Todays doodle by Schiros

The Edge Gallery: Mini Event ..."Animals in Art"Adopt A Pet Fu...

2012-01-27T11:16:00.000-08:00

The Edge Gallery:

Mini Event ..."Animals in Art"Adopt A Pet Fu...: Mini Event ..."Animals in Art" Adopt A Pet Fundraiser 20 % of sales goes to the Fenton "No kill " Rescue Group Be Closer 3rd Thursday ...

Todays doodle by Schiros: From drawing to painting

2012-01-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

Todays doodle by Schiros: From drawing to painting: After watering Lines and Painting A local art supply and gallery Boundless Arts has an open studio once a month, which is a g...

From drawing to painting

2012-01-26T17:13:00.000-08:00

After watering

Lines and Painting

A local art supply and gallery Boundless Arts has an open studio once a month, which is a great get together time for artist.
A still life is set up and everyone can paint or draw it, or work on what ever they please in the company of friends.
This time I decided to combine drawing and art. I used Derwent Woodless Aquatone watercolor pencils, violet and yellow to draw the still life, pushing myself a little bit more, used only parallel lines. Using parallel lines keeps me focused on my line work and offers a consistency to the work. With watercolor pencils it is easy to turn your sketch in to a painting, just brush over the lines with a wet brush. Finished up with a focal point of the fish in light red. Another pencil I like by Derwent is the Inktense with these once dry, the color is permanent and can be worked over with other media.
Time for art is great, time with friends and art is priceless.

Before watering

New from Old

2011-12-28T09:32:00.000-08:00

Ok this is done now.

I like to leave a painting that I think is complete, setting out where I can view it daily for a while. Often paintings I thought were done when I first put the brushes away, tell me a different story after viewing for a while. Even paintings that do look finished will give me ideas for a new painting. This is an example of one that I thought was done but as it set out it realized it need more.
Another reason I like to view them is to see if they keep my interest, it is a huge part of a good painting.

This is a follow up to that last blog the painting that started a small series, and in the end the original even changed.

And Then There was Three

2011-12-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

the third of three, 10 by 8 inch oil on canvas panel

The other night I got out the water based oils and did a practice, the basic still life.

Not having use oils in a while decided to keep going, but on another painting. So I decide to see where I could go with the same basic objects, and one addition. The addition was the fun object that really got me going. So now there three and I see a little series getting started here.

the first of three 10 by 8 inch oil on canvas panel

the second of three 10 x 8 inch oils

One more adventure in printing

2011-12-07T14:02:00.001-08:00


White ink on Black paper

I have 2 moreweeks to my printing class; it is going by so fast. The class is at The Flint Instituteof Arts, and is taught by Bill Stolpin, great teacher check out his web site: http://www.stolpinart.com/
The class started with easy printmethods, using scratch foam, and easy cut rubber, both fun and easy to workwith. We moved on to lino cuts and wood cuts, whichare harder but can give you great detail. Of course now I look at everything and think huh can I carve and printthat.

Found out cheapfoam plates work, don’t last long but you can get a few prints out ofthem. Last night I noticed some kidscraft foam, and had to give it a try. Wellit was no fun to carve just wanted to crumple up, but being stubborn did itanyways. I did it but don’t plan to doanother, really not worth the work involved. Got an interesting print out of itand just thought I would share.

white ink on red paper

Also here is my very first woodcut, there will be more tocome of this method.

black in on white paper

on red paper

Cat Printing and Musings on Art

2011-12-04T12:04:00.001-08:00

Cat helped printing

The Cat Artist…..I just want to share the finished work frommy last post. Also, sharing the secretof how the last print was completed. Istarted with a red printing of my design and planned the second layer to be a lightteal color. I completed 12 prints that Iproudly set a side to dry, when my crazy domestic Bengalcat managed to sneak into the studio and proceed to pounce on the drying pileof prints. Six prints survived and 6others had a variety of paw prints added. After chasing my four legged painting partner out, I gather up theruined prints and started to throw them out. Throwing out art work in hard to do and I just could not let them dropin to the trash can. So, I rolled outsome fresh black ink and added one more layer. Well, I guess my cat had a better plan than mine; the last six printsare now my favorite.


test print of the top layer

where I had planned to stop

printing over a mono print, there is a cat under that top pattern

My musing for the day….It is interesting looking at theprinting I have been doing, I think the designs could be worked up in photoshop or cut and pasted from glossy magazine art. But, the process of carving the lines androlling the ink is what makes this art work. Viewing the work you can see the texture of the ink, that slight riseand sheen that it creates and that is the character of relief printing. I just hope that young artists don’t get cutshort by technology and miss the process, that part of creating that comes onlyfrom working with ink covered hands.

And I always finish my printing day with a finger paint mono print from the left over ink.

Take it and run with it

2011-11-29T13:02:00.001-08:00

first printing

Take it and run with it…

Recently I took a Zentangle class, if you are not familiarwith that, it is a form of ink drawing, based on patterns. I was not sure where it would lead but foundthe process interesting. Working withthe ink drawings has managed to lead to new ideas, and that is why I love totake class and workshops when ever I can.

The class had aproject of that involved drawing with white ink on black paper. Look at the designs from the class I noticedthat those patterns would make a good template for ink relief printing. The reason for that is when printing you haveto think in reverse of what the final print will look like. Thought I would share some pictures of theprocess and where it is leading. Theseare just the first in a series of ideas that will end up as finished artworks.

Hope this inspiresyou to try some new projects. For moreinformation on Zentangle check out; http://www.zentangle.com/,an look for friends of Zentangle on Face Book.


white ink on black paper


rough lay out for print plan

foam printing plate

another plate for print

first inking of a plate

idea

and yet another idea

Try it all

2011-11-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

Media makes a difference

A simple subject, such as a dog profile can changesignificantly, depending on the art media used to express the subject. For me the media often sets the tone of thefeeling being created in the picture. Howyou express with different tools is some thing to keep in mind when working ona subject.

With pen and ink detail and design sing out. Ink and a summi brush will be loose andfree spirited. When using acrylic colorand texture dominate. But then if thepaint is watercolor the mood and color will create a totally differentstyle. This is why I love to try newmedia, just to see what the media has to teach me. There is something to learn from every toolwe try.

Television and Art

2011-10-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

TV is on but who is watching

Are you married to a spouse that is hocked on TV? If you are you know that there are times youend watching television just because, your other half is there. I thought I would share my sketch book withyou that I keep by the remote, just for those times.

Sometimes when you can gain access to the remote, hit thepause button when an interesting and nicely shadowed face is on thescreen. Those faces are great forpracticing quick portrait drawings. Andthere is of course a time limit, because how long do you think your partner canhandle letting you have that kind of control, before they startcomplaining.

So the main pointhere is; there is always time for art…one way or another. Hope you enjoy my TV sketch book.........

Fall Season Art

2011-09-29T11:49:00.000-07:00


Fall Leaves Ink 1

I Love Fall

When the leaves start falling, it is time to start those wonderful fall pictures.

A few days ago, I gathered a few leaves of various shapes and put them in books to

flatten then out and get them a little dryer. When I had some time I spread them out on


Arranging leaves to trace on paper

drawing paper, in random arrangements and traced the outlines, some over lapping others

to make it interesting. Then I got out my favorite ink markers, a mix of Faber-Castell Pitt

pens and Picma Micron by Sakura, both are permanent and don’t tend to bleed through

the paper. Then just took my time creating interesting patterns in each shape. These drawings help me to focus on composition and pattern. I limit the colors to keep my focus there. This is an interesting and relaxing exercise that makes some unusual works of art. Latter I will use this idea but use some watercolor paper that has been already painted with fall a background in fall colors. This is a fun fall project, now go collect some leaves and give it a try.

one out line arrangement


Another outline arrangement. pencil on drawing paper


Starting to fill in shapes with patterns


Fall Leaves Ink 2, 11 by 14 inches

Follow up to color please

2011-08-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I post the blog “More Color Please”, where I start 3 painting using color swirls and drips. Two painting turned out just right, the 3^rd was lacking something. After letting it sit for awhile I decided to attack it with a fresh start. The painting was interesting but to me just look too swirly (is that a word?). So I had 2 choices, one gesso over and start fresh, or readdress the painting as it was.
I decided it needed some geometry to break up the curves, so I used folded newspaper and planned where square and rectangles would go. Once I found a lay-out I liked, I taped the outlines, and rubbed opaque paint in those areas, while it was wet scraped in some designs. After that dried I added some direction lines, and then glazed over some of the boxy areas to change the tone.

This one is now pleasing to me and was saved from the gesso….

(Never give in, never give up…think I heard that in some movie)


This is where I stopped, when working on the 3.


paper shapes for planning some geometry

the newspaper works well, because it is neutral in contrast to all the color in the painting.

pressed the tape down smooth for good lines

paint on and tape off


finished and happy now


almost there...

close up of scrapping into the wet paint

My Clean up turned into ink

2011-08-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Clean up…almost

Well at least I attempted to clean up the work area today. Paint brushes stacked, paper sorted, then on to notebooks. The notebooks got me. You know how it is, you sit down for just a minute to take a look at those old sketches and 3 hours later a whole new project is in process.

Found a sketch book, I took to the art museum last summer, and in it were really rough sketches of some old clay statues. Yes I carry sketch books with me especially for visiting museums. In the book I had drawings of two very odd looking dogs, that were re-sparked my interest. My brushes were all neatly put away, and paints sorted and put up, BUT the ink markers were still loose and just daring me to get into them.

So I used the images from the old sketches and lost the rest of the afternoon to art.

When I teach classes, I tell my students to save any drawings that look interesting even though they maybe rough or un-finished, because you never know when they will serve as inspiration, or at least stop you from over cleaning your studio.


			the page from my notebook


In paint black paint marker on watercolor paper


Did the basic out line in an orange watercolor marker (love starting any art work with orange) then finished with black marker

Two more sketches to work up with ink....I will never get my studio clean....(like I care)

Color Please

2011-07-31T20:12:00.000-07:00

I love doing this style of abstract painting; it is like putting a puzzle together.

This can be done in watercolor or acrylic. If you use acrylic, fluid acrylics work the best.

The trick is to let the colors flow and blend on the paper or board (I am using Aqua boards in the examples. Blowing on the colors will help direct drips and runs. But the key to making it work is to really plan your color choices first and then stick to them. The main colors; magenta, crimson red, viridian green, Quinacridone gold, (golden fluid acrylics) teal and Indian red ink. The first time you do this try using just 3 colors. Limiting the colors will help prevent ending up with a puzzle in shade of mud. Wet your paper or board in random areas, then drop colors in not letting them touch until you tilt and move the paper. When you get some interesting colors and drips set it aside and let it dry. There should be distinct colors, blended colors, and plenty of white spots in random shapes with a far amount of drips. I also just use one large flat brush and a disposable pipette, because at this point I want the picture to paint it’s self in the water.

After it is dry, start painting in colors, mixing some neutral colors from the ones you started with adding white or black to create light and dark neutrals. Let that dry completely.

The last step is to add some detail, I use paint markers. Also, Working on more than one at a time, help pass the time as each one is drying.

my tools that start the painting.

randomly wet areas

the first drops of colors, I usually start with just 2 colors.

one more color and some more swirling.

My colors choices, for the 3 boards I will work up.

drops and swirls


more drops

more drips

Starting to add more color


the three mid way thru


One done 2 more to go.

An example in watercolor and ink

Slide shows

2011-07-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

Found a site, TripAdvisor TripWow, that you can down load photos to to create a slide show. It is a fun way to show of art work even though it was set up for travel photos. Just another way to use the digital shots that are saved on the home PC. You can check mine out at the link below:

Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow

Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

May have to do one of my garden next time.

From one to five....

2011-06-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

You just start somewhere and keep going….

Do you need some more ways to get your paint brush moving?

Ok here you go. Find an interesting photo with a lot of subjects in it and good gray scale ranges. Then make yourself a view finder, by either cutting a square or rectangle in the middle of a paper, or find an old slide that you don’t care for the photo in it and take it out. I like to paint my view finder light gray so it does not distract from the image.

Now move your view finder over the photo and find a section that looks interesting, and work up a sketch or painting of it. Next; take that painting or sketch and do four more, correcting or changing characteristics. At some point the idea will continue to grow and you will have some unique works of art.

1. The reference photo from a magazine...

2. The section I picked...

3. First try...

4. A little color...

5. Another try...

6. Starting to get a life of its own....

7. Where it ended up

Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow

2011-04-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow: "TEST TripAdvisor™ TripWow ★ Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow ★ to Flint. Stunning free travel slideshows on TripAdvisor"

Finishing Touch

2011-02-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

One of the hard points about being a painter is putting down the brush.

Once you get into the swing of painting, and the momentum is rolling, putting the breaks on is very difficult.

One way to stop is when you reach that point where there is hesitation to where the next brush mark should be …. Just put the brush down and walk away. Clean up and leave the painting where it is in plain view to observe.

I did this with the Pear painting, and noticed the areas that needed correcting. Each time I stopped to look at the painting I ask myself a few questions.

1. Do I like the structure?

2. Is the perspective correct?

3. What is the focal point?

I had the answers before I started painting on it again.

What was changed is slight, color and contrast where the pear and the glass meet. And there is a correction to the base of the glass. But sometimes little changes make a big difference in the over picture. Just thought I would share some finishing touches with you.

First stopping point.

Corrections for perspective and focal point.

Addressing highlights

Finished painting.

Thinking on paper

2011-02-05T08:40:00.000-08:00

Thinking on paper......

Having a composition in mind is only one step towards painting a picture.
I know what I want to paint, and have an idea of the lay out. That is a good start.
Now I need to decide the mood. To visualize the possible moods, I think out loud, on paper. In this case looking at the subject in positive, a negative and neutral version.
The practice is done on gold toned watercolor paper with black and white for the positive and negative, with neutral colors for the other.
What I decided is …there are 3 paintings to do. Yep I like all three.
Next decision will be what actual colors will work. Sounds like I have more time to play with practice paintings before hitting the canvas.
How long does it take to paint a picture? Not long.
How much time does one spend thinking about painting that picture? A very long time.

That is ok, if you think with a paint brush.

How to watch a DVD

2011-01-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

Open package, load DVD, watch. Nope, there is more to it.

I just got through watching, Caroline Jasper’s art instruction DVD called “Landscape Oil Painting on Red Ground”, excellent DVD, highly suggest it. But the truth is this is the second time through it for me.

What I like to do is watch an instructional DVD the first time, relaxed, as if watch a TV show. Put the DVD in the player, put my feet up, and just relax. The second time I am ready to go to work. I have my material ready, and my digital camera handy.

As I start painting along, I will pause the DVD, and take a quick snap shot of what is a good reference point of my painting. The reason I do this is short term memory, yep I will most likely forget what I did along the way. This happens especially if my materials are slightly different. Jasper paint on red ground (red colored gesso) with oil paints. I like gold ground better and use acrylics. So by having references to how my painting develops I can expand on this in the future. If you can refer to how something has been was done originally there is no going back and reinventing the wheel.

There is so much contrast to the start and end of a painting, and both points are extremely important, references are important.

Most of the time I start with gold as an under painting but I also posted a photo of a blue under painting, because I like to break my own rules. But if you follow my blog you have probably noticed that I do think that a colorful foundation can be very helpful with acrylic painting. And Caroline Jasper is an artist that uses that base to make beautiful work. Check out her DVDs and web site to find out more.

http://www.carolinejasper.com

Hey don’t forget to check out my web site too:

http://mbschiros.artspan.com

Now What

2010-12-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Now what….

That is one the things that voice in my head often will ask me. And usually it is when
I am staring at a blank paper or canvas. Now that I have shared that with you I will give you the latest answer I came up with. Grab a pencil, pick a spot in the room your in and do a quick sketch. If you are feeling brave do that sketch, but do not look at the paper you are drawing. Use very few lines just enough to capture the basic shapes of objects.
That sketch will be wild and strange, but that is good. That wild sketch will give you permission to go any where you want with it. It is not perfect to start with so you do not have worry about a perfect painting. (Love that line; think I will read it one more time just for a smile.)
Now grab about 3 colors, and make one decision do I want a warm or cool feeling.
If it is warm use two warm colors like red and yellow and one cool like a blue.
If it is cool use say, blue and purple with an orange. Throw in a black to help deepen some colors if you are using watercolor. If you are using acrylics also add white.
Paint the majority of the painting with the first two colors saving the last one just to highlight or add some spark to the picture at the every end.
This is fun and practice but also can be an amazing painting when you are finished.
Give it a try and see what happens.
By the way the pictures are from my bed room and my living room. And yes messing rooms are more fun to paint, now a reason to avoid house work...life really is good.

Preparing to be spontaneous

2010-12-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Preparing to be spontaneous......

As weird, as it sounds spontaneity can be planned.

I do this is with acrylic painting. I often paint with acrylics on watercolor paper.

Most of my watercolor paper is 140 lb weight cold press. By the time I am done working it is usually at least twice as thick. This is because it is coated with gesso prior to painting.

I coat the paper for 2 reasons. I love texture in my art work, and blank white paper or canvases scare the tar out of me.

Gesso comes in many forms, thin, thick, grey, white, black, colors and clear. If you only have white, it can be tinted with a color, or you can get colored gessoes from Holbein (China red is my favorite), or Daniel Smith (gold is really fun to use).

A basic layout or composition plan can also be started using a couple of colors of gesso.

Using gesso with color knocks out my two issues right at the start. I spread the gesso thickly with a spreader leaving scrapes and ridges randomly and generally use a mid tone color so that all I have to focus on are my lights and darks when painting.

When one side is coated and dry, I flip it over and do the back. By doing the back there are now two surfaces for me to work on, and it helps to thicken and flatten the paper.

I have started making my own spreader. Plastic snap on lids from food containers work great, and you are recycling at the same time. Clean the top off, then cut it in half, I also trim the corner edges a bit and they are ready to go.

These prepped sheets are set aside until I get in the mood to start painting, or as it really appears, dive into a spontaneous mess of splashing paint around.

A Secret...

2010-11-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

A secret I am sharing

This month’s blog is about how and where ideas can come from.
Never under estimate something that attracts your eye. Awhile back, I noticed that something on my amazingly messing work desk kept drawing my attention.
I had piled up a number of small sketches and paintings randomly all over my desk.
The spot that I noticed when ever I walked by was a small painting that was partly covered an ink line drawing. I knew it looked interesting but could not figure out why. After looking at it several times, I just decided to do a quick ink and watercolor of the small pile. What resulted was an abstract looking landscape that I decided to work into a completed painting.
Going with the abstract landscape idea, several more small watercolors developed.
From this, I learned a few things:

1. If something attracts your visual attention, work with it even if it is not logical to start with. The creative side of an artist mind can find a way to make it work.

2. Take a new idea or direction and do a series from it. It is like completing a thought and is very rewarding.

3. Give your self-permission to try something new and unexpected.

4. If a design looks interesting, try investigating it with a limited number of colors focusing on the lights and darks to work the design toward a finish.

5. Don’t second guess, go with an idea, and let the creative side of you mind do the work not the logical side.

6. It is OK to be messy….really like this one ;)

more paintings from that one original idea:

and a few ideas in wait, another pile of scraps, leaves on table, and a photo shop work up of one of the paintings, think this will keep me busy for a while. Now go and see what you can find.

practice and play

2010-07-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

Practice, practice, practice. I heard this as a kid growing up and really hated it. It might have been because I did not love what I was practicing. My mom want me to master the piano, later in life I found out I had some hearing disability, that explains why I never enjoyed learning to play music. Now that I have a true passion for visual art, I love practice and encourage it. The trick is to make it fun, even an adventure. Pick up a pen or brush when ever possible and draw, doodle, experiment with color, or just light and shadows.

These are examples of taking a simple subject and turning practice into an adventure.

Working on simple tree structure, play with the light, shadow, but with unexpected color combinations. Who says the sky needs to be blue, why not let the tree be blue. Paintings these I worked on simple eye hand coordination, yet adventured into a new area of color.

Pick a simple subject and see how many ways you can change just one part of the composition.

putting the PC to work

2010-05-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

There are many art tools, paper, paint, brushes, but sometimes over looked, is using a photo.
The digital camera is important, for saving records of your work to files, and for sharing by email or on sites like Facebook, Wetcanvas.com or Myspace.
But there is so much more that can be done with those photos. Playing with saved copies of the photos on Photoshop, Paint.net or a free and easy one IrfanView, can help you create. Notice I mentioned using "saved copies". That is very important. A photo of art work you plan to experiment with should be a extra saved copy, with a separate file name so that the original isn't lost or destroyed.
The program I use is IrfanView it has options for creating negatives, and a number of special effects. I have a couple of pics of paintings that were cropped, turned into negatives, and I used a color swap program, that lets me see what other looks I can get from an original idea.
Give it a try with some of your work and see if it sparks some new ideas from your originals.

Saving sketches

2010-03-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

Over the years, I have taken many life-drawing classes. This has always been important to me. The human figure is the most challenging and the most rewarding process of creating art. For art, involving the figure or the face must present knowledge. When people view art of the figure or face there is a critical view, everyone knows what makes a person or face seem believable, whether consciously or subconsciously. Even when a painting or drawing leans toward abstraction, the key elements are up for criticism. The more I draw the more I learn about expressing the figure.

Most life drawing courses involve what are called warm ups. The warm ups are several one to five minute drawings, then a longer time to make a completed drawing. I save almost all my drawings for reference. Sketches that at the time may seem like failures, often when reviewed later, in a different frame of mind, show potential. Those simple drawings I enjoy playing with digitally for ideas. Often there is a line or shape the stands out in those quick drawings that will inspire new work.

I thought I would share some of these with you, rough sketches, digitals and finished works. Hope this give you new ideas for some of your older drawings....that hopefully you saved?

A time for play and a time to study

2010-02-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

A time to Play and a time to Study

I just wanted to share this project with you, to show there are many ways to approach a painting. My first and favorite way is spontaneously, but occasionally I do plan. Working on a portrait that will eventually be part of another painting, an art instructor suggested working on studies to determine what would work for my project. I was not happy about the idea because I tend to jump head first in to an idea. However, it was a good suggestion, and I thought I would share the process her with you. I worked out many little problems that now will not plague me on the large project. The colors of acrylics paint used are Payne’s grey and white, on wet media paper. Now having completed the painting in the size that I will need for the project and having worked out the values, I feel much more confident and ready to go on to the larger project.

Insomnia

2010-01-06T12:43:00.000-08:00

Insomnia

What to do when you just cannot fall asleep. Give up and put it to work.

The other night I just could not fall a sleep. Not particular reason why and luckily I did not have to be up early the next day. I gave up, got up and then went to the studio and started messing around.

I have a few tubes of water-soluble oils but really know very little about how to use them. Being curious as to how well they mix and how long they take to dry I set up a chart. Using a cheap canvas panel sectioned off into a grid, I started mixing colors with a pallet knife, making notes on colors and brands. I dated the chart, and have left it to dry.

So far, I have learned that Holbein Duo dries the fastest about 4 days, unless mixed with white. Artisan is the slowest. White seems to slow the drying process mixed with any color. I also found that mixing a small amount of water into the oils reduces shine and dries faster. Also that mixing a small amount of acrylic white paint in really speeds up the drying process but produces a matte finish.

I also did a small painting with the oils…not bad for one nights work. After that, I fell soundly asleep form 6 am to noon, and did not feel the least bit guilty. After all, I did accomplish something that night.

Just thought I would share my insomniac adventure with you.

Confessions of an art supply junkie

2009-12-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

Pictures, Wolf; wax and silver point

Crow; wax and watercolor

Abstract; watercolor, ink and collage

Dragonfly; acrylic, litho pencil, and watercolor

There are two phases in the growth of art, learning and experimenting.

I am a firm believer that to make good art you need to know the basics.

A good painter needs to know how to draw. Value sketches, design plans are foundations to a good piece of art. Knowing color will develop richness and emotion to a painting.

Phase one you learn the rules, phase two you break the rules.

The art junkie habit grows with every new or different art supply I stumble across. The new material has properties that take some time to learn. That is simple enough but then I have to see what it does with other material I already have. Rules start getting broken experiments happen. Soon the conservative watercolorist is venturing into the scary new world of mixed media. I try to give the new addition a safe name, water-media, and that works for a while. Then the oils and waxes start sneaking in and I have to confess I am on my way to a life as a mixed media artist.

I hope my family and friends will forgive and that moments of pure watercolorist will still emerge. The adventurer in me is not going to stop, so here is to experimenting and breaking rules.

Some of my favorite places to learn and get supplies are on the net and locally.

Locally:

Boundless Arts, Grand Blanc, MI

FIA, Flint MI

On the net:

Wet Canvas

Robert Burridge

more motivation

2009-10-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

Fall is moving in here fast, October feels more like November this year. Knowing the fall season will move

too quickly, I used what good days we have to get some reference photos and some outside painting in.

The last wild flowers to bloom in my yard are the Jerusalem Artichokes, so the weather determined my subject matter for me this week. The last blooms of these flowers I captured with acrylic outside.

While working on this I noticed my neighbors starting to put away the wonderful lawn decoration

they use all summer. They have two large metal birds that I have admired all this year, and contemplated painting. So before they could drag them in for the winter I ask permission to get some drawings done on them.

With paper and pencils and charcoal, and grabbing as an after thought some ink and sumi brushes

I headed for they’re yard. After sitting and just viewing the birds I realized the only media that would work

was the ink. So to make a long story short… I let the weather motivate me and the subjects determine the media.

Sometimes you just have to let things happen, everyday life can present an abundance of motivation, subject and creativity.

go with the Mood

2009-09-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

Let the moment grab you

There are moments that are good to grab, and sometimes they grab back. It is too easy to look pass the small glories of everyday life.
There are small garden patches and wild flower areas in my yard. They are there for two reasons , one less to mow (main reason), and two they are kind of pretty. I get up with a coffee in hand each morning and if it isn’t raining just walk around the yard. Each day the patches grow and bloom and I finish my coffee, then go in to deal with the day. Today I set the coffee aside, got out my paints grabbed a few flowers and painted several pictures. Still inspired I got the camera out and took some reference photos. Why today the bug grabbed me, who knows, but I do know it felt good and is something I should do more often.
It is good to let that a nice moment flow over and touch other things. What emotions you are feeling, will spill over to what you are creating at that time.
Also sharing a couple figure paintings that I let a moment of good feeling help me paint. Hope you enjoy the reference photos and the paintings I shared today.
Oh and by the way those big (10 foot tall) flowers are Jerusalem artichokes and I hear you can eat the roots, they are suppose to be like little potatoes.

layers and layers

2009-09-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

A habit I start some time back…is to work on more than one picture at a time. For me becoming too focused on one painting, no matter what the media, causes frustration.
It is too easy to over work an area, is one reason. The other is practicality, I hate to waste paint. I keep extra paper and or canvas handy so to there is a place to transfer the excess paint on my brush. In this case I have been working on a large figure painting but had t other smaller canvas boards near by, I used the extra paint to try out related ideas.
In this case it worked well because it made me step back from the large canvas, and yet keep the momentum of painting active.
Hope you enjoy seeing the changes, that of layers of acrylic paint, and the finished work that resulted on the extra canvas.

Play with Boldness

2009-08-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

I bought some inexpensive canvas and just let the brush and the colors take control.
My only conscious decision was the colors to work with.
This is a wonderful release from detail and planning. I am not sure how I feel about what resulted, but I know is opened the door to a new adventure. There is some where I can go with these. Now it is time to pack and start the journey.

Learn then Play

2009-08-01T05:37:00.000-07:00

Learning & Experimenting

A thought to share….one can not grow unless they are willing to learn something new and then experiment with new ideas.

I just took a class in silver point drawing, which I really enjoyed. Now that I have tried this, I just had to find some new places to go with it. So I took an old method of creating art and experimented with new technology. Thought I would share some of my new finds. Used the PC to combine images, and then experimented with them:

Combining passions

2009-07-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

Combining passions sometimes creates odd partners.
A few years ago I won first place in the women’s division of the state pistol competition, in Lansing MI. Competitive shooting, art, and gardening are all activities I deeply enjoy. And I have often tried to combine these activities. Gardening and art were simple to put together. The garden makes a wonderful back drop, and environment to for painting.
Finally, this year I managed to put the skill of shooting with art.
Last Wed. I dressed in my paint clothes, packed up my glock hand gun, acrylic paints, rice paper, plastic bags and tape and headed to the range. With the help of my husband we put together an easel/target stand and proceeded to make ART. This was the first attempt, but from one afternoon I have, one complete painting and the beginnings of several more.
The basic set up is to hang masa paper from one target stand at a close angle to a second target stand that has plastic bags filled with acrylic paint hanging off it.
Then the trick is hit the bags, (not the paper) and watch the paint fly. The hand gun produced large droplets, and a 12 gage shot gun made a fine mist of paint. As other shooters gathered, several different fire arms were suggested to try out and see what results they produced. I am looking forward to trying several different set ups next time out.
The most interesting aspect of this, is the combination of using the creative side of the mind, at the same time as, working with the discipline and skill of gun control. The fun part is not just making a huge mess, but listening to the hoots and calls from fellow shooters, saying things like “MORE BLUE..MORE RED …MORE TO THE RIGHT!”

Staying on track

2009-07-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

I am trying to stay on track with my figure drawings. I pulled out a one minute drawing that I liked and plan to do at least 12 paintings from it. So far I have about 4 and it is amazing how different each one turns out. The paintings so far are ink on hot press paper, but after 12 are done, 2 or 3 will be worked up to acrylics on canvas.

This is another way to work around the “what do I do now” mode that often attacks us as artists. This may appear to be work but it is really turning out to be fun and an easy project to work on.

watercolorist first....

2009-06-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

Watercolorist first….BUT you don’t what your missing if you don’t experiment with all those other goodies out there.

Artist = Student, yep I think to be an artist you will always be a student. The logic to this is; making art is to create, to create is to grow artistically, by learning and experimenting.
Back to where I started artist = student.

Also, I will admit I am a sucker for new toys, new toys mean learning new games, and new rules. So there it is a totally logical reason to jump from watercolor, to inks, to acrylic, and finally to a mixed media for all three.

I have also been influenced recently by a DVD from Robert Burridge, “Start abstract painting today”. There were many interesting points, but it was the idea; to always do a series, that has me going, right now.

I have folders full of quick figure drawings, that when an idea is needed they are handy and inspiring.

Started out with a pencil drawing on newsprint, that was simple with good lines and decided to do a watercolor, from there a mono print adding an extra figure, then an ink…soon to follow an acrylic on canvas. Using one basic figure there is a number of things to learn, by testing new media. Continuing this process with another figure pose, a series can begin. With each new version I am free to change a point I may have questioned in the last, without losing the original. I really love this new freedom…so simple why didn’t I think of this sooner!

Play before cleaning

2009-02-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

Practice, training, skill, are always factors in improvement.

You realize this when you have to learn something that you need but isn't something you like.

But fortunately when you are doing something you love it is called fun.

I have been sorting and cleaning my studio. This is a very long process because every time I find a tool I haven’t used in a while, all cleaning and sorting stops so I can play with my new found toys, This time it was my collection of Sumi brushes.

These brushes mostly used for Asian painting with inks are wonderful for expressing line work in watercolors. So often I focus on colors with watercolor I tend to ignore line work. And I thought these would be something that I could share in my watercolor class. So I worked up a few small paintings. Took a pile of brushes to class and shared the experience.

But of course my studio still isn’t clean, but what is more important an neat desk of time with an old friend.

If you want to start with a simple brush stroke I suggest basic orchids….

SO Much to DO

2009-01-15T20:32:00.000-08:00

Usually Jan. is a cold, long, slow month. Well it is cold...but it is not slow. My show came down last Monday, and yep there are pictures left to pack up, but some did sell, too so I am happy. I have more room to store work, with a studio away from home. Started the month by moving into a space at Red Ink Flint. So far I like it, there is a freedom to working away from home...no phones, no pets to step on wet paintings, and a lot more room!
Also started teaching a watercolor class,Boundless Art, Grand Blanc and I think I am learning as much, if not more that the students. To try and explain how something works, that you do automatically....is a challenge.
This is going to really good, I am moving out of my comfort zone. Now that I have you all up on what's happening...on to some art work.

Painting with water.
I had some 8 by 10 inch illustration board and with just water, painted the out line of a person sitting. Then with a round brush very wet with color...started with yellow, just let the color drip into the pre-wet area. Added some green and red the same way.
I let that dry the did some finishing painting ............

Did one more starting the same way just finished it off...well different. These are ways to start something with a small idea and let the paint lead the way....

life goes on

2008-12-06T18:21:00.000-08:00

Life goes on up, down, and luckily back up again. I mentioned once that I had a solo show cancelled because of budget cuts where it was planned to be hung.
Well, it finally happened, another place another time, and all is well. Boundless Arts gallery and art supply is a happy home to a number of my paintings till Jan.09
Never give up, never give in, I think it is a line from some movie but I like it.
The hardest thing about getting work together for the show was putting together a theme. My stuff tends to be all over the place on subject matter, but
“Domestic Nature” worked pulled a good mix that fell into that theme; dogs, cats, horses, and flowers. Here are a few paintings from the show:

If you are thinking of doing a solo show, plan to spend some time and money on frames.
I had a lot of help from Kelly at Jagged Edge Gallery and framing shop in Fenton MI.
A good framer can help set a painting off....matting scares the tar out of me.
You can learn a lot about your work when you have to present it as a group, hope it something that every painter gets the chance to do.

Painting a bit at a time

2008-09-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

The sunflowers are growing great this year! And I have save several digital photos to work on when the snow falls. But I have also painted outside with acrylics and have added that painting to my website mbschiros.artspan.com
What I want to share today is a watercolor.
I love letting colors blend on paper, to get the full richness of color range that only watercolor can do. But sometimes you have to space out areas so there isn't too much blending.
Thought I would share the steps with these photos of the painting growing.
mary

stuff on my shelves

2008-08-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

I have interesting and not interesting thing laying around, but have taken time to practice drawing and painting with these things. Add a flower or two and a even a plain pitcher can look ok on paper...( having an old coyote skull on the shelf does help add interest to a painting)...the angle, the lighting can all help make what is just hanging around the house, turn in objects for still life paintings
here are a few to share.

award winner picks

2008-08-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

the following five blog sites are my picks to award the Arte Y Pico Award

Tilly Strauss
for: Come out and play in wax paper.
http://tillystudio.blogspot.com/
http://tillystudio.blogspot.com/2008/08/come-out-and-play-in-waxed-paper.ht

Brenda Yarborough
For: her blogs about painting on yupo.
http://www.amberridgedesert.blogspot.com/

Peter Dimmock
For his watercolors.
http://paintingsuk.blogspot.com/

Trine Meyer
For: Blue underwater abstract.
http://mtv65.blogspot.com/

Sarah’s Playing with paint
http://www.upsidedownsarah.blogspot.com

Arte y Pico award

2008-08-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

I have been surprised with an award: the "Arte Y Pico" award, for my blog Building an abstract.

"Arte y Pico" is a blog from Uruguay whose blogger has come up with this award, arteypico.blogspot.com.

I was awarded this from Randy Carboni

"What is the meaning of the expression: And basically, ironically, it translates into a wonderful phrase in Mexico, “lo maximo.”
The blog that started the award is in Spanish. I don't know Spanish but the information above is from another blog award winner. After accepting this award I be awarding five other blogs the same award based on their creativity, design, and art.
Plan to see the sites I pick in my next post:)

A hard way to learn

2008-08-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

August 11, 2008 the day my first "solo" show was planned to hang, ended being one of the best learning experiences I had had yet in art. The show was canceled.
I found out a week before, that the site was ending the art programs they had been supporting for the last 5 years. Michigan is going through so tough economic times and that is being felt in a number of areas.
Instead of hanging art the 11th, I helped other artists take down work that had been up. The feelings that day were varied, to say the least. But I decided to look inward, instead of letting what I could not change bring me down, go on and just plan for another.

What I learned I thought I would share....and today is tip one:
Take some time on a regular basis and sort you work.
Look at what you have old and new, spread them out and compare.
Then ask your self questions.
Has your style changed?
Do some older paintings still look compatible with newer ones?
Does your work have a theme that is consistent?
Is there work you have been saving just because, at the time you painted them they were favorites?
If so are they still that important to you now?
Now find a location where you can hang your picks up and see how they group.
I used a stairway hall.
Let them hang together for awhile and re-evaluate the again.

I have newer plans and ideas, and think the future will only get better...amazing for me ...a good change,
generally I am not an optimistic person.

save you drawings

2008-07-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

I took a class to refresh and get myself back into drawing, more than painting. I was a wonderful idea because it played out 2 fold. I have filled a 50 page drawing pad in the last month and produced at least a half a dozen paintings from that work.
I do believe drawing well is a strong part of painting. Thought I would share one of the original drawings...just a rough work in 8b pencil and show what ( so far) has come from that.

building an abstract

2008-04-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

I love doing these, they are surprisingly planned compared to other paintings we do,

the drawing.

picking colors.

moving drawing to large watercolor paper via grid.

rough color layout.

midtones.

deeper colors.

details.

collage and final details:)

that is it in a nut shell

www.mbschiros.artspan.com

time to relax

2008-03-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Another doodle that is a practice in washes. I was watching tv last night and a shot past by in a show that had just the best colors...nothing interesting for reference but lovely colors, the sky was blue the distant trees were violet and the grasses were shades of pinks and oranges. The think the shot wasn't planned but it caught my eye. So I just had to try it...this is the first, just a warm up..(I plan to play with that combo of colors much more).
In doing this one I pulled out an earth tone yellow...not what I wanted. But not to waste paper, I decided to practice some figures. Now a wonderful memory, of a moment in raising my son, being outside together just sharing the the sights, sounds and smell of nature.
Not every painting works as planned, but some are worth saving.

Can't wait for spring

2008-03-04T21:34:00.000-08:00

Winter has just been way too long this year. I know I shouldn't complain there were no ice storms in my area, always the worst part of winter. But, I am need of green...green leaves, green lawns, collard greens even weeds with yellow flowers would be great.
Til I get some green I am just going to keep painting growing things!
Bulbs, flowers....hopefully this will keep me going

study

2007-12-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

Creation and play are the same word to me. Study becomes play when art is involved.

I love the saying "Chaos-where brilliant dreams are born.

Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos.

Before a brilliant person beging something great they must look foolish to the crowd."

I am not brilliant but i am good at chaos and foolishness...so maybe there is hope :)

Yesterday I was playing with an old drawing and worked up a small watercolor of a leaf..

then I spent most of this morning playing with the photo of it in on my PC

cropping... turning and cropping again...

and now I have one to work with for another painting...soon to be a bird.

My playing for the day.

time to play

2007-11-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

Sometimes to loosen up and recharge I just have to play abit......

peacocks...fruit of the loom birds...I don't know but I felt better after putting this on paper.

There was no plan, just dipped the brush in paint and started...and this is what I got, and they made me smile, hope they put a smile on your face.

Now maybe I can get down to some serious painting.

todays doodle

2007-11-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

One of this years goals was to paint every day...so far so good.

Sometimes they are just testing paint colors to see what they will do,

others are ones that are keepers to work up later.

this one is a keeper

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