Written by On the Pacific Oregon coast a sneaker wave is one that appears without warning and is much larger than all the waves that precede it. Not an entirely apt description of personal life events thus far, but it serves. Yes, for now it works…but not the “sneaker” part. Dare say I’ve never been a good sneaker if one at all, but I am living a life filled with events larger than all the events that have come before…similar to a sneaker wave.
Mother named me after her father, Ray…hence Raylene thus shortened to Raye and now RayeRaye to lovely, longtime and forever friends, and the two teenage boys who live next door (You can follow my blog by clicking here).
My life’s palette is and continues to be colourful. Grandfather Ray started my art training as soon as I could hold a pencil. He stressed breakfast cereal box images were just as important as any museum or gallery painting. He lived in a mountain cabin with a wood-stove cooker, no television, radio or telephone, but provided his budding artist with a world of possibility, a soaring imagination and the belief that creativity comes from nothing…and everything.
College. Marriage. Kids. Death. More college and Master’s degree. Fibre artist and high school art teacher. Marriage. Leave USA and move to England. Travel the world. New experiences. Life colourful and eventful. Who knew? Eventual return to USA. Creativity continual and ever present. Winds of change.
Confession: the only college credit course I received a very low mark in was Beginning Watercolour. Yes, ‘tis true. Very. Low. Mark. The work you see here, at Charlie’s behest, is my obsessed self-taught-ness attempt at… raising that mark to a personal acceptable level.
Yes, I know…which goes to make the point that I’m no different than many other artists who get weak knee-ed when confronted with the Confident-and-Secure-Artist title.
My undergraduate degree was an independent study in fibre arts. I began as a weaver and worked my way through many areas of interest: graphics, sketching, pen and ink, oil and acrylic painting, couture design and sewing. However, my interest in weaving and fibres was the beginning of a long-standing interest in texture and colour, and what could be accomplished, once with fibres but now with water based paint; a small fistful of brushes; and endless image possibilities.
Many of my watercolour images come from photographs I have taken or, with permission, images or parts of images of and from other artists and thus begins the process of abstracting an idea. Final images are oft times accompanied with text…all part of finalizing the creative process. It sounds all very complicated does it not?
You ask, “So is it? Complicated?”
“Yes. Very”, she said grinning.
Raylene
Jots From A Small Apt.
Well told! Great images. I want to see an image of the mountain cabin.
Glad you liked this Kirk! Thanks!
Outstanding!
Agree!! 😃👍🏻 Glad you liked the feature!
Raye, your art is so free and joyful, thanks for sharing your art and interesting life story. Thank you Charlie!
Thanks Sharon!! 💕😃 Was so excited to feature Raye!!
Raye, my Queen in the Rose City, has made me smile once again. As always, love the art, but loved the personal story. Interesting that you were named after your grandfather – to whom you were also artistically bonded. Cheers to your efforts! … Clink!
Thanks for commenting! 😃 So glad you liked Raye’s feature!
Nice to meet you, exciting work!
Thanks for the comment, Cynthia!! 💕😃 So glad you liked this!
aFA…you were mentioned on my site….did you see? You ready for our Tango??? RR
I would tango with you any day, Raye! Hehe!! You’re awesome my friend! ❤️😃
Love your work & use of colors! Very vibrant!
Thanks for this! So happy you liked Raye’s art!
Raye, and we knew you when. Well done, my friend. What did that watercolor professor know. Keith
Glad you like Raye’s feature Keith! Thanks for commenting!! 😃
Oh what fun! Look forward to getting to know you and your beautiful work Raye! Thanks for sharing Charlie O! Spreader of happy, joyous art! 🙂
Hehe! Thanks Jodi!!❤️😃 Thrilled you liked this!
I can’t imagine the low marks! These are fantastic paintings!
Aren’t they?! Thanks so much for commenting, Alok! 😃
Sneaker Waves- brilliant! Love your work Raye.
Thanks Jessica! Glad use you liked this!! 💕😃
I can tell that weaving informs much of Raye’s stunning colors in her work! I have a weaver friend who also teaches color theory classes. Lovely!
Yeah…it’s really stunning work! Glad you enjoyed these, Teresa! ❤️😃
Interesting to learn more about your background, Jots! You always remain a bit of a mystery to me. But that’s a good thing, right? 🙂
My secrets, Carrie, come from sitting in dark corners and slow dancing with shadows. You know that real estate because you have dibs on the other corner…
Hehe, that I do.
Thanks for commenting Carrie! Raye is mysteriously awesome I’d say! 😉hehe
Wonderful!
Thanks Cindy! 💕😃Happy you liked Raye’s feature!
Terrific art.
JP
Thanks for commenting!! Glad ya liked this!! 😃
Raylene, it is so wonderful to see you over here. You know how I feel your words are always perfectly matched with your art. I swear, I would feel bereft to have just one of the two and just as happy to have one of the two – great. Now you’ve got me “talking” like you! xoxo Dale
Holy crap, Missy D. Twins…separated at birth. I keep sayin’…
I know…I couldn’t agree more.. XODXO
Hehe…I love this Dale! What a fun comment! 😉
Just you wait, Charlie! If both Raye and I end up on your page, we may take over… it has happened on more than one occasion! 😉 I adore her…
Haha! Feel free! I love it when friends come over and play in my sandbox! Lol
Beautiful paintings and writing! Truly imaginative. Thank you, Raye!
Thanks Kari!! 💕😃
Wow, I may have missed some of these pieces in my feed. Really gorgeous work, Raye! thanks Charlie!
Thrilled to feature Raye!! Thanks Laura!! 💜😃
lovely and creative, imagination set free! fantastic 🙂 love the analogy of Pac NW sneaker wave…. coming from that area. great work Raye! cheers, Debi
Glad you enjoyed the feature Debi!! Thanks for commenting! 😃💕
absolutely! thanks for sharing 🙂
Raye, you have definitely raised the mark. ‘Nough said. Px
Agreed!! 😃👍🏻 Thanks for the comment!
So incredibly interesting and what an amazing winding road! You need no grade, your work is magnificent!
Thanks Cathe!! I totally agree!! 💕😃
I like you already, Charlie! Gonna have to thank Raye for “introducing” us!
Awww thanks!! So happy to have met you too, Dale!! Thanks Raye!! 😉👍🏻😃
Still life is so difficult, yours are wonderfully alive. Thanks for sharing your journey. (K)
Glad you liked this Kerfe! 💕😃
Oh congrats on being a guest artist! I just love the vibrant colors of the corn cobs. You have a great style!
Thanks for the comment, Rachel!! Glad ya liked Raye’s feature! 💕😃
Interesting life and great paintings!
Love your story and your wonderful art!
your style is such fun and unique, I’m glad that teacher gave you a low mark because look at where it lead you!