Sketching

There has been another natural lull in my creative productivity. I've been quietly trying to coax some ideas out into my little sketchbook. My muse clearly does not want to oblige any sort of blogging schedule!

Thank you for your patience.

Painting: Teacup

Acrylic, 16 x 16 canvas, 2008.

For me, a nice cup of tea brings me many happy thoughts.

Painting: The Little Gatekeeper

Acrylic, 16 x 16 canvas, 2008.

I like to think that this little guy protects my dreams when I'm not asleep to be near them.

Painting: I Will Protect You

Acrylic, 28 x 22 canvas, 2008.

The lighting wasn't great when we photographed this painting. It is also larger than my typical paintings. Like the others, this sat as an unfinished underpainting for months before I started adding the foreground elements, and the girl with the cat sprang out to complete the image. This painting depicts the most closely how I've been feeling lately towards my family. Happy happy!

Painting: Adorable

Mixed Media, 12 x 12 canvas, 2008.

Like many of my paintings, this one sat as an underpainting in my closet for about 6 months before I decided to add the foreground elements. My process is sometimes frustrating because it requires a lot of incubation, then sudden impulsive action. The painting asked for a leaping figure, so I happily obliged. This is one of my favourite paintings at the moment.

Painting: The Blue Roses

Mixed Media, 16 x 16 canvas, 2008.

This painting is the completed work featured in a past entry, Process 1. I added some rice paper near the bottom left, then painted in the roses and an enlarged tree. Then, I let the painting sit atop my piano for several months, deliberating whether or not it was done. A few days ago, I put my signature on it and decided that it was complete. It did not ask for anything more to be added!

Painting: In the Afternoon

Acrylic, 14 x 11 canvas, 2008.

This one had been completed about two months ago, but was sitting in my closet. It was my first time experimenting with separating layers using gloss medium. I think it makes certain elements 'pop out' from the surface.