UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #80

“Bridie - Portrait”

(Watercolour) 

Size: 30x22 cm

THE IDEA BEHIND THE PAINTING:

This is one of the portraits that I did of my family.  Watercolour paint is the medium decided for my granddaughter Bridie because I felt that it best suited her personality.   I painted it from this photograph (below) in a very representational way.  I did this because although many of my paintings are abstract, with family portraiture I am capturing a record of a person in time.

Art Techniques used to achieve this:

I drew the painting first having gridded up the photo. The drawing is seen below:-

Because the photo was taken outdoors, I used what is known as a “Cool Light Sequence”  -  this keeps the background cool and the face and figure warm.  (I have discussed the difference between warm and cool colours before).

The palette used for this painting is as follows:-

Watercolour Palette:

Aureo. Yellow

Rose Madder

French Ultra Blue

Cad. Red

Windsor Blue (or Phthalo Blue)

Indian Red

Aliz. Crimson

Veridian

Cobalt Blue

Light Red

Windsor Green (or Phthalo G.)

I did the background first.  I used 300g watercolour paper.  I saturated the paper with water to paint the background – leaving the paper under the face and hair dry.  I then applied the glazes and allowed the paper to dry between each glaze.  That way I was able to increase the intensity of the colour where needed – ie close to the face.

Painting using watercolour paints requires more experience than acrylics.  It is a very exacting medium.                           

I have written about using watercolour paint for portraits in posts #10 and 64.  I also discussed portrait painting in post #54 where I reviewed other family portraits.  Feel free to back track on this blog to read the referenced posts.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #57 (New Year)

“Phoenix”

Rose wood (antique) and Feathers 

102x77cm 

ABOUT THIS ART OBJECT:

The phoenix is a mythical bird who after wandering the desert for 500 years, was believed to have consumed itself by fire, only to rise again from its own ashes with renewed strength.

I feel that the phoenix is appropriate to New Year because a new year arises from the old year.  It is a time of renewal when resolutions are made for the coming year.

Artistic techniques used in the art object:

This art object was born from my coming by two incidentals.  The first occurred on my return from camping at Carnarvon National Park which is located in Queensland's central highlands.   While driving along the road I happened upon a large freshly killed bird whose magnificent feathers I salvaged.  The second was a part of an antique Chinese rosewood lamp that was kicking around the house but was too good to throw away.
When I salvaged the feathers, somehow I knew how I would set them to good effect and honour their beauty.  I drilled holes into the rosewood lamp base and set thin wooden skewers in the direction I wanted the feathers to stand.  I then glued them in place and inserted the shaft of each feather onto the skewers.  Little had to be done after that other than polishing the rosewood.   Thus a phoenix was born.

I think that this symbolizes the New Year and I would like to thank those who follow my blog for their support and wish them all the very best for 2013.

I also want to say that a 2013 calendar features one of my paintings which is a great honour.  The National Rural Health Alliance that produced the calendar is Australia’s peak non-government body for rural and remote health and the Alliance’s vision is good health and wellbeing in rural and remote Australia.  The calendar is available to you FREE of charge from nrha@ruralhealth.org.au  -  if you would like one sent to you – just email them.  If you would like to read about my painting that is featured in the calendar, go to Understanding Abstract Art #4 on this blog.  It’s title is “Up”.

 http://www.buderimartstudio.com

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #44

Title    “Hera – Queen of Heaven and the Goddesses”  (Acrylic) 120x90cm

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

This painting is another from the “In the Images of Goddesses” Exhibition.  I am reviewing this painting today because it was shown in the video by Natalija Brunovs that was released this year called “Tanmayo – Abstract Artist” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ2MzRmoKBA and serves to demonstrate my painting process. In the video you will see in Subjects 1,2 & 3 (above) how the painting reaches it’s finished form.

The painting represents the energy surrounding the Greek classical goddess Hera.  Hera was the Queen of the Goddesses and married to Zeus.  The snake is one of her symbols, so I started the painting with something that represented a snake.  She also is depicted as having electrifying energy and a commanding and regal personality. You can see that the painting, like many of my works, went through a series of metamorphoses.  

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

The finished painting has a strong diagonal emphasis in its composition.  A diagonal often is unsettling to the viewer and suggests discord.

Gold is symbolic of majesty and I have used a gold colour (similar to yellow ochre) to convey this.   At the time of painting I mixed all my colours from 3 primary colours so this tertiary colour was more citron (derived from yellow and purple).  The compliment to this gold colour is a blue/purple seen at the opposite corners of the diagonal.

Perseveration (or a repeated line) gives the painting a dynamic feel.  The painting is very subjective and represents some aspects within myself, which are unique to this goddess. 

The whole series in the exhibition examines those characteristics that are within all of the human race (male and female). The series also honours different aspects embodied within myself.  The Goddess series should be seen as a whole because it was painted and exhibited at an important turning point in my life and is a celebration of my being. 
http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #42

MY BOOK - “The Power of Creating” by Tanmayo  

eBook (free) and Hardcover Book (at cost)  

8x8cm  x  110 pages

Today I release my book “The Power of Creating”.  It is available in eBook (free) and Hardcover (at cost).  This is the link

http://au.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3457759

ABOUT MY BOOK:

This is an extract from my new book:  “We all have different ways of expressing ourselves creatively.  Some of us are creative in work and making money, others are creative with technology etc.  Each of us is born with unique gifts to express ourselves and make our mark in life, and we feel happiest when we are using our creative strengths.  This is the way we fulfil ourselves.  This is what fuels our power.

Power is something that is sought in life but with little understanding of just what it is.  For instance many people think of power in terms of strength, or domination, but there is a lot more to power than that.  I am excited to be bringing to you the concept of the power of creating.  The ability to create is available for all and through this we can communicate with others to share our thoughts and feelings.  I just think how useful self expression is and how helpful it has proved to be for my own understanding of life’s processes.

This book tells a story about how I use my creativity to explore life as it unfolds in the present moment.  The paintings I share with you, chronicle important stages in my life’s journey.

Painting is my creative form of expression – it is the thing I enjoy doing the most.  So I have used my paintings and poems to illustrate my life. 

We each have our own idea of what will make us happy, and we can spend a lot of time looking for this elusive happiness.  I have simply used my creativity as a way to happiness.

As you look at the artwork in my book, you will find yourself wondering what the paintings mean.  Many of my paintings are abstract.  You may not have been bothered with paintings like these before.  You may initially feel you do not understand them.  Without looking further you will be able to satisfy this query for yourself, by looking at the explanation here on “Understanding Abstract Art”, which will help you to see my paintings in a different light.  It takes little time to read and it will give you a better understanding of abstract art.  The way you perceive the artworks also says something about you too, so take this opportunity. 

I hope you enjoy just looking at the paintings and reading the book as a retrospective of my art with each chapter representing a different stage in my personal journey.

In any case I hope that my paintings will encourage you to better appreciate the creative talents you have and help you to live a fulfilling life in whatever way you decide is best for you.  Remember, power comes from creating.

Abstract art requires you to ask yourself…

                Does the artwork create a feeling – happy/sad/angry?

Does the colour/title/composition/media convey a feeling?

                        Does size matter?

            Does it make you think or question?

Do you have to interact with it in some way i.e. technology/ using lights/sound/touch?

            Does it tell a story or no story?

                        Does it convey an idea?

                        Is there more than one layer of meaning – complexity?

                        Is it ambiguous or contradictory?

                        Is it just a pretty picture empty of meaning?

                        Does having no title make a statement?

Does it deliberately break the technical rules of art?

Is it purely an exercise in art technique with no meaning?

Does the composition feel balanced/unbalanced?

Do the colours harmonize/jar?

Does your eye travel to one area or all over the painting?

            Does the price of the artwork influence your perception of it worth?

            What was your initial response?

                        Has your initial response changed after considering the above?

It’s about you too – it’s an interaction - a two way form of visual communication.”.

I am keen to read your comments on what you think.  In next week’s post I will continue to analyse my abstract paintings.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com