September 14, Ready for Halloween

Day 14

30 by 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta,

This is a piece that was inspired 

by a piece I saw on the internet. 

It is a wonderful project for a painting party.

Ready For Halloween

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Canvass

8 x 8

Book a Private Party in your Home
$35/ person, 5 people min., host paints free, all materials supplied
If you are interested in booking a private party please contact me at goldrays910@gmail.com.
Or go  HERE

Or register at 317 Studio & Gallery for October 20th class. 
Go Here for 317 

Thanks For the Lesson

You can learn a lot from your students.

Recently my alcohol ink class wanted to do abstracts. I was a bit reluctant just because I don't do many abstracts but alcohol inks lend themselves to abstracts so well. So, yes of course, we would do abstracts.

The timing was really good for me because I've been procrastinating about completing an abstract commission. (Never tell me there's no hurry.) But in my defense I will say I did not feel it - I just wasn't getting into it. I went home that night and printed up some examples from the internet of all sorts of abstracts people have been doing and I did a few of my own - on canvasses. Now, painting with alcohol inks on canvass is totally different than on Yupo paper because the canvas absorbs much more of the inks.

By the time I was done with my two examples I was ready to tackle my commission. It was a lot of fun. This was the biggest alcohol ink I've done, 36 x28, so it was a bit hard to handle but I did fine. I was surprised by how much I like the size and am making plans to do more paintings in this size in the future.

When the day of the class came, I have to admit, I was a little nervous about directing people in the abstract but I gave them a few starting suggestions and reminded them of the different techniques they could use. Everyone was immediately engaged and in their own worlds. Laura, a student, made the comment that abstracts are instinctual and after watching the class I'd have to agree. The class was exciting, messy and a total riot! I loved watching  everyone come up with their own designs. I think they taught me a lot about the joy of just creating with no expectations. A lesson well needed for someone doing commissions, getting works to a gallery and getting ready for shows. It's not all about the end product... not everything needs to have a price attached to it.

 Everyone created their own unique pieces, so different from the person they were sitting next to. I think adding salt was one of the biggest hits.

Thanks for the lesson everyone!

Unforgettable Art; 13th Annual Affair for Alzheimers

Ever since the farmer who sold sunflowers moved into the booth next to mine at the Rockton River Market last summer, I have been painting sunflowers. You might say I'm a bit obsessed with them. And for good reason! They're not only beautiful but they seem to make people happy. I have loved having people paint sunflowers in my classes because the variety of colors and shapes. Relatively speaking, they're a pretty easy flower to paint and my students always seem happy with their outcomes. We've been painting sunflowers on Yupo paper, canvas and plates.

So when it was time to decide what to paint for this Saturday's Unforgettable Art, an affair to benefit Alzheimer's, sunflowers were the obvious answer. At Unforgettable each artist is given 8 hours to complete a painting and have it dry and ready for action by 8PM. It can be kind of stressful so I try to come to the event well prepared by having planned and painted the painting a few times before the event.















So far, I have painted 3 paintings in preparation and plan to do one more run through tomorrow just to be sure. Why am I spending so much time on this? Well it helps to have the composition figured out ahead of time. And  there's some pretty impressive artists painting on that day, I just want to make sure I can keep up with them. Any practice pieces can be sold at shows or in a gallery so the time is well spent... and it's fun!

 I Dreamt of You

12" x 24"

Alcohol Ink & Pen

$550 at 317 Studio & Gallery

By the second week of painting this it became pretty clear that I didn't have the time to reproduce this painting in 7 hours or so.  So, I simplified the painting.

                                   

August Afternoon

11" x 14"

Alcohol Ink & Pen

$245 at 317 Studio & Gallery

This one was more manageable given the time frame but I still wanted to play with it a bit and came up with a 3rd design. 

Work In Progress

11" x 14"

Alcohol Ink ( Not Penned Yet )

For my 4th painting I'm returning to a composition similar to the second painting - August Afternoon but there will be a few more flowers and the yellow sunflower won't be as big.

I'll let you know how it all turns out. Either way, I'm sure it will be a wonderful event, as it was last year. I will be surrounded by some great friends.... chocolate and wine. Mark and Matt ( my cheering team) will arrive at 6pm with the rest of the guests. It all seems to work out in the end and it sure is fun and all for a great cause!

Hope to see you there. 

You must buy tickets in advance. 

Call 815-484-1300

 

Crist Kneiss, a wonderful artist and a great support, will also be painting Saturday.

Last post I spoke about a schedule.
Well that's been kinda shot but I am managing to get done the things I need to so far.
 I still have my schedule but have been busy with house guest and Easter dinners.

I dropped off 10 pieces to 317 Studio & Gallery this morning for the Spring Art Scene. I'm so looking forward to it. It was kinda cool to drop off my pieces knowing  that's it - I don't have to prepare anything else for Art Scene.

I Dreamt of You

Alcohol Ink & Pen

12" x 24"

I have been working out my piece for Unforgettable on April 23rd. I thought this would be a nice painting. And it would be IF I could do it in 6 hours. It's more of a 6 day painting. So, I have simplified  my design. 

August Afternoon

Alcohol Ink & Pen

11" x 14"

I found these wonderful canvasses that come framed at Michael's. I thought they'd be great for Unforgettable. This is a possibility. Although I did not sit down and complete this in 6 hours, it certainly is something I could do. I feel like the yellow flower is too large for this composition so again I will tweak the design a bit.

I am continuing to work with my client on the perfect design for her abstract commission piece.

Yellow Orchids

Alcohol Inks

11" x 17"

My orchid painting is completed, framed and hung.

See you at Art Scene April 15th and 16th!

 I'll be at 317 Studio & Gallery.

Day 9, January 30 in 30

Day 9, January 9th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Dahlias are one of my favorite 
flowers in the garden. 
I usually buy a flat of them and spread them around everywhere in my garden. This is one of the larger bulbs which produces much larger flowers.

I have asked to bring some art to the gift shop of one of the places I am teaching. 
I will bring cards and prints and some originals but I am experimenting with these smaller pieces. I think they are easier for people to buy, not just because of the cost but a smaller size can fit in many more places. They even look good sitting in an easel on a table.

Perfectly Pink

Alcohol Ink and Pen

on gallery wrapped canvas

6" x 6"

 

Day 8, January 30 in 30

Day 8, January 8th.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Developing my next alcohol ink class for 317 Studio & Gallery. I thought painting on canvas would be a good challenge for those who have taken a few courses with me. I love the way the inks are absorbed into the canvas. They still react to their neighboring inks a bit but not as much as they do on Yupo paper. The result is a painting that has vivid colors but looks a bit like watercolors. I love the high contrast between the yellows and reds - and greens for that matter. This painting is done on gallery wrapped canvas as turning the corner and continuing the painting is so appealing to me. And of course, then you don't have to frame the piece.

Gerber Daisies

Alcohol Inks and Pen

6" x 6"

Where are days 6 & 7? 
Well, I haven't done them yet. I didn't paint in the car and just couldn't move very fast after vacation. Honestly, I'd love a few days on the couch with a good book and a blank canvas with lots of time. Having said all that I am hoping to make up for lost time soon. We'll see.

September 30 in 30, Day 24

Day 24

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

These lovelies are from my garden. This is a painting I was working on last June. I just couldn't figure out how to paint this. Then all of a sudden yesterday I knew what to do. Paintings are funny that way. You can't rush them. They are created when they are ready to exist.

Garden Dahlias

Alcohol Inks on Canvas

8" x 8" Gallery Wrapped Canvas

$85

September 30 in 30, Day 7

On day 7 I'm dreaming about Up North and the abundant wildlife. This little guy is a twin that my camera caught off guard. Every morning he and his sibling would stroll through the yard with their mother looking for something good to eat.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Morning Walk

Alcohol Inks

8" x8"  Gallery Wrapped Canvas

$85