My First Tych and a New Class

I've finished my first "tych".  It's a triptych entitled "Blah blah, I don't know....gibber". I used the same drawing with masking fluid technique that I used before.  Until I have any grand ideas, I think I'm finished with this technique for awhile. 



2/3 of Masking Fluid Removed

Painting in progress

Final Product - Blah blah, I don't know...gibber, 2014 

I've started a new class at the Houston Art League.  It's called "Acrylic Painter's Toolbox - An Intro To Acrylics".  Laura Spector is the instructor (check out her websites here and there).  I've only attended one session but I can already tell that I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this class.  Laura is an interesting person, from the little bit of personal history she has shared with us, and as an instructor, she's very thorough when explaining things and is very patient and encouraging.  I'm miffed that I was sick this week and had to miss the second class, but hopefully that won't cause me to fall too far behind.  The first assignment is a basic still life value study.  Hopefully, I'll post it soon...but I have to do it first : )

Sumi Ink and Brush Drawing

For my last Fundamentals of Drawing class, we were free to choose what we wanted to do using techniques we had learned in class.  My first Sumi ink and brush drawing was not stellar and my instructor, let me know, in a kind way, that it wasn't very "interesting", i.e., I didn't let the ink flow.  So, rather than attempt the self-portrait again, I thought I'd give ink and brush drawing another go.  I drew what apparently is called a "brain" coral (I didn't know what it was called till my instructor said that was what it was...to which I was relieved, since it meant that my rendering was recognized as the thing it was intended to portray :)  Below, is the result.

Coral - Sumi Ink and Brush Wash

 

Photo of "Brain" Coral

I was not very pleased with my results, but it's not too bad for a 2nd drawing.  The instructor indicated that I had demonstrated more mastery of the skill with this drawing.  So, I got credit for improvement. 

I do enjoy the brush and ink drawing since it is more expressive to me. I'd like to learn more about it.  The quick 15 minute demo we had in class was not enough for me to learn and remember the various applications of the medium and technique.  Maybe I can find some good tutorials online.

 

Paintings from Masking Fluid Drawings

I recently created a work for a friend and thought I'd take pictures to illustrate the process I've been using to create my recent works.

In this case, I first looked up some pictures of prayer flags on the internet to get some ideas for composition, then I made a sketch.  Sometimes I just start drawing with no particular image(s) in mind.

 

Next, I paint the surface of my canvas with black gesso.  For this painting,  I taped off a 2 inch border after the gesso dried.

Next, I "draw" an image with masking fluid and let it dry, then paint over it with a layer of off-white paint:

 

After the paint dries, I begin rubbing off the masking.  I've found that  gum eraser makes the job go a little faster:

Here's what it looks like after all the masking has been removed:

 

Next, I begin painting in the areas of the painting...

 

Here's my finished painting, I scattered lines for a loving kindness prayer throughout:

 

May you be filled with lovingkindness

May you be happy

May you be well

May you be peaceful and at ease

May you feel safe and secure

May you feel loved and cared for

T-4 Days

Art Square Open Studios is 4 days away and I'm almost ready.  Lots of little details left to take care of...I'm sure I'll forget something.  I have a bunch of ideas of things I'd like to do and I'm pretty sure some of them will be get done. The rest?  Well, as with the holidays, I usually have more ideas than time...what's important usually gets done, the rest is gravy :)   If I don't get anything else done, then I at least have artwork to show and that I feel good about.  I just finished "Joy" (below) today. I'm feeling a little guilty about working on it instead of the next charcoal drawing assignment due tomorrow evening.  I better get started on that...




JOY - 16" x 20"

Miniature = Fun Size

The Art Squares Open Studio is next Saturday.  It will be my first. I'm not sure what to expect, but I've been having fun preparing for it, tending to little details like starting the blog, updating my biz cards to point to the blog, cleaning up the studio and making it looking generally welcoming (I hope) and creating some works to display.  Up till now, I've only had my 2-D Design classwork on display...a little boring, so I figured I better get something else up on the walls. 

I've hung the framed paintings.  I have a few more that I finished this week that I will be framing and hanging. 

When I was cleaning up the studio, I came across some miniature canvases that I've had a few years.  I pulled them out and today I made a few miniature paintings of motifs that have been appearing in my works lately.  I love mini-things, they're fun size : )

Hello from PeaceHeartWorks!

This year is the year I decided to finally pursue my interest in art.  It's weird how everything kind of fell into place just when I finally had a little time available to dedicate to the pursuit of my artistic dreams. Thanks to my artist friend, LeeAnn Gorman, we learned about Art Square Studios, got on the waiting list for a studio and, in March of this year, I learned that one would be available in May.  At that point, I had to decide whether or not I was ready to take what, for me, was a really huge step and sign a lease on a studio.  This was one of those times when, although I was somewhat fearful of taking this plunge, my heart was saying "DO IT!!!! This is the first step in realizing your dreams!" So I did it, and then I promptly took a big second step and signed up for my first class at Glassell School of Art across from the MFAH.

While talking to my friend Cody at lunch one day, he suggested I start a blog so I could post pics of my school work and anything else I create along the way.  Thanks for the nudge Cody : )  With the Art Square Studios Open House just around the corner (Nov. 2), I figured now's as good a time as any to start the blog.  So, here goes....

Cindy