Wander II

These "Wander II" art piece is quite different from the first original "Wander" which you can see if you didn't see that one yet.

The "Wander II" is a mixed media piece as well, but does have a rather rough, dark look to it, unlike the first. In Wander II, I used chalks which are great blending tools and lots of circle mark marking.

You see the words, Live Everyday, and My Favorite Part...words that are so important to our creative journey or any part of a journey. Today, we try to live the much you can each day, and remember your favorite parts of your day for gratitude.

I actually like this piece because of it's bold colors and rising circles with mark marking. There is a rough texture to this painting, which is one of My Favorite Parts...you can feel the texture and it feels like part of the wandering process...rough, textured!

Let me know what you enjoy about these pieces... more will be posted.

You can see and get this painting here, WANDER II

Thank you!

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 

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

   

Art Collectors, Native American Art: Moccasins

Hello again from the mountain city of Asheville, NC.
Well, I see you are "staying tuned" as I asked, thank you. And since you are still with me, here's a new photo of "Moccasins" inspired by the reviews of viewers. As I mentioned, I believe for some reason, I'm not sure why, the "Cherokee Girls" painting seemed to strike a chord with many. So, don't fix what ain't broke, right? But actually, I paint what moves me, or what's the point, right? So here's another small painting even though, larger than the "Cherokee Girls" painting under the Native American theme. 

"Moccasins" is near and dear to my heart. My Dad bought us girls (my siblings and older sisters) moccasins to wear around the house. We thought we were pretty cool. They weren't heavily beaded as the ones in my painting, but they came with fringe and anything with fringe is a cool thing for a young girl! Even looking at this painting now, I'm thinking I'd love to have a pair. How about you? Did you ever own moccasins? 

 "Moccasins"

6" x 6"

Acrylic

Paper

What do you think? Ready for a pair?    

Native American Art: Cherokee Girls

Hello!
Thought it might be a good time to brush up on my technical skills concerning my painting. So, I decided to paint this small postcard size painting, "Cherokee Girls". This one is near and dear to my heart, since a small part of my own family heritage on my Dad's side is Cherokee Indian. 

I just love the bright colors these girls are wearing while dancing their traditional Cherokee dances. This little painting sold right away and seemed to strike a chord with many viewers.  The buyer was so kind to leave a comment how she was so glad she purchased the painting and how it was even more amazing in person. My photography skills need to improve, so I'm not surprised the buyer thought it looked better in person. But sure was a nice compliment and I'm happy she's pleased with her painting.

Since this particular painting moved many, I decided to paint another American Indian themed painting. So stay tuned for the next post where I show off the next one in this series.

Here's "Cherokee Girls".

  "Cherokee Girls"

5" x 7" 

Watercolor and Acrylic

Paper

Sold   

What do you think? Stayed tuned for "Moccasins", my next American Indian themed painting. 

"Lost Landscape with Broken Joy"

I'm back!
Just when you thought it was safe....oh no, she's returned with another wild painting!
Okay, sorry, so I couldn't think of a better opening line.  


Here's the other smaller painting I wanted to show you inspired from the series of postcard paintings in the Twitter Art Exhibit.
Let's see what you think.

"Lost Landscape with Broken Joy"

24" x 18" x 1.2"

Acrylic

Canvas

Lost Landscape with Broken Joy

Cost: $250.00 USD

Close up View

Another Close up View

You can see this one has lots of texture, a very rugged look. 

Next painting will be with a totally different painting and style. 

Now, what do you think of  "Lost Landscape with Broken Joy"? 

Do You Surrender To Your Art Journey? Part 1

I want to say, "Thank you!" to everyone that has been validating my newest Intuitive Series. It's been good to finally give myself the freedom and opportunity to go where I've never gone before with my art. Yes, the final frontier. Sorry, I had to say it. You knew that was coming, right? Anyhow, I was talking with a very talented artist in our River Arts District here in Asheville. He was explaining the process of his wonderful paintings and I was doing the same. As I was sharing about my new project, making my art in a more intuitive fashion, he made an interesting comment. As crazy as some may think it is, I told him how I was allowing the paint to show me where it was to go. In other words, letting go of the self talk of the Left brain and trying to shut it down, giving the Right brain creativity to take over. And whatever happens, happens. He totally understood and said, "Surrendering to the painting." I said, "Yes, exactly!". Now as silly as some people might think that is...it really doesn't matter, because we artists know something bigger than ourselves takes places, once we surrender to the process. Finally, after many years of planning my art, trying to figure it out, and wearing myself out doing so, I've let go and surrendered to it. 


Now the work is improving, new styles are emerging and I'm not "the frustrated artist" any more. For me, this is a big deal and I can hardly wait to see where this creative process takes me and my art. I do hope you will continue to follow this journey, the stories behind the paintings, and the art itself.


Back to this painting, " Our Planet Earth". This one took some time to make and plenty of paint. I thought I would step out of my boundaries with color and add color choices I normally wouldn't, such as olive. I'm just not an olive person, the color or the food. I have always been fascinated by the images NASA would take from their telescopes and this painting reminds me of those images. How small it make me feel when I see photos of Earth and knowing the universe is so vast... The details of this painting are so neat and I'm not sure the photographs will show them off. 

"Our Planet Earth"

Acrylic

24" x 2o" x 1/2"

Close Up View 1 - the darker sections with

blues, olive,yellow golds, reds

Close Up View of the purples  and whites

Another Close Up View 

Side View where the paint runs nicely over the edges.

Now, what do you see in this painting?

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!

"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

"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.

Charleston, SC Painting In Progress

Here's the latest details adding to the canvas after blocking it in. So still have more work to do on the palm trees, sidewalk, and cobblestone road. If I may, has a little Edward Hopper look to it. I'll show the final canvas when complete. Hope you enjoy the view or memories of Charleston, SC!