Back to Work

I am back home now and trying to get back into the groove again. I am still working with no image in mind, just design elements. Color and texture are the main emphasis with drawing into the paint. Also, still working with grids.

Watercolor

I have not done anything with watercolor in a long, long time. However, I am traveling and brought along a small portable watercolor set which I planned to use with drawing. I only brought a few acrylics since I was not planning to do any serious painting; but in doing some sketches, I was not happy with the colors I was getting with the acrylics. So, I tried the watercolors. It has been great fun to go back to seeing what the paper and colors do with the water, and I am loving the bright colors I am getting with this. I don't think I will go back to using watercolor regularly, but it is a good experience.

Painting Without White

Painting without using white pigment is my newest challenge for myself. I have been using white to cover up and take out things - assert and obliterate - process painting. Today I decided to not use white and cover up with black or other colors. It's an interesting challenge.

Energy of Abstract

Working with the energy of abstract - doing the dance of going back and forth, closer and further away from the paiting and adding, taking away from intuitive urges. The only thing set is the colors being used.

Working from Memory

Working from memory without any reference is a challenge. On the other hand, it does lead to more abstract images and is a fun way to express an idea. Images of summer still are in my mind as long as the weather stays so hot. This is memories from the coast.

Strong Edge

So, here is the "on the edge" painting that is the one done at the same time as the "center" one in the previous blog. This one feels much stronger and bolder than the softer one before, but I like both and feel both are "me" - guess I am soft and gentle with a strong edge.

Soft and Gentle

This month at the AARP website Steven Aimone's group is doing exercises with doing two drawings at the same time, one with the emphasis in the center and the other with the emphasis on the edge. This is the "center" one, and the comments I had from posting it were that it was gentle and nurturing, soft etc. I feel that the people involved with the group know each other pretty well since we have been doing this for a year now. I think maybe I have visually expressed the conflict I feel when painting: gentle and soft or strong and expressive. I will post the one "on the edge" next; it is what I feel much stronger. However, maybe I am somewhere inbetween the two, gentle with a strong streak. Something to think about! I like both!