Out with the Old, In with the New!

Little Abbeys, 5" x 7" each,  $45 each
2 versions of little abbeys, using the same colors
 

After getting very sick with pneumonia, being hospitalized for 4 days during Thanksgiving time....  I am SO READY to paint again!!!!!  All of December, I have been just trying to regain my strength.  So I started out easy, doing a little abbey (small abstract), size 5" x 7".  My goal was to stay with soft edges, and use only 3 colors.  I used cadmium yellow, opera pink, and French ultramarine blue.  Why I picked these colors, I'll never know.  I hardly ever use these colors!  But, I knew from experience, that if I stayed with only those 3 colors, I would have pretty colors. I love the red color that comes from mixing cadmium yellow with opera pink!  Who knew?  My friend, Ressie Burrows predicted that I would be painting with vibrant colors since I had it all bottled up for 2 months.  She was so right! The second day, I used the same colors, but instead of soft edges, I went with some hard and some soft.  I also added wire drawing to complete the painting.  To see more wire drawings, go back to some of my past blogs.  Sadly, I've made the decision to NOT do the 30 paintings in 30 Day Challenge, like I usually do in January.  I'm still rebuilding my strength, so it's not a wise idea to put that kind of pressure on myself.  I will, however, be posting wire drawings many of the days in January, and they will be for sale at a low price, so if you're interested, stay tuned!  Happy New Year, everyone!  I wish you all a healthy new year! 

"Don't Talk to me before 8:00 a.m.!" - (Wire Drawing workshop)

"Don't talk to me before 8:00 a.m.!"    11" x 14"    $195      Original watercolor and markers

This was my demo for my recent "Wire Drawing" Workshop, held in Watertown SD.   As I've said before, I LOVE this process and have found that the abstract backgrounds are leading to the next painting!  The students' paintings turned out incredible, as you will see before.  I made this collage of their paintings, using the website, www.picmonkey.com  I love that site!  My next wire drawing workshop is at the White Bear Lakes Center for the Arts on Nov. 3-5.  Sign up now if interested in learning this process!  The first grouping was the paintings from the first day.

 

The grouping below is the paintings from the second day, when students got to pick between doing an animal or totally abstract.  They actually got 2 demoes for the price of one!

Artists' Support Group

I just spent 2 wonderful days with 2 other friends who are artists.  Kim Grant and I spent the night with our friend, Kate Halverson, who lives in Lake City.  Thank you Kate, for an incredible time with good friends!   Our plan was to spend 2 days together- painting, gallery hopping, and shopping.  They requested that I teach them "wire drawing", so we worked on those the first afternoon, which was perfect, since it was raining.  The second day, we drove along the Mississippi River on the Wisconsin side.  My favorite 2 towns were Alma and Stockholm.  Kate challenged us to "etch a sketch" at every stopping place.  So, we did 15 minute sketches at breakfast (Pier 4 Café), overlooking the big lock with a spectacular panoramic view, and lastly at a darling little restaurant in Stockholm, (Bogus Creek Café), that had a beautiful garden setting.  It wasn't till I got home from this trip that I realized that everyone needs a support group every now and then- to just relax, laugh, talk about goals, talk about anything...., and eat pie and ice cream with!  Kim and I talked so much in the car, that we almost made it to Rochester, before realizing that we had missed our road, leading to Lake City.  So, we took back roads, but in the process, went through Zumbrota, where another artist friend lives.  So....we called Wendy Westlake up and went to see her studio!  Happy accident, cuz we had a spectacular time trading art secrets with each other.  My life has been so busy with teaching that I loved this break in my routine so much.  I'm recharged now, and ready to teach more workshops that are actually coming up next week, in Watertown, SD.  I'm doing what I love! What a life! 

Kate Halverson, me, and Kim Grant with our half done "Wire Drawings"

Me, Kim, and Kate eating the best potato pancakes in the world!

Kim Grant, Wendy Westlake and myself at Wendy's home studio.

"Coming in for a Landing"

"Coming in for a Landing",  11" x 14", $145, watercolor painting

I have to admit that I was a little nervous when I began this painting.  Working in pure watercolor can be intimidating, to say the least.  Especially since I've been working in acrylics for the past month.  I use 3 simple rules: 
1. Pick only 3 colors, so that your painting will be unified and the glazes will all go together. (I used Antwerp Blue, New Gamboge, and Permanent Rose.)
2.  Establish a light pathway, value study before I start the painting.
3. Use very light glazes, and build up to the darks.  Don't get dark too fast.
I will be teaching the illusionary process to 21 eager students in Cormorant, MN next week.  This is a very complicated process, but I have simplified the lesson so that students won't get too frustrated.  I can't show the process on my blog because it's too complicated.  I remember back when I wanted to learn how to paint as if you can see through things.  This took many years to perfect, so if you want to learn, sign up for one of my workshops!  :)

Painting like Gustav Klimt

"Tribute to Gustav Klimt-2"  Acrylic on paper, $295, 11" x 14"

Gustav Klimt has been one of my favorite artists for many years.  I just completed teaching a 3 day workshop in my home studio.  There were 12 eager students who really did fantastic jobs with their paintings, which are pictured below.  We start these paintings by dropping acrylic paint on the surface and then spreading it with a credit card.  They liked that part the best!  This abstract beginning is perfect for us to use as an underpainting for the busy patterns in the outfits. I love teaching in my home studio, because I'm able to give lots more individual attention than in other workshops.  We all get to be such good friends by the end of the 3 days!

 

"Promise Granted", Acrylic painting with metallic accents

"Promise Granted"  Original Acrylic and metallic,  11" x 14"  $245

I'm preparing for my home studio workshop, "Painting Like Gustav Klimt", that starts next Tuesday.  One of the days, we will work abstractly.  This painting has gold foil paper on it, (much easier than gold leaf!) and metallic paint added for details.  I even did a little of my "wire drawing" on it. I'm so excited to share lots of fun techniques with the students!  It's a full class with a waiting list.  I did have a value plan when I started this painting, but it took on a life of it's own, halfway through. (See below)  In fact, I was ready to pitch it and start over at one point.  But I persevered and am very pleased with the outcome.  The title comes from the image of the round red shape that comes from a higher place.  I was thinking of my friend, Kathie George, who is battling cancer right now.  My prayers are with her.  If you get the chance, be sure to sign up for her blog.  She's such a great artist and a fantastic teacher!

Wire Drawings Workshop



"Crazy about Chickens", original permanent marker drawing with watercolor,  $195

This was one of my demos for the Yakima, WA workshop.  They did a terrific job and loved the concept of wire drawing.  I've never had a class so excited about the prospect of future paintings, using the wire drawing knowledge.  So rewarding for this teacher, that's for sure!  Here are their drawings below:

Say What?

"Say What?"    Watercolor     $295
Image:  11" x 14"

Hope your summer is going well.  I've been so busy this year, but I still manage to take lots of walks at nearby parks, just to appreciate the warm weather.  I LOVE summer!  I've been preparing for a chicken/rooster workshop that I'm teaching in Yakima, WA next week. Rarely have a finished a painting that I honestly felt like this chicken was talking to me.  Her eyes turned out so expressive!  This is basically a watercolor, with the addition of some acrylic for the neat effect in the background.  I saw this process on a video by Carrie Burns Brown.  I cut up a piece of matboard and mount the pieces onto another piece of matboard, and then use it for a stamp.  I have made at least 25 of them.  They are so much better than ones that you purchase! Well, off on another trip in only 2 days!  While in Seattle, I'm going to the big 75th anniversary celebration of the Northwest Watercolor Society.  There will be many demonstrations by nationally acclaimed artists.  I'm so excited!!! I have entered their show for many years, and sadly, missed the deadline for this year's show.  Too much going on!!!  Lesson learned.....maybe.... Anyway, it's a great watercolor society and I'm excited to meet many of the artists whom I have gotten acquainted with on Facebook. It's a small world after all!

Students work from my last workshop!

Can you believe it?  I'm so proud of all 10 of my students who did these paintings!  Mine is the second one on the top row.  I should have made you guess.  We had a super time and they did such a spectacular job learning how to make a messy beginning for textures and then add big simple shapes to create their subjects. Next home studio workshop is the end of July! 

Paintings LIttle Abbeys (small abstracts)

"Little Abbey 1", Original watercolor and collage, $45

"Little Abbey 2"  Original watercolor and collage, $45

I just finished teaching 2 separate workshops on Painting Little Abbeys.  "Little Abbey" is my nickname for little abstracts (5" x 7" images).  I use these as warm ups whenever I haven't painted for more than 3 days.  It's amazing how much I forget in those 3 days that usually comes naturally.  I sell them for $45 each.  We start these by laying in analogous colors.  Then I add collage for texture.  The things that I keep telling myself are 1. Simple shapes to start with. 2. Keep colors pretty by remembering the "clean color" rule. 3. Let my painting talk to me, so that I get interesting shapes.  4.  Repetition and variation of shapes and colors.  5. Make sure that I have accentuated the center of interest.  These paintings are so fun to do!  I've been asked to do another workshop on October 29 and 30th in my home studio here in Eden Prairie, MN.  It's a 2 day workshop: one of the days will be Little Abbeys and the other day will be Funky Ladies.  If interested, please email me.  Karen@karenknutson.com   Below are the student's paintings:

Workshops aren't for sissys!

Marker sketch of the mannequin on the right

Last night, I took a workshop at one of my favorite art supply stores, Wet Paint, located on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.  Don Colley was the instructor.  From Chicago, he is the representative for Faber Castell Pitt Markers.  He showed us several of his incredible sketch books and talked about his process of sketching for the first hour.  I was so scared to begin sketching when he gave us several items to choose to sketch.  I sketch totally different than he explained to us!  My friend, Janice Morris, came with me, and we had a ball!  Anyway, this sketch was fixed up by Don Colley, so if you think it's good, it's because he did most of it!  I loved watching him work, and learned so much.  I even bought a small woman mannequin, so I could practice perfecting the drawing process.  He usually starts with a tan or grey paper, and then when he needs a lighter color, he used a white pencil or marker.  I really liked the Faber Castell markers.  Now to practice, practice, practice!!!!

Wire Drawings

 

"Flower Child"  watercolor and markers, 11" x 14",  $145

It's been awhile since I've blogged.  Busy with workshops and travels.  This was my demo for a recent home studio workshop. The students did beautiful paintings and were as excited as I was, when they learned how to do these!  It's again the process of what I call, "wire drawings".  I love the imaginative shapes that this process creates.  It's too hard to explain on paper, so you will have to come to one of my workshops to learn the process.  I'm teaching this process in 2 separate workshops coming up.  One is in Watertown, SD on August 26 and 27th.  Contact Jennifer Stone for info on that one:  jstone@wat.midco.net  The other one is  a 3 day workshop from November 3-5th in White Bear Lake, MN. (this is a northern suburb of Minneapolis)  It's packed with info on wire drawings, charcoal pours, and incorporating both these techniques into abstract paintings!  Contact the White Bear Center for the Arts at 651-407-0597.

 

Blogging with a Friend, (Charcoal Pour Lesson)

"Cardinal Creation"

I have a friend who is going through chemotherapy right now and she asked me to be a guest artist on her blog.  I loved to do it, knowing how miserable she has been from the treatments.  Kathie George is my friend who is such a joy to be around and such a fantastic artist! She's a master of batik paintings!  I got to meet her through Karlyn Holman, another great friend, who I respect so much!  I have met so many lifetime friends through my art.  What a blessing!  Anyway, I'm purposely NOT showing you the steps to this painting, so that you will visit Kathie's blog to see it!  You won't be sorry!  Look back through all of Kathie's posts, for great lessons and what a great writer she is!  Here's the link:  www.kathiegeorge.com/blog  Be sure to hit "read more", so you can see the whole lesson.  And sign up to receive notices of her blog!  Have fun doing the charcoal pour!!!

How I get my ideas for paintings!

"Rhythm of my Mind"

 

Do you ever wonder where I come up with my ideas for abstracts?  I have many different triggers to get ideas, but one of my favorites is to do "little abbeys" and then use that little 4" x 6" painting as my study for a larger painting.  I start out by dragging my loaded brush across the cold press 140 lb. watercolor paper, and the skipping action is how the whites are saved.  (I do this in a drybrush fashion.)  Then I add collage papers to liven up the colors and add a center of interest by adding a totally opposite color in that area.  After that dries, I weave a unifying color through the painting, and lastly add blacks near the center of interest.  Below is the small study that I used for the finished painting, "Rhythm of my Mind".  Even though the colors are different, you can see some similarities, I hope.

I'm going to be giving a demonstration on this process this Thursday night for the Minnesota Watercolor Society.  The meeting starts at 7:00 and is held at the Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Boulevard, Edina, MN. Hope to see you all there! 

Summer Home Studio Workshop Schedule

Every Summer, I host 3 workshops in my home studio.  They are limited to only 10 students, so everyone gets lots of individual attention!  These really fill up fast, so if you are interested, sign up TODAY!  Seriously!

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May Workshop:  Wire Drawing and Illusionary People Workshop

 (3 Day watercolor, collage, and marker workshop)

Instructor:  Karen Knutson www.karenknutson.com

Dates:  May 6 – 8^th, 2015 (Wednesday – Friday)

Hours:  9:00 – 4:00

Place:  Karen’s Home studio (Red Rock Studio)

8621 Coachman’s Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 

Home phone:  952-934-0876      Cell:  612-940-9231

Cost:  $295

Contact:  karen@karenknutson.com to sign up

** (To register, send me an email.  The first 10 to respond will get in!  Then mail your check to 

Karen Knutson, 8621 Coachman's Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347)

This is my new favorite thing to do:  wire drawings.  They are done with permanent markers, but they look like they are wire sculptures!  That’s why I invented the name, “wire drawings”.  We will have one day of wire drawings, and watercolor paintings and the other days will involve learning how to paint groups of people in an illusionary manner.  You may or may not choose to add collage.  You know me, I will more than likely be adding collage, but you have the option either way. 

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June workshop:  Painting Textures with Acrylic- People paintings

 (3 Day acrylic workshop)

inst

Instructor:  Karen Knutson www.karenknutson.com

Dates:  June 16 – 18, 2015, (Tuesday – Thursday)

Hours:  9:00 – 4:00

Place:  Karen’s Home studio (Red Rock Studio)

8621 Coachman’s Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 

Home phone:  952-934-0876      Cell:  612-940-9231

Cost:  $295

Contact:  karen@karenknutson.com to sign up

** (To register, send me an email.  The first 10 to respond will get in!  Then mail your check to Karen Knutson, 8621 Coachman's Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347)

I’ll demonstrate painting people in this workshop, however, you can paint totally abstract if you would prefer. No drawing experience necessary.  I have shortcuts to make drawing people really easy!  This workshop will concentrate on how to get many textures that only acrylic allows.  We will be using rubbing alcohol, different surface textures, and many other tricks to come up with special effects. Each painting will have about 4 layers to produce the special effects.  So fun! I’m really enjoying acrylic most of all lately!  Can’t wait to share my tricks!

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July Workshop:  Paint like Gustav Klimt with Good Design! 

(3 Day Watercolor OR Acrylic workshop with collage and metallics)

Instructor:  Karen Knutson www.karenknutson.com

Dates:  July 28- 30 (Tuesday – Thursday)

Hours:  9:00 – 4:00

Place:  Karen’s Home studio (Red Rock Studio)

8621 Coachman’s Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 

Home phone:  952-934-0876    

 Cell:  612-940-9231

Cost:  $295

Contact:  karen@karenknutson.com to sign up

** (To register, send me an email.  The first 10 to respond will get in!  Then mail your check to Karen Knutson, 8621 Coachman's Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347)

We will get to doodle to our heart’s content in this workshop.  Acrylic actually makes this process easier, but if you’d rather work in watercolor and collage, that’s fine too.  This workshop will emphasize good design and lots of tricks to make the detail work easier.  We will also be working with several different types of metallic special effects and will be studying Gustav Klimt’s paintings. 

Surprise! Day 31 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"Wearing their Paintings"        11" x 11"            $145

First of all, let me explain why I did a 31st painting.  In the middle of this challenge, I painted a chicken painting instead of my figurative paintings, due to the guilt of that long overdue commission painting.  I knew that the chicken wouldn't fit in with all my other collection, so I promised myself that by the end, I would replace that painting.  I will be making a booklet (published by Blurb) of this series, so if you are interested, mail me a check for $30 (includes shipping) with your shipping address and email, and I will mail you a copy upon it's publication.  It usually takes about 3 weeks to publish.  My address is Karen Knutson, 8621 Coachman's Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347.

Now, a little about this painting.  I've always gotten a kick out of artists holding their full sheet paintings in front of themselves, because it looks like they are wearing their paintings.  So, this was so fun to do, and complete the background with a Frank Lloyd Wright look to it.  I'm hoping that the figures don't pop off the page right away.  I tried to make you see an abstract first and then, later, discover the figures.  By the way, this is me and a Florida friend, when I taught her how to paint in acrylics for the first time. It brings back such fond memories!

Collection of all 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

Well, there you have it!  All 30 Paintings to view in one glance!  What did I learn from this challenge?  That it is better to be prepared with meals and sketches ahead of time.  I love that Leslie Saeta features this every year, because it gives me the push that I need in January after not painting at all in December.  I discovered many new tricks and they are all shared on my daily posts, so if you are a student, you might want to look back over this past month's posts.  For those who want to buy a book of these paintings, just send me a check for $30 (this includes shipping) with your mailing address, and email to : Karen Knutson, 8621 Coachman's Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55347.  It is size 6.5" x 6.5".  I made one last year of my bird paintings, and really liked the quality of the Blurb product.  Thanks to all those who purchased many of these paintings.  It's always so rewarding to have you buy my artwork for your homes.  If interested in any of these, I've tried to keep updating them as to whether they have sold or not, so each day should have the details of each painting status.   I can't thank all of you who commented or "liked" my paintings as I posted them on Facebook.  It really means a lot to hear what you think!  And special thanks to my wonderful husband for encouraging and supporting me when the house hasn't been cleaned all month and we've been eating take out food most days.

Day 30 of "30 Paintings in 30 Days"

"Cheers"              11" x 11"             $145 SOLD
Acrylic on paper

Wow!  I made it!  I wanted to do a toast to all the friends and family who have supported me in this 30 Day Challenge, hosted by Leslie Saeta.  So here's to all of you!  Cheers! :)  It's been quite a ride!  I always wonder if I will do it again next year.  I've done this for 3 years in a row, every January.  I challenged myself to painting figures with abstract backgrounds and I have to say that I really learned a lot!  Yes, I'm glad I did the challenge, and I'll probably do it again next year.  I could really feel the fatigue this year, far more than any other year, so I may have to find a way to make my paintings more simple.  You know how well I do simple....NOT.  Below is my value study (only 2 values) that  really helped me as I selected colors.  I wasn't "feeling" which colors to use in this painting, so finally, I grabbed a napkin that had colors that I liked and that really helped me out.  Try it! BTW, the figure on the left is ME, and the right figure is a good friend.  Wonder if she will know this is her?

Day 29 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"College Finals Week"       11" x 11"      $145

I guess I may as well admit it; my favorite medium is collage!  Whenever I add collage to my paintings, I become completely immersed in the process and hours pass, without even having hunger pains! I had a total different plan when I started this painting.  But one thing I've learned over the years is to adapt to your painting.  When it's telling you something, listen!  Below is my wild underpainting, and my value sketch. But when I got to the mid stage, I noticed the circle rainbow shape that was behind her head and I thought, "go with it".  (see photo 3 below) I would love to do a large painting of this image!

Day 28 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"Party Girl"               11" x 11"                  $145
Acrylic on paper

Today, I used one of my past abstract paintings as my inspiration for the design. (See below) I knew that I wanted to have earth tones plus zebra print and the Jazz color of aqua.  So, I would think that the painting would have gone smoothly!  Not true.  I tried another way of starting my painting, and it caused me lots of problems.  I'm going back to the middle value wild beginnings that I did before.  I am posting the painting when I thought it was complete (see photo 3 below), so that you can see why I changed it. When I analyzed it, I realized that I needed to make her hair a darker color so that it would show up against the circle background.  I also glazed the gold area with nickel azo to brighten the yellow area.  And I glazed the dark center area with pyrolle red light, and it really made that area richer.  It really made the painting better.  These last minute changes can really improve a painting.  I like to turn my paintings upside down, so I can really see the values, instead of the subject.

Day 27 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"Being in the Moment"        11" x 11" image          $145
Acrylic painting on paper

This painting started as a wild underpainting, as explained on Day 3 of my blog.  I squirted both heavy body acrylics and liquid acrylics onto a prepared paper, and spread them out, using a credit card.  Then I sprinkled it with water and let that set for at least 5 minutes before wiping away the water.  This created light spots.  Both steps are pictured below.  This painting is actually someone that I know from a Paint-in.  I actually used the composition from my photo, and lots the different angles.  The stairs created a good interest point for her to sit.  To her right, is a painting done by a dear friend of mine, Connie.  I loved the angle of the snow scene, being an opposite angle to the stairway.  Good design, and that was how the photo had it!  Rare when that happens.  I abstracted the area beside her head, and changed her dress color, so that I could paint my favorite color, red!

Paintings 19 - 27! Almost there!

Paintings 19- 27 of "30 Paintings in 30 Days"

So there are only 3 more paintings for me to do in this 30 Day Challenge!  I can't believe how far I have stretched and how much I have learned in this painting challenge, put on by Leslie Saeta.   I find myself kind of nervous, trying to think of ones that I really want to be included in this 30 day Figurative Abstract Painting challenge.  To purchase any of these, go back to each individual day, and the price is posted under each painting.  Thanks for reading my blog and for all of your encouraging comments!  It really means a lot to me to have your support!

Day 26 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"Heading for Happy Hour"       11" x 11"image       $145
Collage and acrylic on paper

I used the same value pattern as my last painting, "Suits".  But this time, I collaged with medium toned papers in the dark areas.  I forgot to take a  photo in this early stage.  I applied the collage papers using acrylic matte medium.   In the light areas, I tore up newspaper and collaged it in all different directions, so that the print wouldn't be readable.  I then painted a thin layer of gesso over the newspaper to make it a little whiter.  I like this painting, because the figures look transparent where they overlap the background.  Which painting do you like better--"Suits" or this one? They actually look pretty cool hanging together.  If you purchase both paintings, I give 10% off.

Day 25 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Suits"               11" x 11" image                $145
Acrylic

My husband's business moved to a new location, so I wanted to do a painting for his new office.  The real painting will be 30" x 38" so this is a warm up for me. This painting started with a colorful underpainting, but I limited my colors to cobalt blue and nickel azo gold with a touch of pyrrole red. I learned how to use a limited palette from Carrie Burns Brown.  She told us to pick 2 colors, and then make 10 mixtures from them with just those 2 colors, and then, adding white and black to get even more colors.  It's a great lesson and keeps your painting unified.  Below is the underpainting.  After that dried, this was more about wiping out the lights than actually painting the figures.  They were created by wiping out lights around them, using cotton balls with rubbing alcohol.  I'm late posting this, due to going out with friends last night, and I had 2 margaritas.  Needless to say, I didn't have the ambition to complete this painting when we got home, so I'm hoping to get one more done today to get ahead again.  Only 5 more days to go!

Day 24 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"Deep in Thought"            11" x 11"            $145  SOLD
Watercolor, acrylic and permanent marker

After yesterday's detailed painting, I just wanted to do an easy painting, and even though these "wire drawings" are time consuming, they are easier for me than other paintings, as far as design, color choices, etc.  I made a discovery today!  I did 2 layers of blue watercolor and was disappointed in the color.  I knew that there was no way for me to get the color of light teal that I wanted, if I continued to use watercolor, so I switched to acrylic for the blue color.  But I first wet each area quickly with a brush, then applied the acrylic really fast, and let it drip.  The granulation was so cool!!!  I definitely will be doing this technique again.  I hope you can zoom in and see what I mean.  My favorite part of this painting is the doodling within her dress and I also like her hair.

Day 23 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"Windows to your Soul"             11" x 11"               $195
Acrylic

I knew that I wanted to do a more abstract painting today, but even I was surprised at this outcome.  I made color samples of rich earth tone colors.  I still started with a totally busy underpainting, pictured below.  Then I drew my value sketch for the abstract design with only 2 values. I made one of the sections large, so I could draw a face within that area.  I usually don't paint positive images, but this time, I was forced to give it a try, so the girls face has four layers of shadow patterns to build up the values.  I refer to Jan Kunz' book, Painting Portraits that Glow, when I need help getting the shadows correct.  The most fun part for me was integrating the abstract design within the face, and working the dark values into the design.  Odd coincidence:  I went to the movie, "Big Eyes" AFTER finishing this painting!  A great movie for artists.  :)

Day 22 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

"Showing off for Mr. Right"    11" x 11"    $195
(If you purchase both Mr. Right and this one, the set would cost $350)
She's such a flirt!  Trying to get the attention of Mr. Right.  I had lots of fun painting this one, because I had been through all the trials and new discoveries with the painting, "Mr. Right".  I did decide to add the stripe of collage paper in the middle and you'll see below that I added it to Mr. Right painting too.  Guess that's kind of breaking the rules, since I already posted it yesterday, but that's me for you.  One of my favorite sayings is, "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission".  If you are interested in buying both of these paintings, I'm offering them for $350 for the set, instead of $195 each.  Both are acrylics with collage.  They are pictured below. I can picture them with a deep black frame.