step x step, take 2

7.5" x 25.5" acrylic on blended wood | nfs

As mentioned in an earlier post, this piece was inspired by my friend's 43rd birthday, 09/09/09. A special day or what?! Today I was reminded that I hadn't shown the finished work.

I was given a bag of painted white pieces of wood that Birthday Girl never wanted to see again, we've all had those DIY projects, yes? In the spirit of 'never say never' they were repurposed, repainted and intended to be regifted to BG - 43 bits composed in nine rows - as shown in the second photo. I liked the concept, but it wasn't what I had imagined. The inlaid turquoise aesthetic I had pictured in my head turned out more like cold, awkward cobblestone.

How could I expect my friend to enjoy the piece, if I wasn't happy with it? So I sanded it down and started over which was a little scary, may sound crazy to some but there was really no other option. It's common for painters to now and again wipe off unsuccessful in-process works on canvas. I was much happier with the finished piece as shown in the first photo.

There is a freedom on the other side of the fear of making mistakes. Though the second attempt doesn't always turn out more pleasing, there are no mistakes as far as I am concerned...only opportunities for learning...and I've learned a lot.

: )

katie

11" x 14" acrylic on paper

A question for my artist and designer buds. Have you ever created a more inspired study or preliminary mock-up than the final deliverable?

Yes it is just a tonal study and it isn't as detailed as the commissioned piece, but her eyes are dancing more so here. And even though it wasn't included in our agreement, my client deserves this one as well. I've been holding her hostage long enough.

: )

I have a call to make...

black sand beaches of panama

6.5" x 10.5" acrylic and oil on blended wood panel | sold

When I was in the military (seems like a lifetime ago) our squadron had a training exercise at Howard AB in Panama. My cohorts and I had a free afternoon one weekend and ventured off base to a secluded beach with black sand...yes, black sand. Seemed another-worldly, more coarse than what I had seen on our shores, like polished micro river pebbles. Truly phenominal.

A couple of you were curious about the blended wood panels. I've shown a side detail in an earlier post, but decided to take a shot of this one as well. Choosing to repurpose as opposed to adding to the landfill, my color studies are composed of spare wood pieces that are bulit up, glued and biscuit joined.

sliding doors

6.5" x 10.5" mixed media on blended wood panel

The recent works posted the last couple of days are showing at Pieces of the Past (an architectural salvage mecca for artists/designers/renovators and one of my favorite places on the planet) in Johnson City through the end of February.

Check out Kathy Johnson's store: http://www.pieces-of-the-past.com/

bloom!

6.5" x 10.5" mixed media on blended wood panel

As mentioned yesterday this was another construct celebrating the sunshine after a few days of rain. The landscape drank it all up so vivid and intense. It was as if your brain installed Photoshop and increased the saturation levels.

blue sky

6.5" x 10.5", oil and acrylic on blended wood panel | sold

Today's and tomorrow's entry was painted on the first sunny day after three days of rain...not that I wasn't grateful for every drop!

: )

happy 2010!

5.5" x 8.875" oil and acrylic on blended wood panel

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection." Leonardo da Vinci