Fecundity

(I made you a video!  I could spend hours talking about process, searching, finding, inventing, discarding, but for right now, I'll just let you watch)

Fecundity
(18" x 24" acrylic on canvas)

There is more to fecundity than simply reproduction, the nuclear spark of two cells cosmically colliding.    This is about procreation, the birthing of tender green ideas, the fertility of a mind rich with seeds of imagination, the miracle of thought joining forces with action.  This is the act of making.  This is the divinely orchestrated path of sowing concepts, that they burst into life at the first light of day.  This is the patience of voluntary gestation and the release of the chimera.  This is the art of fecundity.
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I'm off to ready myself for the opening at Ghost Gallery!  I wish you could all be there; I'd raise a glass to each and every one of you, even at the risk of tottering over in my heels, giddy with champagne.
It feels good to know the paintings are hung.  It felt glorious to deliver them yesterday.  And it will fill my heart to bursting to see them tonight.
Cheers!
~ Umber ~

Twelve Months, Part Three PLUS a GIVEAWAY!

That's right: the final three!
Ladies and Gentlemen, here they are in their official order and chromatic glory!

~ From the 2013 UmberDove Calendar ~
top row: January/White-tailed Doe, February/Sea Otter (reserved), March/Peregrine Falcon (reserved), April/Barn Swallows
middle row: May/California Quail, June/Jackrabbit, July/Grey Squirrel, August/Dapple Grey Horse (reserved)
bottom row: September/Red Fox (reserved), October/Flicker (reserve pending), November/Grey Wolf (reserved), December/Barn Owl (reserve pending)

I'll be listing the ORIGINAL paintings tomorrow morning in el shoppito; in the meantime if you'd like more info, more photos, and to chat about reserves, just send me a convo here.
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Now on to the real beets and potatoes:
The GIVEAWAY!

It will be my excitement and honor to gift THREE of my calendars to you fantasmical readers (also, I am apparently in quite a mood for made up words - pay no heed!), in a delicious little package which will include an assortment of bits and bobbles from me!  You can count on the calendar, a mixed tape (ok, cd, but doesn't "tape" just have such a better vibe?) of tunes I've been listening to whilst painting my heart out, something tasty for drinking on chilly afternoons, and whatever other goodies I feel inspired to add in!
All you'll need to do is leave me a comment here,
just one,
say anything you'd like!
I'm looking forward to bundling up these presents for you!
Oh, and for those who do not live in the US?  Enter away!  I'm happy to ship 'round the world - it is the season for generosity and joy after all.

The giveaway opens, well, right now, and will close at the midnight strike of November 30th.
Good Luck!
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And the 2013 Calendar?
She's on her way home from the printers and will be landing in the shop in just a few short days!
You'll be the first to know!

Twelve Months, Part Three

 

It's almost time...

I'll have the final three ready to show in just a couple days!

Twelve Months, Part Two

The apron is on, the tea is steaming, and I've officially been back in the studio this week.  Outside there is a delicious bite in the air, but in true California girl style, I keep taking the dogs out still wearing flip-flops, toes turning pale and great puffs of breath riding the wind currents.

I LOVED hearing your thoughts on which paintings belonged to which months... Last time I had an inkling, that gut feeling and was so excited to see so many had the same months in mind!  Bring it on!  Tell me your thoughts!

Twelve Months, Part One

Have I mentioned 2013 is fast approaching?  Along with a host of thundering, flapping, leaping, floating, climbing, flying beasts?

No?
Well they are.
Welcome to the first sneak peek of the paintings for the 2013 UmberDove Calendar!

I'm hoping to have everything finished and back from the printers around the end of the month, but soon there will be calendars for all!  The week before the calendars are available I'll offer up all twelve of these babies of mine, these original paintings (12'x12") on canvas.  In the meantime, sneak peeks galore!
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OH!  AND P.S!
I haven't chosen months yet for these babies, and would love to hear your instinctual feelings!