Have been in the studio for the past few days and it’s been wonderful to leave the everyday demands behind and just paint….the result: one completed, one almost finished and one half way there. It feels good to get those inner feelings and emotions on canvas. Once they are all complete then I’ll need a nice sunny day with no wind so I can photograph them. The no wind may be a tall order….after all it is March and we live on a hill in the country with nothing to block the wind….but all things are possible!
Hidden Solace
HIDDEN SOLACE, Dimensions 2010 National Juried Exhibition
Hidden Solace has been accepted into the National Juried Dimensions 2010 Exhibition presented by Associated Artists of Winston-Salem.
Opening Reception will be Thursday, April 8th, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Associated Artists Gallery, 301 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, NC.
Hope you can stop by!
Tranquility
Tranquility was inspired by the calm stillness which settles in around us as our focus turns toward the soothing sounds of creation—waves softly lapping at waters edge, a gentle breeze caressing nearby trees, mourning doves cooing on the freshly mowed lawn—all expressing their appreciation for another day.
This 40" x 30" painting is one of my personal favorites. It took 4-1/2 months and over 22 layers of acrylic mediums, tissue paper, paints and glazes to create. The underlying painting of aqua, rust and brown with tissue paper texture is subtly visible beneath the heavy acrylic relief, deepening the overall pale, dusty aqua green tone of the artwork. Golden brown and raw umber areas of texture are scumbled with metallic gold to add depth and highlights.
Click images to enlarge
Painting wraps the edges of the gallery wrap canvas and is sealed with a satin archival UV protective finish. Artist signature (sjh) is located on the front bottom righthand quadrant. Tranquility comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, is wired and ready to hang. No frame necessary.
Click thumbnails below to view larger detail image.
Closeup #1
Closeup #2
Closeup #3
Closeup #4
Ohhh...the process
One painting is coming along nicely and approaching completion. The second one, however, is another story. Yesterday it took a definite turn for the worse, but I encouraged myself by remembering the process of painting SISTERS. SISTERS reached a point where I thought there was no hope for anything good to come of it, then suddenly it came together and turned out to be a favorite among viewers. Suddenlies can be so wonderful! I won’t give up on this one…not yet….I’ll just keep pressing on searching and waiting for suddenly to happen.
Waiting for paint to dry
Three paintings in progress and waiting for paint to dry. Contemplating what each will be named and where they will take me next. Sometimes the name comes first, then the painting….but mostly the painting and then the name. Often I have to see the final product before I fully understand the buried thoughts and emotions that were being expressed during in the process. Awwww….the joy of creating a new piece.
It’s always amazing experiencing the twists and turns the journey of an individual painting can take. I love the process…even though sometimes it can be a little trying when the next phase takes days or weeks to become clear. I try one color or technique and it just doesn’t seem to fit…so I backtrack and paint over or add to…then suddenly the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place…that’s when the fun really begins. One canvas has already reached the fun stage and is taking shape….the other two??? Well, they are still in the experimental stage.
Best of Worldwide Book Details
Here’s the scoop…. I have been selected to have two of my paintings, “Sisters” and “Shades of Sapphire”, published in “Best of Worldwide Mixed Media Artists, Volume 1”. They will be featured in the A-K edition. More later.
Coming in April
Artist Vivian Robinson has invited me to join her for a two person exhibit in April. The exhibit, “To Everything A Season”, will run for two days on the 17th and 18th of April from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Southridge Gallery, 308 Southridge Road, Jamestown, NC. The show will be open to the public and refreshments will be served. Besides being an artist, Vivian also loves to garden. Her yard/garden is beautiful in the spring time so it would be worth the visit just to see that. Hope you can come!
I also have plans to participate in the Cosmic Cow Society group show the month of April at Mitchell & Bartlett, 5314-B West Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC. This is an Autism benefit exhibit and 20% of all proceeds will go to this charity.
Technique and Style
I believe there is a place of solitude an artist must attain—a place where one discovers who they are and what they are about—their deep beliefs and inner convictions. It is out of that place of understanding and being at peace with oneself that individuality begins to be birthed and is expressed through the creative process. As the real artist in you becomes evident, your art evolves and you are better able to develop your own individual technique and style. There is no longer the need to attempt copying the works of others. For me, technique and style are the elements that make some artists stand out above others.
Giving Thanks
Delivered paintings this morning to Center Pointe at 201 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, for my first solo exhibit. I don’t take this opportunity lightly considering that in 2006 and part of 2007 I wasn’t sure if I would live through the year but God has been merciful and good to me. He has healed and strengthened my body and enabled me to continue to paint. I am aware daily that He is my strength and gives me the vision and direction for the paintings I create. I may never regain all the energy I once took for granted, but I am at rest with where I am today. Then again, all my energy may return one day. My hope is that if it does, I won’t fall back into old habits of trying to live life by my own power. It’s better this way…leaning on the One that is my strength, support and comfort.
Solo Exhibit
I am so excited about having some of my paintings on display in my first solo exhibit. The exhibit is sponsored by Heart of Living Home Gallery from January 26 through the end of March in the lobby at Center Pointe on Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. My artwork was received very well at the Center Pointe Model Penthouse Grand Opening and now that the model is closed several pieces will be placed in the lobby for viewing and purchase.
The Grand Opening of the Center Pointe Model Penthouse ran for three weekends in December and January. They had an excellent turnout and raised over $7000 for Hospice. It was an honor and pleasure to be a part of such an outstanding event.
Some exciting news
I am sincerely humbled and thrilled at being selected by Kennedy Publishing to have two of my paintings juried in to be published in their new book, “Best of Worldwide Mixed Media Artists, Vol. l”. I received an email from them this week saying the proofs are on the way and I should receive them sometime next week. Once approved, then the waiting period begins until the book is actually published and available for purchase. For anyone interested…stay tuned and check back often…as soon as I have detailed information that it is available on where/how the book can be purchased, I will post it here.
New paintings started
Well, I’ve got two new paintings started. They are in various stages of having texture and color applied. It’s always fun to start new ones. I had a couple of ideas in mind on where I wanted to go with them when I started two days ago and already they are taking me on a different journey. To me, this is the thrill of the creative process. It will be interesting to see what is next. Today, I added more texture. Wonder what tomorrow will bring once this layer of texture is dry?
The day after
Yesterday I delivered eight paintings to the Center Point Penthouse as planned and everything was approved and accepted. As of 3 PM the paintings were happily enjoying their view from the 16th floor penthouse condo at Center Pointe on Elm Street overlooking the city of Greensboro and the Allegheny mountain range in the distance. Sure wish I could have stayed with them….the view was gorgeous! They will remain on exhibit until January…unless of course they sell before then and that would be wonderful.
A huge thank you to Jim Wolfe of Wolfe Homes and the designer as well as Meg Sternberg of Heart of Living Home Gallery, all of whom made this opportunity possible. The stamina and vision came as needed so I could complete this project. It was definitely a stretch for me but God supplied as He is so faithful to do.
My walls at home and in the studio are stripped bare. Guess I need to start painting again but maybe I’ll take a break until after Christmas….unless I really get the urge to address all the creative thoughts rushing through my brain.
Another heartfelt thank you to all involved!
Mission completed
Well, I made the deadline! Finished two paintings in 24 hours….dry, sealed, and ready to hang….now to catch up on some much needed sleep. God definitely gave me the strength I needed.
Waiting for paint to dry
This is a first for me today…trying to finish two paintings in one day for the Penthouse at Center Point. Whew! The creativity seems to be flowing so far… if only the paint will dry fast enough. Hopefully I can somehow manage to get all the layers on that need to be applied. Only time will tell. Generally I have much time between layers to see where the painting is going to take me next, so this is a real challenge. I am thankful the texture was already applied to the canvases when the request came in or it would have surely been impossible. Not only do the layers of paint need to be applied, but once finished each one has to be sealed, photographed, named, hanging wires attached, title cards made, etc. I sure need some Divine strength and help today. The paintings need to be finished and submitted for acceptance by tonight. If they are accepted, they will be hung tomorrow. It’s one of those days where I have to keep telling myself, “Nothing is impossible with God”.
New homes
Parting is such sweet sorrow. In the past month, four paintings have made their journey to new homes. Two of the paintings, PASSING THOUGHTS and MATTERS NOT, sold before I got them posted to the website. The other two, WINGS and TOUCHED BY LOVE sold this weekend and I delivered the last two today.
I must admit that I become quite attached to my paintings after spending so many hours of pouring myself into them and sometimes it’s sentimental to let them go, but it always helps when I am able to meet and get to know the collectors. Seeing that the paintings are going to wonderful homes where they will be loved and appreciated means a great deal to me.
A special THANK YOU goes out to Leslie A. and Meg S., the two collectors of these four paintings. I sincerely hope they will bring each of you many years of enjoyment.
Wings
WINGS, 20 x 16
Acrylic/Mixed Media
Stretched Canvas
20 x 16 in.
SOLD
Wings is an original contemporary abstract of heavy textured taupe with a pewter metallic over-glaze. It was created on a day when I was pondering the loving protection we experience from a caring God while reading Psalm 91.
Private Collector: Greensboro, NC
The Coffee Break
My abstract paintings center to right, clockwise: SISTERS, WINGS and DESERT SUNSET
Three of my paintings, SISTERS, WINGS and DESERT SUNSET, can be spotted at The Coffee Break in a group show with the Cosmic Cow Society. If you are in the neighborhood and get a chance, do stop by -- grab a cup of joe or a fruit smoothie and a delicious pastry while enjoying the art of local artists. The Coffee Break is a great little coffee shop located in Greensboro on Spring Garden Street near the intersection of Spring Garden and Chapman Streets.
Journey's Dream
JOURNEY'S DREAM, 22 x 28 x 1.5
The inspiration for Journey’s Dream came during the 2009 Tour de France—a favorite sporting event of mine. That year the tour took the riders through the coastal region of Spain as they rode fearlessly toward their final destination on the cobbled Champs-Elysées in Paris. As I watched, I was inspired to abstractly capture the beautiful landscape and fleeting scenery of the Spanish coastline.
Journey's Dream took many weeks of layering and studying before reaching its final stopping point. It was constructed by applying acrylic modeling paste to create the relief texture, then painted with over 20+ layers of pigments in varying shades of blue, earthy browns, reds, deep purple, and coral with hints of orange which were painted, wiped away, reapplied and washed to achieve the "feel" I was in search of. Scumbled highlights of metallic gold and bold streaks of metallic copper were added to represent the brilliance of the sun on that spectacular day.
Natural and/or proper lighting is recommended to capture the full effect of the copper streaks and metallic highlights. Edges of the 1.5" gallery wrap canvas are painted black. Journey's Dream is signed on the front with artist signature (sjh) and sealed with a satin archival UV protective finish coat. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, wired and ready to hang. Does not require a frame.
Arts d-Vine Fall Event
Photo of my gallery space at the Arts d’Vine fall event on October 16 in Kernersville, NC. It was a damp, cold night with football games competing for the crowd but we still had a fairly good turn out. The word on the street was that the wine and music were a big hit…not a lot of art sales…perhaps the art lovers enjoy the warmer nights of June. Looking forward to Arts d’Vine June 2010.