Fireworks

Wow, am I pleased!  I know I keep talking about how excited I am with my own paintings lately, and I must apologize.  But I am absolutely in love with the results of allowing the paint itself to play a much larger role in my paintings.  The challenge and joy for me, is finding the balance between using paint to create the illusion of form, versus using paint to become the form.  

Paint becoming the form is a goal I've been striving for, for several years now.  finding my own unique voice to do that with is key.  Each painting I do lately feels closer and closer to realizing this goal, so I'm just on cloud 9!   

Cordial

I'm so excited, what else can I say.  Drink up!

Multitasking

Two easels going - this is a first for me!  Lately my head is bursting with ideas for new paintings and compositions.  Suddenly I can't keep up with the inspiration I seem to find everywhere.

I've posted a good bit more on my inspiration behind these paintings HERE for anyone interested.  I would love to hear how you get inspired, and what inspires you all out there.  

Art Chicago - Next 2009

Yesterday Chicago's annual art event, Art Chicago - Next, came to a close.  This event is an opportunity to see galleries from all over the world, and the artists they represent.  It is the highlight of my spring to see so much artwork all under one roof, and one of the reasons I'm grateful to live here.  

This year was my favorite of the three I've attended, and I have posted a video of my visit to the show on my new blog.  Click Here, and enjoy!

Melt

Is it wrong to say how much one loves their own painting?  I can not tell you how much I love this painting and all the new possibilities I'm thinking about right now!

I've posted in progress shots on MY NEW BLOG AND WEBSITE.  I'm considering eliminating my original website for this new one, I like that I have almost complete flexibility with design aspects.  I'm not a trained graphic designer, so feedback would be welcome :)  

This painting is 10x10, if you are interested please email for info. 

Dandelion

Available

What we have here is still a washed out image of the actual finished painting, but I simply had to move on.  No matter what I tried, the online image and the jpeg wouldn't match up.  I realize I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but this painting for me is all about color, so the color being less vibrant, turned into a big deal.  Especially since I haven't experienced this issue until now.  

However, that big deal sent loads of excellent advice my way, and I want to thank everyone so much for all the tips you've shared and knowledge you've passed along.  

Another excellent benefit, was the investigation into loading my jpegs onto other online hosting sites, just to see what the results would be.  Turns out, I played around enough with this, that I figured out how to make a brand new blog myself, which ended up being pretty easy.  My computer comes with software that allows me to design a website and blog to basically look like anything I want.  Right now I'm just giving it a test run, and I would love to hear some feedback.  So please check out my new blog ON MY EASEL TODAY and let me know what you think, as far as I can tell the color seems to be spot on.

Also, this painting is 10x10 inches, and is available for $600 plus shipping.  Please email me if you are interested.

Again thanks to everyone, you have helped me tremendously with all your feedback.  This totally illustrates the enormous resource we have in online communities.  

Passion for Painting

Thank you to Sara Winters, who tagged me for the Passion for Painting award.  I am honored!  Sara's paintings are flooded with light and clear color, and her execution of reflected water with unblended brushwork seems fresh and new.  Take the time to enlarge her paintings to see the abstract quality to work. 

Here is how it goes, name 7 things I love, and 7 other artists whose blogs I follow.

Seven things I love:

1. God

2. My husband, Clay

3. Family

4. Friends

5. Paint

6. Sunshine, fresh air, 80 degree flip-flop wearing day.

7. Snow, 25 degree boots/scarf/hat wearing day.

I follow many many blogs, which makes this difficult.  I decided to name blogs that contain discussion, advice, observations, and information, that help us grow as artists.  From step by step PhotoShop advice, to gallery solicitation advice, to serious discussions about being an artist.  Hope you enjoy.

1. Alia El-Bermani

2. Larry Groff

3. Edgar

4. Edward Winkleman

5.  R. Garriott

6. Christine Mercer-Vernon

7. Neoteric Art

Faux Chocolate

Available

I've been trying for two days to upload my finished painting "Dandelion" and for some reason the painting's colors are very washed out compared to the actual jpeg.  Has anyone else experienced this problem?  I noticed this with my last post, but since the painting was in process, instead of completed, I didn't worry much about it.  I am using a Mac with iPhoto to crop the image and making zero adjustments to color.  The jpeg is vibrant, but when I load it into blogger, it loses a lot of color???  If anyone knows what I might be doing wrong, please let me know.  The painting above posted very close to the original jpeg, I can't figure it out???

While I was trying to figure it all out, I luckily decided to paint this monochromatic painting.  I talk a lot about color, but not much about value, which is a key component in inspiring my paintings.  I have always loved monochrome paintings and value studies, and don't know why I don't do them more often.  They seem quiet and still to me.  The actual bow is red, but I used Burnt Umber, Payne's Grey, and white, to show the form using only value.

Besides the actual meaning I find behind these bows and presents, they offer a kaleidoscope of color and strong value shifts within one single object, and I seem to never tire of their possibilities.  

This painting is a 5x7, oil on canvas.  If interested, please send me an email.  The 'available' link at the top of the post will take you directly to my website's contact page.  

Painting in Progress

Form or Color?  Which is more important - this is the question that's always in my head.  I love both.  I LOVE form.  I love seeing the volume and weight of an object in a painting.  But color ..... ah .... how I ADORE color.  Color feels alive to me.   

One part seeing, one part feeling, hard to choose.  Both are magic.  

Painting in Progress plus Palette

First layer of color, and I already love it!
This is my palette, but I never use all this color at one time.  I select specific colors for each painting based on a complimentary color scheme (even though this painting is actually a close-compliment scheme of yellow and blue.)  First I decide my "star" color.  The star for this painting is yellow, so I'll want to pick out a variety of yellows and its compliment purple.  My main yellow will be Cad Yellow Medium, and main purple, Garnet Lake.  
I've mixed this on a piece of glass to see the color easier.  I rarely use tube earth tones since I can mix them using compliments.  In this case, making a yellow ocher, which I can easily make lighter and darker, or warmer and cooler.  If I use a cooler and bluer purple, the colors will end up a bit on the green side, and I'm seeing a lot of greenish-ocher color in the shadow side of the "flower." 
These are the rest of the colors I will use for this painting, plus white.  I love having lots of choices, so I usually add warms and cools for each compliment.  For my yellow side, I add a warm of Cad Orange, then four cooler yellows.  I'm not going to add a warmer purple, because I can warm up the one I have with the Cad Orange, but I am going to add several blues.  

That's my color scheme theory in a nut shell.   

Drawing and homemade view finder tool

In typical Chicago spring fashion, it's snowing here today.  Lucky for me, I have my own make believe spring growing right here in my studio.  This is the completed drawing on the 10x10 canvas, basically the same as my last post's drawing, except bigger and on canvas.  I did spend more time with this one, and I really loved every minute of it.  

Since this is more or less repeating my last post, I thought I would show my little homemade view finder tool.

I made this years ago, as you can see by the smudges and dried paint, from a 5x7 gray mat you can purchase for framing photos.  I cut the corners, then marked off the interior edges, starting at the corners going out, every half inch.  I can view my set up through my adjustable opening and determine exactly what size canvas will make the best composition.  Once that is decided, I paperclip the corners and continue to use it to help locate the major shapes during the drawing phase.  The mid-toned gray can be used to judge values as well.  

Now back to fun with flower!

Dandelion

Once again, rejoicing over the weather is causing me to throw caution to the wind, and celebrate by posting this very merry latest idea.  It is one that has been brewing and stewing in my brain for some time now.  I had planned to wait until the actual painting was completed before going full steam ahead, but I just couldn't wait, not on a day like today.  For tomorrow is sure to be cold again, but today is today!

STEP ONE:  photo of wire armature

STEP TWO (I know I should have made more photos of getting to step two, but I wasn't really thinking as usual.)  I used clay for the stem and leaves with actual bow and curling ribbon for those curly green things that are usually at the base of a flower.  Two light cans are visible, but only one is being used to light my 'flower.'  I am aiming for a 'fantasy' playful rendition of a flower, so the next one I do, I may need to push that a bit more.  But for now I'm excited!
STEP THREE:  I am what the book, Cheese Room Three, calls a Scurrier - one who has tendencies of scurrying to problem solve, instead of taking the time to think, before acting.  I've been doing a LOT of scurrying lately; starting new ideas and paintings, only to get half way into a huge canvas before realizing it isn't really a direction I want to continue.  My husband gave me a little pep talk, brought on by the mound of half finished paintings leaning against my studio wall, and suggested I might not be really thinking these ideas through before jumping into a painting.  I decided he was right, and that I would from now on, (or until I can no longer hold back the scurrier) start doing sketches and oil studies on paper before proceeding to canvas.  Besides, this set up has many potential compositions to explore, AND I've really been obsessing over Euan Uglow lately and doing painting exercises (will post later) to study his approach, so I thought this would give me a great opportunity to try mixing drawing with the painted surface.  I used Conte crayons for the sketch, which is 6x6, then sprayed with a fixative before painting on top.
STEP FOUR:  Could not be happier with the outcome of this oil sketch and plan to continue this on a 10x10 canvas.  I feel in many ways this is what I was after when I started my giant multi-yellow present painting LAST spring.  I've spent a year searching for what to paint since that incomplete painting.  Is it possible that an idea wants to be expressed so much, that it will hang on and torture you for a YEAR until it is figured out?  Looking at it now, it is so simple, what took me so long to act on this very obvious way for me to interpret Spring's first glorious show of color here in Chicago? I suppose sometimes the most obvious is the most overlooked.  Funny too, the Dandelion is certainly an overlooked flower, and just like my idea that refused to go unrealized, the Dandelion is certainly a persistent little thing!  Tomorrow there may be snow, but for today may there be Dandelions! 

Danae

available

I keep apologizing for my long absences.  Honestly, I've been allowing myself the indulgence of focusing on my paintings - playing around with what direction I want to explore next.  I have had two new purse paintings finished, but wasn't certain I was ready to post.  Mainly because I wanted to see if these purses were going to make up a new body of work.

One of the reasons I'm interested in purses, is similar to my attraction to my presents.  Both are elaborate, decorative surfaces that disguise/hide interior content.  The main difference for me is that we have a pretty good guess as to what might be inside a purse.  Purses are so personal too.  They reveal our personality, whether we like it or not.  Funny thing is, I myself rarely carry an actual purse.  Maybe I'm just not ready to commit to a personality yet, or maybe I haven't found a purse that can adequately hold my personality.  I think I'm going with that last one. 

Anyway, I'm actually pretty certain that purses are not going to be a totally new direction, (I am actually working on two bow themed paintings right now) but I do think they will continue to make guest appearances.  They give me the opportunity to ponder an intriguing question..... what shiny fun self do we show the world, and is it the same self as our inner private one?

Thanks as always for tolerating my musings.

Take a Listen

Everyone make a cup of coffee or tea, sit down and take a listen to the podcast on Bad @ Sports  Great honest advice from Edward Winkleman about how artists might best approach galleries plus other nuggets of wisdom.  

Amy

Sold

Two and a half years ago while living in Atlanta - in the south where I had always lived - I thought it impossible to jog in the snow.  As a matter of fact, knowing that we were moving, I purchased a yoga dvd thinking I would be forced into an indoor workout throughout the entire winter.  Would I have believed I could actually LOVE jogging in the snow?  Never!

This morning I headed out for my cold winter jog.  It's now my third winter here and I actually had high hopes that this day might bring my first snow jog of this winter.  Towards the end, as I made my way back home, I started thinking about how lucky I was for this change in my life.  Suddenly, on cue, the snow came falling down in those big fluffy swirling magical flakes.  I was reminded on my snowy lakefront path, that the impossibility of the unknown can actually be an unknown joy, just waiting to be found.  

So, being inspired with positive thoughts of change, I decided this would be the perfect day to show the newest change in my subject matter.  "Amy" is actually the very first of this series, and although I have completed several now, she's the one that seemed perfectly dressed for today's silvery, snowy day.  

Riptide

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I don't know exactly what it is about these presents that keep pulling me back.  I can't explain it.  Maybe I'll eventually figure it out and never need to paint another one, or maybe not.  All I do know is that I'm still very co-dependent, and this aqua bow was determined to show me that. 

What started as a wave to ride back into shore, turned into a struggle with a current.  Every stroke in my direction taking me further out.  A reminder that I don't always know the path I'm suppose to take, but also a reminder that I've been in currents before, and if I can just hold my breath I'll eventually find land.  

Swim

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I am fortunate enough to paint full time, and even though my blog doesn’t show any evidence to back up this claim as of late, I do paint every day… I’m sort of a workaholic. So what have I been painting during this past month since my last post???

Well that is a long story, and it will need to be spread out into several posts. But before I back track, I wanted to post this latest painting. In a way, this painting represents for me where I’ve been and why I’m back. Let’s just say, I’ve been out exploring new ideas and subject matter, testing new water so to speak. One part of me wants to explain why now, why I would think about a departure from painting presents, the other part of me thinks it really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I continue to pursue whatever it is that will make me a better person and a better painter. Bottom line, I’ve enjoyed my time out into these uncharted waters and I’ve made some great discoveries....one of which is that I needed to swim back to shore, my shore.

Exciting News

Two exciting pieces of news I would like to share with everyone. First, I was interviewed by a new website called Neoteric Art. The site was started by a friend of mine and I am very flattered that he asked me to participate. He asked some tough questions and they were fun to answer. Just follow the link over to check it out.

Second, the dandelions are here! Serendipitous moments happen to me all the time! I have long awaited these beauties and I can't believe they decided to pop up today. Weed to most, but to me it is the first glorious color after the long winter. Right now they are just dots here and there along the lake front, but soon it will be a sea of gold!

Dark Comedy

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First I'd like to thank everyone who has been so helpful with suggestions/comments and emails concerning my hard drive. I have very much missed keeping up with all the blogs I visit daily. I hope to get totally caught up with everyone and everything soon. Thank you all so much!

While struggling with this painting and with my lingering winter, I happened to be reading a book about the history of color in art, and one chapter dealt with black. The most interesting line suddenly leapt off the page. It was that Matisse made the observation that Manet and Renoir turned “black into a light.” Suddenly it all made sense to me, not in the way Matisse had intended, but it was just the thing I needed to hear. I immediately saw light everywhere, in my bow and in my winter. I was able to finish up this painting with the thought that I already knew, but just needed to be reminded of. That thought is not just that there will always be light in the dark, but that by trying to understand my dark I can turn it into a light. And sure enough, as I’ve finally finished up this painting, the first signs of spring have come.

Black and Blue

A new twist on my ribbons and bows.

Five

SOLD
One more framed piece to post. Spotlight on Art opens this Tuesday night at 6:30pm for anyone in the Atlanta area. This is a large art event with many artists participating, which makes this show a fantastic place to see a diverse collection of art work all under one roof.

Morning Glory

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This painting I finished just a couple of months ago back when the Morning Glories were in full bloom down by the lakefront. Ahhh....the sun and flowers! Soon, I keep telling myself, soon.

This painting called for a totally different style of frame because I wanted the edge of the canvas, which is painted an orange similar to the present's cast shadow, to be seen. I love using these 'floater' style frames just for this purpose.

Ginkgo

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"Ginkgo" was previously posted, but I want to re-post it, showing it in its frame, which finally came in. This painting is slightly larger than most of my blog paintings of late, and I knew right from the first brushstroke that I wanted it in a heavy thick frame. The decision to frame, or in some cases not to frame, is always part of my overall visual idea.

This painting will be packed up and sent to Atlanta in a couple of days for a show I am participating in, Spotlight on Art , which is an annual fundraiser. I will actually be very sad to send this painting; it has been a very bright sunny spot of color in my studio during this month of overcast Chicago days.

Icicles

SOLD

I was drawn to the cool silver color of this satin bow because of the snow and ice in my world right now and probably here until June! The ice and snow is amazingly beautiful and I wonder if I will ever get tired of seeing it. This is only my second winter here in Chicago and being a newbe every falling snowflake, glazing of ice and even the slush is wonderfully gorgeous! It is definitely worth getting a little cold to be lucky enough to see these beautiful sights.

The thick silver paint dripping over the edges of the warmer cream tissue, what else could it be but the draping of icicles after a great winter storm? So, If you are lucky enough to have a winter, bundle up and go take in the show!

Ginkgo

Well I could write pages on this painting and the experience, but I will try and keep it short. Suffice it to say, I feel like I have finally painted the painting I've been trying to paint for years, and I think it is all due to my little experiment with the abstract paintings. I strongly encourage everyone, not just painters, to try something out of your comfort zone, see what insight it may bring to you. I think our subconscious leads us toward things we need to experience, who cares if we look crazy! Who cares if we don't do it well! Just try it, whatever it is, as long as it is legal!!


This painting is titled Ginkgo. I hope you are lucky enough to have a Ginkgo tree nearby, they are the last trees to change into their Fall outfits. Here in Chicago Fall is breathtaking, full of oranges, reds, rusts, and ochres. Then, as if for the final curtain call before Winter the Ginkgos, whose branches extend way past their trunks in crazy right angles, explode into gold. This year it was too brief a show, just like a shooting star! But never fear, this winter storm today has lead me straight to a fabulous silver satin ribbon.

Royal Party

Yeah! I am so glad to have this painting finished, not that I haven't loved every minute of it, mind you, I am just a wee bit nervous about having enough paintings ready for the December show. I wish I could post the entire group as I will hang it, which is with about an inch of space in between each canvas. I may have to break down and buy Photoshop if I am going to continue these split paintings, unless someone out there has an idea of how to fix this on going problem of mine. Anyone????

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along the way with this piece too!

"Heartache"

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Amazingly this is the first true red bow I have ever painted. This true red was inspired by seeing the website of Duane Keiser who has fantastic Utube video demonstrations, one of which is a gorgeous candy apple. I just could not wait to dive into red after seeing it!

My heart literally beats faster when I paint red, how about yours?

"Nesting"

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I am sorry I could not get the picture straighter. My photography skills have been terrible the last several posts. Must be all the over consumption of caffeine! I will save this little one for the show as well, and hopefully get a better picture of it before it makes its way to Atlanta. I think this painting will be best seen in person no matter how good of a photo I get anyway. I do love how it turned out and feel it captures the 'hushed' mood I've been in as of late.

Morning Glory

I don't know that much about plants and flowers, but when I lived in Atlanta I did try my best to grow things. I loved growing both Morning Glories and Day Lilies. Both have blooms that only open for one day and by late afternoon they have already started to fade. This time of year the Morning Glories start to produce their seeds in little papery round pods that are fun to gather up and toss about the yard for next spring. It is a flower where time is counted, spent and is waiting.

As far as the painting goes, I loved painting the tissue just as much as the velvety bow. I enjoyed layering all the rainbow of colors that actually make up this "cream" tissue. What fun!

I am starting to prepare for an up-coming show in Atlanta which will be taking place December through February. This painting will be available through this show and I will keep everyone posted as the time draws near.

Thumbnail sketches

Oh my gosh! How gorgeous is this vintage plum velvet!?! Okay so I've had purple on my mind as of late, likely caused by a collision of many ideas and sources streaming in all at once showing me purple. I so wanted my next painting to contain several presents in the same composition. I played around with several presents trying to figure out a theme or idea. But this guy just seemed soooo very demanding, so right now he's got all my attention.

I've been starting these demo posts by showing the set up and beginning oil sketch, but I realized that is leaving out a bunch of steps. First step for me is inspiration, and I see it everywhere. I have ten paintings being painted in my head all the time, so I keep a personal journal where I keep these thoughts. Then suddenly one idea, thought, color, feeling singles itself out and wham.... purple velvet. Next are these tiny thumbnail sketches where I play around with composition and see which format will best suit what I'm trying to say. The top two sketches I envisioned as another split painting. I like the middle idea, and may come back to it, but have settled on the bottom right hand corner composition. Hope this hasn't been too boring.