Friday, July 30, 2010

Perils of Clear Tar Gel


10"x10" panel, acrylic, 2 stencils. This is the last of my 'witness' series as well as my summer materials exploration. I can see wonderful uses for clear tar gel...one being the ability to pour a thin or thick line. I used my bent paper cup pouring on most everything. On this piece I used the tar gel in the stencil colored with red oxide denoting separation from my shadow birds. Also used ordinary acrylic for the other stencil of cream and yellow. I look into my trees and see shadows of birds living out their simple lives....I hear them much better than see them. Wrapping up these three, I used tar gel, acrylic encaustic and crackle paste...anyone of these will show up in later work.

I've closed up my oil painting studio on the deck and converted it to acrylic. For years I was an oil painter and for a few short weeks (only warm mornings) I tried to return and for me it was trying to step back into the same place in the river. I have acquired art making habits and acrylic offers me the best opportunity to create. I gave it a fair try and used new gels and driers but for now, it's back to acrylic. Starting new work using both inside and outside studios...possibly more abstract and leaning on my journal and ongoing meditations.

When I first moved to the beach as a widow, I ordered from Daniel Smith (art supplier), a huge stack of Rives BFK paper. I especially like it for printmaking and mixed media. In my dramatic moments I told myself when I'm done with the paper...I could easily be ready to die. I'm now on my second large order of Rives along with a 4 inch stack of assorted papers given to me from a friend's studio. I guess I'll stick around awhile longer! ha

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Acrylic Encaustic

acrylic, fabric collage and paper collage, 10'x10' , cradled clayboard panel, acrylic beeswax....color mixed with jar of soft gel (matte) with the addition of raw umber + glazing liquid rubbed in as to create a patina. Good to add these new materials to my studio. My pulmonary problems and lack of a place for good ventilation has ended my encaustic work so this is my second best effort..not bad results but of course, no sweet intoxicating scent of true beeswax. The photo turned out brighter than the actual piece but I posted it anyway. The little birds are my ongoing subject as I watch them with their own brand of communication. I see the little brown bird turn away from the others' gaze...saying: "I don't like you" or "try a little harder, I think I like you"...not for me to know but I still enjoy the show!

Home from the big family wedding. Took almost no photos and will wait for a copy of more professional shots. Everything about the wedding reflected the ideas and style of the bride and groom...well done indeed! Families showed up from Boston, Florida, Colorado and Santa Cruz...nice to connect with everyone and also to watch the next generation step into their married lives and also creating new families. The wedding was at a winery and yes, everyone was in the mood to party and celebrate...good fun!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Putting on the Ritz...











...Ritz Carlton that is! Sunday Pablo and I cleaned up a little (I wore my new gladiator sandals to see how they hold up) and we drove 50 miles up the coast to this beautiful hotel and golf course. We went in the late afternoon for drinks and light food, sitting in the sunny conservatory lounge. There we looked out on a spectacular view and I became a country bumpkin...couldn't stop taking in all the people watching beginning with the wealthy golf club couples having drinks, the Asian-Indian families (From the Silicone Valley) enjoying a birthday, young couples with children and Pablo and me. The service was perfect and the grilled vegetable sandwich and presentation a delight. After drinks and a bite we both were served a carafe of coffee each and we were told to relax and enjoy...we did! The drive home was special as well...the sun setting behind us...the beaches thinning out to a perfect summer day ending! My sandals pinched a little on the toes but will be generally comfortable for the family wedding this Saturday...a great dry run!