Available Art

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Artful Recipe












































I started a new painting today or if your my husband, a drawing. Pastels have this limbo like reputation about whether or not they are paintings or drawings. I myself think of them as paintings. I think the problem comes from the fact that you do not require brushes in order to paint with pastels. Even though I do not use a brush I still have to mix colors (on the paper) and use an arsenal of techniques to get the pastel to do what I want. I usually cover every square inch of the paper with pastel giving it the look of paint. So which do you think it is? I started taking pictures of this painting from the beginning so that you can see the process that I go through. If you check out the previous blog you will see that I don't always start the same way. In the last painting of the church I blocked in all my colors first. In today's painting I am working my way across the painting one section at a time. I will go back later to fix any problem areas. I started my drawing with charcoal then my piece got to small so I switched to a blue pastel pencil because I was to lazy to find another piece of charcoal. I've never used a blue drawing before so I'm excited to see how it turns out, so far I like the effect it gives. It gives the pictures a little bit of tension. I am working from a photo, it has a warped sense of perspective that I like.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Not what I expected but thats OK!


Today I started out feeling good about painting. I wanted to do something small because as some of you know I have limited time to paint. A kid really throws a wrench into doing what you want, when you want (as does a job).

 I went a little smaller than usual 4x6 when normally I don't do smaller than 5x7 so perhaps that was part of my problem. I was also trying a technique that is fairly new to me. I've used it maybe 3 times before. The first picture was my first lay down of color.


I was still feeling ok by the second lay down of color but it wasn't going as well as I had hoped. By the last picture I had basically given up. It was between picture 2 and 3 that I had that had to decide is it worth continuing to paint?

When your artwork doesn't come out like you want it to you have to evaluate why!  Its a learning experience! Why didn't my painting work the way I envisioned it today?
1. Lot of stuff going on in a very tiny space
2. I didn't do an initial drawing to make sure I had strong bones to work with and it showed!
3. I worked mostly from memory which I have very little experience doing.
4. I wanted something quick and easy and I picked something not quick and easy
5. New technique and I'm not sure I really understand it. But when it works I love it!!!!

By the way my Mother-in-Law really likes this painting.   Gotta love your fans!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Please excuse the mess!


I know my photo is messy but thats just who I am. I am also broke! Just like everyone else! Even though I have no money I still needed a flat file. For those of you who don't know what a flat file is, it is a large file with thin drawers so that you can store paper in it. It keeps your paper nice and crease free! They start around $400-$500 and go up. I made my own, and yes it is very ghetto!

To make your own flat file, take 2 cinder blocks and put them on the floor. Add a piece of wood in the size you need, I think mine is 30x45 or something like that. Then get 4 small bricks or pavers and stick in each corner. Then you keep layering until you get the amount of storage space you need. And later if you need more space just add more wood and bricks! Its that simple. I hope someone else can use this tip! I love it! I think total it cost me $10 because I used wood I already had, I bet if I had to buy the wood it wouldn't have been more than $20 or $30.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

New Years Resolutions





These charcoal portraits are of some of my cousins in 5x7.

With the beginning of the new year comes the dreaded new year resolutions. Normally I don't make them because I know myself well enough to know I will not keep them...if I ever even start them. I am certainly smart enough not to make a resolution about what I eat, as I sit here stuffing my face with chocolate chip cookies! Here is my list so far!
1. Buy someone else's art. (I have a few in mind already) http://beckyjoy.com/collections/24428/?displayhorz=3

2. Buy all my bday gifts from www.etsy.com For those of you who don't know its a website dedicated to homemade and vintage items, its amazing what people can make!

3. Complete all of the Concept2 individual rowing challenges
www.concept2.com/us/motivation/challenges/individual/default.asp

4. Keep my studio/paperwork organized (HA HA HA)

5. De-wallpaper my bathroom and paint it

6. Spend more time with God, my family and my art...what a mountain I have to climb!