Abstract Pieces

I've plunged into the deep end. I've taken a risk. I've painted more abstract pieces. Yesterday I spent the better part of the day painting. By the end of the day I had created four abstract pieces in acrylic, and some with oils mixed in as well. 

It still remains a mystery to me as to why all of a sudden I have an urge to paint in abstract, when I've never had a desire for this style in the past. However, I am really enjoying the freedom of it and the fact that there are no hard and fast rules. 

I have found that painting abstracts that relate to favourite song lyrics of mine add personal depth and meaning to the piece, as well as painting things that I know I like (trees, birds, etc). How do you approach your abstract pieces?

I must admit, I'm hooked. Even though I'm new to this style, there's something about it that makes me want to keep trying a different technique, a different colour scheme, a larger sized canvas! I keep a sketchbook with my ideas in preliminary sketches so that if it's a while between paintings, I have all the ideas written down (I'll show you this book in another post).

Here's the pieces from yesterdays blissful creative time! ...

"Rainbow Lorikeet" ... acrylic on canvas.

"Forest" ... acrylic on canvas with silver leaf.

"His Glory Appears" ... acrylic and gesso on canvas.

"Bonfire Dance" ... acrylic and oil on canvas.

It's school holidays here, and I really hope to cram in as much painting time as I can ... after I've bought more paints and canvases! 

Happy painting everyone!

First Ever Abstract Piece!

Abstract art has always been something that I've appreciated, but not really personally enjoyed. Which is why I found myself very shocked when I had a huge urge to paint abstract! Where did that come from?! 

Seeing as I'm trying to challenge myself with my art, and be brave in trying new things, I thought that I probably should do an abstract piece! And let me tell you, it was so FUN!

As we're also in the process of moving house, I realised after I had all the paint out and impasto mixed in, that my pallet knives are packed! So ... I cut up rectangles of packing boxes instead! Using cardboard was easier than I thought, and so was the clean up!

I have named this piece "Reflections" and for my first EVER abstract work, I am very happy with it!

What do you think?

Hope you enjoy doing something creative this weekend!

Being Brave

I've always loved Impressionist art. It doesn't matter how hard I try to create a different looking work, it always ends up looking very Impressionistic or a little bit Impressionistic. It's the colours, the texture, the movement of the style that I just adore. Van Gogh has long been my favourite Impressionistic artist(Technically speaking, he was a Post-Impressionist artist) His work, to me, is stunning.

One thing I am learning about my artwork lately, is that I'm not really happy to just 'dabble' and be safe anymore. I have this urging to create a monstrous canvas piece of ... something! A landscape? A portrait? Our cat?! Who knows?!! But I think I'm working up enough courage to just jump in and give it a shot! I feel as though I've been 'practicing' for years and years, and now? Now it's time to get cracking!

I would like to see my art progressing and each day, getting that little bit better at what I do. Not comparing myself to others, but enjoying the uniqueness of my own work. Art is, after all, individual expression.

I really appreciate this quote from Matisse, and while it is sometimes easier said than done, it's something that I'm really desiring to implement more into my art.

COURAGE = BRAVERY = BOLDNESS = INDIVIDUALITY.

One thing I do know, is that when I do create courageously, it will most likely have an Impressionistic vibe to it! 

See what I mean?! ...

'The Long Journey Home'.

I used oil pastels to create this piece, entirely from my imagination without a reference picture. For me, that was courageous. And yep, Impressionistic feel! Now, I'm ready to take the step in creating that large piece of work! 

Wish me luck! 

I'll let you know how it goes!

I hope you have a beautifully creative week!

Exciting News!

Hi everyone! I have some very exciting news to share with you all! Yesterday I opened up a RedBubble account where my artworks can be sold to the public! 

I have a selection of works available from my photographs, to some of my sketches and mixed media paintings! 

Here's the link that you need to follow! Please check it out and share it around for me! I would really appreciate it, thanks!

Happy creating!

(Other places to find my art)

Art Lesson For My Kids!

The other day I was in the mood for art ... surprise, surprise! As we're a homeschooling family, I decided that I would give my kids an impromptu art lesson!

I wanted the kids to explore using oil pastels to create their piece. I also want them to be somewhat familiar with the work of famous artists; so  I picked 'Flowers' by Vincent Van Gogh for them to re-create.

 We discussed the colour wheel, complementary colours, dimensions, and filling out the whole page. The only guidelines I gave my kids were ...

• To draw their preliminary sketch lightly
• Fill the whole page
• Try to eliminate the white of the paper
• Try to use complimentary colours
• Give your best and HAVE FUN!

 

 

 

Here's their finished pieces! I absolutely LOVE them all!

 

 

 

 

I'm hoping to frame these pieces and display them in our home!

 

I hope you're having a wonderful creative week!