I couldn't help but to notice on an online message board lately that there had been some comments made to some shared artwork by myself and other artist's who share there which lead me to pondering some things. One of the comments read, "A lot of work but lovely work so I am sure it was worth it."; "this must have taken you forever..." and other related posts mentioning the time it takes to create a beautiful piece of artwork. These posts are not made by only one person and no, I'm not pointing fingers at any one person in particular; it's just that I found there are a variety of artists: those who take their time creating a project and those who prefer instant gratification.
I never really thought too much about it in regards to how I create until now and discovered I'm a little bit of both llong-term and instant. I prefer to have several projects going at once, one that will take me longer to accomplish and others that will allow me that instant gratification. This occur spontaneously at the same time and I may jump from one to the other especially if I'm waiting for glue, gesso, acrylic, watercolors or some other medium to dry before I can proceed on the long term project.
Having several long-term projects always in the works is always a challenge for me and often I focus on one or more at the same time if a technique I desire to use works well in both.
Anyways, I wondered just how many other artists create in this same fashion with a variety of project being works in process for a long-term project and if they supplement that with variety of little projects in between.
I know that I will be utilizing that skill a lot more as I begin to work on the submission process as some will be for professional reasons and other for the pure enjoyment I personally receive by swapping artwork with others, creating ATC's for trade, and work to finish some previous commitments, and some more personal in nature. Just some food for further investigating.... {*smiles}
Saturday, June 24, 2006
I feel rejuvinated after taking the day off from the studio re-organization yesterday. I did cook a huge breakfast and enjoyed it to the fullest. Unfortunately, Don needed to run some errands --- a haircut appt., pharmacy visit, and a trip to the bank, but he managed to make it home in time to eat before going to work. I putzed around leisurely cleaning up, doing a little bit of household chores --- nothing to strengthous since I've been in the studio too much to really do anymore damage in the house, LOL!
Chaos and I played ball until my arm felt as if it would fall off. I don't know where he gets all his energy but I wish he'd share his secret with me. Of course, turning around three times before lying down for frequent naps may have something to do with that!
Afterwards, I lounged around, re-acquainted myself with Mary Todd Beam's book, Celebrate Your Creative Self. I bookmarked a few pages that I desire to try my hand at. I just love all the little quips and quotes in her book, that in and of itself is inspiring to me creatively. I watched a movie on regular TV; not really getting into it, yet feeling creative but without too much energy to actually do anything about it, I sat and made some sketches of some items I'd like to create. I brainstormed a bit and discovered one item in particular that may make for a great submission project and the deadline is far enough away that I should have time to get the idea out of my head and into reality and submitted.
After Don returned home from working, we leisurely watched the news and eat off of some microwave heated leftovers while watching the news. I squeezed in a shower, getting dressed up, doing my hair and makeup and closer to 8 p.m. we left for the Moose for the Friday night drawing. The band wasn't to bad and it was great to see an old friend up on stage, still playing lead guitar. Steve and I have been friends for over 20 some years, so it was great to catch up with his life along with those of his wife and children's. We visited with other friends, laughed, joked, and chatted while I drank 3 ice cold Bud Lights in the bottle over the course of the evening. We returned home a bit after midnight and I'd spent the last hour yawning, LOL! I found it ironic that 20 years ago I'd be in high-swing at this point of the evening and not be thinking of going home, let along going home to sleep, LOL! Ah, such is life!
Anyways, the weather is great here today. Sunny and in the higher 70's, supposed to be near 80 later this afternoon. The recent rains have dissipated leaving everything a bit greener than before and growing. I think I'm going to lay out on the rear deck for awhile, work on my tan and relax a bit in the hot tub before making my way to the studio to continue with my reorganization efforts. Besides, I'm excited to finish listening to www.heartsart.com world talk radio with Lynn Whipple. I only made it through the first version while twirling ribbons on Thursday.
Chaos and I played ball until my arm felt as if it would fall off. I don't know where he gets all his energy but I wish he'd share his secret with me. Of course, turning around three times before lying down for frequent naps may have something to do with that!
Afterwards, I lounged around, re-acquainted myself with Mary Todd Beam's book, Celebrate Your Creative Self. I bookmarked a few pages that I desire to try my hand at. I just love all the little quips and quotes in her book, that in and of itself is inspiring to me creatively. I watched a movie on regular TV; not really getting into it, yet feeling creative but without too much energy to actually do anything about it, I sat and made some sketches of some items I'd like to create. I brainstormed a bit and discovered one item in particular that may make for a great submission project and the deadline is far enough away that I should have time to get the idea out of my head and into reality and submitted.
After Don returned home from working, we leisurely watched the news and eat off of some microwave heated leftovers while watching the news. I squeezed in a shower, getting dressed up, doing my hair and makeup and closer to 8 p.m. we left for the Moose for the Friday night drawing. The band wasn't to bad and it was great to see an old friend up on stage, still playing lead guitar. Steve and I have been friends for over 20 some years, so it was great to catch up with his life along with those of his wife and children's. We visited with other friends, laughed, joked, and chatted while I drank 3 ice cold Bud Lights in the bottle over the course of the evening. We returned home a bit after midnight and I'd spent the last hour yawning, LOL! I found it ironic that 20 years ago I'd be in high-swing at this point of the evening and not be thinking of going home, let along going home to sleep, LOL! Ah, such is life!
Anyways, the weather is great here today. Sunny and in the higher 70's, supposed to be near 80 later this afternoon. The recent rains have dissipated leaving everything a bit greener than before and growing. I think I'm going to lay out on the rear deck for awhile, work on my tan and relax a bit in the hot tub before making my way to the studio to continue with my reorganization efforts. Besides, I'm excited to finish listening to www.heartsart.com world talk radio with Lynn Whipple. I only made it through the first version while twirling ribbons on Thursday.
Friday, June 23, 2006
I'm back... my shredded hashbrowns are slowly cooking on the stovetop. It's beginning to smell good in here. I took out a steak figuring I'm really in the mood for steak and eggs, hashbrowns, and toast. Hmmm, maybe I'll mix up some pinapple orange juice to go with them. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Okay, here is the information that I shared regarding the acrylic glazing liquid and the gel mediums. I thought it may be some additional information that would go along with some that I previously share. Of course, brands are more a matter of preference, everyone has their own. I personally have had the best of luck with the Golden's brand. Yes, they are expensive {aren't all good quality art supplies?} but well worth their weight in gold. Once you use them, I can assure you, you'll love them! Anyways, the original poster inquiried as to what is "the lowdown on these two, what they do, tips, best kind, ect...."
and here is my reply....
My favorites are the Golden brand acrylic paints and mediums. Available at M's and other fine art supply stores. I'll try to walk you through each of them but my best advice is to purchase them and play and experiment. That is truly the best way to learn more about their individual properties.
Having said that, the acrylic glazing liquid was originally designed for interior applications on walls and furniture for a variety of faux finishing techniques.When mixed with acrylic paints it slows the drying time of the acrylics for increased workability. Depending upon the amount of glaze to acrylic paint ratio used when mixing you can control the amount of opaqueness and the amount of transparency a bit more. For instance, if you desire to cover something to an opaque finish, you'd mix a bit less of the acrylic glaze. To increase the transparency, you'd use more of the acrylic glaze. I tend to use ratios when mixing by pouring into a scoop, a spoon or something and noting the effect after I've mixed it well on my palette.
Creating and keeping a sample notebook will assist you greatly here and remember a tint has white added while a shade has black added and colors can be mixed alone with other colors or with either a tint or a shade to produce some wonderful color results, Also, don't rule out mixing with grey for even softer highlights and shading. Even changing the ratio of mixing of one color can change the original paint color greatly. This is useful in painting as nature is full of highlights and shadows and those often contain color other than just white and black. It also allows you to add depth and transculence to artwork.
Acrylic glazes are available in a variety of finishes from matte to a high gloss. And Golden products in acrylics do vary; between the properties of their standard acrylic and the fluid acylics. Like the name says, fluid will flow a bit better without any prep work.
Gel mediums are available in a variety of bodies from soft gels which are thinner to heavy body gels which are thicker. They allow you to create texture since they are thicker bodied than the acrylic paint and will peak up off your artwork depending upon how they are applied. The soft gels are great for collage work and can function as a glue for adhering thinner art papers. It can be used to some extent similar in nature to a glaze but without a lot of the same results the acrylic glazing medium will achieve because it is thinner and softer in consistency. Gels are used to extend paint, regulate translucency, opaqueness, and transparency.
Some of the high solid gels when mixed with acylics will allow for some of oil paint behaviors especially useful when mixed.
The pumice gels, clear granular gels, and course garnet gels are used to create texture and contain some of the above properties depending upon the amount of application.
Clear tar gels resembles putty, a tar-like feel, but colorless unless mixed. It is resinous and has a stringy consistency, great for creating small detailed lines by dripping it over surfaces or applying it with a palette knife. It will mix with acrylics but I've had more success with the fluid acrylics. It is great where texture and more surface depth is desired. Think wet, fallen leaves in autumn and you basically have that appearance it will produce.
I love one thing about acrylics, ok, make that they are my favorite paints... First, you can easily paint acrylic over acrylic, it layers well, and it dries quickly. You can paint watercolors and oils over acrylic but not vice versa. I know some people are probably asking why would you want to, well I'll tell you. Some watercolors have a staining ability that can add depth and texture which creates a visual receding quality while oil paints add a lot of additional color to highlighted artwork areas such as those in extreme sunlight bringing objects into the forefront.
With some painting processes, you may not desire that quick drying properties and there are a variety of mediums to add in and mix. It truly depends upon the visual appearance you're trying to achieve. HTH's........
Now comes the disclaimer, I am by far not an expert when it comes to painting --- with acrylics, watercolors, glazes, etc. but from experience I've learned what to expect and what isn't going to happen. Trust me there's nothing more frustrating than using a product that isn't designed to do what you desire it to do. Hence, my suggestion to try, experiment and learn.
A great exercise and a way to have some amazing backgrounds to use in artwork is to start an art idea journal. Using your paints, choose a color and use it first in its pure form; next, add a bit of white to it to create a tint of color, and afterwards mix it with black {again the pure color} to create a shade. I like to even use grey's as a shade as well, but it's your idea book, do what you like! After you've mixed on pigment of color, move on to the next color and mix it with the previously used one. Then, create a tint and a shade of that color. Experiment with ratios; using a 1:1, 1:2, 1: 3 or how many you desire of mixtures, add those to your art idea journal page. After they are dried go back and label them with a pen. This will become a great resource for you when trying to achieve a certain tint or shade of color later in your artwork and remember color often represents mood which can greatly affect your artwork.
When working to create your resource pages, use the left over paints on some torn out pages of a book and set them aside to dry. Being acrylics they will dry fairly quickly. Save them for future artwork projects as they'll make great backgrounds, collagable pieces, or even an ATC blank once mounted on something a bit sturdier, stamp on them, etc. There are a lot of possibilities here and another idea is to use your leftover paint for making paste paper. You don't actual need a full sheet, just get the leftover paint off your palette and utilize it vs. washing it off and down the drain.
Okay, here is the information that I shared regarding the acrylic glazing liquid and the gel mediums. I thought it may be some additional information that would go along with some that I previously share. Of course, brands are more a matter of preference, everyone has their own. I personally have had the best of luck with the Golden's brand. Yes, they are expensive {aren't all good quality art supplies?} but well worth their weight in gold. Once you use them, I can assure you, you'll love them! Anyways, the original poster inquiried as to what is "the lowdown on these two, what they do, tips, best kind, ect...."
and here is my reply....
My favorites are the Golden brand acrylic paints and mediums. Available at M's and other fine art supply stores. I'll try to walk you through each of them but my best advice is to purchase them and play and experiment. That is truly the best way to learn more about their individual properties.
Having said that, the acrylic glazing liquid was originally designed for interior applications on walls and furniture for a variety of faux finishing techniques.When mixed with acrylic paints it slows the drying time of the acrylics for increased workability. Depending upon the amount of glaze to acrylic paint ratio used when mixing you can control the amount of opaqueness and the amount of transparency a bit more. For instance, if you desire to cover something to an opaque finish, you'd mix a bit less of the acrylic glaze. To increase the transparency, you'd use more of the acrylic glaze. I tend to use ratios when mixing by pouring into a scoop, a spoon or something and noting the effect after I've mixed it well on my palette.
Creating and keeping a sample notebook will assist you greatly here and remember a tint has white added while a shade has black added and colors can be mixed alone with other colors or with either a tint or a shade to produce some wonderful color results, Also, don't rule out mixing with grey for even softer highlights and shading. Even changing the ratio of mixing of one color can change the original paint color greatly. This is useful in painting as nature is full of highlights and shadows and those often contain color other than just white and black. It also allows you to add depth and transculence to artwork.
Acrylic glazes are available in a variety of finishes from matte to a high gloss. And Golden products in acrylics do vary; between the properties of their standard acrylic and the fluid acylics. Like the name says, fluid will flow a bit better without any prep work.
Gel mediums are available in a variety of bodies from soft gels which are thinner to heavy body gels which are thicker. They allow you to create texture since they are thicker bodied than the acrylic paint and will peak up off your artwork depending upon how they are applied. The soft gels are great for collage work and can function as a glue for adhering thinner art papers. It can be used to some extent similar in nature to a glaze but without a lot of the same results the acrylic glazing medium will achieve because it is thinner and softer in consistency. Gels are used to extend paint, regulate translucency, opaqueness, and transparency.
Some of the high solid gels when mixed with acylics will allow for some of oil paint behaviors especially useful when mixed.
The pumice gels, clear granular gels, and course garnet gels are used to create texture and contain some of the above properties depending upon the amount of application.
Clear tar gels resembles putty, a tar-like feel, but colorless unless mixed. It is resinous and has a stringy consistency, great for creating small detailed lines by dripping it over surfaces or applying it with a palette knife. It will mix with acrylics but I've had more success with the fluid acrylics. It is great where texture and more surface depth is desired. Think wet, fallen leaves in autumn and you basically have that appearance it will produce.
I love one thing about acrylics, ok, make that they are my favorite paints... First, you can easily paint acrylic over acrylic, it layers well, and it dries quickly. You can paint watercolors and oils over acrylic but not vice versa. I know some people are probably asking why would you want to, well I'll tell you. Some watercolors have a staining ability that can add depth and texture which creates a visual receding quality while oil paints add a lot of additional color to highlighted artwork areas such as those in extreme sunlight bringing objects into the forefront.
With some painting processes, you may not desire that quick drying properties and there are a variety of mediums to add in and mix. It truly depends upon the visual appearance you're trying to achieve. HTH's........
Now comes the disclaimer, I am by far not an expert when it comes to painting --- with acrylics, watercolors, glazes, etc. but from experience I've learned what to expect and what isn't going to happen. Trust me there's nothing more frustrating than using a product that isn't designed to do what you desire it to do. Hence, my suggestion to try, experiment and learn.
A great exercise and a way to have some amazing backgrounds to use in artwork is to start an art idea journal. Using your paints, choose a color and use it first in its pure form; next, add a bit of white to it to create a tint of color, and afterwards mix it with black {again the pure color} to create a shade. I like to even use grey's as a shade as well, but it's your idea book, do what you like! After you've mixed on pigment of color, move on to the next color and mix it with the previously used one. Then, create a tint and a shade of that color. Experiment with ratios; using a 1:1, 1:2, 1: 3 or how many you desire of mixtures, add those to your art idea journal page. After they are dried go back and label them with a pen. This will become a great resource for you when trying to achieve a certain tint or shade of color later in your artwork and remember color often represents mood which can greatly affect your artwork.
When working to create your resource pages, use the left over paints on some torn out pages of a book and set them aside to dry. Being acrylics they will dry fairly quickly. Save them for future artwork projects as they'll make great backgrounds, collagable pieces, or even an ATC blank once mounted on something a bit sturdier, stamp on them, etc. There are a lot of possibilities here and another idea is to use your leftover paint for making paste paper. You don't actual need a full sheet, just get the leftover paint off your palette and utilize it vs. washing it off and down the drain.
After returning home from Amber's, Don and I sat to watch some TV. Nothing exciting really one, but we sat and rested none the least. I noticed as I sat there, not really getting into it, I felt as if I should have been doing something. I figured that I felt that way because I've been so busy as of late. I get so wrapped up in the doing that it is hard for me to totally relax afterwards unless, of course, I'm just exhausted.
Well, I believe I'm going to go whip up a good old fashioned breakfast for Don and I this morning. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day; although I'm guilty of skipping it often. Anyways, I'll be back, I need to post the info on the acrylic glaze and gel mediums I shared. ('til then, ta.. ta...}
Well, I believe I'm going to go whip up a good old fashioned breakfast for Don and I this morning. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day; although I'm guilty of skipping it often. Anyways, I'll be back, I need to post the info on the acrylic glaze and gel mediums I shared. ('til then, ta.. ta...}
First and foremost on my agenda for the day is to finish hand washing my ribbons to remove the dog slobber's that Chaos so lovingly placed upon them. I picked the box full up this morning to take a closer look at them and yuck! the slime has now dried!!! Hence, the hand washing and drying. Hell, I'm hopeful that I won't have to iron them, too. LOL!
I'm still in shock, okay, disbelief that he would do such a thing but mainly that he come to me and bark, kind of the "see what I did" thing. What the hell was he thinking? Anyways, I suppose in some ways, I had this coming as who in their right mind would leave that box laying on the couch with a rambunctious 10 month old labador retriever around? I must admit I've been a bit neglectful as I've been pre-occupied with the studio organization. Chaos can be so well-behaved one minute and mischievous the next, so I should have been better prepared.
Anyways, today I answered a post on a message board where the original poster asked about acrylic glazes and gel mediums. I thought the information that I replied with was worth repeating so I'll post it in my next thread in a category all of it's own. My main point here is to simply say that I really miss painting! God, I need to get the studio organization completed just so I can have the time to play! I get all giddy and excited just thinking about my paints, inks, and rubberstamps.
I've one project going that I really need to work on and that is the journal that I started months ago with journaling for Alexxis. I created it to add pictures of my studio, my artwork, and to provide some samples of the papers and the techniques that I used. As I was organizing the ribbons yesterday.... twirling them around and around in my hands, I looked around my studio and wonder if she'd one day discover a gold mine of adventure within these same four walls. Would she be like me? Have a passsion for paper? paint? and love creating with her hands? Would she look at my supplies as I looked upon my grandmother's treasures of button filled jars and marbles? And would she treasure my artwork as I treasured my grandmother's seashell room? I don't have the answer to those questions now, but hopefully one day, I'll get to see if she does. I can almost imagine her sitting there with me asking me questions such as "Grammie, where did you get all these buttons?" "What are you going to do with all of them?" "Isn't this one beautiful? It's my favorite!" I long for those conversations with my granddaughter; to hear her squeal with delight and laughter. But for now, I'm simply enjoying watching her grow.
Last night, Don & I went to visit with my girls {and my guy, Chris}. Alexxis was fighting sleep when I arrived, then shortly left me a present in her diaper. (Do I have good timing, or what?) After changing her, getting her settled in my arms once again, I had her to sleep in a matter of 10 minutes. Amber looks at me like "how the hell do you do that?" LOL! and Chris replies, "Grandma Highland has the magic touch!" Well, I don't know much about magic but I do know I enjoy holding Alexxis, gently rocking her to sleep, just about as much as she enjoys being held and rocked. We just clicked.
I'm still in shock, okay, disbelief that he would do such a thing but mainly that he come to me and bark, kind of the "see what I did" thing. What the hell was he thinking? Anyways, I suppose in some ways, I had this coming as who in their right mind would leave that box laying on the couch with a rambunctious 10 month old labador retriever around? I must admit I've been a bit neglectful as I've been pre-occupied with the studio organization. Chaos can be so well-behaved one minute and mischievous the next, so I should have been better prepared.
Anyways, today I answered a post on a message board where the original poster asked about acrylic glazes and gel mediums. I thought the information that I replied with was worth repeating so I'll post it in my next thread in a category all of it's own. My main point here is to simply say that I really miss painting! God, I need to get the studio organization completed just so I can have the time to play! I get all giddy and excited just thinking about my paints, inks, and rubberstamps.
I've one project going that I really need to work on and that is the journal that I started months ago with journaling for Alexxis. I created it to add pictures of my studio, my artwork, and to provide some samples of the papers and the techniques that I used. As I was organizing the ribbons yesterday.... twirling them around and around in my hands, I looked around my studio and wonder if she'd one day discover a gold mine of adventure within these same four walls. Would she be like me? Have a passsion for paper? paint? and love creating with her hands? Would she look at my supplies as I looked upon my grandmother's treasures of button filled jars and marbles? And would she treasure my artwork as I treasured my grandmother's seashell room? I don't have the answer to those questions now, but hopefully one day, I'll get to see if she does. I can almost imagine her sitting there with me asking me questions such as "Grammie, where did you get all these buttons?" "What are you going to do with all of them?" "Isn't this one beautiful? It's my favorite!" I long for those conversations with my granddaughter; to hear her squeal with delight and laughter. But for now, I'm simply enjoying watching her grow.
Last night, Don & I went to visit with my girls {and my guy, Chris}. Alexxis was fighting sleep when I arrived, then shortly left me a present in her diaper. (Do I have good timing, or what?) After changing her, getting her settled in my arms once again, I had her to sleep in a matter of 10 minutes. Amber looks at me like "how the hell do you do that?" LOL! and Chris replies, "Grandma Highland has the magic touch!" Well, I don't know much about magic but I do know I enjoy holding Alexxis, gently rocking her to sleep, just about as much as she enjoys being held and rocked. We just clicked.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Ok, think positive thoughts.......
very positive thoughts....... Lord knows I need them before I commit animal abuse. I'm happily reporting the damage has already been done but I managed to save some of my ribbons.
anyways....
as I worked today, I realized that I missed my girlfriends! I haven't seen Sheila in ages, having created with Chris, Deb, or Jackie in over a year, havent' went shopping with Lori in ages or even had a lunch out in quite a long time. As I ponder on this, I realized I'm going to so miss Becki when her and Mike move to Atlanta. I thought about how I should have made more time to get together with her more often. So today, I'm making it a point in the upcoming week to get on the telephone and to call my girlfriends, schedule in some time to play, a shopping trip, or simply lunch!
Oh, and no dogs were harmed in the process of this post, ROFLOL!
anyways....
as I worked today, I realized that I missed my girlfriends! I haven't seen Sheila in ages, having created with Chris, Deb, or Jackie in over a year, havent' went shopping with Lori in ages or even had a lunch out in quite a long time. As I ponder on this, I realized I'm going to so miss Becki when her and Mike move to Atlanta. I thought about how I should have made more time to get together with her more often. So today, I'm making it a point in the upcoming week to get on the telephone and to call my girlfriends, schedule in some time to play, a shopping trip, or simply lunch!
Oh, and no dogs were harmed in the process of this post, ROFLOL!
I'm dizzy, I'm tired, and I'm sick.......
of twirling! LOL! Not me, the ribbon around the popsicle sticks. Don came home shortly after 4:30 p.m. as I was finishing up a telephone call from my sis in Texas. Deciding to stop, I came in, grabbed a quick bite to eat and thought I'd just grab the last two trays of ribbon and wind them up while watching the news. Shortly after 7:30 p.m., satisfied, I'd finished them.
I jumped online to check my email, posted a reply, check the 2P's message board, posted a couple replies {man, is the board ever slow!} anyways, here comes Chaos over to the computer to bark at me. I turn just in time to see that he had gotten ahold of all my pretties...... grrrrrrrr. Now, I know why he isn't the studio buddy Isis used to be. He cannot stay out of anything I do, and have I mentioned he loves paper! I guess in my case I can truly say, "The dog ate my homework!" GRRRRRRRRRRRR........
I jumped online to check my email, posted a reply, check the 2P's message board, posted a couple replies {man, is the board ever slow!} anyways, here comes Chaos over to the computer to bark at me. I turn just in time to see that he had gotten ahold of all my pretties...... grrrrrrrr. Now, I know why he isn't the studio buddy Isis used to be. He cannot stay out of anything I do, and have I mentioned he loves paper! I guess in my case I can truly say, "The dog ate my homework!" GRRRRRRRRRRRR........
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