The Aftermath of The Painting Storm: A Mixed Media Blessing

Right now I am in my studio struggling with a HUGE painting I am working on. I'm out of my comfort zone and wondering just how many layers of paint this piece can take before the painting weeps in agony. (Or maybe it is just me weeping in agony). The ability to stick with a project through thick and thin (no pun intended) took me years to learn. At certain points I have actually "attacked" my painting in a frenzy of heightened frustration. After all, if you are at your wits end, why not go ahead and "ruin it" ! Interestingly enough, some great things happen after these painting storms. The splashes of paint, the drips, the bold strokes seem to add just the right touches to reawaken a piece that was previously viewed as hopeless and that we wonder if we should kiss goodbye.     

Black And White Abstract Design Using a Uniball Vision Pen On Paper

Long before I developed my comfort level with "real" art supplies, I would "doodle" on my lap using a black waterproof Uniball Vision pen. One day, while on an interview (art related), the Director who was was meeting with me said I needed to call my work "Pen and Ink" and graduate to "real" products such as special ink pens and better paper. Ha ha, now almost a decade later, I am learning not to listen to too many voices that tend to provide static which just interrupts true creativity. Art tools, one will come to appreciate are very personal. The real wisdom comes when you realize that you are truly making art for only one important critique and that is of course just YOU, the artist! 

Adding White Marks To Acrylic Paintings Using Chunky Sennelier Oil Pastel Crayons

This week I discovered chunky Sennelier Oil Pastel Crayons which Iam experimenting with on a  huge Acrylic painting I am doing. I have been very pleased with just how creamy the Sennelier Oil pastels are. Of course you probably know that all Oil pastels will smudge so you need to keep that in mind. On the other hand, you can disturb unwanted marks by rubbing off the marks or even painting over them. Especially when working on a very large painting, a big fat Oil Pastel crayon is a great product to have on hand.  The quality of the crayons is quite good as they should be at $10.00 a crayon! Lot's of colors to choose from. 

The artwork shown is work in progress.

Using Dried Up Paint Stained Rags When Making Mixed Media Art

Depending on my mood, sometimes I cart home a bag of rags I use in my studio and give them a washing with Oxiclean and they turn out just fine. Than on other occasions I have gotten so much gooked up paint on an old rag that I toss those nasty ones into the garbage....well not exactly. You see, in my studio the garbage might not get emptied in awhile and that is intentional. Because in the garbage may be some tossed out pieces of work that I might revive from the dead. Or as in the case of rags, I actually like what happens when I want to remove paint from a large painting I am working on and use a rag that is stiff and scratchy from layers of dried up paint. You get a lot of interesting swipes and marks when using a rag that has clumps and lumps of old paint on it.  

Adding A Stroke of White Pastel to Mixed Media Artwork Collage

If you often work by adding layers and layers of paper and product to your Mixed Media collage artwork, than you will be quite familiar with the feeling of being at the "end of your rope" when your piece just doesn't seem to work the way you would like. Sometimes, after a very industrious session in my studio when I have tried everything to resuscitate a piece, I find that adding a free wheeling white pastel marks or lines to the work is  just whst the Mixed Media collage doctor ordered. Just a little stroke of white does the trick. Since pastel is dry media that smudges, be sure to keep your hands off the work after you have added this element. On the other hand, if you do not love the addition of pastel marks, a damp paper towel can remove. 

Narrative in Mixed Media Abstract Art

Did you ever wonder how artists come up with the subject matter for their artwork? Which comes first a concept, a color scheme, a design or a story in your mind that yhou are trying to illustrate?  For many Abstract Mixed Media artists, the work evolves and the "content" establishes itself later. In this piece shown, I was loosely thinking about "salad". So yes, I did indeed mix several colors of "green" paint  and I did have an underlying concept going on in my brain. But for the majority of my work, the work dictates the narrative after the fact and each person who views the work, has their own intepretation of what they see. 

Creating Painted Papers For Mixed Media Collage Using A Painter's Putty Knife or Palette Knife

When I paint papers to use in Mixed Media collage, I use many tools and gadgets to create interesting textures and surfaces for my painted papers. A fun way to work is to apply paint with a painters putty knife of a palette knife. I have a very durable painter's knife that I picked up at a tag sale which has become one of my favorite tools. It is much stronger than some of the products out today, Try experimenting with applying one color at a time to your papers or see what happens when the putty knife picks up several colors in the process. After the painted papers dry, I am ready to tear them up and use in my next abstract collage.

In Mixed Media Collage: Don't Fall In Love With Your First Layer

It is not unusual for me to start off a collage in one palette and to end in a completley diffrent zone. During one of my recent sessions in my art studio, I was working in soft cream colors, only to leave the studio with an incomplete piece that ended with shades of aquamarine and dark blues. One thing is for sure, never fall in love with your first layer. And if there are papers that you really are keen on, don't use them in the early phases of your piece, because if you work like most of us, these pieces will eventually become buried with newer layers. I also have learned through the years not to be too careful when covering my support with the first layer. Just let it go....the piece will eventually emerge that wants to be found. 

Using Vintage Pottery Vases To Store Brushes, Art Tools and Materials In Your Art Studio

I like to use either vintage pottery vases or handmade studio pottery as containers in my Mixed Media art studio. Other artists may use empty glass jars or old coffee tins. Some artists seem to pay attention to the overall look of their studio, while others could care less and focus only on their work. I guess I fall into the category of wanting to "stage" even the supplies and storage containers I use. My favorite place to shop for "stuff" for my art studio is in junk shops or at flea markets. I usually spend under ten dollars for most of my pottery or ceramic vases. I picked up the vase shown because I adored the design pattern which mimics my own artwork which is inspired by Mid Century design. BTW, the white sculptural head shown as well, also came from a junk shop!

Using Delicate Map Push Pins To Pin-Up Mixed Media Art Work In Progress

What I like about the way I work in my art studio is that I do not waste too much time worrying about the finished product or what will happen if I do this or that to the work in progress . O.K. I'm not that free completely, but I do work very hard at letting go of the picayune stuff. For example, I love pinning my work up on the wall in my studio so that i can step back and look at the piece as it develops.  I have discovered that using tiny Map push pins work just fine for pinning smaller works on paper to the wall. These tiny push pins leave a small enough hole in the work to be considered within my hole acceptability index.  The holes are dainty and if you pin your piece close to the edge of the work, they generally do not show when your work is framed.      

Coloring Books For Grown-Ups Is The New Fad

 If you grew up in the 1950s, you surely remember how much fun it was to get a new box of Crayola crayons and to color for hours in your favorite coloring books. Decades later, coloring books got a bad rap as parents were trying to encourage their children to "express" their inner artist and color outside the lines. Well it seems these same parents are now discovering the relaxation benefits of coloring within the lines again.  A whole crop of coloring books for adults is now being marketed to help you reduce stress. With names like "Color Me Calm : 100 Coloring Templates for Meditation and Relaxation" or  "Posh Coloring Book: Art Therapy for Fun & Relaxation", coloring is back in style again.

Discovering Your Art Studio Quirks

Planning Your Art Studio Space

Once you have moved all your art supplies, products, materials, tables, easels etc into your new art space, where do you actually set up shop so you can work comfortably and productively? Each artist has to find out what their unique work vibe is.  Do you like working near windows? Are you an artist who prefers being "hidden" away from public view? "Do you want to paint near the air conditioner or further away? Are you storing paints to close to the sun? Take your time planning out where tables, paints, papers will go and respect the fact that your ideas about placement will keep changing as you begin to work more and more in a given space.

 

Tea and Malene Birger's New Book "Move and Work", A Treasure Trove of New Ideas For Designers and Artists

I spent a delightful afternoon this past Saturday at the flagship store of Lillian August in Norwalk, CT. shopping for sofas.  But it wasn't long before i found their book department and i was preoccupied with style and design books. I drifted off to the in house cafe and sat down with a cup of complimentary Harney & Sons tea and discovered Malene Birger's new title "Move and Work". I was in black and white heaven. While this book is one of those oversized coffee table books on interior design, it is also a treasure trove for Mixed Media artists who like to work in black and white on different surfaces. You will find lots of bold stroke black and white designed pieces of artwork done by Malene on all types of surfaces and supports both in paint and collage. This is a wonderful book to appreciate the beauty of black and white and to encourage you to experiment in your own work.  

Varying The Thickness of Black Lines When Creating Mixed Media Artwork

After many years of making Mixed Media collages, I have my favorite materials for adding black lines to my work. I draw with Sharpie pens (or other similar markers) of all sizes as well as my fat chunky crayon which is sacred in my studio. It is important to vary the size of the drawing tip when creating an interesting piece. Often time, I find that when I grab my really thick Sharpie pen or even a really thin one, the contrast in size and density of the mark is just what the piece needed. The painted paper shown is what I will then tear into smaller pieces to compose a new collage. Remember, water soluable products will smear if you are not careful with what other products you are using. Also, add chalk pastels as the last step when drawing into your work because they too smear.  

Getting Starting: Using A Magazine Photo To Jump Start A Color Palette in Working With Mixed Media Collage

I still can't believe i spent over ten dollars to buy a decorating magazine because i liked one page in the magazine  which showed a new color combination for me to try in one of my mixed media collages. i often jumpstart my work by being influenced by some element in either a brochure, advertisement or magazine photo I fancy. So here you see the photo on the left for the inspiration for a collage (photo on the right) of a piece I am working on.

Using The Plastic Tops Of Discarded Salad Dishes For Mixed Media Paint Palettes

I enjoy creating painted papers for my Mixed Media collages. When I work small I use already mixed paint and squirt onto a plastic palette which in my case is the discarded plastic tops of carry out salad containers.  I use therse "palettes" over and over as acrylic paint dries from one use to another. When the palettes get so caked with paint that they begin to peel...I throw them out. Reminder, always keep your food products far away from your art products. 

Save Your Small Scraps of Paper For Mosaic Style Mixed Media Collages

Most Mixed Media artists I know, never throw out anything and I'm a member of this creative group of "savers". When I am down to my smallest pieces I like to tear them into little rectangles and add a Mid-Century-ish doodle onto them with a Sharpie pen. Then when I'm in need of some "therapy" time, I create a grid-like pattern with my left over squares. I use pads of Strathmore 400 series Acrylic square paper which are just right for my smaller mixed media artwork.

Joy of Food Kosher Catering Was A Joy At Palette to Palate Fundraiser at Farmington Valley Arts Center

Paul of Joy of Food Kosher catering was kind enough to participate as a corporate sponsor of our recent Palette to Palate Fundraiser held on Tuesday, June 9th, 2015. He is a delight to work with! We had a very healthy crowd of supporters who purchased tickets that will help to fund many of the programs at Farmington Valley Arts Center, a non-profit community centered organization. Consistently visitors to my studio (9B) were thrilled with Paul's Hummus and eggplant dishes. I have to admit, Paul had the best Pita bread I have ever eaten...so fresh and fluffy. Thank you to our resident photographer Andy Mars who captured this lovely photo of Paul and me.  

Street Chic Art & Fashion on June 4th, 2015

Channel your inner whimsy and join us for an evening of quirky, edgy, spontaneous original art along with a playful and stylish summer collection of contemporary fashion. 

Opening Wine & Cheese Reception   
at Bodytalk Boutique
Thursday, June 4, 2015
5:30-8:00 PM

Artwork will be on exhibit at Bodytalk June 4 through June 20th, 2015  

Featuring original abstract mixed media, Surreal paintings, assemblage art, woodcuts, and found object art from...

• Bill Healy 
• David Holzman
• C. Dianne Zweig

Street Chic is totally cool!

What do Bill Healy, David Holzman and C. Dianne Zweig have in common? They are three area artists who are bringing their offbeat art to Bodytalk Boutique for a sizzling summer show  which features an evening of quirky, edgy, spontaneous original art along with a playful and stylish summer collection of contemporary fashion.

Bodytalk Boutique has just celebrated 30 years of  featuring fashion forward apparel and is pleased to showcase three unique artists who work very differently but yet share a common passion for offbeat style, bold color and spontaneity. C. Dianne Zweig, who organized this Street Chic art show, is an Avon artist specializing in abstract mixed media inspired by mid-century designs. She has a full-time studio (9B) at Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT.  Bill Healy, a lover of pop culture and nostalgia  is widely known for his Metal Men robots created out of vintage advertising tins and old metal appliance parts. His robots can be found in many museum collections. Bill is also a painter cranking out bold figurative graffiti style paintings which remind you of a combo of Folk Art and Outsider Art. David Holzman, an art educator at Simsbury Public Schools and Central Connecticut State University leaves the real world each day to escape into his home art studio where he creates paintings described as surreal and suggestive of spontaneous expression. His carved wood reliefs and paintings are edgy, quirky and exciting.  

Street art is thought of as art created in public places. True to the objective of involving the community in the art experience, Bodytalk is planning some outdoor art experiences such as a giant mural which visitors will be encouraged to paint, draw and add their marks to. There will also be other artsy surprises, music and refreshments.