Tag Archives: challenge

Feb9

How to Start an Abstract

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I recently posted a blog on abstract painting, and I probably will continue to do this until I’m satisfied with my own abstracts.  If you look at me in my studio, I’m always trying to figure out how to balance the kind of look that I really love to see, with the look of realism.  There are a few things I really feel have influenced me, and one is the Impressionist movement, such as Van Gough, Monae, to name a few.  I also love very abstract like Picasso, or even Motherwell.   The question is, can you blend them in such a way that they are fun, and still pleasant to look at.   Do they need to be pleasant?  Or is it better to leave the viewer with a little uncomfortable feeling?  All these things run through my mind while I’m working on what was supposed to be “Really Abstract.”

As I watch these teaching videos, it is obvious that it’s all very subjective.  Some artists just love  painting non-objective abstract that is busy.  To them it tells a story just like this video. Jillian is very much an intuitive abstract painter.  Her work is busy, colorful, and she loves it!  My son Chris is the same way.  His art is all  intuitive and in explaining his art, it always has a story to tell.  To me it becomes a sometimes a little difficult to digest and understand.  Some of it I fall in love with, and some of it, well…….lets just say it’s not my favorite!

We all have our own way of expressing ourselves, and both Jillian, and Chris express in a similar way.  Is it wrong?  Shouldn’t we all be able to express our creativity the way we wish?  Can anyone explain it’s validity besides the artist?   It definitely takes a different kind of viewer to appreciate this kind of abstract art, but that doesn’t make it bad, it only makes it different as it should be.  It pushes us past our comfort level, and in doing so, we just may become better at our own art.  After all, if we were all alike, life would be more than boring, and who would we have conversations about.  Isn’t art here to make us think, and stretch ourselves.  We can’t grow as painters, or viewers if there isn’t something to learn from……

Nov12

MIXED MEDIA

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Since every Mixed Media Artist  likes to incorporate “Mixed Media” into their work.  I’m no different, punching my paintings with just about anything I can think of.  It could be metal, threads,  papers, etc.

I’ve been working on deli wrap papers to paint, stamp on, cut up, tear up, and anything else I could think of.  It’s the kind of prep work that numbs your mind, but has to be done.

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It isn’t finished yet, but the inspiration came from a few samples of fabric I found, and a pile of yarn.

Fabric samples

Fabric samples

What to do with the yarn?  Well I was thinking of making the yarn serve as texture…..  I guess I have a problem with adding things to make texture.  I will try it,  but at the moment I couldn’t tell you exactly where to put it, or what painting to use it on.

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Oh so much fun, but so little time!

 

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Jun23

Tuesday the 23rd.

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FogHorn LegHorn

FogHorn LegHorn

Many years ago we had a little farm with fifteen chickens, and two roosters. Our first rooster we named “FogHorn LegHorn,” and I never minded that he awakened us each morning at the same time…..EARLY.

We had many other animals on our small farm, but this is really about our first rooster.  A friend of ours built us a huge, really nice coup where all the hens & rooster lived at night.  I don’t remember ever having trouble with the rooster when they were in the pen, but when they were all out pecking around, eating worms, and free ranging the rooster was so much fun to watch.  Of course, he did what all roosters did even though he wasn’t old enough to make a difference.  We had friends show up on our front doorstep with a six-pack of beer, and munchies just to relax on a Sunday afternoon in the back.  They would sit all afternoon chatting, munching on goodies, and sharing beer just to watch FogHorn LegHorn and his hens.  Those were fun days, and the memories of them are worthy of many short stories.

I’ve always wanted to paint chickens, or a rooster, and finally I took the leap. Since I’m not really fond of realism, I decided to paint an abstract rooster.  To tell the truth, this little canvas (10″X 24″) was given to me as a challenge, and I didn’t have a clue what I would do with it.  So the other day I primed it in orange, and then it began to speak.   Before I knew what was happening, I was roughly sketching out a rooster.  The next thing I knew I mixed up a light version of Cobalt Teal and began negatively painting.

It isn’t finished, but I’m having so much fun that I had to show all of you the possibilities of a challenge.

FogHorn LegHorn will be back. He won’t change much but he will be changed, and this is where abstract is going for me at the moment.

Jun18

Thursday Time Out For Art

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IMG_0235Dusty is finally finished!  He is 24″ X 36″ and is almost entirely done with a pallet knife, and neutrals.  He started speaking to me immediately after I toned the canvas, and hasn’t stopped since.  Never have I had a canvas chatter so much, and give me their opinion non stop from beginning to end.

I also have never used a pallet knife for an entire painting, and that was a fun experience.  Maybe I’ll do more, maybe I’ve found something exciting and different for me!

Zebra Designs & Destinations is always an inspiration, check them out – you too may be inspired.

Oct23

Time Out for Art!

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Today being Thursday, it’s once again Time Out for Art Day!  I thought I’d throw in a little abstract painting I did a couple of years ago.   Maybe I’m trying to inspire myself to keep painting, or maybe it’s an attempt to get some of you to paint abstractly.  Abstract painting is  fun, and it finds its own way….

Sunshine of the Lake

Sunshine of the Lake

Time Out for Art has been inspired by Zebra Designs & Destinations, I know you’ll find them as inspiring as I do!