Well, I finished it. I was slogging away on it for a while and it finally came together for me today. One of the HUGE benefits of working with acrylic is the paint's hiding power. With oil paints, when you paint over something, the under-painting can show through. The waterdrops do not photograph all that well. I won't be putting this one on facebook until after July 01.
www.artofsheilahowell.com
I have been looking and trying everything everywhere for almost a year. I must admit, I am not the least bit interested in technical “stuff’ when it comes to websites. I wanted something with a good reach, easy to work and something that would have everything in one package so this may be my last blog for a while (from here anyway).
After I started asking different artists whose work (and websites) I admire, I decided on FASO Fine Art Studios Online. I, of course, had a few little glitches, my fault, not theirs but I get it up and running and it’s not too bad but it’s still and always will be a “work in progress”
My website is : https:www.artofsheilahowell.com and I would love to have your comments. You can sign up for blogs newsletters etc. there.
Thanks for following, reading, commenting and sharing.
Sheila
Something strange happened with the background of this work. I had primed the preprimed canvas with a coat of gesso with a hint of orange paint mixed in. I let this dry for a few days. I then misted the surface with plain tap water, mixed up some greens and yellows and set about painting in the background. I kept misting as I worked and never let the background dry completely. Then I started blending with one of my huge brushes. There were little drop like marks developing all over the work.
Normally I would have said s___! and started the background over but I liked the effect and am now painting some iris in the rain. As an artist, I not only learn from my mistakes, I often use them. Normally, I put 2 or 3 drops of acrylic medium in my spray mister so things like this won't happen. This is stage one of this painting. Stay tuned and see if I can bring this painting off.
Have you ever been curious about what happens in an "Open Studio" or opening reception? Do you have to buy something if you decide to go? Do you have to be dressed up? Will there be "ordinary people" there?
Open Studio usually means just that. A studio or a group of studios are "open" to public viewing at a particular time. This usually means that the artist or crafts-person has tidied things up a bit and quite often there are some light refreshments, maybe even some wine and cheese, laid out for studio guests. Opening receptions are similar and usually open to the public as well. If in doubt, you can always call and ask first. Some "opens" are crowded and some not so much. All art is made to be looked at. Most artists only ask that you view their work with an open mind. It's always fun to get out and see what creative people are doing. Usually you will get a chance to meet and talk to the artist and quite often, just talking with the creator will give you a new perspective on a work or maybe some insight into their creative process.
In our city of Saint John, people tend to wear what is comfortable for them. Some will be dressed for work, possibly suits and dresses, many will be in jeans. Often, there will be friends and family of the artist, people who follow the art scene or just follow that particular artist will be in attendance. You don't have to know the artist. Most artists are extremely grateful to have new viewers in their studio. There is nothing more discouraging for a creative person to have produced a body of work that no one takes the time to view. As far as buying something, of course you do not have to buy. Artists are always happy to make a sale but you should never feel obligated to purchase anything. That being said, if you ever want to view any works at a future time, most artists welcome a call or some, myself included, have an "open" sign and you can just drop in when you see it. So often those who love art the most, are those who have to make tremendous sacrifices to be able to purchase. A smart artist loves to have those folks visit as much as those who are very comfortable buying whatever they want. Those who can only admire a work today, often turn out to be tomorrows collectors.
The most important thing, "Open Studios" should be fun. Enjoy viewing the work and maybe discussing it. Be open to meeting a few new people and bumping in to old friends. If you are new to or visiting an area, going to opening receptions will give you a new insight on the community. If for some reason you are not comfortable or your time's limited, you can always have a quick look, say thanks and much the same as entering any place of business , you are not obligated to stay. Try popping in to the odd "Open Studio" or exhibit opening, you just may enjoy yourself.
Say Goodbye is now finished. I am exhausted but really happy with this new piece. It's 36 " tall and 24" wide. Both the beauty and the downfall of acrylics is that they dry so fast. It's wonderful to have a work dry enough to paint over in less than an hour. Tomorrow, she gets a coat of varnish and she'll be ready to go on Friday, although I am enjoying this work. LOL
I can't seem to stay away from the large flowers. I was way more influenced by viewing some Georgia O'Keefe's than I thought. This is a 36 inch by 24 inch canvas. Most of the background is finished. I decided to paint this day lily because the colours appealed to me. Here is the first stage.
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After I cleaned up today i got out some paper and plotted out what changes I will make and how I will probably finish the work. This is a practice I got into while waiting for my drive home. Now it has become a part of my routine. Here are my notes. I hope to finish the painting tomorrow. here's tomorrow's plan.
I was searching the internet for ways to improve my watercolor batik and I discovered the crumpled Masa paper technique. In it’s pure form, it’s not really batik as no wax is used.
Their directions are as follows. Masa paper has 2 sides. One is smooth; it is the front. The other is a little fuzzy and is the backside. Mark a corner of the backside. Crumple paper and soak briefly in warm water (1-2 mins.). Very carefully straighten out paper and remove excess water. Place paper front side down on sheets of paper towel. Using watercolor paint, (one or several colors) paint over the back side of paper. Allow to dry. Carefully attach paper to 140 lb. watercolor paper using acrylic medium, smoothing out wrinkles.
I followed directions for a bit, in that I crumpled and painted the paper. Then I ironed it and proceeded to paint a watercolor batik, using wax for my whites, painting my lights, letting dry, waxing this and so on. I then covered any unwaxed areas with a skim of wax, let it all dry and very carefully ironed the wax off between several sheets of newsprint, face up. I change the newsprint as soon as the wax seeps through. Because wax is flammable, I am VERY careful. I keep changing paper and ironing until no more wax is being removed. I then attach the work to a museum quality backing. Because of the wax left in the paper, it becomes slightly transparent so I always use a white backing.
I am still experimenting (okay playing) with different applications for Masa paper and will post a few more uses as I finish new works and create new methods.
It’s been a year since I had the oils out. They got put away a couple of years ago when I needed to do a lot of work for two shows and I knew that I had to work in acrylic or watercolor to get things dry in time. I had them out 3 or 4 times but was only working on smaller works and I love painting large!
Today, I spent the day painting large and in oil. This pansy painting is large, 36 x 40 inches and I can’t remember when I have been so happy painting. I had 3 acrylic works on the go and was stuck on all of them. I just may have to finish them in oil.
Here is stage one of the work.
I had my break, cranked up the tunes and finished stage two.
I still have to tone down the flowers, increase the center detail, add detail to some of the leaves and background flowers, and so on but, fingers crossed, she’ll be done after one more studio session and it’s very hot in there so it should be good to go tomorrow. It feels wonderful to be so excited about painting again!
And here’s the finished painting. It’s on gallery wrap 1.5 inch canvas and the sides are painted black. It’s titled Happy Together”
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: flower, large oil painting, oil paint pansies
