Still Waters

It’s finished! The 48x60 commissioned painting that I have been working on, that is.  Working on this painting has been an incredible experience.  I loved every minute of it, even the part where it is 60 inches tall and so am I.  This meant that I spent quite a bit of my painting time sitting on the floor or kneeling  After starting with a couple of layers of heavy texture using gesso, paper  and modeling paste, I began many, many layers of paint and mediums in various shades of blue, green and yellow.There is also a little espresso and bronze.

Still Waters 60hx48w mixed media on canvas

The goal was a peaceful, abstracted landscape to include specific colors requested by my client.  I am very pleased with the finished work and she is pleased with the photograph.  The painting will be delivered soon.

And so it begins - progress on 48x60 canvas

And so it begins… The work on the large painting I mentioned earlier.  This painting is quite large (48x60) and is the largest project I have taken on so far.  As my friend and fellow artist, Adele Castillo (http://adelecastillo.com/) predicted on my Face Book page https://www.facebook.com/LauraGibbsStudio, I am enjoying working on this large canvas.

The large blank canvas was a little daunting at first.  I started with two layers of heavy texture and a number of layers of paint so far.  My goal is an abstracted landscape with soothing, peaceful colors.  

This is a commission piece and the client is out of town.  So that I felt comfortable with the colors we were discussing, she went to a paint store and chose some paint chips to send me.  I think this worked out very well as I was able to see exactly what she had in mind.  The painting is to be primarily a range of blues, greens and grayed versions of these.  The highlights will be soft yellows and whites.

Art Show this weekend

Seawall Art Show Portsmouth, VA  August 24 and 25, 2013

I will be participating in the 43rd annual Seawall Art Show this weekend in downtown Portsmouth, VA.  The show hours are Saturday 10 am until 6 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.  Here is the link for more show information http://www.seawallartshow.org/.

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.