photographer. I just finished writing the introduction for Jeff's second book of panoramic photographs, Kentucky Wide II . So, I haven't spent much time in the Altered Attic. But it has been worth every moment,...

the petals stun, their red so bold and deep, a promise of radiant spring

I've had a fascination with doors since the 80s, when I photographed with a medium format and printed my own black and whites. I saw this last week, while we were at the lake, and it called out to me. After I snapped the photograph - not even with my good camera, I started looking around for other subjects. As any of you photo-hounds know, there is never any shortage of subject matter, no matter where you are! After we got back, I was visiting one of my favorite blogs,   The Last Door Down the Hall , Elizabeth Golden is a truly gifted artist; she even gives away cool vintage images on a regular basis! Sure enough, there was a fabulous image of a door that I'd highly recommend viewing, along with the rest of her wonderful collection of photos and art.  While at the lake we were lucky enough to spot deer that were nice enough to stand still; I had to take the photo in low light from quite a distance. These days, maybe deer aren't altogether fascinating - my good friend in Min...