Tag Archives: daytona

A Funny thing happened on the way to Winning

‘Selling Flowers’, 8×10 on paper, framed

There are times when I feel like I have painted a winner. The end result is exactly as I envisioned, and it brings joy to me. “Selling Flowers” was not one of those paintings.

I painted it a few years ago, put it in a closet and forgot about it. I was looking for another painting back in February when I ran across this. I was doing that Art Guild of Ponce Inlet annual show and I took it along because I had an extra easel. I was amazed that it won an Honorable Mention. I had so many others…actually, every other painting, that I thought had a better chance.

A few weeks ago, I looked for a painting for the ‘Figuratively Speaking’, exhibit at the Art League of Daytona Beach. I brought this in because I have very few paintings with a human form. Once again, in a field of 80 paintings, “Selling Flowers” brought an Honorable Mention.

I am thrilled, but mystified.

“Selling Flowers” came about during one of our many moves from one home to the next. I stumbled upon a photo I took of a woman in Lithuania on a corner, selling flowers. I suddenly got the urge to paint, but realized I only had a few paints and no canvas or art paper. So I used the only thing I had…photo paper! It had a matte finish and was difficult to work with and not very forgiving. If I messed something up, it stayed that way. I guess that’s why I never held out much hope for this. But it surprises and continues to surprise.

Who would have figured!

“Selling Flowers” is on display at the Art League of Daytona Beach through July 16.

The Coming Attraction

This untitled piece uses acrylics and polymers applied with palate knives.

I rarely post pieces I’m currently working on, but today I’m making an exception. I find that one of the joys of having no formal training is my willingness to try new things. If you look through the work in my gallery, you’ll see I use a lot of different techniques. On the down side, I don’t have a consistent body of work which makes agents and galleries cringe. I need the variety, especially now when I spend so much time at home. I don’t think I will ever be able to try everything I want to accomplish in my lifetime, but I will try. I actually have a file of artistic techniques I want to try and I pick and choose every time I get a whim.

Some are more challenging than others. On this one, the acrylic and polymer mix is very unforgiving. If I screw something up that I’m working on, fixing it is very problematic if not impossible. While I have used acrylic polymers in the past, I’ve done so to give something a rough surface, like you see in, “RU A Fan”? (See below) This time, I’ve decided to do a series of beach scenes. (Yes. more than one if I like the end result.) What you see above will be the background for the sand. This took me roughly four hours to complete. So far, I am happy with the direction it’s taking. At this point, it will dry for 24 hours, then I will move onto the water and sky. When the application is complete, people and things will be added. The finished, yet unnamed piece, will be a 16×20 on canvas.

So stay tuned. This project should be done in about two weeks.

If you look closely, you can see the polymers on each leaf of the fan. This gives the finished project a 3D look.
“RU A Fan”, 40×50 on canvas