Our local arts center put out a call for artists to create creepy-themed art for a window display, so I decided to have a go at it. This was a first for me, but I'm pretty sure there may be more freaky, mixed-media art like this in the future.
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Figured that I may as well concentrate watercolors only for a time because I need/want more experience. Generally, this is something I'd do in between other things, which was sporadic at best. Since I have created so many trees over the years in pyrography, it felt like a familiar place to start.
Another reason to practice watercolor work is that I have all of the supplies I need. I also have 3 boxes of mat packs (you can see some of them matted below). These will eventually need framing, the frame sizes required are: 5x7, 8x10 and 11x14. I plan to spend time later this month getting more of my artwork listed on this website. My painting will slow down some for a while, but I can't just create and do little else... even though there are times that all I want to do is create! Seems it would be cool to have two of me. One could take care of the business end of things and the other could just create. Ahhhhhhh. If my world could be manipulated that way... it certainly wouldn't be as challenging! Then, one of me would get bored with the predictable and monotonous aspects of it all. LOL... I do know me. Issues, issues... we all have 'em! Some bigger than others and some that are just bothersome. For me today, watercolor is the issue. I can't control it, and maybe that's WHY it's bothering me. I can't instantly whip it into submission, so... ha! It could be a control issue. Whatever it is, I'm determined to get to know it much better. WHY? Because watercolor is this beautifully mysterious thing that can be pure magic. It's unlike other mediums.
Most likely, a crayon or a pencil was the first tool I ever used to make a mark. THAT was followed by watercolors. I specifically recall those metal tin boxes of Prang paint in school. Primary colors that were generally turned into a muddy brown mess by many students who would mix them all together. This slim tin of watercolors was my introduction to color mixing, which I was immediately fascinated with. It was like a magic trick to me. I could barely wait to get home to share the exciting news. As a kid it didn't matter what type of paper I had when to came to watercolors. I recall using regular typewriter paper, cardstock, posterboard, cardboard, newspaper - basically anything I could find. I simply liked making marks and enjoyed it all so much then. Even with those cheap student grade Prang watercolor paints and brushes that shed hair like crazy. It was all so much fun! As an adult, I've tried inexpensive and pricey watercolor paper, cheap brushes and natural hair brushes as well as student and artist grade watercolor paint. So, I've played with a wide variety of materials. The verdict: It's still a very mysterious and elusive medium. The majority of time I feel like I cannot control the medium at all. Despite exposing myself to a variety of supplies, the majority of paintings I've made are either OK or disasters. Once in a while I really love how something turned out. You can see a recent watercolor I'm happy with below. I haven't actually used watercolor that often. So, I'll periodically give it a go and chalk up the fails as proof that the experience is necessary. Realistically, I know that don't make progress without practice. There is that little part of me who simply wants to skip ahead to a part that may not be as frustrating as where I am now. Because that's just how I am. Impatient at times! Are we there yet? Nope. I am so honored to be a part of the creative collective! The jury is out and two pieces of my art have been selected for the "50 Artists of the Great Lakes Region" call for artists. You can see both pieces below
The 18x24" pyrography piece, CREATING MY PATH will be reproduced on aluminum and installed outdoors as part of "Art Around the City" until 2025. The 24x36” painting, SELF-CONSCIOUS will be shown at Studio 23/the Arts Center in Bay City, Michigan from September 21st to November 11th, 2023. |
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