Clinkscales Arts

Though I’m not a complete Chatty-Kathy here, if you knew me in person, you would not use the word speechless to describe me!  But yesterday, I found myself absolutely speechless as I studied the gift I bought for myself.

You see, I am an artist.  Some of my art is drawn and painted.  Some is bead woven.  Some is embroidered.  Some is twisted up in wire.  Some is sewn.  You get the picture - I’m a Jill of many trades.  But even though my drawing and painting have taken a back burner to my jewelry making of late, that part of me is always in the forefront of my heart.  Other artists are there too.

I have many artist’s blogs that I follow and one in particular is written by James Neil Hollingsworth.  His blog, Paintings in Oil, is a feast for the eyes.  I study his paintings and think to myself, “How does he DO that?!”  I am a lover of realistic painting and I am in utter awe of his skill.  I also want to add that his wife, Karen, is an amazing artist too.  I first fell in love with her work when I found it on ebay.

Being a follower of Neil’s blog, when I saw he had listed a new batch of small paintings on ebay, I was so excited!   I had my eye on one in particular - Grape Tomatoes.  I added the auction to my watch list, so I could see it before some lucky art collector swooped in and grabbed it up.  Well, the day came for the auction to end and I could feel my heart beating in my chest.  I had just filed my income taxes and was getting a refund back.  Should I bid on it?  Could I ever afford a painting by this artist whose work I had admired for so long?  I went back and forth (and almost drove Jeff crazy!)  I decided that I would set my price, place my bid, hold my breath and hope for the best.  With 9 (yes, 9!) second left on the auction, I placed my bid.  I held my breath.  The clocked ticked down and the screen appeared.  YOU WON THIS AUCTION!  I think the neighbors heard my screaming!

I present to you my gift to myself.  Yes, you can be jealous now.  You really should because this baby is SWEET!

Grape Tomatoes by James Neil Hollingsworth

I know I’ve been very quiet lately, but I’ve been sick and can’t seem to shake it.  My cough is getting a tad bit better each day, so maybe by Christmas it will be gone. Bleh.

I *almost* bought my most favorite painting on Etsy today.  It was “The Girl from Oklahoma” by Lauren Pope of Lavatican.  I’ve lusted after this painting for two years, drooled over it, but could never afford it.  Today I saw that Lauren had marked the price down and decided to buy it.  I emailed her to ask her to hold it until I got paid in a few days.  Before she could respond to me, some evil witch swooped in and snatched it.

My heart will be forever broken.

These earrings were inspired by my recent trip to the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth to see The Impressionists Exhibit.  Seeing all of the paintings from the late 1800’s made me want to get in on the action.  My Old Paris Chic earrings could have easily been worn by one of the ladies of At the Moulin Rouge as Toulouse-Lautrec illustrates below.  I got to see this painting, by the way!  It’s was marvelous.  I couldn’t stop staring at the green lady on the right.  Her eyes were completely mesmerizing.  If you love the Impressionists, do not miss this exhibit.  My niece and I went through it three times (in one visit).

Old Paris Chic earrings are listed in my shop.

That’s right, folks, Renoir and I have a date on Thursday!  I’m lucky enough to live within driving distance of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth.  (I used to live within *walking* distance of the museum and never went!  Bad, bad, Susan…)  It seems that the Art Institute of Chicago is getting a bit of a face lift and they have loaned 92 of their “most celebrated works” to the Kimbell for an exhibit never before seen in Texas - The Impressionists.  One of Renoir’s most famous work, Two Sisters, is in the exhibit.

I’m from Texas and my family is still there.  I was planning a trip home this weekend and my daddy suggested I see this exhibit while I’m there.  So I am!  I can not wait.  I’m so excited to see the work of Renoir and Degas and Manet and Monet, but I think the one I’m most excited to see is Paris Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte.  It’s huge - 83 1/2″ x 108 3/4″ (that’s 212.2 cm x 276.2 cm for y’all on the other side of the pond).  I want to just stand in front of it’s glory and soak it in.  I know that impressionism is meant to be viewed from a distance so that your eyes can mix all of those wonderful brush strokes into beautiful-ness, but I love to get close and look at each individual stroke.  I’m one of those “how did they do THAT?” kinda people.

If you get a chance, check out the site that The Kimbell has set up for The Impressionists Exhibit.  It shows every work in the collection.  I’ll report back next week and let you know how it was.  Go ahead, you can be jealous now.