Blog - Page 9 of 52 - PaolaPrints

Life in Black and White

January 29, 2019

I will die a colorist. At the same time. In the beginning, an artist has to deny her creative self and start simply. It’s part of any learning process, regardless of vocation. The markers are everywhere. How often have you heard the words “Baby steps; One day at a time; or First things first?” In art school, Drawing 101 begins with charcoal and a still life. Fast forward. One lens used in the new film Roma cost in the neighborhood of $80,000. Film director Alfonso Cuaron did NOT get there overnight. Roma lead actress, Yalitza Aparicio is new to acting
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Summertime in Winter

January 22, 2019

In the northeast this time of year, it’s easy to fantasize about bright colors and blessed memories of summertime. Let’s indulge! The first white phlox of the garden are in bloom. And…paper whites are on the ascendancy. I’m not quite there. Some people take off for a warmer climate this time of year. What are the other options? Well, this artist thrills to the creation of sunny images with power to transport the imagination. This was a busy week for Paola Prints. We’re getting a print order ready for two new designs and have almost finished a third. The Blues
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An Artist’s Escape

January 15, 2019

Today was a difficult day, once again navigating the days preceding my older sister’s passing. As difficult as one can imagine that is, it’s sometimes harder to navigate other family needs related to their responses. It’s all part of life. We have the power to change some of it, but most, not so much. As an artist, I’m forever grateful for access to creativity that helps mitigate external forces beyond my control. I treasure the ability to tap into the energy that exercises beauty and strength for good. I had the pleasure of shooting a fantastic local lily pond a
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Where Do Colors Come From?

January 12, 2019

Having worked in color all my life, I’ve never been intimidated by its use. Add to that an obsession with fairy tales and well, we’re off! I remember when a very successful decorator, on seeing my brightly colored pillows in NYC became vexed with me. “Too much color! Didn’t I know, color is intended for walls-as ART?” I admit it, I’m a little color crazed. But why does art have to be limited to walls? Overtime, I came to see a certain wisdom in her comments. Color, is challenging to integrate, and color carries with it, certain moods, which further
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Happiness is Jumping Into Life

January 8, 2019

If you’re like most of us settling in for winter, you know how important filling your days with good activities is. For me a lot has to do with creativity. Having just finished a new scarf “The Blues,” it seems a fitting time to share what I’ve learned about warding off the blues. Light and color are two incredibly important elements in a day that have the power to elevate one’s spirits. The photo today is actually one I took this morning- And how dreary looking it is outside! So, of course, I opted for fantasy to escape the drab
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And So We Go On

January 5, 2019

The Christmas tree is pretty dry but I refuse to take it down until after January 6- the Feast of the Epiphany. It’s celebrated by many as the day the three kings visited baby Jesus. Growing up in the Catholic tradition, and, thanks to my artist parents, we always kept the tree up at least till the 6th. Truthfully, if you can manage falling pine needles, the lights provide welcome respite from cold dark evenings. A pleasant ruse to keep the holiday magic going a little longer. I’ll take it. All good things continue on. Indoors and outdoors. What do
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Winter Blues

December 29, 2018

Everybody knows that winter is here and yet, in Connecticut, we’re not seeing too much snow on the ground. I’m not complaining- it’s just a reminder. Winter blues are on the runway, waiting until holiday excuses have melted away. Are you ready to face that time? I’m being proactive this year. Winter Blues, a new Paola scarf under construction, is my way of engaging intense color this time of year. It’s imbued with power to lift spirits as we head into the New Year. What are you doing? Color in Winter Many of us add red berries to evergreen for
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Desperately Seeking Holiday Love

December 18, 2018

Holidays are all about “matters of the heart”. I often wish we could divorce ourselves from the “stuff of giving” and focus on doing things for the “love”of it. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a real material girl at holiday time. Remember the Madonna movie called “Desperately Seeking Susan?” Great show and one that showcased the becoming of a late bloomer who thought love had passed her by. And they did it through the material world. all the stuff of new clothes and holidays. It’s that time of year. We’re once again caving to frantic pre Christmas shopping stuff and
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Final Holiday Gift Scarf Call

December 15, 2018

Ok, I’m not a huge Pantone color of the year follower EXCEPT when I love the color. That would be Living Coral for 2019. Orange and pink, all rolled together. Living Color just happens to be the dominant hue of two new Paola scarves. Bouquet One and Two. I put my daughter Bridget into both to model for this post. Do you love the rose overplay of Bouquet Two? I added a translucent rose over top of the basic Bouquet One. I find both adorable but that could be my fixation on those hues. Sewing has become a respite for
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Which Way Forward the Artist’s Work?

December 4, 2018

I read an article in the New York Times recently that chronicles a Japanese artist who has over a lifetime, worked painstakingly to create beautiful fabric using indigo dyes and the ancient process of katazome- the traditional craft of stencil-printed indigo-dyed fabric for kimonos. His work is gorgeous and meticulously fashioned. Related Images:
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