*I drafted this post before the insanity of the pandemic. I thought about shelving it and not posting, but I think it’s still relevant….despite the chaos. I’m choosing to stay positive and motivated this year. I’m using this time to push through new ideas and express my creativity in new work.
Read on for the original post:
I don’t know about anyone else, but this winter seems much more fragmented than previous seasons. Although I am familiar with the unpredictable weather in Erie, my mind is always tricked by the amount of sunlight we receive. It only feels like winter when the snow is present, but feels like spring in its absence. My work is heavily influenced by nature, and I’ve found that all the sunlight we’ve had recently has me thinking about large, expressive florals and bright compositions. I have plans this week for large acrylic pieces on canvas, and refined watercolors (with similar colors) on paper later this month. It’s always interesting to me when I can see an obvious visual relationship between my physical environment and what is represented conceptually through my work.
(Abstract floral in progress) January 2020. Contact me for more details.
I had a (successful) busy December—full of shows, classes, commissioned paintings, new opportunities, and the usual family Holiday events to close out the year. I was excited to be commissioned to create several abstract/expressive watercolor landscapes to be given as gifts (influenced by local cities and a selection of specific collegiate color references—customized for each intended recipient).
(Untitled Watercolors—commission) December 2019. Contact me for more information.
I’ve also been trying a new approach for custom work, taking on more private commissions, and inviting prospective clients into my studio. I have always liked creating commissioned work, because it feels like a creative collaboration between my audience and myself. I am able to realize their conceptual vision through my own expression of art in my signature style. I gain the confidence that comes from the genuine support and critique of those outside my immediate circle, and I am better for it. Or at the very least, I am granted more freedom with my larger (less commercial) ideas. I am able to create and refine new ideas, with the support and encouragement of my patrons. My commissioned work has become an extension of my own collection of ideas, and every effort put towards completing a custom piece has only made me a better artist.
For much of my early painting career, I worked with watercolors and water media. For the past 10 years or so, I’ve been expanding my style and my materials to include all varieties of supplies—sometimes mixing many materials into a singe piece. I’ve grown used to switching from the delicate brushstrokes and patience used in watercolor, to the fast and fluid application of alcohol ink, and the combination of all approaches for my acrylic work. However accustomed I am to switching medias, I am always pleasantly surprised at how much one practice enhances the other. For example, after spending a week or two painting alcohol ink on ceramic surfaces, I notice that my acrylic style becomes more expressive and fluid. After working on large acrylic canvases, I find my watercolors utilize the negative space as a tool to enhance the delicate washes of color. Each painting I create directly influences the next, and I am able to continue pushing myself and refining my style. It is my for this new year to continue to build my collection of skills, and to extend the reach of my work past the borders of where it usually travels—both conceptually and physically. I plan to enter more shows and competitions outside my local reach, create more watercolor work, teach more classes, and continue to support other local artists in my community and beyond. I hope anyone reading this has had a happy holiday season, and is feeling a renewed sense of hope for this start of the new decade. As always, thank you for your continued support.