Sticky Fingers Dudley

Figure Study - acrylic on canvas with palette knife © Kristye Addison Dudley

A few of our friends were in town last weekend and they were coming over to hang out. So you know what that meant...we had to straighten up around the house. It's so funny how we get in a habit of just moving things around without really getting organized. Then before you know it, everything is a mess a again. Our little toddler, aka "Sticky Fingers Dudley", has a masterful way of getting into EVERYTHING. Sometimes I just sit back and marvel at her cunning and acrobatic feats of strength to get to that one object that is seemingly out of reach. But more times than not, she finds a way.

Sometimes I get frustrated with the things that are out of my control, instead of just letting God take charge. I can learn a lot from Sticky Fingers Dudley. I can stay focused on those things that are right there in front of me and challenge myself to make the most of the things that I can control. Like keeping things away from Miss Sticky Fingers!



Kristyeaddison.com

Contact me at: kdudley@Dorilam.com

My father's advice

Dock at Sunrise - Mixed Media - Watercolor and Photo © Kristye Addison Dudley

I was always Daddy's little girl. I was basically his shadow as soon as I could walk. He was an architect and a professor. I still consider him to be the smartest person I've ever known. He taught me to draw and see the world in a completely new way.

When it was time for me to choose a major in college he asked me, "What would you do whether you got paid for it or not?". I said I would travel the world and paint. So, I majored in art.

Now that my husband is a Daddy, I can see my little girl following him around! And already at 14 months she is a total Daddy's little girl. I can't be jealous of all the attention he gets, now I know how my mother must have felt. I am sure that he will be giving KJ lots of advice and I hope that she knows that one day she can live out her wildest dreams and fulfill her life's passions.

My Father's birthday was on Monday June 13, he would have been 78 years old. I miss him dearly, but his advice is always with me. Thanks for the great advice Daddy and Happy Father's Day to all the great loving Dads out there.

Kristye
www.kristyeaddison.com
kdudley@dorilam.com

Whoomp There it is...

Magnolia Study 3 - Mixed media: photo enhanced watercolor, 8.5" x 11" © Kristye Addison Dudley

I used to be an exercise fanatic, but there's not as much time for it as I would like these days. Usually once or twice a week I get some time to go to Zumba (Latin inspired dance aerobics)! It really is a chance for me to let my hair down (or in my case let the curls loose!) and have some fun.

The music is great, the people are nice and for an hour I get to dance, laugh and sweat my cares away. Yesterday, after my class I got in the car and turned on the xm-Satellite radio. Out of the hundreds of stations I could listen to, my two favorites are 80s and 90s! "Whoomp there it is!" was playing on the radio and I had the best time doing my "totally awesome" car-karaoke!

For that short ride home, I was my good old goofy self. It's so easy to forget how to play. So I encourage you to get silly and "Whoomp" before you know it, you will be re-energized and ready to concur the world. Here is another study of the magnolias. I am really enjoying these studies. If you are interested in my artwork  Contact Me.

Love and blessings,
Kristye

Family Day

The Dudleys 2010 - Photo © Gene Ho Photography

Saturdays at the Dudley home are pretty low key. Mark likes to take KJ for a morning run in the jogging stroller and I get to enjoy a peaceful morning of painting, projects and maybe work out too. I look forward to this little bit of serenity all week. Ginger, our shy tabby cat and trusted art apprentice, keeps me company in between her naps in the sun. Yesterday started out to be another one of those mornings until...we realized we were out of one of KJ's prescriptions that she needed for the weekend.

My husband, who is a man of few words, says "Are you coming with us?". The way he said it was innocent and sweet, he was really saying "Don't stay at home and paint alone, spend the day with us!" I immediately felt terrible and told him "Of course, I will come."

Mother's guilt is an awful thing, trying to balance precious family time and time to replenish myself seems to be a ball I am constantly trying to balance. But I am so grateful to have such a understanding husband. Part of the replenishing also comes from the lovely people who you work so hard for all week.

Detail Commission in Progress © Kristye Addison Dudley

So after we refilled the prescription, we went to the farmer's market in town. I met other artists who were selling there and I enjoyed watching KJ cover herself in sticky sweet Geauxsicles - gourmet ice pops (everything here starts with "Geaux" instead of "Go"). Then we grabbed some food and it was nap time for KJ and Mark (who never takes naps). Now was the perfect time for me to PAINT!! I couldn't wait to get in the studio. Here is  a detail of the painting I am working on. I am using mainly a palette knife and I am expanding my colors a bit. I really like where it's going.

It turned out to be a beautiful family day. 
Kristye

Taking the first step

Magnolia Study 2 - Mixed media: photo enhanced watercolor, 8.5" x 11" © Kristye Addison Dudley

Before being married, I lived in a cool three story town home in the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta. It had a huge garage that I converted into my studio and I painted some great work there and used it as a place to try just about anything creative. I worked in clay and built small sculptures, had a screen printing press, and more. It was where I really felt most free to explore and make a total carefree mess. I would turn up my music and let my paint (and myself) dance with the canvas. We sold that townhouse yesterday! But even though there were great memories there, I am happy to step into this next chapter.

KJ, my 13 month old daughter, just learned to walk a couple of months ago. She was very timid at first, but now she is trying to run. For example, we used to carry her out to the car in the morning, but now she wants to walk on her own. I guess that's just the way life is. Sometimes it's hard to take those first steps, but then with God's guidance, we are able to run on to whatever his will has in store for us.

Stay tuned, as this door closes I am so excited about what the future holds. The study of this magnolia is another one of those steps. I have always loved photography, and I have tons of it. So I am exploring new ways to work with it. I enjoyed using water color to bring life to this flower. It's a work in progress, but so am I.

Love and blessings,
Kristye