I'm Back in the Studio!

Distant Lake (a study) 4" x 6"
Golden Open Acrylics on Textured Masonite

After much debate, I have moved all the art materials back into the studio, that had infiltrated the house. It was great having smaller pieces to work on while my broken ribs were mending, but I was finding myself becoming more and more frustrated with not being able to have the materials I needed within reach. And while the studio is a brisk walk from the house, I was finding it was taking me out of creative mode to have to go back and forth.

So, I spent this week moving everything back, and reorganizing the house and office as best I could. It's nice having my office back to it's old self too, I have to admit. In fact I like it so much I finally broke down and bought the newest Blackberry so I could sync my calender and contacts to my phone. I am taking Alyson B. Stanfield's Class on Cultivating Connections starting next week, and I feel so ahead of the game this time regarding being prepared for her teachings. I was however, rather stunned to find out how far behind the technology curve I had become. That must come from hibernating in the studio...or in this case, great room. This new phone makes about four other items I own obsolete. That amazes me. Now if I could paint with it...

I am eager to get started on my new show pieces. I have been waiting so long to really get back into the swing of painting, pending the medical approval. And I am very excited to be announcing my New E-mail Newsletter, and a very special monthly event that will be associated with it. More on that tomorrow.

It's Good to be Back in the Studio!

REFLECTIONS by Cyd Rust Wins Another Award!Juror Mark E. Silvers calls it a "Powerful Small Painting"

Reflections
9" x 12"
Acrylic on Canvas Panel

Reflections was awarded Third Place in a large Watermedia Class by Juror Mark E. Silvers at the 2009 June Juried Fine Art Show. This is an annual Open Show sponsored by the Thompson Valley Art League. The artwork presented in this division was exceptional, and to receive a Third Place over some of these pieces is just overwhelming. Thank you to TVAL and to Mr. Silvers for giving me the opportunity to now have a multiple award winning painting.

*Giclee Prints on Canvas of REFLECTIONS are now available.

The June Juried Fine Art Show runs through June 26th, 2009
at The Lincoln Gallery

429 North Lincoln Ave,
Loveland, CO 80537

ZOWIE no B253

ZOWIE

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Ampersand Aquaboard

I am thrilled to announce ZOWIE (the now finished Zinnia) ;
and REFLECTIONS...were accepted into the 2009 June Juried Fine Arts Show in Loveland Colorado. This Open Show is presented each year by the Thompson Valley Art League.

The show runs from June 8th to June 26th 2009

The Juror this year was renowned watercolorist Mark E. Silvers.

A Reception and awards presentation will be held Friday June 12th

6PM - 8PM at the Lincoln Gallery

429 No Lincoln Ave,Loveland CO

The General Public Is Invited to Attend

Special Thanks To Jim Digby for this beautiful photo.

Acrylic Painting Demonstration Zinnia Part 3

Step 6: Clean up

This was basically the final step before adding the Stamens. I took out a few unnecessary small petals. Reshaped a few to look nicer. Darkened my background as the vibrant colors just weren't popping as much as I had wanted with the softer background. While I did hate sacrificing that, it just wasn't allowing the glow I was looking for. I also added the final bit of Magenta and Quiller Violet to the petals.

All that is left is a final coat on the background to even it up where there are thin areas that soaked into the Ampersand Aquaboard, add the stamens, and sign it. :)

Acrylic Painting Demonstration Zinnia Part 2

Step 5: Softening and Defining

In this image I have spent a little more time delineating petals, adding shadows, correcting petal shapes, and beginning to soften edges and play with the background colors a little more. I am still keeping to the limited color palette I started with.

Acrylic Painting Demonstration Zinnia Part 1

I thought it might be fun to do a step by step demonstration of one of my works as I was painting it. This is to be an entry for an upcoming show if it turns out. It is a photo of a Zinnia I shot at the Colorado State University Floral Testing Site.

*note: Because of the nature of blogs, the demo starts at the bottom of the page and works up.

Step 4: Beginning The Background

Before I begin the final detail work, I wanted to begin placing my background to get an overall feel for the painting. All colors in the background are values created using the flower petals and their complimentaries, with the intention of creating varying degrees of neutrals to amplify the already vibrant painting. I am quite pleased at how it is looking.

Step 3: The Final Washes Before Beginning Details

This Round I added my first wash of Magenta. I will come back in later and brighten it up even more when I do the detail work. Again, more time spent defining of the flower petals and shadows.

Step 2: The Intermediary Washes

This second round of washes used the same colors on the flowers as before, but I upped the heat a little with Quin Red. That and the mixes I created from the group were then used to begin creating petal definition.

Step 1: The Initial Washes

I applied my first two coats of Stephen Quiller Acrylics...using Cad Yellow. Did a very light wash of Cad Orange for shading, and created a light neutral gray with the yellow and Stephen's own Quiller Violet to overlay the vibrant white of the board's background. I took the same color darker for the flower center and stem. This entire step is more to give me a blueprint as it were, of where I want to be going, and a guidance of color with an underlayment of hues.

Choosing A Substrate

I decided to try an Ampersand Aquaboard for my substrate this time. I was unable to find a smooth board this large locally, which would have been preferred for this painting, so I was forced to use a textured surface. It is my first time using Ampersand's Aquaboard and I am amazed at how easily even Acrylic can be lifted off this. I will definitely be trying a landscape on this next as I like the texture and effects very much.

I Would Enjoy Hearing Your Comments On This Post.

Thank You For Visiting.

Cyd

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