Sun Series #1

Sun Series #1

Monday, December 26, 2016

Finished...I think


"Remnants of Another Life"
30 x 40"
Fabric, Acrylic Paint and Stitching on Canvas

Finally finished this large piece.
At least it is large for me.                                                                                    
I know it is pretty light, just the two colors.
But I think there is enough contrast.
Using the remnant of a quilt with exposed sections of batting and torn areas is what I was going for.
There is stitching from the quilt itself and then some hand stitching I added.  You can see some of that
in the detail below.
I have a few more ideas like this that I want to work on.
But I know there will be small works done along with the big one.
That's just the way I seem to work.    

Remnants of Another Life (detail)

www.claremurrayadams.com
www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com
https://instagram.com/claremurrayadams

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Encaustic Vessels

Encaustic on Paper Vessel
approximately 6x4x4"

I am making a grouping of these that will display together.
The images are from drawings of faces I did a while ago.
The original drawings are on old calendar and map pages so they have some underlying information on them.
I transferred them to thin paper so I could make the boxes /vessels semi-transparent.
This one has a sheer fabric with a floral design over top of the portrait on the box.
That is where the color comes from in this piece.

They would probably look cool with a light inside of them but that is not where I am going.
But they will each have an object inside that references the character of the person.
More on that later.

www.claremurrayadams.com
https://instagram.com/claremurrayadams
www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com

Thursday, December 15, 2016

3D Encaustic on Paper




 
  
Paper Vessel: "Adam and Eve"
collage on paper


As I get ready for my workshop at The Morgan Paper Conservatory in Cleveland, I have been
making both 2D and now some 3D pieces.  The papers I am using have a great deal of transparency which create really
nice effects in these vessels/boxes.

www.claremurrayadams.com
www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com




Thursday, December 8, 2016

The Seduction of Rust

Rust, Bleach, Burn, Stain
8x9"

I had fun yesterday making some samples for an upcoming 2017 workshop.
In August, I will be teaching a class at The Morgan Paper Conservatory in Cleveland titled
"Rust, Bleach, Burn and Stain".
Just as the title implies we will be using all of these techniques to distress and enhance paper
that can be used for collage, printmaking, etc.

I did some samples for each individual technique and then wanted to make one example
that included all of them.  You can join me for this fun workshop next summer by checking out the Morgan's
website: morganconservatory.org
If you can't wait until summer for a workshop I will be teaching Encaustic on Paper in January and February,
also at The Morgan.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Presentation Issues

"Vine"
mixed media encaustic and collage on paper
6 x 12" unframed

I've been working on presentation of these small
encaustic on paper pieces.  They can't be simply
matted under glass if there is a possibility of  the
glass touching the artwork.  Also mounting them
can be problematic because adhesives don't want
to stick to the wax.

I did a little research and hinge mounting them
with linen adhesive backed tape seemed the best
route to go.  I fold the hinge tape in half length
wise and attach that to the back of the artwork.
Then I imbed the tape with wax to the back of the
piece, being careful not to disturb wax that might
affect the artwork.  Once that is cool
and solid I can attach the top half of the hinge
tape to the mounting board.
This method seems to be working on light
weight pieces
but would not be good for heavier works
as the weight of the collage elements and the
wax would not be supported by a band of wax.

The image of the framed work shows it in a
shadow box type frame so the artwork which floats
on its mounting board is also recessed a good
1/4" from the glass.

www.claremurrayadams.com
www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com


"Vine" framed


Thursday, December 1, 2016

Squares and Circles: It's Elementary!

Two Squares, Three Circles
mixed media encaustic on paper
6 x 12"

More encaustic on paper.  Having a great 
time back in the studio again.  I'm
enjoying working and experimenting
with encaustics in prep for my workshop at
the Morgan in January and the 5 day
class I will teach at Peter's Valley NJ
in August.
So excited to be teaching at both of these 
great places!


detail

detail

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Redemption!

"Balancing Act"
mixed media collage on paper
11 x 14"

What do you do when you have an artwork that is just hideous and with no
hope at redemption?  I was going to throw the work away but left is laying
around on my work table.  Weeks later I started a new piece and spied the
ruined work and saw potential in some of the sections.  So I began cutting
it up with the end result being this work.

I also just got a new camera and am very happy with the quality of the
pictures so far.  But I am still struggling with getting the pictures on my blog
to appear where I want them to.  Oh well...

www.claremurrayadams.com
www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com



detail
detail

Monday, November 28, 2016

"Codex 64", encaustic on paper


"Codex 64"

More Encaustic on Paper.
Title:  "Codex 64"
6 x 12"

Layers of primarily transparent and semi-transparent materials.
The detail on the left shows the layering of different texts and the detail on the right shows the holes and some of the burnt areas.  Initially the scorched areas were an accident, but I liked them so other burned and scorched areas were intentional.

I am also experimenting with ways to display or present
these pieces and have settled on, for now, attaching them with
linen hinge tape.  I secure half of the hinge tape to the artwork using wax and then the top half to the mounting board.  So far that is working because these pieces are pretty light weight.

These pieces aren't on my website or in my Etsy shop yet but will be soon.
Get 15% off anything in my Etsy shop until Dec. 31. 

www.claremurrayadams.com           www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Experimenting with Encaustic on Paper

"Stoic"
mixed media collage; encaustic on paper
9x12"

Working on Stonehenge Paper.
Getting ready for some workshops in the New Year!

The center is a collage made of photocopied images that I have often used in my work.
The black band across the bottom is from a recycled print that I did a while back.
Also incorporated in the collage is some textured fabric and some acrylic paint.

I wanted to see how the collage would react to mounting on the stonehenge paper with the encaustic medium as the adhesive.  Also added white encaustic paint around the the perimeter.
Now to find a way to mount these encaustic works to mat board for presentation.
Art making  is always experimental!

www.claremurrayadams.com
www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com




Thursday, November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!



For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
                                                
            Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving wherever you are and how ever you celebrate.
                                                                   -Clare

Monday, November 21, 2016

Are You Still Out There?

Recent Mixed Media Collage
Encaustic on Paper
11 x 14"

My last post was on November 2, so if you are no longer out there checking my blog, I get it.
And if you are still checking I feel very fortunate and thank you for your  perseverance.

My blog is not the only thing that has been neglected.
The inventory in my Etsy shop was nonexistent whenI checked this past week end.
So I am trying to get back on track.  I do the blogging as much for myself as I do for others.
It is a good way for me to document work and my thoughts about my process and art practice.

The Etsy shop allows me to reach out to others who don't necessarily follow my blog.
So this past weekend I spent some time adding work to my shop with a promise to stay current.
So if you can give me another chance on both counts, the blog and the Etsy shop, I will not let such long lapses occur.

Here are the links for my Etsy shop and my website.
www.claremurrayadams.etsy.com
www.claremurrayadams.com



Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Rocks!



Rock Series
mixed media acrylic on canvas
9x9"

Just finished these 3 pieces.
They are all signed, wired and ready to take to the Cleveland by Hand Art Show at the IX Center next week.
Can't go wrong with black and white, right?

I'll be in booth 732...all day Nov. 11-13.
Look me up if you come to the show.
200 art vendors plus food vendors.
What could be better?!

www.claremurrayadams.com



Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Cleveland By Hand at the IX Center


I will be selling my work at the IX Center's Cleveland By Hand event Nov. 11-13.
This is a big Fine Craft Show with 200 vendors and an accompanying Food Event.
Art and Food...What more could you ask for?!

Come visit me in booth 732.
It is my first time at this venue and I am looking forward to it.

Hours are Friday  11:00-8:00
             Saturday  10:00-8:00
               Sunday   10:00-6:00

Hope to see you there!

Here are some examples of my work that will be available.








You can see more of my work at www.claremurrayadams.com.







Sunday, October 30, 2016

Street Series: no. 2

"On the Street Where I Live, no. 2"
mixed media acrylic and collage on canvas
10x13"

I did post this directly to Facebook, but wanted to include it here on my blog.
These "Street" pieces are kind of a geometric counterpart to my organic stone pieces.
I guess you've noticed the addition of some color and machine stitching.
I love black and white but after awhile, my soul calls out for color.
Keeping it subtle for now.
Or until my soul speaks again.

www.claremurrayadams.com 

Monday, October 24, 2016

"On the Street Where I Live"

"On the Street Where I Live"
mixed media acrylic painting and collage on canvas
10x13"

I thought I would create 6 paintings that are more geometric in nature to contrast with the organic "rock"
paintings I did a few weeks (months?) ago.
Still working primarily with black and white here, but adding in some color.
How much color there will be overall in the six pieces is up to the work,
which often has a mind of its own even though I go in with an idea, like mostly black and white.
Some stitching is incorporated.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Saturday, October 22, 2016

"Wall Flower"

"Wall Flower"
mixed media on paper
10 x 13"

Combining fabric and fiber on paper with acrylic paint, pencil, and crayon.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Child's Play

"Child's Play"
mixed media collage
10x13"

Trying to be loose.
Not as easy as one would think!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

When In Doubt...

"Remembering Alice"
mixed media collage
10x13"

When in doubt, I make a collage.
It is my default art practice.
I don't know if that is good or bad, but it is the reality.

So, although I come back to collage over and over again, I am always trying to up my game,
making it richer and more layered.  Or using new techniques or materials.
I guess one has to stay true to and own the way it is that they think and create art.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

I Needed a Little Color

All My Eggs, One Basket
mixed media
5x13"

I am not done working with the black and white pieces but I needed a little bit of color.
That led me to this piece.
I liked to the long narrow format.
This was pure play.
I need to play more.

www.claremurrayadams.com





Monday, September 19, 2016

The Damaged Corner of My Heart
acrylic paint, oil crayon and ink on canvas
9x12"

This is the first piece in this series where a name for the piece developed as I worked.
I most often work from a concept or theme which drives the work.
In these black and white abstracts my intention was to just play with the black and white and the forms to create compositions and work on my painting skills.  That is why they have been untitled thus far.
Also something I hardly ever do.

But some discussions at my art group about titling work and how each of us begin a piece (working from a concept or working playfully with the materials)  caused me to go back to working from a concept which is what I prefer to do.
There is nothing that says I can't experiment and play within a concept.
So that is where this series is going to go.

 I struggled for a few days with a theme for all of the pieces I had created thus far and have settled on
"The Weight of Memory" as the overriding concept for the work.
The organic forms seem to be heavy and stone-like so that is where the idea of weight comes in.
Memory has been a big part of my work for 10+ years.
I like the idea that memory is an intangible, fleeting, shape-shifting, nebulous kind of thing which is in stark contrast to something solid, heavy and weighty.  I think the contrasts will enhance the development of each piece and drive the work making it more personal and hopefully richer and more layered.

I will repost the previous pieces soon with the titles I have settled upon each individual work.
In the meantime you can check out the black and white series so far on my website.

www.claremurrayadams.com


Saturday, September 10, 2016

To Stitch or Not To Stitch

Before

Currently
9x12"
acrylic on canvas with stitching

So...I didn't feel like it was done, so I painted some more and did a lot of work with the oil crayons.
I think it is more interesting now, but don't really know that the stitching adds anything.
 I really just wanted to see if I could stitch on the painted canvas and if I would like its affect.
I think there are some possibilities with the stitching although I think the way I stitched here is
in opposition to the more organic nature of the rest of the piece.

Open to critiques and suggestions.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Friday, September 9, 2016

The Black and White Continues

Untitled
black and white acrylic on canvas with oil crayon and ink
9x12"

Having fun with these.
I have always loved black and white.
As I look back at my work I see that I did a lot of black and white work.
But exploring it in depth like this, making lots of work on a theme is different than
creating an individual piece that just happens to be primarily black and white.

I plan to continue with the small works while also doing some larger pieces.
Sewing on the canvas because it is not on stretchers is calling to me.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Accepted!!

Remnant no. 1
mixed media with hydrocal and wire on board
10x11"

This piece just got accepted to the National Collage Society's Juried Show.
There were 383 entries and they accepted 56!
Really glad to be included in this exhibit.
The show will be at the Downtown Gallery in Kent Ohio from September 29 through October 29.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Another Black and White

Untitled
9x12"  acrylic and mixed media on canvas

While I like this, I feel I lost some of the energy I had in the previous 2 pieces.
But the development of the thin paper or string-like elements is a plus.
Along with the acrylic paint there is some oil crayon and colored pencil.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Thursday, August 25, 2016

A Dark One

Untitled
9x12"  acrylic and collage on canvas

Still experimenting with paint and trying to keep it loose.
This is the companion piece to my last post.
I painted them at the same time, side by side, deliberately trying to create a light
piece and a dark piece with the same elements.

www.claremurrayadams.com

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Black and White

Untitled Black and White Painting
Acrylic and Oil Crayon on Canvas   9x12"

Objective:  Paint with black and white only,
concentrating on the composition and the expressive qualities possible
with the paint.


Saturday, August 13, 2016

Making Another Appearance


"In Her Closet"

The dresses from my series, "In Her Closet" are making another appearance.
This time at the Little Art Gallery at Bowling Green State University Firelands in Huron Ohio.
This small and intimate space allows for the installation to really reflect the title...it is as if
the dresses are in a small walk-in closet.

The dresses have been installed in 5 very different venues,
allowing them to take on the qualities the space has to offer.
That is the beauty of an installation.  The space becomes a very large part
of how the work is seen and perceived.
Currently at BGSU Firelands the white walls and the lighting from above really make for an
intimate experience.  Simple and solitary, imparting emotional qualities that enhance
the titles that suggest various individual human and emotional characteristics.

The show runs from August 15 until September 20, 2016.
Little Art Gallery BGSU Firelands
1 University Dr.
Huron OH  

Thursday, August 11, 2016

A Good Day's Work



Sometimes you just have to take creativity where you can get it.
For me right now it is in the kitchen.
The peaches are from Monroe Orchard in Hiram but the tomatoes are from
my garden.
So let the canning begin!


Thursday, July 21, 2016

Staying Rooted to Somewhere

"Staying Rooted to Somewhere"
acrylic and collage on drywall
24 x 46"

This is the fourth piece in the series of larger paintings that I have been doing incorporating geometric and architectural elements with circle and ladder forms.   I often work with vertical surfaces but not one as narrow as this so that was part of the challenge for me.
The title comes from a poem by Naomi Shihab Nye.
I happened upon her work and love how she writes and explores contemporary situations.
While I am currently trying to work abstractly, something literal almost always sneaks into the work as it did here
with the flower.
I guess that is just part of my thought process.  And I need to acknowledge that and just go with it.
The flower and ladder part of the painting was already there when I came across Nye's poem
and I knew that her words were what I was painting toward.

Monday, July 11, 2016

A Do-Over!



This is my excuse for not being in my studio. Lots to do in the garden and we
just added four new raised beds to fill next year.  What am I thinking?!

(Title Pending)
mixed media acrylic painting
36 x 46"

Is anyone still out there?  I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted.  Yikes!

This work is a "do over" of the piece I posted on April 26.
I just wasn't satisfied with it and I had to mull it over for a long time.
I finally decided I was definitely over-thinking the whole thing.
And I was scared!
But this past weekend I just went for it.
There were parts I liked, but the original work just felt rigid and strained.
It also lacked the kind of layering I was hoping to achieve.
I feel this is a better end product and place from which to grow further.

I learned a lot through the whole process on both pieces and have started a new work hoping to
maintain the layering and the looser quality I got to in this work.