The Gaze, 6x6 Acrylic

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I've been painting a large floral painting that is quite detailed, so to loosen up a bit I did this little experiment. I used black and white acrylic over poured acrylic to get this effect. The poured acrylic was completely dry (which takes days) before I painted over it.

Today I got an email requesting the following custom order:  "A hand painting of steve Jobs that shows the white apple logo and says think different, and also it has to say in memory of Steve Jobs February 24, 1955- October 5 2011, I want the painting to be no more than $50, size 6x6."
Say WHAT? All that, in miniature, for $50? With lettering, yet! Wow. How insulting. 

Coincidentally, this morning I ran across this quote by an artist:

"I always wanted to live in poverty and be maligned and devalued by society and the business world. I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams." 

Murals, Past and Future

I am painting murals in a new bookstore, Paradise Found, opening November 1st on Anna Maria Island off Bradenton, Florida. In these photos I am revisiting past murals I did for the children's room in a previous bookstore.

I think I need to use some of these again, especially Winnie and Tigger, below.

I love doing these characters. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Paradise Found will have exotic plants for sale also. Books and plants--two of my favorite things!

Carmen

Wall Mural, River of Dreams, 12x9 feet

This was a pretty exhausting project, but at least I had a peaceful place to rest. I was still in my working clothes, so not exactly a fashion plate, but very happy with my completed mural.

The mural is in the soon-to-be-cafe in River Run Christian Church on Croton Road in Melbourne. "River of Dreams" is appropriate, because our Church dreams big and accomplishes wonderful things, like Thanksgiving dinners for the needy, our backpack program that sends food home on weekends for children in need, an active Food Pantry, and much more. River Run Christian Church rocks, and I'm not just talking about the music!

Carmen

Decorative Painting

While in Virginia I painted my daughter's armoire. I really enjoy painting furniture, and I was able to eliminate a monkey, a cat with people eyes and a dead fish, and other unsavory creatures that were painted on the armoire when she bought it.

Carmen

Ghost Dance, 8x10 Abstract Painting, Oil on Canvas, Red, White, Black, Gold

Click to Buy

For this abstract, I painted a canvas panel with beautiful gold gesso, then I mixed fluid acrylic paint with liquid pouring medium. I poured and manipulated until I got the result I wanted. I made a huge mess, as I always do with this process, but I like the result. 

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Call Me Ishmael, 20x24 Acrylic on Canvas

$225, Click to Purchase

This morning on the news I saw that a Taiwanese man drifted in the sea for 60 hours floating on a coffin lid. This was like pulling a page from Moby Dick, where Ishmael was the lone survivor because of floating on a coffin. I changed the name of this watery-looking painting in his honor. 

This technique is new for me. It is poured acrylic that I let dry into a 'skin,' then I peeled it up, cut it apart and arranged the design. It is glued to a stretched canvas. This is a very time-consuming endeavor, but I like the result. I am drying some very light colors now to see what I can do on a dark background. 

Liquidity, Acrylic Abstract, 6x6

I've gotten carried away with abstracts lately. They are more relaxing (and messy) than my other work. This one looks very fluid, rather like a gentle stream. The colors are not very gentle, though, are they? I'm thinking of the 70s...tie dye...lava lamps...

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Check out the Pieces of 8 Blog today for a wonderful new book by member Cindy Michaud, Sainted and Painted, Stories of the Not Wholly Holy. Cindy's cleverness never ceases to amaze me!

The Depths, 7x5 Acrylic

I could have called this Abyss but The Depths sounds much friendlier. The word Abyss seems to imply a one-way trip, not the invitation to adventure in turquoise waters that I am trying to portray.  

Out of Obscurity, 7x5 Acrylic on Canvas

I toyed with the idea of calling this "Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave." I find it a lot harder to title abstract paintings, though some of them are easier than others. I can't get enough of that bright turquoise color. Makes me think of when I lived in Bermuda, where the water is that color and didn't even look real at times.

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Serpentine, 6x6 Abstract

Had to loosen it up a bit after the previous post. This is acrylic paint and glue, truly mixed media. For some reason "Far out, Dude" keeps running through my head when I look at this one. Maybe it reminds me of a lava lamp.

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Eye of the Eagle, 6x6 Acrylic Abstract

I think this is a patriotic painting, with a slightly frazzled eagle. Maybe he is sick of the do-nothing Congress, or maybe he just suffers from allergies. I read that the United States is the most allergic country on earth. Is it the genetically altered foods? How about those hormones in meat and milk? Global warming and the highest pollen levels ever? Maybe my eagle is like that Indian in the old commercial--remember him, the noble man with the tear? Actually, that looks like a red tear running down Mr. Eagle's cheek. Is he sad, or is it just his allergies?

I know, you're thinking I've gone off the deep end...don't worry, it's nothing new, and I'm still treading water.

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Aquamarine, 7x5 Acrylic on Canvas

I like color, can you tell? Vivid, deep, inviting color. Painting these abstracts is an adventure, and I look forward to trying different color combinations.

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Night Flight, 6x6 Acrylic on Canvas Panel

There's a lot going on here, but it all suggests flight to me. I am really enjoying doing these abstracts, it is so freeing and creative. It's like a dance with paint.

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Stormy Deep, 6x6 Abstract

I've stepped way outside my comfort zone to do this one, and I'm so excited about it that I'm going to do more. The first thing I thought of was deep water in a storm off Bermuda, where I used to live. What a contrast to the misty grey scene I photographed at our beach in Florida the other day. It was beautiful in its own way too.

I'm happy to announce that I won Best of Show in the Contemporary Fine Art International show (www.cfai.co), "Summer Fun" for my painting Leap of Faith.

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Cyberspace, 5x7 Abstract Acrylic Painting

To Purchase

This is poured acrylic over stamped gold gesso, and the title is a nod to the internet, because of the most amazing coincidence this week. In our painting group, when it's someone's birthday, that person brings the cake. This keeps it simple. This week I brought a pineapple upside-down cake for my birthday (more about that later), and Carol Schiff gave me a birthday card that I immediately recognized as being made by my niece, Marta Pelrine-Bacon. Carol's cousin bought a set of the cards on the internet and sent them to Carol, who gave me one for my birthday, having no idea I was related to the artist who made the card. What are the odds?

I wrote to my niece, who has had serious health problems lately, and saw that she was having a big craving the same day for pineapple upside-down cake!  Again, what are the odds?
Here is the very cute card:

 Link to Card

Blue Funk, 5x7 Acrylic Abstract on Canvas Board

I see this as coming out of the blues into the light. This is an experimental work, using a stamp, pouring,   painting, and spattering. In other words, it was a lot of fun. Daily Painter Karen Margulis calls it a "detour" in her blog this week. It's good for the artistic soul every now and then.

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Plaid Pears, 8x10 Mixed Media

This was just plain fun. I didn't know where I was going with this, but I rather enjoy the result. It's hard to get me away from oils and collage, but sometimes it's good to play around with other media. This is definitely a kitchen painting, wouldn't you say?

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