Foundational Integer

Caribbean Duet

Foundational Integer  is an 10x8 mixed media on board.  It evolved by starting with a layer of texture using ink.  The next layer was a few pieces of newspaper collage, and then numbers were stenciled in the upper right.  From there, I applied many thin layers of acrylic paint, watercolor crayons and Pearl-Ex powders.  The painting was then varnished with a thick glossy layer and framed in a wide matte black frame.

4th Annual Buckroe Beach Arts in the Park Festival

I will be participating in the 4th Annual Buckroe Beach Arts in the Park Festival in Hampton, VA. on Saturday, September 14th from 10 am until 6 pm.  Here is a link to more information http://www.peninsulaconnects.org/artsintheparkfestival.html 
Please stop in for a visit.

Burnished Groove

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.