Ready for submission

I worked more on these two panels and I think they are ready for submission. The deadline is Wednesday! So I'll take another look tomorrow and perhaps tweak the maple panel. But other than that, it's time to be done.

All at once

I am working on quite a few pieces at the same time right now. Making small changes to them before moving on. Rather than post them all separately, here they are together. I developed the circular mark in the warbler drawing. The texture is begininng to read like birch bark. Today I began drawing from observation in the daisy drawing capturing a wilting bouquet of flowers we have in the house before they entirely fade. I also worked a long string of circular shapes through the composition to create a strong visual movement. According to the group at Joy St, the last panel needed some work to incorporate the disparate elements of the red blotch and the highly realized sparrow. They suggested adding a second bird, and I'm still not convinced. I am trying to work it out now with simple changes like extending the green maple leaves beyond the blotch and working on top of it with collaged leaves.

#32 mum

The first warbler

I did indeed drill holes into this painting. I felt very liberated after my discussion at the Joy St. Studios. I think I became too enamored of this project and didn't know where to take them after a while. I may still add a few more elements to improve the visual flow of this composition. But at this point, I have introduced the lavender shape behind the orzo to mimic the shape I formed with the pasta. And I have inserted screws into some of my drilled holes to incorporate other raised elements. In this picture there is some purple wire wound around the central drilled holes, but I may change that.

Warbler revisit(s)

I attended my first critique yesterday with a group of painters I met who work at the Joy St. Studios in Somerville, MA. I toted along my first two Warbler Experiments as well as three of the larger bird panels I completed recently. I got a lot of good feedback concerning my compositions and approach. And last evening I couldn't wait to get back in the studio. The subjects of discussion for the two Warbler pieces were a lack of cohesive composition and a need to develop the third dimensionality of the pieces since I had opted to open that door by adhering pulses to the panels. I went beserk with this pieces and threw lots of stand oil and gold leaf on it. I don't have a photo of the smaller Warbler painting, but I took a drill to that and then added some brass screws to the composition.

#31 twig and shadow

What a wretched photo, right? Sometimes I can't resist the impulse to photograph and post my work. And this morning it is pouring buckets of rain outside. Consequently, the light in my studio is terrible. I will rephotograph and repost this as soon as I can. But here it is in all its awkwardly exposed-ness for you to view.

Updates

Here are some updates of paintings I am working on in the studio. (It's not all ink and paper...) I don't know what is going on with the top panel. I think the background color I chose is causing this piece to edge into very a fluffy, candy-coated, pallette. I am not sure what I think about that other than "go with it".

The second image is from the panel with the warbler and the oak leaves. I know it's not much different than the previous post, but I have begun to refine the detail in the bird and introduce some of the markings on the plumage. I had to include a shot. I am just so in love with the image.

Warbler 12" x 12"

"Ooo, Warbler...Where'd you come up with that title?..." Right? I know, I know. It's time to purchase a thesaurus. But I suppose the sameness or banality of the titles has meaning. It doesn't matter to me on some level that I am making images of birds or leaves. They are vehicles for the process of image creation.

The above drawing was begun yesterday when I was over ridden with anxiety. It (the anxiety) really squelched my potential for risk taking and decision making. So I settled into a repititve mark making process to burn off some of my energy. I'm actually happy with the results...

#30 blossom 2

#29 apple

#28 grass 2

Distractions...

I have been working lately (at things other than painting wherein I actually earn money). But I am still managing to eke out a little studio time. I just can't seem to follow through with the photographing and blog posting. Got my painting in the mail to MO last week, and just completed another application for a show near home. This one is a drawing show in Cohasset MA. There is a lot still happening, albeit slowly. I am getting into the studio right now in fact - although with a feeling of anxiety at my approaching cooking class that I must teach tonight...for the first time. Wish me luck!

#27 three seedpods

Working a little each morning.

I have been busy with my job, but I am still able to get into the studio each morning for a quick drawing and then again for a short time in the afternoon. I am excited by this daisy drawing. I was restricting myself to the contour line drawing for a while, but didn't feel like that was allowing me to move forward with the piece. So I have introduced some wet washes and watercolor. I chose the doilies for this image because I feel they reference the weblike intertwining of leaves in the bush. I am not quite sure where this piece will take me.

#26 maple

#25 berries

#24 rosehips

#23 rosehip

October Exhibition

I just received word that I had a painting accepted for an October exhibition. Bluebird of Happiness will be on exhibit at The Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, MO. Yay!

Daisies 22" square

This is a drawing I began on Tuesday. I saw some brightly colored bushes of flowers on a walk home from the grocery store and I was hooked. The branches are spindly with web like leaves and the flowers are bright bright bright. I am working this drawing as a contour drawing right now and love the stark design feel it lends to the piece. One of my intents working with this subject was to work with the colors of the blooms, but I don't think I have the right watercolor pigments on hand. It will necessitate a trip to the art store. (Perhaps today as I seem very resistant to working in the studio.)