serious fun

I've been humming along in the studio for the last few weeks, juggling several projects and enjoying the rhythm of working between them.

Some of the little oil paintings are starting to be finished!  I've been really enjoying working with oils again; the colours are so pure and luminous and fun to play with.  I began this series in mid-July, and it's rewarding to see the slow layers of colour coalesce into their individual harmonies.

Below, the one on the left measures 20x20 inches and the one on the right, 16x17 inches.

And this one measures just 8.5x13 inches:

Four new canvases stitched, intended for more oil painting:

I recently discovered that my camera has got a setting which desaturates all but the reds.  Designer effect meets studio:  

I've finished 13 of 24 pieces in the 12x12 series, which I've decided to call "Meninx".  I'm very happy with the way the edge colours turned out, and looking forward to getting the remaining stretchers.  Here are some of the completed ones, under the warm spot lights:

And a few more collages in the 9x12 sketchbook:

At the end of this week I'll be doing two collage workshops with grade 6 classes, based on ideas of the urban environment.  These are mostly rural kids.  I also grew up on a farm, and I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions about their urban experiences and views on city life.

Until next time,

:)

V

the brain

Awhile ago I found one of my projects from way back in art school.  The assignment was to make "an artist's toolbox".  Of course I made a brain.  There it is, under the paintings I was working on today:

Some of the stretchers have come in, so yesterday I was able to begin stretching the 12x12s.

Today I spent almost the entire day painting edges.  And I am still not finished!  I like a particular technique of layers of thin washy colour, and it takes a long time to get the colour right.  But some of these are starting to look good already.

The brain is made of various types of coloured wires, an aquarium aerator, xmas lights, and plastic tub filled with water.  Plug it in and it lights up and bubbles.  Water + electricity: beautiful and potentially dangerous... like an artist's brain.