Paula Scott: Molokai Girl Studio

Working With Golden's Glass Bead Gel Medium

2012-01-23T11:14:00.002-07:00

I love using Golden Paints Glass Bead Gel Medium. It gives it such a unique look when you are done-I used it on these two pieces:

("Colors of Time" Photo with mixed media on 6" x 6" cradle board by Paula Scott)

("Petrified Tree" photo with mixed media on 6" x 6" cradle board by Paula Scott)

There is a free Golden demo coming up (and often, free samples are given at these demos) at the Village Press in Magdelena. Plan for a day trip there or spend the night so that you attend Nancy Reyner's workshop that weekend (be sure to sign up as space is limited). Nancy's workshops are a great way to get familiar with using Golden's products. It was, to date, one of the best workshops I've ever taken!

Work Completed 2011

2012-01-06T23:57:00.000-07:00

A visual representation of most of the art work I completed/curated in the year, 2011:

Photo Contest at the Matrix

2012-01-04T23:09:00.000-07:00

If you attend the Artist Reception at the Matrix Fine Art Gallery in Nob Hill on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 starting at 5 pm, you can enter a very special photo contest that takes place that night:

Join the photographers of this exhibit at Matrix Fine Art for an
Artist's Reception, January 6, 2012 5-8pm.
In honor of this special New Year's 2012 First Friday Artscrawl,
there will be a photography contest at the gallery, with the
winner receiving a Think Tank Airport Airstream
Rolling Camera Bag, with a value of $299.75!
• Please read the rules and regulations, below,
for a complete description of the contest...

Minie and You!Win a Think Tank Camera Bag by submitting a photo of Minie taken at the Artscrawl First Friday Photographer’s Reception, January 6, 2012, at Matrix Fine Art!

Rules & Regulations:• All attendees present at the opening are eligible to shoot
• You must register for the session and a donate a minimum of $5 (to go toward the model sitting fee) for a two-minute session
• There will be a limit of 40 registrants
• All registrants will be eligible to send their selected images to Matrix Fine Art for the winning image selection. All entries will be posted on the Matrix Fine Art Gallery blog. Coordinators for the 2011/2012 1x15 Invitational Exhibit Show and Sale will select the winning image, and the prize of a Think Tank Photo Airport Airstream roller camera bag ($299.75 value), will go to the winning photographer.

Registration and Photography Process:• Registration will commence at 5:00pm, January 6, 2012, at Matrix Fine Art, and last until 5:30pm.
• All registrants who have paid the $5 minimum fee will be given a ticket.
• At 6pm, that evening, a line will form and each qualified registrant will be allowed a two-minute shoot.
• Minie will be stationed in the middle of the exhibit area, and will have access only to a chair for a prop.
• Registrants can elect to photograph her with or without the chair.
• Minie will be photographed as she is, with no additional clothing requests, in order to keep the “playing field” equal for all, except for one’s own personal vision.
• There will be an entry limit of one image from each registrant. Pick your best!• Any and all photographic mediums are allowed: cell phones, digital/film cameras, 4x5, 8x10, whatever method registrant chooses will be accepted, but the time limit at the Gallery will be strictly enforced.
• If you have any questions at all about this contest, please email tim@cygnetpress.com.

Deadline for image entries:
Entries will need to be submitted to director@matrixfineart.com by January 31, 2012. Entries will be uploaded to the Matrix Fine Art blog on a first-come first-served basis, with the winner being selected February 3, 2012.

See you at the opening!

The Story Behind My 1 x 15 Images

2011-12-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

These are the images that I completed for the "1 x 15" show-a group show at the Matrix Fine Art Gallery in Nob Hill. The premise of the show is, one model, 15 photographers. The model is also one of the photographers. Each photographer was able to present two images for the show.

("La Cazadora de suenos" 16" x 20" photo, wax, oil pigment, watercolor)

("La Cazadora de suenos 2" 12" x 12" photo, acrylic, watercolor, oil pigment)

Both images are originals-they are not what one would call composite work done in Photoshop or some other photo software. The image of the model is printed on Japanese paper that is treated with a digital ground. The flowers in "La Cazadora de seunos 2" are also a photograph of a surface and are printed on the same kind of Japanese paper.

Originally, this show was slated to exhibit in Dec. 2010, but got moved up an entire year for some construction work that needed to get done in the gallery. Unfortunately, for me, I was the only one who had photographed that model before it was postponed. And, that model was not available to continue on in 2011 with the photographers, so I had to re-do my photoshoot session and came up with an entirely different concept from my original shoot. In the original session, my concept was about a forgotten goddess. You can find out more about that session here (which includes my image).

The story and inspiration for "La Cazadora de suenos" comes from a shrine I created in 2010 for an on line charity project that I contribute to annually. The shrines are artfully created from cigar boxes and are sold at an on line auction-the monies raised for that auction go entirely to the street children of Oaxaca-a grass roots movement to end poverty through education.

Here's a shot of work in progress of the doll that was in that shrine for 2010:

The dress is comprised of pages from a dictionary just as my life sized version is. The life sized dream catcher was made by a blogging friend of mine, Joe Spado. And the face and headdress is inspired by the people of Omo. To loosely explain the significance of each of these things-the pages of the dictionary speak of the importance of education, the dream catcher represents the dreams that do come true with education, and the tribute to the people of Omo has to do with the limitless creativity we possess within ourselves-it speaks of our potential. And of what is possible.

The Work is Completed for the Artist In Residence Experience

2011-11-05T13:25:00.002-07:00

I always say that there is nothing like a deadline to get things done! When Donna and I wrapped up our Artist in Residence experience at the Petrified Forest National Park in October of 2010, I made arrangements for our work to be shown at the Esther Bone Library in Rio Rancho for Nov./Dec. of 2011. I figured that a year is ample time to get all the work done (because many artists do have UFO's-unfinished objects-sitting around their studio waiting and waiting for completion).
I had a few more hurdles than usual to get this work done. Not long after I returned from our trip, our business partner of 18 years did a hostile takeover of the company that my husband and his partner both started. Devastating doesn't even to begin to convey that journey (since then, we've started another lighting company from scratch-the old company wasn't worth fighting for if it meant continuing the partnership). Then the holidays came and I thought I'd be able to get the work completed in Jan./Feb. after the holidays. On Jan. 3rd, with several days of sub zero weather, our 2 story studio/office had a pipe freeze and break (on the second floor, of course, which flooded the entire building). That was more than a 2 month journey to take care of that and get back on track. Anyway, so the year went much along this up and down manner. I now have the work completed and boy, does it feel good!

I did a couple of videos: one of the experience itself and the second one is just the visual inventory of the body of work that I created from my artist in residence experience at PFNP.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AT PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK

And, here is the completed work:

(left-right) Paula and Donna in front of the display case at Esther Bone Library

(display case at Esther Bone Library)

(both of our completed work on exhibit)

Getting Geared Up!

2011-10-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

I've also been busy working on the upcoming exhibit at the Esther Bone Library for Nov/Dec. A friend of mine and fiber artist, Donna Barnitz and I will be exhibiting the work we both completed from our 2010 Artist in Residence experience at the Petrified Forest National Park. Both of us got to spend two weeks there and both of us were there at the same time and ended up sharing the same living quarters. Which was fantastic, as we both got to watch each other work. Donna was busy silk screening and pushing the limits as to how far and where she could go with it. She did a whole bunch of petroglyphs and gave me one of hers to 'play' with. I considered this more of a collaborative project.

Here's what she handed me:

And, here's what I ended up doing with it:

It was a fun journey to work with it. I am, for the most part done with this image. I might do a few more tweaks to it, but for the most part, my Petro Man is done!

Don't miss our presentation of our experience at the Petrified Forest National Park which will be held at the Esther Bone Library on Saturday, Nov. 5th at 10 a.m.

Working on my 1 x 15 Project (sneak peek)

2011-08-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

15 photographers. One model. I started this project last summer for a show scheduled for December 2010. It got postponed for December 2011 and it will be at the Matrix Fine Art Gallery in Nob Hill. To get into this show, it was by invitation only, so I am deeply honored to have been asked.

Because I knew my schedule last fall was going to be limited with my Artist in Residence at the Petrified Forest National Park in October, I scheduled my photo shoot for September and got that part done. I had planned to work on the post processing part in November. Which I did-and was nearly done when I was told about the postponement. And, would I be interested in participating in 2011? Of course, I said. Ah, but the catch was that the model we were using for the show became too ill to continue with the others. A new model was found so I would have to re shoot everything. As Eeyore would say, "oh, bother!" OK. Good excuse to try out another idea I had in mind. I wanted to do a life sized version of a shrine I had made for an on-line charity project (the shrine was 8" by 8" just to give you a sense of scale). Here's what it looked like:

And so, a few weeks ago I finally got the photo shoot done. It took me a while to get to that part of the project since I had a dress to construct (a labor intensive pain in the you know what). A friend of mine in Wisconsin, Joe Spado, made the dream catcher.

Here's a test shot

I won't say what else I am doing-I hope you are curious enough to come to the show in December on the first Friday in Nob Hill. Matrix Fine Art Gallery. Adjacent to New Grounds Print, so there will be plenty to see as they always have a demo going on at first Friday.

Oh, wait-another really interesting twist to this show. The model is also a photographer. She is one of the 15 photographers. Is your head spinning yet??? I LOVE it! I'm hedging my bet that her piece will be amongst the most riveting-just by sheer virtue of the approach.

The Albuquerque Rail Yard

2011-08-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Coming soon! a group show that I've curated...call me crazy, but I realized that many people have snuck in to the Rail Yards and have taken photos. There must be a TON of images out there in regards to the Rail Yard as it is today. Without a future...I think the developers who have expressed interest in this property really are more interested in the size of the property and its adjacency to downtown Albuquerque, the airport, Santa Fe, etc. and not really interested in the preservation of a very important historical landmark. Ah, but enough with the pontification!

THE ALBUQUERQUE RAIL YARDS EXHIBIT

For the first time ever, modern day images of the Albuquerque Rail Yard will be on exhibit. The show will run from Sept.15- Nov. 14 at the Kimo Theater art gallery. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6-8 p.m. This is the first time that a show dedicated to depicting the Rail Yard as it is today will be exhibited for the public to see.

WHAT DOES AN EXHIBIT OF THE RAIL YARD HAVE IN COMMON WITH SOCIAL MEDIA?

What makes this show unique is that the photographers are primarily from a social media group called the Flickr Albuquerque/Santa Fe Social Pool and the Enchanted Lens Camera Club. And, one of the unique things about the Albuquerque Rail Yard is its state of preservation. Virtually everything built from 1916 on still remains. It is a slice of living history.

Anyone who has been on this 27 acre site immediately falls in love with it-no matter what their age or cultural background. The public fascination for it transcends all ages and cultures. Stepping foot for the first time at the Albuquerque Rail Yards, a visitor from Germany exclaimed, “Notre Dame!”.

Indeed, the buildings of the Rail Yards do evoke a sense of being in the grandest of all cathedrals. Even today, in its state of deterioration, it fills one with a sense of wonder and rapture. Located in the Barrelas neighborhood south of downtown Albuquerque, it is amazing that most people who live in the metro area of Albuquerque have never even heard of the Albuquerque Rail Yards or are curious as to what those massive buildings are for.

The show is juried and the artist entry fees along with a portion of the sales of any of the images in the exhibit will be donated to the Wheels Museum.

     The Kimo Theater is located on 423 Central Ave. NW, in downtown Albuquerque. The
     public is welcome and the event is free. For more information about the show and to view
     more images from the Flickr Group, go to: http://abqrailyards.blogspot.com

The Raven Boy

2011-07-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

Quite the look this boy is throwing over his 'shoulder', isn't it?

He was photographed at the Petrified Forest National Park when I was there last fall as an Artist In Residence. I was doing some post processing of some of the images of ravens that I had taken while there and I really liked how this one came out. I was experimenting and there was a whole series of steps, so, if I had to recreate this image again from scratch, I would not be able to!

He will definitely be a part of the series that will be exhibited in November/December at the Esther Bone Library here in Rio Rancho.

My Review of Illusions Floater Frames

2011-07-30T08:54:00.001-07:00

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

Creating the floating canvas effect is simpler than ever! With Illusions, creating the floating canvas effect has never been easier! Back in the 1970's, artists tried to create this floating effect by placing black tape around the edges of their paintings — but today you don't nee...

Floater Frames

By Molokai Girl from Rio Rancho New Mexico on 7/30/2011

Pros: Good value for quality, Versatile

Cons: Great value

Best Uses: Artwork presentation, Wall

Describe Yourself: Semi-pro Photographer

Was this a gift?: No

As a multiple medium artist, I use the Ampersand boards quite a bit. I particularly love the 1/8" ones, but presenting them as a final product where it would look good was a challenge. I love these floater frames as it gives me the ease and ability to present my work in a professional manner with very little effort and keeping my costs down. Perfect for my encaustic works, mixed media and acrylic works.
I only wish they came in more ready made sizes that corresponded to the Ampersand line.

(legalese)

The Story Behind the "Forgotten Goddess"

2011-07-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

Last fall, 2010 I did a photo shoot with a model. I normally do not do this kind of photography. In fact, I don't remember if I ever have, save for that 'portrait' assignment in my photography class in college back in the '70's.

The reason for the photo shoot was because I was invited to participate in a group show called, 1X15: one model, 15 photographers. The show was slated for December, 2010 at the Matrix Fine Art Gallery in Nob Hill. I was the first of the group of photographers to schedule the photo shoot in anticipation of heading off to the Petrified Forest National Park in October for a 2 week artist in residence stay. Knowing that I had very little time once that hit to get my assignment done, I did my 'homework' early. In September, to be exact.

I was terrified to do this project as it really was way outside of my zone and perhaps above my technical ability. However, I know full well the value of pushing one's self beyond your comfort zone, since that is when true growth takes place. To reach beyond.

So, I developed my concept and my game plan, staged the area in my back yard where the photo shoot was to take place, figured out my lighting and what time of day, etc. since I only had the model for two hours and she had to drive down from Santa Fe. There was no room for futzing around!

I actually developed TWO completely different concepts. And shot both of them successfully. This is the second of the two concepts. I'm not sure if I will ever get a chance to exhibit the other concept; hope springs eternal.

(the "Forgotten Goddess")

The inspiration for this came from an image I saw of a statue of Venus in an Italian graveyard. Who knows how many years she had been there, fallen, hidden, and neglected.

In order to get the look I wanted, I ordered a special vegetable based white body paint and covered most of the model with this. Her hair was sprayed with white hair spray used for Halloween. I had prepared an area in my back yard especially for this scene. I was lucky that I already had the Virginia creeper vine growing up against the block wall.

With this image, I wanted to explore the notion of beauty, spirituality, neglect and decay. I drew inspiration from Botticelli's’ iconic image of Venus. One school of thought suggested that 15th century viewers of the “Birth of Venus” would have looked at the painting and would feel more closely connected to the realm of divine love. But, in the end, it doesn’t seem to matter how beautiful or how famous any particular thing is. For we, as human beings soon forget once it is out of our sight.

After all the frantic planning and scheduling involved with the photo shoot, in the last few weeks of November, it was announced that the show would be postponed and re-scheduled to take place in December 2011 at the Matrix Gallery in Nob Hill.

And, you would think that I was off the hook and able to cruise since I got my 'homework' done early, right? Wrong. This particular model became too ill to be able to anticipate when she would be well enough for the other photographers to do their photo shoot-she has an auto immune disease of the thyroid called Hashimoto's Disease. It can be quite debilitating when it acts up. So, another model was found and I will have to re-do my photo shoot with the new model. And, of course, I have no inclination to use the same concept. I have developed an entirely new concept that is nothing like this one. To date, I am still constructing the outfit that she will be wearing.

Now you know the story behind this image. I also hope that I've peaked your interest for the image that will be presented at the December show at the Matrix Fine Art Gallery. As my friend, Loiuse Martin would say, "Stay tuned. Film at 11."

Image New Mexico 2011

2011-07-06T17:33:00.001-07:00

Come Join Us at the Art Reception

Stop by and find out the story behind my image, "Forgotten Goddess".

Meet the other artists and be prepared to be wowed by the diversity and quality of this exhibit! I would contend that you will not find a better photo exhibit right now in Albuquerque and the metro area that would rival this one.