To Wreck A Painting And Find It's Path

What does it mean to be willing to wreck a piece you love to find the brilliance you stopped short of? A few years ago I painted the piece below as part of a sister/brother pair called "The Sentient Twins," and I LOVED them. They are part of the children's book I am ever so slowly percolating forward and at the time, I felt I would never change them. I loved their connection to Colonial portraiture and the odd proportions they had, as well as the push of contrast. 

 Over the course of a couple of years, this piece began to give me a creative itch. I couldn't put my finger on it but something about him just didn't rest well and when that happens in my creative heart I always trust it. The time frame was key though, letting him rest, spending time with him, allowing him to share his story with me. It was clear it was unfinished. After my trip to Italy, I returned to the studio with completely different lenses, and a deep love of gelato :) As soon as I saw him I knew it was time to let him go. Below are a few steps in that visual process of wrecking and reclaiming.

I actually loved this stage, but still....not ready.

Working on the gaze and beginning the initial back lighting.

Her ghostly face captivated me, but at this stage I knew her story and it called for warmth.

Oh the look....right?

The warmth, she called for it, she resonated full of life. 

Here is the before and after, all along I believe she was there.

"She Found Her Muse On The Isle of Skye" 

This piece is complete. She holds tremendous presence for me in her creative narrative not only from her expression but also from her dress and the energy of her spirit. I couldn't be more happy with the outcome as is the new owner. I have this saying when I teach, "Never marry your base coat." Although this piece was well beyond base coat, it just visually connected to me as not evolving as it was called for. I listen when my heart shares that. 

For some of my new works heading forward I am offering a signed, limited edition print run of 25 on Epson Hot Press Bright Giclees with pure pigment, archival inks. They are gorgeous, ship for free, and I have a few left at $140. 

 

LOOKING AHEAD! 

A huge week ahead for me is filled with exciting changes and workshops. This week the Grand Opening of Sophiella Gallery takes place here in Mobile. They will be representing my figurative works and I am beyond thrilled to be represented by them. Stay tuned for details on that! 

I also head to Donna Downey's Studio this week to teach my studio workshop with an emphasis on Distortion. It is my last workshop of the year and is sure to by one of my faves as her studio is always a joy to work in. 

The Journey of Painting Glass

I am a collector. There are baskets of doll parts around the house, inside the gumball machine, inside the glass jars on my dining room table to keep the seashells company, and then there are my glass spheres that live within all of my weirdness, each beside a natural light source, and glow with life at unsuspecting moments. These spheres are where my Ardithian imagination gets its ideas, and I could live in them if I was able....they just magically draw me in. 

Painting glass is no small feat, especially with watercolors. In fact, I have only painted 3 glass paintings in the past 10 years, not because I dislike them, but because they are such a challenge that my back and neck scream with rebellion at the mere thought of me thinking about it. That was until a few weeks ago when I had to choose one of two subjects to paint for an upcoming show. The glass called out to me, and I decided it was time to let the paint flow again. 

Oh, the stinky frisket! 

The challenge is exactly what I remember, not painting the glass but painting the reflections in the glass. So far, I am pleased with my progress but the soul in me that loves slinging paint, making marks, and being loose with acrylic is cringing with all of the tight control necessary for this type of painting. I wish I had the physical ability to paint huge pieces, crawling up on a ladder to paint the tops of things, and getting down on the floor to paint low, but for today, I will be content with painting 'fairly large' for me. 

There are still many layers and glazes that will come for this piece, and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition. My mixed media spirit does as well, :) 

The pic above shows the addition of the dark values, or at least some of them. 

Love mixing yellow and deep violet to create darks. 

4/20th added more darks, more glazes, working on capturing the values I am looking for! 

Finally, after weeks of working on this piece with a bad back and all I am done. There are things I would have done differently had I been physically able, but considering how challenging it was with my back, I am thrilled with how it turned out. 

"The Reflections in Creation"

20" by 30" 

Watercolor

Mark Making

Why do we, as a species, find it a need to make marks? What part of our existence, or wiring, or connection with one another makes it necessary to make our own marks of being? I ponder these questions, at length, because I believe it is important, especially as an artist, to understand the pattern of need that existed in those, many moons ago, that is so much akin to our own desire and must...to make marks. 

This week was the kick off of our first Mixed Media Challenge in my Google+ community and the technique was "Adding Graphite with Acrylic." The first of 52, and I thought how perfect to celebrate with mark making as the focus, especially because mark making is at the very core of what artists...and humans...strive for. 

As I reflected back on learning as a child, viewing images of cave paintings and marks made eons ago, I felt a deep connection with how we were created. There must be an innate sense of expression, to reach out and communicate our purpose here, with one another, and as a record of our own existence. This exercise, of combing graphite with acrylic, was one I approached with glee. That was...until I started. 

The minute I started considering what I would create with my pencils and paint I hit a brick wall. The magnitude of making a mark, the birth of an idea onto paper, became daunting and I couldn't do it. I believe it was the intent that stopped me, the notion of wanting it to be significant. But as I thought about it, something stirred in me that said...."just make the marks, the meaning will come." With that sentiment, I grabbed my art journal, rather than a canvas, and turned to the page already painted in two of my favorite acrylic colors, blue and hot pink. 

Without direction, I began to embrace the sheer act of mark making...with lines, with squares, with circles, the very basic structures that we use to draw and communicate. It wasn't about drawing well, it was about the form, the process, the very act of placing graphite in my hand and placing it onto a substrate...and making a mark. 
As this face developed, the colors and the play of contrast filled me with a sense of wonder as to if those who first started out making marks were drawn to color in the same way I am. I thought about the rudimentary tools and minerals they would have used to make marks, and what might have inspired them. It all fascinates me, this connection we have to our predecessors. 

This year, for the next 52 weeks, our community will be trying our hand at various techniques to explore the world of mixed media in art. It will be a time to try something brand new, to think out of the box, and to take risks. I look forward to taking time to consider, ponder, and learn through the process with a group of folks willing to take the journey with me. As a self taught artist, I missed out on the study of art history in college, but the teacher in me, the life long learner that I am, MUST reflect and seek out how it all connects together. 

I will be posting a weekly update as to our groups progress on Google+ in an album and if you are so inclined to join us, we would love to have you. There is no charge for this experience, just a willingness to join, to explore, to share insight, and connection with a community of like minded artists making their mark in this world. You can find us HERE

Painted Paper Swap

Oh, the joy of painted paper! What's even better, swapping some of it with other artists! Today I spent a great deal of fun with a few artists up at The Art Center at Lavretta Park hand painting large sheets of table paper to use in collage work. Imagine, art time in grade school, crayons, markers, paint, toys, you name it, we painted with it. 

Mixed media artists love some yummy papers, and collage artists collect painted papers from all over the globe. Painting large pieces of paper is a great way to try new techniques out on a large scale, loosen up a tight painter, and explore the wonderful world of color theory, all without rules or expectations. 

After the pieces are painted, they are cut up into manageable sizes, usually about 10" by 12", and stacked. These papers can then be used in all sorts of journaling, collage work, abstracts, and my favorite, paper swaps. 

When I arrived home this evening I found a package from the brilliant collage artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson. Her collages are stunning, all made from hand painted papers, so enjoying a delicious bag of paper from her is a an extra perk for me! You can view her amazing collage work on her website, Paper Paintings. 

If you are a collage or mixed media artist, you might consider hosting a paper painting party for your group, especially if you all are running low on unique, color and patterned paper, You can always swap with me as well, just message me at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com! 

Happy Painting, Ripping, Tearing, and Collaging friends! 

Washed Acrylic and Leftover Palette Paintings

Two pieces erupted today, both rather unexpectedly, and I love it when that happens. You see, most of the time I paint predictably, within constructs that I know work, so when the creative fairy or spirit or being decides to share something I am not looking for, I count it a blessing. 

This morning, I had leftover paint and chose to wipe the extra onto a mat board with a credit card. This effect is magical, but it is very easy to 'over do' and create mud, which is exactly what happened. Rather than chunk it, I got a bit frustrated and decided I would just wash it off, and to my amazement it worked. The 'mud' color washed and left the myriad of colors on the sub layer undisturbed. This, I shall do again, with intent, with excitement, and of course, I will share my process with you. 

(Before I washed this, it was the color of puke green)

Now, most of you know my color palette...bright, joyful, rainbow colors. And then there is this....

I had painted one of my Landmark Acrylic pieces and had a minimal palette of greens, black, and red left over. I also knew I didn't want to waste the paint so I grabbed my new "Fractured" journal and let the brush flow towards a figure. What I didn't expect was the mood, the disturbing mood that came to life on my page. Yes, it nailed the theme of my journal, but once I saw the image, it stirred in me deep emotion, yet the words wouldn't come. I love and I hate it. It isn't pretty, but obviously, it is part of me. So for that, I am thankful. 

Two unexpected gifts from my creative spirit today, and two processes that I will most definitely tinker with some more. As tonight closes its day, I am reminded so much at how very blessed and grateful I am to be alive, be healthy for the most part, and be adored and loved. I send ((((((thanks))))))) to all of you for cheering me on and being such great supporters. I would paint without you, but painting for you makes it all the more special! 

Beginners Mixed Media Art Class

My 6 week beginning mixed media class started this past week at The Art Center at Lavretta Park! I was so excited to launch this class because it is longer than most I teach which gives me lots and lots of time to share some of the coolest mixed media techniques available. This first class was one of introduction, sharing exactly what mixed media is, and then giving the students a chance to explore 8 different simple techniques of making textures with paint on paper. Once they 'played' around with the the studies, they cut out their test plates and constructed a booklet with their descriptions of each on the back which is a great way to remember how a particular technique works. Can't wait for week two!

Judy uses a 'hair color' tool to make swirled lines using a scratch out technique.

MarthaJane practices her sponge stamping technique.

Julane is laying a second color of acrylic glaze on top of her base layer.

Once dried, students cut out their test sheets, wrote a description on the back, and constructed this booklet. They can add to it as they learn new techniques.

Painting With A Credit Card Class at Art(ology)

The night was cool, the gallery was festive, and we had a grand time in the "Painting With A Credit Card" class. During the holidays, I am choosing to teach one day workshops that will give students experience with painting and mixed media techniques but not require vast amounts of skill knowledge or supplies. Students, though skeptical at first, loved the process and were quite surprised how the finished paintings were turning out. 

Here is one of the samples I used for this class. 

Here is the other. 

Gallery is all set up!

Class in action. Nancy is standing, asking questions about the process.

I love this shot of the gallery. Being surrounded by so much art is inspiring. 

Laura laying down base layer for her flower.

Laura adding more details to her sunflowers.

Yajaira laying down base layers on her two flowers.

You can see that Yajaira is adding depth using values to her flowers.

I am explaining a swipe technique to Nancy. (I am sitting)

Nancy working on her flowers, using complimentary colors.

She added a burst of white which set off the center.

Carol loved adding texture to her piece using the scratch out technique.

Although Carol isn't quite finished, her piece is going to be gorgeous.

Phyllis painted yellow daisies which are lovely!

Before the students began to paint on canvas, they practiced stroke techniques with the credit card with acrylic on paper. These abstracts always turn out wild and great!

Carol's abstract, looks kind of like a ship!

This class was wonderful! Art(ology) was the perfect setting for slinging paint and I can't wait to teach another one!