Art of Heather Friedli

The art and life of a woman exploring her dreams, spirituality and cultural heritage in America.

[friedliarts]

Those of you who know, know I’m an avid outdoorswoman with many years of experience under my belt. I have logged more time in the wilderness in the past 15 years than most will in a lifetime. I am a survivor. I am strong. I will be taking a solo canoe trip in the Boundary Waters soon and I’m VERY excited! I will be painting and paddling every day. The route I’m taking is very scenic, and when my journey is over I will blog about this trip. Expect paintings, video, and many stories coming up on my Tumblr page at www.friedliarts.tumblr.com

[friedliarts]

Hi everyone! It's been a little while since my last entry but I'm getting back up on this old horse! I've been arting along nicely!

[friedliarts]

Dance like no one is watching - Stomp style!

A dream I had tonight. I had signed up for a charity 5K that was a supposed “Comedy Run”. The run was coupled with a comedian conference, at a bar. It was also a comedy competition where runners had to submit a 1-3 minute reel of them doing a bit of their work. The rules of the run gave specific times for check in (1 pm), reel submission (3pm), run (4pm), awards and drinks at the bar (8pm). In my dream I checked in on time, but being the disorganized slacker that I can be on occasion, I promptly lost my packet of information about the reel I needed to submit for my competition. Panicked and with more slacking, I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do for my reel clip, and I knew I only had an hour left till the submission was due. I took a walk, and came up with a plan to sing this beautific song that we would film in black and white at a church with dramatic angles and focus while playing on the drama as comedy. I told Ben my plan and he immediately turned around and had my sister do that one! I was pissed he gave away my idea, and that she stole it! I then made Ben come with me to figure out and film a new one, and to help film his. We ended up with this group of hilarious people that were really intelligent and into Shakespeare humor. I saw my friend Food Network there from my Appalachian Trail hike recording a Shakespeare number! Ben got inspired to film a reel that Combined Shakespeare and Meatloaf while donning a black curly wig! Hilarious! What was I going to do to follow up that act? Instead of keeping my cool while time was fleeing, I started to cry and blame Ben for telling my sister my best idea, and blaming her for taking it and stealing my video idea. While watching done of the other Shakesperian guys banging on things with sticks, I got an idea. I told Ben to roll camera, and with three minutes left until submission was due, I pulled out of my ass an amazing Stomp style comedy act where I used items I found in the room around me like sticks, Alan wrenches, Pots and pans. I danced around the whole room banging out sweet rhythms and using my body as prop. It was some pure, impromptu, procrastination genius! We rushed over to submit my work, and just barely missed the deadline. I woke up before we found out If they would accept it a few minutes late. I hope they did.

[friedliarts]

Working on a commission piece. This fall has been so hard to find a moment to work, that when I do get a nice block of time to paint I’m thrilled! Coming along nicely!

[friedliarts]

Studio Time! What do you listen to while making art?

Day off from other work= in the studio!

But sometimes hard to motivate.  I don’t always feel like working on art business, but I’ve got to work when I can.  The laundry and bedroom cleanup can wait today.  Orion will be hanging out with Grandma this afternoon.  It’s a beautiful day outside which means great studio lighting!  Going to turn on my jams (probably some reggae or NPR “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!”) and get my groove on!  What do you listen to in the studio to get in the zone?

[friedliarts]

Start the Revolution

In tonight's dream, I was sleeping in wolf skins and laying there while a wolf came and sniffed me under the skins. It walked away. I then went to the local food shelf and realized I had the power to fill it up with food, so I did. Suddenly a great battle was being waged outside, and I started Shouting "Start the Revolution! Start the Revolution!"

[friedliarts]

Dream

Had a dream that my husband and I had a little home in the woods. We were outside when a volcano started erupting and spewing noxious gas up into the air not too far from us. We ducked into our house so we could come up with a plan on how we would escape. Just then, a neighbor from down the mountain came over and knocked on the door. I told Ben I did not want to let him in because he had a very scary Hicksville home Down the mountain and he seemed up to no good. But Ben let him in anyway and chatted with him for a while. His wife and two children came into our house and the kids were so sweet that all my fears melted away! Then, Ben and the neighbor had a burly man competition where they dressed up like 1776 in buckles and tri-corner hats and lifted heavy weights shirtless! Funny!

[friedliarts]

Operation Achieve Flow State

In order to be in the studio successfully I’ve made it a priority to try and attain a flow state of mind. I’ve walked the dogs to relax my body and mind. I’ve been playing baroque music. While I paint I try to let the paint just flow out of my brush. Was it Bob Ross that said the happy tree was inside your brush just waiting to come out? I’m working on that :)

Had a dream last night where I was flying. I was lucidity able to control how I flew, I did flips and soared and flew up onto a roof! This is the first time while in a flying dream I was able to fly without the usual struggle. Flying in dreams to me takes effort. Tonight, it was effortless. I finally felt free!

[friedliarts]

Studio Time

Having fun in the studio right now working on a commission piece. I have been working so hard lately on so many other things, such as moving, organizing our new living space, caring for my child, managing a full time other job, and scheduling around my husband’s full time school schedule! It’s been bonkers, but I’m happy to put in a few hours a week here.

I have completed the underpainting. I’m working on values in colors approximate to where I hope the final colors are. I will have to play some with the composition but it’s close. In finding that I really enjoy painting rocks. Something about the sketchy blocky colorful nature of rocks gets me excited about the paint on my brush! I’m also enjoying the wrinkles in fabric, and subtle play of the fabrics hue, intensity and value. I think this love is similar to the rocks with its blocky shapes and fun color. I think this winter I’m going to study rocks at the University and do rock paintings! That and study the pollinators. Next summer, watch for rocks and bugs from this lady!

[friedliarts]

Dream I can't shake

I had a dream the other night that has lived in my mind since. A jaguar came to me in a dream and I was scared but stood my ground. It was outside in the dark, and I was inside but with the door open. It wanted to come in but my presence scared it away. What does this all mean?

[friedliarts]

Duluth Lift Bridge at Sunset 24"x36" Oil on Masonite Commission work. Prints of work on request.

[friedliarts]

Work in progress. Duluth Lift Bridge Monet inspired sunset piece. Commission.

[friedliarts]

POWDERHORN ART FAIR!!!  This weekend!!!  Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-5.  Don’t miss out on this amazing art adventure!  I have these cool Minnesota Floral Tees for sale, $30!  I bet you 100% They sell out at this event, so get yours today at www.etsy.com/shop/friedliarts or let me know and I’ll reserve one for you to pick up at the park!

[friedliarts]

www.etsy.com/shop/friedliarts

http://aftonartfair.com/?110040

[friedliarts]

Making frames for my art!

[friedliarts]

Art Fair Season

Summer is rapidly approaching! Time for art fair season. My heart is all a flutter as I tick the boxes of my to do list. Get prints, make brochures, frame paintings, update website. It’s all the business of art. I’m excited to travel this summer around Minnesota selling my art! So far I will be at Excelsior on the Lake June 13-14, Powderhorn Art Fair August 8-9, Austin Artworks in Austin MN August 22-23. I’m also hoping to get into the Afton Strawberry Festival, Cannon Art and Wine, and a little one called Artstock Art and Wine. So far if all goes according to plan I will have two Fairs a month. Were! Here goes the summer of ART!

#artfair

[friedliarts]

Body Buzz

Anytime I do creative work lately, be it painting or building frames, I get this full body buzz afterwards. The other day I even had strange dreams. Today I feel giddy and pumped full of endorphins. After working in the woodshop I just wanted to make more. I am awake and full of life!