Demonstrations

When asked to do a demonstration for a group, I try to find out what their interests might be. Recently when ask to do one for plein air, I suggested instead something I was more interested in right now - mixed media techniques. The group was very attentive, asked some great questions, and several folks dropped by afterwards to say they were going to try some of the techniques in their own work. I felt so glad that I'd chosen to share some of the fresh ideas that I use in my own paintings.

Mixed media can take a lot of avenues. Just do a search on google or pinterest! Here are two of the completed paintings used during the demonstration. One was begun with black gesso painted onto crumpled aluminum foil, laid over the canvas, and using the end of a brush, lines were scrolled all across the back of the foil. Lifted and allowed to dry. You can still see some of the lines. They felt like a mass of trees with tangled vines and limbs....a mysterious place. Fluid acrylics were layered for color harmony.

The second painting used collage elements, dyes, inks, fluid acrylics, latex paints, markers and pencils, to name a few of the ideas I had. After the demo, much of the background was painted out revealing a floral garden scene.

Share your unusual ideas for mixed media....would love to hear from all of you!
carly

Entangled
20 x 24 Gallery Canvas


Summer Memories
24 x 36 Canvas

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

End Of Day

Image
What's on the easel? The 'hopefully' completion of a 60 x 48 oil on canvas "End Of Day". In a previous post I shared the beginning of this painting. Following the advice of Ken Elliott of finding a motif for my artwork....something that I was drawn to and upon waking, I can't wait to get to the studio to paint, has been a new adventure for me. I've often taken pictures of the beautiful skies over the lowcountry marshlands. From sunsets to sunrises to the immense summer thunderstorm clouds, I've found a subject that truly excites my creativity. My wish for you, if you're an artist, is that you would find that motif that both excites and challenges you! Keep the brushes in the paint!!
Read more

Intimidation

Image
Put you heart and soul into a painting! You are on a creative roll! You love the process and the outcome! Excitement builds just thinking about the sales to come! Red dots are manifested! Galleries will be knocking on your door this time! Oh wow! is that a dream or reality? Often we set our hopes on a new technique, a new concept, a change from the old way of creating and what happens. The galleries are not interested...it's too this or too that. Friends are saying, What is it? Not your usual way of working.... and your confidence drops to a new low! You tell yourself "ignore what others think" but in the back of your mind you're asking, "are they right?" Oh my! Intimidation has struck a blow in your creativity. First realize that galleries know their client needs and are not always willing to try a new approach. They may be filled to capacity and simply cannot take on a new artist. Follow their advice if offered and don't give up. Comments from o
Read more

Caught In A Rut?

Image
OK....so you feel you're back on track and for a time it's clear sailing and then "it" happens. Yep, you find yourself in a rut! How does it feel? For me it's when I go to the studio and nothing seems to grab my attention. Painting subjects become repetitive. There's no communication with the canvas...just rote strokes of paint that get wiped away in frustration. Ever been there? First, recognize what might be causing this feeling of futile creating.... Have your circumstances changed? People trouble? Money concerns? Health? Distractions? Environment? I think you can see that almost life itself can effect our creativity. And while I can't solve all of the problems or concerns that you may be facing, I can give you some advice about how I pull myself out of the "rut". I look for new ideas! I asked myself "Why would I want to paint this?" or "What do I want to say in this painting?". Having an idea is just the first s
Read more