Call for Art - Largest Piece to Date!

Today I took the plunge and started the largest piece to date for me....36 x 48". I'm really excited to work on this piece because it is for a "Call for Art" and this call is for something very near and dear to my heart. It's for a cancer center here in North Carolina.

Let me explain why it's special to me...

My sister is a cancer survivor as well as I've had some other family members who are cancer survivors or unfortunately left this world too soon because of cancer. I also used to work with cancer patients so you could say cancer has been an ever-present being in my life.

When I saw this call for art I knew I HAD to go for it.

In the call's description, there was no theme but wanted a color palette that was of blues, greens, and earth tones to representative of Eastern North Carolina. What stuck out the most in the description to me was this..."provide a calming sense of being and appeal to a broad audience."

It is my mission to paint an abstract that will hopefully evoke just that. I need to paint large to fit the space so off I go to the art store and grab myself a few canvases (just in case). I am instantly inspired...not only by the color palette but also what it could mean for me to connect with the audience that will come across my painting (patients and non-patients alike).

I am grabbing my best blues, greens, earth tones and even the pops of color that I can possibly incorporate into this large piece.

Wish me luck! I can't wait to see what comes of this piece as I channel my own story, my loved ones stories, empathy, and the message and emotions that I hope to convey.

Newest Paintings!

"Genesis" 12x24" expressive and intuitive abstract

I created this piece most recently as I was instantly inspired and determined to finish this painting along with a, let's say, "kindred spirit" painting, "Evolution". This piece is the smaller of the two and was named "Genesis" as this piece was the beginning for the color palette. The carmine/red color represents the birth of this painting and the inspiration and idea with the color palette that I chose.

"Evolution" 24x24" expressive and intuitive abstract

I created this piece most recently as I was instantly inspired and determined to finish this painting along with a, let's say, "kindred spirit" painting, "Genesis". This piece is the larger of the two and was named "Evolution" because I took the color palette chosen for both pieces and changed my brush strokes and markings and evolved the colors into a very moving and expressive and intuitive piece. As you look closer you will still see hints of the carmine/red color that was also used in "Genesis" because it represented the birth/the beginning. I included more green into this painting to represent the growth of these paintings and their color story.

“The Light Within” 24x24” expressionist and intuitive abstract

This painting gave me such joy to create. As always, my favorite part of my paintings are how I can get lost in them when creating as well as when viewing the finished creation. For me, I like to look at all of the different markings and squiggles from each layer. I find it calming.

Feeling Inspired and Energetic!

I’ll be working on a few abstracts before finishing the “In the Garden” series. I felt incredibly inspired so I couldn’t wait until I finish that series before starting on my intuitive abstract paintings again. It feels absolutely wonderful to be creating abstracts again.

I recently saw that a local artist guild had a call for art and I knew I HAD to get to work and start creating. I was instantly inspired and started painting. Since I just learned about the call, I was hesitant wondering if I could do it even if I was inspired. I shoved those silly doubts to the back of my mind and put my mind to it.

My mom always said that’s one of my most admirable qualities...once I put my mind to something, there’s no stopping me and that was said to me at an early age.

My art may not get accepted for the call submission. That’s always the risk you take when submitting. Will it stop me from trying? Nope. Will it stop me from creating ever again? Not. A. Chance.

WIP #1

WIP #2

WIP #3

When do I consider my artwork to be "complete"?

I recently came across a posting from Zen Art Supplies on Instagram. They asked their followers/viewers "How do you know when a work is finished?".

Ironically I JUST  had this exact discussion with my husband the night prior to seeing their post.

So, when do I personally consider my artwork to be complete? Is it every really complete? 

Well, I suppose I could just say, "It's just a feeling." Even though that's true...to an extent...there's more to my process. I do love texture, movement, and a color with my paintings but what is something that can add an extra element to my paintings?

A few months back I started to really think about ways to help me make my pieces more dynamic...to dig a little deeper into my mind and my soul on what else can inspire me to achieve this. 

Once I got lost in thought, I thought to myself What if someone was colorblind and looked at my painting? What would they see? Would they be able to enjoy my painting just as much as a person who sees color?  Will they be just as moved by my painting by seeing the variations of lights and darks as opposed to a person who sees the colored version? 

That's when I decided to use the B&W feature on my phone's camera. You may be thinking Dana, that's not really a big deal...there are plenty of artists who use B&W on their cameras to view values. Yes, it really helps to see the color values.  For me, it was so much more than that. It was more than seeing if there are too many areas of lightness or darkness? It helped me see my paintings in a new light, so to speak. This became another way to help me connect with viewers.

I used this for the recent painting I was working on for an upcoming juried show. It's one thing to see your painting with the colors you used, it's another to see it in a different way using B&W. Prior to viewing it in B&W, it seemed to be missing something...seemed like there wasn't enough contrast in my painting. After seeing it in B&W, I realized my suspicions were true (in my opinion) and I added a few different "areas of interest" by using more color and brush strokes until it looked and felt complete not only in color but also in B&W. 

I wanted to include Before/After photos of the painting so hopefully help you see what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, a photo never quite does a painting justice since they are better when experienced up close and personal.

Find Time for Creating

Over the last several months, I've found it hard to find time for creating or even the want to create sometimes. Do I have any excuse? Sure, I have...well, had, plenty of them! They were even legit excuses and reasons; however, there comes a time where you have to stop making excuses and start remembering WHY you create and, more importantly, why you SHOULD keep creating. Once I start thinking about my WHY and SHOULD, I remember how much those reasons outweigh and are much more important than my excuses as to why I wasn't or stopped creating. 

It's so easy to get caught up in responsibilities and obligations that you soon find yourself not creating. Does this mean you have to create something profound? No, not necessarily. I've literally had to talk myself into creating even if it's just a doodle, and at other times I can't wait to create and just go wherever my creative energy flows (isn't it awesome when it goes like that?). Sometimes you have to push past the mental, emotional, and/or physical exhaustion and keep your creativity going. I always feel much better for it. If I were to be highly critical of myself, I would probably say something like, "Ew, that's the worst doodle I've ever done!" but again it's not about creating a masterpiece. Now, I'm sure you've heard it before...it keeps the creative juices flowing and it exercises your creative mind. There is actually some truth to it believe it or not! I find the more that I create, whether a doodle or my next painting, the easier it is (usually) to be creative and I don't get artist's block as often. 

Now, in a magical land of fairies and unicorns (or cupcakes and rainbows...whatever tickles your fancy) you could create anything and everything at the drop of a hat! In reality, it doesn't quite work out that way. For me, between kids and daily life and getting distracted by all of the things I should get done for the house and others ::: BOOM ::: it's 10 p.m. and I'm wondering where all of that time went. With it being summer now, I definitely will have to be even more disciplined in divvying up my time for everything and still creating art. I've got so many things planned for some upcoming pieces. I can't wait to share what I am and will be working on! I typically write down or sketch my ideas in a small journal so I don't forget that moment of inspiration or that idea for a painting. I highly suggest doing that if you aren't doing so already.