My home is a prepped blank canvas!

 I must say I had no comprehension of the scope of work necessary to change out floors. It began by packing up everything...yes, everything and moving it out to my garage, studio, patio and car! Lots of boxes, clothes, pictures, furniture...oh my, what was I thinking?

 After removing all baseboards, carpets, tacking strips, nails, dust...we began painting all the walls,

yes, even the insides of closets! For colors, I chose Pearl Grey, Barely Lilac and White on White!

Finally the floor arrives. It must acclimate for three or more days before installation can proceed! Today we are picking up new baseboards. I will spend the next two days painting them. The new floors will be installed Monday and Tuesday. After that, we will begin installing the baseboards and moving all our belongings back. It has been almost three weeks (not counting floor shopping). We have been living on concrete with just bare minimum furniture (sofa, bed, TV, wireless hookup).

My place of refuge has been the steps of my studio looking back over my gardens. Peaceful, yes, but I miss my studio...days of blissful routines (coffee, gym, studio, evening news and my own bed!). I'm like the little child you see at the mall who's missed her nap...cranky, crying and disoriented! Looking forward to the days ahead when we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Hope to get back into my studio by mid May!

A life in chaos!

I want to send out a message to bring my fellow artists and friends up to date. I'm currently working on two canvasses in my mind. I often begin correlating colors, themes and designs as I'm walking, showering or watching rocks grow! However, as life often does, a stumbling block rolls into the picture...this time in the form of new floors. This involves a complete home remodel. First we will pack everything up, then rip out old carpets and paint. Whew! We hope to have all this completed by mid May.
I will leave you with a teaser. The first painting is titled "Eve" and the second is "Urbane Guerrilla". The thumbnails (small sketches) are taking shape and colors are spinning. Please stay tuned . . . love to all!

"A New Day" 16x20 Ampersand Panel

A new day begins with hope, life and virtue. All is washed clean and the possibilities are endless. We have power over darkness. Our only limitations exist in our mind. We are free to simply live in this moment, savoring the sunrise as it comes across our face and lights up our world. Won't you join me in a peaceful moment of gratitude?

Fear! 30"x24" Mixed Media

You will remember in my last posting, I shared a sketch and loose acrylic wash documenting my journey with this painting. Above is the latest version after a loose acrylic wash made up of Titanium White, Matte Gel and silver acrylic ink was applied over the charcoal (see the picture below). After applying the charcoal, I patted some of the loose dust off, but did not use fixative to set it because I knew this horse was to be a dappled gray.

The paint application became a sort of push and pull, coaxing the horse from the canvas. I truly enjoyed the process and learned so much valuable information. In hindsight, I believe the most important lesson I took from this is "less is more". To elaborate further, do not overwork! Some people shared the opinion that I should have stopped with the loose wash! The second important thing I learned is "to paint in the moment". That is to go with the first sitting, keeping all strokes minimal and loose...only then would I truly have represented my expression. By taking to much time too think over each application, I lost the fresh energy. The third lesson was to eliminate hard lines in my first initial wash. There were a few places I wish the initial wash had been softened. You can always add in a hard line, but removing one can be tricky.

All that said and done, I believe progress on my journey has been made and I will be a better artist for facing down my fears.   What is the most important thing you want to express in your work? If you could achieve this, what would you need to overcome? Remember, all things are possible...sometimes it's our power that scares us.

Sharing my process!

I'm very happy to report many new ideas have come to me of late. There is one I'm especially protective of involving women which hopefully will result in a series. I know it's important to paint and repaint your subject as many times as it takes to feel comfortable with it. That is why you see a horse on my easel today! They are the only subject I have drawn blindfolded and succeeded with a reasonable likeness! I thought you might enjoy my workspace easel I created for large canvases. It is a piece of plywood mounted to my studio wall with folding brackets and chains (see blue gloves and rags to the side to view chain). When not in use, it folds up and fastens flat against the wall freeing up space. As I am tall, I was also able to make it a comfortable height for me. With those features pointed out, I will progress to the reason for today's post.
Above on the easel is a 24" x 30" canvas toned in gold gesso with a colorful acrylic wash applied. Below is the original drawing I made to begin this project.

I posted this on Face Book last week planning to create a 16"x20" work. After toning the canvas and transferring this drawing to a 20"x24" canvas, I discovered there was no room left on the canvas for expression! I took alcohol and removed the drawing. I now have a distressed 20"x24" canvas looking for a new subject! Alas, I digress, but want you to know the trials I endure as an artist. Few works develop without some setbacks, but I find most are beneficial to strengthen the painting. You will note on the larger colorful wash I have left room for the imagination to fill in the painting. My horse has been created standing with his head thrown back a little more. This was done by turning the drawing above when transposing it to the toned canvas. My next step will be to come in with my compressed charcoal to delineate my drawing on the canvas. I hope to keep each stroke deliberate to incorporate shadows and expression. From there, I will probably add one more fluid acrylic wash to the horse to set up my charcoal. Hopefully from there, I will transfer to oils to bring him alive, leaving the background color, charcoal and inks visible as well. This is a new process for me. My heart has wanted to create this piece for some time, but I let fear stop me until now. How silly is that? Fear keeps us stagnant. Rise up, try new things and dream BIG!

"My Dream"

Once I had a dream unlike any experienced before. It left such an impression on me, I noted the date in my journal. I was living in an artist colony. There was exquisite light and beautiful colors surrounding me. Inspiration flowed in and amongst all the artists. We seem to feed and relate to one another in such a peaceful way. The date was February 18, 2007. I awoke with such a peaceful happiness...the feeling stayed with me a long while. It was at this time I began to realize I would never be happy unless I could fully dedicate myself to my work. I joined art societies always watching other artists demo their skills. I attended shows to view the works being accepted. I spent hours pouring over what seemed to sell, always tracking my costs...trying to whittle down the time it took to create. In essence, I gained skill and knowledge, but lost my art. Art painted from the heart and soul. Art that tells a story. Art without boundaries. Art painted for the pure JOY!

This year in February, I viewed an old photograph captured by John Thomson sometime between 1868 thru 1872 while in China. It was an old temple in ruins. Something about that photo spoke to me and brought back the dream I had experienced so vividly. I simply had to capture my dream. This is mixed media using watercolors, fluid acrylics and ink. It is painted on 300# 12"x6" Arches Paper. There were lush gardens and koi ponds in my vision. I have made the temple my own and left it floating above the natural realm. It takes me back to a journey...a place where the possibilities await my touch.

Many of you know I have struggled to find my voice of late. My path had become muddy. This will remain with me as a reminder to stay true to my inspiration. May Peace be with you.

Spring is near!

"Spring Tulip Study" 5x7 Mixed Media

I want to send this out to Jill Randall as a big thank you today! She helped this artist to go back into the studio and pick up paints after a three month hiatus! This morning I pulled up my blog to catch up on what the rest of you have been doing. Let me say, I am always impressed by the quality and amount of work out there. One of blue bonnets caught my eye ... I really liked the light coming over the hill. She spoke of a great day painting with her friend. I left her a simple comment. She is so kind...she took time to reach out to me with suggestions out of kindness. After replying back in gratitude, I created this little study in record time. While it's not something I'm especially proud of, it was so fun. I used Watercolor crayons, acrylic ink and paints. I love the ruffled tulips! My mind is full of visions. I have been painting in my head...trying to realize just how to put those visions on canvas. Hopefully, my art will evolve into something that speaks to my soul. If you haven't seen Jill's blog, please visit this link: www.jillrandallart.blogspot.com