"Spontaneously" ($60.00)

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

"Some of the best things in life happen...spontaneously." This piece was prompted by some feelings I had while sitting on the patio. Acorns were literally falling from the trees while I was visiting with a friend. Autumn was definitely in the air. It was one of those spontaneous, unplanned moments. In my memory, these always seem to be my best memories. Look for the unexpected special moments in the day...the spontaneous ones.

This was one of those pieces that kind of looked like a mess. But on closer observation, when I looked at where the pencil lines landed after the first layer and cropping, I was encouraged. Plus, there was a whole lot of texture going on that looked very spontaneous.

The collage elements were placed with the pencil lines acting as a support. If you look closely, you can see how the lines and the imagery connect so there is a division of space created by the combination of the two. Making connections of lines, shapes, and color blocks in a piece is crucial to good design. So don't try to achieve the most perfect background in the world. Get a little messy with the process and let some spontaneous things happen. They are the ones with the most energy and create the most memorable experiences. Just something to think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece. I will no longer be listing items on ebay, but will incorporate a paypal link on my blog very soon.

"Transition" ($30.00)

($30.00.....mounted on a 1/8" depth clayboard panel)

"A fallen leaf is a sign of seasonal transition just as right choices are a sign of a transition in life." It would be great if transitions in life happened as regularly and "on time" as they do in nature. The good news is that every life can have a quick turn around by making and following through with good choices.

Unfortunately, central Texas does not have the same brilliant colors in the fall landscape as you would be seeing in the Smoky Mountains. So the next best thing is to paint the colors as they would appear in other parts of the country. These particular colors are Raw Sienna plus White, Cadmium Orange, Napthol Red plus Raw Umber. This image viewed from across the room is quite brilliant. The color, of course, is "kicked up a notch" with Pouring Medium added.

In most of my pieces, I choose to focus on the image, especially color, so that it gives a power punch from across the room. Even when Pouring Medium and strong color are not chosen, the powerful division of space will give that "across the room" power punch. In this piece, there is a simple division of four horizontal bands with softly diffused edges. This type of division works every time it's tried.

Spencerian Script is my hand of choice when I have a long quote or don't want the lettering to overpower the image. To achieve a fine hairline on this type of surface (which has been prepared with gel matte medium...diluted) I dilute my gouache a lot with water and then add 1-4 drops of gum arabic in a small container not much larger than a thimble. It has been my experience that different colors require more or less gum arabic than others. Also, if the lettering turns out too light...I do go over the downstroke very lightly (with no pressure) just to make it more readable. All of these things are just something to try or think about.

Please visit my ebay listing to bid on original art from Dee Day Art Journal Painting a Day.
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"Seasons of Life" (unavailable)

(unavailable)


"Memories are the verbs that conjugate the seasons of our lives." Memories are accumulating in our lives everyday. But there are some memories that punctuate our lives and create a dramatic shift. Those are the ones that move us into a different season. Enjoy what you have today before a new season comes.

I'm geting ahead of myself in this piece and wanting to jump ahead to fall and leave summer behind. The colors were originally too light and weak in this piece, so I did what I know to do. Take one color and cause it to dominate in a big way. So I gessoed over the weak part, stamped into it it with a hand cut stamp and let it dry. The only trouble with using a substantial amount of gesso is that it forms a resist. What I ended up doing was stick my fingers into the gouache I used to paint the orange leaf and smear it over the gesso with my fingers. I now have a new technique when I want opaque coverage over gesso. Acrylic will not do what the gouache does in this instance. And the gouache needs to be almost dry when applying.

The one thing to take away here is the principle of allowing one color to dominate when a piece "goes south".  Just something to think about.