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!
Discovering Your True Artistic Self
Each sheet of twelve studies, began the same way. All started on a 22” x 30” sheet of Arches Oil Paper. All were sectioned into 12 individual blank spaces, and all used a limited pallet. They usually started with mark making, using Art Graf, stencils, oil bar and Cray Pas and ended with Cold Wax and oil paint. Play in the beginning was very important. The play progressed into them telling me what they wanted to become.
Nicholas Wilton, a great artist and teacher, uses this approach to creating. He will be having a free workshop, that you might be interested in. Here is the link to sign up https://art2life.lpages.co/2021-free-a2l-workshop/ While introducing the workshop, he had three questions to ask you. Below are the questions and how I answered. I think they tie really well into my journey of discovering what I love and where I am going with this series.
1. What are the parts that you love about your work?
a. Arches oil paper
b. Cold Wax medium how it creates texture and transparency
c. black lines (on again and off again, heavy and light, marks)
d. High intensity and high contrast
e. oil paint (how it glistens and mixes; mixing is sensual)
f. movement (I tend to always have movement and rhythm)
2. What is the reason you are creating this way?
a. more freedom
b. playful
c. expressing with no limitations
d. experimental
e. sensual
f. learning to fearlessly be myself
g. with Covid in the background, it fills a need, physically, spiritually and emotionally
3. How will your art look in the future, perhaps 3 years from now?
a. By letting go of control, I believe I will have more growth in a shorter amount of time.
b. I probably will be painting large 36″ x 36″ or even larger
c. I can imagine my paintings being more visceral, fearless and raw
d. I will be disclosing more of my true self
Please try asking yourself these questions, they are quite revealing and might increase your growth in a real way.
The painting above is called “Another Tomorrow” 36” x 36” Cold wax oil, and mixed media on Arches oil paper is the third painting of my Twelve of Twelve series. Again, because of our need to isolate and stay home due to Covid, it has made my art more colorful and passionate. I notice my work is becoming less inhibited and sensual.
Thank you again for your time. I appreciate you.
About Arches Oil Paper
Let’s talk about Arches Oil Paper. Since I’m going to be continually using this substrate throughout my Twelve of Twelve series, I thought you might want to know a little about this surface. This paper comes in a variety of sizes. I purchase Arches Oil Paper from Dick Blick.
PRO’s
- Weight 140 lbs, 100% Cotton, Acid Free and sized
- Needs no preparation prior to use, use paint or mixed media directly
- Slightly toothy
- Absorbant
- Archival
- Economical
- Can be framed without glass
- Can be varnished or sealed with Cold Wax
- Easy to store
- Great for transparent colors
- Allows quick drying, especially when you like to paint wet on wet like me
- Oil will not soak through paper
- Doesn’t curl or buckle when saturated
- Weighs practically nothing, easy to transporting during travel and Plein Air
- Colors don’t shift in value or intensity
- Very strong
- Can be used with a variety of mediums, including watercolor, acrylic, mixed media and collage
- Because of its verstatility there is no need to purchase different types of paper
- Arches oil paper is formulated to protect the paper fibers, without priming
- Framing is easy, just mount paper on board
CON’S
- Paint can’t be scrubbed off like canvas; it will leave a stain to only be covered by opaque paint or medium
- May need to take some time to think ahead before painting, similar to watercolor
- Water abrades paper when scrubbed
I have never found a paper that shows off pigment with such clarity and purity. It is such a sensual substrate, that allows such wonderful interaction between the artist and the material. Additionally, Cold Wax medium and oil paint is a perfect match made in heaven when combined. Using Cold Wax and Oil paint with Arches oil paper, allows for the wonderful transparencies initially and in layers creating the most beautiful affects and pleasant surprises. And as the layers build one can see the visible work. This paper is amazing.