Back On Guam

My studio is currently on hold. Although I do still have everything ready for inspiration to hit...

My blog has been a bit quiet lately. After a very busy year in Denmark, I am now back in the tropics, back on Guam. In the past few weeks I've had a few loose ends on the Danish side to finish before returning. And since arriving here, we have done very little other than unpack. But now we are finally settled back in, in new surroundings. Very little (if anything) seems to have changed here on the rock this past year.

And it IS in fact very nice to be back!

We do live in another house (hence the new surroundings). So, my huge, light and stunning studio is no longer in existence. This house is a lot smaller, and with no real room for an actual work room. But that is okay in every way. As I have something else on my mind at the moment: I am pregnant, and that takes up a lot of my thoughts and mental energy. I am very excited about this new aspect of life...

I have kept my art supplies handy, and I am sure I will be working on various project, throughout the year. (- I do have a pet portrait to finish in time for Christmas) I will just work a little differently this time around. And this blog may change a little, take on a new form. And then again - maybe not. I'll have to see that happens in my work and in life...

The Art Of Finding Art Materials On Guam

On Monday, my husband and I drove South on Guam, to run some errands. At the same time I thought it would be interesting to check out the art supply stores on the Island. I have already started working in my new work space, and I noticed I was getting low on burned umbra, as well as light cadmium red. We stopped in at the first place I was told about, a fairly large arts and craft store. They had craft materials in abundance, yarn, scrap-booking, you name it... But the painting was less than impressive. I found one little lonely tube of lemon yellow, laying there alone in a sea of water mixable oils in all colors. I want acrylics only, and I left the store, crossing my fingers I would have more luck in the next place...

The next attempt was an office supply store(?). I was told that they did at times sell art materials as well. I quickly found the art section. Not much luck here either. They had gallons of children's‘ arts and crafts paint with and without glitter... Hmmmm. Still not exactly what I was after. The canvas section offered three small canvas boards, dangerously overpriced. That was it.

My enthusiasm was getting pretty low, as we stepped into the third shop, another office supply store. In my mind I was thinking I probably had to order online instead - always a hassle when it comes to these matters... But I was pleasantly surprised. This third store actually had a very nice art area. Quality art pads, charcoal, pastels and just about everything else you may need. I fund a shelf full of small acrylic paints only. I went a little overboard - almost emptied the section, thinking I may not be that lucky next time. So far been my experience here is that, with any item it is a hit or miss. The grocery store may have mangos one week - but the next you can only get pomegranates. So I filled up on acrylics in all the colors of the rainbow and went to pay. By the cash register I was told that I can in fact special order any art supply I need, and I was given the name of the person in charge. I went home happy and quite hopeful. And with a missing thought on my regular art store in NJ, “Pearl” - That was indeed a true cornucopia of art supplies... Guess I didn’t really appreciate until now. Had I thought ahead, I would probably have filled up before leaving.

But, maybe there’s still hope as I may be able to order supplies. I’ll start a list of things I need to continue my way of painting...