Abstract Art

A Year of Making Art: Day 28

May 17, 2007  Day 28

Yesterday evening we went to an art opening at King Ferry Winery in King Ferry, New York, about twenty miles north of us along Cayuga Lake.  My friend Stan Bowman was having a solo show there.

In general, I don't believe in exhibiting art in places like wineries, restaurants, banks, etc., because people go to wineries to drink, restaurants to eat, and banks to get money.  They are not going to these places to look for art.  It's hard enough to sell a painting in a gallery, no less a venue that is not designed to attract art lovers.

There are always exceptions, however.  First, for any beginning artist, these places provide an opportunity to show your work and to begin to assemble a resume.  Even for experienced artists, sometimes you'd just like to see your art in an exhibit somewhere.

Second, the quality of the exhibition space and attention paid to the art vary greatly from one winery, bank, or restaurant to another.  If the owner provides a separate gallery space and helps to promote the art, then the artist will have a better experience.

How would I rate the King Ferry Winery?  They definitely helped promote the artist, including providing food and wine tasting for a reception, but the exhibition space was just fair--better than many I've seen, but not great.  Perhaps that's because their main business is, after all, selling wine.

This morning I tried something different:  I listened to music while I made my drawing instead of working quietly like I usually do.  The cd was Old Friends by jazz musician Judy Carmichael.  The result is a much more improvisational sketch with a lot of movement.

  Drawing #27, 14" x 11"

Next, I continued to work on Canvas #9, carefully filling in the small shapes I'd drawn with washes in shades blended from yellow to deep red.  When I stopped for the day, I did not consider the painting finished, but I liked what I had so far.  Adrian thinks it is "done" and said, "You can try to improve it or ruin it."  I'll see what I think tomorrow morning.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

A Year of Making Art: Day 27

Yesterday afternoon I made my final choices of the ten paintings for the Hopper House Art Center show in Nyack this June:

  Agrarian Compass, 40" x 40"

  Always Forward, 36" x 36"

  Green Here and There, 36" x 36"

  Green Is Good, 40" x 40"

  Hope, 36" x 36"

  Illumination, 36" x 36"

  Life Cluster, 40" x 40"

  Pleasure Palace, 36" x 36"

  Tower of Song, 40" x 40"

  Triangle Pose, 36" x 36"

This morning I attempted a drawing in the style of the Improv paintings, although of course, I had to translate the method to fit this medium.  It was an interesting experiment, though the result didn't have the impact of the paintings.

  Drawing #26, 14" x 11"

Next, I continued work on Canvas #9, experimenting with colored lines radiating out from cadmium yellow, through the oranges, to red.  Then I drew black circles, and that's all I can do on it today because these lines will have to dry first.

  Canvas #9

Finally, I tackled Canvas #8, which I liked, but Adrian and Blixy thought was unfinished.  I added some carefully selected feathered black lines, and that's really all I want to do to it.  I like it this way.

    Canvas #9, now "Apple of My Eye" 48" x 48"

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)      

A Year of Making Art: Day 26

May 15, 2007  Day 26

When I was at Cooper Union School of Art & Architecture in the early 60s, I made an optical art (op-art) painting in design class.  Instead of my usual expressionist style of working, I painstakingly filled in tiny spaces with carefully mixed colors in order to create the visual effects of a floating sphere.  This painting was chosen for the end-of-year show, and I liked it enough to hang it later on the ceiling of my "pad," which I had painted black.  I think I left it there when I moved.

The drawing I did this morning was inspired by that piece.  It's interesting how things that happen to us in our youth remain to influence us the rest of our lives.

  Drawing #25, 14" x 11"

Next, I tackled canvas #7, which would take a lot, I knew, to bring together into a cohesive whole.  This, too, required the painstaking filling in of shapes formed by lines I'd made earlier.  I started with the pale yellow-greens I'd used in the Improv paintings, then added washes of cadmium yellow, rose red, and a deeper green.  The rose red began to bring it together, and the dark green did the final trick.

   Canvas #7, now called "Birdsong"

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.) 

A Year of Making Art: Day 25

May 14, 2007  Day 25

I was thinking this morning about Saturday's visit to two local art galleries.  These were both group shows, and I know most of the artists exhibiting.  What I realize today is that I automatically viewed the art in judgment mode:  What is good and what is bad?  Is the work of this particular artist exhibited today better or worse than the work they've exhibited in the past?  I was continually comparing and critiquing rather than enjoying what was in front of me.

Would it be possible to change the rules of the game and simply experience each piece of art for what it was?  I'm not sure, but the experiment could be worth it.  I make a note to try it next time.

I haven't been satisfied with my drawings lately (another judgement).  They seem too controlled and I am trying too hard.  In the middle of this morning's drawing, which I chose to do all in black lines, I wrote the words I was thinking, incorporating them into the design.  The purpose was to free myself up.  By stating a fear or misgiving, putting it out there, it loses some of its power.

I realize I am still trying to make the perfect drawing, the perfect painting, to show you so that you will say, "Bravo!"  This takes so much energy.

  Drawing #24, 11" x 14"

It is definitely more playful, but not something I would say, "Bravo" to.

Over the weekend I asked Adrian and Blixy for their opinions on Canvas #8.  I still like it, but they both thought it was "unfinished."

  Canvas #8

I worked on the other two canvases today, using the "Improv" painting method on #7, and continuing the background on #9:

  Canvas #7

  Canvas #9

Canvas #7 now looks like it will be impossible to save.  Tomorrow will tell.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)    

A Year of Making Art: Day 24

May 13, 2007  Day 24

This morning I finished my drawing just before Blixy, Mike and Rachel arrived to celebrate Mother's Day.

  Drawing #23, 14" x 11"

I made pancakes and bacon for breakfast, and then we went for a great hike on the rim trail above Taughannock Falls.  After that, we had lunch at the Boatyard Grill, and then it was four o'clock and they went home.  It was a perfect Mother's Day.  I'll spend the rest of it reading the New York Times.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.) 

A Year of Making Art: Day 23

May 12, 2007 Day 23

I'm going to live!  Naturally I feared the worst when I went to the urologist yesterday, and sensing my nervousness, Adrian came along to keep me company.  "If I throw up or something from the pain," I said, "you can drive me home."

The nurse's description was pretty scary:  most women, she said, report that it feels like someone pinching the flesh on your arm.  I couldn't actually imagine how that would feel "down there" in my urethra.  My sister Laura and I always kid about how Mom would refer to any aspect of the female reproductive system as "down there."

In any case, the nurse continued her description by pointing out that in some cases, the procedure would be much more painful:  if the urethra was narrowed or had scar tissue.  Then she left me for thirty minutes lying on the table with my legs spread open to contemplate which levels of pain I might experience.

What if I can't stand it and scream out, I thought.

What if it hurts so bad that I can't lie still?  Will they have someone hold me down?

I was one of the lucky ones--three minutes of "discomfort" (I wouldn't describe it as a pinched arm, myself, but now my arm is black and blue from pinching it to see how that felt.)  And best of all, a report that bladder and urethra are fine.

I felt light and airy the rest of the day.

Maybe that's why I used pinks and purples to draw with today, making a valentine to someone, the urologist, perhaps?

  Drawing #22, 11" x 14"

After that, I continued work on canvas #7, adding lines of various colors.

  Canvas #7

Then, having only one blank canvas left, I started the first layer of background.

  Canvas #9

Tomorrow Blixy and the kids (Mike, 11, and Rachel, 8) are coming for breakfast, so I'd better get up early to make my drawing.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)    

A Year of Making Art: Day 22

May 11, 2007 Day 22

I think my drawing has become too cerebral.  I keep trying to think about what I should do next instead of just doing it.

  Drawing #21, 14" x 11"

I knew I had to paint today since I have been putting it off.  Even though I had the background painted, it was still like starting from scratch because whatever steps I took today would decide the final direction of the painting.  Or at least narrow the possible outcomes.

Interestingly, my painting was much looser today than my drawing.  I went with the overall flow present in the background, emphasizing some colors and de-emphasizing others.  I drew loosely with brown umber and white, and then blended those lines.  The white was too white, so I made a thin wash of very pale grey-green, more like an off-white, and used that to blend circles of brown umber lines.  I added more dark red wash for emphasis, and then stood back.  The canvas has a wonderful looseness about it now.

  Canvas #8

Daughter Blixy called.  She had been trying to get through earlier, but Adrian left one of the phones off the hook.  Is it time to get a separate phone for my studio?

Blixy wants to take me to a spa on Mother's Day for a massage.  Sounds great!

Now I just have to get through a doctor's appointment this afternoon which is bound to be uncomfortable.  It is embarrassing to write about, but I promised to be open:  the urologist will use a scope to examine my urethra.  Ugh.  My sister Laura suggested I ask for some valium to get through it.  "I can't do that," I said, "I have to drive.  I'll be fine."

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)   

A Year of Making Art: Day 21

May 10, 2007 Day 21

It was very nice to have Typepad feature my blog this week.  Recognition is always appreciated!

Lately in my dreams I am seeing the colors and shapes of drawings and paintings, as if I were making art in my sleep.  I think this has something to do with the daily nature of my art-making.  Art has become one of the rhythms of my life, like the sun rising and setting.

This morning I made a drawing in reds and browns.  I still have trouble beginning, not sure what mark to make.  But as in my painting, if I just put some lines and shapes down, then I can relax and concentrate on making something come out of the randomness into form.

  Drawing #20, 14" x 11"

After that, I had to prepare paintings for my New York show.  I can sense that I am putting off work on the two new backgrounds I've painted.  Yes, I have an excuse--lots of work to get ready for two shows coming up--and yet, I also know I am procrastinating.

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.) 

A Year of Making Art: Day 20

May 9, 2007 Day 20

Today I was nervous because I have a doctor's appointment at 11 am.  That means there will be no time to paint this morning.  I just finished an 11" x 14" drawing in blues and greens with a touch of tuscan red.  You have to be careful when mixing red with greens so that you don't end up with Christmas.  I seem to be better able to control this effect in my paintings than the drawings.

  Drawing #19, 11" x 14"

Well, after getting back from the doctor's office, I heard from Bob Hogge at Monkdogz Urban Art in New York.  He does want the two new Improv paintings I made for him to be in the June show, plus Talking Dog.  Here they are:

  Improv, 44" x 44"

  Improv Two, 44" x 44"

  Talking Dog, 40" x 40"

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)   

A Year of Making Art: Day 19

May 8, 2007 Day 19

After a fairly good night's sleep (woke up 3 or 4 times, but was able to go back to sleep quickly), I felt fresh and worked on a 14" x 11" drawing today, using mostly browns, blacks and grays:

  Drawing #18, 14" x 11"

A reader asked me to explain what I am using to make these drawings.   Several years ago I bought a set of 120 Prismacolor permanent art markers, each with a wide tip on one end and a fine tip on the other.  These allow me the choice of almost "painting" with the wide tip, or drawing fine lines with the other end.  I had felt guilty for years about not using them.  Amazingly, they did not dry out.

One thing about artists is that we love art supplies.  I almost drool when wandering around an art supply store.  I would love to buy it all and just "play."  That's one fun thing about being a grandmother--I get to use the art and craft supplies I used as a child, plus some new ones, and just play again rather than making "serious art."

After finishing my drawing, I painted another layer of background on the two 44" x 44" canvases I had started before my trip to Maryland.  I managed to use up three almost-empty tubes of paint, which was satisfying.  Growing up in a poor family with five siblings, we could not afford to waste anything.  Using up leftovers--whether they are food or paint--is somewhat of a compulsion.

  Canvas #7

  Canvas #8

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)