A Bit of Abstract

This month we are exploring different kinds of abstraction
in the MDN class.
It’s inspiring and certainly a stretch for me.
I had a fun time with this experiment this week.

Untitled as of Now
10 x 6 oil on board

I’d done this earlier this summer and used it as a reference.

My intention was to remove details, similar sized shapes,
and concentrate on combining values.
I did this crazy thing quickly on my I pad
over the image of the above painting.

That was such a surprise, I used it as my reference
to paint over an old painting.
I just kept making subtle changes in color and value.
At one point I realized I had to crop it
to get rid of the same size shapes!
(Thanks MDN).

Here it is again.
Title ideas anyone?

Keeping Things Simple

The long hazy, hot, and humid days of summer are here
and it feels like everyone has slowed way down;
taking time to enjoy some of the simpler things.
I, for one, am getting inspired by paintng simple summer subjects.

Blue Chair

16 x 16 acrylic

I just love the simple lines of this chair and I used “made up” colors.
It’s almost a relief to have no committments or deadlines for paintings.
Summer is a time to reflect, relax, and recharge your batteries!

Enjoy!

Therapy Paintings

Having few opportunities to buckle down in the studio these days
I’ve had some fun doing some quick simplified beach scenes.
(It’s summer time!)

“Socially Distant”
10 x 10 oil on carton board

I find the act of breaking every thing down into
simple shapes of flat color is very therapeutic.
Almost like a doing a “coloring book.”
I’m guessing we all need a little of that right now.
No?

NOTE:
I’m getting ready to (hopefully) teach again in the fall,
and it’s been fun to re-visit my lesson plans.
As always, I realize that “getting back to basics”
is both comforting and re-energizing
for all of us.

My Old Boy Friend

Like many of artists, my “style” is always evolving.
I enjoy experimenting and exploring new approaches
so last week it was a challenge to revisit an “old boyfriend”
to do a commission.
A woman recently purchased this painting, done two years ago,
at Solace Studio and Gallery.

”Beach Happy”
16 x 16

She had seen an image of one of my “beach chair” paintings
from that same series (that had sold)
and wanted a similar one “to go with it”; using the same pallet.
Using Procreate on my I Pad, I was able to “match” the colors
and experiment with various versions for her approval.

Here is the final piece and the client is thrilled.

“Summer School”
12 x 12 oil

It was great fun to hang out with my “old boy friend” to do this.
After so much experimenting with various approaches of “mark making”,
it was refreshing to go back to using large areas of flat solid colors on Carton board.

This approach works well for beach scenes, one of my favorite subjects.
And now that the beach is in full swing, I think I’ll do more!

NOTE: I’m not getting back together with my old boy friend.
We’re “just friends”.

Unfinished

Last week, during our MDN on-line class, he shared an image of
Charles Sheeler’s “Back Country Barns “ 1923
We were discussing mark making and
how impactful “unfinished” work can be;
as in leaving the sky white.
I was inspired to try it out. .

6 x 10
Gouache, pencil,
on mixed media board.

This was such fun to do,
as I have limited supplies and agility right now.

(Getting PT and will be “back” in the studio soon)

Summer Reading

While I try to keep this blog strictly about my painting journey,
I thought I’d share a bit of my “other” passion; reading!
While taking the time to slow down and heal my back,
I’ve been losing myself in some terrific new novels
and these a few of my latest favorites.

“A Good Neighborhood asks big questions about life in America today—what does it mean to be a good neighbor? How do we live alongside each other when we don't see eye to eye?—as it explores the effects of class, race, and heartrending love in a story that’s as provocative as it is powerful.”

“In this captivating story of crisis and survival, Emily St. John Mandel takes readers through often hidden landscapes: campgrounds for the near-homeless, underground electronica clubs, the business of international shipping, service in luxury hotels, and life in a federal prison. Rife with unexpected beauty, The Glass Hotel is a captivating portrait of greed and guilt, love and delusion, ghosts and unintended consequences, and the infinite ways we search for meaning in our lives.”

“Afterlife is a compact, nimble, and sharply droll novel. Set in this political moment of tribalism and distrust, it asks: What do we owe those in crisis in our families, including—maybe especially—members of our human family? How do we live in a broken world without losing faith in one another or ourselves? And how do we stay true to those glorious souls we have lost?”

Each one of these wonderful “reads” touches on one or more
of the current societal issues that so many of us are facing today;
thought provoking and immensly fullfilling.

HAPPY READING!

Art in Situ

It’s always a treat to see my art work
hanging in someone’s home.
I recently saw this in a friend’s powder room
and it brough back so many memories.

“Off Season”
7 x 9 oil

I did this in 2006!
Most of my work was “alla prima” (done in one sitting) back then and
I was using the distressed wood frames that were very popular.
It’s so fun to see evidence of my art journey along the way,
and to know the owners have found joy in sharing it
over the years.

NOTE:
I’ve recently been diagnosed with a stress fracture on my spine,
brought on by heavy lifting (and not heeding the signals)
6 weeks of no lifting, twisting, bending!
It doesn’t look like I’ll be doing much serious painting for awhile
but I’ll be sure to keep you posted when I do.

Have a great summer everyone!

A Slow Return

Happily things are starting to open up, albeit very slowly.
I just dropped off two paintings at the
South Shore Art Center
for the opening of the delayed Spring Show “Beholden”

They will be hanging the actual show that will be open “live”
to the public on June 11!

Spring Fireworks
12 x 12 oil

“Spring Wake Up”
16 x 16 acrylic

The plan is to allow limited numbers of people (wearing masks)
into the gallery at a time.

NOTE:
Tha annual Arts Festival has been cancelled this year
however, the art show will be available on line
June 12, 13, 14.

I don’t think any of us wlll be taking any of these wonderful,
traditional, events for granted ever again!

Virtual Information

The amount of information for artists that is currently available
on the internet is almost overwhelming.
I’ve been trying to limit myself (in order to stay sane) however this week,
I signed up for a virtual painting demo by Maggie Siner
hosted by Warehouse 521 in Nashville.  

I’ve been fascinated by her work for years, so it was enlightening to watch her paint.
She is an excellent instructor; honest, generous, and funny.

I was inspired to set up a simple still life
and try some of her approaches.

She works on toned linen in oil and begins with a gestural
”defination of space”.

She then applies paint one stroke at a time,
beginning with the background to establish the space.
She then relates that to all the other colors moving forward.

Not my usual approach and I was uncomfortable most of the time.
(I stopped here so I could let it dry before I started making mud.)

I hope I never stop challenging myself to try new things,
and I encourage all artists to stretch themselves.

If not now, when?
It’s what keeps us humble, for sure!

Hiatus

I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from painting
these last few weeks.

Like many of us, I found myself unable to focus or concentrate
in the studio, so I decided to take some time off.
I’ve been reading, gardening, walking, and missing my
kids and grandkids terribly. .

This weekend we finally got to see them all at the beach.
At one point, our 4 year old (oldest of 4) asked if he could draw
so I got out my favorite “art kit”.

This portable water color set comes with a brush you fill with water.
All you need is sketch book and a kleenex.
(Thank you Sebastian and Sally!)

This is what he came up with!

“Day at the Beach” 4 x 6 watercolor, marker on paper. By Nico Colella

Oh, to be a four year old again!
I hope everyone is enjoying this memorable
Memorial Day.

New Subject Matter

I played 9 holes of golf yesterday and it was pure heaven.
I’ve been aching for some new subject matter
so the open space and all those greens
were just the ticket. .
I was so inspired that I got out my sketch book and
watercolors and did these quick studies
as soon as I got home.

I loved the organic shapes and the marker showing through
so I did these 9 x 12 acrylics on canva paper this am.

We’ll see where this takes me.

As our lives slowly begin to open up
and Mother Nature continues to do her thing,
I’m buoyed by hope.

Stay safe everyone!

Mother's Day

Like many, I’ve been cleaning out drawers
and finding lots of memorabilia.
I found a box of items that belonged to my Mom
and decided to paint them in her honor.

Mom’s Things 16 x 16 acrylic

My Mom loved to sew and always had a project or two in the works.
(That’s a hand appliquéd hanky and a needlepointed scissor case)
And her beloved transistor radio was always tuned to a baseball game.

I’m so grateful for the memories I have of my
amazingly talented and creative MOM!

Happy Mother’s Day to all.

Materials Matter

Just like our signatures, mark making in painting
depends on what materials we use.
(Think signing a check with a ball point pen vs. signing a photo with a marker. )
Last week, I got out my oils and did this
on this 10 x 10 gallery wrapped canvas.

I tried some “staccato” marks to perk it up
but the tooth of the canvas and the heaviness of the oils
made it very tight.

Then I took a piece of canson canva paper and my acrylics
and did this fun thing very quickly.

For some reason, painting on paper feels less prescious and is more freeing.
Also, I can be more agressive with the acrylics, because I can change it so easily.
Here’s the Procreate image I used as a quick reference.

I don’t think I could ever settle on one combo of materials
to use for all my paintings.
Each one is a single and unique experience
that depends on the materials at hand and the mood I’m in!

NOTE:

Now I need new brushes and
I’ve never ordered them on line.
I need to feel them.

Mark Making

We’ve been talking about Mark Making (or Paint Application)
in the MDN class this month.
This week, I played with using “staccato” brush strokes;
or quick short marks in the style of Van Gogh or Vuillard.

First I tried it out with the Procreate app on my I Pad.
I used the complement, in the same value, of each color section
to make the marks.

I kept checking the values by putting it into black and white
to see if they would “disappear. “

I did a pretty good job except for the shadow shape behind the pup.
I then tried doing that with paint and it wasn’t quite as much fun,
or successful.

“Guest Room”
20 x 10 acrylic

Stay tuned.
We’re exploring “slash and dash” brush strokes next!

Dishes

Now that everyone is cooking and eating at home,
doing dishes has become a regular activity.
I couldn’t resist trying that out as a subject.

“Party of One” 12 x 10 acrylic

I had fun using this procreate sketch as
as reference .

Thinking about all of my pals who are eating alone
more than they should be.
May we all get back to “dining out” sooner
than later.

Empty Rooms It won't be long

While further exploring interiors as a subject,
it occured to me that “empty rooms” can be a metaphor
for what we are all experiencing now.
I feel like we are all empty rooms,
just waiting to be filled with people again.

“Empty Kitchen”
20 x 16 acrylic

Hang in there everyone,
it won’t be long.

Finding Structure

After staying away from the studio for a few days
I re-entered today with some new energy.
I’d found some great images of interiors I’d taken
one summer at a friend’s summer “camp”
and got inspired.

I realized that interiors are a very comforting subject right now.
Getting out a ruler and planning the shapes ahead of time
gave me structure and stability.
Then I was able to play with making up colors, values
and mark making.

This was satisfying in so many ways.
Here’s to those rooms getting filled with people this summer!

Epiphany

Like many of my artist friends, I’m having a difficult time
focussing in the studio;
finding it difficult to be “present”,
(which happens to be an essential requirement for
creating meaningful paintings.)
It’s discouraging and usually means
it’s time to take a break.

The Present
12 x 12 acrylic

I tell myself that times like these are usually
followed by an epiphany* of sorts.
Both in the studio, and in life.
Happy Passover/Easter everyone.

*(1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception
of the essential nature or meaning of something.
(2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something
(such as an event) usually simple and striking.
(3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure.

Planning Ahead

I am a planner by nature.
So for years, whenever I’d hear artists say things like
“just let it happen” or
”let the painting tell you where to take it”
I’d be skeptical.
Lately though I’ve been forcing myself to the easel
without an idea or a plan (or a reference image!)
and the results have been quite surprising.

“Alone Together”
10 x 10 oil

This began loosly as a beachscape, until I found myself thinking
about all the people who are losing loved ones
and cannot be with them to say goodbye.
Soon, the colors became muted, the linear shapes appeared
and marks were made;
seemingly without my direction!
Yikes.

I’m not sure I’m totally comfortable with this approach,
but I do think that less planning produces more discoveries!

Painting An Emotion

I’m learning that a common approach to abstract painting
is to start with a non-subjective idea;
such as an emotion, a sense, or a memory.

“Empathy”
12 x 12 oil, cold wax, oil sticks

I began this while thinking of all the ways people’s lives
are being impacted in both
positive and negative ways these days.

That led to my being conscious of
balancing the dark / light,
thick / thin, and dull / intense elements.

Somewhat like this wild emotional roller coaster ride
we’re all on these days.
Stay safe!