Do You Dare?
Have ever wondered where your painting was going? I have put myself in such an odd situation with this painting and a lot of firsts. So many that I didn’t know where or what was going to happen next. First of all, painting a red under-painting, with green being the dominat color, created a very narrow bridge for me to walk on. That’s what happens when you take risks. I guess a risk is a risk when you don’t know what is going to happen. Trusting or maybe best of all having no attachment to the outcome is a better choice. This gives me the freedom to not have it turn out or be “right”. My process in this painting is one stroke at a time and the relationship to the last stroke or it’s surroundings. I believe I will reach a point where I won’t be lead but will lead, but right now I have to follow. As my son Blake would say at the end of every movie “to be continued”.
Underneath #paint52
I know you must be wondering, why the name "Underneath" and how does it relate to this painting? Well, color is my language. It speaks in layers, vibrancy, tones, subtleties and more. Color reflects my mood, passion, feelings and desires. It is limitless in regards to what color expresses for me. So as the many layers of color and the color selection and well as the movement in the painting, it tells me subliminaly what is going on "underneath" the surface. I also wonder if the colors I chose correlate to the chakras in my body. It tells me what energies I should notice, as well as a way I need to balance and release. Wassily Kandinsky elaborated on color in his book "Concerning the Spiritual in Art" He talked about how certain colors can represent certain instruments, as well as a reflection of our soul.
When I painted this painting yesterday, I felt such a need to lay down color, I know that it was necessary for my well-being and expression to pull what was underneath the layers of my body, mind and soul, and transform it. Color becomes the alchemy from my spirit to the physical world.
This is my twelfth painting of my #paint52 challenge to paint 52 paintings this year. The painting measures 6-3/4" X 10", Atelier Acrylic on velum and is also for sale for $150.00, contact me if you are interested. SOLD Your support has been wonderful and I am so grateful, thank you!
California Here I Come #paint52
When I was nine, I had to move to France after my father died. Not only did I lose my father, but I had to leave my home, my friends and my country. My mother was French and wanted to go back home to her family, but I was brought up in the U.S., and wanted to stay in my beloved country. My mother had a change of heart and returned back to the U.S. five months later. I remember singing to myself on the flight home, "California Here I Come". For some reason this painting reminded me of this, the man in the orange shirt looking like he came from another state for sure and the various ethnic people, combines to make what San Francisco and our country is all about, a melting pot of the world. By the way the location of this painting is California Street.
The painting has an ultramarine blue underpainting. I knew right off the bat this was going to create some difficulties, yet I didn't know how hard it was going to be until I got started. I am determined to push myself in this challenge and try things I never have done before. Most artists would say that the man's orange shirt is too bright and would dominate the painting, but that was the reason why I painted this painting. How bright could I make his shirt and still have the viewers eye move around the canvas. I also wanted it to vibrate in color. which I do believe it does. At first I thought I would start laying in the painting without a drawing, but it was too big and too much going on. Since the color was so dark, I had to use chalk; see image below.
I am finding that I am allowing my "Making Faces" characters come to life in my paintings. I am throughly enjoying this and loving the little stories that each one bring. I have been so fortunate to have had great training on the body, for 4 years from George De Groat my teacher in my early years as an artist. He was a genius. This is my tenth painting of my #paint52 challenge, painted in oil, measures 24" X 48" and another addition to my San Francisco series.
Thank you so much again, for supporting me in this challenge it means the world to me.
California Dreaming #Twitterartexhibit
This panting will be part of the Twitter Art Exhibit, initiated by artist David Sandum on Twitter. All entries must be no bigger than a postcard and will be displayed in the Moss Public Library in Norway. The proceeds will be donated to The Women's Crisis Center in Moss, for abused women and their children. The center also provides a 24 hour phone-service, counseling, food and shelter etc. The exhibit will provide much needed support for this charity and will subsidize lost funding that occurred this year. For more information please check out David's website http://davidsandumart.posterous.com/call-for-artists-2nd-twitter-art-exhibit-in-m
Pier 23 Cafe #paint52
What a cool place Pier 23 Cafe is! Pier 23 Cafeis family owned and has been operating for the last 25 years. If you are going to be in San Francisco during the 34th America’s World Cup in 2013, you will find it a perfect spot, which will be right next door to Pier 27, the terminal building for the race. It’s one of those places that is found through word of mouth, always busy and entertains celebrities like Anthony Bourdains' list of San Francisco’s top eateries and Nancy Pelosi with her entourage of bodyguards (which I experienced the last time I was there). I tried to capture the bright sunlight, which is a result of an unusually sunny day in S.F.; the door opened ready to invite you in for a cold “brueski”.
This is my ninth painting for my #paint52 Challenge, which you can follow on Twitter. You might also like to subscribe to the my blog and follow my weekly update. The painting was painted with Atelier Interactive Acrylics on velum, measures 9" X 12" and an addition to my San Francisco Series. SOLD
Once again I really appreciate your support and following my challenge!