Monday, January 18, 2016

Workshop Concept Project January 2016 Our Community Center

In between the thirty in thirty challenge we had our first workshop challenge for 2016.We were supposed to go on a painting outing a few months ago but because of the security issues, it was cancelled. So instead of drawing inspiration from nature the project focused on our Community Center where we meet weekly. The instructions were to paint an aspect or concept, not necessarily an interior or exterior view.

We could work in any media on 40 x 40 cm wrapped canvas. These canvases would then be placed in a sort of floor mosaic.

I photographed a few of the artificial potted plants that are in the lobby.  Made a tight crop of one area.
The background I painted with oils and cold wax. The leaves and shapes from newsprint and worked on with my Caran d'Ache neocolor I crayons.

It was interesting to see the different approaches. Most were focused mainly on our art activity. I always enjoy these projects for several reasons. First they help to unify the group and second they force us out of our comfort zones making us think out of the box. I was a bit disappointed that not all took part.

At Heleni's suggestion, I made changes to the cutout leaves in the center to open the composition.

Revised Collage
Oils and cold wax 
with crayons
40 x 40 cm



Oils and cold wax collage
with crayons
40 x 40 cm

Here are few photos from the event thanks to Shoshi Tal photographer








Thirty in Thirty Day 18 Violet Landscape Melody

This is another painted with leftovers from my charts.  An imaginary landscape. It was all violets, purples.and pinks. Photographed it this morning and ready to post.  But then, looked it over and thought I should spark it with some yellows or oranges... don't know if I did the best thing. I am so expert at ruining a good start. Next time I'll try editing changes in Photoshop to SEE if they really work.

Final Tweak
Violet Landscape Melody
Canvas wrapped on cardboard
8 x 6 "


Heleni thought the oranges and yellows a bit too strong so I muted thm a bit...


Sunday, January 17, 2016

Thirty in Thirty Day 17 Orange Melody

I am really having a lot of fun doing my charts and the colors left over have helped me with lots of inspiration. for new works, mainly sort of abstract imaginary landscapes. This was painting on a toned canvas using mainly oranges, therefore, my orange melody.  I am a happy camper with this painting.


Oils on canvas wrapped cardboard
6 x 8"

My two Red Charts

Cadmium Red top left
Mixed with other primaries and graded with white
Mixes: l-r
Prussian blue- Ultramarine blue- Alizarin Crimson-Cadmium yellow- Lemon Yellow

Alizarin Crimson
Mixes l-r
Prussian blue-Ultramarine Blue- Cadmium Red-Cadmium yellow-Lemon yellow

Please note that these colors are not perfectly represented. I am not a pro at photography but they do give the general picture. 

I have in the front yard a canopy and an old TV chair that has seen better days.  It's a good place to photograph with shade., but sometimes disturbs the favorite sleeping spot of my yard cats..

Meet Lady, she had to investigate what is going on!!!

Lady