She Reads To Her Flowers

Hello!

Actually, I've been experiencing new art mediums and just needed the time to play with art.
Doing this period of exploration I was working on small paper and lots of it. And it felt good and freeing, no expectations, just play. As I filled up books and pages of art journal exercises

(I highly recommend), I was ready to back to canvas and go big. I felt myself missing going large while creating art on paper. It was back to basic art exploration and it was good. There's just something about canvas that feels so primitive. As my arms and upper body to move across the large canvas, I feel greater options... there's room, there's space, there no limits. It feels... larger than life at times.

Getting back to larger canvases, I took what I gained experimenting and applied those markings on a canvas in a new style. So what happened, what took place?

This is it. 

I envisioned her sitting in her garden as she reads out loud, the flowers lean in listening so intently to every word. She looks up and sees them enjoying the sounds coming from her lips. She looks back down at her book and continues to read to her flowers and smiles. 

I hope you enjoy this painting.

Title: She Reads To Her Flowers

Medium: Mixed Media

Size: 40" x 30" Gallerywrapped Canvas

Purchase This Painting

Music and Jazz Lovers: If Music Had Color

Title: The Color of Music

Medium: Acrylics on Canvas

Size: 14" x 11" x 1/2" 

Purchase This Painting

             

 

The Color of Music immediately reminds me of the wonderful sounds of jazz with it's vibrant colors of blues, red, orange, lime green and black. This small, but bold abstract painting packs a punch of vibrancy for any office or room in your home. This ready to hang painting is not framed and has black painted sides. What a great gift this painting would be for you or your music loving friends.  

I hope you have you subscribed to my art blog to follow updates with my paintings. If you have an art lover friend, please share my blog with them.

Thank you for enjoying the Color of Music with me! 
Allison

Beach Cottage Style: A Great Day at the Beach

Is the beach your happy place, like mine? I felt the urge to start a new beach series.

This painting having intense color, texture, and simplicity, that was the original intention of this painting. I started by putting down a layer of color with texture. Then after that dries, I add other colors on top with a palette knife (the fun part) and take away some of the paint here and there with a rag to see what surprises of color may pop up (another fun part). I hope you enjoy this painting and new series coming up. Let me know if you are interested in this series, if it "feeds" your soul.

Here it is:

"A Great Day at the Beach"

Medium: Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Size: 16" x 20" x 1.5"
 Date: 2013

A Great Day at the Beach

Cost: $250.00 USD

 Close Up View of Texture

Could you just see this in a beach house somewhere? Or perhaps, in your bedroom to bring that memory of solitude?

Thank you,

Allison

   

Dancers: When There Was Nothing Else She Could Do, She Danced

I decided to try out a wood panel to paint, many artists prefer painting on wood panels. I agree with them in their opinions, there's no bounce or give to the canvas so easier to paint. Definitely a nice glide with each brush stroke. Sweet, actually. Presently, I'm working on more intuitive paintings, rather than having a definite intention with my work. It feels good to work intuitively right now. I'm still working with bold colors, even though I love pastel shades. There's something so clean and fresh about them. But for most of my work, it's about vivid, bold colors. 

While working on this little wood panel, the name "She danced" came to me. The movement of the paint gives the impression of seeing the room spin as one twirls or turns in a dance. Splatters of paint are showered down on this panel like confetti or great delight of the moment she dances and feels total joy. I hope you feel it here, because it was good that she danced. 

Remember this, when there's nothing else you can do, dance.

Title: "She Danced"

Medium: Acrylic on wood panel
Size: 8" x 8" 

"She Danced"

Cost: $29.99 USD

Close Up View

Another Close Up View

What do you think? 

Two more talented artists from Asheville's River Arts District

Hello All! Greetings from cool, green Asheville, NC! Hope you are having a good summer. We can't complain about the weather here, it's been great so far in the "Land of the Sky".
Today's post is about two more fabulous artists that I met in Asheville's River Arts District. I've really enjoyed taking time to meet the River Arts District artists and I'd like to share their work with you. And if you've already been to the River Arts District, please comment on your experience.

But first, I have a couple of updates from my other post Asheville's Talented River Arts District Artists. Artist Joyce Thornburg is an featured artist at the Atelier Gallery of Fine Art on 24 Lexington Ave., Asheville. She has an "Retrospective of Faces" exhibit that started June 11th. Click on  Joyce Thornburg's  name to read about the article I wrote about her. She has a large 1800's farmhouse door painted her her folk art faces on it and it is a striking anchor to her exhibit in their street front window. Her show will end on June 30th. But if you miss her show and are local, then go Curra's Mexican restaurant in Woodfin, you'll see one of her "Faces" doors there.

Secondly, a bit of some odd news for one of our talented artists, Stephen Lange (to read my post about Stephen Lange click on his name.) Stephen, while working on one of his uniquely natural and beautiful circle paintings, he decided to place it outside the studio building to dry and came back to notice it had been stolen! Now you have understand, this painting was 6 feet wide! To view the video about the reported incident see this video from WLOS-TV. To view an article on the matter, here's a link. On Stephen Lange's website you can see his beautiful circle paintings.

Now I'll get to our next artist and painter, Benjamin Kaleblevi as shown here with his paintings. Ben considers his work to be abstract surrealistic.

You can find Benjamin's studio at the Riverside Studios, 174 West Haywood St. Asheville.  Even though, most of his work is abstract, of late, he has been busy with commissions of pet portraits. I found his abstract paintings very mysterious. The viewer must take some time with each painting in order to see all of the hidden information that Benjamin has included within.  These hidden clues tells the story of Benjamin's life journey, as he so kindly shared with me. And I like that quality about Ben's paintings. You'll see what I'm talking about in the photo below. Ben takes time with his paintings, they are not rushed. 

Inside Ben's studio, he was working on a cat portrait. And right now, he seemed to be very content working on his new subjects. He has an update and notified me that he is presently painting on location at a local hangout called "The Bywater" on Riverside Dr. His website is under construction, but you can find his bio and art on the River Arts District website.

A larger view, below, of Ben's studio space.

While walking along the River Arts District, here is a few photos of outdoor sculptures you'll want to see.

Garden sculpture below just outside the Curve studios.

Now, I have to say, I had goosebumps just seeing artist Heather Knight's work at her Element Clay Studio  . Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet her in person, but get to meet her assistant as she was setting up Heather's new studio space. Her textile wall tile collection in this photo is stunning, yet she has a varied body of work of bowls, exhibit pieces, and commissioned pieces. You can see work on her website and many items are available for purchase online.

Her stunning porcelain and clay work has been featured in magazines like, Coastal Living, House Beautiful, Charleston Home and many more. We are fortunate to have her here in the Wedge studios in the RAD.  She works mostly with porcelain, but also works in clay. Her works are a balance I would say, of modernism and nature, which she does so well. There's no denying her style, once you've seen it, you'll be able to easily recognize it again. The textures and the movement of her work will keep your interest and her choice of size for her elements is unique in itself.

Closeup

I hope you've enjoyed reading this post about Asheville's Talented River Arts District Artists. Please feel free to leave comments.  

Oh, I can't forget! White Duck Taco Shop has recently opened up in the RAD. Here's an article about the owners and their new restaurant.  Have a creative summer! Allison

"An Indiana Winter"

Hello!
Yes, it's been awhile since my  last post. But for a very good reason, we moved from NC to Indiana! As you can imagine, I've been busy with packing and unpacking. We moved to be near my husband's family and my 5yr. old  daughter has been having a blast enjoying the abundant snow. We are adjusting to the climate here and the cultural differences that those of the south. And can I say, "Go Colts!". Okay, I know they lost.

Finally, I say with a sign of relief, I'm getting back to painting again. With a change of scenery, I felt inclined to focus on rural Indiana. Looking out of a second floor window where I paint gave me an interesting perspective. I normally don't paint landscapes, but challenged myself to creating an abstract landscape from the view of my window.

Naturally, the colors this afternoon muted with the overcast sky, yet the terrain is interesting to me. I look out and see (no, not dead people), but rather lines and angles across the land. Like when you are in an airplane and looking down below (if you're not looking at an engine) and seeing patchwork patterns. The details of trees, hills, creeks, rivers, homes, etc., are abstracted and what's left is patchwork of colors. That's what I see here in the snow and cornfields in the dead of winter. It's a different kind of beauty. It's quiet and muted looking as if the land were saying,...it's time to slow down and rest. Perhaps, I'll do this particular scene each season to investigate the changes in textures, colors, and lines. I hope you're interested in following me on this journey. I'm also including a few photos of rural Indiana.

Here's the study I did today. Please feel free to leave comments. Thank you, Allison

"An Indiana Winter"

Ongoing Seasonal Study

Canvas Paper
Oil

Closeup

My husband took this photo about 4 a.m of the moon was shining so brightly across the farm.

Family time spent sledding.

My 5yr. old Sarah having the time of her life!

The rest of the Uncles/Aunts and cousins having a great time together.

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

"The Abyss Recreated"

Do you remember the movie, "The Abyss" from 1989 and directed by James Cameron and starred Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio? For some odd reason that movie made an impact on me, or I should admit, scared me. And I did give that movie too much time in my thought life. But anyway, I entertained those particular thoughts further and imagined what if the abyss wasn't that scary after-all. Let's say something happened down there and the abyss was recreated. The abyss instantly was recreated from a black bottomless pit of despair into a place of endless beauty and new life. Thus, this painting came to be.

I painted with oils using soft feathery brush strokes to show the gentle movement of the water. The colors choices were intended to be vivid, brilliant and dramatic because of the new energy that bursts forth. Well, that's what I imagined. Thank you stopping by and always feel free to comment. Allison.

"The Abyss Recreated"

18" x 18"

Oil

Sold

"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.

Current Work In Progress - "The Barn Window"

"The Barn Window"

Oil

This is a current work in progress.

Time to work on a project away from my usual abstract work and into realism. The original photograph was taken from the Reece family farm (my husband's family) in Indiana. To describe the photograph not only can you see the years of wear and tear on the barn, but a rather dusty window with little reflection left, a grain silo still in use today. This barn is no longer standing due to the property just recently being sold. Time moves on, but old memories remain. I'm proud to paint "The Barn Window". Check back with me on the final painted version.