Merissa Forde's Art

I met you in the Rain

2011-11-28T13:50:00.001-08:00

I love the rain and don't mind living in Washington because of it. The only thing I wish Washington had was thunderstorms and lightning like I remember when I lived in the midwest. I love the rumbling of thunder and the flashing of the lightning bolts- a bit scary/exciting but quite the fantastic experience which I really do miss. In Seattle, the rain is beautiful. The city seems to be molded around the idea of rain and the scene in downtown Seattle is definitely one to not be missed! I have to say though, the city at night when it's raining is my favorite, especially if you're in the Queen Anne area of Seattle, which is where I used to live. Five minutes walking distance from the Space needle and 5 minutes driving distance from Pike place, it literally is the perfect place to live in Seattle without being smack dab in the middle of it. Close enough to walk there, far enough to not have a problem parking! :-) I met my boyfriend in Downtown Seattle and on our first date, I won't forget it, we went to the Irish Pub in Lower Queen Anne and then took a taxi to Downtown Seattle, where we played around the city and then found ourselves at Gameworks. I'll never forget that night as the City started to liven up as the night grew darker. The night didn't start out with rain, but rain always seems to present itself at random times in Seattle. That night, was no exception. We had a great time and I would have to say that this night in particular, with the rain falling in the city and where I lived I met my best friend in the rain. Hence the name, "I met you in the rain". Though this setting isn't necessarily in downtown Seattle it's a special place where the atmosphere lends itself to the reflections that rain create. A place that can be found wherever you imagine yourself with the one you love.
This painting encapsulates the positivity that rain can bring when you're around your best friend and true love! :-)

Enjoy!!

16" x 20"
(Continuous painting on all sides)
~~$460~~ SOLD

Catalog info:
Artwork: "I met you in the rain"
Brief Description: Acrylic 16" x 20"
Canvas Sides: Continuous wrap on 1/2" sides
Type: Painting on Canvas
Art Style: Cityscape/Impressionism
Medium: Acrylic paint
Frame: Self framing (continuous painting on all sides)
Reproduction: Original
Retail price: $460.00
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #73

(Note: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration. If you have any questions regarding color samples or need additional information/images please contact me at whitehoneydesigns@gmail.com)

To purchase this piece online please visit: www.merissaforde.com
or if you have a specific request for shipping and handling information you can contact me directly at whitehoneydesigns@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!

Sweet Symphony

2011-11-28T13:12:00.001-08:00

In this painting I wanted to try a sort of style that I had not done before as it's very abstract but uses different techniques to convey a sort of peaceful feeling. I really find this piece to be unique and interesting. I had several different emotions going on in this painting and it transformed itself from one thing to the next as I continued to paint using raw emotions alone. I knew when I started that I wanted to try out some blending techniques and use certain colors, from that point I spent hours just painting over and over again until I came up with this. I can definitely see this piece in someones house as an accent piece. It's quaint and peaceful. My favorite part of this painting, isn't necessarily the objects within the piece, but the colors and different paints I used. (Metallic paint and played with a little bit of sparkling paint.) It was a fun creative painting and even though it's different from anything I've ever done before, it's still has quite a bit of 'me' in it. :-)

Enjoy.

18" x 24"
(Continuous on all sides)
$490

(This is a close-up of the sparkles that are on the white edges of the swirls and are only on this particular area of the painting as well as the metallic paint in the background.
Note: Metal/Sparkle Paint is hard to photograph and looks much better in person)

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Sweet Symphony"
Brief Description: Acrylic 18" x 24"
Canvas Sides: Continuous wrap on 1/2" sides
Type: Painting on Canvas
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic paint
Frame: Self framing (continuous painting on all sides)
Reproduction: Original
Retail price: $490.00
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #72

(Note: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration. If you have any questions regarding color samples or need additional information/images please contact me at whitehoneydesigns@gmail.com)

To purchase this piece online please visit: www.merissaforde.com
or if you have a specific request for shipping and handling information you can contact me directly at whitehoneydesigns@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!

Night and Day

2011-11-28T12:15:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving break was awesome and I am happy that I had some down time so I could focus on my family and one of my great passions, painting!! As far as direction on what I was thinking or how I came up with the ideas, they really are not certain. As the gift giving season approaches, I wanted to add to my collection paintings that were both smaller in size and in cost. :-) I started out with painting something familiar and similar to a previous painting style that I did with "Corridors of Time" but with a slight twist. I had a lot of positive feedback about the style and had many requests to make more paintings like it; "Night and Day" is pretty straight forward in concept, but as the mind dives deeper into thought the painting separates how perspectives can alter depending on mood. Like "Corridors of Time", "Night and Day" shares a similar feeling of reflection but separates itself from the feeling of inner perspective and thrives on the feeling of how life exists both at day and at night within itself. I had a lot of fun creating this painting and I hope you like the perspective it brings. :-)

Enjoy!!

16" x 20"
(Continuous wrap on all sides)
$360.00

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Night and Day"
Brief Description: Acrylic 16" x 20"
Canvas Sides: Continuous wrap on 1/2" sides
Type: Painting on Canvas
Art Style: Expressionist/Landscape
Medium: Acrylic paint
Frame: Self framing (continuous painting on all sides)
Reproduction: Original
Retail price: $360.00
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #71

(Note: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration. If you have any questions regarding color samples or need additional information/images please contact me at whitehoneydesigns@gmail.com)

To purchase this piece online please visit: www.merissaforde.com
or if you have a specific request for shipping and handling information you can contact me directly at whitehoneydesigns@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!

Furcifer Pardalis

2011-11-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

First, I must say, I absolutely LOVE chameleons. They are unique and interesting in nature and they have this sort of personality about them that is adorable. I really want one, but unfortunately I am unable to own one at the moment, so I decided to do research on them. After hours of research and watching videos about them, (which btw only made me want them 10x more -as they are easy to maintain and for the most part depending on the species very docile.) Ack! I looked at all the different types and I fell in love with the Panther Chameleon. Their grace and amazing ability to change colors lured me in, they are very beautiful creatures. Alas, I decided that since I can't buy one, I'll create one! Bringing me to now, I spent a lot of time painting this guy. His species type is: Furcifer Pardalis (aka. panther chameleon) As you can see he's very friendly and curious about what's going on around him! :-)

Enjoy!!

24 X 48
(Continuous wrap on all sides)
$1670

City Laments

2011-10-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

I was sort of feeling Surrealist when I painted this, just got motivated and started doing something unique and different from anything else I've ever done. I really like the animation series, "Invader Zim" and to me this has a sort of feeling to the similar art styles where things are distorted. Not only did I play around with some fantastic colors, but I also used a different sort of perspective with city life! :-)

Enjoy!

3 piece set - 14" x 14"
(Continuous on all sides)
$850 (includes 3-14" x 14" paintings)

Catalog info:
Artwork: "City Laments"
Brief Description: Acrylic set of 3, 14" x 14"
Canvas sides: Continuous wrap on 1/2" sides
Type: Original Painting
Art Style: Expressionism/Surrealism
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous painting on sides) 1/2" sides
Retail Price: $850
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #041-043 (Signed/Autographed Edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Win a Free Painting!!!

2011-10-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

That's right, you read it correctly. I'm giving away a free painting when I get to 1,000 'likes' on my Facebook Fan Page, so if you visit that link and 'like' my page, you'll be entered in the drawing to win "Nebula"!!! The drawing ends when I hit 1,000 'likes' on my fan page, so be sure to get in on the chance to win a free painting, painted by the one and only Merissa Forde! :-) Thanks to everyone who's already became a fan and liked my page! I post updates on new paintings that I put in my blog and on my website so while you're 'liking' my page, feel free to subscribe so that you can see the new addition paintings. :-)

16" x 20"
Continuous
Price: ~~$380~~ (Win it for free by 'liking' my Facebook page)

Sheer Bliss

2011-10-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

This next painting is a commission painting, requested from a woman named Kim. She owns her own salon and her walls were looking very blank. She didn't really know what she wanted, but she knew she wanted something that would express who she was and the feeling she wanted her clients to have.

While I was there I noticed a color theme that she had going on in her Salon and little accents that she used to sort of express her self. She didn't have too much going on yet, so I knew that whatever I decided to do I could be more flexible with in terms of 'matching' something that was already there, because there wasn't really anything there. Kim left me with a lasting impression which I modeled most of the painting around. I also took a look around her salon, paid attention to all the little details, like the swirls in her sign(and business cards) the color schemes she used. She didn't know specifically what she wanted, she just knew that she liked my paintings and wanted something specifically designed for her.

So, I decided to go a little out of my comfort zone on what I usually paint and made her a special painting unique for her salon using parts of her business design logo incorporated into the painting. I picked upon some of the hints of colors used in the salon for accents (the pink flowers) and made the painting background white, in order to stand out from her painted walls.

I am happy to say that when I showed her the final piece she was speechless. She loved the painting and said that she wasn't sure what I was going to do, but that what I had done was so amazing and she was so happy with the results- loving that I had used her logo and color schemes to work with as a driving force in the painting. She framed it and it's now featured at her place of business in Redmond named "Shear Bliss", hence where the name of the painting came from "Sheer Bliss". She's not only a fantastic person but she's a wonderful hair dresser!!
I highly recommend going there and doing business with her, you will not regret it. :-)

Update: After I had given her the main painting she wanted 2 more paintings to go with it for her wall!! I now have two more paintings to go, in order to complete her requests. If you're interested in visiting her salon, you can check her out at: http://www.shearblisskim.com/.

Enjoy!!

18 x 36
(white on sides)
~~$690~~ *SOLD*

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Sheer Bliss"
Brief Description: Acrylic 18" x 36"
Canvas Sides: white wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Expressionism
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (white wrap on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $690
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #25 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

New Website Ready!!

2011-10-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have my website ready. It took quite some time to organize it and make sure that all the links worked properly. I think I got all the kinks worked out. (A special Thanks to Nick and my friend Melissa for all your help and support!!)

You can now purchase my art work using paypal or a credit card at:

Visit MerissaForde's Website

Amnesiac

2011-10-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

This painting, "Amnesiac", is what put me into overdrive with painting. It was the first time I had painted a true abstract painting on a grand scale and the second abstract/expressionist painting I had ever done in my life.

I started painting when I was about 21, so about 8 years ago, but I took a break from painting in 2003 because my extremely tiny apartment in Seattle was running out of wall space and space in general. I had no room to paint and no where to put my paintings, so I pretty much stopped. When I moved from my apartment in downtown Seattle to Redmond, I was able to paint a few more paintings there but nothing too big because the apartment was only slightly bigger than the last one. Then in 2010, with my boyfriend- Nick, we bought a house in Silverlake!!
This house had 3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms and 1 office, or 2 bedrooms and 1 art room. :-) Lucky for me, Nick noticed in our other apartments that my creativity was being stiffled---and also my art stuff (from both school and my hobbies) was everywhere and making the place look messy 24/7!! So he gave me the extra room to use as my own personal art room/office. I love it! I can be messy and it's okay! AND there's tons of wall space!!

In 2003, late August, we were looking for black, white, and red stuff to go in our guest bedroom. We found lots of different cute black and white stuff, but because we wanted little red accents, nothing that we were too sold on. As we were looking for art to put in the room and by art I mean photography, Nick suggested we get a canvas and have me paint something. I was a little nervous at first, because I wanted this guest room to be perfect and I wasn't confident in my painting skills. By this time, the only paintings I had done were on smaller 24 x 16 canvases and they were mostly scenic paintings of mountains. That wasn't the general 'feel' we were really going for, I love mountains and all, but this painting had to be different. I also wanted to re-connect with painting and paint something unique. So, I put on some Radiohead and went to town. I spent an entire day painting and the result was amazing. I can't remember entirely how each part of the painting came to be or even why I painted the way I did, but the connection was made.
I always liked painting, but I can honestly say that when I was able to unleash my creative inner self, my 'like' turned into love.

The title of this artwork is a shout out to the album I listened to while creating this black, white, and red painting. It's currently hanging on the wall of our guest bedroom and is definitely the shining point of the room. :)

Enjoy!!

30" x 40"
(Continuous wrap on sides)
Not for Sale

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Amnesiac"
Brief Description: Acrylic 30" x 40"
Canvas Sides: Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract/Expressionist
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: Not for Sale
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: N/A

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Captivated

2011-09-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

I went and visited the zoo a little while ago and I'll tell you one thing always struck me as kind of odd. I'm not an animal rights activist, nor do I feel that the animals in the Zoo aren't there for a good reason. However, I do feel a strong connection with certain animals that are at the Zoo over other animals that I might see. It has nothing to do with being better or anything, it's more of a personal connection. One type of species that I feel that connection to is the Gorillas. It's amazing that I can get as close as I can to them, as I know for sure that in the wild it would not be possible. They are magical and mysterious. There power is overwhelming and their intelligence is hidden behind their eyes. I am always captivated by the Gorillas and what I find interesting if not a bit introspective, is the question who's behind the glass? Is it the Gorillas sitting and watching the people look at them? Or is it the people looking in through the glass of the Gorillas? While we may be far more advanced in the aspect of awareness, has our advancement removed us from our natural instinct? I watch the Gorillas as they walk amongst themselves and live life--they are so interesting to observe, but what I think hits me the hardest is that I know, they are observing me too.
**This painting is best viewed in a lower lit area in order to capture all the details.

Enjoy.


16" x 20" (Continuous wrap on sides) $460

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Captivated"
Brief Description: Acrylic 16" x 20"
Canvas Sides: Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract/Nature/Animal
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $460
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #61 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

X

2011-09-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

For this piece in particular, I felt it absolutely necessary to name it "X" for many reasons, but I'll let YOU decide your reason. I could say that I felt very political while painting this piece, but the politics involved could also be linked to the ecology that's attached. None-the-less, I feel plenty emotions when I see this piece, but what I find most intriguing is that there are a few ways of viewing the painting. There were a few different stages of emotions I had while painting this, from joy to sadness, from strange emptiness to contentment. When the piece was finally finished, the series of emotions completed itself into a certain meaning. Fully abstract, it's intentions beg the viewers attention and stir up something inside, is it chaos? Contemplation? Curiosity? Satisfaction? Feed me your thoughts! :-)
and as always...

Enjoy!

16" x 20"
(Continuous wrap on sides)
$460

Catalog info:
Artwork: "X"
Brief Description: Acrylic 16" x 20"
Canvas Sides: Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $460
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #62 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Charming Plumage

2011-09-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

I was in a really colorful mood this week. I felt really positive these past few days, especially while painting this painting. I have always really thought that peacock feathers were really beautiful, but I think what really draws me to the peacocks are the way that they attract their mate. I love how the males flaunt their beautiful colors in order to catch the attention of the opposite sex. They are very amazing creatures. :-)

Enjoy!

16" x 20"
(Continuous wrap on sides)
For Sale: ~~$380~~ *SOLD*

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Charming Plumage"
Brief Description: Acrylic 16" x 20" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract/Nature
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $380
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #60 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Remembering

2011-09-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

What a very deeply moving piece "Remembering" is. It takes on a more darker side compared to my other paintings but mostly includes similar feelings we've all shared at one time or another. What does this painting make you feel?

Enjoy.

30" x 30"
(Continuous wrap on sides)
For Sale: $1300

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Remembering"
Brief Description: Acrylic 30" x 30" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract/Landscape
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $1300
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #57 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Magnetic Mountains

2011-09-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

I love this piece. The textures are unique and interesting, the colors are fresh and plentiful, and the City stark contrast and reflection provides relatable content. I mean by that it allows more viewers to relate on a more familiar level. An abstract piece of art can really lead the minds of many down very disconnected paths, but some abstract art can reference very commonly known objects or specific subject matter and control how far the mind wanders from disconnection. Either way, I really enjoy creating this type of abstract art. It is a process to add different types of textures and the final product is usually far different than the original concept. However, that process creates a bond between the artist and the canvas. :)
This painting is called, "Magnetic Mountains", for many reasons. One of those reasons has to deal with E. A. Poe and his writing from:"The American Drama". This just so happens to have a very similar feeling to the painting I finished making, so it only sounded fitting.

In this painting, I really recommend paying attention to all the various textures. There's a lot of the 'crackle' type texture used throughout this painting, that really adds an element of creativity here. The usage of color and ability to bring all the different elements together stands out in this painting. Enjoy and as always, leave comments on your thoughts! :-)

20" x 24"
(Continuous wrap on sides)
$700

Close up of the detail that the KROMA cracking did-the unique key to this painting

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Magnetic Mountains"
Brief Description: Acrylic 20" x 24" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic Paint, KROMA crackle
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $700
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312/Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating-1303
No: #33 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Paradise Regained

2011-09-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

(To be continued.. trying to get all the pictures up and I'll fill in some more info later)

Enjoy!

18" x 18"(Continuous wrap- sides painted)
$470

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Paradise Regained"
Brief Description: Acrylic 18" x 18" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Landscape
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $470
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #45 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Unbound Motion

2011-09-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

(To be continued...)

Enjoy!


12" x 24" (Continuous wrap on sides) For Sale: ~~$480~~ SOLD

Close up of the eye, which is one of my favorite details of the painting.

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Unbound Motion"
Brief Description: Acrylic 12" x 24" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $480
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #38 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Transcendental

2011-09-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

As far as my abstract portion of my portfolio goes, this piece is among my top 3 favorites. The name fits the piece as an extension of souls exists to contain a sense of understanding. I've always been interested in finding something within something, an identity within emotion. What would emotions look like if they were translated from feeling to seeing? What would the emotion of finding one's identity look like? The exploration of life in the nonphysical realm of understanding stems from a deep connection of comprehending what it is we are from within. Psychology or Philosophy, whatever you find as an essence of your own interpretations is experienced in whatever phenomenon that we as humans can connect with. Throughout my paintings, my journey reveals itself within each painting that I complete. Because we all share common experiences and emotions, much of what I create can facilitate a similar emotion to another person, or just as easily a complete opposite emotion for another person. How is this possible? Interpretations are an integral part of what makes art so important. When you walk into a room, do you prefer to see abstract art or real art? Is there a specific type of art that moves you, if so what is it? Please share your experiences and preferences in the comments section, as I will be looking forward to reading them! :-)

Enjoy!


24" x 36" (Continuous wrap-sides painted) $1260

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Transcendental"
Brief Description: Acrylic 24" x 36" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $1260
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312
No: #56 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Corridors of Time

2011-09-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is definitely one of my favorite pieces in my portfolio so far. The idea of putting a contrast of colors in with black and white is not something that I've ever seen before; it's definitely something that I thought would not only look really cool, but add an additional element of deeper meaning.
The black and white on top and contrasting colors as the reflection says something more then "this is a scenic picture". What does this painting say to you? How does it make you feel?
One of my favorite things, as an artist, is hearing how my paintings translate into different meanings to each person's unique interpretation. It's really cool to hear how each viewpoint can be so different even though it's the same painting. The unique personalization of each painting is really what I love most about each of my paintings. So, if you have time, post a comment on any of my paintings and let me know what you think of it in terms of how you've interpreted it.

30" x 48"
(Continuous wrap-painting on all sides)
For Sale: $2090

Artwork Title:

"Corridors of Time"

Brief Description: Acrylic 30" x 48"

Canvas sides: Continuous wrap on 1/2" sides

Type: Painting

Art Style: Landscape/Surrealism

Medium: Acrylic Paint

Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on all sides) 1/2" sides

Reproduction: Original

Retail Price: $2090

Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312/ Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating 1303

No: #30 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Clear Conscience

2011-09-11T10:25:00.001-07:00

My first attempt at making a type of pointillism painting which didn't make up an entire picture from the design of all the small dots, but rather a bunch of smaller designs within a much larger design like a color race of dots. There are various images within the entire painting, arranged in a sort of "Where's Waldo" format. I can say for certain that this painting is definitely something that I'll most likely only do this one time. The entire painting took the course of a month to do, approximately. Not a month straight, if you ever have painted dots before you'd understand that it takes an extreme amount of patience. Sitting there for an hour is hard enough, which is why an hour here, and hour there, took a month to complete. I don't know how artists in the past and present can have the patience to drop tiny drops of paint onto a canvas but it's impressive to say the least. I did want to try this technique at least once to see how I would like it or what I would think of it. It's definitely an interesting piece with tons of personality. The name is of course quite fitting. I am posting another picture of the close up of the dots, what do YOU see? Leave comments, I am very interested in hearing your thoughts....


18" x 18" (Black paint on sides) For Sale: $1300

Close up of painting, what do you see?

Birds

2011-09-11T01:40:00.001-07:00

I've never painted animals before and with painting, I'm always up for trying new things (see pointillism project), so I decided to give it a try. I watched a few videos on how to paint birds and read some tips then gave it a shot. My first try was a cardinal, a fairly easy bird to paint. It wax fun enough to up the challenge a bit with my next bird attempt- the lovely raven. Who can forget the awesome relate to the E.A Poe poem, "The Raven" which worked really nicely as a heavy influence to the overall layout of the framed painting. The raven painting was a bit more challenging as I tried to capture the iridescence of the feathers with the black and blue. If that wasn't challenging enough, I decided to go a step further and paint a hummingbird. Now a hummingbird is definitely more of a challenge because the feathers are not only iridescent, but they are also partially see-through. That turned out to be more of a challenge than I originally anticipated, but I felt that my overall experience with painting the birds went really well. They were detailed and pretty to look at. :-)

(A note for vinyl Record enthusiast/collectors: every record used in the creation of these fine pieces of art were already unplayable and scratched. I simply recycled unwanted records and gave them a new purpose.)

My grandma is now the proud owner of the hummingbird and I hope that the other two birds are soon to follow, finding a home! They are afterall only $89 a piece. For a fully framed shadow box vinyl, LP record, painting with background accents- it's a steal!!

"Cardinal" painting $89
Dimensions: 12"x12"
(Includes black shadow box frame)

"Raven" painting ~~$89~~ *SOLD*
Dimensions: 12"x12"
(Includes black shadow box frame)

"Hummingbird" painting ~~$89~~ *SOLD*
Dimensions: 12"x12"
(Includes black shadow box frame)

Paintings on display at Flying Apron!

2011-09-08T23:21:00.001-07:00

I must admit that I am very excited that my paintings are finally on display at the Flying Apron in Redmond! I have worked long and hard to get all the paintings ready, prepped, and hung up on those walls. Once I was finished hanging them up, it felt so good. I was getting compliments and finally people were seeing what I was capable of. The feedback I've received so far is positive and awesome! I hope more people take my cards, check my blog out, and hopefully find a painting they connect with so much that they want it for their own. This is a very exciting time for me. I really can't wait to buy more canvases so I can make more creations! :)
It is my dream to have my own gallery and my next step is getting into a gallery to display more of my art! I'm starting to really understand what it means to follow your heart and that's what I intend to do.

Here are some pictures inside the bakery:

Towards the cash register there is my bio, in a small square frame.
(I love how the lighting perfectly hits the orange set of paintings)

The middle of the wall on the left.

When you walk in and look to the left.

These are my little 12" x 12" framed collection of LP paintings.
(Painting on Vinyl Records- don't worry they were scratched and unplayable)

Pieces of Eight

2011-09-05T23:45:00.001-07:00

This is a blog and not my official website and since I like to update my fans more often, I'm going to add more professional pictures later on down the line when I'm not as busy painting and getting this next gallery ready.
This next Wednesday I'm going to be putting all of my posting up all the paintings I've been working on this past month and 1/2. I'm very excited !
Tonight, I'm blogging about the piece I finished last night, titled "pieces of eight". This piece is an abstract painting which really ,makes me think of coinage and it's allure (not by face but value- and what makes it so desirable).
The major appeal is not the face of the canvas, but the design of how the canvases were connected. I was really enjoying combining 8 small canvases and forming them into 1. And it's that transformation and that love and persistence that really shines through on this piece. I will price the piece tomorrow but I wanted to get the blog started tonight. :)

Enjoy!


6" x 32"(Continuous wrap- black on sides) $280

Closeup of one of the pieces to demonstrate the texture

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Pieces of Eight"
Brief Description: Acrylic 6" x 32" Continuous wrap black 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic Paint/ Gel Medium Extra Heavy Gel (matte)
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of black on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $280
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312/ Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating 1303
No: #34 (Signed/Autographed edition)

(NOTE: Colors shown may vary slightly from actual painting due to computer display adapter and monitor manufacturer and/or configuration.)

Aspen over Colorado Mountains

2011-07-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

            Last Thanksgiving my boyfriend, Nick, and I traveled to Buena Vista, Co to visit some family members on his side of the family. It was mostly everyone on his side of the family meeting up for a nice Thanksgiving get together. While I was there, his aunt and uncle (the hosts of the event and also the kind people who allowed us to stay at their beautiful home for several nights) asked if I would draw them a picture of some wolves or something for their condo in Copper Mountain. This was after I had showed them some of the drawings that I had done for an art class and I was actually really flattered that they thought to ask me that. If you saw their house, you'd understand-- they had very elaborate and beautiful paintings all over their home and everything was decorated to the T. Obviously, I wasn't going to turn them down, they welcomed me into their home and they were very kind and generous to practically a stranger (as it was Nick's family and not everyone had met me yet).

            First, I mentioned that I could paint them something after also mentioning that I don't really tend to draw animals like wolves and bears and such. They mentioned that they love Aspen trees and talked for a bit about what they liked about Aspen trees, then joking around said that I could put in some mountains, etc. They were joking, but I took it as a challenge. Focusing mainly on their love for the Aspen tree's and also the changing of seasons, the way that the leaf of an Aspen looks, the mountains and how they look at night and during the day. They showed me pictures and I could definitely tell that they loved Colorado. They are very modest people and offered to pay me for whatever I was able to do for them, however I had no intention of ever asking them for anything--not even the cost to ship it to them. They not only brought me into their home, put a roof over my head and fed me, but they also invited us to come and stay at their Copper Mountain Condo anytime we wanted to.

            When we got home from our trip, I started planning for the painting that I wanted to do. I remember doing a digital painting (rough) on a painting program that I had and really used a lot of the ideas from that rough sketch in the actual painting for them.

Rough Concept Painting, Digital medium

Then I started painting the actual painting which took a long time for me to accomplish with the amount of details involved and the amount of time that I could contribute at one time was over a span of a month or so. I work full time and go to school so it's really hard for me to get time to paint, but what time I did have I contributed to this painting for them. When it was all said and done, I not only was able to paint the tree they loved so dearly, but also the Colorado mountains, and since her husband was into Astronomy I did in the sky a reverse nebulous and constellation. I felt that I stepped up to the challenge and went about it a very creative way.

Final Acrylic w/out protective finish

At the top right of the painting, you can see the constellation and the reverse nebulous.
It was very difficult trying to get an actual picture of this because it looked very blurry in a lot of the pictures I took, however a lot of that "blur" is actually dust particles in space. When I painted the reverse nebulous Perseus, I was referencing a photo from Nasa of a constellation with reverse nebulous and there was a lot of "dust" floating around it. I did the best to make it as 'real' as possible, noting 'real' because it's impossible to see a nebulous with the naked human eye. :-)

There is definitely a lot more detailed in the painted version vs the digital version, however I can see the resemblance. I found that doing the digital rough copy really helped me get a preview to the work that I would do in the painting. At the bottom right you can see that there is an Aspen leaf, I spent a lot of time trying to get that leaf to look exactly like a real Aspen leaf and next to it is my signature. Below is a close up of the leaf.

When I finished the painting I added a gloss coat and protected the painting with a clear acrylic coating. It gave a certain "oil" appearance to the painting, as it was painted with Acrylics. After I added the clear coating it gave a shine to it that was hard to get a picture of it. So, there's a bit of flash glare on it, but at least the finishing of the painting shows off the vibrancy of the colors. (Below)

"Aspen over Colorado Mountains"


Final painting w/Acrylic coating 27" x 36" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides Price: ~~$1920~~ SOLD

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Aspen over Colorado Mountains"
Brief Description: Acrylic 27" x 36" Continuous wrap 1/2" sides
Type: Painting
Art Style: Landsape
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $1920
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312/Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating-1303
No: Non-numbered collection

Sounds of Tides

2011-06-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

I finished a set of 4 paintings yesterday that form one painting series. This set is definitely different from the other paintings I've created, I don't know if it's because of the colors or the overall mood of the painting that makes it different but I really like it. My boyfriend gave me some music to listen to as my motivation and this is what came of it, so kind of interesting for sure. :-) I've got 2 other paintings that I'm almost finished with and they are all very different from one another. That's probably something I really enjoy about my own art work is that it's never really the same or consistent. I see a lot of other artists work and their paintings have a general theme or melody throughout each painting and with mine it's entirely different---then again that could be the whole artists mind thing. I'm sure they think their paintings are entirely different too, so maybe mine have a similar ongoing theme as well that I just don't see. Eitherway, I'm glad to say that these paintings were fun to create and very creative, enjoy!

"Sounds of Tides"

Each painting is 12"x12"
Total across with 1 inch space 25" x 25"
Price: $195

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Sounds of Tides"
Brief Description: Acrylic (4)12x12" Abstract Painting
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on sides) 1/2" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $195
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312/Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating-1303
No:021-024

Behind the Scene:
This set of paintings was inspired by the music of Arovane, an electronic type of music that has a more organic texture and natural pace about it. The music smooths over rough edges and I think that's why the paintings came out the way that it did. There's a particular song that I'm quite attracted to that is on the "Lilies" album titled "Instant Gods Out of the Box" as well as the "Tides" album titled, "Tides" which also had major contribution to this piece. If you listen to "Tides" you'll actually hear the ocean through the instruments-- it's very compelling. Unravel the world of nature and see how the tides speak.

"Reincarnated in the Blossoms"

2011-06-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

Obviously art is in the eye of the beholder. A single piece of art can mean one thing to one person and something completely different to another. That is the why art as a whole is so important; taking our own meanings and applying them whichever way suits our needs. In many ways I enjoy listening to other's perspectives on what the art says to them-- you can learn a lot about a person, by simply hearing their interpretation. So, why spoil it with facts about how or why it was actually created?
I don't make art with a meaning in mind, the meaning of what I'm creating arises in the act. Then it becomes something to me and I go from there. Sometimes, I have an idea in mind of what I want something to look like-- sometimes the final product actually looks like what I pictured, other times I start with an idea and the painting looks nothing like what I had originally thought. In this particular case, I had an idea in mind and then it transformed into something inspirational. I'm going to be showcasing my artwork at a Vegan/Gluten Free Bakery in Redmond at the Redmond square called: Flying Apron. You can check out their location during the months of September-October to see my paintings on display. This painting (below) is the first of many, many more paintings to come.

"Reincarnated in the Blossoms"

16x16"
Continuous wrap 1 1/4" sides
Price: ~~$210~~ *SOLD*

Catalog info:
Artwork: "Reincarnated in the Blossoms"
Brief Description: Acrylic 16x16" Abstract Painting
Type: Painting
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic Paint/Gel Matte
Framed: Self Framing (Continuous wrap of painting on sides) 1 1/4" sides
Reproduction: Original
Retail Price: $210
Final Coat/Protection: Kamar Varnish-1312/Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating-1303
No:015

Behind the Scene

Music is my inspiration. The mood I'm in determines the music, which determines how the painting turns out.

While I was painting this, I was listening to a series of Tgusaru-jamisen inspired music, which is mainly traditional Japanese music with a modern electronic twist. A station I listen to frequently on Pandora One "Yoshida Brother's" station, which is where my motivation for this piece "Reincarnated in the Blossoms" comes from.

It's actually very unique how the music ended up creating something that looks very similar to the Yamazakura's historical bombers who believed that when they died their souls would come back reincarnated in the Cherry Blossoms.

If you are interested in checking out my paintings on display go to:

http://www.flyingapron.com/

or you can visit them in person (Sept-Oct.) at:

16541 Redmond Way, Ste E

Redmond, WA 98052.