Another year coming to an end. This one went super fast for me! Now it's time for a holiday break. I've got different things I'll be working on for a time, including wrapping up the corporate side of things and closing out the calendar year. But, I'm also going to take some recharge time. Time to spend with loved ones and time just to chill without any formal plans I moved toward the end of 2023 by continuing to paint small and incorporate new techniques. This will continue into next year by adding and mixing more abstracted elements with realism. The two pieces you can see below, they were created by adding Liquitex Matte Gel. The gel is thick. I can admit it was scary as hell putting that palette knife into the container and spreading a thick layer of gel over the initial image. Mainly because the gel itself is white and it totally obliterates the image. Once it dries it creates a hazy effect, like something foggy or something underwater. You can add more paint over that if you want to. Eventually, I'll test the effects I can get from multiple layers. I'm excited to see where this all goes! The creative experiments will continue into the new year. I've got some gold leaf, mica powders, color changing powders, liquid gold leaf and more stuff to play around with. I've also stocked up on paint during recent sales, I should be good there for the bulk 2024. It'll be interesting to see where I'm at creatively at the end of next year. DAYDREAM 10x10" mixed media 1-1/2" deep gallery canvas with sides painted black INGENUE 8x8" mixed media
1-1/2" deep gallery canvas with sides painted black
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From here on out, the plan is to increase the level of abstraction in my art. I'll be experimenting with some new materials, mediums and techniques going forward.
I do love experimenting, learning and exploring! Here's another one of my street scenes. This one is called, THE HAPPENING and it's 11x14" on a thick 1-1/2" deep canvas.
It's interesting that when I was in Junior High and High School, I liked to take a big piece of poster board and draw stick figures doing various things all over the paper. Of course, I don't have any of these things in my possession because I always gave them away! So, hit me up if you've got one them. When I stop and think about it, I like painting these figures dark and shadowy like you can see above. This is my grown up version of stick figures! What goes around comes around. Technically I'm not open for commission work as I write this, but YES, I have done commission work before. Still, I can't be the only artist who isn't raring to go on commission work. Since I've been asked about commissions again recently, I've been thinking about it a LOT. Naturally, I began focusing on the WHY behind my feelings. It's true. I'm not only curious but I think waaaaaaaay too much.
Could it be because I don't like being told what to do? Hmmmm. Maybe. Although, it's probably also true that most people that have been on the planet as long I have don't like being told what to do either. Who LIKES that? Aside from those in the sub/dom kink world, I don't know. Perhaps there are service industry jobs that require it, but I've never worked there. It's fine if I'm asking for assistance, advice or help. Otherwise it makes me feel like a kid. Could it be the pressure of my own expectations? There is always THAT. And yes, I can see where that is a definite impediment of my own. My wanting to "get things right" includes worrying about meeting the clients expectations. Clients need to see progress in a commissioned project and are allowed to make a certain number of corrections as you go along. It can be frustrating. It's pressure. And, I'm hard enough on myself as it is. So... I suppose it's fair to say that it's mostly the pressure I apparently want to avoid. So I am. I'm fine with NOT doing commissions now. Will I change my mind? Will I ever do commissions again? The truth is, I don't know! On my commission page it says commissions are closed. BUT it also says on the contact form that you can fill out: "Wanna try and change my mind? Please describe the type of commission you are interested in:" Here's the TRUTH: While I don't know IF or WHEN I may change my mind regarding commissions... I'm actually opening up a space for YOU to change my mind! Aren't people complicated? |
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