Not So Different ...Just BIG

As my dog, Wing, will attest, going big is just like any other day in the studio.  Well in this case, the garage.  Don’t think I could get this big boy up the stairs into my studio and I know I would not be able to get that needed far away perspective.

So I guess location is a bit of a change.

From Little Guys to Big Boys

I have gotten the opportunity to exhibit some very large pieces, which gave me the perfect excuse to jump waaaay up in scale.  

Back of the envelope cipherin’ tells me that this 5’x4’ canvas is approximately 80 times bigger than the gesso boards  I have been working with recently....

cool.

I just love how making art creates such positive challenges....

...like how to drive with this sticking out the back...

Do Blondes Have More Fun?

My creative outlet has taken a bit of a turn this spring.  I have been making frames for my studio challenge pieces (aka “My Little Guys”) 

But still need to decide something...

Black or blonde for my frames?

If it’s black, it’s more materials and steps.  But with the blonde, I have to cut much more precisely since the wood putty would show.

It is a nice problem to have.  Either way these paintings will be posted for sale on BuyRVAart.com starting May 15th!

New On-line Art Venture

Just found out about a new on-line art venture for local artists and performers...in fact it is so new that this link will not work until May 15th...

Buy RVA Art

But here is the facebook page...which has some more information on it.

and the cool logo...

I have been intrigued by on-line galleries for a while and thinking this might be a good place to get my feet wet...thank you Jenni Kirby at CrossRoads Art Center for making this happen

Meow

Fat Cat in Art History 

Hope you enjoy this guilty pleasure as much as I did...Happy Friday

Speed Painting

Three Amigos, Acrylic

6"x6"

Acrylic on Board

Met one of my studio goals this year!

 I wanted to be able to paint more confidently and one way to prove that is happening is to paint fast, right? Well I decided to catch up on my self imposed "quota" and see how many studies I could do in about a three hour window today...

Three Amigos , Oil

8"x8"

Water Soluble Oil (WSO) on Board

Three Amigos Mono Study

8"x8"

Watercolor

Three Amigos in Color

8"x8"

Watercolor

Now these watercolors do feel a little rushed to me but I think I was able to give a better sense of space and visual weight to these guys than if I had not being doing my studio challenge.

So maybe practice is not making perfect (don't think I would want that to happen anyway) but it is moving me in the right direction, the self imposed time restraint forced me not to get fussy with my work.  

Love having one more strategy or "drill" in my toolbox to keep me painting, challenged and (hopefully) improving...

Do you have any drills or strategies that keep you challenged? How did you come to find or develop them?

On the Road College and Sketching Tour

Not able to work on my studio challenge this week since I will be nowhere near my studio.

My mobile studio is not an option either since I am constantly on-the-go looking for architectural schools for my oldest, pictured below...

He had just been running all around the East Village while I was regrouping with a late afternoon latte.

But (thankfully) I am still able to work!

  When I have the chance I am drawing on the fly in my traveling sketchbook.  Can't do this work "live" though.  Working from iPhone photos in the evening or on the train

A quick sentimental note that all you parents out there can relate to...saw this display on the way to the train station and it seems like just yesterday I was putting these little tiny
things on Mr. College Shopper...wow.