Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Kitchen Dance is in the final editing and formatting stages with a release date of January 28, 2013 by Melange Books, LLC. Like my page on Facebook at The Kitchen Dance!
Joule Dalton, a successful interior designer with a prestigious architectural firm, lived her life choreographed by her loved ones until a tragedy forces her to learn her own steps. Allen Brooks has endured his own share of manipulations and all his hard work and sacrifice has left him with nothing. He wears his troubles like the too large overcoat he picked up at a mission while living on the streets. This coat brings them together in an unexpected way. Joule takes the misfortunate Allen into her home in hopes of turning his life around. She gives him a place to live, a job, even introduces him to her wealthy friends. What she does not give him is her trust. This he must earn. The two combine their dreams and create a wonderful relationship. Then Allen gets a call that will challenge his sense of responsibility. He makes a choice, one that Joule cannot begrudge. Allen struggles with his decision while Joule goes back to her old life until they both realize what they really want.
 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Gourd Lamp by Geri




I am a gourd artist and have recently seen various gourd lamps and thought I would give it a try.
This is a small irregular shaped gourd grown in Douglas, LA several years ago.  Due to the gourd's assymetrical shape I just allowed myself to have some fun drilling holes in random lines and shapes then creating cutouts (usually from cracks created by the pressure I was putting on it with the drill) on the larger part of the gourd as if its growth had caused these random openings.
Tools:
Drill or Drill Press with random bits (too small: not effective for my purpose and too large: created chipped holes and splits which gives you little choice but to GET CREATIVE!!!!)
X-acto Knife (for cutting random shaped holes)
Wood Rasp (cleaning and beveling random shaped holes and opening for light fitting)
Sand Paper
Pencil (for drawing designs)

Materials:
Gourd
Gold spray paint, gourd dye, gourd wax and steel wool (I will explain)
Some form of stand.  This was just something I found at Goodwill and thought I could use it for a gourd.

Light Kit (I used the type you see for ceramic holiday houses but found one with a brown cord)

LED light (candle style comparable to 15 W bulb)  USE LED ONLY!!!!
I cut off the neck of the gourd at a point that was large enough to accommodate the  LED light and, using the wood rasp, smoothed the opening.  I dumped the seeds and debris out of the gourd.  This one was relatively easy to clean.

I drew some lines then alternated drill bits creating a series of holes.  If I split the gourd creating a hole I just used the X-acto knife.  Then I let the "art major" in me come out and looked for ways to turn my work into a better design addressing each line and shape to create a crafty work of art.
I used dyes (reds, greens, purple, and browns) as the under glaze.  Once dry, I sprayed the inside of the gourd gold (to compliment the base) and lightly sprayed the dyed outer part of the gourd then used steel wool to scratch off the gold spray paint revealing the dye beneath.  This gives my gourd a vintage burnished look that i really like.  Once dry, I gave the gourd a good coat of gourd wax then buffed to a nice finish. 
I ran the light kit with the LED candlelabra bulb through the center of the stand and inserted into the gourd.  On this particular kit I had to adjust the tension pieces to accomdate the larger opening.
My advice: Do this on a gourd you could stand to toss if it doesn't work out.  In my case, little cracks, chips and splits (common on thinner gourds) just "encouraged" my creativity!!!!  I have other, more symetrical, gourds that I will attempt to create a deliberate pattern but as for this gourd, I am really pleased with how it turned out.  I learned a lot in the process of creating it and do not consider it a "practice" gourd, but an actual work of art.  The patterns of light on the wall are delightful and you can rotate the gourd to get different effects.
Remember...I teach classes and have all the tools and materials to help you craft your own gourd lamp!!!!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Book Cover Art by Geri G. Taylor

These are all book covers I designed for the books I wrote or am in the process of writing. It is my goal this year to finish them ALL and get them published.
See how I've been spending my "Creative Daze"!
Please let me know which books appeal to you as a reader.
The Kitchen Dance (Complete) Women's Fiction
Cover Version 1

The Kitchen Dance (Complete) Women's Fiction
Version 2

Joule Dalton, a successful interior designer with a prestigious architectural firm, lived her life choreographed by her loved ones until a tragedy forces her to learn her own steps.  Allen Brooks has endured his own share of manipulations and all his hard work and sacrifice has left him with nothing. He wears his troubles like the too large overcoat he picked up at a mission while living on the streets. This coat brings them together in an unexpected way. Joule takes the misfortunate Allen into her home in hopes of turning his life around. She gives him a place to live, a job, even introduces him to her wealthy friends. What she does not give him is her trust. This he must earn. The two combine their dreams and create a wonderful relationship. Then Allen gets a call that will challenge his sense of responsibility. He makes a choice, one that Joule cannot begrudge. Allen struggles with his decision while Joule goes back to her old life until they both realize what they really want.

Fearfully Made (Novel WIP) Science Fiction

After The Resource Wars mankind has no choice but to regenerate its species as quickly as possible while still defending what is left of their resources and government structure. Soldiers are massed produce as DNA enhanced fighting machines without souls or compassion. That is until one particular Gamma encounters Elisabeth, a linguist  sent to do diplomatic work on the closest hospitable planet. The same planet where the Gamma Troops are sent to prepare and defend a sight for human colonization. 

This Science Fiction Romantic Thriller has more twists and turns than a  double helical conformation .

The Darkhouse (Original Screenplay to Novel) Murder Mystery
Kakie Thomas, a larceny detective with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department, has opened a Pandora’s Box that will implicate those closest to her in a consortium of bribery and drug trafficking. Sam Gaston, has just accepted the position as head of her department; a position Kakie deserved. Sam forcible takes Kakie to his cabin. In the icy cold of a darkhouse on a frozen Minnesota lake, Kakie learns that Sam has his own secrets hidden away in that box. Whether his motives are to keep her safe or shut her up permanently remain to be seen.

The Other Mona Lisa (Novel Concept)

Mona Lisa Hollingworth hated her name. Perhaps all the teasing she received  growing up from the son a prominent business man taught her resilience.      Although her name was well known, a dark secret from her youth was not.

When her small town’s prodigal son returns for his father’s funeral, he finds no fatted calf. Instead he gets his deserved judgment for his misspent youth. Finally, the mystery is revealed behind the other Mona Lisa’s smile.

Ki11er (Novel Concept) Murder Mistery

When 11 unsolved murder cases land on the desk of FBI agent, Rigg Braxton, he starts playing the underground internet game Justifiable Homicide to unravel the clues. What he finds is an addiction to vengeance that can turn anyone into a ki11er.



The Man with the Crow Tattoo (Novel Concept) Women's Fiction

Tannis knew to avoid him. In fact she had  managed to stay clear of Jim for the first few weeks of class. Then he spoke to her and mentioned someone she knew from college.  Still he made her nervous. Then she saw his crow tattoo and suddenly everything changed. A  muse arose from an intimidating man and in an instant her dull existence transformed into one of unlimited creative  possibilities.


Geri G. Taylor is a multidisciplinary  artist, photographer, actress, playwright, writer, and community volunteer living in Ruston, LA with her husband, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. She graduated Louisiana Tech University with three degrees in  business, art and art education.







Please let me know what novels appeal to you as a reader.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Collectors Corner, Inc Certificate of Authenticity and other Ruses

In the early 1980's I bought into one of those "home party" schemes called Collectors Corner, Inc. similar to that of Home Interiors but with original artwork, signed and limited prints, and paintings with Certificates of Authenticity labels on the back.  It was always my dream (and I based my college education) to be an Art Gallery owner and this company offered the concept of being an Art Dealer from my very own home!

I recently found a painting with such a label at the Goodwill in Ruston, LA and, being a charitable individual, paid the $9.99 asking price, not only for nostaligic reasons, but because I actually liked the "painting".

Signed by what appears to read J. Rodriguz, this framed 8x10 painting of musicians (appears to be children playing recorders) was sold by this company that is apparently no longer in business.  On the back of the canvas is a very faded Certificate of Authenticity numbered B19921G.

I searched the internet but found nothing that pertained to my particular piece but what I did find was several art collectors looking for information on the value of their work from the same company with COAa (Certificates of Authenticity) and were getting few if any answers.

First, let me explain how this company worked.  Very similar to that of Home Interiors, Longaberger, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and other home party businesses, I was required to purchase a "kit" that at the time was around $150.00 which was a LOT of money for me in the early 80's.  It came with a catalog, a few unframed prints, a box full of frame corners and mat samples.  My job was to host parties just like the other home party businesses, encourage others to host parties for incentives, and offer to go to individuals homes to help them order art from our catalog that enhanced the style of their home.

As it turned out, at the time, I could not afford their framed paintings that easily cost between $100 to $1500 due to their "authenticity" let alone their framed prints generally costing $100-$350 which made it very difficult for me purchase any to display at my "shows" or to sell something even I could not afford to buy!

Needless to say, I failed miserably and disparingly chalked it up to an expensive life lesson.

Now, nearly 30 years later, I find this adorable painting that, in its day, probably ran around $100 and came with a spiel that it was an excellent art investment and would no doubt increase in value. 

During my search for the company Collectors Corner, Inc and the COAs I found many others seeking answers for their value, and to this I say....do YOU like?  Then that is its value.

I also found a post at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110727193341AA9frXA regarding "production art" that seemed applicable to the answers these art collectors were seeking but I am not saying it is actually true in this case but it is a common method for mass producing art for consumers at affordable prices and typically sold as original paintings in "starving artists" sales and chain furniture stores.

As I tell many people, buy art because you love it and it speaks to you.  Art is like the stock market and real estate, it can go either way.  Hopefully, one day that original painting you bought from an artist because it looked so great over your devan WILL be worth several times what you paid for it...or maybe not.

But love it all the same.

I do want to add this thought that I was considering writing an entire blog about it but I feel it can be summed up in a few words.

I recently participated in artist tour and was pleased to see the work by local artisans.  I am told some of the artists did well, however, my particular sales were low.  This fell on the heels of attending a "ladies night" at Paul Michael's in Monroe, LA where women were loading their baskets with massed produced home decor items made in China. 

If you have the descretionary income to spend on home decor, why not make valuable use of it and support local artisans?  Why succomb to the marketing manipulation of the "keeping up with the Jone's" mentality retailers so pray on to sell massively reproduced overpriced trinkets that will become next year's "garage sale fodder" (thank you "Toy Story" for making that such a notable phrase) instead of investing in your community arts as well as your state and country's economy?

There I've said it!

I have a huge collection of original art work by many artists that may never amount to anything except that I love it and enjoy displaying it my home, and as the rest of my decor is smathering of all that garage sale fodder you bought for 10 times what you sold it for!  LOL!

 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Accidental Art, Photoshop, and Other Ways to Make You Smile!

Although fun, I don't usually transform someone's photo into a "Glamor Shot" with Photoshop Elements9 but I did find the opportunity to touch up an "oops" image when my subject turned quickly to swoosh her hair and I captured this shot.  I though her eyes looked great (which they usually do) SO..... I had a little fun with this "Accidental Art".



 My subject had been dancing and developed a bit of a glow in the 95+degree late afternoon Louisiana heat.
original 
This is the image that follows the oops.
Some touching up.
I took over 1200 shots in a 4 hour shoot.  She had 5 outfit and hair changes.
and a little bit of airbrush work.


I added a layer with a FRESCO filter

Below are mores samples with no retouches.









Friday, December 31, 2010

Creative Gift Giving and Other ways to get the best Holiday Photos!

My son, Ross, has been wanting a set of double kick pedals for his bass drum but did not request them for Christmas. We had already spent a bundle on a huge Star Wars Lego set with 1758 pieces and I was looking for some things to fill their nesting boxes...a little Christmas tradition in the Taylor household.  Every year I divide up the 10 boxes between the boys and tie them up with two different color ribbons (one for each son) then tell them which color is theirs on Christmas day.
I have taken photos of Ross standing by these nesting boxes for the past few years.

Then, call it a Christmas miracle, I actually found a gently (if you can use that term in percussion speak) used pair on craigslist for a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, the double kick pedals were way too large to fit in even the largest of the nesting boxes so Phil (my husband) decided to take off one piece that would fit and just wrap that.

What happened on Christmas morning made for some interesting photography and fond Christmas morning memories.
He finds the piece in the largest of the nesting boxes.
We ask him if he can figure out what it is.
Then after several agonizing minutes and failed guesses, his Dad gave in and went to retrieve the REST of the gift from the closet.

 

I just love the look on his face!

I think he is pleasantly surprised!
And that's what makes great Christmas memories.


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Cypress Knee Santas, Popeyes and other ways to Celebrate Christmas!


I have just spent about 40 hours painting 8 cypress knees most of which are going to the daughters-in-laws of a very sweet man who harvests the cypress knees from his property, boils them til the bark is soft enough to pull off, and dries them in his oven.
There is nothing quite like the smell of cypress knees drying in the oven.
Why I forgot to photograph the naked cypress knees before I painted them, I have no idea, but there is something curious about the twists and knobs on the knees that just speak to me.  Just check out this LINK to get an idea of what they look like naked.  Not all cypress knees can be a Santa Claus, although I've seen other artists just slap a face and beard on any old thing (actually, I've done that as well) so I like to "find" the Santa in cypress knee.
My friend, who began bringing me his cypress knees to paint about 10 years ago, made some special requests for this year's lot that reflected the individuals who would be receiving them as Christmas gifts.

My friend's family has grown in the past couple of years with the addition of two grandson's, a 21 month old and one just born on Monday the 20th, and two more special grandsons by marriage all who call him "Popeye".
So I want to share these with you all.  The tallest of the lot is only 9 inches tall and the smallest (not pictured with this group and was to be a gift for a friend at work) was only 2 inches.
Here are some other photos of the individual cypress knees.