The Secret

Quite a number of years ago I spent some time messing around creating assemblages. I've been trying my hand at them again. The assemblage I'm currently working on demanded the creation of a potion in a bottle that would appear other-worldly and mysterious but not creepy. This is the result. I'm happy and work will continue....by the way....The Husband Person has given me great suggestions to use in the assemblages....maybe we should consider a partnership?

I haven't painted in - like - forever! Last night I went to WRS and joined in on the Thurs evening pastel studio class. It felt really good to be with a bunch of other people doing what we like to do. Have I ever told you how much I love, just love, the texture you can get with pastels? Soooo luscious.

Building

Rust with shimmer, worn wood with patina, the old, the vintage and the interesting...these are things that I am drawn to and covet in antique stores, estate sales, auctions and junk piles. I have been inspired to create an assemblage for months. Today I gathered some treasures, started altering them a bit and attaching them together. The finished piece measures about 9" long & 6" wide. It looks kind of cool hanging on the wall.

Roots

I spent most of the weekend steam cleaning carpets and upholstery - wheeee...lots of fun....but at 4pm this afternoon I started messing around with a gelatin plate that I had stuck in the fridge this morning. I was going after imagery that would evoke remind one of this time of the year. I think I'm going to call this Song of the Shawangunks.

Yesterday at the Wallkill River School I gave a class on abstract painting that turned into being more of a Mixed Media abstract art class. We had a ton of fun and the 6 hrs (whew!) flew by. The participants were amazing. They were adventurous and dug right into creating texture and images with found objects, rubbing alcohol, plastic, molding paste, etc. I brought my camera but - of course - forgot to take photos. The piece above is what I created. We're going to do the class again in November and they want to mess around with the 'fabric paper' that I make. I heard a few "oooohs" when I described this mixed media 'paper' that is made from sheer fabric and can be either machine or hand stitched. I'll try to remember to take photos during that session!

Sometimes it's a good idea to let things set for awhile before deciding if they are done or not. Case in point, I added more to this painting afterwards - after wondering if it was done. It's much better I think than before...looks more like my voice....lots of layering and complexity.

How do YOU know?

I started this acrylic painting yesterday and arrived at this point today. I never know when or if enough is enough. Is this painting finished? Or should I go for more layers? Are there rules? If so, what are they???? When I started this I was going after a textured painting with an organic nature. I'm contemplating layering more organic shapes and marks but I dunno...I just dunno.