I'm still working on painting loosely. Maybe I'm starting to see things differently because "loose" is getting easier for me. I know this is still pretty tight compared to most loose watercolor paintings but for me, it's pretty darn loose. Actually, I'm missing working on my tight paintings. Maybe switching between the two styles is the answer for me.
I've been told that it's important for an artist to have a distinctive 'style' so that their work is recognizable but I enjoy painting in so many different mediums and different ways that I wonder if I will ever settle on one style. I guess time will tell the answer to that one.
We used to go to Lake Powell every summer and the stormy days were always my favorites. I have so many photos from those days and have painted from a few of them but never one with the grey skies. I did this painting with a palette knife.
This was a fun, loose painting. Most of it was done wet into wet and then did a bit of detail once it dried. I'm really happy with the colors and feeling of this painting.
Rocky Falls
Image size 22" x 15"
Watercolor
Unframed
$275.00
How's this for loose? I know it's not recognizable as one of my paintings but I swear I did paint it. As I was painting is, I was frustrated and not enjoying myself but I am happy with the result.
Quietude
Image size 15" x 22"
Watercolor
Unframed
$275.00
Back to silk painting. Angel trumpet flowers (Brugmansia) are among my favorites. They look almost alien in their size and shape. I videotaped this painting as I worked on it. I'm going to try to post the video below.
I just posted it to youtube and it's a bit blurry. It wasn't before I downloaded it but the file was probably too large and maybe it was posted as a smaller file and that made it blurry. Who knows? I certainly don't. I think it's amazing that I've gotten it this far. You wouldn't believe how many hours it's taken me to figure it out to this point. I am very technologically challenged. Thank goodness our son was home from college this weekend or the video would still be in the camera - not compatible with Mac. Matt's my computer genius. I know it would be nice to have music but sorry, not this time. I'm tired of working on this and my head is spinning enough already. It can only get easier from here, right?
I hope you can see this enough to get an idea of the process. If you are interested in seeing me demonstrate silk painting in person, I will be the speaker at the Tustin Art League's monthly meeting next Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00. If you will be joining us, could you send me an e-mail so we will have an idea of how many people are coming? We are a very small art league and have limited space. My e-mail is nancygoldman@cox.net The meeting is located at 300 South C St., Tustin, CA.
Here is the video (I hope):
Silk Angels
Image Size 12" x 20"
Silk dyes on silk
Stretched but unframed
$225.00
These two paintings were painted from the same photo. The first one was painted a couple of months ago and the second one was finished today. I took the picture in Alaska in Tracy Arm. It is such a beautiful place. I think the two paintings make the scene look very different. The first one is a palette knife painting and the second one is a watercolor.
This Saturday I'm going to be participating in the Tustin Art Walk. If you go to this link, you can get the information for it. I've never done an art show like this so I don't know what to expect, (Hopefully no rain), but it should be fun. If you're in the area, stop by and say hi. There are about 45 artists signed up to participate and there will be wine tasting, a photo contest and a plein air contest as well.
I will be displaying a variety of my paintings as well as silk scarves and greeting cards.
This is a second painting I've painted from pictures I took in Santiago Canyon (in Orange County). The day we were there was such a relaxing, tranquil day and I wanted to give that feeling in this painting. If you want to see the first one I painted, here is Santiago Canyon, which I painted about 6 months ago.
I'm back to my using photos from Alaska. On the train we took from Anchorage to Seward, the country was so beautiful! I took lots of pictures on that 4 hour ride and this is painted from one of them.
It is a palette knife painting. Using a palette knife is good for me because I am forced to paint loosely. I know some artists can get a lot of detail with the palette knife but I'm not one of them.
Alaska Reflections
Image size 6" x 6"
Oil
Unframed
$100.00
Hollyhocks are such dramatic flowers, reaching six to eight feet into the air. I really love these flowers so here I am painting them again. I tried for a looser, more impressionistic feeling than in my previous paintings of them. I think all of my other hollyhock paintings were done in watercolors and this one is oil. I'm really enjoying painting in oils right now. These small format paintings are less involved than my usual ones and it's fun to do a spontaneous project.
I work in just about every art medium I can get my hands on with my favorites being watercolor and silk painting. I love to experiment with different mediums and styles of painting. I try to paint every day and will post my paintings here as I finish them. I really appreciate any comments you may have on the paintings. You can sign up below to receive the postings automatically by e-mail. If you would like to see my artwork divided by medium, visit my website. If you would like information on purchasing one of my paintings, please send me an e-mail at nancycgoldman@gmail.com
