Satisfaction

I have spent the morning adding more layers to two small paintings and while I wait for paint to dry (yes, artists DO that!) I am varnishing some completed pieces. Adding a top coat is like doing your hair and adding some hairspray. Or, putting on lipstick after doing your makeup. It is that finishing touch that makes the painting even better. I am using a gloss top coat which I have chosen for a few reasons.

a) I like to use a lot of paint. A lot. Lots of colours, sheens, and brands. This top coat evens it all out.

b) It will provide some UV protection.

c) The paintings can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove dust.

d) Shiny. Need I say more? :)

e) Paintings are not inexpensive to produce or to purchase. I want my painting to go home with people in a state that they can enjoy for years.

So, while I am waiting for varnish to dry (yes, we do THAT too!) I am enjoying a coffee break and chatting with you. I'll post some more pics tomorrow.

Momentum

It's all starting to come together for our art show. The posters are being created and the prints are being tested. There are three posters to test out, two in colour and one in black and white. Once that's been decided I can concentrate fully on finishing more art pieces. My horoscope for the week said this:

You need to push yourself a little bit harder if you are to reach certain goals, and now is the time. The efforts you make over the next seven days will come back to you many times over – and no effort is ever too much.

I definitely think that is a perfect description of my life right now. I have a sense of urgency that is propelling me forwards and I'm happy with that feeling. Today I will be completing two small paintings and I will be purchasing my mineral spirits so that I can begin laying top coats on my completed pieces.

Work in Progress

I have been working on my newest painting all week. Today my hand and wrist is sore from holding my knives but I am still going to work. I have to. I'm compelled to. At least a little bit. Here is one of the paintings I've been working on. I have photographed it in stages for you to see how a painting progresses as time goes on. I only photographed during major breaks for paint to dry but I think it would be neat in the future to capture the whole progression. Perhaps a little time-lapse voodoo would be cool?

What I haven't included is a picture of the final product. (Sorry for the tease) I would love for you to see it at the art show on December 8. It will be coated with UV Varnish just waiting for its new home, hopefully yours!

Inspiration to create? Or, create for inspiration?

I'm not really a believer in the supernatural but I do enjoy checking my horoscope. Yesterday, my horoscope (credit to Sally Brompton of The Globe and Mail) said this:

Don’t waste time on trivial things or petty vendettas. On the work front, especially, you have important tasks to complete and every minute between now and the end of the week will be vital. Get serious about your ambitions.

I do indeed have a lot of work to complete this week in preparation for a group art show on December 8. This horoscope made me think about people who 'create'. Do you wait for inspiration to strike before you create? Or, do you create and hope that the process of creation will inspire an idea to develop?

Untitled: An art group

I am a member of an art group that calls itself 'Untitled'. We are six women sharing our passion for visual arts in the Northumberland County area of Ontario, Canada. We are a varied group and have many different styles to our art work. We take inspiration and encouragement from each other and I have a happy announcement to make. We will be holding an art show on December 8, 2013 from 1-4pm at the Port Hope United Church. Please save the date, we'd love to see you there!

First Blog Entry - Ever!

This is my very first blog entry, ever. I have been hard at work this week updating my site and painting new works that I will post to the gallery soon.

Sometimes I am inspired by current events, life events, or emotions. This week I was very much inspired by some flamenco guitar music I was listening to. This new work was done with my knives and it's a bit different from my normal style because I did not paint the entire canvas. I used black, white and red for my colours and I feel that I have captured the movement of a flamenco dancer's swirling skirt.