Mixed Media. Labeled. Pigeonholed. Bah Humbug.
Playing with materials seems to be my go to method of avoiding artists block. I’m currently exploring all the alternative surfaces for watercolor that I can find. Aquabord,canvas,wood panels with a special ground, postcards treated with ground and mounted on panels. This brings me into the challenges of mixed media, and whether or not it makes me a mixed media artist ( does it really matter what my medium is? Do I need to categorize it?). Because I varnish these works with clear acrylic, it makes it more then watercolor, a ” mixed media”.
How is it that oil painters can paint on multiple surfaces and use varnish (or not), pastelists can spray their work with a fixative ( yet it’s still considered a pastel, and not mixed media). I give up.
I’m not going to limit myself with labels that I do not really understand. I’ll just paint, and use any means necessary to get my desired results. Call it what you will. Limiting myself is not what it’s about anyway, it’s about pushing the limits, and then pushing them a little further.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
The Optimist Creed (a lesson from my grandfather)
My Grandfather taught this to his children, and I carry a little card with it as a reminder to try and live as my grandparents did, with dignity, and integrity. So here it is:
to talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all of your friends feel that there is something in them.
to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievement of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the persistence of trouble.
The Optimist Creed
To be strong that nothing can disturb your piece of mind.to talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all of your friends feel that there is something in them.
to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievement of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the persistence of trouble.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Under the surface.
Working on a large painting of spiky seeds that sit in a jar in my studio, I found it morphing into an underwater painting. I've been kayaking a lot this summer, and have been observing the plants moving with the current just under the surface.This was not a conscious choice, but I liked the result and decided to allow it to take me in the direction it wanted to go in.
It needs work, but I'm enjoying the process! About 20 layers to go!
It needs work, but I'm enjoying the process! About 20 layers to go!
Friday, August 29, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Wandering Mind Studio: Eight visions wrap up, artist statement, and juror...
Wandering Mind Studio: Eight visions wrap up, artist statement, and juror...: Tuesday night I had the pleasure of participating and opening our exhibit for an eight person show at The Attleboro Arts Museum; http://at...
Eight visions wrap up, artist statement, and jurors comments.
Tuesday night I had the pleasure of participating and opening our exhibit for an eight person show at The Attleboro Arts Museum;
http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions-events-2/
I thought it would be nice to share my artist statement here;
http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions-events-2/
I thought it would be nice to share my artist statement here;
" Using
paintings as a method of processing observations, emotions, and experiences has
always felt natural to me. This series focuses on Tenacity, and staying
resilient in trying times.
Sparked by
frustration, and discontent, I worked without restraint and purged it all into
the work. Tempestuous was painted
with a migraine, I have no memory of painting it, it was in fact, painted by that headache.
The subjects for this
series are symbolic of what I was processing. The Sweet Gum pods depicted in Impact, and Remedy, were found in a favorite aunt’s yard after her memorial
service.
The bur in Transfixed is representative of those
things that hook into us, cling, are difficult to shake off, like illness, depression,
and addiction.
If the work appears
vibrant and hopeful, that’s because it is."
The jurors (Adam Adelson, director of Adelson Galleries) comments were also shared with me, and I'd like to share them with you.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
8Visions
Getting geared up for an exciting upcoming exhibit at The Attleboro Art Museum
http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/8-visions/
I've got list to make, inventory to catalogue , paintings to label. Mostly, I'm painting as much as I can, it's what I really feel driven to do.
I'm in awe of the other artists In this exhibit with me, all of them are extremely talented and fascinating artists. I really connected to their work right away
http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/8-visions/
I've got list to make, inventory to catalogue , paintings to label. Mostly, I'm painting as much as I can, it's what I really feel driven to do.
I'm in awe of the other artists In this exhibit with me, all of them are extremely talented and fascinating artists. I really connected to their work right away
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Bravo to the Liz's
http://blog.art21.org/2014/04/03/hello-from-the-writer-in-residence/#.Uz4g6ie9KSN
Monday, March 31, 2014
The long and winding road from my brain to the canvas....
When I'm working on a painting, I have to get myself into what we artists call "the zone" , shifting the mind into a nearly meditative state. I have a few warm up exercises and rituals that I use to make the shift, get all the "stuff" out of my head.
Focus.
Often the path that leads from the idea to the canvas resembles a Family Circus cartoon where the little boy or girl takes the long way and many detours to get from point A to point B.
I can describe the idea that led to the other idea that led to the inspiration that led to the application of the idea and then the detour that led to another idea that had me try something else, and then , oh, that looks cool, what if I did this, or layer on that, or lifted this.......and so on and so on.
Are you still with me?
The thing is, I get so deep in thought,, and so internal, that it's hard to translate my techniques in simple terms. Like a meditation, sometimes I will be working on something and time just slips away. All of a sudden I "come to" and the painting is nearly done, overworked, or just completely different then my original idea. I'm not in a completely conscious state, so I have no idea what I did, or how I got there. Hours have passed and I have no idea how long I've been working.
I hope and wish for focus, so I can know how I did something, and can repeat it if I ever want to. I'm figuring out that it's just not how my brain works, I need to get into a state of hyper-focus or the works just no good.
I'll take notes, make myself take a break, set a timer, and hope for the best.
Focus.
Often the path that leads from the idea to the canvas resembles a Family Circus cartoon where the little boy or girl takes the long way and many detours to get from point A to point B.
I can describe the idea that led to the other idea that led to the inspiration that led to the application of the idea and then the detour that led to another idea that had me try something else, and then , oh, that looks cool, what if I did this, or layer on that, or lifted this.......and so on and so on.
Are you still with me?
The thing is, I get so deep in thought,, and so internal, that it's hard to translate my techniques in simple terms. Like a meditation, sometimes I will be working on something and time just slips away. All of a sudden I "come to" and the painting is nearly done, overworked, or just completely different then my original idea. I'm not in a completely conscious state, so I have no idea what I did, or how I got there. Hours have passed and I have no idea how long I've been working.
I hope and wish for focus, so I can know how I did something, and can repeat it if I ever want to. I'm figuring out that it's just not how my brain works, I need to get into a state of hyper-focus or the works just no good.
I'll take notes, make myself take a break, set a timer, and hope for the best.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Wandering Mind Studio: Heavy vs uplifting, is there room for both? Why I ...
Wandering Mind Studio: Heavy vs uplifting, is there room for both? Why I ...: You read a big serious book, full of intense heady content, concentrating is key. You finish the book/novel/manifesto, and then give your mi...
Heavy vs uplifting, is there room for both? Why I think you can weave various moods and tones simultaneously while working on a series.
You read a big serious book, full of intense heady content, concentrating is key. You finish the book/novel/manifesto, and then give your mind a rest with an easy "beach read".
Painting is like that too sometimes. I do these studies that are so involved that I am completely immersed, and hardly take time to breath. I'll work on something for days, hours that feel endless and fleeting at the same time (that's how you know that you're in "the zone"). When those paintings have been completed, I find myself somewhat mentally drained , and n need of recharging my creative mind.
Enter the simple painting, something lighter, brighter, completely spontaneous and simple. I might use these as a way to experiment with new materials and ideas. After all, there's no pressure to make a masterpiece, and usually, that's when it happens , a breakthrough style or technique. It pays to give yourself some slack sometimes, and the result may surprise you.
Painting is like that too sometimes. I do these studies that are so involved that I am completely immersed, and hardly take time to breath. I'll work on something for days, hours that feel endless and fleeting at the same time (that's how you know that you're in "the zone"). When those paintings have been completed, I find myself somewhat mentally drained , and n need of recharging my creative mind.
Enter the simple painting, something lighter, brighter, completely spontaneous and simple. I might use these as a way to experiment with new materials and ideas. After all, there's no pressure to make a masterpiece, and usually, that's when it happens , a breakthrough style or technique. It pays to give yourself some slack sometimes, and the result may surprise you.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Wandering Mind Studio: Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort ...
Wandering Mind Studio: Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort ...: Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort zone. : Trying to choose paintings for my portfolio. Its a daunting task. Since I work i...
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Images: Wicked: (adv) New England slang that adds emphasis...
Images: Wicked: (adv) New England slang that adds emphasis...: January 30 – March 2, 2014 Reception Saturday, February 8, 2014, 5 – 7pm Jurors Hope Turner and Zola Solamente of Arden Gallery, Boston ...
Monday, January 20, 2014
Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort zone.
Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort zone.: Trying to choose paintings for my portfolio. Its a daunting task. Since I work in "studies", theres...
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Stepping out of my comfort zone.
Honestly, I'd rather just paint. All this packaging, presenting, and promotion is out of my comfort zone. However, if I'm interested at all in sharing my work with the rest of the world, I have to suck it up and get my shit together. Otherwise I'd have paintings piling up in my studio like a hoarder, and I wouldn't have room to make new work. So, if I really want to paint, I better make peace with the rest of it.
"Static" to be published in Incite2 Color Passions in Fall of 2014
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