The Evolution of a Small Graphic Piece

I started on a small piece which is only 10x10.  I liked the start but decided to lighten it.

That was NOT successful!

The only option was to keep on working...

Okay, it is starting to show a bit of promise.

Just about finished.  It may need just a bit more.  What do you think? 

Did you notice that the pictures were in different directions?  Sometimes it is difficult to decide which way is up!

Ha!

Ha! You thought I had missed my publishing date!  Truth be told, I nearly did!  The problem involves being a landlord.  My sibs and I have a (very) few properties that we rent.  It is a lot of fun to run out to the mailbox and collect checks.  A lot of fun indeed. However, problems can really eat into one's time!!  I am fortunate that my brother takes care of the lion's share of the work!

Back to the studio.  I know all of this looks much like last week.  The lighting for the 1st pic was not good and it looks more yellow than it actually is.  See the orange word?  You would not believe how long it took me to cut out the stencil with an Exacto Knife.  Later I made another stencil using my sister's stencil burner.  Not exactly easy for a novice but, oh so much better.  These letters have been cut out and are on top of the painting but that isn't how the final product will be when you see it next week.

She may not look much different than she looked last week,  but she has also evolved.  If you're thinking that you can see where I mowed off part of her hair, I know that is a problem but I'll get the paint matched better and finish her headdress--which I really don't know how I'll accomplish.

Here is a peek into my workshop where I am gluing paper that was loose onto my green girl's head.  I use an old Hoosier cabinet for my easel and prop the canvas up where this one presently is.

Whew! After being dropped on her head and requiring surgery, Mothine is back home.  Officially, this piece is called "She was So Two Faced."

You can see why here.  If you look closely, you will see Mothine written on her forehead.

Finally, the big, ole 40x30 that I am struggling with.  If you haven't ever painted anything like this, you would be surprised how much time goes into it.  I know some people are much faster than I, but I also know that many people struggle with abstract paintings.

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer.  I would love to hear from you either as a comment on this site, on FB or in an email. Vickistyons@me.com . If you want to subscribe and are using your phone, you will need to scroll to the bottom and select web view.  Then you will see where to put your email on the right side of the page.

Busy Week

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This past week has been very busy for me, and I have enjoyed every minute.  Besides having some chores I had to do for my family while they were out of town, I had some time to get into the studio. True you might not be able to discern that I was very busy with the paint brushes, but I was (I'm slow, what can I say?).

Last week I posted this painting that I had started.

It is about 50% finished (I hope) and has morphed into what you see below.  It has some serious problems challenges. However, I am really enjoying working on it. Because it is so large, I have difficulty finding a suitable place to work.  My sister Caroline works on much larger canvases (something like 40x60), and I have no idea how she does that!

40x30


This 20x16 canvas seems baby-sized after working on the monster above.  Obviously, it is in the very early stages of development.  I can work on one while the other is drying.

Last week I also posted this--the start of the purple lady.  She has some major problems that are currently being corrected.  

I hated covering up so much of  the paper but finally decided that it had to be done.  

She is nowhere near finished, but I thought her change from last week was significant enough to share with you.

Guess who got some new stencils and started throwing on the paint?  Think it may be time to add some red.  What do you think?

Last thing for show and tell.  Besides the stencils, I also got a book on hand lettering this week.  I love that look, but it sure takes a lot of practice. I have far to go.

I welcome any suggestions or comments you would like to offer.  My art group MMIA hasn't had a critique session lately, and I can use all the help I can get.

Summer is here.  Enjoy.

Sneaky Tuesday

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Tuesday is the day I post this blog, and it always seems to sneak up on me.  Not to be defeated, I have some new pictures to share.  Your input is always welcomed and don't hesitate to let me know if you see something that bugs you!  Since I started painting, my skin has gotten very thick!

You might remember this girl from last week.  I think (hope) she is just about finished.  I worked today to do some different things to her but decided that I didn't like them.  However, I forgot to work on a few places that need some correction.

20x16 Mixed Media

Look at who else is starting to come to life in my workroom! No decision yet on how much paper will show through her.  It will probably be decided in part by how much I need to cover to keep her head from being lop-sided!  Notice that she is already wearing part of her necklace; I have no idea why that happened.

16x20 Mixed Media

This last piece is entirely different from the previous two;  it will be entirely abstract.  It is something I am working on in my class.  Actually, I should say I am floundering around on!  I have no idea at this point what is up and what is down but that should become clearer as I work.

40x30 as presently viewed

It was a beautiful day in Cleveland and I hope it was for you also.