Acrylics & Mixed Media
Here are two photos of something I was working on today, I had a lot of fun with this project using a canvas I had prepared with gesso, tissue paper, and various rice papers.
My intent was to play with color and lifting techniques with no particular design element in mind, so when I took a break and stepped back to look at how the painting was developing, I saw some very interesting patterns and shapes beginning to emerge.
I used gel medium, fluid acrylics, flow enhancer, and colored pencils.
Experimental Techniques in acrylics
Yesterday I spent some time creating some interesting background textures with alcohol, wax crayons, salt, and lifting techniques with fabric, toilet paper, etc…
Afterwards I decided I would try some of these techniques on the canvas below, the under painting is almost finished, but it still needs more work before I can begin experimenting.
Below is an example of some of the techniques I played around with.
When I used the toilet paper lifting technique, some of the design on the paper was transferred to my painting. The toilet paper I used had these wonderful dotted spiral designs on it and although it’s hard to see in this photograph, they created a very interesting pattern.
Finished Piece
Dream Thyme was signed and finished this morning, and I moved onto my next project.
Dream Thyme
Acrylic Mixed Media & Collage on canvas
16 x 20 inches
“May you have warm words on a cold evening,
a full moon on a dark night,
and a smooth road all the way to your door”.
– Celtic Blessing
The Buddha Within
I finished The Buddha Within, and here are a couple of close up photos.
Reflections Of The Inner Spirit Series
The Buddha Within
Rose Arizmendi (C) 2008
Acrylic & Mixed Media on Canvas
16 x 20 inches
New Water Mixable oils
My new Winsor & Newton water mixable oil color set came today! This is so exciting because no hazardous solvents are required in order to use them.
I gave up oil painting years ago because of allergies and these new water mixable oils just may be the answer to my prayers.
Today I worked on the Collage Painting “Dream Thyme”, I sanded some areas and collaged a key to the text about how dreams heal our body, mind, and spirit. The moon and the background still need a little more work and then it will be finished.
Dream Thyme
We crave a world of either/or, but the Dream says, Both/and. We build a wall between our social persona and our inner selves; the Dream bids us, Demolish it. We wish to believe we’re separate from one another, but the Dream insists, We are in this together. We are pleased to believe Time is a one-way river from past to present to future, yet the Dream reveals, All three times flow into one. We wish to seek pure virtue and avoid all stain, but the Dream avers, The dark and the light are braided and bound.
-Marc Barasch, Healing Dreams
Try, Try Again
This morning as I was preparing for another day in the studio, I remembered there were some old canvases stored behind the kitchen door so I took a look to see what was there.
I found an old painting that would be perfect for a collage piece and I’m eager to begin working on it.
It was one of my first explorations into the world of acrylic painting and I became so frustrated with the medium and how fast the paint dried, that afterwards I put it in ‘the garbage out’, pile.
I’m so glad I didn’t throw it out and I have the chance to salvage this piece.
Spring Unsprung
Reflections Of The Inner Spirit
Today I worked some more on “Reflections of the Inner Spirit” collage, I proceeded to paint, stamp, and sandpaper the surface until late afternoon, when I suddenly realized it was time to stop.
Tomorrow I will be embellishing the piece with whatever is needed to finish the work. Whew! I’m tired, and it’s time for me to kick back and relax for awhile!
Reflections of the Inner Spirit
(The Buddha Within)
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Buddha (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)
Work In Progress
I have been working on a series of collage paintings for several weeks based on meditation, dream work, and self healing. My inner focus has been on finding balance in my own life between the everyday and the spiritual, taking time for meditation, reflection, and restful awareness.
It is very difficult to move beyond the constant bombardment of information and stimulation we receive on a daily basis, as our pace of life keeps accelerating, so it’s not surprising that anxiety, stress, and insomnia is on the rise.
How do we find an oasis of stillness in this crazy world? We take ourselves out of the “business as usual” equation if only for a few minutes at a time. Go for a walk, read an inspirational book, turn off the phone or watch the grass grow, anything that allows you to slow down enough to allow your breathing to slow, blood pressure decrease, and those stress hormones return to normal.
Reflections Of The Inner Spirit
This is a close up of one of the collage paintings I am currently working on. Today I added more collage elements to her body and will be layering in more background color tomorrow.
Perfect Afternoon
I love a leisurely Saturday afternoon spent with time to sit and relax with good friends, as we enjoy several cups of coffee and wile away a few hours in conversation about everything under the sun. Smiling faces, camaraderie, and hugs makes for a perfect afternoon.
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Alan Watts: A Conversation With Myself – Part 1
Serenity
I find serenity and peace of mind on my daily walks as I observe people and things in nature that catch my eye.
Often I bring my sketch book or camera just in case I find something that may give inspiration for later paintings and also bring back happy memories.
Sometimes all we need is a little extra inspiration and imagination to help keep the creative juices flowing, and my daily walk seems to do the trick for me.
A White Rose
Rose Arizmendi (C) 2008
The world is a rose, smell it and pass it to your friends. – Persian Proverb