Finishing Up...Until

Have been trying to finish up some of my figure work, well that is until I decide to fiddle some more. Been experimenting more with using my wax/oil crayons from Caran d'Ache, neocolor I. Like some of the effects with rubbing wax, or turps.

On the Stool by the Window

Gessoed paper Acrylic Background

Crayons and Charcoal

13.75 x 19 "

Tried some wallpaper effect, see top left, but the greens didn't seem to work. Previous version!

All Artists Did/Do This

We all have paintings that are sort of OK but not really worth keeping. Each painting teaches us something, but it's time to move on.  In 2012 I did a group of three quite large canvases, for me at least. Guess I never blogged them. They were of some childhood memories of a summer spent at a beach town in Rhode Island. I remembered walking through tall cornfields. Well, one is on its way for another memory, this one of my daughters, a recent trip to the Arava.

Dancing in the Fields

47 x 23.5 "

Oils on stretched canvas

Before Sanding

After sanding

Out in the garden on a warm winter's morning, the canvas is ready for a new memory!

First lawyers oils with cold wax medium!

Love the play of the shadows!

Neighbors

Concept creating can be very challenging. One word, neighbors can be interpreted in many ways.  That was our challenge for December. I was really blown away by some of the entries,

Birds of a Feather

10 x 12.75 "

Acrylic + photo transfer on Paper

Experimenting with printing blotches of acrylic paint added a photo transfer.  Reuven wants to see more of these.

Waiting by the Doors

13.75 x 10 "

Watercolor + collage on Paper

Love Sitting at the Doorstep Watching the World Go By

13.75 x 10 "

Watercolor + collage on Paper

 These started out as just plain watercolor studies. Browsing through some of my magazines I found these interesting images to make them fit my "neighbors" concept. Reuven liked these especially making a study into a work.

Watch Out You Never Know Who's Out There!

11.5 x 16.5 "

Acrylic on Paper

 A little abstract which I really had fun with. Reuven wasn't so keen. Not really my style of work but may try more in this direction. Neighboring colors and shapes and the envious eye of the neighbors!

Sharing some of my fellow artists work.

Chana made expressionistic portraits of her neighbors which can be anyone's neighbors!

18 x 13 "

Lea made an interesting tree of her neighbors using a section of a palm branch.

Each neighbor is represented with an empty box of pills.

For example, the neighbor's son plays the trumpet too loud and I need headache pills.

50 x 40 cm

Malka made this photo of the parking lot in the Barkan Industrial center.

This industrial center has Israelis and Palestinian workers side by side. 

Note the four cars' license plates in the foreground.

Far right and far left Palestinian plates!

Sadly recently there were two murders at this center!

16.5 x 11.5 "

Neomi's work describes the isolation of neighbors. Each in its own world of social media!

27.5 x 13.75 "

Pnina's work showing peace armchairs with not so peaceful neighbors!

Shoshi's abstract connecting neighbors and gates with neighboring colors!

100 x 70 cm

Tal made us a lovely 3 dimensional game with styrofoam balls with neighbor icons on a styrofoam board.

Peg Solitaire

Traudi's two young girls speak for itself.

Two hounds were made from rubbings excess paint from face above!

Vardina's parody on the children's book Flat for Rent

Our mentor Reuven!

Riva Eyes

Collage

I am so fortunate to be part of this wonderful group of artists! An also thankful for Reuven's challenges that make us get out of our BOXES!

Seated on the Stool WIP

Well since I am at the computer I will try to catch up on some of the work I have been doing. Actually, last week and this week more than half the workshop was devoted to critiquing on our home project. Each time half the class. The project was "neighbors" and I was amazed at the level of work produced. I will be posting mine in another post. along with some of my fellow artists work.

Another pose from Croquis Cafe. 

Seated Figure WIP

Gessoed paper Acrylic Background

Crayons and Charcoal

13.75 x 19 "

This is the second stage with more color and added mirror/window. Have already tried to break this up with more color to get it out of the "study stage", but at 8:00 PM it's too dark to photograph!

Reclining Figure

Has it really been a month since my last post! Time seems to go fast and although I have been busy with holidays and such have also been doing some painting as well, seems like photographing, editing, and posting have been put to the back burner.  Hope to catch up!

Still working on figures on painted backgrounds. Pose from Croquis Cafe. 

Reclining Figure WIP  I

Gessoed paper Acrylic Background

13.75 x 19 "

Charcoal and Wax Crayons

Reclining Figure WIP  II

Gessoed paper Acrylic Background

13.75 x 19 "

Charcoal and Wax Crayons

The main critique with these is that they are too much like posed studies. Nothing wrong with studies but I did want them more than that. The added window effect did help some but I have to go further. Not to fear the ruining of a fairly good study! 

Drama Pose on Dark Background

Pose taken from the site Line of Action site. Another great resource for figures nude and dressed along with images for hands and feet, animals, and facial expressions. I actually love the clothed figures. 

Stopped at first critique. Caught the pose and gesture, no need to overwork.

Catch Me if You Can

13.5 x 19.5"

Oils on Gessoed paper

Background Acrylic

Studies on Dark Background

Studies on Dark Background

Started a series on formats that I painted with burnt sienna on gessoed paper.  Most of these papers I retrieved when a neighbor emptied out a studio from the house he bought. The house was the home of an artist, painter and sculptor Archie TalronThe paper was already pretty old before it was chucked out on the street. Retrieved as much as I could, sketch pads, heavy paper, charcoal paper etc. Repaired several edges with masking tape.

Brought this to my workshop to add more color with oils. Reuven stated the painting has already made its statement and any more work was not necessary.

Sometimes We Have to Liston 

13.5 x 19.5"

Charcoal Pencil Neocolor I Crayons Medium

Figure on Paper

Another figure study

Lost in a Daydream

13'5 x 19.5 "

Oils on Heavy Gessoed Paper

Pencil and Charcoal Sketch

13.5 x 19.5 "

Gessoed Paper

Figures Paper Abstracts

Don't know if I stated this before but this season I will be working on a project or series for the first few months. I have chosen to continue my work with the figure, nude and clothed with backgrounds which may be in some cases be abstract or plain blocks of color. I really enjoyed the two courses that were given by Artist Pauline Agnew; Feeling the pose and From the Heart and feel I need more practice with the figures and want to make a body of work in this direction. So the figure will be my main focus.

Most of the poses that I use come from the Croquis Cafe site.

Passing the Time of Day

Oils on heavy gessoed paper

13.5 x 19.5 "

Charcoal Sketch

Ingres A Mash-Up

Our first class project! Aesthetics and beauty, on the border of kitsch.  To help us out Reuven gave us an article written by Kant on the subject. I brought two entries, first one of my figure painting done in the e-course Feel the Pose see post, and a mash-up of Ingre's Reclining Venus. This is the second mash-up that I have done and really enjoyed the process.

The critique on my painting was favorable but my mash-up did not "do it" in Reuven's words. Needed a twist. Put on my "thinking hat" sometimes referred to as my Dotty hat.

Today I brought in the result and this time hit the bull's eye!  The only suggestion was to push the golden bed back so the figure gets the attention! I used several techniques in the process. Manipulation in the style of D'Vinci of the figure and black background transfer, transfer of view of the room behind which didn't turn out so well so I painted over in metallic paint, plus collage pieces crayons, acrylic, metallic paints, in short, all but the kitchen sink.

Further inquiry about the painting I found that it is a copy of the same nude by Titian for the sculptor
Lorenzo Bartolini 

But what is the real story behind the scenes? Who is the woman in the background, and why is the child seemingly crying. The woman, perhaps a handmaid, seems to be consoling the child! The naked woman, although called Venus, is perhaps awaiting her first client?

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Reclining Venus

Mash-Up # 1

Mash-Up # 2

Mash-Up # 3

My first mash-up was done for an online course from Cousera in Art History from 

• California Institute of the Arts, 

  A History of Art for Artists, Animators, and Gamers

• 
  

The best course so far that I have taken. The assignment was to do a mash-up of the famous painting by Valazquez. Las Meninas! I just looked at my folder for the course and YAY I have ALL the videos. I can now retake the course.

Mash-Up Assignment

Photo Montage

Valezquez

Las Meninas

After much thought, I felt that Las Meninas reminded me of the pageants for young girls that exploit

their femininity and sexuality. At my weekly workshop I noticed two Barbie dolls that my friend

Riva was working on and photographed them to use on my assignment. It is a riff on some of the

themes, exploitation, reflections, looking in and being seen and in this case the "photographers"

process

More Transfer Experiments

I seem to be wandering all about. Did experiments in Gelli Plate transfers that didn't finish. Workshop figure studies to post and continue. This morning couldn' sleep so did some experiments in mono-printing on my Gelli plate. Hey there Carol, FOCUS!

OK, photographed the transfers so I can post. Seems every time I look and photograph there is something to tweak. Have to stop somewhere, they are really just experiments. Really was feeling the technique and if something worked it was just luck!

You can find the WIP here

Windows to my Soul

8 x 10 "

Heavy Textured Paper

Acrylics Collage Watercolor Neocolor I crayons 

Gel transfers references should be high contrasted. The first step with dark colors and second with lighter. These are fun to do, can be addictive. Lots of trial and error. I worked on the print with my wax crayons and decided to make use of the map as a frame.

"London isn't waiting for me

There too I'll be alone"

Chava Alberstein

9.5  x  13 "

Gelli print on a map of London

Crayons

Print off press

Magazine page with added crayons

Magazine page after placing on the plate

Seated Figure Tweaked

From the e-course

Feel the Pose

The last project for Feel The Pose course was a seated figure. Decided it needed a little tweaking, was too much a student painting. Still, more work to be done on the head and hair Actually I liked the first sketch better, more abstract!

WIP  Tweaked

Seated Figure Layer 3

Oil on Gessoed Paper

Seated Figure

9 x 11 " Sketchpad

Charcoal and Wax Crayons on Acrylic Background

Gelli Printing Transfers

Wow, October already! September challenges finished. New year, new start. Workshop tomorrow YAY!

During September I did some experimenting with transfers with Gelli printing. Really tricky need just the right contrast image and paint combinations. But, whatever the outcome, there is always something to work with.

Brayered the reference with some colors and used sections as collage pieces. Added watercolor and wax crayons. Love how the crayons lay on the acrylic. After photographing I see more interesting shapes I may develop.

WIP

8 x 10 "

Heavy Textured Paper

Acrylics Collage Watercolor Neocolor I crayons 

Print from transfer

Reference Photo

Not enough contrast

No real relationship between the reference!

PS Instagram down to 190! I am following JUST 25-26! Maybe a few more that aren't following me.

Got that down from more than 2000 YIKES

Sept 30x30 Challenge Collage

Collage Day   30 in 30

Another challenge is over! This was an exceptional challenge this month. First all the holidays, tomorrow Simchat Torah, an online course Feel the Pose, and 30 x 30! Tomorrow I feel like I will be going on vacation! Deserve a rest but not for long, want to keep up the creative momentum!

Photo Montage

Click to Enlarge

Flown the Coop Day 30

Day 30  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main concept of "jail" from a previous post.

Dealing with Instagram.. down to 657.... following... most of the time when I open my feed I do get my artist friends first...

Another jumble of shapes and colors.... actually enjoying the freedom of not having to please anyone and just go for it. Brayed background, collage pieces, inktense pencils, neocolor crayons, and Posca pen. Everything but the kitchen sink! Last day of the challenge.... I've flown the coop!

You Can't Catch Me Cause I've Flown the Coop

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  collage Tissue Paper Gelli Prints

  Inktense Pencils NeocolorI Crayons  Posca Pen

Click to enlarge

We Are With You Day29

Day 29  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main concept of "jail" from a previous post.

My experience with Instagram really pulled the rug from under me.. Today, however, I am more relaxed about the situation.

A sort of mixed up piece, a jumble of shapes and colors trying to get out! Veiled it with white and the wetness revealed the figures that were hidden. Win some lose some! A bit tired from the challenge, holidays etc...

Being Flexible and Adaptable You Will Remain True to Your Purpose

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  collage Tissue Paper Gelli Prints

  Inktense Pencils NeocolorI Crayons

Click to enlarge

I Was Hacked on Instagram

No artwork, just a rant! Someone, somehow, somewhere got into my Instagram account and I now I am following 2500 PEOPLE+!  I barely have 70 posts, and had only 42+ followers!

What happened! Most are models, selling stuff, porn, babies, dogs, you name it. Started to unfollow and got it down to about 692. Now Instagram has blocked me for 1 hour or 24 can't figure out which.

So instead of seeing artwork from those, I FOLLOWED I see crap!

Can anyone convince me not to delete this account!  Crawling slowly up the wall!  Heard Instagram was GREAT! For WHAT I ask?

The Hardest Part is Waiting Day 28

Day 28  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main concept of "jail" from a previous post.

Second, of the photographs, I saw in the album in Eye of the Photography  A young boy waiting to get the institution uniform. Could feel his loneliness in the harsh photo, hope I succeeded as well.
Brayered background, drawing with charcoal and pencil. collage Gelli printed tissue paper, inktense pencils.

Be Gentle with This Boy He Will Rise

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  collage Tissue Paper Gelli Prints

 Charcoal Inktense Pencils

Click to enlarge

Hoping the next and last two will be lighter!

Hope They Will See the Light Day 27

Day 27  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main concept of "jail" from a previous post.

It's hard to see youths behind bars! Not a happy image but hope will come through the window.
Brayered color, charcoal, and pencil drawing, collage printed tissue paper, and inktense pencils.
I subscribe to the Eye of the Photography and found these haunting images of a detention center in Hungary.  Every day I get to view interesting photography albums.

How Sad and Solitary They Must Feel

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  collage Tissue Paper Gelli Prints

 Charcoal Inktense Pencils

Click to enlarge