Saturday, December 12, 2009
Abstract Impressionist Wooded landscape painting - mixed media
12" x16" 2009
Acrylic mixed media on stretched canvas
A "hidden painting" it only reveals it's landscape slowly. I liked the texture of this one so made the lighting a little more dramatic to show the shadows particularly in the white areas.
This piece was only shown on line and is available for purchase.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Etching
Monoprint and Etching on handmade paper
This continues the explanation of my abstracts that began on November 10.
First a couple of quick explanations about the printing process:
Etching: A metal plate is covered with an acid resistant ground. You scratch your drawing through the acid resistant layer and dip in acid. Then rinse and remove the ground. Your drawing is now etched in. Then you cover it with ink and wipe. The ink stays in the lines and you run it covered with a piece of paper through the press. Voila, you have a print! You can make as many identical copies as you'd like.
Monoprinting: A plastic plate is used with either water color or another water-based paint. Cover it with paper and run it through the press. Voila, a print that was much easier to make, but you only get one.
I ran this print through the presses twice, first as a watercolor monoprint, then carefully matching the corners (both methods dent the paper around the edges of the plate) I ran it through the etching press. I made the paper of cotton and Iris leaves which gave it a very nice mottled brown color and texture.
This piece was exhibited at the Tyler Art Gallery in Oswego and at the Romano Gallery in Utica. 5 prints remain available for purchase.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The big ones - Abstract impressionist landscape painting
Mixed Media 24" x 36" Panels
Ok, so if you've been following along for the past two weeks, here's what came next: The portals were fine, but needed a little color and I thought it would be interesting to be surrounded, totally emersed in the scene. If you stand about 10' from the center, the scene does now surround you from as far as you can see from the corners of your eyes.
This piece was exhibited at the Tyler Art Gallery in Oswego, New York, at the Romano Gallery (CNYCAC) and at the Cazenovia College Art Gallery. On line it is in the Saatchi Gallery. This piece is available for purchase.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Abstract Explanation Continuation (say THAT 3 times fast!)
Continued from last time's explanation.
I find it difficult to name paintings. I felt like last week's painting was kind of like putting a mirror up to the part of me that isn't normally visible. I liked the word "Lookinglass" better than "Mirror" so that's what it's called.
Then I started thinking about how Alice's lookinglass was a portal into a magical place. The woods were magical to me, particularly in the spring with the sunlight reflecting off the branches and certainly deserved a portal of their own, so yet another painting was called for.
"Lookinglass" was made with materials from the art supply store exclusively. This time I decided to go a little non-traditional so I used potting soil, coffee grounds and various other natural objects along with Acrylic paint and media to give it the rich texture I wanted. The acrylics stabilize and hold the natural objects into place beautifully.
When I was satisfied with the work, I bashed the edges to make them uneven - this is a portal to a place of untamed beauty so straight edges and corners just don't belong.
This piece was exhibited at the Tyler Art Gallery, the Romano Gallery and may also be seen on line at the Saatchi Gallery site.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
My abstracts - an explanation
First a few things about me. I was born 2nd of 7 children in a large 3 bedroom house in Munnsville (aka the middle of nowhere) While my brothers and sisters are all wonderful human beings, growing up got really I mean really LOUD! Living in the middle of nowhere had the advantage that a small woods was very near our house. I would escape the noise there. Usually just sitting against (or up) a tree, breathing deep and enjoying the quiet. My abstracts are all wooded landscapes which try to capture that welcome feeling of quiet and absolute peace.
The above painting "Lookinglass" was the first of the abstract landscapes. It is an actual place, but I wanted it to slowly show itself - only those who can stay quiet and look for a while will see the trees, rocks and stream. It wasn't easy to stop before I gave it all away, but I feel like the picture you'll eventually see is like hidden treasure.
An interesting thing happened when I showed it to friends. Some of them never saw the landscape. One saw a tiny English village being bombed, another sees only dancers on stage. How cool is that?
If you see anything cool, let me know. I'm very curious about exactly what it is myself!
This painting made it into my first ever International Art Show and I'll probably never sell it for that reason, but clicking on the image will allow you to buy an inexpensive and good quality print.
This piece was exhibited at the Batavia International Art Exhibit, the Tyler Art Gallery, and the Romano Art Gallery. It may also be found on line at the Saatchi Gallery site.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Vandalism (?) in Stockbridge, NY
Monday, October 26, 2009
Soccer game
Friday, October 23, 2009
String Thing
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Gates
This is my favorite photo from this year's event.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Opening!
Monday, June 15, 2009
more wildflowers
Monday, June 8, 2009
My yard
Dandelions
Look for the spider in the last one (good thing I didn't see it until after I had taken the picture!)
Buttercup
Daisy Clover flowerNo clue
At one point, this was a purple lilac
Crabapple (?)
Deadly Nightshade