Mixed Media Acrylic Fruit Paintings

This weekend was a riot of a time as I painted through a few new mixed media techniques in miniature sizes, you can read about those fruit paintings HERE. In preps for a larger painting, I increased the paper size today to an 8" by 10" and painted in a series as well, but changed up a few ideas.

In these larger pieces, I used my rubber dotted stamps for added texture, continued scratching out within the wet acrylic paint, and added quite a few finger painting marks. The same blue tape bled, because I had taped off the paper all at one time, but it isn't the end of the world because I think these pieces stand alone.

I have 5 more gessoed papers taped and ready to go, so when I finish the last five, I will feel confident about going forward with my really large piece that I have been prepping for. Working in this small format, several at a time, has been a great learning experience for me as to what colors blend well, contrast well, and which textures I love or hate.

Lemon and Orange, Acrylic on Paper 8" by 10" $60

Green and Purple Plum, Acrylic on Paper, $60, 8" by 10"

Turquoise Pears, Acrylic on Paper, 8" by 10"

Golden Pear, Acrylic on Paper, $60 8" by 10"

Plum Pumpkin, Acrylic on Paper, 8" by 10", $60

On a note of blessing:
As a creative, being surrounded by a welcoming atmosphere and people who are supportive is a total blessing to me. My friends at the Lavretta Art Center have welcomed me with open arms and when I walk in that door I just feel a sense of 'being home.' So, for today, I am marking the day with much gratitude because I do know, like I am breathing, that I live a life I don't deserve.

Red Tomato $60

A Pair of Pears, $60

Two Peaches, $60

Apple and Lemon, $60

Eggplant, $60

This evening, as I type this, the sun is setting and bending its evening light through the window panes. I spent so many days laid up in the bed, watching the same light dance through the window when I was recovering, but today this light just seems extra comforting. Glad to know I exist at a time where beauty surrounds me despite any circumstance that gives me pause. Sending lots of ((((((creative love)))))) out to you, and you, and yes, YOU! 

"Meyer Lemon and Peach" Full Sheet Acrylic on paper

Miniature Acrylic Fruit Studies

When I see a painting technique whiz by me in my social networking streams I usually make a note of it if it is something I haven't tried yet and I usually paint it in miniature. This fruit series is an example of that. There were three aspects of  these paintings I was curious about. 

1. Would a cheaper brand of blue painter's tape work well?
2. How would scratching out effect the under layer?
3. Would adding graphite enhance the acrylic or would it be invisible for the most part? 

The blue painters tape was a huge fail. I normally use green gator tap, which is really expensive, so I chose to use an ACE Hardware brand and a 3M brand of blue tape. Even though I rubbed my tape well, it still bled around the edges. These paintings actually were going to be 5" by 5" but due to the bleed, I had to cut the white border off. 

Scratching out actually turned out to be interesting. I had previously used a credit card to layer background inks and when I added the top layers of color I scratched out lines revealing the underlying colors. I liked this effect and plan to use it in some larger paintings. 

Adding graphite to my work is something I am new to. Before, I would sketch and then paint over the graphite. These little pieces showed me that using a 4b pencil would add another layer and enhance the overall feel of the piece. 

Each painting is only 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches, which is quite small. These studies have given me a bit of knowledge going forward as to the color palette and texture I plan on using in a much larger still life with fruit painting. 

Pear I, Acrylic on Paper, $30 4.5" by 4.5"

Pumpkin I Acrylic on Paper, $30 4.5" by 4.5"

Pear II, Acrylic On Paper, $30, 4.5" by 4.5"

Blue Plum, Acrylic on Paper, $30 4.5" by 4.5"

Lemon, Acrylic on Paper, 4.5" by 4.5", $30

Pumpkin II, Acrylic on Paper, $30, 4.5" by 4.5"

Pink Plum, Acrylic on Paper, $30, 4.5" by 4.5"

Pear III, Acrylic on Paper, $30, 4.5" by 4.5"

Green Apple, Acrylic on Paper, $30, 4.5" by 4.5"

Smiles Art Journal Page

I have been pondering the idea of why one smiles so much and why others might not. I shy away from my smile for two reasons: I am not fond of my butterball on a stick face and I have a chipped front tooth. Now before I get tons of emails about how I should accept myself, I actually do. I love every inch of me but I am just honest when I say the shape of my face doesn't schmoon me at all. So, today, I thought I would complete a journal page and a collage a day tinkering with the concept of smiles and what lesson I might need to hear about them. 

" Smiles. What they conceal of protect can be the keys or gateways to the desires of the heart. When freely given, smiles are what gently cover the spirit and let us know that being alive in the moment is blissful" 

This morning, while uploading a new collage, I had started my day with laughter toward my husband, or should I say, with my husband, and smiles were all around. These moments are what I adore about life. Laughing, smiling through even the mundane like a busted water pipe. I have, at times, used a smile as cover to hide the internal angst, I think we all do, but for today, I am freely sharing smiles in hopes they will be caught on the tips of the eyes and embraced. 

You can see and read more of my One Collage at a time series here: http://ardithscollage.blogspot.com/2012/10/day-290-catch-smile-germ.html

And if, like me, a great art class makes you smile for days, here is a link to two upcoming classes here in town that just might put a smile on your face as well! 

http://ardithsart.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-art-classes-for-holidays.html

Hugs, Love, and Big SMILES all around friends! 

New Art Classes for the Holidays!

I am thrilled about my new classes lined up during the holidays! After much thought, I am offering a 6 week class through the city at Lavretta Park for mixed media/collage, several one day classes at Lavretta Park, and a couple of night classes at Art(ology.) That way, if you can't attend a day class or an ongoing class there are options for everyone. Each flyer below has the basic details of the classes but if you have questions just shoot me an email at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com. Because the Lavretta classes are paid for through the city, they are at a hugely discounted rate and will fill up fast. To register and pay, click on the buy now button and sign up through Paypal. When the classes are full I will remove the "buy now" button and mark them full.

Looking ahead as well:
Torn Paper Collage Class Sat. Nov 17th (Tentative)
Paint a Kandinsky Abstract Dec. 15th (Tentative)

THIS CLASS IS FULL!

THIS CLASS IS FULL!

If a class that you wanted to take is full, message me and I will add you to the list of those wishing to notified first for the next class, thanks!

"Like Legs Stick Together" Mixed Media on Canvas

I have been wanting to paint a whimsical, child friendly piece with stripes and this piece just evolved out of a mistake, which is the best kind. It is a bit more muted than I usually paint, but I love that about it.

"Like Legs Stick Together" 16" by 20" mixed media collage on canvas, $125

Intuitive Painting Within A Framework

Intuitive painting comes easily to some and others, not so much. For me, it is pretty much how I begin all my abstracts and I enjoy connecting with that artistic spirit from within. There are times though that my intuition gets cluttered, I stop listening, I get to painting, and I go way overboard when I should have stopped hours ago. For this reason I decided to first, choose which elements I really wanted to use in creating a mixed media painting and two, stick with a specific color palette. 

Using a framework before I began turned the mental organizer on in my head but it didn't seem to silence my creative spirit which is what I was hoping for. This morning, I set up my studio outdoors, cranked up the Indie Songwriter station on Pandora, and got my paint on. 

As the process started I made it a point to take many breaks, breathe through the process, and not rush the outcome. Within a few minutes of starting each piece I knew I would love painting this way. I could see my path, I connected with my inner child, and I 'played' through these pieces, which is about as much as painting nirvana as I can get. 

Below you can see the setup, a few stages of the process, and the finished five pieces. Four to five collage pieces were used on each one and painted papers as well. The framework that I gave myself is listed in this pic. Elements I love, simple enough to follow, but lots of freedom to explore color, line, pattern, and texture. I am going to paint many of this type of abstracts for a while as I tinker with more monochromatic color palettes and neutrals, which is something I struggle with and I hope to paint in this style using BIG elements, because it just lends itself to a celebration of it all on canvas or paper. 

Setting up my outdoor studio. Working in a series is easy on a round table.

Adhering collage elements and building layers.

Finished pieces drying indoors.

The titles come from a conversation I had with my hubs throughout the process. It gave me much fodder for thought and humor, ;)

"Yes Dear, You Had Your Keys This Morning."
12" by 6" Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Acrylic/Collage
(Private Collection)

"No Dear, I Don't Have Your Keys."
12" by 6" Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Acrylic/Collage
(Private Collection)

"Did You Check Your Floorboard?"
12" by 6" Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Acrylic/Collage
(Private Collection)

"Gee, I Am Not Surprised."
12" by 6" Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Acrylic/Collage
(Private Collection)

"I Love You Dear, Always."
12" by 6" Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Acrylic/Collage
(Private Collection)

(ALL OF THESE IMAGES ARE MY COPYRIGHT. PLEASE DO NOT COPY AND PASTE AND STEAL MY DESIGN TO TEACH, REPRODUCE, OR COPY. THAT IS STEALING AND NOT COOL! )

View of them drying after being glazed.

Intuitive painting is what I know as painting from the heart of the creative. With a bit of a framework, it freed up my spirit to spread its wings a bit and develop a specific style without being contained within a rules set. 

Bricolage Workshop at Lavretta Park

Reserve August 1st on your calendars from 10-12ish  to join me at Lavretta Park Art Instructional Center. I will be teaching a collage class using found, torn, and painted papers! Bricolage is the process of creating a work of art with various materials that one has on hand. I will be supplying all the materials for you from vintage dictionary pages to piles and piles of 'paper paint' from torn papers. You will learn how to collage with different types of paper and minimize wrinkles, a brief history of collage in the art world, and create your own 11" by 14" work of art in a bird or floral theme. Your collage can either be created on canvas or on paper so that you can frame it under glass.  There is no experience required for this class, it it tons of fun, and come prepared to get your hands messy as well! Class will be limited to 15, so if you want to reserve a spot, you can pay through this Paypal button here. Once you have paid, I will email you a more detailed list of what we will do. Looking forward to it! Hope to see you there!

If you aren't local, don't fret, this lesson will be part of my new online collage class coming in late August as well! 

And, for those of you who work, I will be offering this class on August 13th from six to eight in the evening at Art(ology) which is our gallery right beside the Spot of Tea. That class will be smaller, but if you are interested in it let me know and I will message you the details. 

 

Here are a few other collages I have created using torn, painted papers! You can so do this too!