View Through Paradise

While on vacation in California, I was mesmorized by the Bird of Paradise Plants. I shot numerous photos for future paintings, but found myself running for a small canvas and paint just to be able to get one down. As often happens with my sculptures also...this immediacy produced something of an abstract rendition, gazing through the petals of numerous flowers.

View Through Paradise

5" x 7" on Canvas Panel

Available

Sky High

I have spent the last few weeks experimenting with some of the techniques shown in a variety of the books I purchased by various authors. I am randomly picking what I am in the mood to do to help keep my interest high. I am not really trying at this point to produce finished paintings, but rather to learn as much about technique as I can. However once in a while a truly nice painting comes along that I want to share. I absolutely love how the clouds in this painting turned out. To be honest, I don't know if I could even replicate them. But I find them completely stunning in all their colors.

Sky High

8 3/4" x 11 3/4" on Archival Unstretched Canvas.

Available

This is the second of what I would consider a finished painting of my work so far. Again from a lesson in a book, it was really fascinating to work on. This painting has multiple layers and techniques used in it..so I really learned a lot! I couldn't for the life of me figure out why all the layers were being put down, just to cover them up again. LOL. But now that it is finished, I can see the depth the layers created, even in my unskilled hands. :)

(This lesson is from Painting with Brenda Harris, Volume 2.)

Ginger & Orchids

After checking around the area, I was unable to find a local artist who taught acrylic painting, so I decided the next best thing would be to find a collection of books that looked worth studying, and follow their lessons as best I could. I found quite a few different authors I thought might be interesting to study from..,starting with a couple of beginner type art books, and moving onwards to much more intense lessons on color and technique theory. This is going to be such a fun year!

Ginger & Orchids

8" x 10" on Archival Unstretched Canvas

NFS

I believe the purpose of this lesson was to learn about mixing and layering acrylics. I had kind of a difficult time following the picture the book was showing...but I had fun, and at this stage, I think not being intimidated by the blank paper and just enjoying the process is so worth the effort!

(This is a lesson from "Walter Foster's A Complete Painting Kit for Beginners. " )

The Journey Begins...

After years of wishing I was a Painter, I decided it was time to either find out what I could create in this art form, or get over it and get on with my life. Truly the proverbial **** or get off the pot. LOL.

I have therefore committed to devoting a full year of my life to this project. My goal will be to concentrate on learning all I can about Acrylic painting. To gain as much knowledge as I can from the beginning to the end of the process as possible, and hopefully find my inner painter in the interim. I want to learn everything from how to mix colors, to brush techniques, to how to use different supports, and finally to exactly what can be created using this medium.

I have begun this blog to serve as a diary of the steps along my path. I have no idea whether I have the talent to become a painter, but I am committed to devoting a full year to this journey to try and find out.