Aquanotic

Aquanotic - 8x10 mixed media on board

This painting was just finished this week and hasn't been framed yet.  It is one that was started some time ago.  As part of my process, I often start several pieces as once.  Some speak to me sooner than others, so there is always something to work on.  When I start paintings, most are completely spontaneous experiments.  The initial stages are messy with wet ink and paint.  They are left to dry overnight and once all the texture materials are removed, I am able to get a feel for where to go next.

Over the years, I have spent a lot of time enjoying the waters that surround us in this part of the country (and usually on our vacations as well).  As such, the water has become a strong influence in my art, both in the colors and the flowing nature of the media.

Uncharted Territory

This picture shows a canvas waiting to be started.  The canvas is 48 inches wide and 60 inches tall.  Am I nervous?  Yes.  Am I intimidated? Yes, that too.  But, I am also excited about the prospect of pushing into uncharted territory.  This will be the largest painting I have ever tackled.  I did finish one that is 30x60 and I must admit that I had the same feelings then.

There has been some preparation needed before I can begin.  I have visited the hardware store to purchase some larger rollers than those that I have used in the past.  Since I make a number of stamps that I use for texture, I made one that is 8.5x11 in. to try to work within the scale of the canvas.  Additionally, I have been scavenging things that may be used as texture tools.  As I progress on this painting, I will post pictures of some of the tools that I am using.

I feel certain that this is a painting that will take some time, planning and evaluation along the way. I hope you will check back and enjoy the journey with me.

Phosphorescence

Stockley Gardens Arts Festival

This weekend, I will be participating in the Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival this weekend in Norfolk, VA.  I am in space B40.  Section B is the middle section.  Show hours are listed below:

Saturday, May 18, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The show is located in the Ghent area of Norfolk.  Click here http://www.hope-house.org/arts/spring-stockley-gardens-arts-festival/dates-facts.php
for more information. 

Please stop by for a visit.

Have a great weekend,
Laura

Sunset Passage

Sunset Passage 

The painting above is mixed media on paper and is framed under glass.  It is 37hx27w and the sales price is $660.00. I used ink, acrylic paint, some texture medium and some ink based pencils.  The pencils were fun to use as they can be used dry, wet or grated into either wet paint or water for some interesting effects. There are many layers and paint was applied, lifted, and textured.

I participated in the East Beach Art Show this past weekend. We had wonderful weather and crowds. I was very fortunate to receive the Third Place award.  Click here to see a picture of the award on my Facebook page. The juror spent time with every artist and came back around after the announcements were made to make some personal comments.

One of these best aspects of participating in outdoor shows is the feedback that you get from both attendees and other artists.  It is such a compliment to me when people are drawn in to get a closer look at my art.  All of the positive comments were very inspirational and offer much motivation to get in my studio and paint, paint, paint.  

Finding Your Edge

“If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space.”― Stephen Hunt

Some of you may know that I practice yoga regularly.  In yoga, we often speak about finding our edge.  We mean to find “that place where you are challenged, but successful”.  In making art, I find it necessary to find my edge.  It is essential to my creative process to experiment and  push myself out of my comfort zone.  Sometimes this is in little ways.  For example using a color that I don't often work with or trying a texture tool that I haven't used before.  Experimentation may involve something bigger such as working on a large surface, a slick surface or trying a design I have never used before.

Radishes -  mixed media on panel 6x6

In my painting, Radishes I am painting on a surface that I have not used before.  This is a wood panel that is cradled, meaning that it does not need to be framed and is ready to hang as is.  I often paint with watercolor on a surface that has been coated in acrylic gesso.  A friend saw one of my paintings and showed me this new surface that she was using for her oil paintings.  I had been looking for a very smooth surface to use with my abstracts.  I really loved painting these radishes and will be painting at least 3 more of these 6x6 cradled panels.  I know that in my last post I indicated that I would post some photos of this painting in process, but I just get so into the painting that I forget to stop and take pictures. They are gessoed and ready for a subject.  This painting is $75.00; contact me at lauragibbs@lauragibbs-studio.com to purchase.

Have a great day!

Robin's Nest

Robin's Nest 8x8 mixed media on board

Robin's Nest is a recently completed mixed media painting that I was fortunate enough to sell almost immediately. I am enjoying painting in this style again and posted another painting, Aubergine that is in my post of January 30, 2013. It is so much fun that I have started a series of small paintings (6x6) of fruits and vegetables that will be on cradled board so that they are ready to hang without a frame. The first one is of radishes.  I am planning to post a few pictures of the paintings while they are in progress so that you can get a feel for the steps that lead to a finished work.

I have worked in this style before; if you click here you will be directed to the page in my website devoted to them.  Thinking about “style” brings up a bigger question, what is it?  Answering this question is a lot more complicated than it would appear.  After research and discussion with fellow artists, I discovered the following: (taken from my website - click here to see it)

What is Abstract Art?

That is often debated and difficult to nail down.  After researching this topic, I have found a definition that I am comfortable with.  “Abstraction indicates a departure from reality in depiction of imagery in art. This departure from accurate representation can be only slight, or it can be partial, or it can be complete. Abstraction exists along a continuum. Even art that aims for verisimilitude of the highest degree can be said to be abstract, at least theoretically, since perfect representation is likely to be exceedingly elusive. Artwork which takes liberties, altering for instance color and form in ways that are conspicuous, can be said to be partially abstract. Total abstraction bears no trace of any reference to anything recognizable” More information may be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_art

Based on all of this, often confusing information; I decided to go with abstract.  Maybe it should be Realism with a Twist or Realism My Way.  One of these terms may work their way into my vocabulary one day.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog.

Have a great day!

Geared Vibrato

This year I am participating in Tidewater Arts Outreach's Instruments of Art fundraiser.  http://twartsoutreach.org/ssfl/instruments/index.html Local artists are provided an instrument that they will turn into a work of art.  These instruments will be sold at their Celebration Gala and Auction on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 7:30 - 10 pm.  The Gala will be held at Selden Arcade, 200 E. Main Street Norfolk, VA.

I chose an electric guitar and named the finished work Geared Vibrato.

Below are several photos that show the progression from start to completion.

1.  beginning

2. 

3.

4.

5.

6. Finished

7.  Close-up