Newest Painting–New Day

Final. New Day, 12 x 12 inches, Mixed-media on Wood.
Copyright Mary Gravelle.

I just finished this painting. I will need to sit with this one for awhile. I feel really ambivalent about it.

Photographing the nuances of the layers and textures proves futile. I'm not sure if you can see the underneath layers well enough in the photograph.

I experimented with texture both underneath the gesso layer and on layers over the initial underpainting.

It might have looked better before I added the final two layers, see number 3 below. And, it might have looked better than that before I added the two previous layers, see number 2 below.

I kept pushing it; I might have pushed it too far. I think I may have disrespected the integrity of this painting, effectively covering up its true essence.

What do you think?

3. Adding texture and paint, perhaps going too far
with experimentation.
New Day, 12 x 12 inches, Mixed-media on Wood.
Copyright Mary Gravelle.

2. Defining areas with brushwork.
New Day, 12 x 12 inches, Mixed-media on Wood.
Copyright Mary Gravelle.

1. Underpainting, then sanded off some of the areas.
New Day, 12 x 12 inches, Mixed-media on Wood.
Copyright Mary Gravelle.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
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Mary Gravelle (Brianna Rush)

About the author: Brianna Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty.

Works in Process

2 Works-in-Process

These two paintings are still in process. It seems like it is taking me forever to finish either one.

The one in the back (upper portion of the photograph) is a 36 x 36 inch painting, working with acrylic paints on canvas. I would like to use it as a book cover for my upcoming book.

The one in the foreground is an experimental landscape 12 x 12 inch painting. It is acrylic on wood. I built up texture with spackle and gel medium. As I painted it, a southwestern landscape evolved. I added a thick layer of gel gloss medium mixed with paint on top of it. I didn't really like that experimental layer as it covered over the paint strokes I had so deliciously spent time on. I have added gold metallic and violet interference paint which I will sand off in my next session.

I'll keep you posted either in process or when I complete them.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle
(Brianna Rush)

Sir Kitty

About the author: Brianna Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty.

Painting Helps One to See

Painting by Cody DeLong.
Read the article I refer to online.
Download this issue.

"Learning to paint is largely about learning to 'see' with greater sensitivity and expressing those ideas in a skillful painterly way". I love this quote by artist, Cody DeLong from Jerome, Arizona that I found in an article this morning. The paragraph that contained that quote also quoted DeLong as saying:

"To paint well requires more than just good technique, and it's more than just a raw emotional response to nature's beauty. It's also about knowledge, experience and a concerted sustained effort toward personal growth and insight. Learning to paint is largely about learning to 'see' with greater sensitivity and expressing those ideas in a skillful painterly way". –Cody DeLong

Drawing

This is one reason why so many painters and artists believe that learning how to draw well is a required technique allowing one the ability to paint better pictures. Learning how to draw something requires one to actually see the thing that they are observing and drawing in order to render it as a recognizable something to the viewer.

In-Sight

Work in Process. Painting, for me, is
all about recognizing my relationship
with each particular painting. This painting
is no different. I struggle to 'see', to
'listen' to what the painting wants from me,
and pray that I can deliver on its message.

I personally love the middle statement within that quote: "It's also about knowledge, experience, and a concerted sustained effort toward personal growth and insight". As artists it is up to us to grow our person as much as we grow our skill set. As we grow as a person, our vision expands, our art deepens. With a deeper well within, we can create a deeper-welled experience for our viewer.

Drawing, then takes on a different and whole new meaning. Drawing from the inner well of knowledge, experience, and insight. Seeing inwardly, or in-sight, helps the artist to understand and see something beneath the surface of their subject. It allows the painter to dive deeper into the work to deliver a painting that has depth and soul. The inward journey of the artist is paramount to becoming a great artist.

Source Material:

The article I read this morning about local artist, Cody DeLong, from Jerome, Arizona can be found online here: Kudos Art & Gallery Guide, April 1, 2015.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle
(Brianna Rush)

Sir Kitty

About the author: Brianna Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty.