Inspiration

Earth Passage

36x36

Hi everyone,

Here's one of the latest from the studio. As you can see it's a bit larger than what I've been doing. I'm having a ball working this size. The only down side is storing these canvases until I can get them into a show. I'd like to work even bigger but storage really is an issue. Since this is on a larger stretched canvas I couldn't use all the neat texture gels that I've been using on the smaller pieces but I did use tissue paper to give it some texture. I'm using the Interactive acrylic on these and I love being able to scrub out areas and either leave it for the effect or paint over it. It's a very forgiving paint.

Yesterday was a day for inspiration. Kelli and I went to Daytona for the Florida Watercolor Society exhibition and trade show. Of course trade shows are always fun, it's like a feeding frenzy when you get good deals and a bunch of artists together. I picked up some new brushes that I can't wait to try out. It was great to see some people I hadn't seen in a while like Mike Grecian from Grecian Sales Group. He's been so great about getting our book Creative Colored Pencil Workshop out there. The good folks from Art Calendar magazine were there too (be on the lookout for some short video clips of us on their website). It was also a treat to meet Joe Miller from Cheap Joe's. He's like a celebrity at these shows! I had to stand in line before I could get a hug - and everybody gets a hug. All in all a very energizing day, and the motto for the day was: always be prepared. You never know when you'll have the opportunity to pass out business cards, make a connection or even get on camera to promote your work.

The exhibition itself......wonderful work as usual. I was especially taken with the abstract and non-representational work. Go figure. Seeing the color, texture and movement in those pieces was so exciting. I wanted to run home and paint. Don't you love that feeling? I also loved the work of the Juror Donna Watson, such subtle color and feeling in her work. Very nice. Well running home and painting wasn't an option last night because we had the Artist Within reception to attend at Brick City Center for the Arts. Artist Within puts artist/teachers together with business people in the community to create a piece of art to be auctioned as a fundraiser for the Marion Cultural Alliance. I worked with Darla Priest on a landscape in watercolor and it was so nice to see it framed and hanging. I know it was exciting for her to see her very first painting in the show. There was some exceptional work so I know it will all do well at the auction.

What an inspirational day! It also made me realize just how much work there is to be done. We have to wear so many hats as artists. The good thing is it certainly keeps life interesting.

Peace

Carlynne