Archive for January, 2011
Abstract Art Class – Part 2 1/26/11
The final 6 design formats given by Teacher in class are: 7) constellation, 
Meander, 9) Diagonal, 10) Golden Section, 11) Tension, and 12) Spiritual/Portrait. All these are possible design formats for an abstract painting.
I chose the curves format. I proceeded to find round objects of various sizes to use as templates – a paper plate, coffee can lid, glass and hair dryer end. After making circles on my canvas with these objects, I filled them in with whatever colors appealed to me. I must confess, this is not a purely subjective painting because there was a black and white photo of someone’s painting included in each example, so I used that photo as inspiration. My creativity may be coming, but it’s not free yet!
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Abstract Art Class – 1/26/11
The subject for discussion in my abstract painting class was Design Compositions. Our teacher gave us a handout showing 12 different design formats – designed to set your creativity free. She had also cut out photos of paintings that fit into each category and we looked at those as she talked about each type.
I will mention the first 6 design formats. They are: 1) cruciform, 2) cantilever, 3) horizontal, 4) overlapping frames, 5) curves, and 6) vertical. My assignment for next week is to choose one of these (or the other 6) formats and paint an abstract painting. I’m hoping something will set my creativity free!
Abstract Painting #2
Today was my class in abstract art. At the beginning critique, we discuss paintings we are working on or have finished. Our assignment last week was to make a painting using shape, size, line, texture, direction, color, or value. In selecting one, we also must select others.
I had chosen circles. They were varied in size and color. At the end-of-class critique, Teacher had suggested I add small black circles, and after I finished the painting, I thought I had too many. Today she did not think I had too many, although some of the other students disagreed. What do you think?
The Edison Estate
In the late 19th Century, Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) bought 14 acres of land in the wilds of Fort Myers for a winter home along the Caloosahatchee River. His home was purchased and partially put together in Maine and arrived in Fort Myers by boat. Some time later his friend Henry Ford bought a neighboring home and the couples were friends for many years. Edison, “The Wizard of Menlo Park”, is credited with over 1093 patents and was working on an inexpensive way to make rubber when he died. He had imported many kinds of trees to aid in his research, among which was a banyan tree, 4 feet tall and 2 inches in diameter when it arrived. Today, 80 years later, it covers almost an acre of land.
My friend, Thelma, and I packed up our gear on Tuesday and visited the Edison Estate, hoping to do some oil painting. In seeking permission, we found that Wednesday is artists’ day and with a $5 admission charge, we can paint anywhere on the estate. We’ll be back!
Abstract Painting #1
A week or so ago, I posted a photo of my first abstract painting. At the end-of-class critique, Teacher suggested I put some letters on it because it has bright colors, reminding one of elementary school. After overcoming a few problems, the final edition is today’s photo.
This afternoon, I began painting the background for a tree sketch I did some time ago and never completed. In last week’s class, another student did something like this on a background of orange-red and her painting was stunning! Mine won’t be stunning because my tree is not graceful like hers, but it will be interesting. At least, I hope so.
The Life of Cubism
One of the many faces of abstract art dates back to the early 20th century in the days of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Cubism took on the idea that an object or event could be represented from a variety of different viewpoints while, later, analytical cubism followed more of a monochrome scheme that depicted unemotional paintings and uneventful subjects.
Since its coming of age, cubism has been copied by many artists who strive to follow in the brilliant footsteps of these two men, therefore, creating an endless stream of abstract oil paintings. Looking at this genre of artwork, you’ll see an unsymmetrical sense of geometry that spreads throughout the entire canvas. From portraits of people and things, cubism was always able to capture a daring imagination of the artists.
Repainting
When my poor quality acrylics dried on their light teal background, my abstract painting looked like sad wallpaper. I decided to repaint everything in oils, and it made a world of difference! The colors were bright and distinct the way I had envisioned.
First, I repainted my first abstract, the one with the triangles and letters, which I will post tomorrow. Then, I repainted the second one with circles of many sizes. It looks OK, but when Teacher suggested I put in some small black circles, I think I took her advice to an extreme! My painting looks like it has the measles! We’ll see what Teacher says on Wednesday, and after corrections, I’ll post it soon.
Studio Day
Yesterday I decided my next abstract painting would be a series of circles, small to large, overlapping each other. I drew them on the canvas and began painting them in. At the end-of-class critique, people suggested I needed some larger ones and ones to overlap the edges of the canvas.
Today, I first made the large circles and additional small circles to overlap the edges of the canvas and then I painted them. I used red, yellow, blue and green and tried to balance the colors and shapes. I’m not quite finished but will try to finish tomorrow. I think any child would love it!
Abstract Class – Day 2
Our class began with a critique of the abstract paintings we finished at home. The class liked my painting and the teacher liked the fact that I had a variety of sizes and fonts for the letters and numbers. I was unhappy with the way the yellow did not cover, but it was because I had a low quality of paint. Rather than buy more expensive acrylic paint, I plan to repaint it in oils so that I can repair the errors and then I’ll post it.
In today’s class the teacher illustrated and talked about Elements of Design – Seven Aspects of Painting: 1) Shape (curved, angular, rectangular), 2) Size (big, small, similar), 3) Line (straight, curved), 4) Texture (soft, rough, smooth), 5) Direction (horizontal, vertical, oblique), 6) Color, and 7) Value (lightness or darkness of colors (using a gray tone scale)). We made small paintings (6” x 6”) illustrating each aspect and after choosing one aspect to emphasize for our next painting, we planned and started. Another short critique at the end of class provided further insight into developing our painting.
My Mentor
Today was my regularly scheduled visit via telephone with Rick Romano, owner of Easy Place to Shop and my mentor for getting my web site up and running and helping me to get noticed by Google. I’m very pleased that he likes my abstract paintings and wants me in his mall.
Every web site has a site map that Google reads, and every time I add or subtract from my web site, I have to change the site map accordingly. For some reason, when I changed the site map the last time and saved it, my computer put it in a different area than previously so when I went to retrieve it, the computer couldn’t find it. Neither could I! Rick found it and straightened me out. He also addressed some other problems I was having. He also leads the way, as my assignment is to set up an account with eZine and read some of their information. I am so lucky to have him as a mentor!