Beginner Artists: 3 Little Paintings I Made Using Water Soluble Crayons

Artists and Crafters, have you ever used Neocolor II Swiss made water soluble crayons? Have you used them in your artwork or multi-media projects? What do you think about them?
I thought I'd experiment with a set I had found in my supplies the other day. 
They are suitable for numerous techniques on a wide range of materials. You can purchase them individually or in sets. 

 See on Amazon: Caran-dAche-Classic-Neocolor-Water-Soluble Crayons

I will say they are richly pigmented, that was a plus for me.
They can be a little messy though by getting all over your fingers once they are dipped in water, but that's the creative part of making art, right? 

First, I applied acrylic paint on paper, then after allowing the paint to dry, I layered with the crayons. I drew right on top of the acrylic paint.  No problems there, moved with ease and you can smooth out lines if you like. They do have a texture similar to regular crayola crayons, but not as waxy.

I liked the crayon look that it gives the painting, a graphic style that tends to be more edgy. You can paint with them by adding water and using a brush, however, I wasn't too crazy using them that way. Perhaps, if you are a watercolor painter, you could appreciate them in that manner. But my favorite way of using the crayons was simply drawing with them. You can add water and blend out your lines. Still my favorite approach was drawing onto the acrylics with free flowing lines and/or circles. I would recommend having a small set of water soluble crayons to add a different element to your art. I would use them again, maybe not often, but worth having on hand. Also, these work great for kids.

I thought these little paintings came out pretty cool.

Take a look at these and tell me what do you think?

 Untitled

Medium: Acrylics and Water Soluble Crayons on Vellum Paper.

Size: 4" x 9" 

 Title: Hedged In

Medium: Acrylics and Water Soluble Crayons

Size: 6" x 3"

 Untitled

Medium: Acrylic and Water Soluble Crayons

Size: 4" x 4" 

I'd love to hear your comments on these little experiments or the Neocolor II crayons. What do you use?

Beachcombers, Sea Glass Collectors: Finding Simple Treasures

Hello Everyone!
Well, if you've been wondering where I've been, I'm still here. Took the summer off as I usually do and now I'm fired up to paint again. Taking the summers off really work for me. I was blessed with a wonderful beach vacation in an amazing beach house this past summer. And still reflecting back on that experience. 

First, allow me to share with you a little about my purposes in painting. First of all, it's about my love for color and it's energy, that is my passion. Secondly, I search for those profound moments in time that we have all experienced. For me, one of those moments would be my walks on a beach. You know, it's when time seems to stand still and show you something special that speaks to your heart. Like finding sea glass glistening on the beach being bathed in the sunshine and water. A treasure has been uncovered right at your feet. You know at that point, you happened to be at the right place at the right time to look down upon such simple beauty. 

It is true, a landscape artist can paint that scene to help you remember a special location and a realism artist can paint the objects of your adoration. Yet, an abstract artist attempts to paint that moment of your profound connection. We artists, do it via color and textures; to give you the energy of that time. My friends and art collectors, that is my goal in painting, to paint those moments in an abstract way for you to enjoy.

But back to abstract painting, I started back working on a few smaller size canvases, they seem to get me into the process quicker and become more experimental. I love sea glass, the colors and texture. Don't you? This painting was painted with unusual ease and you can see the fluid brushstrokes that add a nice quality to the painting. You might say, an impressionist style to it. What do you think?

Here it is. My special moment walking on the beach. I found sea glass and smiled.

 "Sea Glass

20" x 16" x  1/2"

Acrylic

In  private collection of Mrs. Wolff

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my art blog. Please sign up via email for my latest painting updates.

Allison 

Art Collectors: The Moment That Causes One to Pause

Have you ever had that moment when you looked up at the sky after a storm and saw an unexpected break in the clouds that caused you to pause, to stand in awe? This painting represents that moment with the leftover remnants of a storm's dark clouds, while the light of the sunset is beginning to peak through. 

Now about the actual making of this painting, I decided to used a warm and cool palette for contrast. I love to blend colors and here I did quite a bit of blending to create soft look against the striking sky. There is something very soothing about blending paint or dry brushing, it's definitely therapeutic.You might want to try it sometime. This painting is a very wide canvas (40") with intense colors of blues, reds, pink, oranges, olive green, and tan. It starts with soft warm colors and and you do down the painting you see the cool palette colors that lend that look of dark skies from a previous storm. 

Perhaps this painting would look lovely over a fireplace mantle, or in a dining room, or even an office? I have to admit this is one of my favorites I have done so far, due to it's dramatic value. Let me know if you are drawn to this painting. I appreciate the feedback!

    A Break In The Clouds

30"(tall) x 40"(wide) x 1" (deep)

Acrylic

(U. S. Shipping Only, due to width)

Close Up View 1

  Close Up View 2

Close Up View 3

                                                     

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Allison Reece is an abstract expressionist painter from Asheville, NC. She has been selling her bold paintings since 2004. She is an alumnus of Ringling College of Art & Design, in Sarasota, FL, where she studied Fine Arts. Currently, she is enrolled through Northwestern University’s Social Media Marketing Course, via the Coursera website. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, a good cup of coffee, kayaking in the southeastern intracoastal waterways, and long walks on the beach. Her favorite color is turquoise and she loves abstract art.

You can follow Allison on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Fine Art America, and Instagram.

 

Sunset Swim in the Gulf

Lately, I've been looking forward to each blank canvas. It is amazing when you are mixing and working with paints what can happen next.  Even though I bring the paints to the canvas, it's as if the canvas paints itself. I've been rather amazed by this process, working more intuitively. First, I'm mixing paints and deciding what colors to use. Then as I add them to the canvas, I watch the colors, designs, and textures begin their dance, swirling around. Painting is still an amazing process  and I have to take my eyes off of the canvas from time to time to focus on the mixing. When I return to the painting, I begin to see things I didn't see before or didn't appear on the canvas until I walked away. As I pour paint onto the canvas, it becomes a mesmerizing dance, watching it run down and mix into other shades that start to swirl. It's almost like watching a colorful science experiment on canvas. The science of gravity and color ruling over what I can command it to do. What begins to look like an accident turns into a beautiful move of the paint. It's as if it were saying to me, "No, I know of a better place to go on this canvas. I want to go over here". Now, I say back to it, "Okay, go where you may". And it shows off again, saying, "I told you so." And reminds me, "Just let me take the lead." 


For now, the paint is in control. No forceful brushstrokes, or calculated judgements, just sliding and gliding rolls of the paint here and there. There are no mistakes, just a better awareness of where the paint wants to go. 


So, I hope you are enjoying color's show. It's showing off just for you. Let me introduce to you, 

"Sunset Swim in the Gulf"

20' x 20"x 1"

Acrylic

Click Here To Buy!

Close Up

Another Close Up View

Another Close Up View of the Colors

Click Here to Buy!

Time To Move Out The Old And In With The New!

Hello again!

I've decided it's time to move out some of my older abstract paintings to make room for the new. So, here's a great opportunity to purchase one of my paintings at lower prices. 

Here's the paintings from which you can choose.

"Deconstructed Dreams"

Sold!

 

"Winter Reflections"

Sold!

"Grand Funk"

Sold!

Happy Bidding! 

Allison

Grand Funk, do you remember?

Another painting completed, would you be interested in seeing this one? "Grand Funk" is full of vibrant color, lines and texture. Don't you just love vivid  rich blues, purples, reds and little touch of warmth add from the yellows to the oranges? I do. This abstract painting has movement with a blue texture grid running through the painting. What does it make you think of, a railroad, perhaps? I gave the pleasure of naming this painting to my husband, Mike. Thus, the name "Grand Funk". Do you remember the The Grand Trunk Western? (And you thought I was referring to the band, right?) A former railroad line, and if he had the opportunity, he'd love to give you all the details. I did enjoy working on this one, I have to say...the vibrancy of the palette...just makes one feel alive.

Moving right along, here's the painting!

"The Grand Funk"

24" x 36"

Acrylic

Sold!

Close Up View

Another Close Up View

Hope you enjoyed seeing my latest addition from the art studio.

Profound Moments in Time. What are yours?

Have you experienced moments where it seemed as if time stood still? Or something within just knew you were experiencing a profound moment? Recently, I had this experience after an extended family member passed away. While I won't depress or bore you with the details, I do want to share my experience after this person's passing and how it relates to my recent painting. 

I don't know about you, but I wonder about odd things, such as just why it is so calm and peaceful in the moments immediately following someone's passing. The awe I felt for that atmosphere of peace and grace was so great, that I began to think and wonder about one mystery that I want to know; What was it like, when in a split second when that soul left the body? And, when it's my turn, what will I feel? Will it be beautiful? Confusing? Easy? Graceful? Will I be full of energy? Will I feel relief? Of course, I have not experienced it, so I can only imagine and that doesn't fully fill in the details.

This became a nice distraction to my grief. I was still enjoying that beautiful moment of profound peacefulness, calm, and even lightness, even as I had to directly face the dreaded business details of death. It's poetically strange, isn't it? And my fascination with this event lead me to paint this experience.

As I sat down at the canvas, I pushed aside my sadness, disappointment and anger at cancer. I tried to feel what it must have felt like in that exact moment in time when one's soul leaves it's body and begins it's lift off... I began to paint this experience. I didn't even mix my paint or decide on a color palette beforehand, I didn't know what color choices would fit such an event. Dark colors? Light? Dramatic or soft? I didn't know. It's not like you plan for such an event, right? Well, this painting wasn't planned either.

This is my interpretation of a soul leaving it's shell and beginning it's transformation process. I used mixed fibers to add texture to this painting. It represents the actual process of leaving "stuff" behind. I frequently use a process of layering paint and then remove a top layer or two to allow other layers of color to be exposed. In addition to the textures, there is an iridescent quality to the paint, as well, to give a sense of mystery. 

"Morning Soul Lift"

22" (h) x 28" (w)

Acrylic, mixed media

Close Up View

Close up view of texture and colors

My hope is that you enjoyed the painting and ready about my experience. Feel free to comment on your experiences, it's easy on my blog.

ArtTip: How do you decide what colors to use in your painting?

I thought include an art tip to show how I go about deciding what colors I want to use for each painting. This will work whether you paint landscapes or abstracts. Do you have those color chips from the hardware stores stuffed in a drawer somewhere in your house? Here's what you can do with them. If you don't paint, they are also handy in finding the right shade in picking out your clothes or accessories. You can organize your closet this way too.

Here you see, I have paint chips for both families of cool colors and warm colors. First, I have laid them out on a white canvas or you can use a white poster broad to keep the colors pure. Then, you can group them however you like, either cool vs. warm or light vs. dark shades. You can also lay them out by intensity, either calm color groups, vivid colors or fresh colors, and etc. Now, I can go through each group and see what colors inspire me. Since I'm an abstract painter, I tend to choose what I'm drawn to at that time. But basically, I pick  up what grabs my eye, lay them out together and see how it feels to me. 

 

In this photo above, you can see I have selected my final color choices. I have decided to use a vivid colors group to make a lively abstract painting. Using a mixture of color and warm colors can add dramatic.

In the photos below, I will show you my  paint palette mixed up from my final paint chip selection.

Here is the yellow and aqua paint already mixed and ready to go! You see having the paint chip helps me to see if I have the paint mixed properly. Not a bad match, if I do say so myself! 

Purple and green ready to go.

Next up, pink and brown.

Blue

And lastly, Raspberry Sorbet. Sounds good, doesn't it? 

Now my palette is ready and I'm feeling good about the final mix. In case you wondered, these are oil paints. I hope this helps in working with color and choosing your paint palette or organize your closet! So, how do you set up your painting palette? Do you tend to stick to the same color palette? Will be interesting to hear how you decide on colors.

Allison

My experience with a "Sarasota Sunset".

Hello! I know it's been cold in most parts of the country, so I thought I'd post a painting that will remind you of something warm, a "Sarasota Sunset".  I was fortunate while living in Sarasota, Florida to attend Ringling College of Art and Design, I was able to enjoy the sunsets often at one of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S., Siesta Key Beach. This abstract painting was inspired by those beautiful sunsets and my experience.

As a newcomer, I watched how the locals would bring a nice packed light meal which usually included a crusty bread, cheese, fruit, and of course a good bottle of wine. A small table would be part of the decor with a beautiful, but simple tablecloth. Friends would gather just the right time and prepare the perfect viewing spot.

From the parking lot, locals and tourists alike would start pouring in and onto the beach, in a fresh change of clothes. Now ready, they carry their chairs across the cool sand to enjoy a glass of wine with dear and new friends. Fortunately, heat and humidity from the day has left and they relax in the cool refreshing gulf breezes. As the conversation begins, the guests ever-so-often, take a glimpse at their watches and the positioning of sun for the timing of the sunset. They stay close by, as to not miss the event.

Bread, cheese and wine are being shared and enjoyed as the sun begins it's welcoming of the evening. The muted colors from the bright hot day are gone and now the intensity begins. The show is off to a great start, the puffy white clouds have moved out of the way, knowing it's the sun's turn to show off. Everyone feels great in this moment. Life is good. Friends tell jokes, comment on the beauty, and reflect on the day. There are no worries at this moment, just laughter and awe. The sun finally sets and the colors in the sky, intensify and radiate up and outward. There's nothing like it and everyone agrees. It's amazing and yet, we all know it's going to happen all over again the next evening. They toast to a beautiful day in paradise and how blessed they are to share it with good friends.

This abstract painting was made with oils, some of the paint was left to dry and other sections of paint while wet were rubbed off. The colors in this painting were turquoise for the water, warm yellows, oranges, reds, and golds for the sunset. I hope you enjoy it. This is one of my favorite paintings. Inspired from a wonderful experience made by nature. Feel free to post your sunset experiences and/or comments. Wishing you many great sunsets, Allison.

"Sarasota Sunset"

24" x 24" 

Oil

Sold

"Inner Workings"

This abstract painting was part experiment and partly my thoughts about the complexity of our problems. Or should I say, the details behind the scenes. I likened it to the inner workings of our brain. We think, imagine, and all this time, the brain is making connections to everyday thoughts, memories, feelings, and facts. So I call it,"Inner Workings". Honestly, I was never truly satisfied by the result, guess I'm not a cubist. What do you think? Allison

 

"Inner Workings

"24" x 30"

Acrylic

NFS

"Out of the Flames" comes the beauty

Hello! Now that I'm back to my daily routine after the Thanksgiving holiday, thought I'd give you a glimpse of what I've been working on lately.

It's interesting to me how creative ideas come at the least expected times. That's what happened to me during the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal. I do remember when in art school, the instructor would say when you are in a creative block, do something totally routine, mindless even. It allows the mind to go into neutral and relax a bit, freeing it up. I think that's exactly what happened while cooking the our Thanksgiving dinner.
It was the usual meal so no real thought had to be put into it. Right then creative ideas started coming, in fact, they didn't stop during the rest of the holiday. Then I became frustrated not being at a place to stop and pick up a pad and pen to write down each idea . Have you ever had that happen to you? And most of my ideas were in images this time, not words or technical processes. Usually it's the creative technical process I'm going over in my head. What to try differently next time.

But this time, it was images and flashes of particular colors. And the more this continued the more I wanted to retreat to the studio barn and paint. I wanted to explore new options with color and textures this time. But I had to be patient and wait. I feared over time I would lose those creative ideas and images I had seen in my head. Fortunately, when I did get back to painting after family had left, I still had the inspiration and ideas. More and more I'm learning to trust my creative bursts and instincts and even going with the mistakes at times. Working the painting until I feel issues are resolved and it just works. What a good feeling once I've arrived there. It becomes a natural high and I want to do it all over again. At times, I go through a lot of paint and plenty of frustration but with patience and trust it all resolves itself. Kind of like life I guess.

I titled this painting, "Out of the Flames" due to the beauty that comes from each flicker of flame. Don't we all love to watch a nice fire in the fireplace and the color that darts around and through the fire is simply beautiful. While opening the stove door, I thought about the good that comes from fire. The process and the creativity that comes from just a spark of fire. And we all need that spark to keep us going.
Here's a few photos of most recent acrylic painting. I used a good layer of slow-dri medium on the canvas which helps the acrylics to slow down it's drying time and allows me to manipulate the paint more. It also gives it the look of oil which I prefer.
I hope you enjoy it and feel free to leave comments.  
To buy this painting, click on this Etsy link.  Thank you! Allison

"Out Of The Flames"

18" x 20"

Acrylic

Close Up 

To buy this painting, click on this Etsy link.

"Movement I"

"Movement I" is a 6" x 8" mini abstract painting. The blending of acrylic paint and brushstrokes create the slow to medium movement seen here. There is some contrast of cool and warm colors, but the overall feeling is of a cool and tranquil flowing sensation. I still get excited when I seen the final blending effect of the paint. To take one paint color and add another and then see what happens when the two touch each other is still amazing to me every time I paint. Simple pleasures, right? I hope you enjoy this painting, please return to see future paintings. Feel free to post a comment.  Allison.

Title: "Movement"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas board 
Size: 6" x 8"

"Movement I"

Cost: $19.99 USD

Close Up

Even Closer

How can art help others? Can my art help someone?

I heard something the other night on TV, that actually got me thinking which TV usually doesn't. But anyway, it posed a question to me as to how art can help others. First of all, we know it can inspire, uplift someone's mood and giving them encouragement or hope. Or bring awareness to a particular social issue, and communicate in ways words can't. So that we all know, right? And yes, we've all heard of art therapy, where a troubled adult or child can use a creative medium to communicate when words aren't available. Expressing unsolved emotional pain via creative means can be very therapeutic.Yet, I wonder, can my art help someone? I mean, it's just a painting, an image; how is that going to help someone?
Good question to ponder, right? I thought so. Rather than using art to say, look at me as a artist and what I can do, but can my art help someone else? 

For example, take my latest invitation to a charity art event in Moss Norway. One fine artist from Norway, had an idea and shared his idea to a local public library. Now over 200 artists are involved and have painted postcard size paintings to be sold for $34 each. The proceeds of that event will fund the purchasing of children's books for the public library. The obvious goal is helping the library buy books for children. You see, this is a multi-fold win/win situation. The library has a new charity event that is exciting for everyone. The children get new books to read, that's pretty exciting in itself. The buyers get a good deal on an original painting to take home and enjoy, plus feel good about their participation in the event. Us, artists enjoy the gift of giving and the satisfaction of how our art made a difference.

So, to answer the beginning question, yes, art can help others. And, I for one, am pretty excited and amazed how we can all come together as artists and make a difference.
Here is my postcard painting sent to Moss Norway Library to raise funds to purchase children's books.
 
"Afterglow"
This abstract painting inspired by the beautiful sunsets over the Sarasota, Florida Gulf of Mexico waters.
Medium: Acrylic

 
Close Up of "Afterglow"
Final note, now how can your art make a difference?
Here is the link to this event's details:
http://tiny.cc/e24rq

Final notes: In these times of financial recession, I believe it's the creative workforce that moves us beyond our limited parameters. Possibly it's time to rethink our art. Instead of how I can sell another painting, perhaps look at it at from a different perspective. What can I do with my artwork? Please feel free to post your comments. I'd love to hear how your art has help make a difference. Hope to hear from you, Allison.

Welcome!

If you recall, my last post was about my trip to Asheville, travel, food, and my high school reunion, now back to art! I have something special to share this time, a Twitter Art Exhibit. An artist David Sandum in Norway came with up a great charity idea for artists around the world. And I decide to participate! Any artists out there that would like to participate, there's still time! 

Here's the details of this event from artist David Sandum.

  October 21, 2010

Call for artists! Twitter art exhibit in Moss Norway for charity.

Fellow artists on Twitter.

It is my great joy to introduce a new and exiting project: A real life Twitter art exhibit.

A while back I talked to @Artythings @dpringle @EthanCrankeArt about how fun it would be to exhibit something together. We first concluded it would be tough to transport and organize, but the seed was planted and we kept discussing. @EthanCrankeArt suggested 140 artists (representing 140 characters), and we concluded it had to shown at a public place, as Twitter is open to anyone with an account. It all seemed so right, so current!

For a while the project seemed impossible. How would one coordinate such a thing? But then a few weeks ago, I read an article in the local paper, saying how the public library had gotten it's funding cut and wouldn't be able to order the children's books they needed. It then struck me this was the perfect venue for a twitter art project. And soon the idea of a wall of art work at the library, where it's proceeds would go to charity/children's books, was stuck in my brain. But how would I gather all the work? The answer felt as swift as Twitter itself: Have each artist send a postcard (symbolic of a tweet), with hand-painted original artwork. The postcards would then be posted on the wall and sold for 100 kr each ($17.00), and all the money would go to children's books. This amount would make it possible for nearly everyone to support the public library, and if we collected enough artwork, enough money would be raised.

The next day I called the library director and asked for a meeting, where I presented the idea later that day. "This is simply wonderful," she said, "Lots of people here use the computers for twitter and I'm sure we'll get a lot of media attention...But I need to check the politics first and get permission from the local government." And now a few weeks later, we have gotten the go ahead, and I'm exited to announce this event will take place. So this is your chance (wherever in the world you are) to contribute to this cause, and also promote your work to a new audience. Moss is known for its galleries and people here love art!

So please join me in at this wonderful event - A real life Twitter art exhibit! Please write to me if you have any questions (e-mail listed below). I look forward to working with you.

Best Regards,
David Sandum
www.davidsandum.com

Now here is the postcard size abstract painting I am submitting to David's Twitter Art Exhibit.

"Afterglow"

 Acrylic

This is an abstract painting of the beautiful "afterglow" you experience right after a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Hope you enjoy!

Closeup

Notes about this mini painting: I was so inspired by the sunsets over the Gulf Coast, which made such an emotional impression on me. This painting is the afterglow that quickly pops up right after the sunset, hence the name, "Afterglow". Th colors are usually yellows, golds, purples and pinks. The acrylic painting is thick and directly applied to the canvas board, no other mediums used. As one colors touches the other and blends, that's when I get excited. Something magical happens, you know. Like when you when you were a child and learned about mixing colors. Red and blue = purple, yellow and red = orange. Just the other day, my 5 yr. daughter found an art project she wanted to make. You take a paper plate, cut out the circle part and divide into 6-8 sections with a rulers. Then color each section alternately with two colors, like red and blue. Poke a hole in the center of the circle and insert pencil and tape to back of paper plate. Hold pencil in your hands flat and spin. Now you see the results of the two colors being "mixed". Good color experiment. 

If you are an artist and would like to be involved in this wonderful childrens' charity event, then click on this link for the details.  Twitter Art Exhibit for Children in Norway

"Winter Reflections" from my abstract Season Reflections series

Thought you'd like to see the latest additions to my abstract Seasonal Reflections series. This is a reflective light and color study I did and here are the results from that study. I really enjoyed the painting process with this painting. As you see, colors choices are cooler, darker and some muted, yet some dramatic. To show the degree of colder temps setting in and shades become more muted, blended, and retracted even. Shadows are more apparent and tend to increase, therefore there is some drama to the shadows. The sun is low, the days are shorter, the sky is no longer as sunny. There is still color during the winter season, it's just a bit hidden and muted.  Hope you enjoy this painting, I know I did.
You can purchase this Winter Reflections painting here on Etsy. Thank you for stopping by! Allison

"Winter Reflections"

18" x 18" 

Acrylic

Beach Series: "Sands" & "Gulf Waters"

We all have places or environments that move us. For some, it's the majestic mountains, or wide open spaces of the Midwest, or perhaps the beauty of beaches. One place that cuts right down to the depth of my soul is the beach. There's just something about water that is so soothing, healing, and beautiful all at once. For that reason from time to time with art projects I tend to gravitate towards to the subject of water. I try not to limit myself just this subject, but I do know it's a place I feel freedom and an increase in creativity.

This is my abstract beach series. These oil paintings do have a slight texture of thick and thin paint in places. I hope you enjoy them. Allison.

"Sands"

18" x 18" 

Oil 

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

 "Gulf Waters"

18" x 18"

Oil  

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Inner Workings

"Inner Workings"

24" x 24"

Acrylic

NFS

New Abstract Still Wet On The Easel

Here's another abstract still wet on the easel. Working on it in between the drying times for the Charleston painting. Gives me something totally different to do. Photograph this one tonight, so lighting wasn't the best for photography purposes, but you get the idea!