Progress on my Shape Pieces

I just took down my show "Pattern and Process', but you can still see the show here on my website.  I removed the pieces that sold, so what you see is available for purchase.

Meanwhile, I am preparing for a group show called "Journey Into Process" at Vermont Institute of Contemporary Art, which opens in July.  I will show some of the pieces in Pattern and Process, as well as some new work.  June will be a very busy month in the studio!

Here is a bit of the progress on the Shape Pieces I posted last week:

Shape #25

Shape 20 - I think this one's done.

Shape #21

Shape #22

Shape #23

Shape #24

Shape #26 - This might be done.

Shape #27 - definitely still in progress.

One of many vertical stacks I'm working on.  More on those later.

Another of the verticals, just a beginning

Except for where noted in the caption, I don't yet know which ones I will work on more, and which I will leave as is.  I'm starting to combine the print process (demonstrated in the video last week) with collage, so I'm also using the gel plate to make collage papers.


This technique of working with masks and stencils as well as collage, drawing, and painting, all in the same piece, is making my idea-generation very fluid.  These are pretty quick and easy to start, though the development of painting, line, and collage are much slower.  I am definitely planning on demonstrating and engaging students with this approach in my Collage Journeys workshop this summer, as well as my Expressive Collage And Painting workshop at the Omega Institute in the Hudson valley in September.  It is particularly conducive to mindfulness, staying present with the process, and letting go of your Inner Critic.

Maksing with the Gel Plate

This is not a real Fresh Paint Friday, because I am not making a piece start to finish.  I am, however, demonstrating one of the techniques I'm using for my new series of shape arrangements.  I will be teaching a workshop on Masks and Stencils at Art and Soul next year in Kansas City (March 20 - 23, 2014), so stay tuned.

Here are a few of the pieces I started yesterday. I will post finished pieces next week. These are all in progress:

The is the piece in the video.  I will, possibly, add ink and then paint.

Another beginning using various techniques on the gel plate.

The large shape is a ghost print, the others the first pull.

I started introducing some brighter colors.

The faint curvy lines at the bottom are a ghost print, not using a mask.

 If you have a gel plate from GelliArts,  give this a try!  Experiment with your own palette and techniques.  You can also make a gelatin plate using Knox gelatin or Monoprint Gelatin.  It does not last as long, but gelatin has its own unique properties.  I am using my usual set of materials listed on my Links Page.  Thanks for visiting!!

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!

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"

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

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"

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.

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.  

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!