Painting a Placemat

    Sometimes a painting just flows off the brush, other times not so much.  Today I painted with an attitude of stubbornness. 

    I could not decide how I wanted to represent this basic still-life, abstract vs. realism.  Not making that basic decision left me feeling incomplete, and the painting looks incomplete to me because of that. 

    But two good things about a session like this is, I learned something; either let a painting happen, which usually leads to an interesting abstract style, or plan for an outcome.  Planning for me involves doing some thumb nail sketches, then set out what my color theme will be. 

   This painting will most likely end up being sealed, then used a placemat for the kitchen table, (at least it will have a function). I will let it set for a 24 hour rest “time-out”, and then decide.  That doesn’t mean I won’t paint this basic little vase and daylily again, I will.  Today was just not the day I have a painting that will go in a frame. 

   I will share all the stages and changes this poor baby went through, why not, may give you some idea how much a painting can change in the process of painting.

 Mary

Schiros_Art

Painting and sculpting

Today I am working on a canvas sheet that I have primed with black gesso.  You can buy black canvas, but half the fun is lost then.  When I gesso a canvas I texture it and claim it as all mine.  Painting on a black surface always reminds me of sculpting, because you can whittle away at the background, creating a shape.  Thought I would share what I have done so far on this painting.  It is only a start, but stopping here and taking some photos I think shows the idea of carving out the painting.  Will post more as I get farther along, right now the paint needs to dry a bit and I really want a cup of coffee:)

Mary
Schiros_Art

Light and Dark

Red Head 1, Acrylic on paper 12 x 16 inches

There is no picture with out light, and the only way to see the light is by the contrast to dark.  Such a simple fact but so easy to forget when color choices come in to play.

    Sometimes I just need to remind myself of that and work on a painting focusing only on the lights and dark.  And that is what I did with this figurative.  I did not abandon color but used it in connection to lights and dark.  A good practice to do once in awhile, thought I would share.

Mary

Schiros_Art

 

One Sunny Day

   Today at last a sunny day in Michigan.  My cats were enjoying the sun sleeping and resting, a perfect time to get a few quick ink and watercolor  paintings done.

 

And of course there is always a critic in the bunch

 Just wanted to share some sun shine with you.

Mary
Schiros_Art
 Also did you notice a I added a page that has my youtube videos?

Sharing 30 days

Thought I would share a collage of the 30 paintings in 30 days, loaded a large version so feel free to right click and save image.  You can print it, or use it as a screen saver just enjoy it.

Mary
Schiros_Art