News From My Studio Happy New Year

 Happy New Year! Wishing you all a healthy and creative new year! I actually love that the fall is the beginning, harvests are over, time for inner reflections for our new personal harvests.

With the holidays over, slight temperature changes, weekly workshops have been renewed. All these have seemed to put new wind in my creative life.

The holidays were really dragging on for the entire month of September. Wonderful family gatherings, good food (too much) but juggling shopping, preparations, and Shabbats in between took so much time from the studio. 

Although Covid is still with us and will be for sometime, somehow we have learned how to live with it and take precautions, masking and social distancing. Most I meet have the green pass, third shot behind them. Do shopping early when there are fewer people. Even went to a play with daughter and family.

Our weekly workshops have begun, a new instructor, Eitan Fried, who in grounded in academia. I hope I will find my place. It was so good to get our of the house and meet my artist friends.

Been working during the summer, took a course with Melinda Cootsona. An excellent teacher and great material. Taking another this November Answers in Abstraction.

Clown

Oils and Cold-Wax on paper

14" x 20"

Mounted on cardboard

Seated Figure

Oils and Cold-Wax

14" x 20"

Mounted on cardboard

Have No Idea How I Got There

Maybe it's a good idea to come back to a painting and look at it with a different eye. How did this come about? Not my usual palette although I am trying to implement some brights in my work.

Seems I Am on a Magical Ride

19.5" x 13.5"

Oils Cold Wax Oil Sticks

cut canvas

Watchful Eye

How this painting came about I have no idea! It started out innocently with some bright color marks.
I didn't really want to connect with the mother and child so I turned it 90 degrees, a process I am learning now, and just added more layers till other images, real or imagined started to appear.

WIP

I Will Keep Watch Over You

13.75" x  19.5"

Oils Cold Wax Oils Sticks

Cut Canvas 

You Are In for a Big Surprise

Giving lots of thoughts to Jen's post on extra-ordinary! We all get into the day to day living pattern without much thought, just ordinary stuff. Feed the cats, and Bella the chicken. Make porridge, do the laundry... all done without much thought. Mundane, boring... but the ordinary can be extra.

Friday

An early trip to the bakery for Shabbat Chala, pitots and borakas!
No traffic, lots of parking space, and the smell of fresh baked goods  EXTRA!

Feeding the cats and Bella... Lady begging for some hugs and petting... EXTRA!
The cool air  EXTRA! Even the smell of freshly laundered clothes  EXTRA!

Coming home from Natanya after a condolence visit,(shiva) Waze took us home on a road near the sea.  Glimpses of the sea between the buildings EXTRA.

I am certainly going to try to look for the EXTRA more!

Tuesday  workshop always EXTRA

This painting was done over another rather unsuccessful painting below.  I had added another blue layer which made it worse. At first, I just wanted to sort veil it with light gray tones but it sort of had a will of its own and all sort figures began appearing.

When You Go Into the Forest

Oils and Cold Wax

Cut Canvas

24" x 19"

Superstitions

We all have superstitions, use them, even though we know logically that they don't do anything good or bad. It's all in the mind.  Knock on wood, pst pst pst, hamsa hamsa, see a pin pick it up and many more.

This was the concept for this months workshop challenge. It wasn't until I started PYHAS 2019, week 2 that I got some idea of what I was going to do.  Week 2 with Yvonne Morell and I had my inspiration! Loved the process and then more ideas came.

What Will Be Will Be

16.5 x 23 "

Acrylics on cut canvas

Who Can Resist my Sweet Cat

11.5 x 16.5 "

Acrylic on Paper

Collage

Selene Will be Watching Over You

12 x 15 "

Acrylic on Cut Canvas

 I Don't Give a Hoot Hoot Hoot

12 x 15 "

Acrylic on Cut Canvas

Black cats, owls, and eclipses all have superstitions attached to them. I love black cats, the owl is my soul animal, and I have no fear of eclipses or red moons! But I still pick up any pins that I come across!  Hamsa Hamsa!

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!

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! 

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

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

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

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

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

Shouts of Joy Day 26

Day 26  30 in 30

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

Layer 1 random brayer marks. Collage pieces covered with Gelli-printed tissue paper. Inktense pencils.  The green sketchbook ribbon sort of got in the way!

The Path Before You is Being Cleared and Reward Lies Ahead

I-Chang

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  collage Tissue Paper Gelli Prints

Inktense Pencils

Click to enlarge

All That Light Day 25

Day 25  30 in 30

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

I am really loving working with the printed tissue papers. Like the veiling effects.  A layer of random brayer marks, usually cleaning my brayer added collage pieces tissue paper pieces and added a bit of inktense pencils.

The Light Will Always Shine Through

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  collage Tissue Paper Gelli Prints

Inktense Pencils

Click to enlarge

Is London Bridge Falling Down Day 23

Day 23  30 in 30

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

We start with a concept and look for materials in that respect. This starts with random brayer marks. Lots of experiments, but there are lots of choices. Colors, how to tear, where to place these are choices. But in pieces like these that things happen accidentally, happy things! Pasting tissue paper is an art in itself. Used my silicon brush!
No doodling here!

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  collage Tissue Paper Gelli Prints

Click to enlarge

Dancing Out Day 20

Day 20  30 in 30

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

Used leftover fence pieces and started drawing in the figures, using that term loosely, Felt the pieces were a bit too dark so decided to brayer some layers on top. I think I did 3. Then went back with inktense pencils to bring back the figures. Funny how that face jumped in there!

You Can't Keep Me In I'll Dance Right Out

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  Collage Inktense Pencils

WIP

The shadow on the right from the sketchbook ribbon!