Completed Paintings

In my last post, I shared a bit of the process I use to create the texture in my paintings. Here is the most recent work - complete. Let me know what you think,.

Stormy Afternoon

I’ve been painting for years but this is the first art show season that I’m taking paintings on the road with me so I’ve been splitting my time between glass/kiln work and painting in the studio.  Throughout the past year I’ve been perfecting a heavily textured style with a number of different acrylic mediums. The video below shows me creating the first few layers of texture on my most recent diptych.  These paintings have multiple layers and it can take weeks to achieve a depth that creates a transformation I feel is necessary for viewing them…you are truly looking into or through the layers.  My interpretation of this work is the sense of calm that comes from stormy afternoons that demand relaxation as you watch the world go by outside your window.  But only you the viewer can interpret these “stormy windows”.  

Fused Glass

The attached video is from our Fused Glass class on March 19th at the studio. The six students were captured creating their first project using a variety of fusible glass products including confetti, stringer, fusible paper, fiber paper, frit, and powder. The projects went into the kiln this morning!

Fiberpalooza!

I participated in an event this weekend called Fiberpalooza. I have a few friends that sponsored the event and asked if I would conduct classes throughout the day. I offered five: Needle Felting, Wet Felted Jewelry, Nuno Felting, Silk Painting, and Felted Soaps.  We had a steady group throughout the day and created some wonderful new pieces for the gallery as well as for students. The pictures below show some of the silk painting and nuno felting.

Beadmaking at Madhaus Academy 3.9.11

Here is a quick video of student JoAnn Neilson (11 years old), creating a glass bead in a recent class. This is JoAnn's second week and she is using several decorative techniques in addition to learning how to create basic bead shapes. The bead in the close up is an opaque brown base with silver leaf and clear green overlay. We put this feature bead on an organza necklace for her - beautiful!

Wearable Art

In the photograph below, student Connie Meester finishes a hand painted silk scarf. We used a white silk scarf ‘blank’, pewter, black, and purple dyes, and salt to create this dynamic wearable art piece. Once the dyes are applied, the scarf is heat set, rinsed, and finished with an iron. Beautiful!

Just Finished

I recently completed the painting below using blending techniques taught in our last Acrylic Painting class. Because of the blending and a different angle with my brush, I was able to achieve a perception of motion in the piece below.  Though this piece is purely abstract, it is reminiscent of dancing figures in waves of vibrant colors. Overall, I’m happy with the result and I like the new technique.