blog's: Acrylic

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Painting: Raven Matrix

My primary medium, art jewelry, has often given me pause when working with the beautiful stones at my disposal. I love the matrix patterns found in turquoise stones, and have often wondered what they would look like in a larger scale. This gave rise to the bright idea of doing large paintings that would look like huge stones to grace your living spaces, just as the small gems grace your body. This is the first painting done in this theme: Raven Matrix

Actual size, 20" X 24"

I modeled the color and matrix patterns after one of my favorite stones: Carico Lake Turquoise from Lander County, Nevada. As I was sketching some guidelines to paint the matrix, I noticed a pattern that looked a lot like a raven in flight ... so, I pursued that theme and enhanced it! I like ravens.

To enhance the idea that it was a large cut gemstone, I did the painting on a Convexo canvas, one that is stretched over rounded stretcher bars, so the edges would be beveled like a cabochon-cut stone. I also limited the gloss varnish to the turquoise-colored areas, because the softer matrix stone seldom takes a polish like turquoise itself.

The painting is 20" X 24", and is ready to hang - no frame needed. The asking price is $1200, and you can have me ship it to you by calling me here at the studio: (505) 296 -1400. I haven't figured out how to do giclee reproduction prints yet, because of the beveled edges, so this one is it! It's also the first one in the series, so let me know if you have something else in mind - I'll be glad to work with you. Watch this space for other stones, too!

ACRYLIC PEARS ON CANVAS(ES)

I had picked up these little 2x2 canvases some time ago, didn’t know what I’d ever use them for but they were cute!

Then I had my brainstorm – to use them as little pears on a big pear.

Then we had our show coming up with the theme of “seven” so . . . . I painted the little pears . . . .

. . . . to be placed on the big pear!

Here is the final piece. Can you figure out how this incorporates “7” and why I call it . . .

Numerical Pears, 12x24, fluid acrylic on canvas

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

The painting finished with the addition of the book marker, black Bible edges and background.

This painting has turned out to be a very emotional experience for me. Even though I was quite young when my grandfather died I still miss him, and this painting has stirred up a lot of memories for me. While this painting didn’t start out as a tribute to my grandfather, it has turned out to be. My grandfather was a Mason and he always lived by the Golden Rule. He taught me to believe that it is probably the only rule we really need.

The name of the painting is courtesy of my friend, Sharon, and it is a great title. My grandfather was a good man, loved by many.

The Measure of a Man, (In memory of Ed Dieselberg), 14x18, fluid acrylics and collage on watercolor board.

THE GOLDEN RULE - 3

This photo is funny!

After finishing the lace, I leaned the painting up on the credenza and it just happened to be placed on top of the lace doily used in the painting. I walked away to check it out from a distance (as you know, they always look better that way!). When I turned around, I couldn’t remember having painted so much lace, and got very confused for a few seconds, before I realized that when I sat the painting down it just happened to line up perfectly with the lace hanging over the edge of the front of the credenza!!!

As you can see, the lace is complete, as is the ruler. I've added the tabs in the pages and used some gold paint on the end of a toothpick for the book tab titles. I've also added shadows under the lace and edges.

THE GOLDEN RULE 2 and UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

Here the lace is being painted and the edges of the Bible pages. The lace is a slow, laborious process so I do a little at a time to keep from getting bored! But there is something about it I really like, maybe a Zen thing??

UNEXPECTED SURPRISE
Last week a friend from the Carolinas was in Columbus, OH for a few days and called to see if she could get together with my friend and me over the weekend. We drove up on Sunday and met her at a half way spot for lunch. Then we found a quiet place we could sit and chat and critique the paintings she had brought with her. Since we usually only see one another once a year at our yearly painting retreat, this was an unexpected surprise! But, I forgot to bring my camera so cannot show you her paintings (gotta remember to take that thing with me everywhere!).

THE GOLDEN RULE

I’m not a religious person, but for some reason the idea came to me to use the Golden Rule as a basis for a painting.

My original thought was to use casein, but then decided to use my fluid acrylics instead. The painting set up is composed of an old doily that may have been made by my grandmother (otherwise it is one that I found in a local antique store), my confirmation Bible and my grandfather’s ruler.

Here is the beginning – drawn out onto watercolor board, with the printed bible pages affixed with acrylic matte medium. I had to make a few attempts to get them sized properly for the painting. Then a wash of white and raw sienna was put over the background area.

Painting: Evening Caucus

This painting, titled "Evening Caucus", is done in acrylic on a handmade 24" X 48" linen canvas. The edges are "gallery-wrapped", meaning that there are no staples showing, and it's designed to be hung without a frame.

Just what is it that Ravens discuss in the late hours of the evening before the sun sets? Whatever it is, it's evidently more important than we assume. This heated discussion isn't likely to be resolved before twilight settles in.

The background pattern was achieved by painting the pattern in rather bold colors & contrasts. This field was then glazed with a translucent mixture or pearlescent & color glaze, to lightly cover the pattern and make it more subtle, and a lighter value that would ensure some drama born of the contrast of dark branches against a light sky.

The original has been sold, but I am publishing giclee reproductions, both on gallery-wrapped canvas and on art paper as well. Current offerings on canvas are at full-size and 3/4 size. The giclees are hand-retouched to include some of the luminous pearlescent & metal-leaf accents on each print.

I originally conceived of this painting to be done as a part of a pair of artworks - the painting in the background with a sculpture in the foreground. The Sculpture came first, and was titled, "Ravensong":

The sculpture was crafted in carved wood, with the light background on the body done in the same way as described for the background in the painting: colorful patterns covered with a translucent glaze. The groove in the chest was carved & painted to accent the piece of spiderweb turquoise I used to symbolize the heart of the spirit. The face was carved wood, covered with metal leaf, and accents on the body were handcrafted brass.

Well, as fate would have it, the sculpture sold before I even started the painting! However, I couldn't leave the concept of the painting alone ... the image haunted me, until I finally took the time to finish it.

Before I delivered the painting, I got lots of feedback from people wanting giclee reproductions, so I had it professionally photographed and printed by Bruce Shortz of 10000 Cranes studio. Please contact me with your inquiries about sizes & prices available at my studio: (505) 296-1400, or email me at David (at) StewartArt.com.

DESIGN, PHOTO AND TEXT © DAVID LLOYD STEWART - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Painting: Raven Moon

This painting was done in acrylic on a "gallery-wrapped" 8' X 10" linen canvas, meaning that no staples show on the edges, and therefore it can be hung without a frame.

Raven Moon - 8" X 10"

(click to enlarge)

The original sold right away, but I offer giclee reproductions either on stretched gallery-wrapped canvas, or high-quality art paper. Please contact me at the studio at (505) 296-1400 or by Email at David (at) StewartArt.com for details!

Blocks

I’ve been painting with fluid acrylics for well over two years, but I’m hearing more and more about them now in the art magazines. I do enjoy using them, on watercolor paper or board or on canvas. (Just can’t seem to get the hang of tube acrylics, tho.)

In any event, most of you have probably heard of Nicholas Simmons by now. Seems that he discovered a painting technique that involves painting with the fluid acrylics and then, just before the paint is dry, spraying it off so that some of the paint lifts off with the water which creates a splotchy look reminiscent of batik.

This painting, done in fluid acrylics and watercolor, utilizes the “Nicholas Simmons” technique in a few areas. It seems a bit darker than I usually paint, but I’m pretty happy with the results!

This painting is also in the Queen City Art Club’s show at Baker-Hunt in Covington, KY.

Enjoy the process!

“Blocks”, ½ sheet hot pressed Arches paper with watercolors and fluid acrylics.

Roses on Embroidered Quilt

This one is an acrylic on canvas; the quilt was embroidered by my grandmother. I have tried to figure the approximate age of some of these quilts and crocheted items. Some of them were made in the 1920’s or before. I think I remember her working on this one and a pink one, so it would have been sewn at least in the 1950’s.

As for those books and magazines from my last post, I devoured them (and actually did read a couple during a rain storm!). The 2 acrylic books will be well read reference books, and the Birgit O’Connor book and DVD (which I have not seen yet) would make a good beginner book.

I also received my Nicholas Simmons DVD which I haven't seen yet – but I will!

I have been painting again, thank goodness, and have completed a – get ready – YUPO! I also have worked on a casein and watercolor, all of which will be posted soon. At least my painting slump seems to be over!

Procrastination?

Lately I think I’m just a waste of human skin!

I have so many ideas for paintings running through my brain, but none are coming out onto the paper. Could this be because I don’t just sit down and paint? Instead I’ll find something else that “must be done right away”. Obviously, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping and cooking fall under that category. But they don’t really lend themselves to anything artistic. Or could they? Hmmmm . . . and I’ve just added a few more ideas for paintings skittering around inside my otherwise empty head.

And I tend to paint slowly. Once I get my idea onto the paper, my favorite way to paint is to glaze, so that takes more time. I think I must also be getting that Adult Attention Deficit Disorder since I can’t seem to focus on any one thing for longer than a half hour.

Just to be fair to myself, I have been busy with some classes. One requires that, one day a week, I hop in the car and drive for 45 minutes, set up, teach and clean up for 3 plus hours, then another 45 minutes home. And, since there has been a bizarre wreck on the local interstate involving support pillars for the expressway having been hit by a TRAIN LOCOMOTIVE (yes, you read that correctly) which necessitates a detour, my 45 minute drive will now probably be more like an hour each way, at least. Then I have some classes at home which involve not only the time to teach, but also set up, clean up and homework.

I also was (am?) the chairperson for the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society current spring show, so there was much time spent on that. Then I was accepted into the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati juried show, which meant that I had to drive cross country (I live in Indiana, the venue was on the east side of Cincinnati) twice, once to drop off and once to pick up, because, Heaven forbid anyone should actually purchase the painting!

Hmmm . . . can I come up with any other excuses? I wish I could, but the aforementioned has no bearing on all of the other hours of all of the other days that I could be painting. So, what’s my excuse for that? Sadly, I have none, other than to say that I’m a terrible procrastinator.

Case in point – here I sit at the computer typing this drivel when I could be painting!

But maybe this counts for some sort of artistic endeavor – after all, I’m trying to communicate with other artists here, right? And at least I’m thinking about art, right? And I also have to think that reading my art magazines or looking through my art books or photographs seeking inspiration also has to count as artistic endeavor. Right? Come on, help me out here!!!

And it sure would be nice of you to leave a comment (good or bad) just so I know that someone out there is reading this stuff! Because that would give me even more excuses not to paint – I’d have to read all of those comments, right?

I’m going to really, really try to blog at least once a week – which gives me a really great reason to not paint, right?

In the meantime, here’s my first attempt at fluid acrylics, painted about 2 years ago, which has gotten quite a few kind comments. “The Jetskiier”, fluid acrylic on Arches.

Peony

This image

is of a tree peony flower done in fluid acrylic on canvas. It was in the Kennedy Heights Arts Center Guild Show which came down last weekend. It sold! Yippee!

I have done a couple other peony paintings and will probably do more - I just think the flowers are so beautiful. But it seems like when they bloom we always get some severe rain and thunder storms - my imagination, or is it that they happen to bloom at the same time of year that we are prone to get bad weather?

My grandmother always told me that when the hydrangeas (she called them "snowball bushes")bloom we will have cool weather and she called it "Snowball Winter". Again, seems to me that she was right - we do seem to get cool weather then. Some time ago I attempted to paint some hydrangea blooms and failed! I'd like to try that again.

Artistic Inspiration

You just never know when, or if, you have touched a life.

I spoke to my friend, Mary, the other day. She had visited our home about two years ago with her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend, Spencer. Spencer was very interested in art and was highly complimentary while viewing mine. Of course, I thought he was just being polite.

Turns out that, since that visit, he went into industrial design, then got an internship in fashion design, and the company that he works for is paying for him to attend RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). Wow!

He told Mary that when he met me I became an inspiration for him, since until then he had never been exposed to a “working artist” (a term my husband, who pays the bills, might dispute!).

Anyway, her story touched me, and I got to thinking that every day we have the opportunity to touch someone emotionally, whether we realize it or not.

P.S. He also said I was “cool”!

The image here is from a while ago - Koi Pond - 4 6x6 canvases - fluid acrylic - SOLD.

Painting: Great Spirit

"Great spirit creating himself and all that is"

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