Abstract Art Blog

Beginning New Series of Abstract Paintings on Canvas

2009-07-08T12:26:39-04:00

After using up just about all of my watercolor paper, I found some canvases on sale at Utrecht, and ordered them. It is strange getting back to painting on canvas, and also a big change in size. I was working with 24" x 18" paper and the new canvases are 48" x 36".

It is actually great to have all this room on the surface of the painting. I'm just at the initial background stage now:

Beginning of new abstract painting on canvas, 48" x 36"

Depression and the Painting Process

2009-07-07T12:33:31-04:00

I've been swinging way down into depression a lot lately, but one thing that always helps is the painting process. I listen to music when I paint, and stand up facing the canvas on an easel. The movement of my arm, the gesture and sweep of the brush . . . seeing color come alive . . . shapes forming . . . it is an awesome therapeutic experience.

I don't paint for its therapeutic value. I am compelled to paint no matter what. But the uplifting nature of making any kind of art is an added bonus.

For more information on art therapy, check out the American Art Therapy Association.

Art Trail Preview Show

2009-07-06T15:12:04-04:00

At our First Friday gallery night this past week, the Art Trail Preview Show was up at The Community Arts Partnership (CAP) new space in downtown Ithaca. It was a great space, if small, and helped all the art look its best. There is a big variety among the 56 artists who show on the Trail (not all of whom were in this exhibit), and the art includes painting, photography, sculpture, woodcarving, prints, fiber art, furniture, art glass, jewelry and ceramics.

Because space was limited, I entered a small giclee print on canvas of my most popular abstract art print, Culmination.

Culmination

Last Abstract Painting on Paper

2009-07-03T13:48:00-04:00

Here is the last of my abstract paintings on paper. I left a lot of white space in this one, attempting to move the eye around with color while leaving an overall openness:

Refracted Dreams, 24" x 18"

Next to Last Abstract Painting on Paper

2009-07-02T13:37:00-04:00

It has been fun painting on paper. I feel freer than I do when working on canvas. But nevertheless, it's time for me to get back to it after I finish these last two on paper. Here's a very loose one I just finished:

Halo Effect, 24" x 18"

Blue Theme Continues in Abstract Paintings on Paper

2009-07-01T12:02:09-04:00

My new canvases have arrived, but I am finishing work on a few abstract paintings on paper first. This one might be a bit too pacific, but there was something about its solidity that attracted me:

Buttressing Hope, 24" x 18"

Blue Theme in Abstract Paintings on Paper

2009-06-30T15:18:14-04:00

I finally ordered some new canvases, but in the meantime I'm still painting with acrylic on watercolor blocks. I've been working in blues lately, letting go of the red-oranges that are my favorites. Here's the latest of my abstract paintings on paper:

Inner Ocean Voyage, 24" x 18"

Abstract Art Book Just Published

2009-06-29T12:45:57-04:00

I've been trying to put together an abstract art book of my paintings for a while now, without going into a huge expense and still getting a quality product. I tried Lulu.com, but their formatting for a photo book did not work for my square abstract paintings.

Finally an artist friend sent me to Blurb.com, where I was able to find the formatting tool I needed. You can download Blurb's bookmaking software for free, modify the formatting all you want and put together your book on your own computer. Then, when you're satisfied, you upload it to Blurb's website and order as few as one copy or as many as you want.

I made my book on premium paper, which is recommended for a fine art book. Books are available in a soft cover or with two hard cover options. Here's my book:

New Abstract Paintings Posted on Website

2009-06-26T13:39:00-04:00

It always feels good to complete a group of paintings and put them up on my website. This new group of eighteen vertical abstract paintings appear in Gallery 5. Here are a couple samples:

Whim Win Situation, 18" x 24" on paper

Tracking Hope, 18" x 24" on paper

Speaking of hope, I woke up this morning feeling much better. The horrible funk I've been in lately has lifted, for no apparent reason.

Abstract Art on Tile

2009-06-25T13:38:12-04:00

I've been working with the Loudeac (LOO-dee-ack) Tile Studio in Newfield, New York, to put my abstract art on ceramic and glass tiles. Phil McCray founded the studio in 2003, using dye-sublimation technique on ceramic tile to publish images from art, history, and popular culture. He and his partner, Jean Callahan, have successfully worked with painters, photographers, textile artists, and digital artists producing tiles in ceramic and glass.

Recently Phil and Jean began offering kiln-fired art tiles and murals, which combine the same artistic qualities of color and image as their indoor tiles with all-weather, all-temperature durability. These have great potential for outdoor decoration, landscaping, pools and architecture.

I fell in love with the quality of their reproductions on tile, and plan to offer them in my studio for art trail and other events. If you are an artist, consider asking them to put your art on tiles. Contact admin@loudeacstudio.com.

More contemporary art on paper, part 2

2009-06-24T14:52:11-04:00

I went to my bipolar support group meeting last night, and it was a relief to be with people who don't turn away or get embarrassed when you say you're depressed. I highly recommend support groups for whatever ails you. I've been going to one for caregivers of spouses with dementia also. That one is a little more depressing, but we all share advice and try to buck each other up.

Here's the next panting in my contemporary art on paper series:

Sierra Climb, 24" x 18" acrylic on paper

More contemporary art on paper

2009-06-23T12:22:37-04:00

I realized over the weekend that I've been depressed for weeks but hiding it from myself and everyone around me. No one wants to hear about it, except perhaps my therapist, but I didn't even mention it to her. In fact, when I told my sister about it this morning she said, "Couldn't you continue hiding it for awhile?" She was kidding, but really, it's just a downer for everyone, especially when nothing can be done about it.

I finally ordered new stretched canvases to paint on, but meanwhile, I'm still using the watercolor blocks I had in the studio. Here's today's contemporary art on paper:

Ice Rink Encounter, 24" x 18" on paper

Abstract Art on Hubcap: The Landfill Project, Part 3

2009-06-22T11:53:07-04:00

I've been working on the Landfill Art Project this past week, and finally completed my version of "abstract art on a hubcap." I could have continued, but everyone around me liked it just the way it is, and I knew if I continued to paint, I would very likely make a mess. I guess what I really needed was more hubcaps in order to experiment. It is not like painting on canvas.

Now my hubcap will join 1041 others painted by artists around the world.

Abstract art on hubcap: The Landfill Project, Part 2

2009-06-19T11:22:53-04:00

After painting a background of lime green (see previous post), I attempted to create my abstract art on this hubcap for the Landfill Art Project. With the curves and indentations and ridges, the process was not like painting on canvas or paper. I began by drawing lines with the paint in light green and Prussian blue:

After that dried, I filled in some of the spaces:

Tomorrow I will continue.

Painting Abstract Art on Hubcap

2009-06-18T11:47:19-04:00

This week I've been working again on the Landfill Art Project started by Ken Marquis. See my June 12 post for more information on this project, especially if you are an artist who would like to participate. Basically, 1041 artists will be creating art out of reclaimed hubcaps.

First I had to clean off all the acrylic paint and gesso I'd applied to my hubcap originally. Then I bought a primer at the paint store: Zinsser 1-2-3 Bulls Eye Primer, sealer and stain killer. Here's the original hubcap:

Here it is after two coats of primer:

After the primer dried thoroughly, I painted a yellow-green acrylic all over to serve as a background:

Next step will be the real challenge: actually turning this hubcap into abstract art.