A CUP OF COFFEE AND A GOOD BOOK . . . .

. . . ESPECIALLY  PAGE 79!

Yep - the new AcrylicWorks book is here - and my "Peekaboo Bear" resides on page 79!

This is (obviously) the 3rd book in the acrylic series and I'm thrilled to be included once again.  By my tally there are only 10 artists whose work has appeared in all three of these books - and I'm one of the 10!

The book is available at Northlight Books - if you are interested in purchasing a copy.

SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP

On September 18-19 I gave a workshop in fluid acrylics titled "Painting Silver and Lace" for the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild in Aurora, Indiana.  I know most of these ladies, some for years, so I knew they were all good painters, and suspected that the 3 I did not know were also good painters.  Turns out I was correct!

Since I was being photographed during the workshop, I just turned
the tables on "the photographer"!

Whenever I teach a workshop - unless I'm teaching beginners - I always think "what can I possibly teach these people?".   But it turns out that there is always something they didn't know.

I was asked to teach this painting in fluid acrylics, a medium some of the ladies had never used and some had used, but in a different way.  Since this was a project based workshop, we all painted the same painting for which I supplied the photo and tracing.

Long story short, a good time was had by all, and most were able to complete the painting in the two days allotted.  For those who did not complete the painting that weekend, they will be able to do so at home using what they have learned.

Here they are, all holding up their paintings for "show and tell".  (You may recognize this painting!)

Over all their response was positive, and I really enjoyed the experience.

SUNFLOWERS - 2

Here are more of the students' paintings - continuing the sunflowers - with mine in there somewhere!

This was after our second session using the fluid acrylics.

BEGINNING SUNFLOWERS

Both classes have started a sunflower painting.  Here are the starts from the morning class - using fluid acrylics!

I'm providing the paints, brushes and palettes (styro plates) for them to experiment with since none have used the fluid acrylics before and I hate for people to spend a lot of money just to try something.  I have an array of these paints, primarily DaVinci and Chroma, but a few Golden thrown in - they are smaller size so I'm thinking they came into my possession via the Golden company's demonstration and give away programs.
If they like it, I'm sure they will be going out to purchase MORE PAINT - just what we all need, right!!!

All of the paintings are from our first day of working on them.  Mine is in there somewhere but I can't tell which it is without looking at the back where I wrote the student's name.   I know mine is NOT the best looking one!

So far they seem to be enjoying this experience.  Not everyone will be here each week - but I'll try to keep up with photos as the weeks pass.

PROGRAM DEMONSTRATION

I was asked to give a demonstration of fluid acrylics for the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild at their May meeting.  I took some paintings done with the fluid acrylics for "show and tell".

Since I had about 45-60 minutes to give the demo, rather than try and paint something quickly, I began a painting at home which I divided into 3 parts.

I put a piece of tape to divide the first 1/3 from the rest of the painting, and put a wash of paint on the flowers, leaves and background on the right 2/3.

When that was dry, I added more paint to begin bringing out the flowers and leaves.

Another layer onto the right side.

 A final layer on the right side.

At this point, my demo was ready for the meeting.

For my demo, I removed the blue tape and showed how I typically begin my paintings on the untouched left 1/3 of the painting.  Then I added more color to the middle portion - so that they could see the beginning, middle and end.

My hope is to complete the painting, tying it all together.  Stay tuned!

CENTRAL TIME - FINAL

The final painting.

I had to repaint between the girders after removing the tape since too much of the paint flowed underneath.  It may have been a "happy accident" since I like the look of this better.

Central Time, Chroma Flow Acrylics on Arches watercolor paper

CENTRAL TIME - 7

Yet more work on the clock and girders.

BOOKS AND MAGAZINES - OH MY!

My painting “Poured Yupo Peony” is included in the book AcrylicWorks 2: Radical Breakthroughs.  They even used it in an email promo, which I thought was really cool and unexpected.  My California friend, Chris Beck, sent me an email saying she had seen it online, so I double checked my emails on my computer (not my phone where those little tiny photos require magnifying glasses!).

The painting was created by pouring and dripping fluid acrylics on Yupo using taping to separate the layers. I used blue painter's tape so it wouldn't stick to the acrylics when I pulled it off, and so that some of the colors would run underneath to create the fluted edges of some of the petals.  Definitely not my usual support, nor technique, but that's what this painting was all about - getting out of the norm and trying something new.

In addition, another of my paintings is a Finalist in The Artist’s Magazine Over 60 Competition, with my name listed in the March magazine, but no photo.  It's one you have seen here on the blog multiple times.

CENTRAL TIME - 6

Continuing to sharpen features.

CENTRAL TIME - 5

I began sharpening the girders and the clock features.

CENTRAL TIME - 4

Now I used clear tape over the shapes between the girders, then applied more color in a “bullseye” around the clock.

CENTRAL TIME - 3

I wet the paper and placed a wash of blues around the clock, blotting the face when the paint ran in.

CENTRAL TIME - 2

 I enlarged the photo and then used a rolling ruler and two straight edges to sharpen up all of those lines!

Finally I had the drawing ready.  It sat on my easel for at least a day so I could study it as I walked by, to make sure it made sense.

CENTRAL TIME

A few years ago I took a trip to Chicago with a friend.  We spent the weekend with her wild and crazy cousin and had a blast!

I was like a country mouse in the city. 

We took the El train into downtown – a totally new experience for me.  I was confused by the train – not realizing I could simply open the door between cars even though it said “Do not Open While Train is in Motion” – or something like that.  So, when the other two went through the door and it closed on me I was in shock and yelled for my friend.  Of course, that alerted passengers in that car that something was going on and pretty much anyone within earshot – about half the car – looked up at me.  The other two found this incredibly funny and they doubled over in laughter.  I was embarrassed at that point, but later in the day I just laughed at that, along with all of the other stupid things we did.

We acted like little kids all day.

We rode in a taxi – again, not something I’m used to.  All 3 of us crammed into the backseat, sitting on each others laps and hugging to make room!

We took funny photos of ourselves under and around “The Bean” at Millennium Park.

We made goofy poses in front of the lions at the Art Museum.

I recall some skipping and possibly singing, too!

Remember those folks who were alerted on the train when the door closed on me?  Well, when we got to the train station I looked up and saw this cool clock, and all the girders, and thought “now that would make a painting some day.”  So there I stood, photographing what, to a NORMAL person, would be the rafters. 

Two women from the train walked past me, and as they did so, one said to the other "Look, there's that odd woman from the train.  Look, she's taking pictures of the roof."  

And that’s how this painting began!

PEEKABOO BEAR and TWINROCKER PAPER

This last painting was created on Twinrocker Paper.

There is a story about this particular paper.  W a a a a a y back in the 1990's I visited the Twinrocker Paper Company with some other students from the watercolor classes I was taking.  The facility is located in Brookston, IN, just north of West Lafayette (home of Purdue University).

We all drove up together and had a tour of the facility which, as you can see from their website, you can still do today.  As I recall, it didn't cost us much, and we had lunch at a small diner just down the street.  I recall the most delicious soup and sandwich - maybe I was just famished, or it was truly delish!  Have no idea what the name of the place was, nor if it still exists.

Our tour was very informative as well as warm and moist!  It ended in a room filled with newly made paper!  All shapes, including circles and ovals, and all sizes.  I purchased about 5 pieces of full size paper and a couple of smaller ones.  When I got home I put them away since they were hand made and precious.  I decided to wait until I was a better painter before I used any of them.  They have resided inside the bag they came in until this year!

When I was looking for paper for this particular painting I finally decided that I was ready for the Twinrocker!  About time!!!

The paper is not competely flat as other w/c paper, and has more movement - little hills and valleys.  I'll be curious to see how, or if, it will flatten before I frame it.  It is also  about an inch smaller both width and height.

It handled very well as far as taking the paint - of course, this was acrylic versus watercolor, so I'll be curious and excited to try another "precious" sheet for a watercolor painting.

PEEKABOO BEAR - FINAL

Here is the completed (I think!) painting of "Peekaboo Bear".

"Peekaboo Bear", Chroma Flow Acrylic on Twinrocker paper, full sheet.

Twinrocker is a hand made paper and is slightly smaller than regular paper.

PEEKABOO BEAR - 4 (Chroma Flow Acrylics)

Step 8 - Here I have added a bit more to the yellow bear.

 Step 9 - Some shadowing begun on the blue bear.

 Step 10 - Blue bear darkened, eyes and nose added to yellow bear.

AcrylicWorks 2: Radical Breakthroughs

I received a surprise Saturday.

My friend Chris Beck emailed me to say she had seen a Northlight promotional email with my work featured.

When you enter most competitions your entry is an agreement for your work to be used in promotional materials.  (If you are like me, you sign the waiver so you can enter the competition, but never expect your work to actually be considered good enough to be used!)

Nevertheless - after receiving her email, I looked on my phone and, sure enough, there was my painting featured in the promo for the new AcrylicWorks 2:  Radical Breakthroughs book.

I immediately showed it to my husband, I was so excited!  In case you are interested - here it is!  (Scroll down to 3 - Still Lifes)

NEW in the North Light Shop: AcrylicWorks 2

AcrylicWorks 2: Radical Breakthroughs Edited by Jamie Markle What is considered a radical breakthrough in art? The second edition in the AcrylicWorks series works to showcase radical breakthroughs from over 100 top contemporary acrylic artists - whether it's a unique use of color, a different approach or style, an unusual subject matter, the method of painting, composition, or creative brushstrokes. Discover insight from each artist on their work and learn something new, delight your eyes, and find inspiration to create your own radical breakthroughs. Inside AcrylicWorks 2: Radical Breakthroughs you will find: Artwork from 116 acrylic artists 126 works paired with fresh from the studio insight from the artists themselves A variety of subject matter including landscapes, people, still lifes, animals, and abstract art Retail: $35.00 Your price: $24.92 Order Now Download eBook

Take a look at several included works and hear from the artists:

Another Crossroads | Acrylic on panel | 30" × 80" diptych "The process begins with a long hike, bottle of water, sketch pad and camera. All of my landscape work is derived from my experience in nature. I take many pictures, inspired notes and sketches. I combine these experiences in the studio and compose my work. Painting an idea can take on a life of its own, and I have found it is best to follow that muse rather than fight it." --Darien Bogart

DISCONNECT | Acrylic and Inktense pencils on canvas | 36" × 30" "Viewing old photos opened the floodgates of memory for me. I started painting these figurative pieces, telling the stories of my difficult childhood. It was as though the paint could not hit the canvas fast enough. They became my healing journey, an absolution between me and my mother. The painting starts with a rough sketch of a pose and stylish clothing from one of the old photos. Symbolic items are added as the story grows." --Marla Thirsk

Poured Yupo Peony | Fluid acrylics with tape on Yupo | 13" × 19" "Having been asked to do a demo pouring paint onto Yupo, I chose fluid acrylics rather than watercolors. I drew a peony, one of my favorite flowers, easy to draw and paint. To save white areas I used masking tape, then poured the first layer of paint. Additional pouring layers were created using blue painter's tape, which released easily, not pulling paint from the painting, and allowed paint to bleed underneath." --Deb Ward Pima Cotton | Acrylic on PVC board | 11" × 15 1/2" "I remember taking the photographic reference for Pima Cotton at a zoo. That in itself is unremarkable. It's the fact that this western cottontail was deftly hopping around feeding on grass under the hooves of a group of Burchell's zebras. As they walked around, the bunny seemed to want to stay in their shade in spite of being in peril of getting stepped on." --T.J. Lick What Lies Beneath | Acrylic and heavy gel on canvas | 20" × 16" "One of my most popular workshops is "Experimental Acrylic." What Lies Beneath began as a demo for my class using large swaths of thinned black paint to create a strong design. I allowed drips to form and the mostly rectilinear shapes were then filled with either heavy gel applied with a palette knife or brush, or thin glazes of transparent colors." --Kay Brathol-Hostvet Learn more and claim your copy of AcrylicWorks 2 today!

3 - Still Life


https://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=fp6g3ggafbcha#5002831559

PEEKABOO BEAR - 3 (Chroma Flow Acrylics)

Step 5 - More color added to the red bear and the rug.

Step 6 - Now working on the light brown bear.

Step 7 - Here I've added the little brown bear and worked more on the other two bears.

This is really a fun painting - same techniques I usually use, just a very different subject!

QUICK REVIEW OF 2014

At the end of each year I usually take a look back at what happened in the prior Art Year.

This past year my artwork was accepted into:

• 121^st Woman’s Art Club Juried Exhibit – The Anniversary Clock won the Winsor & Newton Award
• Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibit - Swirls
• Hoosier Salon – Japanese Tea won the Outstanding Watercolor Award and sold that evening!
• 46^th Annual ViewPoint National Juried Exhibit – Swirls and Daisies on Daisies
• The Artist’s Magazine 31^st Annual Art Competition: Still Life/Interior (Finalist) – “Oriental Roses” (Acrylic), “Yin Yang Mums” (Watercolor)
• Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 35^th Annual International Juried Exhibition (received Signature) – Flights of Fancy
• Watercolor Society of Indiana Annual Juried Show (received Signature) – Industrial Revolution
• Two of my paintings have been published in the book Artistic Touch 6 – Red Paisley Scarf and Flights of Fancy

In addition, I held two workshops.

My plan for this year is to take time to simply produce more work, so I may not be entering as many shows this year.  It will depend on what I have available, and I’m not going to put myself under that “deadline” pressure.  We shall see!

My best wishes to all of you in your artistic endeavors this year.