Creating Layers in a Painting

I find adding texture and layers within my painting creates a visual history of what came before. I love to lay down colors, let them dry and then scrape another color over that. I also use gampi paper, or silk tissue, to create a layer of text and then draw on top of that. I then build up a thick layer of gel medium, let dry for a couple of weeks and finish off with a satin varnish. This gives the look of wax or encaustic.

Rust to Ridges

Here is my finished painting that was inspired by my photograph of an old rusted car door. I have used transparencies, transfers, and many layers of paint.

submissions

For the inspirational challenge, send me images of both the photo and the finished artwork.

Here is a painting by one of my students, Cate Goedert. She is a photographer turned mixed media artist. You can see more of her work at

http://categoedert.com

or visit her blog at http://www.categoedert.com/blog/index.html

This work is called Passage and she has utilized her photography along with transfer techniques. Please see my website for workshop dates.

Inspiration and Creation

February is zipping past me. I do believe that the time space continuum has folded in upon itself, and I am seeing time condensed. The sun is lingering a bit longer, and I feel the seeds of creation stirring beneath the snow. This is the time of year to look to unusual places for inspiration. "First thought" is a game I like to play. I look upon a blank page or canvas, and what is my first thought. Is it a color, a shape, a number, an idea or a symbol? I find the patterns in the thawing soil intriguing. You may see cloud patterns or shadows on rocks. Take a photo of your inspiration. Play with it in a computer program or collage it into your work. Begin a free association with the photo, see where it leads you. Do the same thing with a color. Think of a color, and use the first color that comes to mind. You can of course mix it with other colors. See where your first thought leads you, and be not afraid.

Send me your creations and I will post them here.

Here is one of my inspirational photos.