FINALLY!

Yahoo!  I finally came up with the image I will demonstrate next Tuesday night at the Kanuga Water media Workshop.  This is a process I can complete in the hour and a half allotted.  Now I can relax and figure out how to pack all the art supplies and keep within the weight limits imposed by the airlines.

NEXT IDEA!

The last painting was more detailed than I really wanted, so I thought for awhile about a new approach.  With the help of Photoshop Elements, I created a "notan" 2 value pattern.  Using a failed painting, I drew the shapes of the light pattern on with a brush and gesso.  Then I brushed a dark value of Dr. Martin's Hydrus over what was left.  When that layer dried, I collaged some stamped collage paper over part of the painting, then covered the entire page with plain white tissue.  So far I like the effect.  I going to go slowly so I don't get too fussy.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS!

I have been procrastinating finishing this painting because I was "stuck"  It wasn't coming together in a way I was happy with but I couldn't figure out how to make it work.  Things got so bad, I started cleaning house.  My husband asked if we were expecting company.  As it turned out, our grandson was on his way which was extra motivation to clean.  I took the painting to my critique group this morning and their expert eyes gave me the information I needed. This was the extra motivation to paint!  I was able to come home and finish it up.  It feels good to be able to move on to the next one.  

I hope all of you have a critique group to attend.  I love seeing what others are doing and learn so much from everyone's comments about each painting that is presented.  I also find it extremely helpful to hear what others see in my paintings.  Because I know the intent behind each of my paintings, I don't always see what they see.  I think I get eye fatigue, as well, where I don't notice every detail after looking at something for an extended period.  I get by with a little help from my friends and I cherish them.

AT THE END!

Here is the latest drawing from my iPad using the Sketch Club application.  I posted the beginning drawing on my other blog, Drawn from Limb to Limb.  To see how this drawing started, check it out.  I start by enlarging the screen but I don't really have a sense of how big the drawing will be or how much space is available.  I guess that comes with time and practice.  This is the finished product without any cropping so you can see there is quite a bit of white space around the drawing on the left and bottom.  The next attempt will be in color.  Once I master that, I think I am really in business.  I wish I had timed this drawing.  I think it took around 1/2 hour but I'm not sure.  

EVER SO SLOWLY!

This painting is going much slower than I had hoped but it is coming along.  I am using Dr. Ph Martin's Spectralite liquid acrylics and they have a very bright quality.  Hopefully, I will be able to finish it up tomorrow.  The weather report is for rain, perfect for staying inside and painting.

IT SHOULD BE ILEGAL!

Here is the latest sketch from my iPad.  I did quite a few but erased most of them.  I thought she was kind of cute, so I saved it.  I purchased a stylus to draw with more accuracy and I am having so much fun, it should be ilegal.  

I am working on a serious painting but, for some reason, it is going slowly and I am working too tightly.  I am photographing my progress, which I shall share when the painting is done.

I took the day off to go with a friend to a major exhibit in San Francisco.  Every year top floral designers are selected to create amazing pieces that are based on different art pieces at the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.  The exhibit runs for only one week.  The museum opens at 10.  We were at the parking garage at 10:15  and it was full!!!!!!!!!  This is a huge underground parking facility.  Naturally, I wore my "cute" shoes instead of serious walking shoes so I couldn't hike very far.  This also meant that the crowd was going to be 10 deep inside the museum making it very difficult to see the pieces.  We gave up looking for a parking place within walking distance and drove to another museum, The Legion of Honor, where there was an amazing exhibit of over 60 trompe l'oeil masterpieces inspired by the history of costume. all made entirely of paper!  We happened to arrive just as the docent was starting to take a group around.  I sometimes forget  how much more enjoyable an exhibition is with a docent.  This woman was outstanding.  The show was called Pulp Fashion, the Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave.   If you ever have the opportunity to see this exhibit, don't miss it.  In the meantime, look Isabelle up on the internet to get a feel for what she does.  There were no photos allowed.

EXCITING DISCOVERY!

I spent a lovely day yesterday at a Fine Crafts show at Ft. Mason in San Francisco.  It was a terrific show full of wonderful objects, clothing and jewelry.  I must have been in a spending mood because I gave a definite boost to the economy.  My favorite purchase was this wire sculpture.  I discovered the title "Goddess" after I got home.  I particularly liked that the body type had an eerie resemblance to me and the gesture was perfect.  I was able to loop the filament wire around the ceiling recessed lighting canister which is on a spring.  I just pulled it down a little, looped the plastic line around and pushed it back!  So my inspirational goddess is soaring high in my office.  A scene from the movie "Logan's Run" pops into my mind but I push it down and go for the positive influences.  But this sculpture wasn't my exciting discovery!

At one of the booth's where I made a purchase, she used her iPad to process the transaction.  There is now this wonderful application available for electronic devices such as the iPad and iPhone, Droid and similar devices.  It is called Square which is a FREE SERVICE!!!  As a merchant you only pay when you process a card and it is 2.75% if you swipe the card and 3 something% if you don't swipe a card.  The card swiper is this small white square device that plugs into the iPad (et al) which they send you , FREE.  There is no monthly fee or any other charges.  There is no minimum activity required. This means that artists can now afford to accept credit cards at their open studios or other venues.  The Square service includes sending a receipt by e-mail to the customer AND the vendor gets an email describing the transaction.  If you have every looked into the possibility of being able to accept credit card payment be sure and check this out.   I am signing up today.  I want to be ready to handle all sales that may come my way.