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| Tree Embrace - Work in Progress - 15x15 - Acrylic on Paper |
Back to the High Road...
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| a "hot" start... who knows where this will end up. 12 x 12 paper. |
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| A start in 3 values... the bones are there...next comes the fun. |
I'm getting back to the "high road" series... Here are 2 works in progress... Feels good to be back at the non-representational work. It's a lot harder... but more rewarding.
Aspire...and your art can too match your sofa...
"Aspire" work in progress...
24 x 24
acrylic and pencil on canvas
About this painting: The gold sections are Daniel Smith's gold gesso (which is addicting to use...but really hard to use 'well' I think) and will eventually be covered in gold leaf... we'll see how that goes...LOL
"Real Art Doesn't Match the Sofa"
I don't know where this phrase came from... probably from a frustrated artist.... I can almost hear the conversation as they are looking at the completed and commissioned floral painting...
patron (holding her couch arm sleeve thingie): "shouldn't that rose be a more lipsticky mauve rather than the purpley mauve you've painted?
artist: "If i change the color then that rose will not fit in with the rest of the painting."
patron: "Well, see here in the fabric...it really is a more lipsticky mauve."
artist:"But that color wouldn't look right against the greens that you provided with the paint chips."
patron:"I really thought that the rose would match this lipsticky mauve color in my sofa..."
artist:"Real art does't match the sofa."
Yup... I can imagine where the phrase came from... But, I think it puts up a barrier....
It makes the average person feel intimidated... It's as if artwork coordinating with furnishings is soooo not cool...
And I completely disagree....
Furnishing a home is an art... A room is a composition.... I would not place a piece of art in a spot that didn't look good.... If the pattern on my sofa looked awful with a fabulous painting above it... I would move the painting, or the sofa.
I know I'm being literal with this saying... and that's probably not what the author meant...
But we shouldn't be flippant and roll our eyes at someones "unsophisticated" tastes... It's never good to make someone feel dumb...
As artists need to try to educate and lead... (Especially here in the US... where art education is so sadly pushed to the bottom of our schools' curriculum.) We need to try to entice our friends and family into our artistic circles... to show them what we see and feel, with approachable language and an open and welcoming attitude.
"Real Art is for Everyone"
What gets me started....
"Circumventing Obstacles" (work in progress)
15 x 15
mixed media on watercolor paper
So where do you start when you are going to make a painting?
Well for me, it sort of goes like this....
I start usually with an idea. And then I keep the idea in my head as I sketch and doodle either right on the paper with pastel pencil or in my sketch book. I try to remember to write the idea or title on the back of the painting. I'm working on so many paintings at a time that I might forget what my intent was if it takes me a while to get back to it.
"Circumventing Obstacles" has started pretty much that way... With one slight difference... On my walk yesterday morning, I found this gorgeous lichen (see photo below) growing on a branch that fell into the driveway. I just loved the colors of it and decided that those colors would suit my intent for this painting... So my palette was chosen by nature.... so far.
I try to never box myself in with these early impulsive decisions.... If the painting works within this palette, great! But if I decide to go in a different color direction, that's ok too....The main thing is to just start somewhere! Put that brush to paper and GO!
Coordinated Effort
"Coordinated Effort" ~Work in Progress
12 x 12"
Acrylic on Canvas
(c) Lauren Everett Finn 2009
I just stopped with this one... need to go make dinner.
It's almost finished but I want to look at it a bit before I sign it. There are a couple of awkward passages... It has a fun springy feeling though, and I'm kind of liking that....
Again, I'm not quite sure where or if this one fits in with the High Road series... Hmmmmmmmmm
Battling Resistance
"Battling Resistance" ~work in progress
12 x 12"
Acrylic on canvas
This is a pretty early stage of this one... Only a couple of layers of color so far. I love the patina that gets established with layers on layers of colors and adjustments. My note to myself while painting is: "Battling resistance and going through to the unknown."
I am hooked on Mighty Leaf Organic Spring Jasmine tea... It tastes like spring. :) The daffodils are poking up in the back, so it's starting to look like spring too.
Go Michigan State Spartans!!! Don't you just love March Madness????
Have a great weekend!
Large Stones First....
"Large Stones First" Work in Progress
12 x 12"
Acrylic on canvas
I'm working on a few of these circular compositions at the same time. As I was painting it reminded me of a lecture that I read about quite a few years ago... (here is a link to the lecture)
I used different techniques with this one... painting, then drying it partially (with a hairdryer), then taking it to the sink and scrubbing off the damp paint. Guarantee you'll end up with some surprises if you work this way! There are a few things to resolve, but I think it's moving in an interesting direction.
We have 2 showings of the house tonight... Thank goodness for kind friends that will take us in to chat for a couple of hours... By "us" I include our 100 lb. mutt, Ivan. These are really kind friends! LOL
Safety Net
"Safety Net" work in progress
14 x 14 inches
acrylic on paper
Another start... I began painting too late in the day for me. My decision making ability decreases as the day goes on. I am absolutely a morning person....yawn. nighty night.
Mutual Admiration Society...
"Valentine Bouquet" work in progress
12 x 12"
Acrylic on black archival mat board
Had a busy day, but did manage to work a bit more on the "bouquet". Need to resolve the bottom... not curved enough.
Peggy Stermer-Cox has honored me with the "I love your art blog" award... Peggy and I are in a mutual admiration society. :) I love her blog too! Thanks so much Peggy... I'm tickled, especially coming from you.
When I have the chance, I'll pass it on...I am also supposed to name 7 things about myself... So I just know you'll be on the edge of your seats, holding your breath with anticipation... waiting for the big reveal! snort.
My Valentine Bouquet...work in progress
"My Valentine Bouquet" (work in progress)
12 x 12"
Acrylic on Black archival mat board
I have been working non-representationally a lot lately. (As in the "Taking the High Road" series) Today, I felt the need to do some work from life. I got a lovely valentine bouquet from my hubby and put them in a vase that has orangey red dots on it. I did some sketches from life, snapped a photo and began painting. Seems like it's always invigorating to change things up. I get rusty with my observation skills if I don't practice!
Quote of the Day:
"Variety is the mother of enjoyment."
Support System 2... work in progress...
"Support System 2" work in progress (not nearly done)
15 x 15
Acrylic on paper
Sort of a frustrating day of painting.... don't know why... just couldn't get out of my own way.
Have another couple of paintings going at the same time... some more promising than others.
Gorgeous weather today here in Michigan.... 50 degrees and sunny! wow! Snow is melting at a rapid pace.
"Stay the Course" Work in Progress
"Stay the Course" Work in Progress
8 x 6
acrylic on collage paper
Working on more compositions in my "High Road" series in this smaller format, then if they work out...I'll paint them again larger. This one isn't finished...but I like some of the things that are happening.
Some of the titles I worked on today are:
"Cross Purposes"
"Circles of Influence"
"Divided We Fall"
and
"Lucille Was Finding it Hard to Be Taken Seriously While Wearing a Float Tube"
Stay tuned! :)
Finding my way back to the High Road
Work in Progress ("Lil Help")
8 x 8
Acrylic and pencil on gessoed paper
I gathered my unfinished "high road" series paintings...and started back full steam... I have about 15 paintings going on at once... Some canvas and some paper. It really felt good to get back to what I want to paint. I'm thinking about neutrals against brights and how loud the brights sing against quiet color.... I like working things out in this small size...then trying to paint the same feeling on a larger support. It's quite a challenge for me to keep the same spontaneity when I'm painting something over again.
Have a great weekend!
We'll be having a heat wave here... might get to 17 degrees! whoo hoo! Party on Garth!
distractions and diversions...work in progress
Distractions and Diversions 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas...work in progress
I was excited to find out that both of my paintings (Rock the Boat Baby, and All Together Now) got in the Lawrence Street Gallery 12 x 12 (or smaller) show! The opening is this Friday (Dec. 5th) evening. Yippee Skippee!
I'm helping out this afternoon (from 2 to 6 at the Orion Art Center's Holiday Market...stop by and visit me! :) I'll also be helping out next Thursday, Dec. 11th from 2 to 6 as well.
New Acrylic, continued.....
"Bass Dreams"~ 12 x 12 ~ acrylic work in progress..
Day 2 on this one...I wasn't able to work very much today...I had to take the blue tape off because I find it influences my color choices too much. (I put the tape on to mask the gold gesso that covered the canvas...it creates a bit of a mat)
Acrylic work in progress....
"Bass Dreams" ~ 12 x 12 ~ acrylic work in progress....(that's blue masking tape on the edges to mask the gold gessoed canvas.)
This is the really early preliminary work on a new painting... I took a photo of my youngest around 7 years ago.... He had fallen asleep with his guitar, and when I went in his room to wake him for school... this was (sort of) the scene I encountered. :) He had an early passion for sure.
Aerial 4 continued....Here is where it started...Acrylic on paper...still working on it....Comerica Park is too bright, but I'll take care of that later. I'm really enjoying this one...Crossing my fingers that I'll still enjoy it when it's finished. :)
"Aerial 9 Euphrates" 15 x 11 inches mixed media
I jumped back into my aerial series today...I think what's going to happen is that I'll work out some compositions in this smaller scale (11 x 15)...then re-do them larger....I used watercolor paper, coated with gesso....then added watercolor, colored pencil, gouache and india ink.
Edit....I've worked more on this one...here is the most recent view.
Work in Progress....30 x 22 (full sheet watercolor paper)
This is the really early preliminary stages for the newest Aerial View painting...
Anyone recognize the spot? (hint: "On the banks of the Red Cedar...." ) This will be for my oldest if he wants it when I'm finished....He'll have his choice of either this one ...or Comerica Park. It's a fine line with these...to have it be recognizable...but to still be compatible with my artistic aesthetic....push and pull....actual or fantasy patterning....It's a bit exhausting actually. I'll need to prop this one up and have a bit of a think.
I'm home from a fun visit with family in Honor, Michigan then Naperville, Ill..(Chicago suburb)...It feels good to be back to the studio after a long absence.
Step one of a new painting....30 x 20 inches.....Anyone recognize this aerial view? This is just the beginning stage...I'm sure it will go through many transformations before it's finished....but I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at what's on my easel. Have a great weekend! I'm off to visit with some artist friends in Sutton, Ontario....about an hour north of Toronto....Hoping for good plein air weather!