Old Becomes New

Passage 13

8x8

Mixed Media

Passage 12
8x8
Mixed Media

Hi everyone,

These are two new pieces in the Passage series. I have had such a ball doing these two. I've been playing with the acrylic texture mediums and I think Kelli's right. It can be addictive. On these pieces I used crackle paste, glass beads and sand texture gel. The other elements are collaged torn paper. The torn paper is actually an old watercolor painting that didn't quite work out. I knew those old things would come in handy sometime. If you're a painter don't ever throw anything away. I might end up as part of another piece someday.

In recent months I've had the opportunity to visit other artist's studios. Kelli and I belong to a group of artists that meets regularly for support, inspiration and marketing help and as part of the meeting we've had the chance to share our work spaces. I'm in awe of the work being done by these wonderful women and it's great to be able to see where and how they work. Our studios are sacred places. The room I had for my previous studio was very tiny, almost stifling. Now I'm in a slightly bigger space and I'm amazed at the difference it made in my work. I've expanded into mixed media which of course requires tons of art supplies. I'm also working a little larger and on canvas. Did I also mention that I don't throw anything away? The room that seemed so big when I moved into it is not as spacious as it was. Isn't there a Murphy's Law about that? Well, no matter how much or how little room I have it's still my favorite place to be.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.

Choose happiness,

Carlynne

Changes

Beach Series #3

Acrylic

16 x 16

Hi All,

Carlynne and I have a friend, another artist, who is traveling alone in a foreign country because she has been feeling drawn to this particular area for some time. We have heard from her briefly by email and it sounds like it is a life changing experience for her, as I imagine it might be for anyone. I think this is a brave thing to do considering the times we live in, but I also believe we have to do what we have to do. As artists, our work is affected by so many things, what we see and feel, world events, losses, change of all types. We must be open to change and new directions in order to grow as artists. I have never been very brave but am working on doing things that are outside my comfort zone.

When I look at my beach series, I feel that this is what I am supposed to be doing right now. It is very different from what we did in the book. The funny thing is that when the book came out recently, everyone was, and still is interested in talking about the realistic work on paper that the book is about. I feel like that is history now, that I have moved on and am doing something else. I know I will go back to it sometime, but right now, I am into texture. Publishing is a slow process and by the time the book was on the shelf, we were both doing very different work. We don't much like labels, but we sometimes call ourselves experimental artists and as that name implies, we are always doing something new.

Change can be scary and it can be exciting. For myself, I want to always be open to change, even if I am afraid. I want to push the envelope of the world I currently live in and find out what is out there that I might want to do or see. And I know that this will show up in my artwork.

Love, and peace to you all,
and especially to you Merrill,
wherever you are right now.

Kelli

More News

We also have a workshop coming up June 9 and 10. This is the one on texture and acrylic gel mediums. Kelli's been working with this technique for a while now and I've just started playing with it. Take a look again at her Beach series to get an idea of what I'm talking about. There are so many different acrylic mediums out there and the textures are so much fun to play with. The workshop will take you step by step through the process of working with these textures and adding color. If you're in the Ocala area and are interested in taking a workshop please write for more information.

News, News, News

It's finally here! After four years of hard labor (and I do mean that), we have finally given birth to a book!! It is on the shelf. Orval, at Red Swan will have sold about 20 copies by the end of today, after our second weekly class. The online booksellers have already shipped it. If you get the book, Creative Colored Pencil Workshop, we would love to hear your feedback. You could also go on Amazon.com and write a review. (All good, we hope, but we can't pay you very much.) Remember that, in spite of the title, this is a mixed media book. Every piece is a combination of several media.

We are busy on the next book and it will be even more experimental than the first one. We're very exited and will let you know when we have more information.

Have a creative day.
Peace, soon.
Kelli

Landscape below

Cavern 4

16x16

Mixed Media

Hi everyone. This is another piece in the cavern series. It's acrylic, gold leaf and oil. I'm looking forward to getting back to painting this series. I've taken a slight detour with some other painting - painting the living room walls. Boy, what a difference a coat of paint makes. I'm ready now to get back to the studio and work. Did you see the episode of Planet Earth on caves? It was amazing! Not only are the formations amazing but so was watching those guys base jump into the black hole. I want to know how they got out. They didn't show that part.

I'm excited about the release of Creative Colored Pencil Workshop. It should be in the stores any day now and those of you who have ordered it should be receiving it soon. When you get a chance to look at it please give us some feedback. We'd love to hear from you.

choose happiness,

Carlynne

Reminder to Myself

On Thursday of this week, Carlynne and I gave up a studio day to go to Lakeland to do the final touch ups on the two butterflies that I did for Kaleidoscope, Butterflies in Flight. After finishing the paint repairs, we visited Carlynne's butterfly in Munn Park across from the Chemical and Citrus Bank where it is permanently displayed and looks very nice. One of mine will be auctioned off with the money going to help build the children's park.

On the way home, we stopped at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland and were very fortunate to see two wonderful exhibits by two fabulous artists, Joyce Scott and Monica Naugle. Both could be called weavers of unusual materials. Joyce Scott is a beader and fiber artist who combines many other things into her wall hangings, jewelry and assemblages. Her work is very edgy and makes an important statement about racism and stereotypes. Monica Naugle weaves natural materials, such as thorns with metals and other objects into very fine sculptures and wall hangings. Being who I am, the colors and textures of these two exhibits made it very difficult not to touch.

Kudos to the Polk Museum for showing these two fine exhibits that might have been too controversial for some venues. We were both very impressed with the cultural atmosphere in Lakeland and Polk County. The public sculpture and the children's art on display upstairs at the museum are just two examples of the importance placed on art

We had a host of ideas that came to us, as we looked at the work of these two artists. On the way home as I drove, Carlynne jotted down notes for us to help remember what we wanted to do with the inspiration we had gained. (By the way, I like having a secretary). I was reminded that in the world of schedules and deadlines, I do not take time to look at art often enough, and this is very important to what I do. I have read most of Julia Cameron's books, starting with The Artists Way, and I agree with her that an "artist's date" is extremely important. I need to look at art, particularly art that is unlike my own, on a regular basis. It is so inspirational and just what I need when I am stuck for an idea.

Happy painting to you,
and peace soon.
Kelli

More on the beach.

Beach Series #4

14 X 14

Acrylic and Mediums on Canvas

Me again. I'm thrilled, I now know how to upload my work to blogger! (Thank you Carlynne, for the tutorial.) Please bear with me. I love technology but don't have as much time as I would like to learn how to use everything.

This is another in the Beach Series. I put the texture mediums on the primed stretched canvas and let them dry at least overnight. Then I start adding washes of fluid acrylic paint. I tilt the canvas in all directions and use a spray bottle of water to float the paint even more. I let each layer of paint dry before adding another. I try to keep the paint transparent as that shows off the textures to best advantage. I love the textures and I expect everyone to touch them. I also love the way the paint flows in and out of the mountains and valleys.

I'll be showing more of the Beach series and other texture pieces, so stay tuned and send us your comments.

Peace,

Kelli