art | deidre noreen

Aug 10

All my Relations

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We’re in the midst of a global pandemic.

Did I fail to mention this? We, the United States are also facing increased civil unrest. That phrase, “civil unrest” is insufficient.. and awkward. So much is going on.. none of which I have said about in this blog which has lain fallow for a year. How does one catch up on all that happened..who am I to comment on any of it. I paint happy things, not always as a distraction, but as way seeing the light, the positive, the hope that there are better days to come.. sometimes I do paint to forget it all.

global pandemic.covid 19. Black Lives Matter. Th names of so many black men and women killed by police..so many I fear naming a few , leaving out so many..it’s too many..it’s heartbreaking.. 2020 is heartbreaking is on so many levels. My own personal life filled with heart break and trauma, too much to explain or come to terms with..so I push forward instead.

Here is what I am learning..here is what I am working on.

Nature is a powerful teacher

My words create my reality.. use my words wisely, kindly

I alone am responsible for my response

Everyday is sacred

There is room and need for ritual every day.

Love..when all else fails.. love..

My presence and my actions effect the world around me

We are all connected

Bring joy into my life.. seek it.. do what I love

This is a bit of a ramble, I know. I remain committed to engaging with the world in loving and kind ways, my art, this blog, included.

blessings and peace to everyone ❤️

Feb 26

Coming Home

52854015_1805246352915056_3427354584761237504_n This past year has been hard. I am not going to go into all the details for many reasons and I am not purposefully and annoyingly being vague. What I have learned is that so many of us are having a hard time. There is scarcely a person out there that isn’t struggling with something. Life is hard. And sometimes we lose our endurance for it..I did. I woke up to too many mornings with my sole desire being that of only returning to bed, as if I could sleep away my sorrows. I couldn’t.

This winter too has been hard. I have caught every cold one can catch. I have said “no” to too many invites; I have recused and laid my creativity fallow; I cried tears to the point of dehydration, and whined and prayed and pleaded for a reprieve. I have imagined that all the trials were part of some epic dark night of the soul that would reveal the meaning of life at its end.

And then something shifted..just enough. It was as if I was holding my breath and was at last allowed to inhale. A small inhale, but a glorious one.

Sunday I painted the piece above. I am not quite done.. I am waiting for the paint to dry a bit so I can add the finishing touches. I am grateful. I have much to be grateful for despite the hard stuff…so much.

Feb 6

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The Recovery of Frida

When I was in art school, I painted what what I believe to be my best work ever. It was an acrylic on a small piece of wood painted in the style of a Byzantine Icon of Frida Kahlo. It was beautiful. It really was. I loved it. On the day it was completed, I hung it in art building on a hallway alongside the works of my fellow classmates, as per the usual practice. That night it was stolen.

I recall when I hung it I had a fleeting feeling that this would be the last time I saw my painting, but I dismissed it. In the blank space on the wall where my Frida had hung, I put a note pleading for her return. No questions asked. I hadn’t even taken a photo of her! Other notes from fellow students soon appeared. They weren’t as nice as I had been and I was kind of happy about that. But the notes didn’t help and I never saw my painting again.

In the years since then, I have tried to repaint that Frida. But they never were as good as that first one and I never finished a piece. You can’t recapture the energy and the magic of certain paintings; they’re just special and that specialness is a one time thing.

This week I was inspired to try again. I decided to forgo the icon format…too soon still. This is the second Frida this week. She looks a little angry here, but maybe she’s got something to be angry about.

deidre

Feb 2

Brigid

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Never The Less Oil on 30″X30″

An piece inspired by Imbloc and my beautiful friend Elizabeth. Spring Blessings everyone!

Jan 11

Of Life and Art

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Sun on the Hen House
I live in a pretty little house at the foot of the White Mountains in Northern New Hampshire. The backdrop of which provides boundless inspiration. I have an ever expanding garden I tend to and a small flock of chickens. We are only allowed 6 hens in town per household. I have 3, I had four until this winter. I call my little flock “the girls”…”the ladies” ..””my hens.” I love them all.

The girls have literally been cooped up for the past few weeks. The bitter cold, the non stop polar winds.. it was too much. Just before the new year I lost Euphemia. She was a frail hen to begin with, one eyed and lacking in neck feathers… the odds were against her. Mille Fleur Bantams are not known for their hardiness; they are known for their feathery feet and bright disposition.

I may be a little like my hens. Winter has been tough on me too. But the sun is out and the temperatures are up and we are all out to play today.
Rest In Peace Euphemia… you were a good hen. May your eternal coop be warm and your feed dish full of meal worms.

Dec 4

More placed to found rock art

Nov 10

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Paintings and More Paintings

I’ve been busy at the easel, just not busy at updating my blog..I need and art manager. I would give half my profits to someone who would just mange me!! Keeping up with the business end of art has been daunting.

But I digress..because it’s all about the art. I love my new pieces. They’re like my children. I love them all!!

Most of these pieces went to Portland, Oregon. They’re going to be hanging on the walls of Cafe Voila downtown on 9th and SW Washington.

“Goat”

“Owl”

“Garden Variety Bear”

“Deer”

“Golden Crowned Kinglet”

“Fall Bunny”

“Be Love”

“Fish”

“Flair”

“Vermont Sheep”

“Wee Bunny”

Sep 16

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more art to find

placing more stones…

Aug 10

Paintings

POUNCE oil on canvas 22″X28″

WHITE MOUNTAIN SPOTTED COW oil on canvas 20″X20″

NORTH COUNTRY COW oil on canvas 22″X28

OWL oil on canvas 14″X18″

WALTER oil on canvas 18″X14″

Jun 13

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First Time Curator

I curated my first art show!

It was the for the grand opening of the WREN Makers Studio in Berlin, New Hampshire. It was harder than I imagined, and it turned out better than I imagine as well. The title of the show was Northern Exposure: Celebrating the North Country Artist. all the artists in the show had a connection to the North Country.

Below are images of most of the work!