Sunday, February 13, 2011

Full steam ahead

Approaching midterm at full speed. Finished the first digital media project, three digital images using Photoshop, approximately 3' x 2' making a comment on the Big Three auto companies glut (not too heavy handed though).  Starting my second project for digital studio, a video, and a more personal theme,  aging. 

Meanwhile in the studio I'm working on a series of oil and cold wax abstracts, eight 4'x3' wood panels. Three are started. Aging, passing of time and its effects on surfaces - a variation of the aging theme. I'm using a different technique from last semester, inspired by Rebecca Crowell. I'm still finding my way but by the eighth one I hope I know more. This is one of the biggest projects I have tackled but it is exciting. The work is physically demanding. My next step is to build six more wood frames for the door skins. 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

On a different note

This demonstration is pretty awesome. Watch and enjoy and marvel at the human mind.


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Moving Forward

Well the first four weeks of the semester is finished and I've already had a creative block. I'm working with cold wax again but this time on board. I'm doing several small pieces. To save money I used the cradles from small cheap canvases by removing the canvas and replaced it with door skin. It turned out to be more time consuming then I thought but the price was right.

I was looking for inspiration to overcome my wall and came across a slide show by Rebecca Crowell talking about her process in her abstract work. It was just what I needed to move forward. She talks about her residency in Spain and how it influenced her painting reminding me of my own experiences in Spain. Loved the architecture, textures, colours and landscape.

I've included the slideshow below. For full screen viewing go to the Slideshare site.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Art Collective Exhibit

Last week was a double positive. I received an Award for Excellence so I was able to take fourth year Open Studio this semester. And at the Awards Dinner (held at the River Rock Casino Theatre) our Art Collective exhibited some of our work. It was exciting to get recognition in both the Award and sharing one of my pieces in a public forum.

I didn't take any photos but some of the Collective did. I'll see if I can snag a couple.

Here's a link to Chelsea's blog. She has some photos from the event.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Pieces from last semester

Last semester was an intense one - new art making experiences - conceptual installation, encaustic, performance and abstract painting in acrylic. My boundaries were really pushed. Below are some images of my work.


I took this photo of Venus and didn't notice the sun was shining on the bottom of the painting. 
 
2'x3' canvas oil, cold wax using pallette knife and heat.


Diptych acrylic on canvas 18"x24"

My first intuitive abstracts paintings. The colours in the photos are slightly off and the edges are not straight either so ignore the black edges. Hmm why don't I notice this stuff before I upload. 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

I am (performance piece)


Photos from the Performance Art class, we each did a piece in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. My piece consisted of writing on four sheets of paper using two quotes. 
Confuscious saying - I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I learn. 
Followed by the quote Only I can determine who I am. 
Basically sums up my attitude these days.  

Happy New Year

I'm a little late with greetings for the new year. The last few weeks flew by without much festive fanfare, we didn't even put up our Christmas tree. I reconciled to taking one course and working on my own for financial reasons. I came home from visiting my daughter to find a letter and a modest award that covers tuition for a course. So here I am registered in both Advanced Digital Media and Advanced Open Studio and Thesis I. I am hoping to know what my practice will be if I am no longer going to school next semester. It's a little overwhelming while exciting at the same time. It helps immensely to be in touch with everyone and appreciate your sharing with me about all of your activities.

I have photos of my work from last semester and need to change the file format to post. It's on my to do list.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Semester finally over

The last three weeks has been intense with many projects due. I'm just catching my breath and assessing the situation as the saying goes. I will post the results of my efforts as soon as I can catch up on personal items that have patiently waited on the side lines.