Two In-Process Fluid Paintings

Trauma, Mixed-media on Wood.
16 x 20 x 1.5 inches.
Not sure if this is complete.
Copyright Mary Gravelle.

I'm still experimenting with watered down acrylic paints in what I think is my own version of fluid painting technique. From the Youtube videos I've watched so far, they aren't watering down their paints as much as what I am doing.

I don't know where this technique is taking me, but it's kind of fun. It has surprising results that sometimes I love and sometimes not so much. Here are the two I'm working on right now.

The painting above began as a cast aside piece. I had made a nature art piece that had fallen apart in transporting to and from my various storage units.

I find that usually when I paint over a piece, it gives me challenges. This piece is no different. We have had a tug of war between me wanting to listen to it and me wanting to exert my will over it. Can you relate?

In process painting, 24 x 36 inches.
Acrylic on canvas.
Copyright Mary Gravelle.

The second piece is painted on a blank canvas floor cloth. I had six of them in storage. Always looking for a surface to paint on, I grabbed one of these handy in a box in storage. This one is looking a little different than my previous pieces.

Have you experimented with watered down acrylic paints? Do you still use the technique?

Do you like the look of the process?

Techniques for Painting with Watered Down Acrylic Paints

Work in process, Feb. 10, 2016.
Fluid Painting using Pooling Technique.
Acrylic on Wood, 16 x 48 inches.
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

I have had a fascination for using watered down acrylic paints for a couple of years now. With my newly created non-negotiable studio hours, I can experiment more with this technique.

I find that over the years of creating art, the media of choice, or the way I use a certain media, changes. I think it has to do with how I have evolved as a person and what areas of growth are being offered to me at any given time. Right now, it's all about flow. So, it makes perfect sense that I use a medium that allows me to investigate flow.

Does this makes sense to you as an artist? What is your current media of choice? Does it coincide with an aspect of your life? Or perhaps, for you, it's about the evolution of your art. Please share.

What about as a collector? Do you find yourself drawn to different media at different times in your collecting life? Why do you think that is?

Below are the various ways I have used watered down acrylics to date. Perhaps you would like to give one or more of these techniques a try for yourself. I'd love to hear how they work out for you.

Brushing. 

Fluid Painting using Brushing Technique.
Transmutation, Acrylic on Paper, 36 x 52 inches.
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

Dip a large brush into the watered down acrylic and have fun with expressive brush strokes.

Masking. 

I lay down masking tape or different shapes such as bottle lids or paper or whatever is at hand. I paint around the object with a brush and let it dry, either removing the object beforehand or after it dries.

Fluid Painting using Masking Technique.
Glorious. Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 20 inches.
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

Pooling. 

I pour pools of watered down acrylic paints in strategic areas on the painting surface. I let this dry overnight. I repeat this process for as many days as the painting needs.

Fluid Painting using Pooling Technique.
Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 48 inches.
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

Pouring. 

Work in Process. Fluid Painting using Pouring Technique.
Acrylic on Canvas, 22 x 28 inches.
Copyright 2016
Mary Gravelle.

I pour the watered down acrylic paints in strategic areas on the painting surface, same as above. But, then I turn the substrate allowing the paint to run, drip, and collide with other colors. I then let this dry overnight. I repeat this process daily until the painting feels complete.

Combinations. 

I use any of the above methods in combination as the painting, or I as the experimenter, deems fit.

Finishing. 

Most times after I have experimented and had fun with the process of allowing the liquid to flow, creating random surprises along the way, I will then set the painting upright and take a brush to the painting. The painting usually suggests certain shapes that get coaxed out with the brush and paint.

Summary

So, that's my basic process of using watered down acrylics. I'm still experimenting with techniques. There are many YouTube videos demonstrating different ways to use acrylics in this way. Fluid painting is what to search for. Although, there is nothing like just experimenting with the medium as you see fit. That's what I have done. The YouTube videos I have watched use the paint in different ways than I do. So, it's up to you to create your own technique.

Are you doing your own form of fluid painting with watered down acrylic paints? Are you loving it or hating, or somewhere in-between?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Mary Rae Rush)

About the author: Mary Rae Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty. Her art can be seen on her website.

Sir Kitty

Go to my Patreon page and get started being a fine Patron of my art. Your donations help me keep painting, experimenting, and living the dream. 

Thank You!

It's Easy to Become a Patron of My Art

Waters of Birth, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches,
copyright 2016 Mary Rae Rush

It's easy to be a patron of my art. You sponsor my work with a monthly amount that you set and receive rewards. You can begin with as little as $1. That's right, $1 gets you the title, Art Patron. Of course, I will accept larger amounts too. :-) Begin Now.

Now that I have set non-negotiable studio hours, I need to allow myself to be supported to create art.

About Me

I love painting.  I have a driving force within me that strongly urges me to paint, it won't let go of me... lol. I have to paint! This is why I have recently committed to non-negotiable studio time in which to paint.


While I'm busy painting, I also need to be busy bringing home the bacon, well, maybe bringing home the lettuce as I have gone vegetarian. That's where you come in. I could really use your support in helping me live the artist's dream of creating everyday. Although, this is something I am doing now and have to do anyway, it sure would be easier if I could pay the bills, fill up my gas tank, and eat while I'm creating, not to mention have money to simply enjoy myself doing whatever I want to do just for fun with friends, family, and other members of my community. And, I seriously need to move into a larger living space with a studio. Right now I'm living in a one room studio apartment, which is stretching at its seams as I create more paintings.

My Current Creative Urge

The urge inside is to create large abstract paintings. I can paint 3-4 of these each month, as each one takes 1-2 weeks to create.


I also paint landscapes from my own photographs and en plein air. My media of choice is acrylic. I create digital works as well, which I enjoy.

What I Want and My Offer

Sooooo.... what I'm thinking... wouldn't it be lovely if I could find folks–patrons and collectors–who would just Love to help me keep on creating and living the artist's dream? A monthly recurring money stream is what I'm talking about here.


What I will offer is a combination of in-process photos of my painting process, videos of my process, the photos of completed paintings, and I will paint original paintings for you at a discount for pre-buying. All of this will be offered at different Reward levels. Of course, you can donate anything you like, you don't have to follow my reward system if that doesn't work for you.

Go to my Patreon page and get started being a fine Patron of my art.

How Patreon Helps You to Help Me

Patreon is like an ongoing Kickstarter. Instead of supporting one product, you sponsor me, and my work, with a monthly amount that you set yourself, or take advantage of my Rewards I have created with you in mind.


The rewards start as low as 1$ per month - and the rewards are ongoing, too! You get to see artwork sooner than anyone else, in-process photos and videos before I share them anywhere else, greeting cards, discounts on originals, prints, and commissions. I will create a video of any painting you commission or pay for as a Reward that will be for your eyes only. No one else will see this video of my process unless you show it to them. Go to my Patreon Page to see the rewards to and pick yours!


You can cancel, downgrade, or upgrade your support at any time. All charges to your account are made on the 1st of each month. If you're still unsure how the financial aspect works, here's the link to
Patreon's FAQ.

Go to my Patreon page and get started being a fine Patron of my art.

In-process photo of my painting, In a Galaxy Far Far Away, 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, copyright 2016 Mary Rae Rush.




In-process photo of my painting, Guarded Secrets, 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, copyright 2016 Mary Rae Rush.

Go to my Patreon page and get started being a fine Patron of my art.

4 Reasons to Become a Patron of My Art

1. Share in my success as an artist

You can totally take part of the credit for my success as an artist by becoming a patron of my art. Art Patron is a title of distinction. This shows that you are someone in the know, someone who appreciates art and culture. This shows that you are a well-rounded individual, one that cares about the finer aspects in life, the subtleties, and the higher pursuits.

2. Feel Good

Feel good that you helped advance me closer to my artistic goals and visions.

3. Be Part of My Inner Art Circle

Join my inner circle to:


       a. Be the first to know what I’m working on.


       b. Access insider information and behind-the-scenes activity.


       c. Get first access to in-process videos.


       d. Have first buyer rights to my new work.

4. The Pleasure Principle

Derive pleasure from pursuing your appreciation of the arts in a deeper and more meaningful way than merely looking at art in a gallery or museum. Your patronage art donation is supplying the art world with my own unique vision and expression through the art that I create. Share in the excitement that you are helping to bring this unique expression out into the world. Take pride in supporting the arts that you appreciate so much.

Go to my Patreon page and get started being a fine Patron of my art.

In-process photo of my painting, In a Galaxy Far Far Away, 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, copyright 2016 Mary Rae Rush.

I also love sharing and writing about my art on my blog.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Mary Rae Rush)

About the author: Mary Rae Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty. Her art can be seen on her website.

Sir Kitty

Go to my Patreon page and get started being a fine Patron of my art.

Non-Negotiable Studio Time

Work in Process, Purple Abstract Painting
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, copyright Mary Gravelle

Non-negotiable Studio Time

I've heard it many times, read about it in art business success books, "you must have non-negotiable studio time."

"Never neglect the studio. Always return to your art. The disciplined practice of making art is mandatory. Everything else is optional."
–Alyson Stanfield, Artist Coach and Author of I'd Rather Be in the Studio

It seems obvious that without studio time there are no paintings, there is no art. But, until this year, I have been floating along without heeding this most important rule for the artist: non-negotiable painting time. It seemed so frivolous, so... not important.

"Dedicate time daily to your art. Maybe your schedule will only allow for two hours daily, but you will produce more by working for those two hours every day than you will by waiting for big blocks of time. Treat your studio time as sacred. Train your family and friends to respect that time. You don’t interrupt them when they are at work; ask them the same courtesy when you are in the studio." – J. Jason Horejs, Gallery Owner and Author of "Starving" to Successful

Then, during the Sedona Paint Out in October, I encountered a plein air painter painting at the art center in the parking lot. I tried to chat with her. She said simply, "painting is my job." I tried to learn more about what she meant by that, such as, "is that how you make a living, by painting?", I asked. I inquired that perhaps she was a writer who painted and then wrote about her experiences. She traveled with a travel trailer, traveling to new destinations to paint. I didn't get any more than that from her. I left. But, the conversation and her words left an indelible impression upon me.

Work in process, Yellow Abstract,
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

There are many more things that have happened over the course of the past few months that have brought me to this time of actualizing non-negotiable studio time. I won't bore you with the details.

It's My Job to Paint

My soul seems to be on fire to paint right now. There is an urgency, an almost screaming at me from within, "paint, get to your painting", that I can no longer ignore. The light in my studio turns gorgeous at about Noon. That's when the inner call begins. Usually, about 1:30 pm, I give in. It's as if I have to. I repeat what the woman said, "It's my job to paint."

And how exciting it has been since the first of the year. I've completed two large-ish abstract paintings and I'm working on the third. It feels great!

Completed painting: Waters of Birth
Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

If you are an artist, do you have non-negotiable studio time? When, how long, how does it feel? Please share. What is your greatest challenge in setting that boundary for you and your art?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Mary Rae Rush)

Sir Kitty

About the author: Mary Rae Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty. Her art can be seen on her website.