What's New from Author & Artist DJ Geribo

Writings & Musings

Parts That Make a Whole

A beginning, a middle, and an end. Those are the three necessary parts of a story. But that is far from all that is needed to tell a compelling tale.

You must have a plot and preferably one with a twist. There may be a problem with a solution to follow, as well. And along the road you meet the main characters, finding out more about the story through their development.

Link to DJ Geribo's Writing Blog.

On My Easel

This is when things get a little sticky for me. Since I didn’t accomplish with my writing quite what I had planned to accomplish over the winter months, I’m now feeling the pressure of finishing paintings and books before the summer ends. But as for my paintings, my focus right now is the award show for the Lakes Region Art Assoc. which is coming up in July. I promised myself that I would complete two paintings for this show; one in pastels and one in oils. I am pretty much finished with the one in pastels, a fall lake scene, and also the one in oils, a koi fish in an outdoor pond scene.

I like working on new work in two different mediums at the same time because it gives me the opportunity to paint with both and become more proficient in both, instead of working only in one medium at a time. Plus, I have found a lot of cross-over in learning when using the different mediums; working in one medium always teaches me techniques that enhance my knowledge in another medium. Although they all have characteristics that are unique to them there are still certain techniques that serve all mediums. So, just painting, whatever your medium of choice, will help you grow and become a more proficient artist.

This is most of my new display at Vynnart Gallery in Meredith, NH.

Go to My Website to See My Latest Paintings

Every year, the Lakes Region Art Association has an awards show for its members. I planned for it this year and decided I needed to paint two new paintings; one in pastels and one in oils. The painting to the left "Koi Falls" is my oil submission.

You never know where you'll find a pond with Koi fish so I try to remember to always have my camera with me. The reference photo for this painting was taken at a greenhouse garden center. A waterfall is a nice touch and added to the overall composition of the painting. Even though there were several Koi fish in the pond, I thought having a single Koi fish would make a more compelling painting.

The waterfall was fun to paint, especially since I haven't had much experience with painting them. That is when it helps to have another pair of eyes. So, I asked my husband, Jim, to tell me what he thought of the painting. He went right to the waterfall, commenting that I had too much white on the falling water. I looked at the photo and decided he was right so I changed it and immediately I saw a difference. The water that has fallen and has either hit a rock, halfway down, or hit the bottom, is very white. But while falling you actually see more of the rocks behind. That was a very helpful observation.

Now, hopefully the judges will see the same thing and decide it is a painting worthy of an award. Or even better, a buyer will fall in love with it!

Authistpreneur

author/artist/entrepreneur

Someone who is an author, an artist, and an entrepreneur. Any person who writes or has a published novel, who paints fine art/illustrations, and also has established businesses using the combination of artistic talents.
- DJ Geribo

What I'm Reading

I have fallen in love with Roald Dahl! I just read “The BFG” that was recently made into a motion picture by Steven Spielberg. Having just read the book, I’m looking forward to seeing the movie. I’ve also just read “The Witches”, another fun book that I not only enjoyed reading but also found inspiration in how I want to add illustrations to my latest book. My next book will be a little different: although it is a children’s book, I will be creating black and white illustrations throughout the book, similar to how both The BFG and The Witches are laid out. You never know where your inspiration will come from but I can’t think of a better model than one created by Roald Dahl!

I also read “To Kill a Mockingbird”. A novel that many read in school, it is a classic as well as a Pulitzer prize winner. The prejudices of the south are at the roots of the novel. Told through the eyes of Scout, a nine-year-old girl, the lessons she learns from her father, who is representing an innocent man accused of rape, and the lessons she learns from many of the people in the small town of Macomb, are in conflict.