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| "Family and Friends" |
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| Step one of painting |
This painting, "Family and Friends", started with free and loose conte crayon markings. Then I applied gesso randomly, using a palette knife. The top photo is the finished painting, and the lower photo is step one. This painting was as much a mystery to me, as to others. Every step of the way, I had no idea how it would evolve, until about half way through, when I could see a mountain side, with rocks and decided to add some people at the top of the mountain. The gesso marks helped me decide where to put them. At this point, I stopped the painting, and got out my pencil, and made a value design sketch, something that I am passionate about. Usually, I start with this, but this time, it was fun to start a painting with no preconceived ideas, and let the painting tell me the direction that it wanted to go. "Family and Friends" just won a merit award at the Minnesota Watercolor Society Fall Exhibition. I am teaching a workshop in my home studio on Oct. 4 - 6th on how to come up with ideas for abstracts. There are still 2 openings, if anyone is interested.
