Work In Progress
Today I experimented with burnishing the painting below. I used a stainless steel spoon and applied it in a circular motion to the dried surface of the painting. This process makes the pigment shine, giving the painting a lacquered effect, which creates a rich luster and warm glow.
The paint must be completely dry before burnishing, I used this process on the plant pot, the womans eye, and the darker background areas. It gave the dark area of the eye a mysterious glow, which my camera did not capture. However, you can see the effect on the plant pot.
Tomorrow I plan on adding more layers of color and detail to the background, etc.
The image below is a close up photo of a portion of the painting.
Lady & Nature - Acrylic & Watercolor – 9 X 12 inches
“There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” – Linda Hogan
“Everything in nature contains all the power of nature. Everything is made of one hidden stuff.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
Painting Another Heart
I started another heart painting a couple of days ago. This is my third painting with a crystal heart as the main focal point. I can’t help myself, I feel drawn to paint this ancient symbol.
Throughout history, the heart symbol has been considered a religious icon. The ancient Egyptians believed the heart was the center of all consciousness, the center of life itself. For the Christians the heart represents hope, charity, and forgiveness.
For many others the heart was the center of thought, emotion, the soul, the center of one’s very being.
Celtic Heart – Combined Media – 12 X 12 inches
Figurative Abstract
I had some extra time today to work on my painting, so I began adding three abstract figures and collage elements to the background.
The inspiration for this piece came from some reoccurring dreams I’ve had over the past year, in which these very elongated tall abstract figures float over the landscape. They usually travel together in family groups.
Unity - Acrylic, Mixed Media – 16 X 20 inches
“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
“Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life.”
-John Muir
“I am the country, my eyes the sky, my limbs the trees,
I am the rock, the depth of water.
I am not here, in order to control nature or exploit her.
I am even nature.”
- Hopi
Another Busy Day
Although it has been a busy couple of days, I did manage to work on my painting. I still haven’t decided what to do with the crystal ball.
Maybe tomorrow inspiration will strike, or maybe not. I still have a ways to go before it is finished, which gives me plenty of time to figure it out.
The Awakening - Combined Media on Canvas – 11 X 14 inches
“Whatsoever that be within us that feels, thinks, desires, and animates, is something celestial, divine, and consequently, imperishable.” – Aristotle
“There is a desire deep within the soul which drives man from the seen to the unseen, to philosophy and to the divine.” - Kahlil Gibran
Beautiful Weekend
We had a beautiful weekend, the sun was shining, and we hit the mid-80′s. Saturday, when we got back home from running errands, we were able to take our dog out for awhile so he could run, play, and snooze in the grass. He is such a sweetheart!
On Sunday, I went to the Gem Faire and had a great time looking for beads and such. I was completely worn out and tired by the time I got home. lol
Since I didn’t have any time to paint over the weekend, I began working on “The Awakening” early this morning. I still have a long way to go but at least I made some progress today.
The Awakening – Combined Media on Canvas- 11 X 14 inches
From a Sketch to a Painting
Today I’m turning the previous post of a sketch into a painting. I began by blocking out the whole painting into tonal groups. I also added a crystal ball and started working on the head and body.
When working in Painter IX, I am able to add layers to the original under painting and work on these individually until I like what I see. Afterwards, I merge the layers with the original canvas and my painting is finished.
Tomorrow I plan on working on the background, hair, and clothing. My paintings can take a few weeks to several months to complete, depending on how large or complex they are.
The Awakening - Combined Media on Canvas – 11 X 14 inches
A Wonderful Day
The rain has arrived and thank goodness, it has been such a dry season for us. When I stepped outside this morning everything smelled so fresh and clean. What a wonderful way to start your day!
I grabbed a cup of hot tea and decided to do some sketching. I wanted to play around with some ideas which had been bouncing around in my head lately.
I have always been fascinated by archetypal images, and today I was primarily focused on The Divine Child archetype when I did the sketch below.
The Awakening – Sketch 2B Pencil – 5 X 7 inches
“Myths are the world’s dreams. They are archetypal dreams and deal with great human problems. Myths and dreams come from the same place. They come from realizations of some kind that then have to find expression in symbolic form.” - Joseph Campbell
“You cannot predict what the next step is; you just have to do it. It’s so mysterious.” - Hui Lin Liu
“I am inspired when the elements and forces of nature combine to form strange and transcendental appearances… sometimes subtle, sometimes dynamic, they act as portals to a mystical realm.” - Diana Lehr
Work In Progress
I spent this morning working on this painting and had to stop because my allergies were making my eyes water. This time of the year always finds me suffering from seasonal allergies. “C’est la vie!
Yesterday was very stressful because we had a family member go back into the hospital because of complications from a surgery performed last week. I am happy to report he is doing well and will be going home tomorrow. We are all breathing a big sigh of relief, this was a very rough two days!
Playing With Fire -Combined Mixed Media
Work In Progress Update
I really enjoyed the gorgeous sunshine this morning when Rupert and I took our walk. He sniffed every bush and flower along the way and had a great time barking at two very large dogs we happened to run into.
Afterwards I made a pot of Earl Grey tea, poured myself a cup, pulled my chair up to the easel and began working on the Kuan Yin painting.
Several hours later I noticed people walking their dogs and heard children’s laughter from next door. I suddenly realized it was time for me to stop and begin preparing dinner. Where did the time go?
Without a doubt, time flies when you are having fun!
Kuan Yin – 16 x 20 Acrylic & Mixed Media on Canvas
“Time is the most undefinable yet paradoxical of things; the past is gone, the future is not come, and the present becomes the past even while we attempt to define it, and, like the flash of lightning, at once exists and expires”. ~Charles Caleb Colton
Work In Progress
I spent the afternoon working on this painting, using acrylic glazing and layering techniques. The glazes were done by diluting the paint with acrylic glazing medium.
I love the way glazes create softness and subtle shadings, these are caused by the overlapping layers of color added to the painting.
Work In Progress
