Fun AND frustrating

 I've blurred, brushed, blended, drawn and redrawn my feline visitor from last spring.  This is a better likeness in many ways, but it still isn't "right."  I'm not (yet) sure (when it comes to pastels) when to start over rather than repair. 

 I also started another "inspired by Richard C. Harrington" landscape.  (The note card is at the upper left).
Mine is a bit on the garish side-- while simultaneously lacking sufficient contrast.  How can that be? 
Am I missing just the right tint?  Or am I missing the boat?
I read on another blog that it could also be  a poor match up between pastel brand/softness and the brand of paper.
Sheesh!  So much to learn.

Illustration Friday: Crooked

Let's just say there have been fits, starts, hiccups and set backs this year.  Not all bad, but not all easy or hoped for, either.

Forward-w, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

I don't like being in sailboat races, but I enjoy sailing and LOVE watching boats on the water.
This started as an homage to Feininger... but got simplified!

Cavorting 1, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

This is not a great photo... but I made some of the intense color areas more complex and textured. It makes a good projective test!
What do YOU see?

2012-01-23_14-29-14_478-w

Messenger, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.
Multiple layers of images of dendrites, neurotransmitters, etc, tweaked and intensified in photoshop.

Silent, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

This is my second go at the topic. I think I like it better than the first (below). Feel free to let me know which you think is a) more artistic or b) more illustrative of the challenge.

Illustration Friday - Mesmerizing, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

I learned a few new things about myself and Photoshop... but this is not as mesmerizing as I'd wanted!

Regolith, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

It was my intention to compose a work that was nearly monotone, grayed and calm, in contrast to the vibrant (some would say HYPER) colors that I usually work with. By the time I finished, I had probably created a couple dozen layers, which is more than I usually have the patience for. As I worked, I discovered colors.. some lilac, some yellows, blues and oranges. So, as always, there are compliments in hue. There are also compliments in texture/line.

It reminded me of dirt. But in a good way. When I looked for words that meant dirt, I discovered regolith... which refers to all the stuff that rests on rock. Could be silt, eroded rock, salt deposits or even broken down organic material. So there it is. Regolith.

Unbeaten, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

I'm having fun with some new ideas and Photoshop. Fast work and a nice antidote to my low frustration tolerance!

Mary Wright Encaustic Exhibit and Demo, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

I attended an opening and demo by Mary Wright at the encaustic center in Richardson this evening. Meaning NO OFFENSE to any of the other featured artists, I feel I connected most with her and her work. Most were semi-representational, but all were also capable of handling multiple interpretations and projections.
She acknowledged that trees were important symbols to her - representing stability and strength. Turns out her dad was a "woodsman." I don't know that she had made the connection before.
There were lots of great pieces, but the tree above really rooted me to the floor!

http://www.theencausticcenter.com/exhibitions.html

She demonstrated how to do graphite (pencil) transfers, using her adorable grandbaby as the example. Don't be surprised if you see me attempting to do the same.






You can see more of her works at her website: http://www.marywright.org/encaustic-paintings.html





She was remarkably generous (and clear) with her tips, tricks and methods. She gets credit in my mind for figuring out how to use contact paper as a stencil. Of course the depth of patience she displayed to design, cut, stick, wax and then peel the stencils was pretty outstanding, too!



I have a number of images of my paintings, of sheep, and Texana that I can hardly wait to print and sandwich!

Last but not least, the others in attendance made it a great evening. In the center his Mr. Wright, who makes Ms. Wright's cradled supports. Seated with the blond curls is their son who plays French Horn and attended NTSU. To the left is a fascinating gentleman who was dragged there (he claimed) by his wife. He and I ended up chatting about his career (logistics and civil engineering for the oil business after he left military service), logic (we agreed that we didn't know many politicians who seemed to know logic!) as well as the difference between men and women, artists and salesmen. Great fun!

Seed Well Seen, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.
o/c

Finis!
My husband thinks this looks like red vomit.
(Everybody's a critic!!)
Alternate interpretations welcome. :-)

Keeping the light on (updated) WIP
Originally uploaded by Sultry

Have you ever come in from the dark? From the mysterious, moody, macabre or just scary? I'm trying to paint the sort of place you'd be thrilled to find; knowing you'd be safe.

Bright Houses (updated) wip
Originally uploaded by Sultry

Have you ever been in a house, or with a family, that was radiant? Happy? Confident? Enthusiastic? That's the point of this one.

It needs more contrast in the "landscape" to show just how luminous they are. They are so light hearted they even seem to float.

Illustration Friday: Beneath
Originally uploaded by Sultry

There was a great article on Wayne Thibaud in today's NY Times with an analysis of some of his "landscapes." This is partly an homage, a remembrance of our Missouri trip and partly an illustration of the IF challenge.

Morning Mood/Gaping Deficiencies

Art therapists, children artists and even art critics know there is value in "getting it all out" in a creative way. Scribbling, dripping, brushing, grinding... it can all be an outlet for the artist.

I am usually MUCH more self contained than uninhibited. Usually every brush stroke of my paintings has some sort of intention and purpose. They are NOT spontaneous or driven by emotion. But yesterday just felt like a bad morning. You know, like in those blues' songs.... "I woke up this morning and there weren't no sun in the sky..."

I felt like nothing was going right, which meant everything was going wrong.

I almost skipped my art studio time.

However, I called in apologies for tardiness and got there when I could. If I hadn't said anything, nobody would have known I was in a "mood." As it was, they were all having moods anyway.

I chose to start a blank canvas and "emote" (rather than risk emoting in the "wrong direction" on a canvas full of California Palm trees!)

DH doesn't think much of this.. as art at least. To give him credit, he said he might like it better under different light. (Some of my paintings look best in the dark, and I'm first to admit that!!

But like children who just run up to you saying "look what I did!" I am happy with this piece.

The subtitle "Gaping Deficiencies" may be too revealing to be a permanent title... but it is certainly what I was feeling when I started the painting. By the time I finished, I realized there were strong places, light and dark places, unfocused areas and crisp ones. The gaps were just gaps.

Now THAT seems how life is. And it's OK.

Comments, observations and suggestions are most welcome.

Finished Abstract: Looking for directiion and a name.
Originally uploaded by Sultry

My Flickr "fans" seem to prefer this recent painting rotated 180 degrees! Click on Sultry and look at the previous one to make your decision... or say what you see.
Abstracts are pretty fascinating because people see such surprising things!

Sometimes Homesick
Originally uploaded by Sultry


I took a photograph of these palm trees the last time DH and I were in Southern California. The sky was pure pure blue as it can only be near the ocean on a clear sunny day and the sun was hitting the palm fronds making some light up and others shadowy. They were spikey and alien looking. This painting isn't finished yet, but I'm a little homesick for the ocean breeze, sound of sailboat lines beating against masts and that salty ocean smell from the beach.
I wonder if former Texans "stuck" near a marina get homesick for the oven-like temperatures with occasional sauna range humidty we're having in Dallas.

IF: Artificial
Originally uploaded by Sultry

What IS real? What is artificial? Current wisdom seems to say "it is what it is."
Real, imagined or artificial, in my world, reality wins. But the paradox is that if one believes something strongly enough, that might as well be reality.
Is the pink asterisk any more artificial than the rest of the painting? less? And of course, this image only exists digitally... there IS no painting.

Illustration Friday: "Paisley"
Originally uploaded by Sultry

The leaf/tadpole repeated pattern we know as Paisley originated in Indo-European cultures BCE. During Roman times the pattern was brought to the British Isles and incorporated into Celtic art motifs. In the mid 1800's the pattern, which had evolved through continued innovation in India, was brought to the mills of Paisley, Scotland. These mills initially made only thread and the scarves, shawls and patterns were made in cottages on looms and sold for high prices. Mechanized Jacquard looms were soon developed, the patterns Anglicized and Paisley townsmen were there to expand the business. Edinburgh, Newburgh and Paisley were at the acme of Paisley production for 70 years.

Based on a photograph of Ferguslie Thread Mills in Paisley Scotland, which has now been coverted to apartments/flats. Photo Copyrightby Robert Sweeney and licensed for reuse under a creative commons license.

Better large! (Click on the image!)

Illustration Friday: Ripple

Originally uploaded by Sultry

The word of the week is Ripple, with a sad awareness that we do not know the full extent of the Ripple Effects of the Deep Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico..

I can only imagine how I would feel if suddenly I was suffocating in the place there I lived. If suddenly, I could not find edible food. If suddenly the quality of light and water were dark and vile. If suddenly I had no idea where it was safe to go. Pelican and turtle habitats have been damaged. Porpoises are suffocating. Plants are wilting and rotting. Sea life upon which those creatures and tourists and restauranteurs depend is contaminated. Businesses are dying. Faith in engineers, COO's, mankind and lots of things is evaporating.

In the midst of such a mess, you can be part of the solution and provide a bit of hope, . even if you have to really really look for the right moment.

Some artists at Illustration Friday are offering prints of their art at www.ripplesketches@verizon.net . I hope to get mine uploaded there, but if that is inoperative, I'll do the same thing: Sent me a PDF or copy of your donation confirmation with your address and I'll mail you a print of this on card stock (8.5 x 11).