Thursday, December 22, 2011

Winter

HMCraig-  February Sunrise
"February Sunrise", 5x7", oil on copper panel

 Painting small landscapes have appealed to me. I've recently learned how to paint on copper using a method from the 1600s. It involves sanding, alcohol, and garlic. Sounds like an awful drink, doesn't it?

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Improvement (a kind of Thanksgiving)

I am getting better.
Whether I am actually healing, or just getting better at dealing with symptoms, or maybe a combination of the two... there seem to be more days without headaches and fatigue.

In September, I was able to go for my first bike ride in well over 2 years. A route was picked, and I made sure that G had a copy of the route with all of the possible shortcuts I might take (just in case...).  Maps, cellphone, RoadID, GPS, water, spare tubes, tool kit, and snack were carefully packed. Bicycle tires were pumped up. I wore a neon color so that drivers could see me.

P1010563
My backpack is filled with stuff like this... always be prepared. Flickr photo by ICBondurant

I took one last look at the map to make sure I knew where I was going. And I promptly had a panic attack. I didn't know where Weston Road was. What would happen if I got lost? What happens when I get tired because of riding? (answer- my cognitive abilities dissipate..and I might get lost.. or make a wrong decision and get hit by a car).... Where would I be then? I grew more terrified of all of the things that could go wrong. What happens if I get hit? What happens if I get hit and it makes my brain injury worse???? Haven't I already gone through enough?? Maybe I'll just stay home and take a nap.....

This went on for an hour.
I managed to slightly convince myself that everything would be ok, and if it wasn't, I could call G and he could pick me up.  Talking myself down took some effort.  I had to remember all the times that groups of riders would pass by our house, and I was sad that I couldn't join them... it was too dangerous for someone like me to be on a little bicycle around cars.



After putting my helmet and cycling shoes on, I took "Sparky" (my red bicycle) out the door, and sat in the driveway a minute or two.  It was very much like standing on the edge of a cliff, and convincing myself that my rappelling gear would hold me if I went over..

Rolling from the driveway onto the road was scary.
For the first two or so miles, I was nothing but nerves. Terrified.  Even though I had picked a quiet day, there were cars... and traffic was a quick reminder to keep my head swiveling, be alert. 

I don't know when comfort settled in. Maybe it was Weston Road, with it's quiet leafy dips and hills. Maybe it was the familiar turning of the crank, the shifting.

What I do know is that I felt a sense of freedom, finally. I could get to a place without being a passenger. And I didn't end up taking any shortcuts.
Quaint Cafe on Main Street
One of my favorite places to go in Concord MA, photo by Ms. Jen on Flickr

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Gallery Seven-- You're Invited

HMCraig- Nothing Sweeter
H.M. Craig, "Nothing Sweeter", 12x12", acrylic on canvas

Gallery Seven in Maynard, MA is having a Holiday Art Show from Nov 15- Dec 30th.
 I am one of the artists included in the lineup, and am VERY happy to be included. The people who run the gallery, Kelli and Nick are absolutely wonderful. 

http://www.gallerysevenmaynard.com/gallery/current-exhibition/

Artist's Reception
Saturday, December 3rd
7-9 pm
snow date--- Saturday December 10th, 7-9 pm

7 Nason Street, Maynard MA 01754
987.897.9777

Other artists are:
Kevin J. Briggs
Brenda Cirioni
A.M. Clark
J.C. Dwyer
Charlene Fall
Kay Hartung
Robin Herr
Heather McClurg
Jeannette O'Connor
Max Payne
Richard Perry
Amantha Tsaros
Danielle Watson

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Solo Show- Collage


I've been getting work together for my very first solo show that runs through August.

The reception is Saturday, August 6, 1-5 pm at Westford Floral Arts (129 Littleton Road, Westford MA) .

You are definitely invited!!!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

People's Choice Award

HMCraig "Opportunities"


My work, Opportunities (pictured above), won the People's Choice Award at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts!!

Suzanne at the NorthEast ARCworks submitted the painting for me, and informed me of the award. I'm extremely fortunate to have such wonderfully supportive people in my life.


How lucky am I??

Friday, July 1, 2011

What Art Can Tell Us About the Brain


Dr. Margaret Livingstone starts speaking at about 5:30

I recently attended a wonderful talk by Dr. Margaret Livingstone, who is a neurobiologist and professor at Harvard. The event took place at Boston University's medical campus, right next to Boston Medical Center. I think there were about 5 artists in the audience, with the rest being medical students and Doctors.  I'll admit that I felt a little out of place, but that didn't matter because I was there to learn something. How often do you get the opportunity to hear someone brilliant speak?

It was interesting being in an audience of scientists. They asked significant questions, which in turn lead on to more learning (for me, at least).

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Peace in My Home

HMCraig "Peace in My Home- (Golden Apples and Parrot Tulips)"
"Peace in My Home (Golden Apples and Parrot Tulips)", 36x48", acrylic on canvas

I worked on this for a while (see progress shots below). Sometimes, you get tired of staring at the same thing, and you can't see the forest for the trees, so you put it aside. Eventually, something knocks you back into it.

WIP still life with golden delicious and parrot tulips 36x48, acrylic on canvas

HMCraig WIP Parrot

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Artist of the Month?


I've been chosen as one of the finalists for Jerry's Artarama Artist of the Month!
How lucky am I?

So, now I need votes.  That's where you come in!
Jerry's Artarama Facebook Voting Page
 
Pretty please? With a cherry on Top?

Saturday, June 25, 2011

With Grace

 With Grace
"With Grace", 30x40", acrylic on canvas

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

To A Life

To A Life
"To A Life" , 20x24", acrylic on canvas

I've been painting a lot, mostly to pull the good from the rawness of grief. We lost our good little buddy in the middle of April, and my heart apparently isn't going to forget 12 years (84 dog years) anytime soon. I guess that's appropriate, because Beans never did give up.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A Square Deal

 H.M. Craig, Peony series

This peony series was painted for A Square Deal which is based in Philadelphia.

From the ASD website:

All art work shown is executed on 20cm (7.8 inches) square masonite panels prepared distributed to the artists by A Square Deal.
The work is varied in style, genre, and medium, including paintings, collage, graphic art, photography and mixed media. These original works are then placed in group exhibitions, primarily in non-gallery venues such as cafes, restaurants, salons and other retail establishments in the Metro Philadelphia region. Read more in WHO WE ARE.
...
The cost of work ranges between $40 and $400. The money made from purchased squares is divided among the artist, ASD, the venue at which the piece is sold & a charity of the venue’s choosing. To date, ASD has given gifts to a civic association, a local community arts group, and a small respite center serving HIV/AIDS-affected families.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Quote

"When you're in the studio painting, there are a lot of people in there with you - your teachers, friends, painters from history, critics... and one by one if you're really painting, they walk out. And if you're really painting YOU walk out." — Philip Guston

found here


Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Ready to Begin

HMCraig "Ready to Begin"H.M. Craig "Ready to Begin", 40x30", acrylic on canvas

Who isn't ready for Spring?

I know some of you are already bathing in sparkling sunshine and are ankle deep in tulips, but we New Englanders are still waiting our turn for our little piece of earth to explode in flowers.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Art Hunt- Flowers Around Boston

Free Art for Everyone, if you can find it
HMCraig How I Wonder  
One of the paintings to be given away "How I Wonder", 12x12", acrylic on panel

In celebration of the nicer weather, in anticipation of flowers, and a nod to this weekend's Boston Flower Show, I present to you... free paintings! You can find out more about my Art Treasure Hunts by clicking here.
Sunday, March 20th, starting at approximately 11:30 am, I will be dropping off more than $1,000 worth of artwork at locations around Boston. Yes, an original painting for free if you find one.
Hints and clues to their general locations will be tweeted when they are placed.
Good Luck and Have Fun!
A few guidelines:
  1.  If you get your hands on one, please let others get a chance to find one.
  2.  If you find me, say hello, and then give me a head start of at least 10 minutes so I can get to the next location.
  3. The paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches. They will not have anything covering them.
  4. The paintings will be outside.
  5. If you have found artwork, Congratulations! It is now yours. Please contact me through email and tell me about it. (HMCraigArt at gmail dot com)
 

An example of a hint would look like this (note- not an actual hint):
“Molasses on the bocce courts”
meaning the location would probably be Langone Park, in the North End, where the Molasses Disaster of 1919 happened.

Thank you to Nate, for giving me the material to make this happen! :)