"Connect the Dots" ($30.00)

(adjusted price....$30.00)

"Connect the dots you have to receive more numbers." I am sure everyone has completed a "dot to dot" picture or has a child or grandchild who has. This quote takes that concept a step further by equating what we know in any given area to the dots in a coloring book picture. If we act on the information we know...it will open the door to new insight...and we will receive more numbers.

The first thing you will notice in this piece is that I left a word out of the quote. Now I do know how to correct a mistake like this, but it takes time and tends to be tedious. I was very tired so I decided to add another dot and leave it as is.  These things happen!

This is a piece built upon geometric shapes making it totally abstract. It is part of my continuing color series. It has huge color impact from across the room because of the powerful contrasts. Three colors were used. The first color was applied on dry paper that already had lines and gesso applied in a random fashion. Using a sponge brush, I painted this dilute Turquoise in horizontal bands in two directions leaving white space for the other colors. I did the same thing with Quinacridone Violet , making sure I overlapped the turquoise in areas to create "grayed down" purple. The last color was Raw Sienna.  It, too, "grayed down" the turquoise and violet wherever it overlapped.

This method of paint application over paper randomly primed with gesso and leaving some portions untouched gives an array of colors and shapes that lay the foundation for total abstraction or the inclusion of a realistic image either painted on or presented as a collage element.

If you are in my upcoming color workshop, this would be a good way to experiment before the class begins. A wise instructor once said that if you really want to learn something, try doing it on your own first, and then find an instructor. By doing this, you will catch on right away. That instructor was Donald Jackson. Just something to think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Lines" ($40.00)

(adjusted price......$40.00)

Lines are part of art and life. They are the shorthand for defining form and every object has form. In fact, everything occupying space has form and each artist has a unique interpretation of what they see. What are you observing today?

This is a contemporary piece with very strong contrasts. The most obvious contrast is the white, black, and red color combination. There is also a hugh contrast between hard and soft edges. Different textures are present as well. The overlapping black lines created with a stamp and the expressive lettering and imagery from the paste paper are playing off of each other. Finally, the horizontal bands are different sizes, creating yet another contrast.

When creating an abstract piece based on design principles, it is always prudent to think about contrasts. Just consider including the opposite of what is present in the first layer. It can be a bit "scary", but remember, it's only paper, canvas, or whatever else you're working on. Experimenting with contrasts will give you courage. In this piece there is contrast of line, direction, color, value, texture, shape and size. Just something to think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Thoughts" (sold)

(sold)

Thoughts enter and exit our minds at an accelerated rate each and every day. The wise person will gather up the good ones and throw the rest away. Gather up the thoughts that are positive....the ones that move you forward in life.

Today's piece leaves no middle ground for the viewer. You will either love it or hate it. What can I say! It simply evolved. And I do have days like that where I simply don't want to do things in a conventional way.

I did try to think about shapes and color as the elements that would unify the craziness. Otherwise, I just followed my instincts. You could call it a "jazz" or "improvisational" process. I will admit that I'm partial to the combination of turquoise green and lime green together.

The one new thing that is not present in any other (6" x 6") is the imprint of letters into dried gesso with metal stamps. It gives the look and feel of letter press. Also notice that every corner is strikingly different. Try your hand at this "funky" improvisational process. It's really quite satisfying.

"Deadline" ($30.00)

(adjusted price......$30.00)

Isn't it amazing how quickly our thinking and actions change when there is a deadline? There is nothing that galvanizes our thoughts and increases our focus when we know something is due in short order. Embrace your deadlines. They're a good thing!

Creating a piece based on geometric forms is not much different from creating a piece that gives a nod to realistic imagery. All artwork is based on a compilation of shapes.

The irregular striped pattern was made more interesting by adding blue to the brilliant orange and black. The edges were softened with water and a sponge brush. Because blue is the direct complement to orange, the combination and soft edges created a highly charged surface. The only problem was too many vertical lines. The curved line in the upper left hand corner was already in the paste paper design. By stamping and repeating that curve in the lower right corner, the vertical lines were broken up and contained.

Try your own experiments by creating an abstract piece with geometric forms. Very exciting!

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Collision" ($30.00)

(adjusted price......$30.00)

Collisions happen everyday and not all of them take place in vehicles. There is nothing quite like the collision that happens when actions collide with reality. It's excruciating! The good news is that it can all be avoided by giving ourselves a "reality check".

As you have probably noticed, I am enjoying playing around with intense colors in a neutral background. A geometric icon was the perfect vehicle to introduce the intense color. It becomes more integrated by bringing some of those colors over into the lettering. It is also good to have soft, diffused, and gradated areas to give the eye a rest. Burnt sienna and olive green are good neutral selections to contrast with cadmium orange and linden green (WN gouache). Neutrals go way beyond brown, black, and white. A neutral is any color with less intensity as a result of being "grayed down" with its complement or another neutral. Anyway, it's a wonderful experiment to try.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Three In One" ($60.00)

(adjusted price.....$60.00......mounted on a 1.50" depth clayboard)

Today's visual inspires me to think more deeply about the Trinity...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This glass mosaic sits on the coffee table in my studio. It describes visually what is often difficult to describe verbally. Thank you Louise Gunn for your gift of creativity and permission to use your image.

In yesterday's posting, I talked about the contemporary icons in my work. And I realized that geometric forms that represent a concept are just as viable as the realistic ones such as doors, chairs, and windows. It is always instructive to think deeply about visual communication because doing so gives the artwork passion. And passion is the blood flowing through the veins of any visual concept.

Forgive me for going off the deep end philosophically. Just as the Trinity inspires deeper thought, so does the question about why any of us create artwork. Just something to think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Text Me" (sold)

(sold)

It seems everyone is texting these days and isn't it nice to receive a lovely text that lifts your spirits? What a great idea!

In two other postings, I chose to create division of space by folding my (6) inch square into (12) squares. To offset the very straight squares, I painted an irregular line around the perimeter with bleedproof white. This not only offers a contrast in edges but gives the illusion of another layer. It's also a great way to introduce a strong presence of color that will be used in the piece. In this case it was white. Just something to think about in your treatment of edges.

"Set the Rhythm" ($30.00)

(adjusted price.....$30.00)

Rhythm in music, in a visual repeat pattern, or the repeated observances of our lives individually or collectively sets the stage for joy in our lives.

Repetition is mesmerizing and worth our attention. This piece has bold and clearly defined repetition. However, it can be a bit more understated and create an elegant underpinning in any work of art. ("Creative Energy".....posted on March 18th has a subtle use of this important design principle.)

The way to learn the many ways repetition can be used in a piece is to observe repeated elements in nature, in other artwork, in architecture....in images of every kind. Begin your study of repetition today and see for yourself how it can influence your own artwork.


Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Habits and Patterns" (unavailable)

(unavailable)


It is fairly easy to do anything for one day, but to do something long enough to make it a habit requires at least twenty-one days...or so they say. Something interesting happens when we commit to doing anything more than once or twice. A beautiful pattern is created!

I hope you are noticing how many different ways a square can be divided into positive and negative space. In this piece, you can clearly see where your eye wants to go immediately. Any part of the design space where there is a lot of detail and more color compared to other areas is going to be an "eye stopper". In this case it is the patterned area with (6) different colors involved. It would not have been as effective if the pattern had been over the entire design. (....or as interesting) Wherever there is extreme detail automatically becomes a center of interest.

"Printing & Publishing" ($30.00)

(adjusted price....$30.00)


There are moments in my life when I wish I could push the delete key on something I've said and simply retype a more appropriate response. That is the underlying thought here. I am quite certain everyone can relate.

My favorite part of this image is the stamped "R" with some of the edges disappearing. The hand carved stamp was cut from Safety Cut (available at most art / craft stores). The secret is to mix water with the graphite (or watercolor, acrylic, etc.) until you have a "soupy" mixture. Apply mixture to stamp with a brayer and print on dry paper. Also use commercial stamps and apply medium to a random portion of the stamp for a cool texture. Have fun!

.....one more thing. If you have not read the description of the final presentation of these pieces on ebay, they are mounted on gessoed masonite panels and varnished. This enables you to sit them on an easel or float on a black linen mat in a frame with or without glass.

"Recklessly" ($30.00)

(adjusted price....$30.00)


The chandelier is an icon of light, grandeur, and celebration to me...and they're downright beautiful! As in several of the quotes I've written, this one can have a spiritual or secular meaning. I prefer to think about the love that God wants to bestow when we pursue Him.

I've already mentioned that I am using liquid graphite from a tube to stamp and draw the imagery. Each tube has a slightly different tint and this is the blue one. The brand name is Derivan if you want to give it a try. The lettering and flourishing are done with a light purple gouache..."grayed down", of course. Allowing a very intense color to dominate a piece is not acceptable visually to most viewers. Save the super intense for very select areas.

"Melody" (sold)

(sold)

Music has always been a great "lifter" of the human spirit. To think on things that are good and lovely produces another lift to our spirits. Put the two together in a comparative thought for a great motivator of the soul.

In yesterday's blog I went on and on about positive and negative space. Today you can see a shift to the negative space being dominate. (Yesterday they were almost equal.) To add a different kind of drama...I included two moving lines of "offhand flourishing" which activates the space. If I had not done that, there would have been a dominance of straight lines and a chance of too much harmony and not enough contrast.

"Memories" (sold)

    SOLD

This particular style emerged as a result of incorporating all of the things I personally love to do. The original quote is packaged amid an array of visuals including stamped geometric images, expressive drawing, flourished caps and script. My pieces are created on acid free watercolor paper with mixed media techniques and mounted on a gessoed, masonite panel. These original pieces will be posted each day. Enjoy and be inspired!