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One Thing Leads to Another
Fruit Lover
Are you a multi-tasker? As an artist, I almost never work in silence. I often have something playing in the background: music, an art podcast, even a live trial (yes, trials - I find them fascinating!).
I also like to replay recorded art demonstrations on my iPad, which I keep within reach of my easel, so I can easily pause, take notes, or stop painting altogether to watch the interesting parts. (Even if I'm not actively watching, I'm getting tips and tidbits of wisdom and inspiration as I listen.)
How it started.
One day as I was watching the Northwest Watercolor Society's January 2024 general meeting demo by Laurie Goldstein-Warren, I was enthralled as Laurie explained and demonstrated her "reverse pouring" technique which results in her exquisite still lifes.
I had to try it!
You may remember that I have a weekly painting buddy, and we often try new techniques or collaborate on projects in order to stretch our creativity and rejuvinate ourselves.
I suggested Annette watch the video, and she quickly agreed that it would be a fun project for us to work on simultaneously. We ordered supplies, selected a non-threatening subject (a row of pots), and got to work!
Forget about being perfect and have fun!
~Laurie Goldstein-Warren
Three projects later.
The technique definitely stretched my patience (applying all that masking fluid) as well as my sanity, but seeing the gorgeous color that resulted after three or four pours (the fun part!) made me want to do more! And besides, I still had supplies left.
Working Small.
By now, Annette had moved on to other projects, but then a completely different resource gave me the idea to create some small works and offer my mini paintings for $100 or Less (more on that later).
I selected some subjects that seemed perfect for this new technique and got to work:
Enough already.
I was ready to get back to my usual painting style, but still interested in working on miniature paintings. What could be more fun than painting birds and faces? For me, the answer was absolutely nothing.
One thing leads to another.
From the initial video demonstration, to practicing the new technique, to moving on to minis, to...
I painted a 5x5 robin which I liked just fine, but the background, not so much.
I thought "why not cover the bird in masking fluid (to protect it) paint a dark background, lift out some shapes with a stencil and magic eraser, and then pour the final layer?" So I did (Fruit Lover, top of page).
I loved the result, so I painted another (below)! What do you think?
You can find these small new works (as well as a few selected older works) in the new $100 or Less category under the Paintings tab on my website.
Paint. Love. Repeat.
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