I had an epiphany about my painting...and then about my life

I realized the other day, while I was working on a new painting, that my best work, the work that has the most depth, is usually accomplished by painting a new painting on top of an old one.  Why is that?  because what inevitably ends up happening is that I leave parts of the old painting visible in the new painting.  It is almost unrecognizable in the sense that the intention of the old painting is usually completely covered up--but small details, layers of color or shape, are woven in.  In doing this, the painting takes on more layers, more detail and usually a sense of freedom or etheriality.  The weaving of layers is an essential accident of my best work.

When I realized this I had two thoughts almost simultaneously--the first thought was I need to start doing this intentionally.  I decided to start creating "underpaintings" as a part of my process.  Many artists do this, at least with color washes--they paint a solid color or color wash onto their canvas before they begin a painting.  This way, when they paint, they are responding to a unified color throughout the work (instead of the stark white of a blank canvas).  My under painting idea is similar, but rather than wash the whole canvas in one color, i create  a very quick abstract image with multiple shapes and sections, and fill them in with paint or collage.  In doing this, essentially, I"m setting the stage for color play and shape integration by creating pieces that may or may not be woven into my final painting.

This is an underpainting--quick shapes and colors filling the canvas

My second insight was far more personal:  I have moved many times over the past few years.  I find it most striking when thinking in terms of my children and their lives.  My 12 year old son has lived in 8 homes during his life.  That is 5 states and 2 countries.  Considering I lived in the same state for my entire childhood until I graduated college, this moving around thing has been a surprising twist to my life that I could not have even imagined when I was a kid (I had never been on an airplane until I was 11 or 12--my son did his first cross Atlantic flight/move when he was 9 weeks old).

Moving around a lot has added shape and color to my life in ways that I'm not sure I can even explain or fully understand. And while many of the moves have been positive, there have also been challenges.  I certainly did not expect to move from Pennsylvania to Michigan with my boys last year only to move again this year to Maryland.  And while new is exciting, and we might like to think of our life as one big adventure, I am frankly over the adventure.  I would love to settle down, find a home, build a life and let my roots grow deep.

But back to the layers:  I realized, each time I move, each time I become part of a new community, I grow.  I create, or uncover, a piece of myself--and, like my paintings, I realized that as I move on, I become my best self by layering and weaving those pieces together.  SO while the moving has had its challenges, I also know that I am becoming the person I am supposed to be--growing, layering and learning as a result.

Dreaming of Home  36"x48" Mixed Media on Board

This painting, measuring 36" x 48" is the result of painting on top of an existing painting.  It is called "Dreaming of Home"--with each home representing a state or country I have lived in with my family: Michigan, New York, Israel, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,Michigan again and Maryland.

Art For A Cause: Believe in the Dream!

Basket Bingos, Raffles, and other fundraisers are a big deal around here.  It seems that everywhere I look there is another worthy organization trying to make money or a group trying to raise funds for a struggling family.

I always wish I could do more.  I do contribute financially, and I try to give of my time as well.  However, I have found that there is one way that I can contribute that is personal, seems to do a lot of good, and helps me on  my creative journey.

Art for Charity, or Art for a Cause is a concept that really resonates with me.  It is based on the idea that we can use art, and the creation of art as a way to truly improve our world.  In that spirit, When I participate or donate goods for Basket Bingo, or when I hear of raffles or events seeking to raise money to help those in need, I try to think about ways that I can use my art as part of the process.
Both of my sons schools are looking to raise money this year---
the Student Council at my older sons elementary school is doing a "Make a Wish" Dance, and my younger son's preschool is holding a Basket Bingo Raffle.

This year, I decided to make a piece of art to contribute to the cause.

I created this mixed media painting inspired by the Make a Wish Campaign, and will donate prints to both causes this year.  I'm hopeful they can make money by raffling them off, and I can also add a little bit of my personal creativity into the mix.

I will also be selling prints in my ETSY store, with 50% of proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

You can buy this piece here: BelieveintheDream

Making art is something that I LOVE to do. Using it to benefit important causes just feels AMAZING!

The Evolution of a Painting

The Evolution of a Painting

As a creative person and a problem solver, I am often surprised by the notion that a problem may have only one right answer or way of doing things (this is probably why I was such a hopeless math student). I know that when I work, problems arise, and problem solving is an essential part of my creative process. This is true in my school, it is true in my home, and it is certainly true with my art creation.

 I like to document my creative process when I can (when I remember), because it is a tangible reminder when presented with a final piece, that this was not the only possible final piece or outcome. This piece (any piece) represents the outcome of a series of choices, each dependant upon the one before.

I don't always remember to take pictures of my art as it develops, but I did take a few for my most recent piece that I'd like to share with you.

My Process: 

 I start with a blank canvas.  In this case, the canvas is 3 feet by four feet.  I usually begin with sketches on paper, but they always change when I bring them to the canvas.  In this case, based on the conversation with my client, I knew I was creating a tablescape, and that the theme would be Shabbat.  I started with my layout, knowing that I would be layering Shabbat images in and around the big central vase. on the rounded table.

I added the shapes and images as they related to the table and vase, and adjusted sizes as needed.  At this point I set up my paint palette, deciding on warm, vibrant colors and bright blues.  I block out the color and fill my canvas fairly quickly.  This is only the first stage and I don't worry so much about muddy or flat colors.  I am mostly looking to make decisions about object placement, color and shape.  I'm looking to see what my main colors will be, and  I change some colors based on their proximity to each other and the overall design.  

Later, I adjust the colors, and add highlights.  When I am almost finished, I outline the whole piece--usually with a mix of dioxane purple and ultramarine blue, and continue to adjust colors as I go. By doing my outline at this stage, I can clearly see where I need to continue to deepen or adjust my colors.  sometimes I find my shapes are not working, and I change them.   Here I changed the background and deepened the shadows, and added color highlights.  

Communicating with my client...

By now, I know there is still more to do, but I am happy enough to send a picture of the painting to my client to hear what she has to say.  Incidentally, at this stage, I am very nervous to hear her response.  This is a large painting and the color palette might be a bit too much for her.  I don't know her personally, and am relying on phone calls and digital communications to ensure that she gets what she wants.  

She writes back that she is thrilled--loves the bright colors and joyful shapes.  Whew! what I relief.  She suggests a change to the top of the wine bottle, which I will happily make, while I brighten up certain spots and add  a few more small details.  

And Finally...

I added a few more details than I anticipated.  This piece has certainly taken on a life of its own.  It has a lot of vibrant color and shape that I am very excited about.  Here are some close ups:  

 And here (below) is the final! I shipped it out last week and was holding my breath to hear what my client thinks. It is very nerve wracking to send out a commissioned piece, because they are such a leap of faith, both for the client and for me.  (imagine spending a lot of money on something that doesn't even exist yet, based only on  faith and prior works---It is an honor for me whenever someone does it, and I get nervous each time wondering if I am up to the task).

 She called me as soon as it arrived to tell me that she loves it!  She got a little teary telling me what it meant to her, and I got VERY teary hearing her emotional response.  I am so grateful to be able to share this painting with her.

Shabbat Dinner Table with Flowers...For Yvonne

Dolls Dolls and More Dolls!

These past few weeks I have been making dolls non-stop.  I don't want to do anything else!  I'm having so much fun imagining different characters and then figuring out how to make them a reality.   At each step I find that I discover a new technique (usually by accident) and I love that I never know what is going to happen next.  

At first I thought I wanted to simply make hand painted dolls like these:

But then, I started thinking about fabric and yarn, and decided to play with some more traditional doll making supplies.  My next dolls were still handpainted, but added more fiber elements.  

These are some of the next dolls that I made: 

Each time I made a doll I learned something new, and I think that is the most exciting part of it for me.  Making these dolls is such a departure from the paintings that I have gotten so comfortable with.  And so, while I will probably always paint--I've worked too hard for too long to stop painting now--- I am so excited to find something new to learn.  I find the 3 dimensionality satisfying as well--I love that when I am done I have something to hold--a new character who didn't exist before.  I'm also motivated by the surprise of it all--the fact that before this summer I had no idea how to sew and these dolls were not even something I could imagine---is so exciting and keeps me wanting more.

Plus, I think they like hanging out together, don't you?