October 23, 2010 October 23, 2010

I  have been working on a third gray, black and white study. These paintings are small (roughly 5″ X  7″) and are on 140 # Arches. This one I played with and played with. After the first wash I did not use a brush again and I applied 6 or 7 layers of paint. I learned that after the 4th or 5th layering you have washed away the sizing from the paper and it is much harder to achieve interesting effects. I also learned that when you are not using color all of your paintings can begin to look alike. I thought I was done painting this little study and it was nice but I decided I could make it more exciting. So I finished by painting another layer with a toothpick and was able to get the spiky flashes. Anyway I am finished with this. I hope you enjoy it! This image is scanned so it looks slightly different from the photos.

Study #3 in Gray, Black and White

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October 21, 2010 October 22, 2010

I am still working on my forest painting but I did finish a second study in gray, black and white. I find that these studies free my mind and I immerse myself in them. Unfortunately I have not started pulling together my November/December Show and that has to start today! Here is study in g,b &w step 1:

Study 2 in Gray, Black and White - Step 1

Step 1 is the only step that included use of a brush. I washed the paper with clear water and then painted in splotches of Payne’s Gray, Neutral Tint and Charcoal Gray achieving a variety of intensities in order to create an underpainting. While the paper was still very wet I dropped in liquid white watercolor and let it mingle without my assistance.

Study 2 in Gray, Black and White - Step 2

I let the paper dry thoroughly and then sprayed the paper with clear water. I dropped in black liquid watercolor, payne’s gray and neutral tint and tilted the paper to form a pattern. I repeated this one more time to build up more texture and color. Here is where I begin to debate with myself. Am I done? I decided no.

Study 2 in Gray, Black and White - Step 3

I decided that the study could be more dynamic and exciting so I tilted the paper and sprayed across it dropping white and payne’s gray watercolor across in a diagonal. I then used a tooth pick to pull out the spiky points. Throughout the painting process I used my finger and paper towels to blot and smudge the paint as it developed. Is the study done now? Who knows? I decided yes.

October 20, 2010 October 20, 2010

I am not quite done with this but close. I have a problem I trying to solve. I’m not sure if I can to be honest. My husband convinced me that my man and dog needed to be lower than I originally planned. I planned to have them walking through the sunlit area but he felt strongly that they should be lower and when I put my drawing on tracing paper it looked good. The problem is that the paint already applied in this area was already pretty dark with quite a bit of texture. I have been working with the man and I have lost some of his shape but I am fairly happy with the colors but the dog is a ghost dog at this point. I am setting it aside for tonight and while think on this awhile…

Indiana Autumn 90%

October 19, 2010 October 19, 2010

I couldn’t decide whether to post my work-in-progress but it is about 75% of the way to completion and the most important component of the subject matter is yet to come. I love color and I love the Indiana autumn. I love the red and gold maple trees and I love walking my dogs every morning. All of these marvelous things are coming together (slowly!) in this painting. So here goes:

Indiana Autumn 75% of the way to completion

October 18, 2010 October 18, 2010

We never know why we hit a slump and we never know why they end. I woke up yesterday with an intense desire to paint again. All I can say is Yippee! I started working on a couple of small watercolors and I finished (I think its finished…hmmmmm?) one today. This little guy was inspired by several things. First, I just recently finished a book by Edward Betts that included a chapter on painting without a brush. This painting is done entirely without the use of a brush. Second I have been thinking about the work that Chris and Leslie have been doing, especially Leslie’s post of October 3, 2010. She did a painting using multiple shades of gray and black.  Anyway here it is…I used payne’s gray, neutral tint, charcoal gray and Dr Martin’s Hydrus white and black.

Study in Gray, Black and White #1

Now that it is finally raining in Indiana I guess you could say I’m just splashing around.

October 16, 2010 October 16, 2010

This is the second post which I will use to show you some of my last solo show at the gbc Gallery. But first, yesterday I gave two tours in the Lilly House at the Indianapolis Museum of Art – one for a group of our respected elders and one public tour with 16 people. Fun and fulfilling. I also completed arrangements for an educational session that demonstrates the silkscreening process. This is part of training for IMA docents and I hope it helps everyone understand Andy Warhol and his process. So my day was full of art related activities but I didn’t create a work of my own.

Here a couple of additional photos of my 2009 Exhibit at gbc Gallery in Greenfield, Indiana.

gbc Gallery Exhibit 2009

gbc Gallery Exhibit 2009

 

October 14, 2010 October 14, 2010

I always go into each new year with excitement, dedication and enthusiasm and about mid-September I hit a slump, especially if I have entered several art competitions in a year. Well, I am in it! I am learning three new tours through the docent program at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, have three paintings in two shows that need pick up soon and I am preparing for my second big solo show and just generally am not spending time in my studio except to shoo out a dog.

In January and February 2009, the gbc Gallery, owned by the Greenfield Banking Company, displayed 42 of my paintings.

gbc Gallery 01012009

My second solo show will be there during November and December and I am working on sorting, matting, framing, organizing, press releases, ETC! I wish all the friends I’ve made through blogging could be there. It would be such fun to meet you and share my art. Anyway, today and over the next few days I will post a few of the pix from the last show as I work on my pressing to-do list. And then – NO EXCUSES – the paint and pencil will come out…

September 30, 2010 October 3, 2010

Just returned from vacation in Savannah. I always go with the best intentions. I pack my pencils, paints, paper and tell myself I will have time to sketch and paint BUT you know what they say about the best laid plans! We ate, we walked, we wondered at the beauty, we ate, we toured, we explored the river front, we saw the port and we ate. But I did not sketch or paint while in Savannah. I did take time to do a sketch of the lighthouse on Tybee Island as we started our drive home. I will probably use this and my photos to create a watercolor painting. It was a very impressive site.

Tybee Island Lighthouse

After rereading my post I think I should have sketched and painted all the delicious, yummy meals, ice cream, candy and tea we enjoyed! Combine two pleasures!