What if I…

…tried to paint one of my line drawings really really big on canvas with acrylic paint?  What would happen?  Would it work? Would it turn out the same as the original sketch in watercolor? or turn out altogether different?

I’ve done this before…many years ago.  And I’ve wanted to return to this idea for over a year now, but my thought was to somehow retain that watercolor look in my sketchbooks.  Seems like the time for blasting through whatever it is that’s holding me back on several fronts.

So I came home recently with a 30″ x 40″ canvas, determined to give it a go.  I really should have gotten a square canvas, but I didn’t see the size I wanted at our local A.C. Moore (50% off just can’t be beat!).  I began freehand drawing the image while looking at my original sketch.  MUCH more difficult to do on a large scale and work within set boundaries that are rectangular rather than square, like my sketchbook.  After what seemed like hours on the pencil sketch, I began right in with acrylic to mark the lines.  Once the lines were painted…a quandary set in.

How to go in with color inside the shapes?  Acrylic is NOT  a fluid medium (at least I don’t have the fluid acrylics, and after this experience, I may invest in a few to see if they behave more like watercolors??).  So trying to get that look of freedom, fluidity, and effervescence that seems a bunch easier in a 9″ x 9″ sketch with watercolor, was proving very trying in this medium.  I found myself back in the days of working color all over the shapes. And I wasn’t sure I was liking it.

It seems to me, at some point in the RE-creative process (and to be sure whenever an artist attempts to create from his/her original sketch, it is a re-creative work, rather than an original one), the artist must LET GO of whatever pre-conceived notions are flying around as to how it will evolve and turn out.  This one, in particular, has required a lot of “letting go”!

Here’s the original sketch.  Quite a different matter, eh?  I hesitate to put them on the same page.  They are almost two completely different paintings.  But the more I look at the canvas, without reference to its original sketch, the more I like it.  It’ll be just the thing to fill in the empty space in my studio.  I think I’ll enjoy it there.  But first it will hang out in an art show for a month or so:)

***If you’re in the area, this piece will be in the upcoming show, “LINES”, at Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, on the corner of 4th and Cherry St., downtown Winston.  The opening reception is this Thursday from 5-7 pm.  I’m planning on being there sometime after 5:30. It’d be great to see you and you’re sure to enjoy wonderful art inspired by lines.

My Susans

Alongside the fear of not making “good” paintings if I sit outside and paint, is the “block” of feeling like it has all been done before AND so much better than I.  Who am I, the thinking goes, to presume that I could add ANYTHING to the reams of artwork painted of the outdoors.  And black-eyed susans, along with mountains and trees, must be some of the most oft-painted subjects EVER!!!  Good Grief!

But where I’m choosing to go with this recently is:  well, these are MY black-eyed susans.  They grow every year in MY backyard, next to MY blue chair, and these are MY paintings.  And though I still feel like I’m reacquainting myself with this delicious medium I used to paint with all the time, I’m loving the soft, yet vibrant color, the watercolor underpainting, and the loose treatment.

Both 6″ x 6″.

Searching…

I’ve been searching for something recently.  The what & how of it is caught up in a longing I’ve had to draw/paint outdoors more.  Every fall and spring this hits me pretty hard, yet I get stuck in the whole what-do-I-take, how-do-I-set-up, where-do-I-go?, will-I-be-safe thing.  I’m aware these are all “blocks”.  In the past I have succombed to these blocks.  But I’m determined to “get over it” NOW!  This little painting, though made in the comfort of my studio a couple of days ago, is helpful in many ways:  I’m excited about the watercolor/pastel combo which solves the what-do-I-take question, and also leads me to realize how-do-I-set-up.  I’d been wrestling with whether I only wanted to sketch outdoors, thus needing only pens and watercolor which would mean just a folding chair and probably no easel.  If I chose to do purely watercolor, I may or may not have needed an easel, depending on size, etc.  But now that I’m jazzed about these little watercolor/pastel combos, I have just the set-up with my Jullian French easel I’ve had for years, but which hasn’t seen a ton of outdoor use.  It is perfect for an indoor easel where space is limited…I set it up when needed, and break it down when not in use.  Now I’m setting my sights for giving it a go en plein air, which is what it was designed for.

“En plein air”…um, well, there’s the rub.  Me, myself and I “in the open air” or “in plain view”.  I think all these years the thing that really holds me back is your basic home-grown “fear”…I’m afraid I will not make very good paintings.  The comfort of one’s studio lies in the ability to NOT SHOW what you are doing.  If you go plunk yourself down in your downtown area, your public gardens, your neighborhood, or even your back yard, you are subject to onlookers.  Can I handle this?  Not sure about that, perhaps even doubtful…but I’m gonna plow through.

Even as I write, I’ve taken Jullian out for a spin in the back yard…I’ll show you what came of that in my next post.  So this is how I’m gonna solve the where-do-I-go? issue:  I’m starting on my back deck, and in my own yard.  There are very paintable things right here, in the relative “safety” of my own yard.  Then, I’ll branch out to my neighborhood and show you some of the beauty of what I see on my walks.  Then, perhaps I’ll have some confidence and courage to go downtown, to gardens, to the school where I teach, etc.  I hope you’ll come along with  me on my little journey of “blasting through blocks”.

It does seem crazy that someone who has been painting and drawing for 13 years could still be so beset by fear!!  But, there it is…and so, with sword in hand (or pastels rather), I take a whack at it.

P.S.  A bit about the painting…you’ve heard me refer to Mr. Whicker’s farm just up the street at the entrance to our neighborhood.  This is his driveway.  Here’s a charcoal, larger version of the driveway which leads up to the barns on the right, not included in this little painting, nor is his house on the left.  I did include my shadow which showed up while taking the picture.  I want to sit/stand there, RIGHT THERE, and paint, paint, paint! No more photos!!

Oh, and the painting is 6″ x 6″.

And sorry for the looonnnngggg post!

Trying out…

…new ideas.  A trio of fun: dual tipped markers, watercolor, and soft pastel.  Hmmm…

de la Fenetre

More rescued moments in the early morn, gazing out the window onto my backyard…peeks of the deck and wooden swing.  Longing to be outside painting and drawing…watercolor? pastel? both?  Ideas for ways of using media together are swirling around in my mind as I go through my days.   I’ll share as I play around with them.  More minutes must be rescued from the blistering pace my life is going right now!

Rescued Minutes

“Rescued” a few minutes from my hectic, getting-ready-for-the-start-of-school days, by sitting on my back deck and playing around with pens, watercolor, and crayons.  Perhaps it reflects the frenetic sense of my life these days…but it is still colorful and festive!  My kids first day of school is the same as my first day of teaching, returning to teach art part-time at a local private school.  I really can’t wait until life settles down into school rhythm.  I’m not sure that it’s really “settling down”, but it at least has a few more predictable hours to it.  Can’t wait to paint and draw more…oops, gotta run!

My Mother’s Art

Some of you may remember this post about my mom.  She paints gorgeous, medium to large sized oil paintings in both a traditional landscape style and in a more contemporary, abstract style.  But when she works diminutively, her creativity is certainly NOT diminished!  If you’re lucky enough to receive a card that she’s designed and crafted just for you, you’re sure to hang onto it, display it permanently on the mantel, or frame it! Here’s the one my brother received on his birthday this year in early July.  And the following is the one his wife received, their birthdays being only two days apart.

We all chuckled a bit at this one…my brother’s wife is expecting a child in January:)  Mom uses papers of all kinds, some purchased, some “found”, and some she has painted herself.  I drooled over my brother’s and his wife’s cards and eagerly anticipated mine:

Ha! Isn’t it super? Love the twirly skirt (i’d love to wear one just like it!), the colorful leggins, and the lime-green-VW-bug-shaped ukulele I’m playing is perfect!  Not sure where she got that photo of me to collage into the picture, but it works great.

Now where are those colorful papers of mine????

Sumpin’ Different

Another bouquet for you…a bit different from the last one and my usual continuous lines.  The artwork of the artists at One Drawing a Day inspire me so much and I often try my hand at something like what I see on their blog.  I love the varied line work (some thin, some thick, some black lines, some colors) and the addition of various other media like soft pastel, watercolor, or crayons.  Here and here are just two examples of pieces that inspire me.

This bouquet was yet another gift to me on my birthday, so once again, I pass them on to you in hopes it brings you cheer!

Sunflower Mèlange

Here’s a bouquet of sunflowers for you today!  The original flowers were a gift to me, so I’m passing them on to you.  I hope each of you visiting this blog, have a day bursting with color and beauty!

P.S. I’m pretty sure that melange is spelled (in French) with an accent going the other direction…but I couldn’t figure it out on my computer.  I love the way that word sounds!

The Benefits of an Empty Wall

“I’m in a pitching mood!”  Whenever I declare this, my husband and kids wince a little.  They’ve heard it before on a few occasions.  I have to be careful how I pronounce the words, cause they could be wincing for other reasons…but usually they deduce my meaning fairly quickly.  The piles of stuff on the floor is a tip:  I’m clearing out stuff, pitching things I no longer use or need, bagging it up for Goodwill.  This particular go-around, I bagged up 8 kitchen trash bags of “stuff” and 4 more bags of “trash”:  piles of books, magazines, puzzles, kid toys, clothing, adult clothing, etc.  It took two days!  The end result?  An empty wall.

This was actually the motivator behind my pitching mood.  I wanted to get rid of a large bookshelf (and see the wall behind it).  My studio/sunroom was just chock-a-block STUFF!  Two huge bookcases cluttered with all manner of creative paraphernalia:  paints, brushes, sketchbooks, paper, sewing stuff, stamping stuff, yarn and more yarn.  The STUFF was weighing on me…depleting my energy, clogging the creative arteries so-to-speak.  I find, the older I get, the more I long for open spaces, less brick-a-brack and froo-froo.  Clean painted walls and open areas for breathing space are a much higher priority to me now than having all the STUFF.  Instead of giving  me a freeing sense of  “I can create anything I want because I have all the STUFF”…I actually end up feeling weighed down,  like I’ve had too much dinner, and as if I have no real focus.  I’m too scattered by all the “possibilities” of the STUFF in front of me (and in the closets, and under the beds, and on the shelves, and in the cupboards…seriously, you would not believe all the places I stash STUFF!).  And so I go on a Pitching Holiday. Boy, are they fun!

The actual process of pitching may not be all too riveting, but it’s the sense of freedom and unfetteredness that comes as I drive away from the Goodwill drop-off.  I think I’ve actually lost weight!!  It feels like it anyway.  And then, to see that blank space of painted wall where a huge  STUFFED bookshelf used to be…well, it’s just too beautiful!  I sit and gaze at it, breathing in the clearer air!  And do you know what happened?

I started dreaming of just the perfect painting to hang there!!  De-cluttering produces creativity!!  Who woulda thought? Now I can’t wait to get a big canvas and have at it!  Wheeee!!!