12 Things You May Not Know About Me |
I had plenty of reasons to start making smaller abstract paintings on paper last August. But mainly, my little studio was overflowing with larger works on canvas waiting for photos, wiring, or varnish. Those non-creative details were getting in the way of my fun time painting! |
One Painting Leads To Another
And just like that, one painting was leading me to the next painting and the next and a whole new series was born. I named this series Wearing Sandals Year Around because that's just what we do here in South Texas. It's November now and I just finished my 32nd painting in the series. There's more coming!
As my work on this series evolved, I began making multiples in the same size and colors with compatible designs so they could be hung next to each other. Triple the fun!
Painting Multiples Is Challenging And Fun
Step 5 - At this point I have my colors and design well established. From here on I will work on each painting individually to give it the finishing details. I am looking for the pattern within the pattern and the color beneath the color. |
A Series Will Make You Stop, Look, and Listen
Besides the obvious benefits of working small on paper (paper's cheaper, can work faster, produce more, and sell at a lower price point), I learned a few things about myself and my art making process that I must do as I continue with this series.
First of all, I must slow myself waaaaaaay down. There's no painting with wild abandon like I usually do when working on paper. Paper can't take it. I must stop and carefully consider each step before I proceed with caution. This use of creative restraint leads me to more deliberate mark-making and a simplified design. I've found that limiting my creative play while working small on paper let's me work faster on more paintings at once, and I'm a lot happier with the results.
First of all, I must slow myself waaaaaaay down. There's no painting with wild abandon like I usually do when working on paper. Paper can't take it. I must stop and carefully consider each step before I proceed with caution. This use of creative restraint leads me to more deliberate mark-making and a simplified design. I've found that limiting my creative play while working small on paper let's me work faster on more paintings at once, and I'm a lot happier with the results.
Come visit & see more of my recent work at www.beckyroeslerart.com. Be sure and sign up for my Insider's List so we can keep in touch. Buy original paintings and prints at my Saatchi shop. Feel free to share this post. Your likes, comments, and shares are always greatly appreciated!
Fun Ways To Give Titles To Art
Now that I've got over 300 abstract paintings under my belt, I've begun to think less about the art making process and more about things like: Will I ever run out of good titles for my abstract work? Yes, that's my biggest fear...resorting to titles like Abstract #963, or even worse, Untitled. Ugh. Not gonna happen. | It is so true that "time flies when you're having fun!" I've been making mixed media abstract art for over three years now. What I thought was going to be a little pause from painting realistically has become more of a change in lifestyle than just a change in art style. I absolutely, positively love the freedom of expression that creating mixed media abstract paintings gives me! I never gave much thought to the titles of my representational paintings. The subject made it pretty easy to come up with a name that made sense. But as my work became more about the shapes, textures, and colors than about a thing, my titles became more abstract as well. |
It occurred to me that I often choose titles that are about what inspired or influenced the painting. So I made a list of ways to title an abstract artwork. Feel free to steal them and make them your own!
- That song that's stuck in your head for days now. Yes, that one - research the title and musicians so you can give them credit.
- The first thing you see when you wake up in the morning. Try and be nice.
- Your favorite music from when you were a teenager. Go ahead. Own up to it.
- What you like to do when you're not making art (and no fair saying "nothing".)
- Pick a random word from the dictionary...any language will do.
- Current events - either local or world wide happenings that affect you.
- And my favorite way to title an abstract artwork is to ask my funny husband (who knows little about any kind of art) what he thinks. He named "Man, Woman and Child" (top painting) for what he saw in it.
Got anything you can add to my list? I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or send me an email from my contact tab so I can beef this list up some more. I have a feeling I may need it someday.
See more of my art at www.beckyroeslerart.com. Buy larger original paintings and prints at my Saatchi Art shop, and smaller original paintings at my website shop.
I've always been an artist, but I haven't always lived an artist's life. I finally made the switch to full-time artist and living a life of All Art All The Time in 2000.
Suddenly, it was 2013 and after years of painting realistic subjects in pastel and oil for shows, galleries, competitions, and commisions, I decided to change things up on my 60th birthday. I spent the entire day painting just for me with complete abandonment and joy using whatever materials and colors appealed to me at the moment. That meant no plan and no subject matter...a totally foreign concept to me! The result was "Turning 60", a 24 x 30 in. pastel and collage painting on paper that simply expressed my love of the materials and the process of making art (and maybe a little of how I felt about being 60 years old). This one painting changed my artist's life...I became an Abstract Artist!
Come visit & see more of my work at www.beckyroeslerart.com. Be sure and sign up for my Insider's List so we can keep in touch. Buy original paintings and prints at my Saatchi shop. Feel free to share this post. Your likes, comments, and shares are always greatly appreciated!
Suddenly, it was 2013 and after years of painting realistic subjects in pastel and oil for shows, galleries, competitions, and commisions, I decided to change things up on my 60th birthday. I spent the entire day painting just for me with complete abandonment and joy using whatever materials and colors appealed to me at the moment. That meant no plan and no subject matter...a totally foreign concept to me! The result was "Turning 60", a 24 x 30 in. pastel and collage painting on paper that simply expressed my love of the materials and the process of making art (and maybe a little of how I felt about being 60 years old). This one painting changed my artist's life...I became an Abstract Artist!
Come visit & see more of my work at www.beckyroeslerart.com. Be sure and sign up for my Insider's List so we can keep in touch. Buy original paintings and prints at my Saatchi shop. Feel free to share this post. Your likes, comments, and shares are always greatly appreciated!
What do you do when things get so messed up you don't know
which direction to turn?
which direction to turn?
After I've done all I can, then thrown my hands up in the air, twirled around three times, and clicked my heels, yet everything is still sooooo wrong....I simply start over. Yes, I'm a big believer in Do Overs (as well as throwing, twirling and clicking). Sometimes you just have to hit that reset button and get on with your life.
John W. Gardner said "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." As an artist, I understand this to mean we need the self-confidence to risk making mistakes and then learn from them so we don't keep messing up. It means I can fill up one page (or canvas, phase of my life, etc.) and if it doesn't come out exactly like I want, then I can choose to keep going forward and change the way I do things in the future, or I can choose to just give up and roll around in my self-pity and self-doubt (not a good option). So, here I am world...starting over with a new website and blog!
Feel free to share this post, and be sure and sign up for my newsletter so we can keep in touch. Your likes, comments, and shares are always greatly appreciated!
John W. Gardner said "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." As an artist, I understand this to mean we need the self-confidence to risk making mistakes and then learn from them so we don't keep messing up. It means I can fill up one page (or canvas, phase of my life, etc.) and if it doesn't come out exactly like I want, then I can choose to keep going forward and change the way I do things in the future, or I can choose to just give up and roll around in my self-pity and self-doubt (not a good option). So, here I am world...starting over with a new website and blog!
Feel free to share this post, and be sure and sign up for my newsletter so we can keep in touch. Your likes, comments, and shares are always greatly appreciated!
About Me
I love to make bold and vibrant acrylic and mixed media paintings. I can't help myself. It's just what I have to do. But I am passionate about art of all kinds, and I love to think, talk, and write about it, then share it with you. Please sign up for my Insider's List so we can keep in touch.
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