"Logic is one dimensional, creativity is not. Often in Artwork and also in life it's only by working through the process that we begin to satisfy questions leading to a solution". (Nikki)

"Trust your intuition, it's just like going fishin'; you cast your line and hope you get a bite". (Paul Simon)

"...the painting has a life of its own. My mission is to bring forth this life". (Jackson Pollock)

design

Large Leaf Maple

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Large Leaf Maple - can hang horizontally or vertically, top/left detail of 36 x 12 x 3 inches muslin, glue, acrylics on wrapped canvas, work in progressLarge Leaf Maple - can hang horizontally or vertically, central detail of 36 x 12 x 3 inches muslin, glue, acrylics on wrapped canvas, work in progressLarge Leaf Maple - can hang horizontally or vertically, right/bottom detail of 36 x 12 x 3 inches muslin, glue, acrylics on wrapped canvas, work in progress

 Large Leaf Maple, 36 x 12 x 3 Muslin, glue for stiffness, acrylics on wrapped canvas

Encaustics test on muslin leaf shape painted with glue for stiffness, oil pastelsThe leaves have many more coats of paint, and as seen here I imagine them glowing in the moonlight. Since Saturday’s Encaustics workshop I’ve decided to do the whole thing with Encaustics tecniques, see right sample; the leaves will be texturized and the flat canvas will be smooth. Encaustics apparently don’t adhere to acrylics, so my solution is to try a product I’ve not tried yet, clear guesso. I need my own supplies too, which Santa will be bringing.. It would be nice to continue finishing this immediately, but more time spent contemplating the next stages is probably best anyway..

Design Inspiration

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Pecan nuts, Dallas, TexasPecans, preliminary design, pencil on paperRaindrops and Leaves, pencil on paper, scanned, digital playEarly Spring rain, Coppell, Texas

14 inch long Flamboyant Tree seed pods from Chapala, MexicoFlamboyant Tree seed pods, pencil sketch then detailed with digital penFlamboyant Tree seed pods, pencil sketch then digital effectsFlamboyant Tree seed pods, pencil sketch then digital effects 

Wind in the Maples, Kingston, ON, CanadaWind in the Maples original design sketch, pencil on paper Maple Keys design, pencil on paperMaple Keys, scanned design sketch then digital play

My Dad recently gave me a few Art books of his. I remember browsing through them when I was younger. He always left his books out laying around on the tables, intending to plant the “drawing seed” in me, and it worked (Thanks, Dad). One of the books I now own is about M. C. Escher. What a mind! You can’t help but flip through pages of Art like that and not be inspired.

This week I was also organizing my photos of leaves, seeds, and bark that I took specifically because of their outstanding design aspects. Looking through the books plus my photos compelled me draw a few designs I’ve had in mind for a couple of years. I may paint some large one-of-a-kind cushion covers using a few of the best.
There is no substitute for a good old fashioned pencil, but it’s sure fun to play with the Paint Shop Pro effects, cut and paste, repeat patterns…there goes the weekend! The drawing combined with computer play have me appreciating Escher’s work so much more. He did not use computers at all.

Eastern Cottonwood, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaEastern Cottonwood leaves, pencil sketch then detailed with digital penEastern Cottonwood leaves, pencil sketch then digital effectsEastern Cottonwood leaves, pencil sketch then digital effects

American Elm Seeds/Keys, early Spring, Coppell, TexasAmerican Elm Seeds/Keys, original pencil designAmerican Elm Seeds/Keys, pencil sketch then digital effectsAmerican Elm Seeds/Keys, pencil sketch then digital effects

Phun

Sunday, February 19th, 2006

                  Phun - 36 x 24 inches Acrylics on stretched canvas, mounted on 3 inch wide “box-frame” trimmed in black.

Phun - 36 x 24 inches Acrylics on stretched canvas, mounted on a 3 inch wide “box-frame” trimmed in black.

                   Phun

I experimented with crackle finish in some areas, and layers of color upon color. Phun is completely different from my usual style and provided a refreshing change of pace.