'Ignited' Competed

'Ignited' 24 x24" Acrylics On Gallery Wrap Canvas

Oh boy, now I know why I tend to avoid straight lines and squares in my art, my depth perceptions terrible. (part of how my dyslexia shows itself)  It was a battle, but it looks pretty good in person so I'm happy.  Think it's time to invest in a small carpenters square and then figure out how I can use it and not have it running up or down hill as I tend to do with rules.

Reminds me of when I was getting my beginners licence to drive.  They had me in front of a computer and told me I was to tell them when my little car was lined up with certain points they would show me.  The instructor kept looking at me every time I'd say 'Now!' Finally he suggested I get my glass prescription checked out :-)   And that my friends was just the beginning of my driving attempts.  I'm a non-driver today, decided though it may be my privilege to drive, not everyone should! I hated driving, it stressed me to the max and after pulling into the drive way and proceeding to hit a tree, I figure the world is better off with me as a passenger!

This painting was inspired by Joe Martino's full on demonstration in the book, Mixed Media Workshop. Love Joe's work, it's so my style and his demos just inspire me.  From working on this piece lots of new ideas came to me so I'm looking forward to taking the techniques and making them completely my own.  Great learning experience.

Hope you have a great weekend!

On Fire!

Been burning it up in the studio this week, trying out some new ideas and techniques.  It's been fun, but as with anything that's new it takes more time and thought as I work to finish out this piece.  By the time I got the background painted out, using only sponges, I felt like I had half my stash of paints spread all over the table.  I tend to work with a much more limited palette than this, so it was fun working with all those colours.

Time to let my mind percolate on how I'm going to create some focal points and finish out the details on this one.  Hope you're having a stimulating week!

"A creative block happens when you think you should do something while you are truly interested in doing something else.  The block is caused by looking in the wrong direction..." Point Zero by M. Cassou

Creative Flow

I've altered my colour palette slightly in the last few pieces I've done, wanting to create a warm aged look so I added Payne's Grey into the mix and have been enjoying the results.  This is a new piece I've been working on, still need to blend the Nickel ink colour on the crackle but so far so good.

Also delivered this one to my client, my sister Debbie.  I must say it was gratifying to see her so happy with the results. The symbolism in this one holds great significance and marks the miracle of their first Grand-childs birth. Tyler was born with a hole in his heart and other life threatening complications.  As a family we clung to our faith in a God who is true to his word. Ps. 118:17 "I shall not die, but live, and tell of the woks of the Lord." Our little man blesses this family with his laughter and presence in our lives.  We hung the painting and it looks wonderful, the light just made it come to life, I'll have to return and try and get some decent photos.

"When the creative processes grind to a halt, we have that unbearable feeling of being totally clogged...Instead of experiencing relaxed, energetic concentration, we jump avidly toward any distraction...we become easily tired; when we look back at our work nothing seems good enough; our eyelids glaze over; our brain cells chug to a standstill." Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch

We've all been there, just hope it's not this week!

In The Studio

"Unearthed"

Just finished this little piece today.  It's 24 x 30" and I really like the combination of colours.  Payne Grey, Transparent Umber and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold.  I'll be adding it to my gallery and it might wind up on display at Klub Soda.

Just waiting for the varnish to dry so I can take some pictures of the mixed-media piece I did for a client :-)

My granddaughters did well in the gymnastics competition this past weekend.  Grace our oldest took Gold in Best Overall, another Gold, Silver and one Bronze.  Lyvia our youngest took home three 1st place ribbons and one 2nd place.  They work hard and we are very proud of them.

No photos to show of the competition just yet.