Monday, May 20, 2013

Pinterest

I've finally discovered Pinterest, and posted a bunch of my work on a board.  Check it out.  I'm so excited to be able to "collect" work that inspires me.  Suggestions on how to use this fabulous tool are much appreciated!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Not Quite So Fresh Paint Saturday

OK, so I did not get to the Fresh Paint  Friday video this week.  I needed some concentrated studio time, which means working without a video camera and not spending hours editing video.  The Fresh Paint series will be back on occasion, when I can take the time to do it.  I love the whole process, but it is time consuming.  Support Fresh Paint Fridays by buying a print.

So, what did I get done in the studio this week?  Here are a couple of things; we'll call them Fresh Paint 7 and Fresh Paint 8:

Fresh Paint #7, acrylic on paper, 12"x12"

Buy Fresh Paint #7, original, for $225, including shipping.

                                                           
Fresh Paint #8, acrylic on paper, 12"x12"

Buy Fresh Paint #8, original, for $225, including shipping.


                                                         

And here is another series I'm working on, using the GelliArts gel plate, and making masks and stencils to create shapes.  I'll be teaching a workshop on this at Art and Soul next year, so stay tuned.  The first two are finished, and the rest are in progress.  There are lots more where these came from - I did twenty-four in all, some of which will not make it to the finish line.  Working in series gives me plenty of room to play with the concept. These are all 10"x10" on paper. 


Vessel #1, acrylic, graphite, and ink on paper, 10"x10"

Vessel #2, acrylic, graphite, and ink on paper, 10"x10"








 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Pictures from My Opening

OK, OK, OK, I've probably blogged and bragged about this show plenty by now, but I just got the photos back from George Bouret, the photographer who took pix at the opening, so I'm posting a few of my favorites.  Go to my Facebook Album to see all of them.  You can also see pictures of the Houston Workshop that Kathy Ericksen took.

I must be saying something profound!



Dona Mara and Dale Blodget, two artists in the area.

Wendy Gibson, an artist in Burlington who has taken workshops with me, came to the opening!  SO great to see her.

The woman in the middle is Jessica Phillips, the gallery director.

My husband, who NEVER lets his picture be taken!

A cool view of the 4"x4" pieces.

One of the younger art collectors, Shayne.
To see the show online go here.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Sketchbook Practice, Starting May 15

My online class, "Sketchbook Practice", begins May 15th, that's next week.  In this workshop we use the sketchbook, or stack of loose paper, as a playground of visual ideas and a workhorse for developing drawing, painting, and collage skills.   Give your inner artist a little breathing room beginning with The Sketchbook Practice Workshop.  You will get a creative workout, but in a relaxed, supportive setting, where experimentation and play are encouraged. Each of the six lessons offers drawing practice exercises, introduces a new material or technique, and challenges you to work on a particular theme.  The Sketchbook Practice Workshop will give you the tools and the confidence you need to keep creativity in your life!

Read about online workshops here.



Here are a few examples of student work: 








We played with lines, circles, shapes, grids,  ink, paint, collage, and more.  

Friday, May 3, 2013

Pattern and Process

I just hung my show at the Canfield Gallery, in Arlington, Vermont.  I'm calling it Pattern and Process, and now I have it up online!  View the individual pieces here; they are all available for purchase through the Canfield Library.  I will take care of shipping after the show comes down at the end of May.  Enjoy!

Here are shots of the gallery, just after hanging.  The opening is tomorrow, 3 - 5 pm.  I'll post pictures of that next week.
BIG (for me) pieces, 22"x30", framed 32"x40"

Big Fat Art, each 18"x24", framed 28"x34"

Works on canvas, each 12"x12" in a floating frame

A few of my figure pieces, 9"x9", framed 15"x15"

4"x4"s from the 4"x4"x400 Project, framed 9"x9"

My grid of 4"x4"s on panel, available  as individual pieces

Works mounted on panel, 8"x8" and 10"x10"

A few 9"x9" square pieces

Some of my Vertical Series, 7"x22", framed 13"x28"
Enjoy the show!

Monday, April 29, 2013

Fresh Paint Friday #6, on Monday

So here it is, the Fresh Paint Friday video I promised.  I decided to leave in the original sound rather than add music.  Enjoy!


The piece is 10"x10" on paper.

The original is available for $195, including shipping.



Or  buy a print; choose from many different print sizes, materials, and framing options.  
Thanks for visiting.  

Tuesday, April 30
Here is a response to a few of your comments, including this one:
Could you explain a little bit about the process?
Why so many layers, and what kind of paints you use, they look so rich and thick.
Why so many layers?  Well, the first layer is a starting point.  I generally try to throw out an idea, without planning where it will take me.  In this case the idea was that I wanted some intense warm red peeking through layers of neutral colors.  So I started with red, and then started layering neutrals over it.  Then I let the piece lead me to the next step, and then the next.  I don't set out to achieve a specific outcome, but stay focused, in the moment, paying attention to process. This piece took the whole afternoon; I taped 25 segments, totaling about 30 minutes of video. 

See my Links page for the materials I use.

In my workshops I emphasize a focus on process, and demonstrate ways to shift your orientation so that you can get out of your own way and have fun making art!

If you enjoy Fresh Paint Fridays, please support them by buying originals or prints. THANKS!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Fresh Paint..... Monday

I am postponing Fresh Paint Friday until Monday, as I will not have time to edit the video.  I'm teaching  Abstract Painting: The Big Picture tomorrow at AVA Gallery in Lebanon, NH.  My Fresh Paint #6 is completed, but I'll wait until Monday to show it to you.  Meanwhile, here are a few things I've been working on; they are all 10"x10" on paper:





I will not show you all the sequences of the work, but, believe it or not, these all started out with the idea of line and soft color washes:








I love the process of creating a series from a simple starting point.  I have no particular intention or idea of where each piece will end up, but I throw a visual idea out there, and then develop each piece individually.  Fun fun FUN!

Thanks for visiting.  Stay tuned for Fresh Paint Monday.