Carol Barber

New Illustration Project

2012-01-27T08:55:00.007-05:00

In a quest for some steady employment to support my painting habit, I have taken on a few part time endeavors. One is doing 62 illustrations for a self-empowerment book. I was intrigued by the subject matter and the freedom it gave to express. One thing I didn't anticipate is that the joyous discover came in the first week and now I am on auto pilot trying to recreate the success and make the book consistent. Maybe I should have made each illustration look unique like it was done by a different person or picked four styles and made it look like it was done by four different illustrators? Anyway it is a learning experience and I am proving to myself that I can be disciplined and stay on a schedule. Another of my endeavors is training to be a floral designer. It is really fun and I enjoy using my knowledge of color and design in a whole new way. I am in need of more practice and having some real failures but my teacher is very encouraging and optimistic. My third venture is going to be teaching an acrylic workshop to adults in February at MadArts. I am very excited about this. I have never taught painting to adults and I am interested in how it will go. I will also be anxious to get back to painting. I am pining for it which is a good thing; absence makes the heart grow fonder.

My illustrations are a combination of painting, drawing and digital methods.

Puppy Love

2012-01-08T09:10:00.001-05:00

Acrylic on paper

More Joy

2011-12-23T08:44:00.001-05:00

These are two more attempts at the "Joy" illustration. I am scanning the line drawing separate from a painted layer and I like the way the colors look this way much better.

Commercial Illustration

2011-12-20T09:08:00.004-05:00

Working to bring my art full circle from digital illustration, to fine art painting back to a method of combing the two for commercial work.
Here are a few samples I am working on.
Connected
Joy
Grateful

I'm in Love

2011-12-09T14:50:00.003-05:00

I'm in love with these colors, in love with working small and in love with working on paper. It's wonderful to be in love. Maybe I'm just happy to be painting again after taking some time to set up my store and a freelance account. But it's a great time to be happy and I'll take it.

New Giclee Prints

2011-12-07T11:46:00.001-05:00

I am so pleased with the reproduction quality of my new giclee prints created at American Printing, check them out at my new online store: http://carolbarber.bigcartel.com

Blue or not to Blue? That is the question.

2011-11-22T10:53:00.007-05:00

I have had customers on more than one occasion and in different states say "I love it but I don't have any blue in my house". So I took the blue out of the scanned painting images in Photoshop and am going to invest in making 8" x 10" giclee prints of them. What do you think? Do you like the originals better?
From the comments on facebook I am leaning towards making the prints from the color manipulated images, no one seems to care or really notice that they are not the original painted colors.

Painting a Verb

2011-11-03T09:25:00.002-04:00

Rising, acrylic on paper, 11.5 " x 14.25"

I wanted to take a break from the "how" of painting and focus on the "why". I followed the workshop leader, Bob Burridges', advice and did some journaling to determine a verb I wanted to paint. I was surprised by the verbs I chose: thriving, evolving and morphing. Thinking of verbs really snapped my mind into focus. I wonder why? Because painting is an action also? Or verbs are more abstract and stops your mind from thinking about concrete objects? This was fun and pure freedom.

Color Placement

2011-10-27T12:32:00.003-04:00

I feel like I finally got the color placement going how I wanted in attempts 5 and 6. Can you see the difference? I am also glad that I stuck with the same subject so I could more easily see the progression. After this exercise, I also feel more confident in tackling a commercial illustration project in this style. If anyone knows of any such opportunities let me know.

There is still lots of experimentation to be done like varying the mark making. Let me know if you would like to see any of these available as prints. Thank you for your input.

Color Blocks

2011-10-25T13:16:00.002-04:00

I have observed from some of my favorite artists like Marc Chagall and Jose Merello that color is independently blocked onto the painting and is not tied to foreground and background or positive and negative shapes in the picture. That seems so simple but hard for me to overcome. Here are a few of my latest attempts.

Works on Paper

2011-10-20T15:52:00.000-04:00

‎"My Painted Pony", acrylic on paper
Carol Barber @ 2011

2011-10-19T12:33:00.000-04:00

Carol Barber@2011, "Foraging Red", acrylic on paper, 8"x 10"

I started to do some works on paper last week, hoping to do some spontaneous experimental work. But started making a lot of tight, over worked messes. Maybe it was the medium, maybe it is my reference or starting points? Anyway I was thankful to complete this piece on paper yesterday. Not as loose as I anticipated but I think it is an interesting image.

Fall Color is Inspiring

2011-10-11T13:53:00.000-04:00

What a fabulous weekend it was to take photos!

Robert Joyner

2011-09-21T22:10:00.000-04:00

I watched a tutorial by Robert Joyner last night: http://www.robertjoynerartist.com/fine-art-painting-tutorials/ and then did this large painting today. I love Robert Joyner's abstract cows especially. I am pretty happy with my painting, I wish that I would have left the layers more open. I don't know why I have that urge to fill in the canvas. Joyner's are definitely looser but I will keep working at it. Boy I really need to sell a painting so I can buy more canvases. I know you will enjoy looking at Joyner's work, let me know if you try out his tutorials. They are all free, what a nice guy.

Five New Paintings

2011-09-18T10:05:00.001-04:00

I was able to complete five new paintings this past week. The way I did it was to work on four of them at one time. I like that process and really feel like creativity can fly. I was flipping back and forth through my sketch book and not even really "seeing" what I was painting sometimes. That is the way I sketch, I hardly look down at the paper. I used Liquitex brand light modeling paste instead of Golden brand and I thought it behaved differently. Golden's paste stays grainy in texture even after mixing it with water. What I got with Liquitex reminds me of gouache paint. I like the soft matte look on canvas but prefer Golden's thickness. The one painting with the blue road and fluffy clouds was done by itself and I used Golden's regular modeling paste full strength. It has a shiny finish rather than matte.I would really like to hear your opinions about the paintings and which one you like best. I am missing the Fall art festivals and that is the best place to get feed back. I left some of the backgrounds from taking the pictures. I thought it was interesting how much they matched my new surroundings.Also the paintings are from sketches I did on Grave's Mill Road in Madison County. It is such a pretty road, like visiting another country or going back in time. A very special place.

Mad Arts

2011-09-06T10:39:00.005-04:00

I am very excited to have some paintings for sale at Mad Arts on Route 29 North of Ruckersville, just in Madison county. I love the enthusiasm of the owner and I really enjoy the process of selling paintings. Who wouldn't right?

Getting Warmed UP

2011-08-29T15:00:00.002-04:00

"Barn Shadows"

"Have Barn. Let's Play."

Fun with wall colors

2011-08-16T07:49:00.009-04:00

The most creative thing I have done lately is choose paintings to go with the existing wall colors in our new home. I love the strong colors on the walls and they surprisingly really make the art pop. I left numerous paintings for sale in Gainesville at MT's Chop House and Paddiwhack. Chuck at Paddiwhack will let you take the paintings home and try them with your wall colors to see how you like them before purchasing. Try a little color today!

Commissioned Chair

2011-07-15T08:15:00.004-04:00

Three siblings commissioned me to paint a chair for their Mother's Birthday. As a Mom, I knew she would be touched by her childrens' thoughtful efforts no matter how it turned out, so I took on the project. For me I wanted to paint the chair to get me through our move and the idle time between waiting for the first closing to happen and getting our moving truck. But that first closing didn't happen and we have decided to take on two mortgage payments as we wait for a buyer down in Florida and keep our house in Virginia. Now I am thankful for the money I made on the project and will carefully spend each dollar. How quickly things can change but it makes you appreciate every opportunity.

Show Cancelled

2011-06-10T16:22:00.003-04:00

I will not be having an art show at the Tioga Art Center next weekend. The space will no longer be an art gallery after this month because it has rented to another business and I am running into more than anticipated with the relocation to Charlottesville, VA. However if you ever wanted a painting from me, now is a great time. I am motivated to give moving sale prices this month. Thank you.

Plans for Moving the Art

2011-06-01T22:13:00.003-04:00

Looks like I will have a private sale at my house until June 10th then the show will move to the Tioga Art Center from June 11th until June 26th. Monday June 27th, I'll figure out what I am leaving at Paddiwhack and MTs Chop House. Then I will pack the truck and head to Charlottesville, VA.

Moving Sale

2011-06-01T14:38:00.002-04:00

One time only moving sale until June 11! I am excepting "make me a deal offers" on the works for the sale. I have these at my house and will be having a yard sale with a neighbor on Saturday so that would be a great time to come look. I also have a lot of great pieces at MTS Chop House from previous series. I will continue to show new work at Paddiwhack and will come to town for a show once a year. I am looking forward to continuing ties with Gainesville but need to prepare for the move. Please contact me for more infomation. 352-871-2688.

I wish "blogger" had a better photo album option. I have a photo album of the works on my facebook page.

10 min Sketches

2011-05-26T23:19:00.011-04:00

I tried to draw the children at the preschool in 5 min. sketches but they turned into 10 min. sketches and missed up my schedule and plan. My son said "we didn't do much in art today" but then he was sketching me at the breakfast table this morning, so I believe the class was a success. Does anybody remember the children's show that used to come on t.v. with a man drawing a story as he told it? I loved that show, I learned to draw eyes quickly from him.

Digital Number 2

2011-05-24T12:54:00.001-04:00

My son said she looked sad. I am glad he said that because the young lady and I were listening to a speaker talk about the state of Haiti and world hunger when I did the sketch. Sketching actually helps me listen.

art articles

2011-05-24T07:23:00.005-04:00

I got this email and went to the link and thought it was interesting trends, I have heard of some of them but hadn't seen them all in one place. My name is Emma, and I write articles for Accreditedonlinecolleges.com I thought of you after publishing our recent post, “10 Emerging Art Genres You’ve Probably Never Heard Of” (http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/10-emerging-art-genres-youve-probably-never-heard-of/) and wanted to see what you think about it. Your readers might be interested on weighing in on the topic too: if you’d like to share or mention the post on your blog, let us know how it turns out!

Thanks,
Emma Taylor

I got this email and went to the link and thought it presented interesting trends, I have heard of some of them but hadn't seen them all in one place. But what I was really excited to find was the list of books to read if you love art history. I love reading biographies of artists and knowing more about them and their circumstances. http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/40-books-that-art-history-buffs-love/

Joseph Cornell boxes

2011-05-19T17:00:00.014-04:00

I wanted my last art project with the preschoolers to be extra special and it was so much fun. The innate creative genius of children never ceases to amaze and delight me. I showed the children the work of Joseph Cornell, an American artist who brought assemblage to the forefront as an art form through his work done in the 1940s and 50s. We cut and tore magazine pictures the first week and then the second week the children brought in "treasures" from home to glue in their boxes. It is hard to not show a picture of all of them, I loved them all.

Joseph Cornell on the web: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/cornell/

New Digital Art

2011-05-18T11:04:00.007-04:00

We are in the process of moving and getting settled will probably take all summer. If we get the house that we are intending, the long term plan is to build my studio in the loft of the barn on the property. It will be paradise one day. But to work towards the goal, I am looking for a graphic design job. My baby is going to kindergarten next year, so it is a good time. I love the school we believe he will be going to, it is centered around the arts. He will love it and if I was homeschooling, it is just how I would want to teach. There is also an engineering club perfect for my older son.

So while the "studio" is in boxes, it is a good time to do some digital art. I am influenced by Jose Merello's work in this first digital painting. For my graduate thesis, I compared the process of painting to the process of working digitally, so in my mind I am writing my thesis all over again. For my next chapter, I would compare how using a nearly monochromatic photograph as a layer in Photoshop is similar to acrylic glazing for it's unifying effects. Blah, blah, blah ; )

New inspiration

2011-05-15T09:03:00.002-04:00

http://www.merello.com/

Jose Manuel Merello, this artist is all of my favorites rolled into one: Odilon Redon, Chagall, Matisse, Picasso and Kandinsky. He is all of those at once. I can't read Spanish but I think he is deceased. Love him, the end. I can't wait to start fresh.

Cups in the Cupboard

2011-05-13T13:14:00.005-04:00

One of my goals in painting has always been to achieve a messy, loose style of painting. This is a conscience counter to the tight illustrative work I did for textbooks. I think I am getting some messy meshing of the paint here by applying the colors mostly all in one sitting and letting them blend into each other. This is a way of painting that comes pretty naturally for oil painters but takes some foresight with fast drying acrylics.

I do miss the transparent layering I was doing in the large "water reflection" paintings. I am not sure how to achieve this in painting solid masses. I can easily see the layering in reflected water: there is below the water surface, the water surface and then the reflections floating on top but not quite sure how to translate that to an apple. Maybe think of the back and insides of the apple?

Layering on Wood

2011-05-03T15:13:00.003-04:00

I like the way this painting has large areas of color with little bits of many colors showing around the edges. This is a departure from paintings I did last year with many patterned shapes of color covering the composition. They looked kind of like stained glass. I like the contrast of big areas of color to small areas of color in this painting. I wonder if I can do it again? I had given up on this painting and started scrubbing in areas of color and then it started to work.

More drinks anyone?

2011-04-27T10:31:00.006-04:00

I am thinking about layering paint with these. What colors, textures and values should come first and what colors, textures and values should be on top and what should transition the two? These paintings generated new ideas for this type of layering that I want to test. I am working from photographs for these and I really miss working from my sketches. Working from my sketches frees me to be more creative by separating me from the realistic representation.

MT's Chop House

2011-04-15T16:24:00.006-04:00

I am definitely being influenced by the recent work of my friend, Catalina Rankin, on this one. Hope that she doesn't mind. I was thinking of doing a new series of restaurant themed paintings to leave and sell through the Chop House. I have shown my work there for a number of years.

Recently Sold Paintings:

Spring Arts

2011-04-11T18:26:00.005-04:00

I thought that the morning light coming into the tent early Saturday morning was pretty. A calm before the crowds. The energy Saturday was electric, you can sense when people are really considering buying and that is exciting. Sunday, I felt people were just out taking a stroll to enjoy themselves.

I thought all you Harn docents might be interested in what I taught the preschoolers with inspiration from the African Textile exhibit.

Spring Arts

2011-04-06T20:23:00.001-04:00

I am in Spring Arts this weekend! Really excited to be accepted into this show: http://springartsfestival.com/

I hope I am ready, things have been so hectic lately I don't know which end is up.

Open Air Arts

2011-03-27T23:23:00.003-04:00

Here are two of the three paintings I did this weekend during Melrose's Open Air Arts. I did them in true plein air fashion and sat among the cypress trees staring into the water almost all weekend. I think it will be a special memory I'll take with me as I leave Florida. The weather, scenery and company of great artists and friends couldn't have been better.

Kites for Spring

2011-03-23T10:25:00.004-04:00

The preschool where I teach had a kite theme so I wanted to introduce the Chinese tradition of kites to the children. It was with some trepidation I ventured into kites. Three dimension construction is not my forte. In college, I remember having fits constructing a complex box kite from thin dowel rods for a sculpture class only to have it crushed flat between heavy doors carrying it to the dining hall. My older son and I did not work together smoothly making a kite for a scout den meeting which was an embarrassing public display. But when I picked out a children's book at the library explaining the history of Chinese kites and thus the Chinese New Year, I got an idea to make the dragon kite using paper plates. This was a managable and easy medium and I think the results are quite impressive. I can see making the individual plates more elaborate perhaps with cloth or tissue paper and making some spectacular looking kites. Getting them to fly would take some engineering skills I don't possess but I feel it could be done. The only real problem I had was when hanging the plates on the ceiling. I had knots tied in the yarn to hold the plates in place along the string but the weight of the plates slid all the plates to the bottom of the string and pulled the knots too tight to hold the plates. The head of the dragon is made from a milk jug. The children were to draw wishes on the plates but many focused on animal kites and symbols they saw in the book. They really loved the book, Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky by Demi.

Thinking About Paint

2011-03-04T09:56:00.003-05:00

Another small and Woods and Water painting. My goal for the upcoming painting outside event, Open Air Arts, is to paint with abandon. Make the paintings as much about the paint itself as about the landscape. I have to really fight my graphic design training to do this and my plans always seem harder to accomplish during the event. But that is my goal and desire. There are some painters that I really admire participating, I can't wait to see what is produced. Artists coming to OAA.

Woods and Water Abstractions

2011-02-26T21:10:00.008-05:00

I did these four little abstractions based on the water section from the large "Red Reflections" painting that I did last week. Now I am wondering if I should make one of these bigger?

My preschool glass made some pseudo stain glass for the school's window last week. Everyone loved the results.

Reflections of Red

2011-02-17T10:40:00.004-05:00

Another attempt at water reflections from a sketch in town after the rains last week. It doesn't have the quick wet brush strokes of the last two paintings. Those strokes went well with the water subject. Quick wet strokes are pretty tough to pull off in acrylics because the media is fast drying. I have to be sure of the plan and I changed my plan on this painting a couple of times before I got an interesting surface and composition. I did enjoy the layering and acrylic is great for that. I also used a bigger canvas than usual which makes working wet harder. I don't know why I have this eternal optimism that the next painting is going to be great, so much so that I go out and buy a big canvas. Otherwise I wouldn't keep trying I guess. I wonder if I should use this painting as a study to make a more abstract version?

New Direction in Reflections?

2011-02-11T07:56:00.003-05:00

Reflections on the Santa Fe River

This is a bit of a different approach for me. I always struggle with getting a full series or body of work but perhaps this direction will be different. I am thinking I want to do many of these very quickly. Usually I really exhaust one painting at a time, doing two to three paintings on one canvas, painting over and over and over it. So wish me luck with this new attempt. I was inspired to paint these from our last canoe trip on the Santa Fe. The water was so dark, glassy and still. Yesterday I did sketches of the rain puddles around town.

Van Gogh

2011-02-01T16:36:00.004-05:00

We are exploring Van Gogh's work in my preschool art class. Has their ever been an artist so universally loved by all levels of artists? From novice to professional everyone loves Van Gogh. I read a biography of Van Gogh and he had several causes for his mental illness. He seemed to experience emotions so intensely and that energy comes across in his paintings. He experienced very little acknowledgement, only selling one painting in his short lifetime but he had the unfailing support of his brother to sustain his painting. He wanted so badly to connect with people: first trying to be a pastor, then with women that didn't love him and fellow artist Gauguin. Now he connects with people through his art, wish he could have known that when he was living.
In class, I just told the children that Van Gogh had sunny days and rainy "sad" days. When making the flowers we talked about texture, opaque, transparent and recycling.

New Painting- Sunshine Path

2011-01-19T13:16:00.003-05:00

I have been working on this painting since before Christmas. So glad to finally post it. It keeps changing, I probably should move on. Also happy to announce I got into the Spring Arts Festival April 9th and 10th. I believe my new display system really helped me to get accepted.

Painting on Fabric

2011-01-05T12:54:00.006-05:00

Happy 2011!
I wanted to share some fabric painting that I did on place mats for Christmas gifts. I created the shapes by cutting them out of marker paper then painted the paper with acrylic paint, fabric medium and a brush. Then I pressed the painted paper down on the fabric and rubbed on the back with the wooden brush handle. I was delighted to see the brush strokes translate on to the fabric when I lifted the paper. I set the paint with an iron.

New Display System

2010-12-06T07:02:00.001-05:00

I have a new-to-me display system and will be able to show in style at my next festival.

New Painting Series

2010-11-23T10:04:00.004-05:00

I finally finished one of the three paintings I started for a new series I am attempting. I haven't had a lot of luck with series work. I intend for the paintings to be very similar but they start going in wildly different directions. But I had fun and I am happy with this first one. I wanted to my landscapes to take on symbolic meanings in particular have a path represent life's path. This is a common metaphor for example "being over the hill" but it is such a clear visual representation of past, present and future. I had a lot of ideas about the unknown future being over that hill. Visual symbols ranging from hope to dread. I didn't intend to put a figure in this painting but just appeared and I decided to go with it. I kind of wish I hadn't because I was apprehensive about how it would turn out and had a lot more fun painting the background but I like the painting.
Also I included some of the latest from my preschool art class. We spent about a month on Matisse. His life is a great one to study about overcoming life's obstacles and loving your surroundings. His art teaches great lessons on pattern, line, shape, composition and color too. Great stuff.

Commissioned Painting

2010-11-08T21:40:00.003-05:00

Last week, I did this commissioned painting of the La Chua Trail on Paynes Prairie. The best part of the experience was taking a walk with my son on the trail to gather sketch material. We saw so much wildlife and the prairie was exploding in yellow wild flowers. I didn't do it justice.

Busy Fall

2010-10-23T21:30:00.009-04:00

I love Halloween for all it's opportunities to be creative and let your imagination run free.

And these are some of the creative things we have been up to in preschool art class. We looked at two children's book illustrators: Saxton Freymann and Eric Carle. Freymann illustrates with fruits and vegetables so we created some tomatoes with play dough and black eyed peas for eyes. The children enjoyed taking pictures of their creations and I displayed them on a digital frame. We also looked at the well known children's book author and illustrator, Eric Carle who wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We painted papers using several different methods to create textures. Another day, when the papers were dry we tore them and filled in a butterfly shape.

New shape paintings

2010-09-15T10:32:00.007-04:00

I feel like I ended up at the wrong destination on the painting journey with these new works. I feel like I am illustrating instead of painting which would be a great predictable style if I got hired to do a children's book or similar work. But I would like my personal painting to be more unpredictable and process oriented. I wonder if you take an idea too far that you start turning in a circle? Or if you don't know how to proceed you choose a familiar path which would be a circle because it is a place that you have been before.

My son was asking a lot of questions about the blue dog: Is he lost? Is he lonely? or does he live in the wild? I hope he thinks he is lost but not really far from the right track.

Bright Warhol

2010-09-15T10:22:00.003-04:00

As always the preschool artists surprise and delight me with their creations. I showed the children some of Andy Warhol's work and we read a great book for children written by Andy Warhol's nephew, James Warhola. I used the school's affiliate church's pastors as our "celebrity" faces. Fun results.

New Etsy Shop!

2010-08-25T11:06:00.004-04:00

Check out my new shop on Etsy. I love shopping on Etsy!
I have been thinking about starting this for along time and decided to just jump in. I am nervous about having all the information covered so please visit the site and tell me how I can improve.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/carolhbarber
Thanks so much!

New Small Works

2010-08-24T09:42:00.006-04:00

These are some new small paintings that I just completed: Garden of Delights, Flying Together, Caroline's Plot, and Prairie Celebration. I wanted to do some simple affordable work to sell, but they are not simple. It seems the smaller I paint the more intricate and detailed the work becomes, probably stemming from my love of small brushes. I emphasized rich textures over color in the last three which each measure 8" x 10".

Thomas Center Regional Juried Show

2010-07-23T22:53:00.003-04:00

I was honored to have a piece in the juried show this year. Mine is the smaller painting on the right. It is an interesting show, the different judges always leave their mark and make the show unique each year.

Sunday's Celebration

2010-07-12T09:59:00.011-04:00

Thank you Michael Woodman for these photos.

Sunday Celebration

2010-07-11T22:46:00.004-04:00

Despite the downpours we really had a nice turnout for the reception today. It was such a pleasant time with friends, live soft music, wine and yummy cake. A dreamy afternoon, like a Nora Jones song which the guitarist did play. I forgot my camera so I am stealing an image Jeff Knee took of the show. Thank you to all for the well wishes, braving the rain and helping make the day a success.

Shaped by Time

2010-07-06T11:22:00.002-04:00

You all are invited to
Melrose Bay Gallery, Shaped by Time,
art show with abstract artist, Ande Lister
Celebrating my 40th Birthday
with cake on Sunday, July 11, 3 to 6 pm
Show runs June 26 - July 31.

The One and Only Mona Lisa!

2010-06-11T12:42:00.004-04:00

Well this project was a lot of fun and captured people's attention like no other this year. Toddling babies to grandparents were stopping to take a long look and point to each one. Lots of fun.

Show in July

2010-06-08T10:23:00.004-04:00

This painting sold this week.

I have a couple of new paintings but I want to wait to show them in July at Melrose Bay Gallery. Hope that you can join us.

Flags for Memorial Day

2010-05-28T09:08:00.005-04:00

Loved the flags my preschool artists painted to honor Memorial Day and study Jasper Johns. His flag painting sold this month at auction for 28.6 million.

Chair Auction

2010-05-25T16:08:00.008-04:00

It case you missed it, here are some of the great chairs from the benefit this past weekend.

My Chair!

2010-05-18T10:10:00.008-04:00

Musical Chairs event this Saturday from 6 to 9 pm at Ellie Blair's Studio.
I am very happy to have the chair completed. My mistake was thinking that it was going to be easy but I am pleased with the way that it came out. I am glad that I chose the monochromatic color scheme and it is not visible from the photos but it has touches of silver paint. It really goes well with the metal parts of the chair. I am excited to see how the other chairs are painted at the benefit. I hope that the auction is a great success for the worthy cause of the arts in elementary schools.

Musical Chairs Event

2010-05-12T10:59:00.002-04:00

Click on the title to see details of this event benefitting the Arts in Public Schools. Thank You!

Preschoolers working like Jasper Johns

2010-05-07T09:05:00.003-04:00

I had my preschool classes use charcoal and letter stencils to work like Jasper Johns. John's figure "8" is matted in orange. One of the artist's objectives was to create a rich and interesting surface. The preschoolers naturally do that, the teachers' attempts were much too clean and not as interesting. Their playfulness creates some really interesting designs too. A good lesson for graphic designers.

New Landscape

2010-04-27T07:56:00.011-04:00

Here are some pictures of my latest landscape painting. It is fairly big measuring 48 in. across. I was concentrating on the surface texture in this one. I don't think it is going to fit in with my next show so I may try to hang it at Paddiwhack or at MT's Chop House for the Summer.
Speaking of the Summer, I have some definite art plans and that has helped me focus on what art needs to be done next. I need to focus and plan ahead more often. But I guess there needs to be times of too many ideas and wondering which way to go, then choosing one and completing it. I wanted to do a fund raiser art show for my fortieth birthday this Summer but I have settled on participating in a fund raiser to benefit the Arts in public schools. I will be painting a chair for a "Musical Chairs" night May 22nd. More to come as that develops. I will be having a birthday celebration by showing with abstract artist, Ande Lister at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery for the month of July. The show will be called Shaped by Time. It is going to be very cool, I can't wait to install it. The Harn store is also featuring four of my paintings. I am happy for this opportunity since wall space is very limited there.
I have been introducing the Modernist, Jasper Johns, to my preschool classes. I get so much enjoyment out of their creations. I'll post some of those soon.

Printing Scarves

2010-04-06T11:36:00.008-04:00

Here is an option of printing directly on silk scarves. What do you think? I created the image from a photograph of one of my paintings. The printing process as opposed to painting keeps the silk soft.

Scarves

2010-03-30T14:44:00.001-04:00

I'm going to keep working on this idea.

Fatal Flaw?

2010-03-26T09:30:00.009-04:00

I tried painting on silk yesterday and I am happy with the way that they look. But I think they are too stiff to wear. They feel more like Gortex than silk. I am going to try soaking them in Fabric Softner, maybe dry clean? to get them soft. I am using acrylic paints and an acrylic fabric medium. I don't want to go the using dyes and a steamer route that makes for soft silk painting. I want to use the acrylics that I am familiar with. Maybe I should try painting on another material? I do enjoy them hanging from the light fixture in the sunlight though. Any ideas?

Art Walk

2010-03-24T11:44:00.002-04:00

Hey facebook fans! I am showing for the ArtWalk this Friday night in the Sun City Center at SCORE. It is in conjunction with an Environmental Film Festival Downtown. Let me know you are a fan and I will give you an 8.00 discount on a 28.00 print. Hope to see you there!

Another one

2010-03-17T12:37:00.002-04:00

I did one more late last night for the Open Air Arts event. I did this from a boat ride sketch that I did on Saturday. It is more illustrative rather than the painterly methods I was intending to explore. But it's fun and I can see doing this type of illustration for hire. I didn't put it in for the judging.

Open Air Arts Judging

2010-03-16T16:18:00.007-04:00

This is the work that I have produced since last Wednesday for the Open Air Arts event in Melrose, FL. I have to choose just one of these for the judging and pick one category: either painting or mixed media. I am really happy with my experience. Having to produce so much so quickly made me experiment with my materials and use new methods of painting. Things that I want to explore further. It was like going to a workshop; really beneficial. I met some interesting people too. The closing gala will be so much fun to see all the work that they created. I feel it was all worth while. The only reason I want to win an award is to cover the supplies that I bought. It is really hard to choose just one. What do you think?

Affordable Products

2010-03-12T07:50:00.007-05:00

I have been racking my brain this week trying to figure out a product that would be affordable and still worth my time to do it. I think it is impossible in a gallery shop with the high commissions. Having a shop on Etsy.com and selling some things like pillows with my images printed on them is feasible. I painted a lampshade this week and I want to experiment with different materials like parchment lampshades. I would need to offer this large hand-painted lampshade for 95.00.

Teaching Mondrian

2010-03-10T22:50:00.004-05:00

I have been teaching Mondrian to preschoolers this week and have been truly inspired by their creations. I love it when a plan comes together.

New Paintings

2010-03-05T10:11:00.003-05:00

With these I was trying to limit my colors and think more about playing with the consistency of the paint. I am also still working with organic shapes.

I have a new proposition brewing about using my images on home apparel. Would you like to see this in your home on a placemat? Mirror imaged for two pillow cases?

Open Air Arts is coming

2010-02-22T09:41:00.005-05:00

Spring is fast approaching and that means lots of outdoor art activities in Florida. I will be participating in the Tioga Art Festival this weekend. The burst of beautiful weather this past weekend makes a very exciting start to the Spring Arts season.

I have also been working on designing the Melrose Open Air Arts poster this week. I feel like it is a work of art because I have been going through many delicate balances of color combinations.

I also designed a postcard on dark blue:

For the Dogs?

2010-02-03T10:47:00.003-05:00

This painting really made me crazy. I kept going back to it and thinking it was going to really change as I altered the colors over and over. But it virtually remained the same. Not a free and fun painting experience. I like the composition of the close up view, perhaps I can make a print of that.

New Paintings in 2010

2010-01-24T21:15:00.004-05:00

I'm trying to get into a rhythm of painting after being on a break for the holidays. I really enjoyed painting the palm trees in the frame. It is the fourth painting in recent months that I have painted over an old painting. Each one, I have really enjoyed the painting experience and been pleased with the results. Currently I am trying to figure out how to recreate that painting experience and layering without having to paint over another painting.

Homemade Christmas

2010-01-12T11:11:00.004-05:00

Here are a few of my Christmas efforts. No wonder I want to add patterns to my current easel painting. I also painted another wooden sign with a bear theme.

My husband led many family projects including the making of soap and lotion, chocolate candy, fleece sewing and soup and cookie mixes.

Christmas Ventures

2009-12-08T09:28:00.002-05:00

We began a tradition of exchanging homemade Christmas gifts with our extended family last year. I have been wanting to transfer some of my imagery into cloth and sewing so I figured this was a good opportunity to give that a try. This is my first attempt and I think I gained some good experience from it. I would like the stitching to be more organic so that the mistakes didn't matter. Not sure how to go about that.

Small Works Show

2009-11-23T13:44:00.005-05:00

Weekends through Dec. 20, 2009
"Small Works, Big Ideas, Thinking Inside the Box"
Melrose Bay Art Gallery

These two paintings are new small works for the show at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery. I hung them this morning. There are so many really good art works still available at reasonable prices. It really is a mystery to me what sells and what doesn't.

Paddiwhack Event

2009-11-15T20:29:00.002-05:00

I am happy to be included in this event. I love their new location next to Fresh Market what a fun place to be. Thursday, November 19 from 6 to 9 pm.

The Paddiwhack annual champagne & chocolate extravaganza Thursday November 19, 2009 6 to 9 pm

This holiday season visit Paddiwhack for the largest selection of hand-made gifts in the area.

Work from well known national and regional artists ...

Barefoot Dreams

Department 56

David Marsh

Sticks

Patience Brewster

Patricia Locke

Natty B

Elizabeth Garvin

Ed Levin

Gary Rosenthal

Yardbirds

Tin Woodsman

Story People

Shoestrings creations

Island Cowgirl

Kathy Bransfield

Eleanor Blair

Krinkels

Bill Campbell

Folkmanis puppets

Carol Barber

Linda Blondheim

Holly Yashi

Stacey Breheney

Amy Peters' Studio

Sharon McGinley

Basic Spirit

Elements

Jill Schwartz

Churchill Weaver

Chris Roberts -Antieau

Heartwood Creations

Jan Barboglio

Kay Ash

Lampe Berger

Sid Dickens

Join Our Mailing List!

Paddiwhack

4128 NW 16th Blvd

Gainesville, Florida 32605

352-336-3175

Dear Carol,

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This private event is for our loyal customers and their friends, as a select member of this group you and your guests will have the opportunity to relax and shop with a glass of champagne and scrumptious chocolates. The "Extravagant" part is the wonderful discount, for one night, and one night only take 20% off your entire purchase. We only offer this discount once a year to our most valued customers and their friends so don't miss this opportunity to select from the vast array of unique gifts, jewelry and furniture that Paddiwhack has to offer.

Sincerely,

Chuck Sapp
Paddiwhack

Barefoot Dreams

Throws
54" X 72" Reg $132.50

This holiday season surround yourself with our BambooChic® throw or robe, and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. You will lose yourself in its softness as you relive the peace and comfort of your favorite blankie. Barefoot Dreams® BambooChic® throws are also featured at 5-star resorts and spas, a favorite among celebrities and the modern mom on the go! Available in 10 elegant colors, the BambooChic® throw will add style and sophistication to any home. BambooChic® knit is unlike most chenilles in that it is machine washable and dryable. It won't shrink, pill or wrinkle and will always return to its original softness.One of Oprah's favorite gifts.

Patience Brewster

Dashaway Vixen
by Patience Brewster

12" tall

Patience Brewster many of you may know as the creator of the Krinkles' line for Department 56. this year she as ventured out on her own with the debut of her new line for the holidays.

Dashaway Vixen, one of eight reindeer figures, shows the attention to detail and quality that makes this and instant holiday favorite and family keepsake. Paddiwhack carries the entire line of Patience Brewster ornaments and figures.

Linda Blondheim

My Yard III 12" X 16" Oil on panel unframed
by Linda Blondheim

Linda Blondheim is a painter of the south, her work chronicles the fast changing landscape of rural North Florida and South Georgia. Having grown up in the region she is pulled by her connection to the beauty of the real Florida. Each painting documents her travels, of the love of the rural landscape, and it's need for preservation.

Paddiwhack is proud to represent regionally know painters like Linda Blondheim, our current show is of recent painting by Linda.

20% off your entire Purchase	For One Night Only Take 20% off the regular price of your entire purchase! Yes even on special orders!
Offer good November 19, 2009 only. 20% is taken off of the regular price, can not be combined with any other discount

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Success

2009-11-09T09:11:00.005-05:00

I had a fun time working on this painting, Decadent Forest, last week. I painted over an older painting and I feel that helped me achieve the delicate balance between intention and discovery. Sometimes I plow right through with my intentions and forget to play and be involved with the process. I have also just played and felt the painting had no structure or intention. It's a tricky balance.
It also felt really good to make some sales this weekend. The prices weren't high but nothing makes an artist feel better than a sale. Thank you to those purchasers, I appreciate you. And those sales also help the Harn Museum of Art and Melrose Bay Art Gallery, places that we love.

Landscapes and figures

2009-10-30T12:10:00.008-04:00

David Hockney at 72 is painting landscapes! Is anyone else awe struck by seeing a master from the art history books paint like this or is it just me? See his work at: http://www.colugapictures.com/

These painted landscapes on the blog are mine for the small works show coming up in Melrose.
I have also been working on the figure in a landscape.

Durham, NC

2009-10-14T10:07:00.003-04:00

I went to a beautiful wedding this past weekend in Durham, NC. While I was there I encountered some inspiring art also.
One interesting place was the Scrap Exchange. I think if I lived there I would hardly buy paint again. I would just make art from what was available. I bought a packet of materials to make a collage. Sometimes I do my best work when there are some limitations. Just being creative and making what I can from what is available.
Also visited a non-profit organization that provides a foundry for the community and artists. They poured the bronze bull in the town's square. Loved the gates around the fire area.
Visited a ceramics studio and gallery. http://www.claymakers.com/ I had never seen ceramic tiles used as canvases and glazes used as paint in this way. Also looked like some collaged digital transfers on some of the vessels that were interesting.
LabourLove Gallery, Art co-op gallery at Golden Belt, was a great place also. One artist there had done something that I have been thinking about. She had cut out images from felt or cloth and had them sewn to the upholstery of chairs and a sofa. The images were inspired by her paintings. We went to the wedding reception at the Golden Belt and I didn't even know until right now that it had a whole floor of artists' studios. The Golden Belt was once a factory that made bags for raw cotton. I am so excited about this because this is only an hour away from where my parents live in rural Virginia.
Last but not least, saw a Picasso exhibit at the Nasher Museum of Art on the Duke campus. The exhibit was Picasso and the Allure of Language. I didn't even know Picasso wrote poetry which he did. The exhibit drew many different types of connections between his art and the use of language. One that I can use when I teach art to preschoolers this week is the influence of shapes of letters in some of his Cubist style paintings. One thing that inspired me, was Picasso taking one line drawing of a face and exhausting that image by drawing it as many different ways that he could without changing it proportionally. Like embellishing it differently or drawing it with different line qualities.

Contrasting Waters

2009-09-29T21:21:00.006-04:00

My family has been going on the rivers more and more on the weekends. I was struck by how contrasting our water in North Central Florida can be. We have the crystal clear water coming from the springs and then the deep black tannin water resulting from the trees.

My work is experiencing some contrast also. I want to incorporate figures into my paintings and it is a bit of a shift in the way I have been working. I enjoy working from my drawings for my landscape paintings but I am not finding the same opportunities to draw figures. So I am using photographs at the moment.

Show at the Thomas Center

2009-09-21T13:29:00.006-04:00

Here are some teaser photos of the show at the Thomas Center. Sarah and Sky's Island of Wild Things was a total surprise for me. And it is crazy how it goes with some of my paintings, especially since we didn't collaborate. It makes me wonder what would happen if we did collaborate. I can see doing some drawings and paintings from their island.
Reception is October 1st from 5 to 7 pm.

Thomas Center Show

2009-09-15T14:39:00.006-04:00

I took my work to the Thomas Center this morning. I have had that date on my calendar for along time and to get to the other side feels sweet. Now I get to sit back and watch the staff of the Thomas Center work their magic in the hanging of the show.
I was excited about my latest painting but in my haste to deliver, I didn't take its picture. It reflects my love of Odilon Redon's work and I want to keep working with the figure. I will post some pictures after the installation.
The reception is Thursday, October 1st from 5 to 7 pm. The show runs from September 19 - October 18th.

New MT's Chop House

2009-08-31T15:29:00.007-04:00

I just installed nine paintings at a restaurant with a new location. I was proud of myself for wielding the measuring tape and cordless drill. I literally had to run around due to limited time and needing to pick up my sons from their schools. I think that helped though: just do and don't think. The paintings look nice in this new location. Wishing them good luck on their opening.

Thin Washes

2009-08-11T10:11:00.011-04:00

Warm Wind

Peter Doig, Peter Doig, Peter Doig. I want to be like the contemporary artist Peter Doig. I saw a youtube video of his latest exhibition and the narrator was talking about the thin washes that he used. So I tried these latest palms in thin washes of acrylic. I was surprised that I could paint vertical on the easel with the paint this thin. I liked the process of really moving the brush in this painting. Although it is nothing like Peter Doig.

I have a habit of breaking my subjects into many different colored shapes. I want to try breaking the composition into color blocks and allowing whatever is in that area to stay basically that color. I have observed this method in Odilon Redon's color work. An artist that I love from art's past.

Approaching Storm

One thing that I do like that is happening in my paintings is the staking of layers of shapes. Like is happening on the right side of "Approaching Storm".

I just read a new novel by Samantha Peale entitled "The American Painter Emma Dial". It was a fun book to read and strengthened my desire to be a serious painter. I had already decided to do paintings that I wanted to do and not worry so much about what might sell. I am thinking about getting a job in a print shop part time once my son goes to school. I think it will be more freeing to my art to have a job for income rather than try to rely on it for income.

Summer Work

2009-07-22T10:29:00.008-04:00

Dancing Beach Trees

Reflection in Blue

Wedding present for a couple who like to scuba dive and have a new dog.

My camp studio in the woods. My husband is building an oven out of native stone in the background.

Going with the Flow

2009-06-26T11:34:00.008-04:00

I am reminded of my flower bed in the backyard. I started flowers from seed in the Spring in hopes of seeing bursts of color from our windows. I used some soil from our compost pile to strengthen our sandy soil. What I have now is oodles of little tomato plants all around the house that came from the compost and one little sunflower blossom that I can see from the window. Maybe in the Fall when the weather cools the tomato blossoms will set and I can make colorful salsas and sauces. Who knows? I will have to go with the flow and see.
My goal for the Summer is to paint some Florida water inspired paintings for a show I am having in September and October. The water inspiration will go with the glass vessels Sarah Hinds is anticipating for the show. Right now I am on the move with my two young sons who are free from school. We had an active vacation at a Florida Beach where I did some sketches and now we are off to camp on some family land in Pennsylvania. Not an ideal situation for painting Florida water but I am interested in what will result from the "quiet" of the woods. Although I am thankful for all of the fun we have had so far this Summer, I'm eager for some intense painting time. Who knows what exactly will result, I will have to go with the flow and see.

Flying Boy

2009-06-03T14:35:00.003-04:00

This painting is not quite what I had in mind for my next work but it was fun to do. There is some drawing and photography research I want to do as preparation for my next painting but I haven't had time yet. It's next on my list.

Eureka!

2009-05-13T21:51:00.005-04:00

With this painting I feel like I have finally found something that I have been desperately in search of for years. It was so unexpected, like turning over a rock by accident and finding a gemstone. I have been working and working and then boom everything came together; a meaningful idea, a satisfying methodology and successful visual painting elements. Also it seemed independent of my own desires and mood. I was feeling rather lousy about myself and just about everything and then this idea for a painting just came and worked. I plan to do a series of this idea and if that starts to happen, then I will explain the meaning more clearly. I don't want to jinx it all just yet.
I do find comfort in that artistic success comes from consistent work and not from personal happiness or state of mind. I have rediscovered that drawing in a sketchbook is very important to my process. Not to get a blueprint for a painting, but to put shapes into my visual memory. So that when I am painting, I can just be free to paint and not feel I have to be tied to any reference. I also think I will have to have a new motivation to get work done, like a ritualistic schedule instead of a frenzied search. I observed in Korea that the way people did tasks had to be like worship for them. How else could you be at peace cleaning a sidewalk with tiny brushes or trimming shrubbery to immaculate perfection?

Obessive

2009-05-03T09:14:00.003-04:00

I really worked hard on painting this week. So much that I started to question my sanity. It is hard to stop painting and switch gears sometimes. The orange landscape is very detailed and it is a large painting, 36" x 24". I wanted to get away from painting hard outlines and details so I started painting just areas of color in the blue one with the two birds. I am still working on it and adjusting to painting with thicker paint and modeling paste.

Dots and Dashes

2009-04-24T11:27:00.006-04:00

I don't know how I started painting like this, it wasn't a conscience effort. I do think these paintings will show well with the glass work in the Fall. Then I will have a show at the Thomas Center with glass blowers, Sarah Hinds and Sky Campbell.

I am finding sketching more and more valuable, which I think is a positive leap for
me. I don't consider photos of much value in my process. I am thinking to myself "I wish I had a sketch book right now" rather than a camera.

In subject matter, I want to get back to creating a fantasy world, an utopia. I am thinking I will try not starting my process in such a wet fluid state for the next couple of paintings and see if I can get to some more defined bold strokes and layering. I am constantly amazed about how the beginning of a painting process dictates the final product. I expect it to change drastically but it ends up returning to where it started.

Misty Cedar

Water Hyacinths II

Water Hyacinths I

A Walk in the Rain

2009-04-21T09:00:00.003-04:00

Two Boys
A walk home in the rain
Pouring boots onto the porch in brown puddles
White socks turned to dark gray
Stripped of clothes at the door
Bits of black mulch and brown leaves stuck to their scalps
A long deep bath
After a "walk" in the rain
Two boys

Evening BBQ on the Bay

2009-04-05T08:44:00.004-04:00

This party was my last adventure in Open Air Arts until the Gala reception on April 11th. (I am going on a family trip) The weather was glorious and I turned in three paintings. It was a perfect ending. I loved talking to other artists about their works in progress. I can't wait to see all of the finished products. To see pictures: http://freshsqueezedart.blogspot.com/2009/04/when-artists-pary.html

Open Air Arts

2009-04-03T23:54:00.005-04:00

I made a slide show of my experience so far at the Open Air Arts event in Melrose, FL. I made an old fashion animated gif and do not know how to post it here. It is too late at night to figure out new tricks so please see my web page.
I am having fun on my plein air painting adventure but I am exhausted. I also fully intended to paint in my abstract style but I guess I am too close to the subject matter. Too close physically and mentally. For my abstracts I do a series of quick sketches and become removed from the subject matter before beginning a painting.

HAPPY

2009-03-19T10:15:00.006-04:00

What a contrast to last week, I am so happy with my new painting. When I got to this point, I used to think, "I have arrived everything will be easy now". But it is not like that. Art is ephemeral and hard to grasp. It could crash in failure at any time but for now I have success and I will enjoy the moment.

Check out this website. This makes me excited and inspired on many levels. I didn't have anything to do with this design: http://www.throwdownyourheart.com/

But I am helping with the graphics for our new web site at the gallery: http://melrosebayartgallery.com

Roses, Roses, Roses are bad

2009-03-13T10:03:00.006-04:00

I want to post this to remind myself not to do this again. When I start without a compositional sketch and no clear idea I usually get this. I become too descriptive because I have vague shapes and I want to develop them into something clear. I want to be suggestive with art that is how you get to something meaningful and universal. I really need to have more than one painting going at one time. That helps me not to overwork the paintings and dwell on the failed ones.

On a positive note, the weather and spring flowers outside are beautiful. I think I will go take a walk and try to wash my brain from this.

I did successfully design a poster for Open Air Arts this week. It features one of Gary Borse's paintings which is gorgeous. I can't wait for Open Air Arts it so much fun to see what all of the different artists will produce.

Crossroads?

2009-03-06T09:21:00.005-05:00

My new painting Out of the Swamp makes me feel content.
It seems for me there is two types of art that I can do. One is an abstract portrayal of nature that I like to do because I love to play with the colors and shapes. This work doesn't have a deep meaning, but it is really interesting visually. This work has brought me more recognition from the "art critics" such as getting into juried shows.
The other work has a subject matter that is largely developed from my imagination during the creative process. This work is fun because the unexpected happens. Many people that visit art fairs seem to really connect with this art. It is not for everyone, some only like realism. But the people that do like it are passionate about it and bring their own interpretations to it. But this work is somehow not serious enough for the art critics to accept and reward.
I am really happy to do either kind of art work. I did feel I needed to concentrate on abstract shapes and colors for a while to learn to craft a better painting. Now I am going to try to marry the two approaches and see what happens. Do other artists continually need to make these conscious choices? Or does their artwork progress and change on its own? It seems I am always getting stuck in these situations where I need to choose which way to go.

Out of the Swamp

Thanks Tim Malles for taking this photo of me painting at the Tioga art fair this past weekend. These cows weren't created from my imagination but derived from my sketches and photos.

High Key, Low key

2009-02-13T16:57:00.003-05:00

I loved painting the abstract with the lighter pastel colors. It flowed from the beginning to end and was fun to paint. I call this High Key Tree, light colors on the value scale are called high key. Although this painting has too many dark values to truly be a high key painting. I had so much fun, that I decided to paint a match to it in low key colors, darker values. But this one has been a struggle from beginning to end. I have added a lot of light colors to it and I'm still working on it. I don't think I can hang this painting next to the other one as I had planned. The two styles of the paintings do not match. The next time I want to paint a diptych, I will paint on both paintings at the same time, as if they are one painting.
Just as these two paintings were to represent high and low so was the mood in the studio. Joy then struggle. Painting, just as life, is filled with triumphs and failures.