EXPERIMENTING WITH METALLIC PAINT!

METAL OXIDATION TESTS #1

Inbetween getting ready for Open Studios, I was doing some experimental tests with some new paints that I purchased.   They have metal particles suspended in a mixture of binding and pigment.  When sprayed with an oxidizing chemical, they rust or create a verdigris.  I wanted to incorporate some of this into my paintings but needed to have a better idea of what I might expect on different surfaces, letting the paint dry first or adding the chemical spritz while still wet, using two coats, putting one metal pigment over another, etc.   I tried to create as many variables as I could think of.  The above image has tissue paper, Tyvek, watercolor paper, etc. with iron pigment, copper pigment, and bronze pigment.  I used some stencils and a bunch of various sized gears as a resist.  Now that all my holiday company has gone home, I can concentrate on doing some serious painting in the studio.  

METAL OXIDATION TEST #2

This is a piece of Tyvek that I had printed previously with some abstract acrylic.   I wanted to see what adding to the surface with the metallic paints, oxidized, would look like. This piece will either get more layers of something or get torn up and incorporated into another work.  Saving paintings that are "dogs" allows you to work uninhibitedly in an experimental fashion without the fear of ruining something. Learning what not to do is often more valuable than learning what works.

THE WINTER OF OUR LIVES

PATRIARCH

This is a painting of my husband's eldest living brother who will turn 95 on Thursday.  For an explanation of the process I used to create this painting, you can check out my blog post here "NO BRUSH" PAINTING FINISHED

  The plan was to celebrate this wonderful milestone with a joyous celebration.  His sister's husband of 67 years, who was 92, passed away on Sunday, so we will be saying goodbye to a beloved family member on Thursday and honoring the patriarch of the family on Saturday.  The entire extended family will be together from all over the country which is a blessing.   We need to celebrate all the seasons of our life and acknowledge every milestone along the way.  In the winter of our lives, every day seems more precious.  The truth is no one knows how many days there will be, so share kindness, give joy, express love and appreciation and celebrate each other.

SERENDIPITY!

"ROUGE"

This is my entry for the American Watercolor Society for 2019.  I just entered the painting yesterday, so it was in my mind in sharp detail.  Today after Synagogue Services in remembrance of the Tree of Life Victims in Pittsburg I was sitting at a table having lunch and was introduced to a couple directly across from me.  Her head was turned in this exact position with red hair, green eyes, pert nose, and eye structure, she was the woman in the painting come to life!  The photo reference for the painting was taken in Paris almost 15 years ago so it must be her doppelganger.  I would have loved to take a photo of my new friend but it isn't allowed in the Synagogue on the Sabbath.  Next time we meet I will definitely snap a photo.

The American Watercolor Society international competition is the only one I am aware of that doesn't require the entry to be painted within the last few years.   Since they don't accept any mixed media in the entries, I am grateful to be able to reach back in time.  So much of my current work has collaged material embedded.   If you are thinking of entering, don't waste time, the deadline is fast approaching on Sunday, November 18th!

I'M BACK!

It has been a long time since I have posted on my blog.  Several of my internet friends have written me lovely notes expressing they have missed my sharing.  Thank you for your interest in my activities and continued support.  I am happy to report that it is my intention to post once a week on a regular basis from now on.  I am reading a fabulous book called Atomic Habits and have figured out a system to support my good intentions.   

I have been trying to organize my studio for an Open Studios weekend coming up in a few weeks.  I have included a poster of the event for those of you in the area who might be interested in stopping by.  Not only are there 30 artists working studios to visit but there are 5 major shows on display in the Museum as well.  George Rivera, the former curator of the Trident Museum in Santa Clara has a particularly exceptional exhibition in one of the main gallery rooms.  If you stop by my studio during the weekend and mention this blog, I will have a gift of a drawing for you.  Hope to see you then.