A New Series in "My Style"

These two paintings are the first in a new series I have been working on lately.  This style combines collage, printmaking and mixed media painting on canvas. For years I have been experimenting with many mediums and techniques and this is the end result!  For some artists, myself included, it takes a long time to develop an individual 'style'. I now feel that all the time spent learning is coming together and I'm very happy and relaxed painting in this way!

More to come!

A New Direction

I have been working away for many months on combining collage pieces that I am creating with random marks and lines with even more intuitive painting done with scrapers, pouring, spraying and finger painting.

The resulting works are, to me, very expressive and loose.  These are done from the heart and both fun and scary at the same time.

Exhibiting them will be a whole other thing too as they are quite different from my creations of the last few years.

I am happiest when learning new things and stretching myself in new directions and that is the main reason why I paint in the first place.

It's the putting them out there in the open for other people to judge that is the part of this art-making that I am not particularly fond of.

I know most artists share this feeling - that's just the way the cookie crumbles!

Alone Together

Because I work alone at home in a rural setting, it can get lonely and uninspiring, especially during an exceptionally long and cold winter. 

I recently joined a Thursday morning group of 6 people and this is what I produced on the first day.  I am very happy with the results of combining collage and paint in a very loose and gestural manner.  I've even got some great blues and blue-greens that come close to a robin's egg blue, one of my favourite colours!

The square one is 12" x 12" x 1.5" and I think a black float frame will jazz it up. The series of 4 will be framed in black frames with a white mat.

 After a winter of being frustrated and non-productive it is wonderful to be creating again!!

New Work

Finally!  Some new work!! I have been sick with Bronchitis for such a long time!  Today I actually felt like trying to make some new artwork and like what evolved!

This has been such a dreary winter - cold, lots of snow, but sunny!  Everyone is counting the weeks now!
I think the time has finally come for me to plant some heritage tomato seeds that I have saved.  It will be fun watching the tiny seedlings grow and the snow melt back!

I have started a 20" x 20" canvas and that will also be fun to see how it turns out :)

Happy Days

My goal has been reached this week!  Two new pieces have been finished which makes me very happy!

It feels very uplifting to have peaceful, creative time and get rid of that 'artist's block' anxiety that was wearing me down. Being able to create something from that relaxed, happy place of being in your own head and letting whatever is in there  come forth onto the canvas in it's own way is such a fun experience.

Starting another one right now!

A New Year

Happy New Year!

This little painting is called "It's a Party" and I am featuring it here because it makes me happy!

It's so cold my mind has gone silly - -35 C with the wind chill today and for a few more!  Time to hit the Studio!!

Today is "tidy up day" - a little ritual I seem to need to do before doing something creative.

I have gessoed over two 12" x 12" canvases that I didn't like and am ready!

I thought today was Start Day but it seems the tidying up extended to replying to e-mails and making to-do lists.  So now it is tomorrow!!

No problem - No guilt - No expectations.  I have a play date with myself for tomorrow!!

I am going to make a new post every Thursday this year and report on my artsy goings-on for the week.

Even if I am the only one following my blog it will be good to document so I can see something happening!

That is my goal for 2014 - Make Something Artsy Happen Every Week!!!

Working Instinctively

I'm very happy that this painting is finally finished!  Another Christmas present (2012)!!

This one started out in January as an acrylic painting which was interrupted by a vacation.  Upon returning from a relaxing time in the sun, out came the Gesso to restart because my original thoughts had long disappeared.  After some time struggling, out came the Gesso again!

Collage was calling to me and away I went with a third try.  It took some time to evolve but I am pleased with the results.  Again, there was the issue of knowing the colour of the wall it would hang on and the general colour scheme (neutral). Not being one for shy or neutral colours, I did find it difficult to compromise.  In the end I just went with my instincts! It seems to be the way I work best.

Hopefully, the new owners will be happy!

Determination

Today's writing is about determination.  This painting was started many months ago and had to wait to be finished until I had recovered firstly from the Christmas season; secondly from a concussion; thirdly from a frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear and lastly from an incredibly hot few months which left my brain pretty much fried as far as any creative impulses were concerned.

My injuries have healed and the weather has cooled off resulting in a welcome spurt of energy yesterday and today.  This one is now as finished as it's going to be.  A coat of varnish remains to be added and then the final touch which is a float frame with a natural clear finish and black interior.

Many times I have wanted to get out the gesso and start over completely.  There is something to be said for sticking with something until it tells you to stop.  Working on an abstract painting with no pre-planning is like doing a difficult puzzle.The spark of accomplishment feels good and I'm now looking forward to the next challenge.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

30" x 30"

12" x 12"

Well my plan of posting more often has melted - my last post was almost 2 months ago - My Bad!!
My excuse is TOO HOT!  So far this summer I have been spending most of my time trying to stay cool and keep my plants alive watering constantly.  We are lucky to be living on a very large river and are able to pump river water for irrigation AND jump in to cool off.

The oppressive heat and humidity has taken it's toll on my brain and any creative thoughts have been very few and far between.  Yesterday I had a day to myself and in the cooler temperature I did manage to get a first layer done for a 30" x 30" collage piece. It's not talking to me yet but at least it has been started.  The smaller one at 12" x 12" is almost finished - just needs some more contrast and oomph!

It feels good to be creating again and I am hoping to get a day or two this week to continue.  I am working on getting my own "oomph" back too!!!

Perseverance

This painting is the third one in a little series of small test paintings for a new technique to add to my collage works.  All three were done on board and then matted and framed at 8" x 10" and this one at 10" x 12".

 I am happy with the outcome and am now working on two canvases at 12" x 12".  There will be more to come in progressively larger sizes.  The first one is done but I will wait and post them both up together.

It is getting easier for me to stick to a series for a while.  I've always gotten a little bored with the concept of the same theme but I am enjoying exploring an idea for a bit longer each time. 

The end result of a cohesive showing of works is a good reward for sticking it out!

New Works

Still working away with collage.  Drawing is starting to creep in.  These two are studies for larger ones to come.  I'm having fun!!!

Frustration

Today has been a very challenging day spent with my pile of scraps and handmade collage papers.  Trying to make a design out of  randomly ripped up pieces of paper is not an easy task and has proven to be a frustrating one this time.

As I chose my main colours and started out it seemed important to leave white spaces with pathways to the edges.  Now that I am almost at the boiling point trying to make that work my focus is about to change.

I was making decisions too soon and not leaving enough options open.  Tomorrow the white spaces will be obliterated - no biggie.

The decision making with this style of 'painting' has to be loose, tightening up only near the finish.  I was rushing these ones.

Maybe it was the music choice - mostly U2!  Tomorrow I will make a calmer choice and see what happens!!

Time to go for a walk and think about supper!

It's OK to Re-Think

Something was bothering me about this painting for a long time.  It is called 'Courage' and I found the section around the Chinese symbol  upsetting to me.  I finally decided to give it a good look and try a few options.  Blue and a calmer area called out to me.  I have a tendency to forget about leaving some quiet spaces in my paintings.  I am very happy with this one now - courage does need a calm attitude and the blue space does seem to be resonating outward amidst the chaos.

Another thing I am working on is more blog posts and making them short and sweet.  I will try and have something to say again tomorrow!

More Minis

Two more minis for the Art Delivered project. Working so tiny (6" x 6") with collage is a bit fussy but they turned out well. They look good hanging in a vertical row.

Series Continued

This is the third collage painting in my Windows series. Next will be a rectangular shape at 20" x 24" and I won't know the colour scheme until I begin. So far, so good.

Working on a Series

This is the second in my Windows series. I was trying for a calm, blues and yellows piece. My psoriasis has been acting up this past week with constant irritation and pain and I'm guessing that's why the red snuck in there unintentionally. It will be interesting to see how the third one turns out as I was aiming for a pair in similar colours. That's the fun of letting the painting have a life of it's own.

Renewal

It's a beautiful warm day, birds are singing, grass is turning green. I love spring! It's the renewal thing.

This painting is the first in a new series of collages that I am naming Windows of Opportunity.
Partly for the obvious window-like image and also for the renewal theme.

I just got the news that this mixed media collage painting has gone to a new home.

In the past few months my abstract works have been selling which makes me very happy. I have been working on representational themes lately to be able to offer some variety in my shows. I live in a rural setting and most people around here don't 'get' abstracts.

Just goes to show you that perseverance does pay off!!!!!!!!

New Homes

This summer has seen the artworks above all go to new homes which is a very happy and validating experience for me.

My plan is now to concentrate on creating larger pieces for another solo show, hopefully, in a year or so. I will continue to exhibit in one gallery, one boutique gallery and a few group shows.

I'm feeling the need for time to reflect, daydream and to learn some more painting methods. Working larger will also be a challenge, mostly because of my relatively small workspace, but, I am very thankful for my 'room of my own' - my little 'studio'.

Evolution of a Canvas

After months of trying to paint something on canvas, which I find extremely difficult as I am more of a paper person, I finally settled on this end result of Sunflowers. When I look back at the stages this poor little 12" x 12" canvas went through I really like Stage 1. Somehow, I can be very spontaneous and loose when working with paper but seize up completely when trying to paint on canvas.

Abstracts have been my main focus for quite a while but I find myself wanting to do some work that is more recognizable for a change.

I have decided to do a series of Sunflowers, inspired by one lonely little plant that grew for me this year out of many, many seeds planted. This is the first and I am working on #2 which is a 24" x 12" canvas to be followed by some larger and some smaller. There will also be some etchings, maybe drypoints and collagraphs as well. I hope I can stay in the sunflower groove!

There are also two more loose landscapes to finish which are in the same vein as the one in my previous post. That should keep me busy for a while!