Collage experiments

I've been a bit obsessed with creating gelli print collage papers, as you may have noticed. The thing is that it's so much fun creating these papers that my focus on finishing a painting diminished. So to remedy this, I created an experiment. First I made four paintings in watercolor. Then I collaged two of them with gelli print papers I had on hand. The watercolors feel more serene to me, while the collaged pieces are more vibrant. 

I realized I need more variety of gelli print papers to choose from or I could create papers after I finish a painting. Maybe it's a combination of both in the world of creating paper paintings. Imagine the different vibes one could achieve depending on the papers chosen.  

So there's much to ponder and experiment with and I enjoy a good challenge! It's like anything new you try; it takes a while to master it, to find your groove and develop it. So, that's where I am at this moment.

Happy creating and Happy Spring!

Welcome 2025!

A new year brings fresh ideas and dreams to the forefront. Where do I want my art to take me? What previously unexplored direction shall I go in this year? Lots to explore. So I've been pondering as I color mandalas, which is my number two favorite way to let ideas percolate in these matters. My number one way is walking in nature, but it's too cold this morning - maybe later. 

I finished this large painting in November and there's another one that's a work in progress. I used heavy body acrylics, which is not my usual medium, but I wanted to try something different. I may always be a watercolorist at heart, but who knows? What's similar in each is the upward focus. While I'm not sure either painting will be part of the new series, they are the inspiration behind "Look Up!" For this series I will consider anything you can see when you look up - trees, sun, moon, birds, butterflies, buildings, clouds, mountain tops, UFOs, airplanes, literally anything. It should be a fun multi-media journey. No rules!

Wishing you a creative, art filled New Year full of all the things that bring you joy, make your life beautiful and full of love.

The 100 Day Project 2024

Spring has finally arrived in the Northeast and it's just a gorgeous time of year. I feel lucky to have witnessed Spring in full bloom on our trip to Cherry Grove, SC for a few weeks. Double the enjoyment! So, what am I working on? Here's a sample from this year's 100 Day Project. I must admit I'm enjoying the journey a lot more since I've thrown out the need to finish a page a day. I work on the project most every day, but it doesn't mean I have a finished page. It's more relaxed and fun. This year I also did away with a theme for the project, as I've had in years past. It's the No Plan Plan this year with lots of experimenting! 

I am interested in using more acrylic paints this Spring. I've also been experimenting with color pencils after treating myself to some really beautiful Prismacolors. But the thing that has been the most fun is making gel prints on transparent paper to use in collaged paintings. My good friend RoAnn, a very talented artist living in St. Augustine, turned me onto gel printing while we were together in SC. I am obsessed. I could spend days making gel prints. I do have to remind myself I only need so much collage materials for my paintings though. Since mixed media is my jam, I'm really excited to expand what I incorporate into this year's mixed media works.

If you find yourself in need of collage papers, I can't recommend creating transparent gel prints enough. There are some great YouTube videos to check out. It's so much fun!

Favorite Member Shows

I love this time of year for so many reasons, not the least of which is that my favorite arts organizations hold their member shows this time of year. It's always fun to catch up and see what people have been doing artistically over the year.

The first is Albany Center Gallery's Annual Member Show running from 12/1/23 to 1/13/24. "Among the Flowers" will be this year's entry. 

488 Broadway #107, Albany, NY 12207

 

Next is Saratoga Arts' Annual Member Show running from 11/25/23 to 1/6/24 and "Star Flowers" will be hung in this show.

320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Third is Colonie Art League's Holiday Show running from 12/2/23 to 12/29/23. "Last Flowers" will be hanging in this show at the Colonie Town Library, along with two small works.

629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211

So that rounds out the end of the year for me show wise. It's been a fun year creatively, a trying year in other ways, but art keeps bringing me back to my happy place. For that I am eternally grateful!

The 100 Day Project 2023

There are a million reasons to participate in The 100 Day Project. Some years I have used this time to focus on themes like gratitude or serenity as I paint, but this year my focus is to build skills. The "why" may change throughout the journey, but being part of this global community is my #1 reason to join in each year! 

Here are a few pages from this year's project from my art journal. I found the Treasury of Flower Designs For Artists, Embroiders and Craftsmen by Susan Gaber in my new favorite used bookstore, Rodgers Book Barn. I am inspired by her drawings as a starting point and then I dream up a painting palette for each one.

Holiday Market

This is one of the warmest and most beautiful autumns I can ever remember in upstate New York and I've been enjoying it fully. While it feels like late summer, time marches on and now we are at the end of the first week of November. Surprise! This time of year brings so many member shows for artists in my area. So in addition to preparing for all these shows - which I love because it's all about art and community, this year I am participating in a Holiday Makers Market. 

I'll be offering art cards, mini journals, key chains and silver necklaces along with a selection of small paintings. The Holiday Market is happening at Arlene's Artist Materials on November 19, 2022.

So if you are in the area, consider stopping by to see what local artists and makers 

have to offer and say hello!

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Arlene's Artist Materials

57 Fuller Road

Albany, NY 12205 

My Secret Garden

 My Secret Garden opens June 29th at the Clifton Park-Half Moon Public Library. This solo exhibit was created to hang right outside the Children's Library for the month of July.

The series was inspired by memories of long summer days spent lying in the grass, looking for fairies and reading stacks of library books in the garden with my young daughters. Everything seemed so vibrant and magical in the garden and that’s the feeling I want to evoke with these paintings.

Using watercolors, fluid acrylics, collage papers and ink I created whimsical and playful flowers hoping to delight children of all ages. All works are on watercolor paper, two with a gesso base. For each painting I used a minimum of two mediums and several have all four.

Can’t you just imagine the fairies and gnomes that would be hiding in a garden like this? 

These are just two of the paintings in My Secret Garden series. 

6/29-7/27/2022 at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library

 2nd Floor, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065

     Part of Saratoga Arts Art in Public Places 

Springtime Once Again

This time of year springs alive for me with all things art centered. So many ideas have been percolating, images floating through my mind and colors tugging at my wintered soul. Exhibits are finalized, website is cleaned up a little and my project book is over flowing. There have already been two group shows and more are lined up. I'm working on paintings for my solo show through Saratoga Arts this summer. Stay tuned for more info on that. 

Happy Spring my friends; let's bloom brightly this year!

Current Art Show Opened November 5th

I thought it would be fun to bring my Berkshire river rock friends to the Upstate Artist Guild show at the Art Associates Gallery this year. Usually I like to exhibit my more abstract wilder paintings with the Guild, but this year the serenity of river rocks was so appealing that I decided to give it a go. I'm guessing we could all use a moment to pause and appreciate nature right about now, right?

Art Associates Gallery, 21 Railroad Avenue, Albany, NY 12205 11/5/21 - 12/31/21

(518.459.1307)

Springtime Musings

Spring is in full bloom and my attention has been on all the glories of nature. I am enjoying my flower and veggie gardens so much this year. George built me enclosures for the veggie patches to keep out our manic urban squirrels. They were obsessed last year and showed signs of carrying on again this year. George to the rescue!

In my art work I've been as drawn to nature as usual. But while I've painted a number of more representational works, it's the surreal ones that have intrigued me lately. I am enjoying abstractions and wild imaginings for a lot of reasons and the pandemic may have a bit to do with that, too.

 Painting is my happy place and my spirit thrives when I am creating. Some times I just need to sit in my studio for a little while to feel revitalized. What do you do to refresh your spirit? Wishing you a blessed and creative day!

xo