Posts from the ‘Original art’ Category

May 3

Acrylic painting of white and pink amaryllis

Mother’s Day card: check it out

I recently finished a watercolor painting which already initially was intended to serve as image for Mother’s day card. We started to draw birds at our teens painting class and got the painting done during 2-3 classes.

I worked out two versions: one without text (when ordering, anybody can place their own text on the inside) and with short text.

Both versions can be found and ordered as cards via Fine Art America website:

http://fineartamerica.com/pdfartworkmenu.php?artworkid=7289106

http://fineartamerica.com/pdfartworkmenu.php?artworkid=7289435

It’s needless to say that any painting can be bought as a print of many different types and with hundreds of framing choices at very reasonable prices and in excellent quality. Any purchase comes with 30-day money-back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with some aspect.

Fine Art America offers to download a free app if you are using any kind of smart phone, iPhone, iPad or similar device which has camera to view the particular painting in the chosen frame (there are really hundreds) or without a frame on the exact wall space or room space where you intend to place it. The app will apply your chosen size, therefore, you can see everything according to real proportions.

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/inese+poga/all

Jan 15

Painting in progress: still life, watercolor and pastels

Paintings in progress: experimenting with multiple media and surfaces

There is some certain stuff which I hate and usually avoid when painting. I do not like using masking fluid, and I recently don’t apply it at all with watercolors. While I have to admit that light lines or much lighter tiny spots in the middle of a dark image add depth and interestingness to the painting, I completely hate doing these small lines, bordering lines or similar stuff with masking fluid. I am using such a paper which allows for a lot of lifting, or sometimes watercolor canvas. However, watercolor canvas is not my preferred surface because paint goes on as easy as it comes off. It’s sometimes quite a struggle to cheat the paint onto canvas, it also takes a lot of time.

I’m combining acrylic ground, watercolor, fixative and pastels in order to draw with pastels on a stretched canvas.

I’m also stretching watercolor paper on bars, and I’m doing this all and going for that kind of trouble because I absolutely don’t like how paintings look behind the glass. Frame sort of contributes to perception of an image, but glass reflections definitely disturb it. I have some paintings under museum quality glass (that’s at least what I paid for), and there are still some reflections present. Besides, it feels as if color and image are not that directly approachable as in case of acrylic paintings.

Unfortunately, I cannot do oils because of allergy, that’s why I am combining these media which I like. I don’t think, there is any absolutely flawless medium. Pastels leave a lot of dust and cause respiratory problems, they need to be preserved immediately; acrylic paintings are easy to store and hang, but paint dries out in no time, and any correction requires to go over quite an area. Watercolor paintings need to be preserved and framed. Glass + mat board + frame increase the selling price incredibly.

My goal is to paint on any surface combining any mediums in such a manner that I never again need to frame my paintings, unless I really want it. Art buyers actually prefer paintings without frames, that gives them the freedom to frame or not to frame later and do that as they wish.

None of these paintings is finished yet, but I quite like how they are coming out

I’m experimenting so far, but soon I will see what works the best. It’s also fun to use watercolor pencils, pastel pencils, pastel sticks, watercolor on canvas, on paper, on board and just take a risk. The result might be unpredictable, but I don’t think it’s going to be unacceptable.

Painting from real set-up, that’s the way I like it
The last thing, which I really don’t like and do not advise my students, is painting from photos. Whatever the pros and cons, it’s more rewarding to develop one’s visual ability and drawing skills than try to go by a ready image.

Dec 22

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New watercolor paintings

I finished some watercolor paintings since I didn’t want to leave half-done work for the New Year. There are still some more paintings to do, but I am happy that these came out very nice.

Watercolor painting of gladiolus which is one of my favorite flowers

Watercolor of autumn flowers in our garden

This watercolor painting of apples is done stretching watercolor paper over bars. I have varnished it, and that way it does not need frame or glass.

I love working on watercolor paper, stretched on bars, since it facilitates the flow of water and paint.

This watercolor winter scene painting is also done stretching watercolor paper over bars.

Watercolor painting of rose hips in autumn

Watercolor still life painting with fruits and a cup; we did this still life together with my teen students.

Watercolor painting of winter scene which I also made available as a greeting card

I’d like to thank all visitors at the gallery who supported me purchasing some of my art and buying gift certificates. It is not easy to run an art gallery without any single sponsor.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Dec 6

Christmas Show and Sale: Art, Crafts, Gifts

It’s Christmas time again, and we are having our annual Christmas sale. It is richer and more interesting than ever before. I have no doubt, everyone can find something great, whether it’s a Christmas decoration, nice, hearty, one of a kind gift, painting, card or gift certificate. Gift certificates for classes and workshops are available every day, not only during the sale.

You can enjoy and possibly purchase more than 200 paintings and crafted gift items.

All decorations and gifts are crafted in the gallery and range in style from traditional to modern and trendy, both, regarding the color scheme and design. We have used mostly nature materials: fir and pine cones, apple-tree and maple branches, fir- tree branches and also some paints, glitter, tissue paper and interesting containers. You should definitely check out the one of a kind gift boxes, note books, diaries and photo albums.

We are offering only original paintings and art, including three-dimensional acrylic nature paintings in subtle and soothing colors.

Variety of Christmas cards can be ordered from the Fine Art America site: http://inese-poga.artistwebsites.com

Please have a look at some gifts and decorations for sale.

Traditional Christmas colors

Crafted Christmas gift boxes

Traditional Christmas decoration

Gold and red

Roses and pine cones: they make nice Christmas decoration

Red and green: tissue paper roses and glitter on branches

Christmas gift box, very elegant and delicate, matches the Christmas center-piece very well

Stylish Christmas decoration in white and gold

Set of Christmas decorations: bottles are getting new life, and they look amazingly attractive together with the basket

Gentle and relaxing Christmas colors

This set will bring the Christmas mood in your home

Celebrating the light and warmth

Festive and uplifting

Notebook with white roses for Christmas

Sparkle and shine: Christmas settings

Notebook with golden roses for Christmas

I hope you enjoyed the decorating ideas!

Sep 16

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Fall Art Festival at Camp Samac: Friday

I belong to people who have lots of duties, responsibilities, appointments, arrangements, etc. I am always planning ahead, but I often find myself balancing on knife-edge to meet all deadlines and to make all things happen. Generally speaking, I cannot avoid some rush with whatever I’m trying to do. Getting ready for art shows always involves some frantic adding of last strokes to some time ago created paintings, some sudden new painting idea just the night before the show; and, yes, that’s me typing the art sales sheets and printing labels just half an hour before I leave to set up the show.

This is how it looks at 10pm the night before the art show. I need my watercolors for signatures and small corrections, I need acrylics for adding some highlights or freshening up the lost darks. I need everything to be right there and all around. What a mess, really! However, this photo was taken before I started to do all of these adjustments. It looked much messier at 1 am when I decided to leave everything alone and get some sleep.

These paintings are waiting far labels, they are also getting checked for imperfections or missing signatures.

This is such a happy moment when the provided space is set up. It seems like nothing to it, and I really have to wonder, how could it take so incredibly much time and efforts?

I decided to do mostly trees this year, and when I stopped by, I found out that 3 paintings were already sold. Great news.

Why trees? I find them extremely human, having so much of character which people are often lacking. I don’t think there can be ever painted too many trees or flowers, these silent guards of our living space.

Autumn birch painting

Birches are stubbornly maintaining their white coats regardless of seasons. It’s not surprising they have found reflection in so many poems, paintings and stories. How to stay white is the lesson they teach.

Gold and silver is a good match: birch trail painting in acrylic.

Shy, but strong: late autumn birch acrylic painting which was sold right away.

We can respect maples for knowing how to lose their beauty in such a gracious and marvellous way, there are no regrets, just sadness for rapidly disappearing magnificence.

This maple road painting was done in my rich acrylic texture technique. Paintings of this type change colors as the surrounding light does, and depending on the viewing angle, foliage feels almost touchable at some moments. This painting was also sold straight after I put it out. These paintings exist only as single originals since no prints or similar reproductions can be made, and that’s what I like about them.

Jun 21

Great start of adult acrylic beginners class

I recently heard such an expression: you are what you think you are. It might be right to some extent, however, if you never get from thinking to doing, you will stay who you think you are, and nothing is going to change in your life. How much do you usually get done at home within two hours during a week? That might be something, but you could as good just sit on a porch or a couch for these two hours thinking about who you are.

We get to doing and gaining new experience very soon at my studio-gallery. No time is wasted, and I think, the atmosphere is so great here, that it is impossible not to paint.

I just started a new daytime acrylic beginners painting class for adults. 4 students of this group have never tried painting before, but one lady had some experience. Her main goal is to learn another style and approach. Many of my students had desire to paint or draw all their life long, but something was always preventing them from getting involved in this activity.

Our results are very remarkable taking into account that we only have spent about 5 hours painting so far. We started out with exploring the main features of acrylic paint and its mixing properties. We were discussing elements of a painting, good and bad compositions, and we did a very simple basic sketch. Then we moved on to blending exercises and tried to block in the first parts of the first painting.

It is truly amazing to watch how fast my students are progressing. In my opininon, the size of group matters, and the quality of instruction is the most important part of an art class. I am also giving demonstrations for each step as we go, and a quick advice at the right moment is very valuable and much appreciated by my students.

While DVDs, online tips, demos and instruction books are useful for artists who already know what they are doing, I don’t think anything can replace direct teaching for beginners. Nobody has become a master painter within a couple of hours, but, obviously, the progress is much easier and faster under somebody’s guidance. This saves a lot of time, and why not to learn from other artists errors, not from your own?

This class filled up so fast that I have to think about one more daytime acrylic painting class for adults.

There is huge interest in creation of art, and it is definitely the best way of adding an amazing and fulfilling touch to your life.

See you in my next class!

May 11

Spring Classes and Summer Art Camps

Spring has finally arrived, and the beautiful blossoming keeps us busy at my art studio. It is always inspiring to paint something which makes us happier and cheers up. Colors are so lively and impressive, shapes so gracious and captivating that brush paints almost from itself.

Some Saturday class students (ages 12-16) kept working on their favorite flowers, some moved onto their toy animals.

Experience shows that the object can be practically anything, the most important part is how we are presenting it, how we are making the viewer to see what inspired us and made us to paint the particular object on watercolour paper or canvas.

Happy and busy

Diana painting pancies

Kristina is painting a hanging flower pot

Elaine works on orchids

Jerica has drawn and painted a toy kangaroo

Here it is

Diana’s spring pancies

Elaine’s orchids are also progressing nicely

Kristina enjoys the colorful flower pot painting

SUMMER ART CAMPS FOR YOUNG ARTISTS 10-16

I am offering creative arts day camps for 3 weeks this year.

Each week is filled with exciting artistic activities and involves exploration of art approaches, learning of new techniques, improvement of skills, development of visual perception, drawing objects from direct observations, both indoors and outdoors, sketching, journaling and painting with watercolours and in mixed media technique.

I’m adding also some 3-dimensional techniques this year for students to try out absolutely new and unexpected effects which can be achieved using imagination and creativity.

Results are usually extremely good, and paintings which were done during this week can serve as a wonderful wall decor in student’s room or as a gift.

This location features large, light and well equipped indoor art studio and beautiful huge outdoor space for plein air painting, it is very easy to access (downtown Whitby).

The garden is surrounded by old trees which provide relaxing shadow during hot summer days.

There’s always something blossoming.

Beautiful object to paint

Lilacs in the garden corner

Wildflowers along the fence; even this fence is artistic, and I have implemented it in quite a few of my paintings

Blossoming trees

Blue iris is in bloom on the other side of my backyard

Such surroundings and environment always boost artist’s imagination, and nobody has to look for special inspiration.

I hope, I will hear from you soon once you have checked this out.

Please watch Rogers TV, Durham Daytime Show on May 23 at 11am-12. I will be presenting my art classes and creative arts summer camp.

Apr 27

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Don’t miss OAA Spring Studio Tour 2012

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I hope you will be able to make time for the Oshawa Art Association Spring Studio Tour 2012 if you happen to be somewhere in Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa around next weekend.

Spring Studio Tour takes place on May 5th and 6th between 10am and 4 pm. Please have a look at brochure, many artist studios are participating: http://www.oshawaartassociation.com/SpringStudioTour.htm

You will find me next to the number 3.

I have no doubt that everyone will enjoy this art tour, there are lots of interesting things to look at and possibly buy in order to use as a gift for the upcoming Mother’s Day. What can be more valuable as the joy of giving?

Besides, flowers wither and cake gets eaten up, but a nice painting will always remind the gift receiver of you, your relationship or friendship. Art is a very delicate thing, sometimes hard to describe, and it always makes sense to have a look with your own eyes at new creations of your local artists. Artists who I know, don’t actually complain too much, however, times are tough, and it is so easy to make somebody’s day when buying some inexpensive painting. So, think about it, and support your local artists, because these are folks who really need that: they will appreciate your interest, and small investment in art can go long ways.

Such tour is absolutely free, and many places will have more than exhibited paintings. I will offer advice on art materials, explain differences between classes and workshops, introduce new class schedule, new types of classes, give watercolour demonstration and challenge you to try watercolour washes or drawing.

Last year’s tour was well attended, and I think, benefits were mutual.

Some of my small paintings for sale

Apr 14

Wake up and get in mood for spring

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Living in more and more civilized world, we are loosing our ties with nature and seasonal cycles. Light and sunshine are very important factors which can tremendously facililate our energetic resource regeneration and our recreation, but lack of these essential elements causes inevitable destruction and death of anything organic and alive.

Lux aeterna – the eternal light, is the light in its highest meaning, light as a symbol of timeless flourishing and development.

I don’t think, it’s coincidence that “luxury” and Latin “lux” (light) have the same linguistic root. And, yes, the sunlight is a luxury which we are taking for granted.

Animals and plants are more involved in natural processes, and, no wonder, they thrive and bloom, and are at their energetic top-levels in spring. I suppose, humans were pretty much the same, but the artificial surroundings, which allow us to imitate any season and, thus, facilitate our functions regardless of the weather, don’t require us to feel and understand nature any more. Most of us have our shelters, and who actually cares, how long it’s going to rain or snow.

However, those of us who have still maintained the extraordinary sensitivity to underlying processes of nature, would probably agree that spring has not lost its importance as a driving force of the new seasonal cycle.

Nature wakes up, live juices start to circulate in trunks of trees, grasses and weeds lift up their tiny heads, buds are getting bigger and bigger with every second, first blossoms show their faces to the sun, and birds give the best concert of the year, especially when the day is bright and sunny.

Well, it’s really the right time for new initiatives, new challenges and wake-up activities. This is the renaissance time of our town, city, area, land, country, hemisphere. This is such a breathtaking renewal of our mind and soul, and our body shouldn’t be left behind.

We are welcoming the return of spring with our colourful floral paintings in my studio-gallery, and I will show in my next post how we are drawing and painting these artworks.

Mar 27

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We had exciting March break workshops

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.

Chninese proverb

That is so true, and I would like to add, that knowledge or skills cannot ever bother you or become an abuse. What you have learned, is a life-long gain and a never ending opportunity to find out how exciting and unlimited one’s life can be.

We had a busy March break week. During the first workshop days we did a landscape, or rather marshscape with some marsh grass, distant trees and water. It seemed that the image was very well chosen, because results were genuinely impressive. We didn’t waste any single minute, and got almost done one more small scene with purple spring crocuses.

I think workshops are good for students who would like to refresh their skills, or get some inspiration for a new artwork.

Developing drawing skills

The truth is that we first have to learn seeing a three dimesional object in order to put it on a paper or canvas and recreate its all dimensions with art tools and means.