Happy New Year!

"Cheers!"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylics on Watercolor paper.
To you and yours a very happy and prosperous new year.
Happy New Year!

Acrylic Painting

A resin getting some
acrylic detailing work.

With all the landscape painting I've been doing over the past year I have to say that I've taken a real liking to acrylic painting on the horses too. I thought it would be interesting to document how a small portion of a piece transforms in my studio when I use acrylic paints. They never start off looking great, but after many, many layers they do transform.

One Of My Favorite Things

One of my favorite things is finding out the Pantone color of the year. It's usually posted before the new year begins and I find myself checking the Pantone site after Christmas. This year I love the designer's color choice. Its number 18-3224 or, "Radiant Orchid". I couldn't resist painting up something in this lovely color to celebrate.

So, if you start seeing a lot purple everywhere you go in 2014 you know why now!

"Radiant"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylics on Watercolor paper.

Cards

Early morning desk shot.
A little late with my Christmas cards this year, but as I scan my group alerts and Facebook news real it seems as if all us artists are late in sending cards out. I suppose I am in good company. There is never enough time in the day. I truly wish I didn't have to sleep. I'd get so much more work done.

I chose a very simple design this year. Actually, it was quite fun and with other deadlines looming and commissions everywhere in the studio something fun was the perfect choice.

Another Beautiful Find

Scratched and water stained
piece will make the perfect gift.

In my travels this weekend I found yet another beautiful piece. The moment I saw it I had a specific vision and the first moment I found to paint and work on it; I did. I documented the transformation.



Painted the legs and sides matte black.

Acrylic colors for the very top.
That acrylic color combo
makes this color.
First of approx. six
coats of acrylic paint for the top.
Some shading for the sides.
Image transfer using xylene.
Close up of the finish.
Done and ready for presentation.

The New Year...

A random shot of the studio.
PS: Dear Santa, I need new scissors. Thank you.
The New Year....it looms on the horizon and I can't help but look at what I've created in the past year. I can't help but imagine what more I could be creating. I can't help but think more time has run out.

That's probably the worst part of being an artist...the time factor. There is never enough time to complete all the projects that you are starting, have started, or will start. But for now, I look around my studios (both are a wreck, of course) and can't help but feel all the good creative energy there and there is no other option but to keep moving forward. I thought it would be fun to just take random shots of both studios tonight. LIke a little peek inside...

Several more days will pass and a new year begins. A new chance to do something even bigger....something even better....something grander than the last year. But really, time for an artist disappears when creating and its hard to believe another year has passed already, but alas it has. In these last few days of 2013 I find myself finishing up a few lingering projects but also looking forward to the start of the new year.

More Random Shots
Spongebog photobomb!!
No no, you're eyes are not
deceiving you. That artifact in front of the Affinity
IS indeed a cassette.
Argyle
That mess there in front is nothing.
Move along...move along.

A Palomino Appy

Resin with a few layers
of pigments on her.

Visiting the studio is a Wee Wyakim resin which will be going palomino blanket appaloosa. I personally find painting the color palomino to be the most challenging because although their color is pale, there is quite a lot of color in the coat.

When I sat down with this piece I decided to document the painting process. Even the process is subtle with color shifting up a few values or down slightly. The very last picture in the series here finds the body saturated with acrylic and in need of drying for about 24 hours.

Acrylic colors I'll be using.








The piece is now saturated with color
and will need to dry overnight.

"The Snow Fall"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylic on Watercolor Paper.

Snow! Finally!

My little angel statue cooling off today.
Ahh, finally, a proper snow fall. Not only is it pretty it is inspiring. I found myself up and working at my desk finishing up the dappled grey Affinity before the sun even came up. I hope the snow stays for a few days because I'd love to get final shots of this gal in the snow. I should prove to be very dramatic.

Affinity getting her
last layers of color and dapples.

Inspiration

One of my students mid creation.
Inspiration comes from many different avenues for me. One very strong source of inspiration for me is teaching. I teach several young students now and its been both fascinating and extremely inspiring to watch their creativity in action and flourish over many weeks time. I wanted to share some of their beautiful work. I'm very proud of their work and achievements.

(Various acrylic on canvas paintings from children ages 8-10 and 12)

Heart

Impulse buy!

I just couldn't resist the impulse purchase of yet another heart ornament. This one, however, left room for improvisation. I chose to make a tiny drawing of the boy mouse in this one. This was a fun diversion tonight and am sorry I didn't pick up another heart ornament so I could draw both mice; one in each heart. They'd look cute hung near each other on the Christmas tree.


Penciling out the drawing.

Does it fit?

First layers of watercolor.

More layering.

The finish...

The finish on the tree.