Experimentation

There has been little consistency in my artwork lately, other than the presence of a figureand that I am doing it every day. I have been experimenting with abstracting the figure.  So far, I don’t think I have pushed the actual abstractness of the figure very far, just the backgrounds or the style of presenting the figure.  I worked really hard to create a consistency in my work and now, I am all over the place using different mediums and different styles.  And, I am having a lot of fun.  I am feeling confident enough to play around.  I was talking to some artists yesterday about how hard they work and how they are trying to convince the people around them that it isn’t a hobby, but serious work.  I get that.  We all want to be taken seriously in what we are trying to perfect.  But, even in the midst of hard work, it should be fun I think and I am currently at that place because I gave myself permission to see what I could do.  Anyway, there is no convincing others of the value of your work.  You just have to keep going out to the studio and do it.  There is no perfecting in creating artwork.  You can build skills if you work at it, but there is no final destination.  Doing it is the process of learning and learning should be fun I think.  I don’t think I will ever be “taken seriously” at least by my family.  Go Figure!

Better With a Straw

6"x6" oil

Milk is good for you but it is better with a straw.  I like the magic look of a bit of paint on top of the board.  It is like a ghost image appeared in full color.  I am still figuring out how to keep pencil marks visible....not there yet.  This is day 5 in Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.

I Can Fly

6"x6" oil SOLD

I love the expression on this cutie's face.  It was a really fun painting to do and I loved the abstract aspects of it, especially the rhythms and patterns, the dashes and drops of color.  I have been attempting to paint with less saturated colors and this one fits that bill.  It is not that I don't love the beautiful strong colors, it is just that I think I need to explore other options including those that don't come easy for me.

River Tubing

6"x6" oil

I fussed and fumed over the painting I posted yesterday but I followed it up with this one which practically floated off my brush.  I really got my environment and my mind set up before I put a brush to the panel.  I had a plan and, well I guess it is clear, I love the result....clean, well drafted, and loose.

First Ride

8"x10" oil

I thought I would post the first stage of the painting with transparent paints and the finished product.  I wanted to capture that happy moment of wobbly success.

Lilly

6"x6" oil SOLD

This was a commission and I am happy with the results.  I feel like I got a good likeness, movement and appropriate values.  It is a bit difficult to do small figures on a 6"x6" panel and keep them looking fresh and not fussy, so I considered this a success.  There are things I can do to set the mood for painting, which can be very helpful in creating an atmosphere conducive to happy painting.  When I do those things (music, lighting, scents, and careful planning) I feel more confident about my beginnings, but it isn't always the entire recipe for a confident and clean painting.  Sometimes I just can't get it right!  I usually work at it until I feel like it is resolved enough to call done, but they are never my favorites because I lose some clarity of color in the process, and color is what excites me the most.

Day 11 Slate - Ballerina

11"x14" acrylic on slate 

Some of the things I have figured out about painting on slate:
     I like painting sweet things that contrast with the rough stone
     The grey background is fabulous and really makes me think about values
     I love the texture and if I keep the layers thin and rub them in, it gives a nice effect
     Using a variety of shades within a shape helps give it volume
      It is much easier than painting with oils on a canvas or panel.
Also, and this applies to my painting in general, I love painting kids!

Mia Loves Maizie

This is a watercolor sketch for an illustration for a children's book.

My art group went to Peter Huntoon's studio today for a demo.  It was so much fun to see how he loosely begins his work and turns a scene which may not be particularly exciting into an athletic and stunning work of art.  Peter has recently added oil painting to his repertoire of watermedia and he approaches it very similarly as he would a watercolor painting, with lots of drips and splashes and interesting tools.  He is one of the quintessential Vermont painters.

Thank You

8"x8" oil  NFS

This painting is different than my other work in a couple of ways.  To start off with, it is a concept painting.  I thought of an idea I wanted to illustrate and planned it out.  Then I did a very detailed drawing on the gessoed panel, as much work as if it was a finished product.  Then I painted it, using soft scumbled areas on the left, over the names of women who have helped me over the last 8 months as I have recuperated from surgery.  I like the idea of a child praying, as it represents such innocent belief and hope.  I am not selling it, but am doing another project with it.  I have always liked using text in painting as it adds an interesting pattern and another layer of meaning, but I seldom do this.  I am really happy with how this turned out.

Striking the Pose

4"x6" oil 

This pose she is holding must say something about her personality.  She froze for a moment, enticed by those picnickers across the park who were playing a lawn game, knowing she had reached her permissible boundary and she caught my attention and I am sure that I caught someone's attention wondering why I was photographing her...and it goes on and on.

Almost

6"x6" oil

This little one was working so hard to catch balls that were just barely out of her reach.  That did not deter her though, as she stayed with the task.

Dragonfly

6"x6" oil

This little dragonfly is dancing in the shallows.  I love this summer subject because it gives me the chance to play with color.  Landscapes in VT in the summer are pretty green, so I am focusing on our beautiful parks and lakes and the lovely people that enjoy them.

Well Prepared

6"x6" oil

This little guy was all geared up and ready for his adventure, but he was waiting for some grown-up help to arrive.

Naia

6"x6" oil

I couldn't help but smile the whole time I was painting beautiful Naia.

Pink and Green

6"x6" oil

Can you hear the music of the waves?

Rosie

4"x6"  oil

Sometimes they just have these moments when they look so adorable you can't help but fall in love with them!

Tasting the Soup

Thanks to a brilliant and spontaneous photo, I was able to tell the story.  I think that the many hours I spent as a child studying Norman Rockwell's illustrations probably show their influence on my love of story telling.

Picking Flowers

12x12 oil

The most fun in painting this was the folds of the tunic, but how can anyone resist the excitement she expresses in picking her first flower.  Someday someone will tell her that dandelions are weeds, but until then, what magic there is in crawling in a field of flowers!

Anticipation

12"x12"  oil

This is from my new series "Things I Love."  I am having a lot of anticipation for the next few months and progress on my recuperation.  This child is anticipating a beautiful day at the beach.  Someone asked me why I am painting in such happy colors when I should be painting from the dark (representing my recent challenges) to the light (hope for full recuperation).  We are all made differently and I am definitely a "glass half full" person.  I love to be happy or find happiness and joy and the dark takes care of itself...I just don't want to amplify it!

Skinny Dippin'

12"x18"  oil  Commission

What are you doing on this incredibly beautiful summer day?  I have been thinking about teaching a class on painting  kids/grandkids and this painting has reminded me how much fun it is to do that.  I like the combination of soft/hard edges, loose rendering and accurate drawing.  Actually my painter friend Heather Shay is the one who reminded me how much I love drawing.  She paints, but admits that it is the drawing part that really appeals to her.  Her painting style is very precise and is much like drawing itself.  Her subject matter is infused with color and fun material so it all comes together without looking too fussy.  I am including a painting of hers below.

by Heather Shay