So have I mentioned I love online art groups? Not sure if I stated those exact words, but I do. And here's why:
So far this year I have completed these paintings for various monthly challenges in facebook art groups. Four of them are currently on display and for sale at Gallery 194 as part of the LAA annual Spring Show. The landscapes and trees are reasonably within my comfort zone, but I used a different medium with the trees - gouache on aquaboard - than my usual acrylic. The fruit with reflection was a bit of a stretch, and the garlic especially. The bridge tested my memory of perspective rules. I'm looking forward to learning what next month's topics are. Inspiration from looking at other artists' work and photos happens every day, more than I can ever hope to fulfill. But every once in a while a method or technique gets shared at just the right time for me to give it a shot. A couple days ago someone shared her method of drawing with rubber cement over a painted background, then painting over the whole thing in another color, and finally peeling off the rubber cement to reveal the design in the base color. I just finished the bridge painting and had paint left over on my palette, lots of white with bits of red, green, blue and yellow. I mixed them up and slopped them on a canvas panel without a plan ... it's very pastel, what the heck am I going to do with this? And then I remembered the rubber cement idea. Maybe this would make a good background to try that technique? I wonder how well it would work with the textured canvas surface, will some of the paint seep under the rubber cement? There's only one way to find out. Lastly, a note asking questions and learning from others. What I am learning is that many (most?) artists are plagued by self-doubt. Many struggle with time-management in juggling daily life responsibilities with creative time, and to be taken seriously first of all by themselves but also in some cases their families/significant others. Those that have found meaningful support in their local art communities, or in online groups, or both, recognize how blessed they are. I am blessed. And grateful. (final note: the "Blessed and Grateful" wording in the title is a takeoff of "Gutless and Grateful" by Amy Oestreicher Thetford, one of the most inspiring people I have encountered on line. Please read her story, it's worth your time.)
1 Comment
Linda Knop
4/30/2016 06:51:52 am
I can't wait to see how this experiment turns out. It's very interesting.
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