It;s The Berries

Raspberry   watercolor   13 x 10.5

 "Raspberry" was such a fun watercolor project!  As I become bored with the repetition and seriousness of more serious projects, I throw in a bit of fun now and then.

This began as a monoprint in watercolor and finished up with the usual brush and paint.  A loose drawing is made and transferred onto a piece of tracing paper.  The reversed tracing paper drawing is put underneath a piece of plexiglass which is the approximate size of the paper.  Paint is applied directly to the plexi.  Paper is then pressed down onto the plexi.  You can use a baron if you want to....it changes the reception of the paint onto the paper a bit and flattens it out.

The painting is then continued as one would do usually, by assessing just what needs to be done.

By starting with the loose chaos of the monoprint, the work often has an energy of its own and a textural quality in direct opposition to the direct application of paint with a brush...this process shakes up the creative problem solving element, which refreshes my  desire.  

I like this painting!

Hidden Symmetry

Hidden Symmetry   oil/canvas   48 x 24 x 1.5

The quest for balance in our lives, especially in today's fast-paced world, is a tough one, and ever-present.  For me, the self::others dialogue is the most difficult.  Although I enjoy socializing a bit, and having a few laughs with comrades, I am always most at home when I am by myself, my mind fully engaged in attempting to solve the mysteries of painting.  The feeling of being overwhelmed quickly dissolves after a good painting session, or two....or three. 

This painting involves not only the reality of a dilapidated steeple, but the juxtaposition of texture with the simplicity of a smoothly painted background.  It has always been one of my favorites.

"Hidden Symmetry" is part of the "Friends" exhibition at Group Ten Gallery in Kent, Ohio.  Come on along.  Lots of friends will be exhibiting:  Tom Baldwin, David Bamber, Vickie Theiss Callahan, Nancy Richards Davis, Sue Delac, Joseph Filipiak, Brant Gebhart, Terry Klausman, Deborah Vaughn Lindner, Bret Martell, Mike Nevin, Alan Peters, Annie Peters, John Sharp, and the rest of the artistic crew in the gallery.

Delicious Apples

Delicious Apples in Vintage Pot   Watercolor   16.75 x 13

is a still life watercolor.  My inspiration came from a couple of things.  First, a vintage pot that has been in my possession for a number of years.  Its textured surface is a marvel, the patterning appearing to be random.  But, of course, it cannot be.  The second, my love of the autumn apple.  I decided in this case to "go for the gold", rather than the ubiquitous reds, the ones most often seen in paintings. The challenge was, for me, in this textured patterning...to suggest it in key areas rather than getting lost within it.  I guess I would have to say that this detailed and engaging pattern had to be sacrificed for the overall movement and visual "reading" of the work.  The white of the paper begins at the bottom and winds up through the work.  Any time that I am able to resist over-painting these whites is thrilling as well as rewarding.

I am satisfied.  (temporarily)

Braids

African Prince   mixed on paper   43 x 29

My mind adores free-play....where one idea leads to the next leads to the next.....Such was the case when I started experimenting with the linkage of charcoal drawing to crude printmaking. Our model for one 5-hour session was a young man college-bound in the fall. He arrived impeccably dressed....new shirt, new jeans and sparkling white shoes..............my heart fell. None of those things even remotely causes my heart to pitter-pat. Now his hair, all done in corn rows, was another matter. Texturally, braids of all kinds are beautiful and common to all aspects of life...in the garden, in weaving and in hair. Braiding is not only beautiful, it is strong, a way of combining single strands into a stronger group, yet retaining flexibility. Wow....I had my hook! The charcoal drawing was done during the session. At home, I carved a braided block and finished the work with printing. Nirvana! A braiding of several art forms that I enjoy!