When you are struggling, it is nice to know there are those who will stand by, patiently waiting to lend comfort or support....or offer critique of your latest experiment........ (or maybe they are just waiting for their dinner)
I have several projects going at once, and will post more soon! :) Happy Painting!
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Last Summer I was visiting Seneca Rocks visitors center during an exhibit of Chair Caning. Of course, I was more interested in the fellow who was doing the caning rather than the product he produced, but it was fascinating to watch. I was particularly interested in his hands that bent and stretched the strips, and imagined that each intricate seat he produced was something he had labored over and put himself into as he created it.
While I learned new techniques for landscapes at the WVWS workshop, I am keeping to my own technique of building layers for my portraits. I'll keep you posted on the progress, an hope to have this one done for the Forest Festival. Summer vacation is a loose term for my busy season. I try to use my short time off to paint and develop new techniques, and maybe even learn a few new things.
This summer I was fortunate to attend the WVWS workshop featuring Z L Feng. I was drawn to his artwork for the depth of contrast in his portraits (check out www.ZLFengart.com ) But I was enthralled by the color and flow of his landscape paintings. I have always been drawn to the emotions expressed in faces, but I believe you can express feelings through landscape painting as well. (I'm just not very well schooled in it!) Mr. Feng taught "flow" or "CHI" during painting, which was definitely something I could identify with. Above is an example of one of my attempts at painting a landscape. I am always mesmerized by the fog in the valleys of the mountains, and would love to develop my own way to express that feeling. This workshop gave me some basic tools to build with. I struggled with wet on wet painting until I tried using my technique for my PEARS on the mountains. Turns out, I CAN do that! I've used the Black&White copy to help evaluate the values in this composition. Using what I learned in the workshop, I think I need to go darker in the foreground for a little drama. I am enjoying working with these landscapes, and hope to eventually produce something I can show. Meanwhile, I am drinking my tea and maintaining my "CHI". Continuing my practice with fruit, this small painting was donated (when finished) to the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce. It was an honor to be asked to participate, and I am so glad to se all te exciting changes happening "Uptown". I tried to emphasize the greys in the glassware to highlight the colors in the fruit. I learned the skill of glazing an used it on the green pear in the back to "Negotiation" was juried into the WVWS 204 Aqueous exhibit in Wheeling, WV. The Wheeling Artisan Center is a spectacular venue for showcasing talent in our state. You can view photos of our exhibit and award winners at WWW.WVWatercolorsociety.org The exhibit continues through June 10th. In keeping with "Thinking Spring", I have been experimenting with flowers. friend had asked for tulips, so I thought that was a good place to start. Starting with a good drawing, I focused on jus the shapes and let the colors mix on the paper. I used several reference photos I took with my cell phone to model the tulips, arranging them to fit my painting. The pears, of course, were from my head. What I liked most about this exercise was the new look I had of the tulips. I had never really studied them, thinking they were all prim and straight. I enjoyed seeing all the many colors and shapes, especially the large open one. I made this my focus and finished the whole thing with embossing powders. Now I can't wait to do more flowers! At least at this time of year, if we get a "good snow" (?), we know it won't last forever! I am ready for Spring and warmer weather, so I pulled out the drawing I had begun in the fall. This photo was taken on the pier at Harbour Town in Hilton Head, SC several years ago. The weathered boardwalk has since been "upgraded" and covered with a recycled , non slip material like turf. Looks & feels nice, but it doesn't have the charm shown in this photo.
I can still feel the warm sun reflecting off the water, & I want that to be the feeling in this painting. I was fascinated with the colors of the crab, and the way he seems to be "negotiating" with the kids. --I wonder who won? I re-arranged the composition to focus more on the crab, making him larger, and connecting the figures more than they are in the photo to create a path for the viewer to follow. I am well into this painting, enjoying the process, especially the effects on the crab shell. (I may have to do more of this color mix!) The work seems to be flowing, especially since I have a clear plan for what I want to do. It took me a long time to learn not to just "dive in" to painting and make a plan. I tend to overpaint and need to correct areas, which dulls the effect. If I follow my plan, it makes the whole process more relaxing and the painting will "happen" with less struggle. I have high hopes for this finished painting. I'll keep you posted! :) Stay warm and keep outta the snow! The most difficult part for me was to clear everything out of the space. Luckily, I keep things sorted into baskets and storage cubes according to media (Paper, watercolor, oil, student supplies, etc) so that did speed things up a little. I'm glad we did (OK, "WE" is a loose term) the lighting first because it made the room so bright. Then it was on to the flooring (which I DID participate in). It was so nice to have all that clear space! In moving the furniture back into place, I eliminated a large storage cabinet. I made a decision that instead of buying more bins and baskets, I would just KEEP LESS STUFF! I had already thinned out a good bit, but I am dedicated to simplifying the whole space, keeping only the supplies I use most. (I'm POSITIVE there is a life lesson here!) I plan to donate the supplies so that they will not be just sitting here wasting. I know I was fortunate growing up to have someone give me a box of their old supplies, giving me an opportunity to experiment and learn that I would not have had otherwise. (THANK YOU, Mrs. Violet Secret) The flooring is a nice vinyl laminate, waterproof and easy to clean, great for covering the concrete. So far, the only complaint is from the dog, who is concerned that I haven't moved her bed back into place. Since apparently we are going to have 6 more weeks of winter, I will have plenty of time to enjoy my cubby and develop a new routine of daily painting. I think it is a good habit to occasionally "Clear out th Cobwebs" and start over with a new outlook and commitment to make a positive change.... (Another life lesson, and well heeded.) I almost wish I had taken a photo "before"...(but the light wasn't good!) The new lighting will make it easier for more than one person to work at a time, as well as improve my perception of colors. (I Hope!) Next is the flooring and replacement of storage system. While the construction is hampering my ability to actually paint, I am busy collecting new ideas and imagining how organized I will be (?) ---- as Jeanne Brenneman would say, "There's more work to do in the studio than paint!" I'll post more as it progresses. Happy Painting! :) The Quilter-- began as an idea for the Tamarack "Warmth" exhibit. While I didn't have the painting ready for that show, I enjoyed taking my time and relished the details---soft eyes, warm hands, taking great care to stitch together warm fabric so that each snuggle beneath the layers will feel like a hug. I can smell the bread baking already, and with a forecast of subzero temperatures heading our way, this quilt will be much appreciated! |
AuthorI think it is important to share our process with others, just as we gain from watching other artists work. Archives
January 2024
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