We talked about art today, the Creator and I. This is His masterpiece, or one of them, at least. I was awed not only by the way He used color, but by that perfect rectangle cut into the clouds.
He also showed me this, tucked away in a neighbor's garden.
And He helped me experiment with this:
"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." --Henry Ward Beecher.
I have been doing an experiment. I saw a picture in Texas Highways magazine showing a field covered in yellow daisies. It made me want to paint a landscape. Then I got the idea to experiment with the painting by doing an abstract of it.
In the second painting of the picture, I used my favorite elements of square shapes and a grid in the composition.
Next, I painted an abstract of it using dots and circles, which are also favorite elements.
Then I tried painting it in a linear composition. I used a dry brush with the acrylic for more texture.
This painting, my personal favorite, came last.
I learned a lot and had so much fun with this experiment. The main thing I learned is that painting an abstract is a lot harder than it looks.
I have been working very hard on several pieces for the Gut Art class taught by Mystele. Last week I lost all track of time. It seemed like the week jumped from Monday to Saturday. But I am learning some things. One thing I learned is pretty much summed up by this quote from Maya Angelou:
"Not everything you do is going to be a masterpiece, but you get out there and you try and sometimes it really happens. The other times you're just stretching your soul." --Maya Angelou
The last two assignments from Gut Art Class were tough ones. We visited the work of artists whose work I could not identify with. But after studying them more, I found elements I liked.
A painting in the work of one of the artists we were visiting triggered a fond memory. It reminded me of the day I was surprised to see a flock of Monarch butterflies in migration. It happened very early in the morning, in fact, it was one of those times when I felt God just woke me up. I was visiting Mama at the time, so I went outside to sit on the front porch to meditate and pray. Suddenly, I was arrested by the sight of her huge elm tree alive with activity. It was covered in Monarch butterflies just waking up to the morning sun. I'll never forget it, both for the sight itself, and for the special time it was between God and me. This little abstract painting is named Monarch Morning after the memory.
The next place we visited in class showed the work of Native American women who are potters, applying avante garde design to traditional art. I loved their work, even though I am not a potter. But how to apply what I saw to my own art? Here is how it turned out:
I wanted the face to show the avante garde quality.
What seemed impossible at first became a milestone for me. In these pieces I was able to attain that place of painting just for me and not worrying about how the pieces would be received by anyone who might view them.
Stretching is hard, but you do feel good afterwards.
Okay, Typepad is going wonky on me again, so I am splitting today's post into two entries.
This painting was another response to a Gut Art field trip. Mystele has chosen some wonderful places for us students to visit during the class. One of the best things about her choices is that they are diverse and really make you think. When we viewed the art which inspired this painting, I had mixed emotions. I loved this artist's expertise, yet, all of her work was based on her experience as an ethnic American. How could I, never having experienced this, duplicate that subject matter? Yet, there were so many things to admire; her use of color, pattern, and texture, for example. And her treatment of very emotional issues involving injustice. I learned it isn't about duplication, but response.
I thought a lot about that art and took away the ideas to use as my own. I also tried painting ethnic skin tones without relying on a glaze which was a first for me.
There is always so much to learn from every piece of art.
Key elements I used here are pattern, texture, and color.
Some days are just so frustrating. Yesterday was one of those. First I got sick with a virus, then my blog entry was gobbled up by the computer monster. But today is a new day, so I will try again. I just love that about the morning, don't you? Each new day, God gives us a new opportunity.
This abstract painting was done in response to a field trip we took this week in the Gut Art class. I did not like the work of the artist we visited, yet I found her technique of overglazing with white interesting.
This was done with acrylic paint over a substrate of newsprint. The word, "KNOW", from the newsprint, is showing through the yellow paint a bit.
I love the texture you can achieve with a pallette knife.
This is a second composition for Mystele's Gut Art class. The elements I was influenced by are; rhythm, pattern, tradition, and change.
This piece is full of deep personal meaning. When thinking of what to do with the subject matter, I had planned to mix collage and painting. However, when all the elements were glued down on the page, the images were so stunning I couldn't stand to touch them with paint.
It was interesting to me to see what a strong personal message came when disparate parts were simply, randomly chosen. I looked through an art book and was drawn to certain photos. Not knowing why, but choosing them anyway, just on the basis of their intuitive appeal, I photo copied them. Then I began cutting them to fit the page alloted in the Gut Art journal. Suddenly, a full blown story came vividly to life. Where did it come from? Had it been waiting there for me on the page? Did it need my hand to bring it to life? My hand and no other?
Our first assignment in Mystele's Gut Art class immediately had us thinking outside of the box. I must admit, on seeing the material, I wondered how in the world I would do something from it. However, on further reflection, I started seeing elements that I liked: playfulness, shapes, blocks of color, and not being limited to trying to produce a realistic likeness. By the time it was down to splashing and slashing the last bits of paint on this, I was loving it. Now, I want to do more like it.
This painting was done on watercolor paper using acrylics, water soluable oil pastels, and collage material including magazine photos, vintage text, and my own hand painted papers. The nose just sort of presented itself as I started to paint. It was "pulled" from the background as Mystele says.
Yes, it feels good here outside the box.
Today I finished assembling my journal for the Gut Art class taught by Mystele. The book covers are made from recycled cardboard. I have wanted to paint on cardboard for quite awhile and this was the perfect opportunity. I love the texture of the corregated ribs showing.
Of course, you know I had to add a bit of metalic gold.
I almost like the back cover better than the front.
Binder rings temporarily hold the book together so that a page may be removed and worked on for assignments. After the class it will be held together with rings of rusty wire.
Now it's time to start filling up those pages.
The first of October is a wonderful day here in Florida. It's a day we look forward to for months. It's the day when you can expect the first small break in hot weather; when you might see the temps drop from the 90s to the 80s. It is amazing how wonderful even that small difference can feel. And this was the day. At last. And yes, October 1st did not disappoint. I even had to wear a denim shirt on my morning walk. It was heavenly.
This journal page was done with acrylic paints and ink over collage.
