Today in the Studio

 

Spending more time in the studio this week and it feels good.  I have been surrounding myself with all sorts of inspiration...hoping that the inspiration will then show itself in the studio. I am trying something a little different--just allowing myself to experiment, try different stuff and not worry so much about the finished product.

I'll admit it--that last part is hard for me. 

I want whatever I work on to look good. And it's not that I'm so set on creating something ugly...it's not that at all, but right now I'm just trying to focus on the process, learn some things and hopefully, find some new techniques that I will love.

It is definitely a work in progress. 

Today at the Studio

I spent a good chunk of today at the studio. When I opened the door I was pleasantly reminded by the sight of a clear table that I had cleaned my work space. I should have taken a picture, because it didn't stay clean for long!

I worked on a number of projects, going back and forth from smaller projects to this larger (20x24) painting. She is far from finished, but I like how she's coming along. This picture doesn't really show how vibrant the colors are. And I bet you're wondering about the "hair wings" ... you'll just have to wait to see how that turns out. She's going to be quirky and fun.

 

Today at the Studio

Not everyone gets how excited I am when I receive a shipment filled with art supplies...but I know you do! Thanks to my recent painting sale, I was able to purchase some paints and acrylic mediums from Dick Blick. The box arrived today! I was a little giddy!

Here is my shelf filled with goodies. I ordered some new mediums, like Crackle Paste and Clear Tar Gel, to experiment with. Oh, the fun I will have.

But before I dive in and start playing with new stuff, I decided to stay focused and work a bit more on my Ladies in Waiting. (That's not really their title, just my fun personal reference). I worked on a lot of faces today. It's amazing how each feature added changes their personality in some way.

What is hard to show in a photo of my Winter lady-in-waiting is the background...it has an iridescent finish with a snowflake pattern. 

I decided to add a quote to this one: "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." (Anais Nin)

But Autumn, pictured below, is my favorite... My inspiration for her background came from the Starbucks mug I drink my coffee from each morning. See, inspiration can come in a cup of java. Could it be a business expense?
 

Here they all are at the end of the day. Not quite done, but getting close.  

Today at the Studio

I thought I would share a bit of my painting process today. I worked on several paintings in this series today, but spent the most time getting this one started. I had previously laid down the base color on this 12x12 stretched canvas. The base color is actually several layers of paint...it's all a process! 

Today I started by using a white chalk pencil to lay out the design of the painting--just a light outline so I can image how the finished painting will look. I'm doing this more and more...it's easy to erase and it's only a guide. When I start painting, things sometimes change!

After I was happy with the outline, I started laying down the green of the leaves/vines...

I go back and add more color and detail to the leaves...it's hard to tell in the picture, but I used a bit of gold to highlight the leaves.

Once I was finished with the leaves/vines, I moved on to laying down some color for the flowers and laying down a off-white base for the bird. This included two layers of color to help me reach the intensity of color I'm after. I will still add another layer of color before adding the details to the flowers and bird.

At this point, I was done with the painting for the day. Sometimes you need to step back for a day...plus paint needs to dry thoroughly before you keep adding layers. 

But I switched gears a bit and continued work on some other paintings in this series. It was a productive day! 

My only problem--I still need a name for this series! Any suggestions?

Today at the Studio

Finally back in the studio! My work space may be a little messy, but I was ready to paint! Finishing up the Hope Garden series...close to being done, really!

And also starting some new work! Having a little fun with color and light molding paste!  

Detail:

 

At the studio...lately

Today at the Studio

 

Today at the studio I enjoyed my organized chaos...

 

  

one can never have too many canvases...

  

My work table was still set up for the First Friday event...

 

  

but it was time to get back to work!

 

 

Trying to take pics of a finished painting...

  

...detail below.

  

And outside the studio today...light rail construction!

 

 

Today at the Studio

  

I decided to start a new feature "Today at the Studio"--from time to time I will post pictures from my day at the studio. Well, I guess I do that already, but I'm going to do it in this way without so much commentary. Mostly pics, with a few comments. Or no comments.

Sometimes when I show pics of a work in progress, I can get caught up in wanting to explain my process--which isn't bad, but sometimes I just want to post the pics--to show progress, to not get "inside my head" so much, to just be able to step back myself and see what I think (and what you thing as well!)

So here we go, with the first installment of  "Today at the Studio"--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking spring. Dancing to the Bee Gees. Life is good.