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A couple of this month’s paintings still need work. Here are the pieces I created for the Challenge on Days 7, 11, 12, 13, & 18. Committing to a drawing or painting each day was difficult last year and no less so this year. With only 4 more days to the finish, I am pretty sure I can do it. I learn a lot from drawing or painting from life (not a photo), but I can’t experiment as easily, explore ways of representing that go beyond realism–or not very far beyond. I did rough up the texture on the work gloves and trowel so that the application fit the subject more closely. But I am SO eager to take more time with a piece and be more thoughtful as I paint or draw–let myself fail more and find my way with less necessity to show what I’ve done. My favorite painters currently: Ans Debije & Tibor Nagy. Do I want to paint like them? Yes. No. Like many many other artists, I want to paint more loosely. Not as loose as Robert Joyner, although I also admire his style. Ah well, we do what we can. If you are an artist, I hope you are taking some chances with your work and above all, enjoying the process. Don’t take it too seriously. Work & play.
I have been going through pieces I wasn’t happy with and managed to finish these. It feels good to have them out of limbo. Many more to revisit.
Titles: Spoon & Fork, Above & Below
I found out about an excellent video on creativity (through Lewis Noble) that I think might inspire and reassure others who work in the arts. I can’t share it, unfortunately, but you can find it on You Tube. It’s called John Cleese On Creativity in Management. The ideas apply to all creatives.
And here are a few of the pieces I’ve worked on recently.
Finished after years of putting it aside and working on it again. 9×12
An experiment with primary colors. 8×10
A challenge from Chick Curtis to paint his portrait (life drawing meets at his house).8×10
Final touches on one I had put aside.
These were the better paintings I was able to finish in 1 day during the stradaeasel challenge–my first time joining.
Since my four 4×4 pieces sold at the Member fundraiser at CCMA, I delivered these (all 4×4) to replace them (one extra in case another one sells.) In the past, working small could take me about as much effort and time as the larger pieces, but I was able to finish these quickly. Enthusiasm for having sold the others helped!
I started making these cards when I found out that some members of The Society of Layerists in Multi-Media (SLMM) were exchanging Artist Trading Cards (ATC) next year. ATC or ACEO are 3.5 x 2.5 inch art pieces. Since I have put these up for sale on Daily Paintworks, I call them ACEO Cards (Art Card Editions and Originals) which are, basically, ATC (Artist Trading Cards) that are sold rather than exchanged.
I have a “serious” art-making side and a whimsical side and making these satisfies my whimsical leanings. Plus, they exercise my imagination. I confess that making them has become addictive–or I have become obsessive. I set a goal of making 365 and deciding then whether to continue. When other projects are stalled, I make more of these so that I’m not spinning in circles.
If you would like to see a short video of how I make them (created with my iPad, so it won’t be fancy,) please let me know in the Comments. The fact that these are symmetrical, and that I call them Rorch Art, after the Rorschach Test, gives you a good idea of how I begin.
I heard about this show from Rachel X. Hobreigh, who is organizing it. (We are both members of the Society of Layerists in Multi-Media.) The fundraiser will be from December 6, 2022 to January 8, 2023 at the Washington Corridor Gallery–Helms Bakery District in Culver City, CA. I have seen some of the other art pieces (on Zoom) and am sure this will be a wonderful show. And it’s for a good cause!
These two pieces sold at the Riverside Art Museum’s “Off The Wall” fundraiser recently. Blue & Rust is 12 x 12, Bouquet is 8×8. When I arrived to pickup the two pieces that didn’t sell, I was asked to feature in the gallery store in January and February. That was a really nice surprise.
Here are a few of my art pieces on display at the Riverside Art Museum. Thanks to Mark Schooley for featuring these
and also some beautiful work by Mary Gehley.
Lavina Blossom Art 