Process

My process is always changing but lately, I've been doing more and more work without brushes...it definitely makes for a more free process for me. 

 

Applying the paint:  I use a damp paper towel to apply a base coat in patches.

 

 

I then work with the pastel to make a bottom layer to the panel. 

 

I work with smaller detail chalk and pencils to create more depth.

 

I apply charcoal and graphite to outline and fill in more detail.  I use both to create more dimension. 

 

I like this area of the painting the best.  I might try to use it as inspiration for a more simple work in the future.  The balance of the circle and with muted colors is the direction I'm headed.   

 

This one is not simple...or muted. 

 

But it is a process.  And I always enjoy where it takes me. 

"There is no plan.  Each step forward is more difficult and I feel more and more less free until finally I conclude there is nothing left to do."  - Gerhard Richter

Speckling

Inspiration:  "speckles" from the flower's pollen

 

Actual: in progress

 

"Sometimes"  Acrylic, pastel and charcoal  10 x 22 birch wood panel

 



(detail)

 

 



Roscoe in Red Chair

 

 

Inspiration:  Roscoe is usually on the nearest cushion available within my proximity...so he is an easy target.  Not so easy to paint or draw a big black pile of fur but atleast he sits pretty still.

 

Actual:  Roscoe in red chair

Acylic, pastel, charcoal and graphite on 18 x 24 birch panel

 

 

(detail)

 

 

 

Agnes

Inspiration:  Anges Martin  I fell in love with the work of Agnes Martin as soon as I saw it.  Some look at it and don't get it.  She specialized in huge paintings with amazing attention to detail to make her grids perfect.  I do not aspire to ever have that kind of focus but I do admire it. 

She died in 2004.  

 

 

Agnes Bernice Martin was a Canadian-born American abstract painter, often referred to as a minimalist; Martin considered herself an abstract expressionist. She won a National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998. Wikipedia

 

Actual:  "One"  acrylic, pastel and charcoal on 20 x20 birch wood panel

(if you look closely...there is a grid...but far from perfect). 

 

 

 

She Loves Pink

 

Inspiration:  Chloe wanted me to make something pink

 

 

Actual:  "She Loves Pink"  Acrylic, pastel and charcoal on 4 x 4 birch wood panel

 

 

 

 

 

Unexpected Beauty

 

 

Inspiration:  opening scenes of mold on walls from Hurricane Katrina on TV series Treme

 

 

 

 

Actual:  Untitled A, B   acrylic, charcoal and pastel on 3x5 birch wood panels

 

 

 

Inspiration:  Cooper's creation he titled "Stop Sign"

 

 

Actual:  "Stop Sign" Acrylic, charcoal and pastel on 16 x 20 birch wood panel