Distant Memories

Distant Memories

Acrylic on Canvas

24"x30"

I decided yesterday to break away from the usual color palette I've been using for a while. I seem to have gotten into neutrals and earthtones lately. As I looked at my wide selection of paints, I decided on a monochromatic color scheme accented with bronze metallics.

I started out by texturing the canvas with a heavy coat of gesso. Using a notched tool, I scratched and scraped texture into the still wet gesso. When the surface was completely dried, I began painting in washes of turqouise and umber. After applying stamped elements and spattering with water, I was able to see the structure of the painting begin to develop. I applied a thin veil of diluted gesso to create more texture and then continued to add more color glazes. I think the metallic bronze "frame" helped pull the whole painting together.

I have "Distant Memories" available for sale right now on eBay. You can see my entire portfolio on my website.

Give Me A Sign

Give Me A Sign

24"x36"

Acrylic on Canvas

Sometimes finding a title for a painting is more difficult than actually painting it. I always try to find a title that somehow expresses what the painting is trying to say. With abstract art, that may not always be clear. But, I think I may have discovered something that helps me come up with a good title...and, I'll share it with you!

I love to listen to music when I paint. There's something about the rhythm or beat that helps to loosen me up as I paint. Almost any type of music is great, but I love country. Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn , George Jones and other country oldies are fun to listen to. The stories they sing about tell tales of lost loves, drinking or "walking the line" - what ever that means. Most of the story lines are pretty sappy but still fun to listen to.

Anyway, when I'm stumped for a title, I listen to the music that's on my radio and usually a phrase or word jumps out. I forgot the name of the song that "Give Me a Sign" came from, but it was playing on my radio when I finished the painting.

Just wondering, how do you come up with a title for your paintings?

This painting will be available on eBay for a short time.

Visit my website to see my entire portfolio.

Lunch with good friends

No Exit II

24"x16"

Acrylic on canvas

It's always nice to get away from the studio every once in a while. Yesterday I met three of my good artist friends for lunch at Sandella's, a neat little cafe at Southlake Town Square in Southlake, Texas.

Judy Mackey and Nancy Medina are great palette knife painters. Their lovely florals and landscapes grace the walls of the cafe. Although they work with the same materials, their styles are completely different. I hope you'll check out their websites.

Kim Norris is a potter. Her amazing, hand-crafted works are popular at all the local art festivals. I'm impressed that she is able to create a huge volume of work, teach, garden and also work part-time for American Airlines. Her energy comes through in her work! Be sure to see the pictures of her 2007 Garden Show. I missed it last year but definitely will be there for her next show!

After a couple of dreary, stormy days here in Keller, I'll be spending this beautiful day in the studio. Getting together yesterday is motivating me to get back to work again!

No Exit II is available through eBay. Hope you check it out.

To see my entire portfolio, please visit my website!

Loosening up with YUPO

Far and Away

26" x 40"

Acrylic on Yupo

Several years ago, I attended a workshop and was introduced to a marvelous new material. Actually, Yupo is not really "new" but had been discovered as a new painting surface by artists. Yupo is a synthetic film that is completely water resistant. Paint literally floats on the surface, forming little rivulets and puddles as it dries. It can be quite difficult to paint on but it is certainly exciting because the outcome is sometimes hard to predict.

A few days ago, I decided to pull out a large sheet of Yupo and experiment with various ways of applying color. I flooded the surface with water and then started to "paint" in the color using sponges and brushes. By lifting and moving the Yupo, the fluid color began to run and merge, forming interesting textures as it dried. I dried off areas that had not completely dried, exposing the white surface again. I allowed the Yupo to dry completely and continued the process of layering transparent glazes of color until I was pleased with the result.

This large, 26"x40", painting will need to be matted and framed but will become a very impressive addition to any home or office decor. It is available for sale on eBay and BoundlessGallery.

Please visit my website to see my entire portfolio of original contemporary abstract paintings.