Mark Makiing

March 4, 2019

I’ve been looking at different ways of mark making
lately and I’m getting some surprising results.
I recently did this quick watercolor sketch
adding marker, charcoal, ink and oil stick.

Feeding Time
5.5 “ x 8 “

Then I used that as a reference to do this larger version.

Feeding Frenzy
16 x 16 acrylic, ink, oil stick

I really enjoy working with acrylics on Canson canva paper;
the immediacy and ability to use different mediums with it
makes for some fun, spontaneous, and intutive mark making!

Show Time!

February 28, 2019

As the winter wanes (well kind of)
there are shows and open studios popping up everywhere.
I’m excited to be a part of the
National Association of Woman Artists
Juried Show “Places and Spaces”
opening this Friday March 1 from 6 - 9 pm
at the Alternative Art Space
460 Harrison Avenue #21C

“From Above”
12 x 12 acrylic

This is just one of the many openings that evening
in conjunction with the SoWa
art district First Friday Open Studios 5 - 9 pm.
A fun night for everyone!
Come by if you’re in the area!

Over Thinking

February 23, 2019

It’s been re-affirming lately to hear so many artists talk about
the tendancy to over think and over analyze our work.

I’ve been doing alot of that lately
and it’s been getting frustrating, so last week
I decided to just play at the easel and did this.

“Hen House”

18 x 18 acrylic and oil stick

I literally did not think about this while doing it.
and I had a ball;
finally letting “the muse” do her thing.

Once you stop thinking so much
about the “rules” and getting it “right”
the magic can happen.

I guess that’s the on going challenge.

Moving the Eye

February 19, 2019

I think this is finally finished.
It has been through many phases and changes.

Red Towel
20 x 16 oil

I’m experimenting with moving the eye around a painting.
Here, the towels are the obvious focal point,
and the verticals and diagonals
bring you around the entire painting.
At least, that is what I’m after.

Accepting Chaos

February 14, 2019

I’m noticing that many of the artists
I’ve been exploring lately profess:
“Take risks!”
”Embrace Chaos”
“Your paintings will be richer when you struggle”
”It’s OK if it’s wrong”

Melinda Cootsona, Mark Daniel Nelson, Linda Christensen

I worked on this over a few sessions;
scraping things out, changing values,
and using different tools.
I find this way of working a bit scary,
yet exciting and engaging!

I like it when some of the painting’s
“history shows”.

Happy Valentines Day!

New Website and Blog Have Launched!

February 11, 2019

After many weeks of exploration, I have finally
upgraded my website and blog.

I can thank Susan Davis and SHD Marketing for all her tireless help!

I highly recommend her services;

she’s patient and kind with those who are not so technologically savvy!

I hope you continue to enjoy my posts
and let me know if you have any comments!

(This is a test run)

Works In Progress

February 6, 2019

I have at least ten "works in progress" in my studio right now,
which is a totally new way of working.

That said, I've been away from the studio for a while so I couldn't wait to start something fresh today.

Today's WIP

24 x 24 oil on canvas

Here is the image I used for inspiration, turned upside down.

The initial "lay-in";

Once I turned it right side up,I made a few adjustments and will now re-visit it when it's dry.

And after I've looked at it for a few days.

This new approach is teaching me to let things happen and "accept chaos" along the way. The biggest challenge is to prevent myself from over working it by "fixing it".
Will keep you posted.

Kitchens

January 23, 2019

HI there, I've been thinking about kitchens as a subject lately,

(Probably because I spend so much time in them this time of year.)

I've had an image of my friend's kitchen

in my files for some time

and finally got a chance to play with it.

Small "Abstract" Watercolors

December 11, 2018

While watching the Pats game

I played with a small pad, marker and watercolors.

Trying to think abstractly

I started with 5 shapes of varying sizes and color.

No reference.

That didn't last long.

This became the pizza we had during the game.

This became an appetizer plate

And of course, a beach scene.

It's funny how our brain reads shapes and

we immediately identify them as something.

I find it a challenge to think of

just shapes and their relationships with each other.

Finding My Voice

November 15, 2018

The final session of the online class I'm taking is "Finding Your Voice".

We've been gathering, compiling, and analyzing our personal visual influences; including paintings, as well as other art forms. It's been a revealing and eye-opening exercise.

I recently submitted these pieces to the Copley Society Holiday Small Works show, where I noticed a common thread in my work.