New Painting: A Glimpse of Winter

"A Glimpse of Winter", 10x10" mixed media on wood panel. Available. 

It's chilly outside. Not -40°C cold, like it sometimes gets in February, but it's getting near zero at night and we've had a couple days where it's not much warmer. With cooler temperatures I feel like I need to add some cooler colours into my palette, and bring those warm Autumn hues a little closer to winter.

I'm not a huge fan of winter. Strange for someone living in Canada, I know. I hate being cold. I don't like the dreary days of freezing rain. I don't like that it's dark when I leave for work and dark again shortly after I get home. I don't mind those bitterly cold days where the sun shines brightly... as long as I only have to see it from inside my climate controlled home.

I do, however seem to be particularly prolific in the winter. It probably has to do with hockey... my husband is an avid fan and spends many evenings in front of the tv watching his favourite teams. Me... not so much. I'd rather hang out in my studio with some music playing, or listening to an interesting podcast. I've found a few I really like and am looking forward to the next set of new episodes (any suggestions? put them in the comments. I'm always looking for new stuff to listen to!). Its not that I don't like hockey, but I don't like it enough to really follow it. A live game can be entertaining on occasion, but on tv it doesn't do much for me.

Anyway....

I know that what is going on outside affects what ends up in my paintings. I can't help it. Maybe if I had something else to do besides work and paint (and housework and the endless chores that go along with living) that would also show up in my work. I read Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" many, many years ago. She has a chapter about "filling the well" and going on "artist dates". I wonder sometimes if I spend enough time taking care of that part of my life. If my daily walks outside are the only other thing I do, that could be why the weather seems to take up so much space in my subconscious.

When I have a day to myself, which is rare, I do those chores that I tend to put off. Sorting through closets and scrubbing out the fridge come to mind. I have a list. Right now the thing I've put off until it's almost too late to do it is dividing my perennials. I don't even have many that need it, but I really, really don't want to. I'm fine with gardening when it's lovely outside, but it's wet and dreary now. Yuck.

What I should do is make a list of things to do outside the little bubble of my home. But to be honest, I think I've forgotten what kinds of things I like to do. And my tastes have changed... I used to love seeing live music, but now it just seems way too loud, and too late, and other than seeing my son play live I just can't be bothered. I enjoy it on the odd occasion when I actually get myself out of the house, but that might be once a year. Even going to a theatre to see a movie seems like too much trouble when I can see one on Netflix in the comfort of my own living room. At a reasonable volume (why does everything have to be so damn loud?).

So.... what do I do about that?

I think maybe I'm just in a bit of a rut. I need to get out and do some new and different things. Not sure where to start but I'll figure it out. And if you have any suggestions, it would be appreciated.

New Painting: The Bridge Home

"The Bridge Home" 10x10" mixed media on wood panel. Available. 

I love Autumn. It's one of those seasons where you never know quite what to expect... one day it's like summer, the next you wonder if it's going to snow. My favourite days are when there is a nip in the air, the sun is shining, and there's that crunch underfoot from the fallen leaves. 

I've been working on a few pieces using an Autumn inspired colour palette (see my last two posts). Ok, maybe I'm not quite sure where the teal fits in, but it does... brown, gold, red and turquoise just seem to say fall to me. The red oxide and the teal mixed together make a warm, muted green that I'm in love with. And for this piece I've included a metallic copper that I've had sitting on my work table for a couple weeks that just didn't seem to fit in the other pieces I was working on. I do love it though... it's got a rich, shiny glow that reflects the light wonderfully. It is not particularly easy to capture in a photograph though, so this piece does look quite different in person. 

I have decided to do an art calendar this year (watch my website for availability). It's been a few years since my last one, and I feel like my work has progressed to the point where I have a definitive, recognizable style. I didn't want to do another one until I got to that point. If I'm going to shell out the money to have the calendars printed (and potentially be stuck with them... do people still use wall calendars??), I want to be sure I'll still like to look at it a year from now. I want to be able to give one as a sample of my work and not be embarrassed because I feel it looks amateur. It takes a bit of time to get to that point. 

Abstract is harder than it looks. Well, maybe not just painting abstract. Technically, yes, anyone could do it. You slap some paint on and call it done... there you go. The first abstract painting class that I took was basically just that. But painting an abstract that works as art... well, not so easy. Composition is SO important. If you're creating a piece where your focus is something realistically drawn, a well done drawing can compensate for less than stellar design. The piece will still work. Not so much with an abstract piece. If the design isn't strong the whole thing falls apart. There may be interesting areas and a great colour palette, but it won't draw you in quite the same way. 

I have spent time studying work that I think is successful and trying to figure out WHY I like it so much. I've had help... I took a class with Lila Lewis Irving a couple years ago that really helped me, and I am lucky enough to be friends with Kevin Ghiglione, who helped me enormously when I was really, REALLY frustrated. I am trying to pay it forward by helping people who are a bit behind me on the path, by sharing what I've learned. Because I do believe it is a skill that can be learned, and that "talent" really doesn't have much to do with it.

New Painting: Crashing Waves

"Crashing Waves", 10x10" mixed media on wood panel. Available. 

The plan was to be in Quebec this past week. We had decided on it after we got home in June, and I had booked the time off and started to make arrangements. But then I decided to change jobs. So, no trip. We had wanted to go, because apparently the Eastern Townships are incredibly beautiful when the leaves change colour. I've never been out there in the fall. But in my mind, I can take the autumn colours that I know and love, transpose it onto a spot where I have been, and almost see it.

There's something about this colour combination that just feels like autumn to me. It's that deep rusty red that does it. Mix it with teal and it makes the most beautiful greens. The temperatures have dropped here... finally... getting me into the mood for a fall painting.

I started this one much the same way I start most of my pieces; by just laying down paint and making marks. I had something that resembled a waterfall at one point. I could have stopped there, because it didn't look bad. Actually, it looked pretty good. Years ago, maybe I would have stopped there. But now I know better. I don't like to settle for  "pretty good" anymore. I will keep going until I really like it, no matter how long it takes.

Sometimes that means a small 10x10 painting can take months to finish. I'll work on it then put it away for a bit. If I don't know what to do with it anymore I'll stop, wait a few days or a week, then get it back out and carry on. Sometimes if it's just not working, I'll glaze it with some completely unexpected colour, and carry on from there, creating something that doesn't even remotely resemble what I started with. I'll go from dark to light and back to dark, sanding back the top layer to show some of what has happened underneath. It's a process I enjoy, and I feel like it makes my paintings more interesting than they would be if I just stopped at "pretty good".

The final touch for this piece was a hit of metallic bronze over some of the dark sections. It pulled it all together in a way that just made it feel complete.

I have people asking me all the time how I know when a painting is finished. It's weird I guess, but I just know. I look for certain things... are my shapes all different? Do I have light and dark areas? Do I have variation in my lights? Variation in my darks? Does it need something to make it better? Is there interest in all areas? Does it give me a distinctive feeling? I ask myself these questions continually when I'm working, not just at the end. It's when I'm saying yes more than no that I know it's almost done.

What process do you use? How do you know when a painting is finished?

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I've decided to do another open studio this year! Mark December 2nd on your calendar. I'm still working out the plan, but I'm sure it will be fun. Like last year, I will have my entire inventory out and for sale. I will also have art calendars available featuring 12 of my abstract paintings. Watch my website for details. 

New Painting: A Distant Storm

"A Distant Storm", 10x10 mixed media on Wood Panel. Available. 

I've been watching the news out of the US. I try not to overindulge, but it's like a train wreck in the making and almost impossible not to look.

This week was particularly bad. Kavanaugh. Wow. Let me sum it up... Reasonable sounding woman claims sexual assault by a high powered man, man gets very angry proclaiming a conspiracy to destroy him, other angry men dismiss her, and powerful man becomes more powerful.  Not the first time it's happened.

I have, however, noticed a change in how everyone is reacting this time around. Women are pissed. Really and truly furious. I have quite a few female American friends, and it seems to be all they can talk about. I spot the occasional dissenting opinion in the comment section (usually from a man, I have noticed) but for the most part everyone agrees that this situation is intolerable and must change (I understand I am seeing these things from my Social media echo chamber. If my friends were not mostly artists and somewhat left-leaning, its possible my take on what's happening could be quite different. But I do follow the news from reputable sources, so I think I have a pretty good idea).

So... I read about all this and listen to the radio newscasts and follow along. Then when I get into my studio, I paint a stormy sky. I know everything I experience outside the studio effects what I do when I'm in there. I can't help it, I am a whole person and I cannot separate one thing from another.

This painting reminds me of a time, years ago, when my family and I were out on Fogo Island, Newfoundland, for the annual music festival. The stage faced inland, and we were seated on the ground, facing out to sea. We watched a storm come in as we sat there in the sun... dark clouds gathered, there was lightening, torrential rain... but it was all "out there". It got closer and closer. At one point I leaned over to my husband and said, "I think we should go... that looks pretty nasty". It was rolling in fast. As we were packing up most other people suddenly had the same idea, and it was a rush to get indoors before it got to us. We ran back to the house we were staying at, and hit the driveway just as the clouds opened and the deluge started.

The situation in the US reminds me of this same storm. The anger is palpable... it's gathering steam. At some point it's going to reach a boiling point and you better run like hell if you hope to escape the wrath. I don't know what will be the tipping point, but I can see it coming. Good luck, my friends. Something tells me you are going to need it.

The Aftermath....

Video of our display set up at Revive. I was there with
Sandra Robson and Mandana Studios.

Sorry I didn't show up last week... on the weekend I was tied up with the Arts on the Credit Tour, and was completely exhausted by the time it was done. It was a great show, btw. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was awesome to see so many people out to look at art.

A lot of time beforehand was spent preparing. I had to have new work, so there was that, but also deciding on what kind of display, hauling out and cleaning all my display equipment, making tags, making sure my credit card system worked, etc, etc. Needless to say, I've been neglecting other things.

My studio is a disaster zone. I've got my table clear enough that I can work on it, but the entire other half of the space is complete chaos. I had pulled out all my containers of display stuff... clips, lights, drapery, signage... and that is all sitting in the middle of the room. I've got a basket with matted works on paper and another one full of prints, also in the middle of the room. It's always like this after a show. I don't bother to put the containers away until everything over and done with, because I'm just gonna have to pull them out again.

Me, standing in front of Revive
with the Art Tour sign in the
background.

This weekend I got up early Saturday morning with every intention of getting my studio back in order. But then I noticed some crud on the handle of my refrigerator. And that, it seems, was that. I spent the entire day cleaning, but didn't even set foot in the room I had intended to sort out. My kitchen looks awesome. My fridge is clean, even my freezer is clean. I cleaned out the microwave. I scrubbed the wooden blinds. The pull out spice rack has been cleaned and reorganized. All my cupboard doors have been wiped down. Yay me.

I needed to do laundry. I popped into my son's bathroom to grab his towels, noticed that his soap dispensers were empty. So I had to deal with that. And since I was in there, I gave the counters and sink a wipe down. I eventually made it back into the laundry room, grabbed the bucket and sponges I needed and headed back upstairs.... without putting in the laundry. Sigh. Back downstairs.

By the end of the day I was exhausted. I vowed to try again on Sunday to get my studio cleaned up. I did a bit, but ended up painting. I can't let the entire weekend go by without doing anything I actually enjoy. I should have done it on Monday night when I got home from work. I usually take the day after a show off so I can do this kind of thing, but with the new job and all... well, not this time. I'll do it tomorrow. Tomorrow for sure.

For those of you who didn't make it out to the show, here are a few photos:

Tour Sign... There is a 2nd studio at Revive that people were
missing, so on day 2 we had someone out there directing them in.

The weather was awesome, so we put some work out on the porch.
These are Sandra's wonderful alcohol ink flowers. You can see them
on her website.

Sandra Robson with her Root painting. She did a series of
these that really grabbed some attention.

Mandie of Mandana studios with her funky, vintage looking
handmade jewellery. I had my eye on one of these rings, but it was a
bit too big for my teeny tiny hands.

The stones are magnificent. I think my fave was the
cultured opal. Somewhat like my interference paints, it looks
a different colour depending on the angle.

The amazing textile work of Lilianne Lear. Yes, I said textile... this is an
embroidery piece. I love these funky fish!