Category: Painting

Rhododendron – Collage Continued…

What started with a session of intuitive painting resulted in a piece of work combining collage and the painted line. I am enjoying this way of working as I don’t quite know what my next move is. It takes all expectation out of the process which I find both freeing and interesting, with each step requiring consideration especially in the collage stage.

Below from start to finish incorporating; oil pastel, acrylic, ink, pre-painted collage pieces, and gold acrylic detail.

  • Oil Pastel
  • Acrylic
  • Ink
  • Acrylic and Medium
  • 1st Collage Piece
  • Transluscent Gold Layer
  • Completed Piece

Solace in Surface Design

When both inspiration and energy are low, I turn to design for solace, choosing motifs to layer from the familiar and the beauty around me. I have always loved the designs of William_Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) British textile designer, and been heavily influenced by the motifs, pattern and gilding of the Art Nouveau period, especially the works of Gustav Klimt. The design above layers an old faded story worn curtain from times past, along with the fading, yet still cosy glow of autumn leaves from the garden. This work may become a back drop for a future work, the cover for a visual diary, or a piece of quiet contemplation as it stands – whatever it’s future the process was rejuvenating.

Emily’s Flowers

"Emily's Flowers" NZ Artist Gill Allen

A little weekend therapy with inspiration from my talented niece and her wonderful ability to arrange the most stunning flowers – thank you sweetie! Work measures: 29″ x 21″ is a mixed media piece using ink, acrylic and pastel on pre-textured paper.

Side-track to “Road Home” – experimenting with tonalism and atmosphere.

As the weather cools and my mind wanders to far away places, I chose to take a side-road back into landscape; looking deeper into atmospheric techniques. Have called this work “Road Home” and is an experiment using various media to produce atmosphere. I am leaning towards a mix between Stage 1. and 3. (below) and will continue experimenting. The completed study is approximately 450 x 450 mm sq. worked on textured paper.

  • 1. Alcohol used to fix dark pastel layer.
  • 2. Pastel layer blended with alcohol.
  • 3. Layer of water-based oils.
  • 4. Pastel highlights and texture.

Wild Heather

A few weeks ago, when the weather was sunny I took the easel outside in the Autumn warmth.  I like to have several paintings on the go, of varying sizes. It gives me a sense of achievement and satisfaction as one completes and another begins. I particularly enjoy working on a square format.

IMG_3767

 

Time to fail…

I have come to realise the importance of playing, failing and discovery.  Here are some of my experiments from the weekend. Some worked, some didn’t, but what was important is that I rocked up to the easel and was ready to fail; because I now realise that within that failure is inevitable discovery!

Acrylic base with ink brushwork
Pre-primed papers and black and white sketches
Fibrous stick for ink drawing
Finding a silhouette
Overpainted this experiment but learnt what not to do!
Quick landscape using ink and brush
Ink on textured gold acrylic primed paper
Over the corn field – ink study

 

 

This Weeks Challenge…

The three landscape studies above were started after making small black and white studies (size of matchbox)j from several photo’s.  All very much experimental and not necessarily looking for finished pieces.  Never-the-less this first completed piece ‘Road to Patuha – II’ seems to have found it’s focus.

The first work, far left on my drawing board was posted earlier this week – the completed image below.  Link takes you to my FB page  Road to Patuha – the making.

Road to Patuha - II

 

 

Toward the Tararua Ranges

This pastel study uses both wet and dry  pastel blending.  My aim was to produce a quietly toned piece that echoes the calmness I find in the landscape of the ranges.  In such changing times the ability to look towards such beauty, in all it’s strength and solidness, is both reassuring and grounding – I consider myself fortunate.

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