"The Word"

($300.00...9" x 12".....mounted on a 2.0" depth clayboard)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This powerful scripture from John 1:1 was created for the upcoming "New Beginnings" exhibit at Hill Country Bible Church NW in Austin, Tx. We are having a fabulous Opening Reception this evening from 7:00-9:00. You are cordially invited. To see the invitation click onto the links from my posting on March 18th.

The paper used for this pouring medium piece is greatly responsible for the  drama. It is 300lb HP watercolor paper that receives the pouring medium extremely well. The other contributing factor was pouring the colors and blending the colors just long enough to achieve some exciting movement and then leaving it alone. If this process is overworked, it will end up being a mud color. If you have been experimenting with this and are still having trouble, I strongly encourage you to pour your color from edge to edge on very wet paper, lay it down on wax paper and walk away. Do not touch it again until it's bone dry. This will be the first step in letting the water and the natural flow of the color do the work. It will take two days to dry on 300 lb paper.

From time to time, I get a desire to do a block of lettering called Neuland. It was created by Rudolf Koch and meant to be stacked with little or no space between lines. By changing the size of the nib, it is possible to emphasize certain words over others and to highlight those words by varying the color a bit. The spanish text is written in Copperplate as a contrast and also to appeal to those in our church who are involved in the Spanish Ministry. It is quite fun to write in other languages because your total focus must be on the letters rather than what it says. Just a few more things to think about.


Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Color and Texture" (unavailable)

"Color and texture fit together like pen and ink." This (4" x 6")piece is the first of several in this size created for the "give away" at an Opening Reception one week from tonight. The details for the "Perspectives" Exhibit can be found at (http://www.pactofaustin.com/). There will be well over  (100) of these art pieces created by the (40) exhibitors for this "give away". You are cordially invited.

The focal point in this piece is the texture of the pot. It is in direct contrast to the color blocks that have little to no texture. Of course, the perfect location for the pot was inside the area that looks highlighted. It looks that way because of the gesso applied to the paper before the color.

Harmony and contrast create the tension in any piece of art. If there is too much harmony...the piece is boring. If there is too much contrast...there is chaos. The way to achieve harmony is to allow each design element to have a dominating characteristic. For instance, one color needs to occupy the largest percentage of the design space. The line work (which includes obvious lines and edges of shapes) needs to have more horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines. One of these directions needs to dominate. In today's piece, it's horizontal lines which also includes the horizontal format. And on it goes with the remaining elements.

However, there also needs to be contrast which would be the opposite characteristic found with each design element. Once again, look at the color. There are several contrasts of color. There is a contrast of light and dark, warm and cool, complementary, saturation, and extension. In the design element of line, there are obvious vertical lines and two lines slightly diagonal which are in direct contrast with the dominating horizontal lines.

Some of this may sound confusing, but it is very important to learn how to analyze and define what is happening with these design elements to know how to correct your own work as well as appreciating what is happening in another artist's work. A whole new world will open up to you as you begin observing. After all, the elements and principles of design are the language of design. Just something to think about.