This Is An Exciting Time
November was a fantastic month! Why? Because I finally was able to see you in person. I had a wonderful Open Studio November 6-7th. This was Morgan Hill’s first Open Studio featuring 40 plus artists from Morgan Hill and Gilroy, CA. It was a great success.
Time Travel 36″ X 36″
Time Travel 36″ X 36″
I am sure you recall when I wrote about completing 120 abstract paintings, starting on November 2019 and ending March 2020. (Source: One Hundred and Twenty Abstracts) The goal for creating these were to become familiar with abstraction. Little did I know that this would be a catalyst for another successful and productive time for me. In January 2021, I decided to take twelve of the best studies from the 120 abstracts and enlarge them to 36” x 36”. The series is called Twelve of Twelve (Source: Evolution Of An Artist Series) All Twelve paintings were produced on Arches oil paper with Cold Wax and oil, plus mixed media.
I am excited to say that I completed the Twelve of Twelve series on September 14th. It is with great satisfaction, that not only did I complete this challenging project, but that they also came out beautifully. They are now being mounted on 1-1/2” cradled panels for my upcoming shows.
Open Studio Event
I am having an Open Studio in my home, November 6th and 7th between 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. You are all invited. The second show will be by invitation only at Cordevalle Country Club, Saturday, December 4th. If you are serious about finding a piece for your home, please let me know if you would like to go to the latter.
As I mentioned, this goal put me in a mode of productivity. I decided to redo my website entirely. With lots of help, I do believe that I now have a website that has fulfilled my dreams. I hope that you find it as amazing as I do. I would love for you to subscribe to my website for future notifications and information.
My next blog will be a notification on how to win a free painting or two, if you subscribe to my website. More will be announced in the next week or two. All subscribers old and new will have a chance to win.
I would love to see you at my Open Studio, I hopefully will have time to do a demo. You will also be able see and purchase many new creations.
Contact me personally on my website, and I will send you physical invitation. Thank you!
A Life Of Its Own
I am continuing my Twelve of Twelve series, in which I have chosen 12 studies to enlarge up to 36” x 36”. There will be many observations that I want to share along the way.
I believe the most important piece of creating art is the emotion and energy. Can you recreate the original piece of art or study and still retain its essence or soul?
I have seen artists try to copy the original by tracing, using the grid method, a projector or printer to enlarge a painting. What happens when you do this?
It is a priority for me to not only keep the integrity of the original piece, but also not to lose its freshness and vitality. And as I scale up the small studies to a larger format, I have to allow the creation to have a life of its own.
Some of the undertakings I considered prior to increasing the size were:
- Keeping the same mediums and substrate; arches oil paper, oil paint and cold wax, mixed media
- Establishing the major shapes and composition, and allowing change if needed to make stronger
- Understanding the original and its transparencies, layers and textures; what came first, what is over, what is under, how can I increase the same effect in a larger scale
- Using the same tools but larger, that includes stencils, rollers, bowl scrapers, brushes , etc.
- And what is the mood and essence that I want to repeat from the original piece?
As I enlarge the original, I am always focusing on improving the composition. But, I also had to allow myself to drift off into another direction if called. I still want to create something new and exciting. The study is the starting off point, not the destination.
6" x 6" Study
The painting above is called “The Year of the Ox” and is the second painting of my “Twelve of Twelve” series. I hope I captured the energy and celebration of the coming Chinese New Year, “The Year of the Ox”. We have all had a tough 2020. “The Year of the Ox”, brings us the opportunity to work hard and deliberate and also to acknowledge the opportunity for resetting our lives to create a more positive future for ourselves and others.
Vulnerability And The Big Challenge
36" x 48", acrylic on museum wrapped canvas
“Armed I am with love. Disarmed I am.”
― Manuel Alegre
Tomorrow I am going to speak about my #paint52 project for Alyson B Stanfield’s Art Biz Incubation group. I have taken three of her workshops and been so pleased with the outcome and her standard of quality in anything she offers.
Our topic will be on committing to doing a “big project”. Doing two big projects in a row #paint52 and now Art20K has pushed me in many ways, just due to its natural progression and momentum. I don’t want to elaborate for I will be talking about it tomorrow. But, let’s just say talking in front of a group is pretty "big" for me.
The painting above was also out of my comfort zone. I did something totally unpredictable and unexpected for me. It felt very uncomfortable. I posted it on Facebook and many people enjoyed the painting. I could have left it as is, but I needed to push myself further, even if it was a disaster. I could risk and perhaps still did ruin the painting. Yet, the only way I learn and grow is to push myself.
Now what does doing big projects, talking to Alyson’s group and my painting has in common. I guess first of all I am putting myself in a vulnerable situation. I risk failing. In the end I have to be all right with it not being perfect, exposing who I am and realizing I am still good enough. Isn’t that always the bottom line, “Am I good enough”?
What risk are you afraid to take and why?
*ART20K footage completed 6996 square inches.
*Painting above, Title: “Delicate Vulnerability", measures 36″ x 48″, Acrylic on museum wrapped canvas (no need for framing), Price $4320
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!