Sunday, August 28, 2005

Inspiration

Usually when I sit to paint I have already several ideas that are bursting out of my head. I sketch a few things, and some others just go directly into the canvas.
I like to collect pictures, clippings, my own pictures and quick sketches done when I happen to see something I like, even if it's just a sentence, to remind me later of the image that caught my attention.

It's funny. Years ago, when I was living in Mexico and ALL my friends were artists -what a blast!- each of us had a different way of doing their thing.

A musician friend of mine who is also a composer, had always a little notebook in his pocket and he'd get it and write something fast to write more in detail about it later. Some other friends would be more like a hands on work at the moment without previous thoughts to make their art.

At that time I had a graphic design studio and there was always something going on. Either a group of actors rehearsing for a play, my clay group mixing mud to make masks or getting together to finish a project.

My old town has 5 big universities and tons of students from many states and countries. I had friends from Panama, Venezuela, Argentina, Spain, the US and some other places I can't remember at the moment. Most of us moved away from there, a lot of us got married and started a family, some of them made a strong professional carrer out of their artistic talents.

It is a pleasure to see them again when there's a chance. They are still a great source of inspiration.


Painter

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Oil painting

After 3 months I am re opening my oil paint tubes. I was missing the buttery texture. I prefer the water mixable kind. I have read opposite opinions about them, but I have to say I love them! I don't see myself ever using turpentine or any other smelly thing. Even the new kind that doesn't smell as bad, still has an odor. I rather mix with linseed oil and water.

I just have been working with acrylics so much lately and I love them, but there's a different feeling altogether. Even with mediums the acrylic goes faster which is why I like them so much, but somehow oils are still a mystery to me.

I am currently working on a 20x16 mermaid painting. I was inspired by some sculptures even when at the end my sketch did not look at all like the figures. I was going to take a picture when it was just a sketch, but got so excited that couldn't let go of the paint brush!

I still have no idea where that digital camera went.... but when I find it I will post a picture here.
So far I have the background water and the mermaid's tale.
Here's the picture of an art card I sold in my auctions. How many times can I say I love Art Cards without sounding too repetitious? lol

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Back to school

Well, in general the going back to school has left me with more time to paint.
I was going to enter a few things to the county fair, but unfortunately I forgot the last day was today.
I went to the art gallery with my friend from Venezuela and had a blast.
I discover a new artist in town, so cool! He's latin too and you can see it all over his paintings.
It was there, chatting with one of the gallery members, that I learn it was the last day to sign up for the fair thingie. Oh well.... I was lazy to rush to get there across town.

I am from a HUGE city (it was about 4 million people when I moved out of there), and everything that is "close" it's about 30/40 minutes from home.
We moved to this city with less than half a million people and now I feel anything farther than 10 minutes is too far away!! LOL Isn't that crazy?
People here complain of lines... man, for me a long line was when it was more than 15 people!
The sad part is that there isn't as much art around here.

I placed more art cards today in my auctions, and send a bunch to the card swap group. I am dieing to see the ones I will get from the other artists!!
I tried to get from all kinds of styles and countries too. This is such a thrill. Christmas in summer!

I wonder if this thing has a spell checker.... I know I need one.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

The art card competition

I am currently participating on an Art Card "theme week" at ebay, where the subject is Nursery Rhymes. Almost all of mine are funny:
I have a few links here that will end by the 24 of August 2005 I think:

Here's my Humpty Dumpty


Here my Miss Muffet version:


Black Sheep


Wonderland


One two buckle my show


Life is but a dream...


All the cards participating are great. They go from .99 cents to close to 100.00!
It'll be fun to see who's the winner

Thursday, August 11, 2005