This photograph of a tree was taken last summer at Lake Tahoe. Continuing with my experiments with image transfers, I made a print of the photograph to transfer onto canvas. It unfortunately didn't turn out as vibrant as I had hoped, so I painted over the image. I actually ended up covering most all of the original tree image, as evidenced by the photo on the right.
Whenever I mix up an indigo color, I can't help but think of traditional Japanese fabric designs. In the same way, when I use earthy reds, I think of Native American art. You can see both of these influences in the new painting I titled Starry Sky.
To create a clear, glossy top coat, I brushed on a thick layer of acrylic gel medium. When dry, the acrylic medium gives the painting a wet look, which is a great effect. However, I applied the medium a little too thick, causing the turquoise paint to crack a bit. It's not terribly noticeable, but I went ahead and added the painting to the sale section of my Etsy shop.
For the past few days, I've also been working on 100% recycled drawing paper. Normally I create pen and ink drawings on the Kraft-like paper, but I primarily used acrylic paint this time around. The two new works feel more like sketches to me, so I debated uploading them into my Etsy shop. But I enjoy sketches from other artists as much as their polished works, so I decided to add the new pieces to the shop. The one on the left is called Peak and the one on the right is Valley.
love the brown paper pieces! I used to love drawing on kraft paper when there was a roll of it at school to use :)
ReplyDeleteI like that the recycled paper is eco friendly and biodegradable, but do you know if it's very permanent? I have a terror of selling something to someone and having it change color or go funky in some way. I've been using stonehenge tinted papers when I want a color but I do miss that darker, scratchier texture of kraft paper.
Janelle, I have wondered about the longevity of sketch paper myself. So I price these works relatively low. Seeing that a lot of artists are using old book pages and ruled paper nowadays, I don't worry too much about the 70lb, chemical-free sketch paper I use.
ReplyDeleteI also think most people who buy art created on sketch paper understand that the material is not museum quality. Although the last time I went to the Portland Art Museum, there was a whole wall of Richard Tuttle's watercolor drawings on notebook paper!
i LOVE the sketch on the left. you and i are in sync with colours!! i'm just working with these colours in a new painting!
ReplyDeleteinteresting about the longevity of papers. so many people buy beautiful work made with the best quality materials and put them into ikea frames and mounts {nothing acid-free there}.
i think it's good that you put them into your shop.
that makes a lot of sense, Cathy. I agree, people should understand the difference. I think I would feel obligated to make sure that a buyer knew what kind of material I used and then I would be afraid it would put them off. so I've been avoiding the issue by not selling anything that might not be that permanent :)
ReplyDeleteBelinda, I actually use some ikea frames and other ready-made frames when I'm exhibiting...I think it's fine as long as I replace the mats and put a backing in behind the piece = nothing touching the piece itself that's not acid free. and I have a vague memory that ikea is now selling acid free mats in the frames...? but they definitely weren't acid free before.