When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

Zen Garden series

« Previous Entries

Special Orders

Thursday, February 11th, 2016


 

Zen Garden 02 replicated, 24H x 59W x 1D inches mixed media on canvas
Special order, Zen Garden 02, replicated 24H x 59W x 1D inches mixed media on canvas, special order finished, sent and received. Replications are unique from the originals.

Zen Garden 02 replicated for special order, general outline Zen Garden 02 replicated for special order, progression detail 02 Zen Garden 02 replicated for special order, progression detail 03

Zen Garden #16 Chair started

Monday, April 6th, 2015


 

Solair Chair, base underneath woven canvas and plaster Chair after woven canvas, plaster and sanding Engraving a general design with pencil in damp plaster Paint crevices with diluted acrylics, engrave more designs, layer different colors Plaster in plastic bags is squished out for pebbles, let dry

Sand when dry Chair before 2nd layer of color Layering colors First layer of color Add more dots as pebbles

Zen Garden #16, most recent of the Zen Garden series 29 x 29 x 29 inches mixed media on vintage Solair chair, in progress.

Initially the plan was to engrave pebble designs in the chair’s plaster surface, but since the circumference patterns turn out so interesting, I decided to continue the pebbles all over, front and back/underneath. They will be sanded down to almost flat, so the finished chair will still be comfortable to sit in.

Stepping Stones

Friday, March 25th, 2011


 

Zen Garden #01, 48 x 36 x 2, Nov. 2000, mixed media on canvas, 3 in. box frame, sold1.Prickly Pear Cactus, acrylics pins around 48 x 36 x 2 in. canvas, 3 in. box frame, Nov. 2000 - sold2.

Alpine Meadows, Acrylics using palette knife on foreground flowers, 48 x 36 x 2 in. canvas, 3 in. box frame, sold3.The Evolution of Communication, 48 x 36 x 2 in. acrylics on canvas, computer keys and handmade tiles in frame, 2000 - sold4.

While I was in Portland two weeks ago, starting the Texas-Oregon relocation process, I completed five new Zen Gardens, filling a request for one. All five are smaller, slightly different versions of ones made previously. Four are shown in thumbnail images below.

The very first Zen Garden was created in 2000 as part of a four-painting commission. The ideas established in that set foreshadowed new routes to trying methods I hadn’t before, like enhancing my paintings with 3D elements. That set is also the origins of the “box frame” design that I’ve used on several other paintings since then, where each main canvas is mounted on a wood platform, framing the work with about four inches of extra play-space.

Whereas some frames have the effect of abruptly ending a composition, this type of frame enables space for the subject to continue, softens the edges and adds an interesting twist to the overall impression. When items related to the main subject are placed in that area it adds dimension, not just in the physical sense, but also in the conveying of any abstract or symbolic stories beyond the presentation of the main painting inside.

Because of the challenges acheived in those paintings, 1) a series was born that I’ll continue with for the rest of my days. In Prickly Pear Cactus, 2005 acrylics and pins on 8 x 10 in. canvas, sold but will take commissions for other versions2) Prickly Pear Cactus, pins were applied around the main central frame, then painted. The smaller canvas done during 2005 (left) borrowed this technique, and the same principle of attaching things to the main frame can be used with any number of objects.

In 3) Alpine Meadows, I learned to use all the qualities acrylic paints offer by watering down the consistency for the distant mountains, then sculpted the flowers and grasses with a palette knife on the lower portion. Finally, the theme of 4), The Evolution of Communication has intrigued me ever since, but I still haven’t fully pursued the possibilities. This is the perfect means to learn about Art History hands-on by attempting to recreate it in some form, then to share that adventure and ideally, inspire interest in the topic at the same time. Two old keyboards have been collecting dust in my studio closet for a number of years, yet to be disassembled and incorporated into a new series of work with similar associations.

~

Some of our peers advocate that if we don’t concentrate our efforts to learn one medium well, we will never excel in any. They are right of course, in many respects, but scores of artists are not content with singing just one note. Some simply cannot. To be fair, what works for one does not work for another. Each of the above paintings are examples where a combination of skills and different media in one piece can be very effective. I’m here to say that integration is possible! It’s a longer, meandering road..but it is possible.

Zen Garden 09-02, 30L x 15W inches, mixed media on canvasThere are so many different paths artists can take, long and short term; opportunities every day. There are endless kinds of subjects, ready-made and unconventional materials, always something to start or finish, new methods to explore, and an overabundance of ideas to attempt in one lifetime. Self discipline is the order of every day, either to start working or know when to stop.

My philosophy is that doing something, unless naturally in need of rest, is better than doing nothing. However, being overly ambitious in too many areas is also how I, along with millions of other artists end up with a variety of different kinds of art (or just stuff!), and the arguements endorsing one type of study come into play. Should we restrain ourselves when it comes to making “stuff”? Why is consistency given more support than variety when it comes to showing and selling art?

Whatever choices we make; whichever direction we take depends mostly on the intention for the finished products. Who is it for, do you want it to sell it, where, how, and how quickly? Was work done as a personally cathartic process, as a lot of art is? …or is it just a thing with no emotional attachments or brainy messages? Artists who support themselves by offering a range of services, satisfied and busy enough by word-of-mouth sales, do well jumping from medium to medium. If the hope is selling work through galleries and art dealers though, what some call “too many voices” are apt to be a disadvantage.   Zen Garden 10-02, 18L x 24W inches mixed media on canvas

In one of his recent articles, Robert Genn writes sensitively about multi-media artists. While he supports that “for artists, exploration is like oxygen” and that “the nature of our game is to be distracted by our muse”, he also recommends that artists must present consistency in our approach if gallery exhibition/sales is what we pursue.

When a gallery represents an artist, they expect an overall consistent look and a clear statement. Where venues sell a number of artists’ work, the ambiance cannot be one that resembles a yard sale. If potential buyers view too many styles, subjects or media in one place or by one artist, they tend to lose interest, resort to window shopping, and walk away empty-handed.

Zen Garden 02-02, 30L x 15W inches, mixed media on canvasI can relate to that: the effect is like standing in the toothpaste isle at the pharmacy, where the senses are bombarded with colorful packaging, alluring titles and fine-print promises. Assuming beforehand that the choice would not be anything but simple, there have been times when I’ve said ‘forget it’ and gone back another day. With art sales though, you don’t want buyers to come back another day, because it may not be your art they choose then.

Gallery owners and dealers do not do us any favor if they display too much variety in typically limited spaces, so Mr. Genn has an excellent suggestion: bring art done in different medias to different galleries.

He also says to keep working no matter what.

Artists have a strong sense of mission. Periodically it needs reevaluation, and with that bigger picture clear, we create the way as it unfolds before us. If we are serious about selling, we first need to become familiar with what we are best at, what we love, what works and what doesn’t. We need experience in order to learn – that takes time – and there’s no getting around it. Experimentation is fundamental to this profession, but if it’s intended to be sold to others and by others, simplifying the look and clarifying the purpose of our art is crucial.

Zen Garden 02-03, a squished version of 02, 18L x 24W inches mixed media on canvasA viewer at one of my exhibitions commented, “You’re all over the place, arentcha?!” As disturbing as that was, it’s true and I needed to hear it, eventually concluding that I do need to clean up my act, but at the same time this is how I work. This is how my stuff works. Every so often there are paintings or a series of works that encompass all that’s been learned and all that I’m capable of; breakthroughs that define a solid new direction or validate the existing one. The commissioned set of paintings described above were like that, and their significance is still an influence on today’s work and will be on tomorrows’ too. They verified that I’m on the right path even though much of the time is spent off of it, experimenting. I call it serious play and paying attention… “playing attention”! Once in a while the bits and pieces come together in one big rewarding “Eureka!”.

Zen Garden #10 almost finished

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010


 

Zen Garden 10, 40 x 60 x 3 inches mixed media on canvas

Zen Garden 10, 40 x 60 x 3 inches mixed media on canvas.

The final stages of this paintings will be finished as it hangs on a wall. As seen in a realistic room setting, it will be easier to spot whatever might make the composition more interesting. Some colors may need to be re-enhanced to add more depth and definition, but I also like the overall faded look, so we’ll see. The texture continues around all 3D edges. This painting is extremely heavy, as it is on a home-built canvas stretcher, so it will be transferred onto a lighter-weight stretcher if it sells. It will still be stable, but practical. All paintings in the Zen Garden series are wired to hang in any of 4 orientations: vertically or horizontally. Below: details of left central portion as seen in the above.

Zen Garden 10 details

Zen Garden #09 and #10

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010


 

Zen Garden 09, 48 x 21 x 2 inches Mixed Media on canvas

 Zen Garden 09 work in progress, 48 x 21 x 2 inches mixed media on canvas

The perfect painting in a room can elevate the atmosphere of the whole floor, and sets the tone for showing off the entire house. With selling the house in mind, I’m trying to choose a decent painting for our living room, because  Zen Garden 02 sold, so I decided it’s worthwhile to make two more for the series.

Zen Garden 10, 40 x 60 x 3 inches Mixed Media on canvas

Zen Garden 10 outline, 40 x 60 x 3 inches Mixed Media on canvas

Painting is always meditative, but I find it especially so when creating pieces in the Zen Garden series. This kind of work does not present the same kind of emotional concentration or intellectual challenges that other paintings do. There are few struggles and hardly any decisions to make, except to find cooperative materials. Once the outline is accomplished it’s pretty straightforward compared to other forms of painting. The outstanding difference is that each stage in these 3D paintings requires time and patience to allow areas to dry before proceeding. The Zen Gardens can be drying in stages while other work gets done too, and the multi-tasker in me is quite happy to be accomplishing many things at once!

Liquitex Blended Fibers, $12.99 U.S. (are not even metric) for 237 ml - compare quantities and deceptive pricingArt supplies are expensive. Most will last long enough to justify purchases, and much of the time you get what you pay for, but some items are ridiculously overpriced. Keeping material costs down is essential so they aren’t reflected in the final price, but quality should never be compromised. Still, there are ways to get around any dilemma, and there are alternatives for everything.

When I started the Zen Garden series ten years ago using modeling paste and textured gels, jars were about $15 for 250 ml. Since then I’ve experimented with various unusual materials, and shopped everywhere to compare prices. It’s still more economical to purchase brand-name products in larger quantities – if you can find them. There are some fun mediums available now too, like gel with tiny glass beads in it. Prices for art supplies do not seem to waver over time in either Canada or the U.S., so I reserve the brand-name mediums to sculpt the rocks and highest quality paints do the finishing touches. Here I’ll share a few of the trade secrets I’ve discovered over the years, and you can create your own Zen garden painting.

Textured paint is the best base for Zen Garden mixtureAs a base for the raked sand mixture, it’s worth purchasing a large 2 gallon (7.58 L) pail of textured paint. I purchased Behrs at Home Depot in Canada, and it looks like Ralph Loren has the market cornered in the States. Watered-down drywall plaster can be used also, but I recommend attention to how heavy the piece may be when it’s finished. Mix in copious quantities of white glue, large containers of white or light-colored acrylic craft paints, and anything water-based that will extend the liquid mixture and bind well with the dry ingredients. Sand, even popcorn kernals and/or rice can be added for texture. Other objects can be incorporated too…just use your imagination. For example, and this is my most valuable secret, unscented kitty litter from the dollar store, the non-absorbant kind, looks exactly like tiny stones and is light in weight.

Zen Garden details: applying mixture with a knife, sculpting rows

Zen Garden 09 details: applying mixture with a knife, sculpting rows

Highest quality materials are reserved for finishing surfaces and sculpting rocksThe mixture can be put in a ziplock bag with one corner cut out, but I discovered that it’s more efficient – however messy – to spread small portions out onto the surface with a knife and hand-mold it. Keep a wet cloth handy to wipe your hands and the utensil often.

Drywall plaster makes nice-looking rocks, plus it cracks well for a parched-earth look, use sparingly because of added weight. Wood filler is a lighter alternative, much less expensive than professional brand gels and mediums. Modeling pastes do not lend well to sanding or carving when dry, but wood filler can be sanded and re-shaped. Wood filler costs about $6 US for 32 ozAlso, if it dries out completely, chop it up, add water then seal the container for a day or so. This is where you can experiment with whatever helps acheive 3D effects. Art, craft, hardware, department stores and dollar stores carry generic brand basics, so it’s worth researching and shopping around.
When it’s all dry, rocks and other details are outlined and painted with pure colors, then all covered with a coat of primer. The colors are all reapplied to further enhance rocks, then brushed white, skimming across the entire surface. This process is repeated until you are pleased with the results by a final coat of white with remnants of the layers of colors poking through underneath. As far as acrylic paints, you do get what you pay for, but price differences are mostly due to pigment quality and viscosity, which, until final stages is not really an issue. Inexpensive acrylic craft paints are perfect as a filler (only).

Apply lots of watered-down colors, choosing the light source from the start, making rocks look real and more 3DZen Garden #10, above and left is already quite heavy, so about 1/4 of it will be painted rocks, keeping the sand patterns to a minimum. There is enough mixture that could dry out if it’s not used right away, plus it’s great to make multiples while all the mess, materials and utensils and are out, so I’m doing two simultaneously. There may even be enough for 3!

The necessity of work, especially if it’s at home, seems less like a chore if you dangle some kind of carrot for yourself every day. Sometimes having too much to do is more exhilarating than exhausting. Each day, though work as an artist can be considered by others as play, the energy, motivation and circumstances are unpredictable..  It takes self-discipline  to find a way to go with the flow and still get work done. The good thing about this occupation is that it is flexible in every way. The creative compulsion seeps into every other activity, and there is almost no way to not add a little something extra.

Zen Garden 02

Saturday, May 9th, 2009


 

 Zen Garden #2, 48W x 24H x 1D inches texture medium, sand, white glue, modelling paste, kitty litter (new of course!)

Zen Garden 02, 48W x 24H x 1D inches mixed media: texture medium, sand, white glue, modeling paste, kitty litter (new of course!), plaster. Wrapped sides painted, frame unnecessary. Sold but can be recreated, not exactly, but in the same spirit as the original.


 

This painting won the Visual Art Society of Texas title of Artist of the Year (2009) for me at Thursday night’s meeting. This piece hangs vertically, horizontally or can be flipped upside down 2 ways; four different orientation hanging options.

Most of the Zen Garden series are experimental, seeking various ways to obtain the raked sand look without having to pay high prices for the ready-made texture mediums that don’t cover much surface. Zen Garden #2 uses kitty litter bought at the dollar store mixed in varying portions with the above fillers, scooped into a large ziploc bag that was cut in the corner and squeezed out like cake icing onto the canvas. I still had to maneuver the medium into place with fingers because it was so thick coming out of the bag, due to the new absorption factors of new brands of kitty litter. I’ll experiment with aquarium sand and pebbles, or any number of other pet products that are far less expensive than art supplies.

While titles and awards can help refuel encouragement, finding our own source of motivation keeps us working and growing continually, regardless.  Robert Genn in The Painter’s Keys has some interesting words about the subject of jurying and acceptance or non-acceptance, quoting Jung, Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.

Zen Garden 08 – work in progress

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008


 

Pebbles / Zen Garden #8, 24 x 24 inch stretcher with woven canvas strips. Phase 4, work in progress. Zen Garden 08 detail, work in progress Pebbles / Zen Garden #8, 24 x 24 inch stretcher with woven canvas strips. Phase 7, work in progress. Pebbles / Zen Garden #8, 24 x 24 inch stretcher with woven canvas strips. Phase 8, work in progress.

Crackle glaze was applied at one stage, but the humidity is too high so it didn’t take, may apply again later at some point. Today playing with the patterns, colors, refining the pebbles, splattering to give them more realistic texture.

Woven canvas

Sunday, April 27th, 2008


 

Woven Canvas strips across a 24 x 24 inch stretcher, possibly to become another painting in the Zen Garden series  Woven Canvas strips across a 24 x 24 inch stretcher, possibly to become another painting in the Zen Garden series.

I started covering the new stretcher-frames we built last week. Leftover canvas was cut and ironed into strips about 1″ wide, then woven across a 24 x 24 inch stretcher. I have a few ideas, and will start painting this one when Artini is finished.

Four Corners

Wednesday, February 7th, 2007


 

Four Corners, 16H x 20W x 1 inches acrylics, Arizona sand, thick gel medium on canvas
Four Corners, 16H x 20W x 1 inches acrylics, Arizona sand, thick gel medium on canvas.
Inspired by the Four Corners area of western U.S., where Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico meet. The rocks and soil vary rich shades of red, and turquoise has been treasured and used in everyday objects by Navaho and other tribes in the area for centuries.

Pebbles Mosaics, variations

Wednesday, January 25th, 2006


 

  Pebbles Mosaic 04 - Set of four 8 x 10 x 1 inch hand-made tiles on wrapped canvas.  Acrylics, varnish,  sides painted to continue mosaic look, frames unnecessary, many hanging orientations possible   Pebbles Mosaic 03 - Set of four 8 x 10 x 1 inch hand-made tiles on wrapped canvas.  Acrylics, varnish,  sides painted to continue mosaic look, frames unnecessary, many hanging orientations possible    
           
  Pebbles Mosaic 02 - Set of four 8 x 10 x 1 inch hand-made tiles on wrapped canvas.  Acrylics, varnish,  sides painted to continue mosaic look, frames unnecessary, many hanging orientations possible   Pebbles Mosaic 01 - Set of four 8 x 10 x 1 inch hand-made tiles on wrapped canvas.  Acrylics, varnish,  sides painted to continue mosaic look, frames unnecessary, many hanging orientations possible    
           
  Zen Garden 06 - Pebbles Mosaics.        
  Set of four 8 x 10 x 1 inches hand-made tiles on canvas.         
  $550.00   Buy Now Using PayPal    

Zen Garden 06, Pebbles, a very versatile set, these four 8 x 10 mosaics
The 4 pieces can be arranged in a number of ways: vertically, horizontally, in a square, and changed for a new look, next image. Each piece is different and can be placed in any order to create a pattern or pathway of “pebbles”.

 
Pebbles Mosaics, arrangements

« Previous Entries