Help!

I am in a quandary. Since I started doing abstracts I have found that I have no sense of whether my paintings are good or not. I need HELP!

I finished this painting last night and, although I like the colours, I am not sure about the composition. Should I sign it or just paint over the thing? I would really appreciate your opinions.

12 x 16 acrylic

Maybe it is time to put the acrylics away and go back to something I am more comfortable doing - landscapes in watercolour!

I hope you will let me know what you think about this one.

Thanks for visiting!

30 Paintings - Day 30!

Ta da!! I am DONE - in more ways than one too. The last 7 days of the challenge have been really tough for me as I lost some enthusiasm for doing these abstracts. I kept trying new methods and different products trying to create some different looks. I was not always successful although I was able to 'rescue' most of my efforts. But, the problems were frustrating and that was rather draining.

Here is my final piece:

#1095 - Soft and Hard - 5.5 x 8 acrylic on watercolour paper

The title for this comes from the soft and hard colours and lines of the painting. I was trying to find a method of drawing lines and scribbles similar to those I have seen in Youtube videos. Unfortunately, I don't have the same supplies. I am still trying to find something I do have that will work but - - gee, I guess I might have to buy more stuff - sigh!

We are finished our 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta
see more here  Leslie normally holds two of these challenges every year and the next one will probably be in September. If you think you would like to give it a try, start following her blog to get the heads up.

There is one more chore to do and then we will all be done!. Tune in tomorrow for the collage of the month's work - making that is a challenge too!

Thanks for visiting - please let me know what you think!

30 Paintings - Day 29

Today and tomorrow and THAT IS IT!!!

I have enjoyed trying abstracts for the last 28 days but admit to being about finished with the whole everyday thing. Today's painting was actually done a few days ago and is another one that gave me trouble with a title.

#1094 - Every Which Way - 5.5 x 8 acrylic on watercolour paper

When I looked at the painting all I noticed was that the paint seem to go in every direction, so 'Every Which Way' became the title. I started this with some blobs of different colours then used a piece of mat board as a scrapper to pull the paint down the page. I finished off with some palette knife work and called it 'done'!

Check out some more of the art for this challenge on Leslie's Blog

It is great to hear from you so please leave a comment.

 

30 Paintings - Day 28

I often think that the hardest part of being an artist is not the painting but coming up with names for finished pieces. Take today's painting, for instance.

#1093 - ?????? - 9 x 12 acrylic on watercolour paper

I have no idea what to call this painting! I rather like it but it doesn't remind me of anything that I can use as a title. Maybe some of you might have an idea or two.

I think that I have finally  run out of steam for the challenge. Luckily I have a couple of extra paintings done because, although I prepped a few more canvases, I have lost my inclination to paint - at least for today!.

If you are interested in seeing some of the work from the other artists in the challenge, here is the link - Leslie's Blog


Thanks for visiting and if you can help with a name for this painting that would be great!

30 Paintings - Day 26!

All month I have been managing to paint a few days ahead of my posting. This is good in one way: I haven't had to worry about not getting a painting done each day.  However, I  don't always remember what steps I went through to create some of the pieces.

#1091 - Golden Sunset - 5.5 x 8 acrylic on watercolour paper

I think that this piece was the other half of yesterday's painting "Rays" although it now bears no resemblance to what it was before. I know I used a lot of gesso to really create texture, then some pretty thick paint to cover any of the previous paint still showing. Using a palette knife I added the final touches. I don't know why, but when using the knife I often end up with a scene of trees and rocks - I have to get out of this rut!

Check Leslie's Blog to see some great art!

Thanks for visiting  - it is great to hear from you!

30 Paintings - Day 23!

While struggling to do abstracts on watercolour paper, I have tried a number of different approaches: watercolour style background, palette knife background, and brush background. I have used gesso to create both a different base and to create some texture. Today's painting has a smooth gesso undercoat and a palette knife background.

#1088 - Autumn Icicles - 7 x 10 acrylic on watercolour paper

The deep tones of the quinacridone paints really make this pop nicely in person.

Only 7 more days in the challenge so take time to check out the other artists on Leslie's Blog

Thanks for visiting  - please leave a comment!

30 Paintings - Day 22

I am still attempting to create abstracts on watercolour paper. Often, when my perception of a piece is 'that's interesting', I find my friends seem to really like that painting. Let's see what you think!

#1087 - Antennas - 7 x 10 acrylic on watercolour paper

This painting was, once again, intended to be quite different from the finished product. It just kept changing on me! The photo is upside-down from the way the piece was painted but this is the orientation I liked best.

Don't forget to check out more of the art in this challenge - Leslie's Blog

I would really like to hear what you think so please leave a comment!

Thanks for stopping by!

30 Paintings - Day 21!

I decided to do more of the paintings for this month on watercolour paper instead of canvases; they are much easier to store. Unfortunately, paper doesn't seem as conducive to the style I am trying to achieve.

#1086 - Fire and Ice - 7 x 10 acrylic on watercolour paper

I really struggled with this piece. It has a number of layers of paint. It actually started out green (lol) but that was washed off; then dark blue which made me cringe so I added a bunch of white and pushed that around until it was blended. The final touches of red and yellow were influenced by the cold weather - I wanted something that looked warm!

It is hard to believe that we have only 9 days left in the challenge so pop over to Leslie's Blog to see what others have been doing. Also, if you like abstract art have a look at these three artists from the challenge - Eric Bagwell, Sue Marrazzo and Peter Crane.

I hope you enjoyed your visit  - please leave a comment!

30 Paintings - Day 19!

Some times a painting just comes together and some times you have to fight it: today's painting was the former!

#1084 - Golden Glow - 11 x 14 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

This piece went so smoothly and I couldn't be more pleased. Is it abstract, impressionistic or representational? Who cares? - lol!

Over the years I have found a few artists to follow thanks to the 30/30 challenges. You might enjoy seeing their work too! - Wild About Painting, LamujoArt, Watercolors By Joan 2), and Sheila's Corner Studio.

Of course you can always find them and many others on Leslie's Blog.

Thanks for visiting!

 

30 Paintings - Day 18!

Today's painting has a number of layers of paint and has gone through a number of transformations but I think I am finally happy with the finished product.

#1080 - Blocks and Curves - 16 x 20 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

I have actually said finished to this canvas 4 times and signed the painting each time, but I was never very happy with any of the paintings. To fix things, some times I covered the whole thing with gesso, others I just painted over the parts I didn't like until I am surprised that the canvas doesn't sag in the middle - lol. I am still not too sure about the final result but I have decided that I am done!

Here is the link to Leslie's blog so you can see what the other artists are doing.

I hope you will let me know what you think of my latest - thanks for stopping in!

30 Paintings - Day 17

I have another experiment for today's painting! I wanted to see how some of the techniques I have been using would work on a heavily textured canvas. This the experiment was NOT a success. Instead of the look I wanted, I ended up with a mess that I quickly washed off. I played a bit more, adding more paint and even more paint until I was mostly satisfied. Here is the finished product!

#1083 - Pastel Textures - 8 x 10 acrylic on canvas

It reminds me of an aerial view of the mountains that someone accented with purple - h'mm I wonder if this shows the trail where my son went backpacking. I don't know if I like this or not - what do you think?

It looks like I will be shoveling snow this afternoon so I will get this added to Leslie's blog  (I hope you will check it out) and get ready to go outside.

I always enjoy your insights so please leave a comment.

30 Paintings - Day 16

Here is a piece that I hope will brighten your day: it makes me think of springtime and flowers.

#1082 - Lilac Blooms - 5 x 7 acrylic on 1" canvas board

This is similar to yesterday's painting and is a style that I wish I could produce more often as I think it really works.

Now, I am off to add this to Leslie's Blog and then get to work on another painting!

I enjoy hearing from you so please leave a comment.

30 Paintings - Day 15!

It is a good thing that I have been painting a few extra pieces because the one I had planned for today just isn't ready yet - it has to sit a few days so I can figure out how to 'fix' it.

#1081 - Scattered Angles - 5 x7 acrylic on 1"canvas board

This is similar to a piece I did a few days ago - Day 9  - although this is not quite as green. I like this colour combination though and may use it again.

Everyday after posting my link on Leslie's Blog, I look through the other posts and always find a few to click on so I can see the art larger. It is a great way to discover new styles and artists so I hope you will give it a try.

I was nice of you to stop by and I hope you will let me know what you think about today's painting.

30 Paintings - Day 9!

It is so interesting how things can work out. Yesterday, because I was fixing some palettes for my students, I was testing some colours to see how they mixed together. Of course, I ended up with left over paint and just had to use it up - that is how today's painting came about.

#1074 - Mostly Organic - 5 x 7 acrylic on watercolour paper mounted to 8 x 10

I used an old piece of Arches watercolour paper that had already been painted, slapped on the left-over paint from my mixing job and then added some points of interest. I liked the whole thing so much I didn't want to lose anything by matting over it so I mounted it on the mat board instead.

Pop over to Leslie's Blog to see what the other artist are up to.

Thanks for stopping by - comments are appreciated!