Friday, July 28, 2017

Chance to Win

Wanted to let you know about a chance to win a seat at a MIXED TAPE II workshop presented by artists Effy Wild, Sarah Trumpp, and Cristin Stevenson. I have participated in Effy's workshops on previous occasions and have really enjoyed her freely intuitive instruction. I know you will, too.  Just click on THIS LINK and follow the instructions for your chance to win a spot.  GOOD LUCK!


Sunday, July 23, 2017

Transparently Colorful

Rothko was the subject of my next lesson. I attempted to replicate his layers of translucent oil layers in acrylics and think I achieved some measure of success. I preferred thinning with matte medium than with the gel transparentizer. Flow-aid made the glaze too wet and just created uncontrollable drips. However, the flow-aid solution was a perfect substitute for a turpentine wash
Title: "Multiform #1"

Saturday, July 22, 2017

A Splash of Pollock


Title: "Dreaming with Jackson Pollock"

This course now has us studying the techniques and artistry of Pollock, and the one thing that really intrigued me was that Pollock embedded some "detritus" (their words) in his piece "Full Fathom Five." So, after painting my canvas a flesh-toned mixture of red oxide and white, I collaged some items onto my canvas (pieces of map, threads and gold mesh fabric, and Zinnia seeds) before working my drips and lines. I used both acrylic enamel and regular acrylics, contrasting gloss and matte, and used applicator tips to achieve some yummy lines and drips. What fun! 

Monday, July 17, 2017

A Shadow of de Kooning

"City At Night"

I'm loving this Coursera course on the Abstract Expressionists. Many of the artists we are exploring are new to me, like de Kooning. It's one thing to visually interact with an artist and his/her style, and quite another to attempt to incorporate some of the artist's technique into one you create. It elicits a completely new kind of knowledge.

Even though I chose to use acrylics instead of oils, I was completely intrigued by the use of the pallette knife to scrape away wet paint and reveal textures and hidden layers. Very visceral kind of creativity. Enjoy!

Friday, July 14, 2017

A la Barnett Newman

Taking a class on Coursera about the Abstract Expressionist painters. One of the reasons I decided to take the class is because it provides the optional opportunity to create a painting in the style of the artist being studied (after a video demonstrating technique). Who doesn't love the chance to learn new stuff and apply it right away?

Anyway, here's my piece entitled "In His Image," in a style reminiscent of Newman.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Learning to paint with my left

It's been ages since I posted. Rotator cuff surgery on my dominant hand three weeks ago has forced me to learn to paint with my left hand. This is my third canvas, painted today.

Week 4: #100daysoftags

  Week 4!  Lots of yumminess this week, incorporating bits of papers that normally would be thrown away and dollar store finds into my colla...