Tag Archives: art 365

Arting for 365 Day 152: Energy, Bird Abstraction

Posted on by

8

Day 152 (9/27/12): Energy, Bird Abstraction

~27 x 22″ Ink and Acrylic on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I love when something unexpectedly comes together. I began working on this piece years ago, with an initial drawing of the central  bird-like form, but I never liked it. The burnt sienna colored design seemed forced and just kind of odd. The original bird reminded me more of a dead chicken hanging from those store windows in China Town than it did an elegant, energy filled bird. Unhappy with the piece, I stashed it away hoping that maybe someday I would come up with a brilliant idea as to how to salvage the darned thing.

A few months ago I pulled out the piece again, determined it could be saved. I worked on it a bit, but no epiphanies were made, so the drawing got sent to the corner.

Two days ago, as I desperately searched for an idea that would motivate me to create something I loved, I once again pulled out the bird. I’m not real certain why I thought it would be the piece that would fulfill me. Up until this point the drawing had been utterly unwilling to work with me in being something amazing. It was boring and disjointed and I saw little hope for its  survival. Yet, here I was pulling it out again.

I am so thrilled I did because I think this piece turned out awesome (totally tooting my own horn here, I realize). Its got movement and texture and energy. Heck, I even like that I stuck with a monochromatic palette of browns -which is shocking to me. I really couldn’t be more pleased.

Arting for 365 Day 150: Squirrel’s Guide to Attacking Humans

Posted on by

2

Day 150 (9/25/12): Squirrel's Guide to Attacking Humans

5 x 7″ Ink and watercolor on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Within the past two months or so, for some unknown reason, I have developed a slight fear of squirrels. This is a bit embarrassing for me to admit, as up until that time I found them to be much as I find the rest of the neighborhood animal kingdom – adorable and harmless.

When walking or jogging past them I worry they think I am scheming to steal their acorns. Because I feel rather certain that this is on their minds, my fear is they will turn to chase me in attempt to defend their coveted food. I am working hard to shake this ridiculous fear and even tried to sweet talk a baby squirrel out of the apartment hallway the other day – even though I was pretty certain the mom was probably close by, ready to pounce.

I’m confident that I will once again love the fluffy tailed rodents. I will start by convincing myself that they do not have a shared list expressing the following:

  1. Look cute and cuddly
  1. Pretend to be preoccupied with food gathering and playing
  1. Let them get close
  1. AttackIf you like squirrel’s or maybe don’t like squirrel’s and so would like to buy this piece, you can do so here.

Arting for 365 Day 148: Masking Tape, Cut Outs, and Some Watercolor

Posted on by

0

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

It’s been awhile since I’ve used my X-acto Knife and so yesterday I decided I was due to re-visit the old friend. This time, though, I wanted to try something a bit different than my traditional approach. Rather than cutting into paper, I thought it could be interesting to cut into masking tape. The shapes created could be peeled off and stuck onto watercolor paper. From that point, I would be able to paint the negative space, ending up with something a bit different from my norm.

I started by laying down strips of tape to a scrap of canvas (the canvas seems to withstand the X-acto Knife cuts pretty decently, which helps in not completely ruining my work table).After that, I simply began cutting out shapes. As I cut and transferred, I realized that not only would I have a painting created from the cut shapes, but I could create a second painting by cutting around the negative space left by the initial cut shapes.The cutting of the masking tape was pretty easy. The transferring did get a bit tricky as some of the more delicate pieces  tended to come apart at the tape seam or tear, and at times the tape would roll up on itself. But overall, the technique worked pretty darned well.

From here I began painting each 9 x 12″ paper. I finished up the first, peeled the tape off and felt pretty good about the result. I got a bit of extra help from Box, our cat, on the second painting as he spilled a glass of water over the finished piece. I have to say I think it helped it the overall look, but because the paper got so saturated, when I went to peel off the tape, it did take some of the paper with it. A simple solution: Have patience and let the paper dry (something I don’t have and thus did not avoid completely).

I’m pretty happy with this little experiment. I think the color and flow of both pieces are nice and it’s always nice for my brain to try something new.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Blue bird-like piece and red/orange floral piece are both available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 146: Holding on to Summer

Posted on by

2

Day 146 (9/21/12): HOlding on to Summer

~3 x 5″ Ink and Cut paper on

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Things are finally starting to feel a bit more like fall around here and so I’ve really tried to soak up this fantastic weather. During the middle of the day yesterday, I decided the weather was just too gorgeous to not get out and enjoy. I packed up some paper, pens and markers and headed out to do some work in a neighborhood park.

As I sat enjoying the view, I saw one particular tree more majestic and seemingly strong than any around it. The tree had a full head of green leafed hair – not a touch of yellow could be seen. It appeared as though this tree was holding on to summer even as autumn quickly closed in on it.

Arting for 365 Day 145: Cell in Green and Blue

Posted on by

2

Day 145 (9/20/12): Cell in Green and Blue

18 x 18″ Acrylic on canvas

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I’ve created a number of these circle paintings over the last few years (some people call them bubble, but I prefer to think they are just circles). I always enjoy the flow and feel of them, and painting them often helps me process a larger idea I have on my mind.

As much as I enjoy the works though, they are also rather time consuming to paint. Typically, as I’m about 3/4 of the way through and I’ve processed what was rolling around in my head, my attention span withers and I find myself wishing I was done. So this time around, I decided I would approach one of these paintings from a direction that would keep me interested and challenge me – even after my thoughts quieted. In order to accomplish this, I decided I would attempt to create form by building up the flat circles and incorporating a bit of color.

The process went something like this:

After creating a background, I loaded up a small brush and began making lots and lots of circles – combining them in a way to create a larger, circular shape. From there I added a layer of blue circles atop the white, and finished up with thinned layers of paint (glaze) to enhance the form.

I’m quite happy with the result and can report I never got bored. Sure this could be due to the fact that I worked on a smaller scale than I typically do. It could also be due to the fact that I had lots on my mind and so probably wouldn’t have tired of it anyway. Either way, I’ll label it a success!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Arting for 365 Day 143: Beuford

Posted on by

16

A few days ago my friend and ex -husband, Ryan, gave me a call and shared some bad news. Our pup of 14 years, Beuford, was “going downhill fast”. Ryan let me know that he will be putting our boy down within the next week or two. This is sad for us both, even though we know it is the kindest thing that can be done for Beuford.

For this post I’m going to celebrate our hound and all of his fabulousness by sharing a few things:

1. He is a black lab/basset hound mix. He is as goofy looking with personality to boot!

2. Amazingly, even with those incredibly short legs, he once – somehow – pulled an entire gallon bag of chocolate chip cookies from off of the counter and ate them. All.

3. He goes into strange barking/body spasms when he wants attention.

4. His love of walks is near or equal to his love of treats.

5. He had an incredibly adorable way of slinking off of the couch when you caught him on it.

6. When he sits he looks a bit like a seal.

7. He is incredibly loving and loyal and my hope is that as he drifts off to sleep, his last dreams are filled with treats and walks and love.