Tuesday, November 07, 2006


Overpass

Overpass
Acrylics, Prismacolors, inks and graphite
16x ~19"

Feeling like there was no time to paint today made me get up early (5am) and tiptoe down to the studio to just follow through on what I started yesterday. This composition is more controlled and looks pretty much like SOMETHING. So I went ahead and named it Overpass, since I feel like it is roads and fields and some sort of architecture.


When I showed it to Dave, the resident audience member and critic, he liked it, but said that he didn’t like the paint.
The paint!

Well, I have to agree. Acrylic has its virtues and its drawbacks. It dries fast which is both good and bad. And it is transparent so it can look like watercolor, and is thin so it can be drawn upon with ink and pencils. But every stinkin’ brushstroke is visible until the final layer is applied. So the surface is often uneven and doesn’t have that velvety appearance of oils or pastels. And one can’t get the same depth or glow that one can with transparent oil glazes. But in my impatience I want to have the daily fix of a new painting and can’t see myself getting that with oils unless I relinquish the need to complete a piece daily.
That can be done.

I can just say I have started painting A and then go on to painting B the next day while A dries, which may lead to painting C since drying time depends on so many factors.

In the meantime, I do have something to say about all this. I am finding my way, experimentally, improvisationally, and that feels wonderful. I think I can approach a larger format the same way. In fact I can do it with acrylics, as an underpainting. I can dink around with the composition until I feel it is going somewhere, and then layer on the oils and feel that the substructure is the guide.

And I can paint oils over acrylics on paper too, which I never would have done in art school. The surface is coated with impermeable acrylic so there is no fear of rotting paper from the oils.

Again one of the features of maturity is the ability to disregard the rules once imposed upon the youthful student. Following them never really lived up to expectations anyway.

A note on the election. We live in a Blue state but our county is Red as red can be. There was only one Democrat running in all the seven open county seats. I was forced to choose whether to vote for someone I didn't want, or not vote. I voted. Grrr. We should move to someplace where we belong.



13 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:50 PM

    It's always inspiring to read about your creative thoughts and processes. I like the detail pics from Overpass as compositions on their own.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous12:54 PM

    the medium is perfect for a painting called Overpass. You have captured the "roads" around Chicago. It is breath taking.
    Cassie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous1:44 PM

    I love your paintings as much as your quilts. But you realize what you are doing don't you? You're making us all want to try painting too. Like our fabric stashes aren't big enough allready ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mmm mmmm yum!!!! Love this piece with all the shading and marks you have added.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous7:26 PM

    I am enjoying seeing these paintings, and find it interesting as you share your feelings along the way. Re: your election note - I live just a county or so away, and nearly the same thing. 1 Demo. for 7 Republican seats.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous7:32 PM

    I love your paintings as much as your quilts -- both are so full of life! Your blog is enjoyable and entertaining as well. Thank you for sharing yourself so openly.

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous7:46 PM

    I had to post again (sorry!). It's been about a week since I last read your blog, so it took me a while to get through the backlog. I can't believe how prolific and creative you are! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Thank you!

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9:50 PM

    Well. . . I just have to talk about the voting thing . . . I just smiled and SMILED and voted GREEN GREEN GREEN. All those reds and the blues I don't like can spin on it . . .

    Rich for GOV !

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous11:48 PM

    Your art, quilt or paint is always inspiring! I love the lines and color. Now for the political comment, since you did mention politics. First it maybe your love for color that influences you to refer to the parties by a color rather than the actual names. They were at one time also referred to as donkeys and elephants. I just hate the way the media influences the public. They are the ones who arbitrarily (I think it was arbitrarily) came up with those colors. Why not just call the parties by their names when discussing politics amoung friends. Also hey, you always belong where you are. My parents were Republicans in a very strong majority democrate county for most of my life.No one ever opposed the democrats. Now after about 20 years or so the county is strongly republican with no one opposing the republicans. So if you hang tight things usually swing around. You belong if not for just being the lone voice in the crowd.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've been so encouraged/inspired by your paintings that I went out yesterday to get some paints to play with using the Big Lots canvases I've been "saving". Today I just might put paint on a canvas without a single clue of what painting on canvas is really about :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous10:36 AM

    This painting, as almost all of your work that I like best, has that cross form going on. Is it just me or is that a universally appealing composition technique? Whatever it is, keep doing it.
    CN

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous2:35 PM

    Since you love oils have you heard/tried the Genesis heatset oils http://www.genesisartistcolors.com/ here is the url

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous3:31 PM

    I am enjoying watching you experience the freedom of creation/exploration! You mentioned wanting the depth and glow of transparent paint -- you can acheive that with acrylics. Some hardcore oil painter friends of mine have completely switched over to Golden Fluid Acrylics, with fluid mediums -- you might like it, too.

    ReplyDelete

Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com