A Sentimental Valentine

A Sentimental Valentine
Encaustic /Collage
16" x 20"
320.00
This piece is layered with antique photographs, love letter, peacock quill, pearls, pocket watch and silver boxes. The Valentine says; When you find this heart from me I hope you'll very happy be, and if you are twill mean that you will be my Valentine so true From Isabelle with a pink kiss.

Raven Sisters Aurora Raven and Sunrise Raven

Aurora Raven

Oil

8" x 10"

Judy Vars

sold

Sunrise Raven

Oil

8" X 10"

Judy Vars

sold

The Raven Sisters are Getting Closer to Completion

Today I spent the morning painting the ravens and the branches. The Northern Lights Raven started to resemble stained glass, this gave me the idea to give it even more drama so I applied another layer of glaze in the negative space behind the branches. The glaze was mixed with Pearl Ex pigments to make it literally glow. I mixed Dorlands Wax Medium with black oil paint to do the branches. I wanted to use the wax to give it a more dimensional effect like a stained glass window. Making this painting not strictly an indirect painting. Sorry Connie I'm in love with wax.
The Morning Raven is so beautiful with pinks, lavenders and baby blues. The Ravens cavorting in the sky makes this painting especially appealing. One represents the night with rare Northern lights, the mystery of the unknown the subconscious. The other is a painting of sunrise, a new day, hope and possibilities lay endlessly before one. The theme of duality in my artwork reoccures quite frequently. I find very satisfying the Yin and Yang philosophy; that in opposites lay the paradox that we are related to each other, in creation we need both sides. The Ravens are mythological birds which carry messages to the spirit world. Nothing is ever black and white. Yes these are this things I contemplate while creating my art. Or are they just a couple of pretty paintings? "Art is in the eye of the beholder."

The translucent Mars black pigment, I painted the Ravens with will take a few days to dry completely. Then I will add some finishing touches and deliver them to their owners one will go to Florida and one will stay in Alaska. Just think of the opposites in those two extremes, but still part of the same system forever related and intertwined.

The purples are not showing up in the photograph. Stay tuned for the finished pieces.

Here in the dark days of winter are a few words that might just keep your sunny side up:

"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behaviours. Keep your behaviours positive, because your behaviours become your habits. Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny." (Mahatma Gandhi)>Another later is glazed onto the canvas, it is important to add oil into the turpentine as you go otherwise the turpentine will remove paint. Tomorrow I will add some of the higher values to the clouds and aurora then paint the foreground. I'm thinking a few coats of varnish will add even more depth. It should be ready in a few more days. You can't rush an indirect painting.

My Encaustic Wax Artwork is Currently Showing @ Bagels Alaska

6177 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
Across from the Mattress Ranch and next to the bus barn on the Palmer Wasilla Highway.
Stop in for some authentic New York style bagels and see my artwork..

Another Day Another Layer

Another glaze of dioxazine purple and left to dry overnight, the paint is thin now but subesequent layers will build up pigment in a methodical controled way. Tomorrow I am really going to get into these paintings.

Next Step for the Raven Sisters and Charmaine

The under painting is glaze of ultramarine blue thinned with turpentine. The values are decided one Raven is lighter perhaps a pink and lavender sunrise and the other is darker more introspective with the magical Northern Lights in the sky. I like the beginnings they both have good bones.

So I go on Facebook and look at my daughter Charmaines photo, It's gorgeous people are always getting us confused. I say "love your photo but it's waaay tooo provocative and she says : "Mom don't be a hater" OK now thats funny I don't care who you are. Is that a way to say don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

The truth is I couldn't be prouder of my girl she is an inspiration, a few years ago as a young woman she had a cancer scare. She went through a hard time but never, never lost her optimism she remained strong for everyone else. Now shes back better than ever, I still see her as my little girl shouting at the top of her lungs "LIFE, I LOVE IT!"

Raven Sisters

Here is the vary beginning of two Raven paintings: Raven Sisters

This will be painted with an indirect method where layers of sheer color is glazed onto the canvas creating an even suface which is very rich and reflects light.

One Raven will be lighter with brighter colors and one will be darker colors and more muted tones.

One will live in Alaska and one will fly South to Florida.

Off and Running Monday 2010

Wednesday's at the Red Beet I signed up for a month of nude figure drawing. Last week was great we drew for about 2 hours, the model posed for several 2 minute, ten minutes, and 30 minute sessions. This was my last picture on my first night, the eyes are too close, the hand too tiny but I expect steady improvement over the month. I will post the progress.

Today I got a good check from Firefly gallery, a client commissioned me for two raven paintings, I went to Kelli Mahoney's house a patron of the arts who has an impressive collection of art with hundreds of raven artworks ( she collects my ravens also), Alaska Bagel asked me to display my art for three months and I'm in good health.

Praise the Lord