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)

Art for sale

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New Series: Twenty-five days in Singapore

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010


 

Parkview Square, Singapore, 11H x 14W inches graphite on paper

Parkview Square Building, Singapore  11H x 14W inches graphite on paper

The opportunity to travel to Singapore popped up with a few days notice. While I’m here the plan is to do at least one sketch per day. The new series is called “Twenty-five Days in Singapore”. I drew the upper portion of the very unique Parkview Square building from my hotel room over the course of two days while recuperating after the 28 hour flight from Dallas. At a cost of $87 million, the Art Deco style building was completed in 2002. The eight fiberglass figures each holding a light-ball guard the building, only hint at the sort of art and design to expect on the grounds and the gorgeous interior.

Lilacs

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010


 

Lilacs, 36H x 24W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, narrow frame

 
Central detail: dripping and scratching, paint removal techniquesLilacs, 36H x 24W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, narrow frame tidies edges. Hang vertically or horizontally.
Process details, left: a damp cloth is used to remove areas of wet paint to soften and create texture, also dripping water over damp paint and scratching with fingernail under a cloth. Sturdy home-built stretcher frame. The painting can hang horizontally or vertically.

 

Support Your Artists

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010


 

Support Your Artists slogan, design copyright Nikki Coulombe 2008

Support Your Artists slogan, design copyright nikkiartwork 2008, decals available.

One in a million

Thursday, May 6th, 2010


 

Waiting For The Sun by Virginia Wieringa, 24 x 36 in. acrylics on canvasArtwork: Waiting For The Sun by Virginia Wieringa, 24 x 36 inches acrylics on canvas. I just met an artist-pen-pal whom I never expected to meet, and she’s as intelligent and enthusiastic in person as she has been online for the past four years. Virginia is adventurous and open-minded, yet soundly rooted in her spiritual faith – and therefore so is her art. I especially enjoyed the little 4 x 6″ sketchbook that she shared with me, where a number of ideas for paintings originate as she draws in it during church sermons. I think it’s really funny that she doesn’t listen in church, and she doesn’t preach, she works and her work speaks volumes. I’ve mentioned Virginia in previous posts — she’s been so supportive, even promoting my work on her own website. Thanks “VA”!

Basic Drawing workshops in May

Monday, April 26th, 2010


 

Iris, 24 x 18 inches oil pastels on paperIris, 24 x 18 inches Oil Pastels on paper


 

Basic Drawing and Color Play

Workshops

Dates:
1) Saturday, May 15th 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2) Saturday, May 22nd 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Ages: Young adult (16) – Adult – Seniors

Experience Level:
Beginners to Experienced Artists, maximum number of participants: 6

The Workshop:
We will sketch simple objects using a variety of loosening-up techniques, graduating to a more complex still-life arrangement, fun with color, then a longer study period in the afternoon.
Supplies:
Bring favorite reference photos or items that you’d like to study, sketchpad and supplies that you usually work with. A variety of papers and drawing supplies will be on hand to experiment with during class. Also bring beverage and lunch.

Fees:
Registration (pre-paid) – $50.00 Oxide Gallery 501 West Hickory St., Denton, Texas 940-483-8900

Registration Deadlines:
March 12th and March 19th – Maximum Students per Class 6

Dancing With Trees Art list for Madison, WI

Friday, April 16th, 2010


 

 

Dancing With Trees, exhibition signature piece, 85H x 45W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Norway Maple, 48H x 36W x 2D inches acrylics, gel paste on canvas Sounds of Silence, 36H x 24W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas Neighborhood Heron, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Jones Falls, 11H x11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas
St. Catherine's Sunset, 11H x11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Paint Arson, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Sweetgum, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Reflections, 11 x 11 x 3 inches acrylics on canvas Chapala Wind, 11 x 11 x 3 inches acrylics on canvas
Ceiba Leaves, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Kookaburras, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Young Howler Monkey, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Shadows of Summer, 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas Spruce, 28 x 28 x 1” acrylics on canvas
First Snow, 40H x 28W x 1D acrylics, crackle glaze on canvas Polypore Fungi, 58H x 41W x 2D modeling paste, acrylics on canvas Morning Light, 59 x 40 x 2 inches acrylics on canvas What Large Leaf Maples Do At Night: day view, 20 x 57 x 4 inches acrylics on canvas, LED light system What Large Leaf Maples Do At Night: night view, 20 x 57 x 4 inches acrylics on canvas, LED light system
The Campsite, professionally framed size 22 x 29 inches, watercolors on 140 lb. acid free cold pressed premium Salt Spring Island Fog, professionally framed size 29 x 34 x 3 inches, dry pastel, graphite on paper Eastern White Pine, professionally framed size 26 x 32 inches, oil pastels on paper White Pine Bows, 20 x 34 x 1.5 inches acrylics on canvas Scarlet Oak: Sun Shower, more Photography on www.majestyoftrees.com

Paintings as shown are not to scale in comparison to one another

The Dancing With Trees Art Exhibition celebrates the importance of trees and forests throughout history, portraying their diversity and relationships through a variety of creative associations. Twenty three of the paintings in this collection are on exhibit in the Steinhauer Trust Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, May 1st through June 30th, 2010. Opening Reception Saturday May 1st, 12:45 – 4:00 p.m.

All life forms on this planet proliferated, continue to flourish, and ultimately depend on the existence of trees. While the message is urgent, I consider humanity’s role on the planet as positive, with the statement that creativity is our greatest asset; that “Our carbon footprint is worthy”. Further, creative thinking is our most primal, yet highly advanced and ever-evolving contribution toward solutions to healing wrongs done and changing ingrained habits to ones that are more appreciative of the environment in general.

Purchase Art here                    

Norway Maple: finished, combined posts

Friday, April 9th, 2010


 

Norway Maple, 36H x 48W x 3D inches acrylics, gel paste on canvas, wrapped sides painted, navy colored narrow frame
Norway Maple, 36H x 48W x 3D inches acrylics, gel paste on canvas, wrapped sides painted, navy colored narrow frame.


Thumbnails: Combined, edited posts of progression between Dec. 8th, 2009 – March, 2010. Started December 8th, 2009: modeling gel is available in varied textures, finishes and viscosity. Acrylics paint can be mixed with the medium or when dry paint can be applied over top. 3) January 18th, 2010: applying modeling paste to the base painting and sculpting with a small trowel.

  Started Dec. 10th, 2009: 36 x 48 x 2 inches acrylics on canvas, will sculpt with modeling gel medium on canvas   Modeling Paste   Norway Maple, applying modeling gel to canvas - work in progress

Norway Maple, detail image of acrylics painted over dried modeling pasteJan. 28th:– used  a dry brush so paint would catch mostly on the textures, and kept the feeling soft. Intentions are to maintain the fresh pure colors. Studied from a distance for about a week after this stage to contemplate what the next move will be.
 

Feb. 27th: lighter background colors were added in order to open up the space.
Norway Maple, detail image of lower center, February 28th: very nearly finished

Feb. 28th: Adding a solid patch of turquoise to lower left and some tiny details like that may ground the whole thing, but that’s about it; am leaving it out of sight for a while. This really is a carnival of color, I love it!
Norway Maple: scrubbing off areas, clarifying focal point and compositionMarch 9th: Subtle changes since last post…have been working more on tones in the background which weren’t planned initially; I had hoped to use only pure colors without the usual layering, but it’s otherwise too hard to look at. Also am connecting a few shapes horizontally, and it’s almost “there”, but ‘2D Pinecone’ was started in the meantime to avoid overworking this.
March 6th: Thanks, Virginia for taking the time to write and digitize a detailed, objective critique. I sure appreciate your opinion about what might improve this.

Merging Visions Exhibition

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010


 

  The Fourth of July 03, 27H x 33W inches Oil Pastels on 140 lb cold pressed premium watercolor paper, brassy-gold frame

Milkweed Melody, 27H x 33W inches framed Oil Pastels on 140 lb cold pressed premium watercolor paper. Has brassy-gold frame painted with an extension of the drawing.

Partnering with poet Christina Smith and her poem, Earth’s Love Song Milkweed Melody is showing April 1st – 30th at the VAST (Visual Arts Society of Texas) and Denton Poets Assembly collaborative event, Merging Visions Exhibition, with art and poetry at both the Emily Fowler and North Branch Libraries, Denton, Texas. Opening Receptions Saturday, April 17th 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Emily Fowler and 1 – 3 p.m. at North Branch

Viper’s Bugloss

Thursday, February 25th, 2010


 

Viper's Bugloss, 18 x 24 inches soft pastels on paper
Viper’s Bugloss, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.

It’s tempting to pick these for wildflower bouquets, but the plant is very irritating to the skin, so are best enjoyed left where they are, growing en masse in summer fields beside the highways in eastern Ontario, Canada.

I was curious about the name… according to the Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism edited by Michael Stuart (c. 1979, 1987 ISBN 0-9999-48911), they were formerly one of the most respected plants used for the treatment of viper’s snake bite venom.


 

Little pen sketch

Thursday, February 25th, 2010


 

 Marie Lake campsite, Alberta, pen on paper

Marie Lake Campsite, Alberta, 8 x 10 inches pen on paper

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