Week 14 - Refined Beauty & Arcadia

Arcadia

Refined Beauty

This week was a very interesting and fun week for me; I completed these two pieces of art, and began to work on a couple of other pieces. There are moments in our lives that inspire us, or drive us to do things that might be above our normal self. Take advantage of these moments in your life, they may become defining moments for you. A dream is born, and then comes action, that movement puts our dreams into motion.


I watched "The Blindside" again tonight, and I was again inspired by one family who stepped out of their comfort zone to help another, in so doing they were all changed. I may have smaller defining moments, but one day I may come to a greater decision like they faced at that moment I want to know that I planned to give my all, that I would step up and become greater than myself. I think that you all have the same possibilities in your lives as well, little things that test who you are. These little things may be the building blocks that will help you become the person that you always knew you could be. I am taking small steps in the art world, and building a collection, and setting deadlines so I can meet them. One day these little steps will prove to be a good discipline, for the future I am working to create for myself.


I hope that you can relate, whether your dream is related to art or some other goal. Take the small steps to prepare yourself for the larger steps that will come into play. Take the leap when the greater moments come, even if they seem to be more than what you feel you can handle, rise to the occasion. Let your greatness shine. Do not let fear hold you back. Have a great week, and keep on creating.

Click here to see more lilies in soft pastel.

Week 13 - Pretty in Pink

This week I started two pieces of art, and it worked out well because I only finished one of them this week.  I scanned this much earlier, but the colors were distorted and much lighter than the original and I just could not post the lighter scan, it looked so pale.  I wanted to make this piece vibrant and alive, and the picture needed to represent what I had been working to show on paper.

I love Stargazers, they are my favorite flower along with roses, so it only seemed fitting that I paint one finally.  This next week I plan to complete the other piece, and there will be a small start on a series.  Spring is here, Easter weekend was fabulous, and I am inspired. 

There is something special about spring, animals become frisky, kids in school get all excited and distracted thinking about summer, and the rest of us stare out the window at work and wonder why the weather is perfect while we work and then gets stormy for our ride home?  It does make me curious, but aside form that I look forward to weekends and spending much more time outside.  Maybe I will venture out to paint by the river this spring.  For those of you itching for spring and summer, let your creative wings spread and do something new, something bold. 
Be brave and create!

Weeks 11 & 12 - Sunflowers

Kansas Sunflower

Last week I was unable to post a piece of new art, so I'm making it up to you this week with two different pieces.  Both of these are sunflowers, done in different mediums each showing a different personality.  Yes, artwork has personality, which is why some pieces grab you more than others.  Beyond technical application, balance of light and shadow, the general flow of the piece, and the general subject of the piece; there is something in each piece of art that either resonates with the viewer or it doesn't.  Some people create art for political reasons, others for aesthetics to fit within a certain decor, but what ever the reason if  the piece does not capture you it just might not be speaking your language.
I have gotten tripped up before on the technical details of a piece, my drawings really tie me into knots thinking that I haven't gotten things into the perfect alignment or the proper shading...but still within the piece there is still a voice that cry's out to be heard.

Here is the Chinese brush painting version of a sunflower.  I would like to practice this a lot more, it's a simple flower, but the colors in the petals could be a bit more yellow next time.

Since this week has been all about sun flowers I thought I would upload an older sunflower colored pencil piece that I had done.  It is a small piece, but it has character.

Sun Flowers

This piece and the Kansas Sunflower are available for purchase through my website.  These three pieces are very different, and yet they are all of the same type of flower.  One is simple, another dramatic and the other is more playful, but each of these embodies a part of the flower's essence that can be felt.  Summer is coming...the flowers will be blooming.

Keep creating, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! 


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Week 10 - Dragon fly in Cherry Tree

I finally combined two different items into one composition, this is a first in my Chinese Brush painting pieces.  I can find many things that I would like to do better in this piece, but all in all I like the combination and the colors.  

There was a combination of water color and Sumi-ink on this piece, in order to have color in it.  I like bold statement of the black and white with the bright splashes of color. 

There is not a lot to be said this week regarding technique, or how to accomplish this type of art.  There are books and teachers that know so much more than I.  This week I wanted to focus on the passion.  There are things in this world that spark our imagination and awe, these are the things that move us.  It is important that we as artists remember that each piece should not just be a reflection of what we see, but of what we feel.  

Let me also clarify my definition of artist.  I believe that we all have a bit of an artist in us.  Those who bake and cook are culinary artists, there are plenty of different crafts that are artists.  Scientists are artistic with formulas and creating different things in their field, those who work with math and numbers can also be on the artistic side.  People who write, and speak eloquently are using words to create pieces of art.  People in customer service can see their work in action in diffusing situations, that is an art.  So, I see that there are all kinds of artists in this world, and that we are all moved by different things. 

This week is brand new, take a moment to enjoy the sun and the beginning signs of spring, or at least the hope of it's pending arrival. Focus on the positive, let go of the negative and create.

Week 9 - Silhouette Elk in Moon

Silhouette Elk in Moon (9 X 12)

I love painting with my airbrush!  It takes a bit to set up and clean, but the effects are fantastic.  This piece is much smaller than the other moon I did in the past, along with the surface being different as well.  The moon detail was not easy to create with the highlights and shadows, I will have to do another piece to work more on that.  My main focus this time was in the sky, making the back ground different with the leaves in the back ground.  I like putting the nature into the sky to add interest and beauty.   

I primarily used Lascaux acrylics for this piece. They dry quickly and are opaque so I can layer colors in order to sharpen lines where I want them sharp and yet I am able to have the haze as well with the blending capability of the airbrush.  I used my Iwata Eclipse on this piece, I have much better control and can get sharper lines than with my other air brush.  Quality products are much better to work with.  

For all of you artists out there, create the things you love. Remember that not all artists paint with brushes, some prefer the palates of food, words, drama, math, or music.  We are all artists, and all of us have things to create. Have a great week!

Week 8 - Hybiscus

 

I have been busy working on another piece, and I was hoping to be able to post it this week, but The best laid schemes of mice and men....

This however, is my first attempt at the hibiscus, and I am happy with how it turned out for being my first try.  I love flowers, and feel that their essence should be caught in many different art forms.   Spring is coming, and I am waiting with baited breath, to smell deeply the freshly washed air that comes after the spring rains.  Chinese brush painting is a fun and loose way of painting for me, it helps me not get to tight and wrapped up in the details.  The flowing ink that can not be erased or fixed, the delicate paper that soaks up the ink and water, the art form that has been around for centuries, it is perfect beauty.  

I think my next attempt at the hibiscus I will be a bouquet of flowers, that could be beautiful.  I have also decided to do the same picture in multiple mediums to see how the different mediums impact the subject.  I think I will need to locate a hibiscus photo that I can begin to paint in various mediums.  Have a great week and take the time to appreciate the beauty around you!

Week 7 - Pansy

Pansy

This week went by so fast, the time just flew by.  This next week is looking to be about the same speed, fast.  Times like this are both good and tiring.  Boredom is not a friend of mine, so time going quickly is wonderful, but it does leave me a bit worn out when I come home to relax and create.  The good news is, I have many different ideas already piled high.
I take quick walks around my office during the day, very short 3 minute breaks to clear my head and move.  This last week the flowers blooming have caught my eye, Pansy's.  They are bright and cheery flowers.  Spring is not here yet, but it is coming and these bright flowers are reminders of the beauty of springs bright blooms.
This water color I used the primary colors and mixed the purples.  I like the depth of color mixing the purple brings out.  The next pansy I paint I will focus on other areas, but this one I wanted bright and fresh like spring.   Have a great week, take the time to see the beauty around you.