tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21368008844132301442024-03-12T17:44:43.783-07:00ZephiArtArt is not a destination, but since you're here...torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-76680200644983503742010-12-21T06:03:00.000-08:002010-12-21T06:03:58.663-08:00Mystery Guest X and a new Clue about the importance of the lotus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TRCvU9F0eGI/AAAAAAAAAfU/0AZm8Bc66HE/s1600/red_lotus2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="581" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TRCvU9F0eGI/AAAAAAAAAfU/0AZm8Bc66HE/s640/red_lotus2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This week is a twofor because I kinda forgot to post last week.<br />
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It seems that science is delivering us new ways to understand why the lotus is such an ancient symbol. It seems only right now that the ancient Egyptians connected them with immortality because genetic research is showing that is is closely related to the very first flowers.<br />
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Biologist Doug Soltis, co-lead researcher at the University of Florida in Gainesville says, "water lilies and avocado flowers are essentially 'genetic fossils' still carrying genetic instructions that would have allowed the transformation of gymnosperm cones into flowers." <a href="http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/12/14/what.pine.cones.reveal.about.evolution.flowers"><i>(More in esciencenews.)</i></a><br />
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Another interesting factoid about the water lily: last I heard it's closest living relative is actually the oak, proving that the quirks of genetics will not easily be untangled by deduction alone. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TRCwGDKydKI/AAAAAAAAAfY/dYqFBp9fSXQ/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TRCwGDKydKI/AAAAAAAAAfY/dYqFBp9fSXQ/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="550" /></a>Now to Mystery Guest X. He is a painting that I have been working on. Don't be fooled by the photo - he's actually about life sized. I don't think he'll show well on the net, so I won't post a full picture, but you'l never guess his identity. [mwahaha] You'll just have to wait until I can display him in a gallery ;) (I also plan to add color to this so it's not exactly finished.) I will give you a hint. He is someone very famous throughout the world and still alive today, but the picture is also based on the koan 'Does a dog have Buddha nature?'torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-21535476984616554872010-12-08T07:43:00.000-08:002010-12-08T07:43:07.926-08:00Sunset Clouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TP-meD4KAMI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/oSgajjoSeAg/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TP-meD4KAMI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/oSgajjoSeAg/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Gosh, it's getting to be a theme, isn't it? Probably my unconscious answer to the cold weather. Look for palm trees next :)<br />
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For this painting I did the cloud's outlines in milk white then used washes of color over the top. Lessons learned: the milk white needs more experimentation, and I need to get much more experience using an XXL wash brush. And a better wash brush.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-48656630509574874282010-12-01T06:04:00.000-08:002010-12-01T06:04:55.357-08:00Dandelion Sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TPZUg7DWRDI/AAAAAAAAAfM/BL9CUFyCKWU/s1600/sunset_dandelion2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TPZUg7DWRDI/AAAAAAAAAfM/BL9CUFyCKWU/s640/sunset_dandelion2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Nothing wrong with traditional, but we all like a bit of modern now and then, don't we? As I continue my experimentations with Asian-style painting materials, I am looking for ways to use the materials in a fresh, modern, and personal style.<br />
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This is one of this experiments. Washes of ink and color over my patent pending super secret invisible ink. I like the effect, I hope I can do more with it in the future.<br />
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I gotta be me, whatever that means.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-80769184218017039462010-11-23T10:47:00.000-08:002010-11-23T10:47:07.317-08:00Sparklers? In this season?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TOwLKsA2X-I/AAAAAAAAAes/UWDc4btE6f8/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TOwLKsA2X-I/AAAAAAAAAes/UWDc4btE6f8/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="549" /></a></div>Don't mind if I do. I'll give you three guesses as to how I did this.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-69764923603978256822010-11-16T08:35:00.000-08:002010-11-16T08:35:10.470-08:00Red Lotus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TOKxzgYXSkI/AAAAAAAAAek/2zxdbLRfHts/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TOKxzgYXSkI/AAAAAAAAAek/2zxdbLRfHts/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is one of my favorite turnouts from the series of milk experiments I have been doing with my paintings. The centers of the flowers were done first with milk then painted over with red after they dried. I think they turned out some kind of wonderful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TOKx0qXpulI/AAAAAAAAAeo/FmQur3ZEThs/s1600/blg_tmp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="561" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TOKx0qXpulI/AAAAAAAAAeo/FmQur3ZEThs/s640/blg_tmp3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-21848127102957927902010-11-09T06:50:00.000-08:002010-11-09T06:50:38.709-08:00The mums are done for<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TNle7k42eFI/AAAAAAAAAeg/eBDd4oeCdLI/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TNle7k42eFI/AAAAAAAAAeg/eBDd4oeCdLI/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I managed to finish painting this before all the season's mums died off. How strange! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, The effect of the milk on the painting it pretty subtle, but at least there's proof of concept for ya. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See you next week!</div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-7663947709951799332010-11-03T07:10:00.000-07:002010-11-03T07:10:37.635-07:00Burnt out enso<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TNFsaUkS4HI/AAAAAAAAAec/2cpEc7bwEdc/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TNFsaUkS4HI/AAAAAAAAAec/2cpEc7bwEdc/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One thing I think milk is going to be very cool for is calligraphy as with this enso, a zen symbol that sort of encapsulates the idea, 'form is emptiness; emptiness is form.'torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-30476212950885572012010-10-27T10:15:00.000-07:002010-10-27T10:15:34.409-07:00No crying over spilled milk!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TMcgBubbciI/AAAAAAAAAeM/CgPlB7gM_yI/s1600/blg_tmp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TMcgBubbciI/AAAAAAAAAeM/CgPlB7gM_yI/s640/blg_tmp3.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Now you never have to cry over spilled milk again - just turn it into art! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TMcgGuxvdAI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/n_W1QKI6o0s/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TMcgGuxvdAI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/n_W1QKI6o0s/s320/blg_tmp.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have begun experimenting with milk. It works a little bit like invisible ink. Paint it onto paper and when you paint over it - voila! All sorts of interesting shapes start to show up. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've already totally ruined about half of my test subjects. It's clearly going to take a bit of work to figure out how to use effectively (look forward to some more interesting experiments in the coming weeks,) but it certainly seems like it could have an interesting batik effect if used properly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The piece above only has a background wash at present, but you can start to see some interesting things happening back there. On the right there are some more random practice brush strokes. High contrast definitely looks good with this stuff.</div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-51822748456430770062010-10-20T07:39:00.000-07:002010-10-20T08:02:18.452-07:00Female Whooping Crane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TLiEHRgzORI/AAAAAAAAAeE/uodrwpboFFY/s1600/whooping_crane2_20x30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TLiEHRgzORI/AAAAAAAAAeE/uodrwpboFFY/s640/whooping_crane2_20x30.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Continuing with the cranes, I have been working on this new pose. I think this is a female whooping crane, but I can't really get a look under the hood, so we'll just have to leave it at that. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TLiEKDqdOsI/AAAAAAAAAeI/G6yCMqN8xKE/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TLiEKDqdOsI/AAAAAAAAAeI/G6yCMqN8xKE/s400/blg_tmp.jpg" width="291" /></a>I can't really describe in words the sort of feelings it evokes in me. There is just this sort of calm and rounded sense of presence that words don't really do to describe. You might even say it was like calm abiding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I haven't decided for sure if I will add some red to the composition. There's a computer generated preview of what it will approximately look like. I'd love to here your thoughts on the matter. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am also trying to work larger. This one will be nearly 3 ft tall when complete.</div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-58854758118795178092010-10-14T07:36:00.000-07:002010-10-14T07:36:03.508-07:00Rocky Mountains foothills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TLcU4z9piII/AAAAAAAAAeA/mGnpOBJRr5A/s1600/from_the_rockes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TLcU4z9piII/AAAAAAAAAeA/mGnpOBJRr5A/s640/from_the_rockes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>If I recall correctly, this was done looking at a picture of the Rockies somewhere in Colorado.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-84396464886802554862010-10-06T07:43:00.000-07:002010-10-06T07:43:53.598-07:00Whooping Crane 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TKyJeRlcVqI/AAAAAAAAAd8/JAg0OI7PwXs/s1600/whooping_crane1_13x17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TKyJeRlcVqI/AAAAAAAAAd8/JAg0OI7PwXs/s640/whooping_crane1_13x17.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>I just finished this sumi painting last week, and it is one of my final selections to enter in a sumi paintig contest which will start Nov. 15th.<br />
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I started out wanting to paint a more lackadaisical crane but soon realized it didn't suit my current mood at all, so I went back to basics. I looked at pictures and remembered what I knew about cranes. And I thought of a National Geographic episode that showed whooping cranes and remembered how heart-breakingly beautiful they are, and this is what evolved.<br />
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This is in essence my archetypal crane, the one that sort of lives in my head. If I imagine cranes, this or it's mirror image is pretty much exactly what's in my mind. So this crane is also me. I feel it's very me-ish, anyway ;)torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-84570749421972264722010-10-01T10:17:00.000-07:002010-10-01T10:17:20.999-07:00And the winner is....Our Contest winner is Blythe! Congrats to Blythe and thank you to everyone who participated. You have helped me pick the best dandelion (d), and Blythe, you can contact me about your prize.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-1047734315183773152010-09-21T10:17:00.000-07:002010-09-21T10:17:37.731-07:00Elephant man is finished - and about time, too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TJjoMskhx8I/AAAAAAAAAd0/F08Ban3FxWE/s1600/DSCF1603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TJjoMskhx8I/AAAAAAAAAd0/F08Ban3FxWE/s640/DSCF1603.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>I'm not sure if I want to call him and elephant god or spirit or sprite or what. But whatever he is, he's done!torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-43741265512282604592010-09-16T11:46:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:46:57.946-07:00Do you know this butterfly?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TJJlgrN3QVI/AAAAAAAAAds/_hW2EXgrCUg/s1600/blg_tmp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TJJlgrN3QVI/AAAAAAAAAds/_hW2EXgrCUg/s640/blg_tmp3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I just saw this butterfly outside and I had to take some snaps. It was smaller than a quarter but so beautiful. He is so tiny and adorable I just can't stand it ^^ Gawd - why do they make me turn all girlie?<br />
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Anyway, if you know what kind of butterfly this is, please let me know!torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-80345024618434891782010-09-13T09:46:00.000-07:002010-09-13T09:46:43.738-07:00Dandelion Contest Entry<div><embed allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="gW=267855&bC=2d2d2d&aC=d20039&v=1.2" height="425" name="gw267855" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="best" src="http://goodwidgets.com/widgets/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
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Please help me pick the best dandelion to enter in a <a href="http://www.orientalartsupply.com/community/newsletter.cfm">painting contest </a>. Leave a comment with your choice for best dandelion, and at the end of the month, I will randomly draw one name to win a prize (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/34319178/art-in-your-pocket-tissue-cover">see here</a> and in the picture below.) You will have a choice of three designs for your prize. You should definitely leave a way for me to contact you if you want to win.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TI5VD-OulII/AAAAAAAAAdk/V1d7RvXRCWU/s1600/pocket_kittenA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TI5VD-OulII/AAAAAAAAAdk/V1d7RvXRCWU/s200/pocket_kittenA.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Thanks for your help!</div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-1375063529381149812010-08-31T10:07:00.000-07:002010-08-31T10:16:26.650-07:00Bad Santa come early (or so late he's early)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TH00245L1cI/AAAAAAAAAdM/Qx_xXtT19p8/s1600/bad_santa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TH00245L1cI/AAAAAAAAAdM/Qx_xXtT19p8/s640/bad_santa2.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>I actually painted this last year and meant to have it mounted and ready to post before Christmas. Sadly, right about that time my grandmother had a whole big medical to-do, and I got pretty side tracked.<br />
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Still, better late than never. And really, if you want to post anything remotely Santa-related, I suppose you have to do it in summer these days ^^<br />
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At any rate, I love, love, love this guy :D I'm not sure exactly where he falls in Buddhist traditions, but I'm assuming you don't want to mess with him too seriously.<br />
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See more at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55173770/bad-santa">http://www.etsy.com/listing/55173770/bad-santa </a>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-84169491690807573842010-08-25T07:22:00.000-07:002010-08-25T07:22:52.209-07:00The politics of painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/THUhIaRVkpI/AAAAAAAAAdE/4i5kg-XnliY/s1600/fruit-of-nature1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/THUhIaRVkpI/AAAAAAAAAdE/4i5kg-XnliY/s640/fruit-of-nature1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This piece is a little bit different, and I like that. It marks a change in direction for me because I have spent such a long time studying how to use the Chinese brush and various Chinese and Japanese painting techniques. Here, after all that work, I am able to depart from traditional subjects and lessons and begin to develop my own style with these exotic materials.<br />
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I think the Western art community has ignored the potential of this medium. Oil paints and canvases stretched on wood are still king in Western painting. There is an attitude that a painting is not real art if it's not oil and canvas, and I think that's a shame because there's a lot to be learned from Asian art practices that are every bit as impressive and important to art.<br />
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For me, a big one is learning to be in balance with the materials themselves in order to create more direct expression. Every brush stroke carries more meaning.<br />
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In current Western art practices, so much attention is focused on the new, on proving that one is a unique individual. But new for the sake of new is empty. Trying to make things look edgy and avant-garde in ways that are irreducable to some underlying concept, philosophy, feeling, or worthwhile intention, is empty.<br />
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I would rather try to be one with my art, and someday maybe I will achieve that.<br />
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To see full views of this painting and learn more about it follow the link to etsy: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54683272/fruits-of-nature">http://www.etsy.com/listing/54683272/fruits-of-nature</a>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-60097022940238488352010-08-17T09:37:00.000-07:002010-08-17T09:37:59.021-07:00Musings (can there be too many?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TGq6A5Cs-oI/AAAAAAAAAc8/2-gvkAoZ3x0/s1600/musings1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TGq6A5Cs-oI/AAAAAAAAAc8/2-gvkAoZ3x0/s640/musings1-2.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to my world - a place of magic, wonder, and... magic ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been experimenting recently with mounting my rice paper paintings to colored paper, and I'm really pleased with the results so far. You can just see a bit of the blue paper that this piece is mounted to peeking through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See more of this piece on Etsy: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54052495/musings-1">http://www.etsy.com/listing/54052495/musings-1</a> </div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-23971106923515180782010-08-14T14:54:00.000-07:002010-08-14T14:54:56.643-07:00The moon-winged butterfly has landed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TGcPSdvVlDI/AAAAAAAAAc0/cQpiFq_6IyM/s1600/moon-wing2-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TGcPSdvVlDI/AAAAAAAAAc0/cQpiFq_6IyM/s640/moon-wing2-b.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I almost thought it wouldn't happen, but I have finished this painting, mounted it, and listed it. This painting has been a nice experience. I got to do a goof bit of experimenting with layering color, painting clouds, and doing that most difficult of artistic feats: painting a nightscape.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the experiments in this piece was mounting the translucent rice paper painting to a colored paper. Usually it's all just white paper I use for mounting, but this time I used a blue-brown paper. It really enhances the night atmosphere and I'm really pleased it didn't ruin the whole thing, which was a risk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to see the entire painting, it is right here for sale on Etsy: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53846993/moon-winged-butterfly-original-painting">http://www.etsy.com/listing/53846993/moon-winged-butterfly-original-painting</a></div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-73284855329291001422010-08-11T10:16:00.000-07:002010-08-11T10:16:54.335-07:00The dancing elephant takes shape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TGLZ0rSfX3I/AAAAAAAAAcs/pGN7SBIVa5k/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TGLZ0rSfX3I/AAAAAAAAAcs/pGN7SBIVa5k/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="324" /></a></div>I am having some fun with this painting, being messy and whatnot. Is it too messy? I guess only time will tell. When I add the fine linework, that will probably change the appearance significantly. I hope it forms a pleasing contrast.<br />
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I accidentally pokes a hole in the paper, but hopefully I can fix it during mounting.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-69116367385911749942010-08-03T11:35:00.000-07:002010-08-03T11:35:07.165-07:00Dancing Elephant? Why not!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TFhfrqsu9zI/AAAAAAAAAck/VFk8JXLyeqo/s1600/dancing_elephant-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TFhfrqsu9zI/AAAAAAAAAck/VFk8JXLyeqo/s640/dancing_elephant-b.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TFhfg9Gug9I/AAAAAAAAAcc/vXwZvTa47_U/s1600/dancing_elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TFhfg9Gug9I/AAAAAAAAAcc/vXwZvTa47_U/s320/dancing_elephant.jpg" width="192" /></a><br />
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Ok, here's one of my current projects in progress. I am working on a dancing elephant figure in what I hope is going to end up a fresh and modern style. YOu can see above what I have completed and on the right I have used the Gimp to plan out how I want to continue.<br />
So far so good. I could still screw it up, but I have a good feeling about this one so far, from the sense of movement, to the texture of the loose brushwork.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-54176987674487115102010-07-27T10:41:00.000-07:002010-07-29T06:29:25.228-07:00Now with genuine color!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TE8XqkJ3Y2I/AAAAAAAAAcE/R-RKBEJfrj0/s1600/blg_tmp4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TE8XqkJ3Y2I/AAAAAAAAAcE/R-RKBEJfrj0/s640/blg_tmp4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Ok, so now I have actually put real color on this thing. I think it has come out pretty well, but I still have the issue of space. Space needs to be carefully regulated. Especially when you're like me and use a lot of negative space in compositions.<br />
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This time I have decided to use a bit of an unorthodox approach. I think, after playing around with it on the computer a bit, that I am going to make this a square painting. Usually, paintings have a rectangular shape. This lends a picture an automatic sense of direction. A picture that is symmetrical along both axes is unusual because it is harder for the viewer to orient him/herself.<br />
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This, however, seems to be one of those rare cases where an obvious directional cue is a perfect fit. Everything will be floating in this piece if it is square, but it should be appropriate rather than disorienting. Still, I wouldn't mind hearing a few opinions, so please take a gander at the proposed shape (above) and let me know what you think. Other possible shapes are below. Which works best?<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TE8Z6CWiWzI/AAAAAAAAAcU/tt_fxLMhNEY/s1600/blg_tmp-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TE8Z6CWiWzI/AAAAAAAAAcU/tt_fxLMhNEY/s320/blg_tmp-b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very wide</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TE8ZYl8qVII/AAAAAAAAAcM/CXee0KyOeIM/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TE8ZYl8qVII/AAAAAAAAAcM/CXee0KyOeIM/s320/blg_tmp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-15313475388381208302010-07-20T11:06:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:06:26.694-07:00Just one of my colorful little musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TEXkzRuO16I/AAAAAAAAAb0/GE6oT7PqRAo/s1600/blg_tmp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TEXkzRuO16I/AAAAAAAAAb0/GE6oT7PqRAo/s640/blg_tmp3.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just keeping it light this week I haven't mounted this yet, so it still looks wrinkly. But I'm a wrinkly sort of person, I guess ^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TEXk5NG7QdI/AAAAAAAAAb8/b-oI-LIgdRA/s1600/blg_tmp4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TEXk5NG7QdI/AAAAAAAAAb8/b-oI-LIgdRA/s320/blg_tmp4.jpg" /></a></div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-62654468117554661582010-07-13T09:28:00.000-07:002010-07-13T09:28:42.386-07:00Working the pen angle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TDySCHRngeI/AAAAAAAAAbc/AZsSqK1TFvk/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TDySCHRngeI/AAAAAAAAAbc/AZsSqK1TFvk/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I am still finding a little time to work on painting in between sessions of tearing out drywall at my brother's new old house. I am trying to go in new directions now that I feel I have some sort of grasp of the basics.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Currently, I am working on this piece, a moon-winged butterfly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the interesting aspects of this is getting to use my new mouse pen & and drawing tablet on the computer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a bad record of taking things from black and white to color, and I think this new tool is going to really get me over that. Using the pen, I can now add color to my work without ruining it in the process. I can preview color combinations much more easily and reliably than in my head.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's an example with this painting. The lower left leaves were done with a mouse and the butterlfy with the pen. You can see to difference in the accuracy and smoothness of the line. And it was faster, too!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel much more confident about painting color on top of my ink work now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am also using the pen to brainstorm adding some more leafy elements to the foreground. What do you think - is it better to leave the landscape very ope, or frame it with more plants? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TDyTvEzknHI/AAAAAAAAAbk/eZgBhzQU6FY/s1600/blg_tmp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TDyTvEzknHI/AAAAAAAAAbk/eZgBhzQU6FY/s640/blg_tmp3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TDyTyJtPLWI/AAAAAAAAAbs/ZTw5Y03-Ioc/s1600/blg_tmp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TDyTyJtPLWI/AAAAAAAAAbs/ZTw5Y03-Ioc/s640/blg_tmp2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136800884413230144.post-91308772882856093992010-07-01T06:54:00.000-07:002010-07-01T06:54:56.856-07:00Shocking update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TCyd9kd2LsI/AAAAAAAAAbU/4wvAvCeDTJM/s1600/blg_tmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nfca7mm4Gdk/TCyd9kd2LsI/AAAAAAAAAbU/4wvAvCeDTJM/s640/blg_tmp.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Altho in reality the only thing shocking about this is that I'm doing two posts in one week. Must be a sign of the apocalypse. So, does the girl look girly enough now?torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14297063570248758186noreply@blogger.com0