ready to paint

This is my space ,not the space I work in. But where I put things and where I go to study the work and think.The portait you can't see very well above the love seat is me and daughter Dana.One of my first portraits.
I've come out of my painting block. I think I now know what direction to take.
Simplicity comes to mind .I would love to get the effect of realism but in a very clean clear way. With paiting knife this will be hard,but the fun is in the challenge.Right?

These images are my paintings

not painted by me,but part of my collection. I think I love collecting as much as creating. Most of us do(I think)

My taste in art is varied(opened minded?)I hope

I wish I had more money , so I could purchase those pieces I've seen that I still have stuck in my head

Funny about that. Art can certainly leave an impression on the mind

Finding things I love in others artist work helps me to understand my work better

Halloween

As Halloween approches I'm reminded, that I will have to go door to door with the kids ,pestering strangers,for candy I don't really want them having. Mmm chocolate addiction, wacky kids climbing walls, and wrappers everywhere.
I used to like Halloween, if I lightened up I possibly could like it again.

My son Chandler

George Lucas if i had you by the neck!

Sisters

 

Daughter Dana 7 a sheer joy 

choices choices choices

I've been having a little painting slump lately ,which is ok.They used to scare me ,but now that I've had a few of them, they seems more familiar. I also realize they will be a continuous occasional occurance.
Most times I come back from them a changed artist . I have been doing a lot of thinking about reasons for art. Why do we do it ? Who do we do it for? What is real,honest art? and the biggest of all Does it bring happiness? I know each artist would answer these questions differently. This is good Vive la difference! Sometimes.... it is hard ..to be opened minded enough.. to know there is truth in more than one answer....

at the watershed

 

 

painting demonstration

I was asked to do a demonstration on how I do my palette knife paintings
I was very nervous,it was the first time doing this. I thought that maybe under pressure I wouldn't be able to create ,but it went very well. The more time went by and as the painting came along it got easier.Of ourse as we all know you can't please everyone, but I was honest. Thats what counts. I 'll post pics of the event as soon as I get them.
Every one in my house is sick, and hubby's home from work. So My computer time is being cut short.I'm looking forward to catching up on everyones blog as soon as possible.

Pigment

I haven't painted anything new recently,but my chair and portait commission are done.
Jeannine liked her portrait very much she hugged me and said "It's you"(meaning my style) I thought that was funny.I said" No, it's you! "
This selfportrait posted was done about a year ago and is titled "Pigment"
I thought the relationship between the paint color and freckles was cute. In hindsight , I hadn't begun using color yet, and knew very little about true pigment. I love that as artist our trajectory is visualy documented . To look at past work reveals so much about who and where we are today
24 x 24 inches .(sold) 

Competition results

Before I tell you the results of the competition,I will tell you that I have a winning record that everyone is familiar with. It's kind of a joke. Oh,Amber will win again(everyone says), I always get second place; which to me always feels like I lost anyways.
In this competition I did not win, but I did in a way. I learned something very valuable: We as artist cannot judge our own work as to which is good or which is bad. It's like choosing which of your children is better looking. Very difficult. That Magic doesn't always happen, but it's good when it does. And to recognize it when it does is even better.

rough start

Began this morning i 'm doing something different with colors .I'm having fun
still a lot of work to be done on this but I will leave this chair in a rough condition

today full bodied left my home to find another. She was to be a gift for a wedding
I hope the happy couple likes it
I was a bit sad to see the painting leave. I don't really know why.Maybe i hadn't had enough time to look it Find all the flaws I usually end up seeing

Possible new subject

nose pinching duel

A few weeks ago i saw my son Dean had a red nose, I asked what happened and he replied "Claire did it"
I then went to find little Claire to scold her and to my surprize saw the same war wound.
I decided they had learned a lesson without my intervention
Don't they look angelic -- Not!
I have no art to post yet, I'm on the search for new subject and as soon as I find it I'll post the pic
I received an email of interest on buying the latest one "Full Bodied" I thought I'd work it more ,but I think its done.

second session "full bodied"

A few projects on the go right now,-portrait commission 11x14 - painting on chair for charity
-this painting for a new gallery that opened nearby called the Mosaic-Varnishing my competition entry, that will be next friday
I'm learning about using pure pigment (on my own)
I know it's better,but I find the colors a bit too much
Maybe too many colors ,thats the problem
I get a little over zealous

Full bodied

This is a painting I begun yesterday after my second session with" En che por"
En che por was a big disappointement for me I started applying paint with spatula and everything went wrong
The lighting was bad the colors were off I put it in the corner for now. But within the hour I had begun this.
This painting is of three women tasting wine (photo grace a Sonny photos)
I'm nervous to work over this with spatula for fear the same problems occur
We shall see....

en che por

These three words are slang for En quelque part which means somewhere in french I decided to title my new painting this. People in this area will understand and those who do not will find it interesting I'm sure. Our language( Acadian Slang) is a contraversial( i'm not sure i even spelled this right) issue
Facsinating ,but improper.
The painting is in it's first stage and is 30x30 inches oil on canvas I will post it in sessions done.

Pommier en fleurs

This paiting was done by Piet Mondrian now i forget what year but it was probably before his complete primary abstraction
I did not particularly care for his work,but while reading about him stumbled across this piece.
I have found that my ignorance can lead me to create opinions I may like to change in the future.
Now ,when I see Mondrian's work, I will relate it something i like and maybe find relationships between his works
To get a good effect of this painting squint your eyes at it, and all middle values disappear and we are left with just the essentials