Sun Series #1

Sun Series #1

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

December 31, 2014: Taa Daa and Happy New Year!


Taa Daa!! 
Sun Series thus far, or maybe the completed series, at least for now.
Since I have an opportunity to start fresh (because after all, isn't that what a New Year offers us?) I think I would like to start some new small works.

I wish you all a 2105 filled with health, happiness and creative adventures.
Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

December 30, 2014: Balancing Act


mixed media collage, acrylic and watercolor paint, plaster, shellac, pen and ink; 
layered and sanded

6 x 6"on a cradled board

I need a different name for this piece.
Got any ideas?



Sunday, December 28, 2014

December 28,2014: Sun with Green Halo


mixed media collage, acrylic and watercolor paint, wax, plaster, shellac, pen and ink, 
thread; layered and sanded

6 x 6"on a cradled board

I struggled with this one!  Although I know and mentioned in a previous post that you can't sand encaustic medium, I had to try it.  I was right the first time...sanding wax is problematic!
So there are lots of layers here...I lost some "stuff" and ended up with this.
But I like the halo effect around the sun that looks like it is hovering over a field...as if you are viewing this from above.

Friday, December 26, 2014

December 26, 2104: Divided


Collage, acrylic and watercolor paint, stained tea bag, shellac, plaster,
pen and ink, encaustic paint; layered and sanded

6 x 6" on cradled board

I often have a hard time getting into the studio during the holidays...visiting, cooking and eating, spending time with family, all important parts of enjoying the season. So having the time and energy to do this piece was a bonus.
I used some encaustic wax, also a bonus, but tricky as it is hard (practically impossible) to
sand once the wax has been applied.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Happy Holidays!!






Wishing you a magical holiday season!

                         -Clare

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

December 24, 2014: About Clutter and Mess

    "Clutter and mess show us
     that life is being lived. 

     Tidiness makes me think of held breath,
     of suspended animation...

     Perfectionism is a mean, frozen form of
     idealism, while messes are the artist's
     true friend.
  
     What people somehow forgot to mention
     when we were children was that we need
     to make messes in order to find out who
     we are and why we are here."
          -Anne Lamott, from Bird by Bird

                   Thank you, Anne!!!

Monday, December 22, 2014

December 22, 2014: Six Artworks, Ten Suns


12 x 18", 6 individual pieces on cradled boards

Here is the series so far in one possible arrangement.  As you can see they are not in the order in which they were created.  Obviously I need to include more blue, but I like the vertical sections that have occurred in most of the pieces.  It will be fun to see the many arrangements that can be made once more pieces are added to the series.  
How many pieces will there be?  
Unknown!!


Sunday, December 21, 2014

December 21, 2014: Blue Sun


Collage, gesso, acrylic and watercolor paint, plaster,
shellac, layered and sanded.

6x6" on cradled board

Chance plays a big role in this body of work.  I am playing with very few rules for myself. 
Past work relied heavily on photocopied and found imagery of people, places and objects.
Here I am trying to play more with form and color.
The use of the plaster and shellac along with the sanding of the layers allows for unexpected revelations.  This is how the 2 original suns in this piece developed into 4 suns. 


Friday, December 19, 2014

Never Say Never!

In the past when asked if I had a blog I would say "Oh, I don't think I have much to blog about."
Or "I don't have the time."  I've even said "I will never have a blog."  And here I am blogging, although I'd rather like to think about it as journalling.

So as you read my blog I will be commenting on materials, processes (both new and old), ideas that may or may not come to fruition.  Of course some days I will have little to say but overall the beauty of this blog for me is that it keeps me on top of photographing and documenting my work as I go.

I welcome your comments, critiques, and questions.
Thanks for visiting my mixed media journal!


        December 9, 2014: Sun Series no. 5

The two images here are the same piece only rotated 45 degrees.
When I was working on it, I mostly had it in the top orientation.
My husband likes it in the lower orientation.

What do you think?

And the final orientation might ultimately depend
upon what other pieces from the series are next to it.



Tuesday, December 16, 2014

December 7, 2014: Sun Series no. 3


The plaster is fun to play with!
I like the texture I was able to get in the lower right corner.

6x6" on a cradled board

December 5, 2014: Sun Series no. 2


The second in this series of experimental work 
where I am using collage, plaster, shellac,
acrylic and watercolor paint.

6x6" on a cradled board


Sunday, December 14, 2014

December 4, 2014: Sun Series no.1



Who knew that sanding layers of paint and plaster could be so much fun?
6x6" collage, paint, shellac and plaster on a cradled board.