An Oldie...but Goodie

The Bird Feeder

I seem to work on several series, on and off, at the same time.  This painting, now sold, is one of my Italy In The Square series.   It is a series that I still revisit every so often.

I've decided to put it up for a vote that could win me AU$500 worth of art supplies.

If you like it, I'd be delighted if you could visit...

http://woobox.com/sas3g8/3dv5gu

...and vote.  You can vote each day for the duration...it all helps.

Next post I'll be back at class with Jane.....my, she has me working!

This week's mini-lesson

One colour - one shape (large & small)

Jane's workshop this week included a mini-lesson, to enable some late-starters to catch up.  We were given restrictive parameters and, using what we'd learned in previous lessons, were to make compositions.



One colour - one shape (large and small)



Three colours (black, white, and red) - one shape (large and small)
 

Three colours - one shape (large and small)
 

We were allowed to use tints and shades of the colours chosen, and any combination of techniques of application that we wanted to. Oddly enough, these restrictions still give you plenty of choice.  I chose circles as I seem to be more comfortable with them. 

On reflection, I think I should have chosen triangles in order to get out of my comfort zone.  I could've added collage elements too...silly me.

I think I'll really have to go through these lessons again when the workshop is over, and really push myself.

Channelling Rothko...if only.!

Jane's workshop this past week was about colour fields.  Watch out Rothko!...well...we can try.

 

We began by using colour to create a limited palette background with little contrast....

 

 

 

...then we progressed to using two or three colours.

Final step was to produce compositions using what we had learned about colour.

Needless to say I was happy with the one that headed this post...that's why it's there...but am not so sure that it was quite within the guidelines of the exercise.

It's much harder than it looks...and am pushing myself to do it.  I hope I can keep these lessons in mind when I'm painting.

Line, Shape...etc.

Jane Davies online class 'Extreme Composition' is awesome, and really making me work. Have just completed Lesson 2  (of 7) and here is my final composition so far....

The first lesson had us doing exercises in variety of line, and relating those lines to a painted background.  The second lesson added shape to the mix, leading us on an exploration of varying shape and line in a composition .

This is my very first real online workshop, rather than just a demo, but it certainly wont be my last.  It's hard to believe that this is as good as a REAL workshop...but it is.  Lots of work, great critiques from both classmates and teacher, and you get to see and comment on everyone else's work.

In the process of just the last two weeks I have a studio full of painted papers, all destined to be part of future works...either cut up or reworked.  Fabulous!!!

Another five weeks to go....busy, busy, busy...and happy, happy, happy.

AT CLASS !!

I am at this very moment, among other things, doing an online class, 'Extreme Composition' with one of my favourite collagists, Jane Davies.

Her work is strong, often very colourful, and has always such strength of design that I MUST learn more about.

For instance:



CRUCIFORM STUDY by Jane Davies

FRESH PAINT #3 by Jane Davies

FIELD OF 'O'S by Jane Davies

This is the first week of six, and I already find I'm pushing my limits. Until I have learned more you wont see any of my class work here.

However, do visit Jane's blog or her website for a real treat.....and, if you can't resist, you can purchase her work from Fine Art America. 

Don't get precious!

If there's one thing I've learned over the years it is not to get too 'precious' about completed works.  My theory is that, given that you paint often, you should be improving all the time.  Therefore your current works will usually be better than anything you've done before. It's all about brush mileage.

The following work has been entirely painted over....

The Patterned Landscape

...and has become (sorry Terrie...I know you liked it)...



Along The River

The canvas is 90 x 90 cm, wide-edge.

Now, I understand that some of you will prefer the first edition.  But I have reasons for preferring the second.  It is less repetitive, better scaled, has better surface (more impasto), and the design of the line is more dynamic.  It reads better as an aerial view too.

I'd be interested to see who is for the change, and who is not.

International Collage

The 15th Annual International Collage Exchange is now online at Virtual Tart, NZ, and on the walls at  the Percy Thomson Gallery in Stratford, NZ.

A Penance - in the selling exhibition

Unknown - in the collection exhibition

 There is such a variety of wonderful collages in this show, and I am honoured to have the above among them.

Do take the time to browse, you can only be inspired....AND you might consider joining the group next year.

The site is very user friendly.  To see each work individually just click on the thumbnail, then click on the enlarged image to return to the exhibition room.  Start  by clicking HERE.

Have fun.