Under Every Painting There is an Abstract Painting

 

 

Acrylics Texturized Mixed Media ~ 12 x 12 ~ Still Life

 

 

Acrylics ~Texturized Mixed Media ~ Abstract ~ 12 x 12

 

Here's how that paradigm worked for me.  I did the abstract in a workshop and was not really thrilled by it, even though I folloowed the instructions pretty much as the instructor gave them.  For me, it lacks heart or "honesty."  I like absracts and I like trying to abstract [verb] my work sometimes, but this missed the mark a bunch. 

So, over the course of July and August, I have been doing classes I have called Art Camp for Seniors, in which we "played" with paint, gels, mediums collage papers, texturizing "tools," and, of course, buble wrap!  I told the students at each class, to think of these pieces as underpaintings until we arrived at a place where we were happy enough with the results, that they were no longer underpaintings, but "finished" pieces.  This gave everyone permission to let go of their expectations to leave each class with a finished piece, and to loosen up.  It worked very well for most everyone. 

As we neared the end of the series, I chose to do a set-up in my classes of fruit, wine bottles and glasses that they could do, only if they used some of their previously texturized surfaces.  I used the one above, and the results are at the top of this post.  I am pretty pleased with my fruit and bottle on a texturized surface, with the addition of a wine label, also texturized and "patina-ed" with Quin Gold and Quinacridone Burnt Orange.   Along with my students, I am beginning to really believe that a painting is indeed an underpainting until I say it's done!

Now you see it, now you don't!

Two Pears ~ Encaustic ~ 6 x 6

Well, I really did like these little guys, and did them as an experiment in the first place.  I was happy enough with them, but needed to continue experimenting.  Although I liked the texture I had created, I would have liked the piece to have been a tad smoother.  So, I had bought a second-hand iron at the thrift shop and tried to level the painting off.  Oh, the iron worked, and I was trying to get the hang of the iron on the wax, and got carried away, and I melted the whole darn thing off the board!  I am being brave about it, and not too upset.  I am getting better about pushing the envelope to see how far I can go with these new experiments.  So, this time I went too far, but will know the next time.

Just so you know, there IS a "special" iron for encaustics.  One brand is $40, and the other is $50.  Since I am on a steep, self-taught, learning curve, I am trying to keep "investments" to a minimum, so a $3 iron is what I am using for the moment.  I have read a bunch of blogs and instruction sites, and have seen most of the YouTube videos on encaustics, and some artists use a regular iron, and others say you MUST use the encaustics iron.  Do you think this is like other mediums, in that the better quality of materials and tools impact the results?  I am not sure ... yet ... but will let you know!

Girls Night Out Demo

Friday night was "Girls Night Out" in Fairhaven [Bellingham, WA], where women of all ages had a night on the town in shops and eateries, with portions of the proceeds going to cancer research.  The ladies migrated from one establishment to another with "passport" in hand to be stamped while they shopped.

Three of us Whatcom Art Guild artists demo-ed, and, below are the results of my four hours "mooshing" paint around, and chatting with those who stopped by the Art Martket.  Good fun was had by all!




Midsummer's Night Dream Girl
Arycrlics 7 1/2 x 11

Girls Night Out
Acrylics 7 1/2 x 11

Sangria Anyone? Acrylics 5 x 7

Poppies and Pods Acrylics 5 x 7

Batik Workshop on Saturday in Bellingham

Have been working on some "new material" for my all-day Watercolor Batik Workshop scheduled on Saturday at Dakota Art in Bellingham [there are still a few spaces available!].  I am finding that when I set up to do a series of batiks, I invariably have to do a "sacrificial piece" to warm up. My sacrificial piece that I did this morning will never see the light of day, let alone a space on this blog!  Terrible! But, that warm-up piece allowed me to do the one below, which pleases me.  Am hoping to have enough pieces by early spring to do a whole show in batiks.  We'll see. 

Radishes Watercolor Batik 8" x 8"
to show in Watercolor Batik Workshop

Another Reflection Challenge on DPW

Glass and fuit on a mirror tile from a set up similar to what I use in class

This week's Daily Paintworks Weekly Challenge is to paint reflections, so I did another batik.  Practice makes perfect!  So, I am a ways from perfection, but enjoying the process.  My kitchen has become my batik studio with a thrift shop electric fry pan and my "retired" iron sort of permanent fixtures on my counter. 

More to follow.  I have another challenge to play with ... The Whatcom Art Guild's July Challenge is a couple of photos of a old rusty truck.  I guess it was meant to be an either/or choice, but I did both.

The Upside Down Challenge

Well, this is it

This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge [ DPW ] was to paint a Revere bowl and a couple slices of watermelons on a reflective surface, with the reference turned UPSIDE DOWN.  It's a good lesson for learning to really SEE what you are painting.  Good stuff, and a lesson in humility.  I had to turn it right side up toward the end of my painting it to tweek it.  Stretching, always stretching.

CAN'T UPLOAD PHOTOS AT THIS TIME.  BLOGGER SEEMS TO BE BROKEN.  

UPDATE:  Somehow, after pushing buttons clicking numerous help buttons that didn't really answer any of my questions, crashing my computer, installing, uninstalling and reinstalling FireFox, rebooting,etc, I got a few functions to work.  I have no idea how I did it, but at least, I was able to upload the above image.  I don't know if I am out of the woods yet, but I am pleased to at least have the painting show up.  If I didn't have this, what would be the point of the blog?  Am keeping my fingers crossed!!!  :-)