Ahhh… White Horses

untitled arabs in progress, originally uploaded by erinsartjournal.

I said I was gagging to paint some more white horses, so here I am, I have to put 3 heads into this painting. It’s on the largest canvas I’ve ever used, as well. This painting measures 3′x4′.

Big painting, three horse heads (a first for me), I’m sure these are both symptoms of my excitement about painting horses again.

I normally use Winsor & Newton Griffin alkyd oil paints. I prefer them for their fast drying properties.

Last year, a friend gave me a small suitcase full of tins of Spectrum oil paints. Well hey – big painting, means more paint. I thought this was a great opportunity to try the Spectrum oils.

I was concerned about the drying time for normal oil paint (patience is NOT one of my stronger points). I bought a large tin of Fast Drying Oil Painting Medium from Jacksons Art Supplies. This medium is an oil modified alkyd resin. Which means it speeds up the drying time. Hopefully resulting in the conventional Spectrum oils drying as quickly as the W&N Griffin oils.

Also treated myself to a long handled Winton fine bristle brush, size 14. Another new product for me, I normally use hog bristles or prolene brushes for the first stages of oil painting.

So, having painted a Burnt Sienna acrylic wash on the background, I loosely plotted out the head shapes with a White Charcoal pencil.

Mwahahahah – I went in with this luscious paint, the beautiful paint brush and oil medium. I loved how this paint went onto the canvas. I loved the beauty of the brush, the fine bristles blended my delicate colours so perfectly. I was in heaven as I applied this initial wash of paint to my canvas.

I found the medium absolutely gorgeous!

No,neither Winsor & Newton nor Jacksons have not asked me to blog about this. I’m just a materials snob, I love quality art materials and I love talking about products I enjoy.

Back to the oil medium – the paint went on beautifully when I mixed in the medium. I didn’t need to add turpentine at any point. I found the medium perfect, for my preferences, as it came out of the tin.

I applied this paint about 11 hours ago. Some areas are touch dry, the rest is just tacky. (the shiny bit on the centre horses forehead is the slowest to dry, clearly the last area I painted) I’m VERY impressed with the fast drying medium and I definitely recommend!

I’m sure it’s clear that good materials enhance the entire painting experience for me. Quality art materials is a MUST!

On a roll now, I’m off to prepare a smaller canvas for another white horse painting…

Shalom
Erin

White Horses…

Andalusian Stallion Amadeus, originally uploaded by erinsartjournal.

Hi this is just a quick note to say I’m still busy getting ready for the Needham Market Art Exhibition. Today I’m framing 3 watercolours, 2 limited edition prints and an open edition print.

I’m hoping I have a box of hanging hooks somewhere….

I’m using my new Logan 301s mount (matt- USA) cutter today for the first time. That’s me all over – don’t practice, just decide use it for the first time, when it really matters. Fortunately that approach normally works for me, or I wouldn’t keep doing it, would I?

The above painting of the Andalusian stallion Amadeus is being offered as a limited edition print in the exhibition. (Damn it looks good, if I say so myself!)

I’ve noticed a lot of repeat viewings of the oil paintings Chistoso and Glorious from countries like Poland, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Latvia and strangely enough Canada. It’s been suggested to me people are copying these pieces. So, I’ve removed any photos of those oil paintings from this blog.

I’m looking into digital watermarking to avoid any copyright problems in the future.

I’m also getting a hell of a lot of repeat viewings of the Mother Goose painting. I know there’s a group workshop with a Nursery Rhyme theme going on line somewhere. I’m sort of hoping that explains why that painting is viewed so often. 

Speaking of horses I am absolutely gagging to paint some white horses right now. So instead of enjoying this exhibition, as my first love is painting, all I want to do is get painting.

With that in mind I bought myself a large tube of white oil paint, 2 lovely fine bristle brushes (size 12 & 14 flats), a pack of goat hair brushes for blending and 2 palette knives yesterday. 

Can’t wait to start painting…

Erin

The Creative Entrepreneur

The Creative Entrepreneur by Lisa Sonora Beam

This book arrived in this morning’s post.  

The blurb on the back begins with - 

The Creative Entrepreneur is a visual, results-orientated, step-by-step method of business development for creatives from all walks of life who want to turn their passions into viable business opportunities.  Whether you are an artist, designer, or small business owner, this book will empower you to renew and nurture you vision with the steps required to take and idea and make it real.

So it says on the back of the book.  I have to been honest, those words don’t mean a damn thing to me! 

 I – JUST – DON’T – GET – IT!

This bit makes a bit more sense to me:

The Creative Entrepreneur offers a dynamic left brain/right brain approach to developing a business focus that evaluates underlying internal issues unique in creative types and show how to practically address them.  

I certainly understand  the concept of left brain/right brain working together.  I have studied psychology, meditation, hypnosis, shamanism, etc.  I can understand all/any of them.  But ask me to understand business development tools designed to evaluate internal issues and  then to practically address them.  wtf does that mean in the real world? 

The blurb continues…

You’ll gain a combination of powerful business and strategic planning tools and learn how to use them like a pro.  Related journal exercises further explore and illuminate each concept in a visual and engaging way that appeals to how creative types think, learn and process information.  And this journal becomes a companion and map for your creative business journey.

(I’ve already said wtf? haven’t I?)  

Back to the book…

The Creative Entrepreneur is based on workshops designed to  meet the challenges creative people have with the the business side of their work.  These are the people who experience a kind of mythic divide between their creative work and the necessary evil of business must do’s.  This split can create tension and even trauma for the creative soul who is blessed with..…

That is why I bought this book. 

It’s based on journalling – hey I’ve been doing that for years, easy stuff!

.  

Thing is,  I am totally not interested in the subject matter.  I have studied mass media, and completed a business development course.  I’ve attended workshops in market research, and creating  a working Business Plan.  I’ve been bored to tears by all of the above, but always finished the workshops/training.  While I understand the lessons and theory,  I just dont’ put any of it into practice in my life.  

I’m sorry if this seems a bit vague.  But I’m doing the best I can to explain the learning/theory/education I’ve had just doesn’t mean anything to ME.  I cannot connect the tools I’ve learnt with me and my life.

Looking at it from another angle, I’ve successsfully completed all this training, so why don’t I use it? Perhaps it’s just not in sync with the way my mind works.  It certainly doesn’t feel relevant to me.  

So why did I buy this book from Amazon?  Because I know I am wishy washy with the business side of things.  Even if I just don’t see it as something relevant, in theory I know I will benefit from business development skills of some sort used to  promote my artwork.  I also like that the book is sympathitic to creatives.

I’m suddenly motivated to do everything I’ve been procrastinating over.  Ironing, hoovering, framing the watercolours that need doing…this all seems like things I really want to do right now.

I’d rather go pick up horse shit, honesty, anything but sit down and actually read this book!

So that is why I’m putting it on my blog.  I figure all my readers will now know I’m going to work with this book.  This will motivate me to actually try it, if nothing else.  

I plan to share my progress through the book with you dear peeps.  (can’t believe I’m doing this) I’ll aim for a post per week to let you know how I’m doing with it.  That I am doing it, even. 

Please nudge me if I don’t produce the goods.

Namaste

Erin

My Path In Progress…

inprogress bigfish, originally uploaded by erinsartjournal.  (bigfish is just a reference name, not the title)

I am really enjoying painting this piece! It’s fun and whimsical. It’s BIG for me, measuring 20×39 inches. I’m creating it using oil paint and collage.

I’m always hesitant about talking about my work while before it’s finished. Hey, it could all go wrong after this post, then the whole world would know I’d screwed up my painting. Also, I find talking about it will often burn out the creative energy. But I’m feeling really excited about this painting and I want to share it.

I’ve had some ‘down time’ from painting, lately. After any pause, artistically, I notice my art work has evolved in some way.

As I consider this painting, I’m pleased to see that my figurative work has evolved. This work is showing more artistic depth, perspective and allowing me better use of my painting skills. It’s telling a story. These are all things I’ve felt lacking in my previous figurative work. It seems if I muse over what I consider to be a ‘problem’ the answer presents itself, in an apparently fully, evolved form.

By that I mean I didn’t consciously decide to create this painting to fix the percieved lacks in my work. I didn’t dissect the areas I wanted to improve and find rational ‘solutions’.

This painting came to my mind fully formed. I felt the urge to create this watercolour study. I’ve missed using watercolours, so I was happy for an excuse to play with them.

I’m certain the study was an easy outlet for the idea bubbling up from my muse. I don’t, as a rule, use preparatory sketches/studies for my figurative work.

I’m also certain if I hadn’t created the study, I would’ve slammed into an artistic wall.  That’s where I have no ideas or motivation to paint  (perhaps my muse is waiting for me to be ready to listen to where she wants to go?).  I’ve hit artistic walls in the past, and damn it’s not something I wish to repeat.  I’ve learnt that lesson well.  To avoid grinding to a halt, I must go with the artistic flow, wherever it takes me.

That includes following the artistic flow, even when I hate every painting I’m producing
(haven’t you been there?).

I’ve mentioned previously that I’m invariably surprised with how my paintings develop. With my figurative work, I am an intuitive artist, not a analytical artist. I think this painting coming to me, fully formed, filling out my percieved lacks, will help you understand how the artistic process works for me.

Erin

Give It a Whirl

Jen Gray’s Whirlwish video  – make yourself comfortable & watch it through.

I love this video, it encourages us to give our dreams a whirl.   Created by the lovely Jen Gray, I first came across it last year.   

The things I enjoy most about Whirlwish is it’s happy, uplifting and so very feminine .  I need those qualities in my life right now.  So I decided to share this, as my readers may find it uplifting as well.

I’m feeling strange right now.  I’m not sleeping, not eating, can’t get organized.  I’m putting the milk in the cupboard, pouring the boiling water from the kettle into the cat food bowl.  Yes, I know that’s all signs of high stress.  But stressed about what? 

Fortunately, I’m not at work. 

The painting is going well, as ever (yes I’m lucky in that respect).

And I’m not sure why I’m feeling like this.  Yes I’m bi-polar, but usually I know exactly what’s upsetting me.

Anyway – hope you found the video as fun & uplifting as I did.

Namaste

Erin

Ticking of Time

It’s my birthday today -

Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthdays, time and clocks ticking…..

the perfumier’s clock by Rima

I’ve mentioned Rima and her blog Into the Hermitage previously. 

What I haven’t mentioned is Rima makes customized clocks.  Her clocks are decorated in her beautiful folk  art style. Rima interprets the brief given by her customers with her love of magic and myth.

Feast your eyes on what you will see when you click the icon labelled ‘once upon a clock’! 

As for my birthday, I don’t have much to tell you.  I’m single, no family, and I have to go to work today.  After work, I will ride my mare.  Then a hot shower and probably paint my toe nails in front of the fire this evening (ok I’ll probably treat myself to a glass of red). 

 I’m going out Saturday night to celebrate my birthday, at an Indian restaurant.

Erin

Photographing My Artwork

Photographing Artwork, originally uploaded by erinsartjournal.

The clock has been ticking away, Needham Market Art Exhibition is getting closer & closer. Exciting stuff – but I need to take photos of the work that I’m selling at the exhibition.

I’ve been waiting for the right light to photograph my work. I need an overcast day, offering soft, diffused light. Fortunately, this morning was perfect.

Many people expect me to take the photos on a bright, sunny day. Sunny days are not good for this job. If the sun is out, the light reflects off the surface of the oil paint, creating bright shiny patches.

As I set everything up, I watch for converging verticals in the viewfinder. I then play with the exposure – using Exposure Compensation with every painting. I will take probably 6 or 7 photos of every painting, adjusting the exposure for each.  I’m looking for accurate colour saturation without sacrificing detail.

The oil paintings I photographed this morning are now drying, after recieving their first coat of satin varnish.

These photos are for achival reference & print production.  I’m using my Nikon D3000 for this purpose.

The camera on my phone is used for photos going to flickr or my blog.

Watercolour Study

Study

Here’s a watercolour study I’ve produced today.  I did this study to get a feel for a much larger painting on a deep edge canvas, measuring 20×39 inches.  I just went straight in with my size 14 Escoda sable brush.

Yesterday, I did a pencil sketch – the fish was more predominant in the pencil sketch & full bodied.  The watercolour study is refining everything in my mind, and moving closer to the finished image.

The main idea behind this watercolour sketch was to check out the composition and balance of the planned painting.  

This isn’t something I’ve done in years, I don’t ususally plan out my work, normally I dive straight in.

I’ve already prepared the canvas with a purple undercoat of acrylic paint.  At this stage, I haven’t decided if I’m using just oil & collage or a full mixed media selection to create the painting.

Overall I’m pleased with the direction I’m going in for this painting.

I’m still not too sure about the figure holding the guitar…

Morning Pages & Gratitude

Being With My Mare

Trebor xxxx strong mints, originally uploaded by erinsartjournal

.

I had a great morning with my mare today. Just being alone with her is stabilizing for me on all levels. I give her a couple of Trebor xtra strong mints as a thank you.

Andrex’s hair from this morning’s grooming session minus what was covering me.

Our morning began with a good grooming session. I tell you, spring is on it’s way! I’ve had Andrex for 5 years, so I know her body clock is always right. So if she is shedding like this, I trust her judgement. Needless to say I was completely covered in her hair myself, from top to bottom.

Within minutes of starting our ride, I felt the tension in my shoulders disappear. A welcome feeling of warmth and lightness came over me.

We rode over new ground today. I figure we covered a good 8 or 9 miles. Mostly walking as the ground was muddy & slippery. It was quite hard going for her, this soft, deep ground.

I did take note of a few good galloping stretches, I’ll return to them when the ground is better. We’re both speed freaks, and love a good gallop or three

The land we rode on today was agricultural, mostly tractor tracks, a foot path (oops! am I allowed to ride on them? hee hee) and headlands around crops. The land is very flat fenland, so you can see for miles. I looked across a patchwork of crops, fields and clusters of trees.

I met a farmer walking his black lab. He was very pleasant, and gave me both directions and permission to ride along the headland of his field.

That particular field had a working crow scarer in place. It’s rigged up to a tractor battery and a bottle of calor gas. It has a tube poking out of it that looks like it should be shooting out tennis balls. Every few minutes it goes off with a loud bang, like a shotgun. Andrex tensed at one point, as we got closer, it became much louder. We had to ride right past it. At that point I asked Andrex for accleration to put it behind us as rapidly as possible.   Shes’s quite relaxed, but that thing going off right next to us would’ve been more than any horse would put up with.

    Stock photo I found online.   

On the way home we saw a fox. From it’s small size, I’d say it was a vixen. Strangely, we saw the fox long before she noticed us. She seemed intent on something in the next field. When she did notice us, she froze for long seconds before running back the way she came. I wish I had my camera with me to take a picture. I love their ginger colouring. It always seems surreal seeing a fox so close up.

Nearly home, I was feeling so relaxed physically and emotionally. Er..happy, even. I became a little overwhelmed with how warm and lovely I was feeling. My eyes welled up with tears for a few seconds.

Then it was time to cross the road back to our yard. Whew, no need to cry like a baby. It tends to upset my horse.

No I haven’t brushed her down, yet.

As soon as I let her loose, she usually has a good roll.  I’ll then brush her over, to remove the mud and saddle marks.  This morning, she didn’t roll, she went straight over to the hay as I was putting it out.  Clearly she was hungery after our ride.

 I felt the same.  When I tidied up both horse & equipment, I went home for a hot lunch. 

Erin