Recycled Canvas

At our Lake Place in Eufaula OK there are no art supply stores.  The nearest place to purchase materials is in Muskogee at a Hobby Lobby (no Michaels near).  Out of frustration I began to visit the local junk stores and  purchased a couple lovely (HA!) painted and framed canvases and renewed their life with thick gesso and a new painting.  Below is the first of my transformations on a 36"x36'" framed canvas. 

Lost and Found

Since my last post of the paintings I finished after returning from Boston I have been both "lost and found" which is probably always the case if you are an artist exploriing new directions.  I worked on one canvas for many days painting and repainting until I was so frustrated I turned it to the wall and went back to working on water color paper continuing to pursue my "Fractured Poem" series.  After completing 2 works on paper the canvas called to me again.  A brought out a new clean white canva ( 24"x24") and started a new painting.  It went fairly quickly and I felt energized by the painting.  Softer, lighter, looser, and more free.

Three Special Artists Who Have Taught Me So Much

Lyn Belisle and I recently went to Boston for a 2 day painting class with Ellen Rolli, a fabulous painter and incredible teacher.  I learned so much from her not only about painting but about myself and how to approach my work.  Several years ago on Lyn's suggestion I took a 2 week painting class in Taos from Gwen Fox, also a wonderful painter and teacher who helped get me on the road to becoming a painter.  Below are two videos from those experiences.  Thanks to these 3 artist who have had such a positive influence on my life.

Paintings after Ellen Rolli's Class

Lyn Belisle and I took a 2 day workshop from a fabulous artist in Boston. Ellen Rolli is a wonderful abstract painter and teacher. My head is still swimming from the experience. Each day I can hardly wait to get out my paints and begin working. I have completed 3 paintings whereI have tried to incorporate some of what I took away from this exciting and stimulating experience.

What do you do with your artworks that you view as unsuccessful or unfinished?   First you stow them away in some box or folder meaning to return to them someday and give them new life.   Last week was that time for me.  The 2 pieces below titled FLIGHT 1 and FLIGHT 2 are the results of ripping up (in my eyes) an unsuccessful painting and creating 2 collages.  Pepe (my blue and gold macaw)
lives in my studio and often expresses his opinion of my work by squawking and screaming.  If you look carefully you will notice that he contributed 2 of his gorgeous feathers for use in the the collages.  Thanks to Pepe for his advice and contribution.








                 

The next 2 paintings below titled FRACTURED WINGS 1 and FRACTURED WINGS 2 are 

 reclaimed from one painting that did not work for me.  I located areas that spoke to me that I felt had promise.  I cut the work apart and began to rework them by adding numerous layers of transparent paint, taping off areas and stenciling dotted areas creating depth and interest.  I added drawing using prismacolor pencils and oil pastels.  One dull old painting turned into 2 vibrant mixed media artworks filled with energy and joy.

SAN ANTONIO ART LEAGUE ARTISTS EXHIBIT

I feel very honored to have a wall at the San Antonio Art League's Annual Artists Exhibition.  The exhibit will hang through May 24th at the Art League Museum at 130 King William.  They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm.  It is an excellent show with works by outstanding San Antonio artists.

FIESTA SAN ANTONIO

Fiesta in San Antonio Texas is a week long event featuring parades, art festivals, food, dance, music, and anything else that you can imagine.  NIOSA, the title of the paintings below means  Night In Old San Antonio,  an evening event of fun and festivities.

NIOSA 1

 acrylic on watercolor paper

16"x20" matted and framed in black

300.

NIOSA 2

acrylic on watercolor paper

16"x20" matted and framed in black

300.

NIOSA 3

 acrylic on watercolor paper

16"x20" matted and framed in black

300.

Fiesta Parade

 acrylic on watercolor paper

16"x20" matted and framed in black

300.