I finally got time to finish a very large (48 in x 32 in or 1 meter 22 cm x 81 cm) semi-abstract very textured autumn scene. It is Autumn silver and gold acrylic painting. I applied very visible textures at first and built layers of acrylic paint on top of textured background. This painting will be exhibited at my gallery entrance greeting all visitors and students.
The other texture-rich painting is 24 x 20 inches, but it also looks great on the wall. I kept colors quiet and subtle.
However, such painting technique is very time-consuming. I’d love to do many more acrylic paintings using rich texture since it adds to the impression tremendously, but it’;s a fairly slow process. The painting must be left to dry between each step until the final brushstrokes can be applied. The look is very three-dimensional. Colors shift and change also depending on the light source.
Birch painting with gold paint
Autumn silver and gold, a very large (48 in x 32″ or 1 meter 22 cm x 81 cm) acrylic painting with textured layers under paint
Art is the most space enhancing feature which there only can be. Just removing a few paintings from the wall, makes it look virtually empty, and my personal experience shows that there simply cannot be too much art around us. Seasonal art is the best decoration.
Experimenting is the force behind creation of new art. I love experimenting. I think most artists try new materials and challenge themselves time to time. We cannot just paint one and the same subject in the same way all life. Life is too short not to find out what else is out there. In order to create these paintings, I have to try different medium options.
Experimenting with surfaces
I just found out that watercolor canvas is not my preferred surface because paint comes off much easier than it goes on, but it was interesting to try painting on this surface. It was quite a struggle to cheat the paint onto watercolor canvas. I had to wait until the first layer is completely dry and then try adding more paint. See how gorgeous it actually came out: Sunny still life, finished years later
Experimenting with medium
I’m combining acrylic ground, watercolor, pastel fixative and pastels in order to draw with pastels on a stretched canvas. While it is a multi-step process, the small canvas looks really good.
Disadvantage of using glass
I’m also stretching watercolor paper on bars, and I’m doing this because I don’t like how paintings look behind the glass. Frame contributes to perception of an image, but glass reflections definitely disturb it. I have watercolor paintings under museum quality glass, and there is still present reflection. It feels as if color and image are not directly approachable as with acrylic paintings.
First layers of acrylic paint in amaryllis painting
Challenges with any medium
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 almost immediately, and any correction requires to go over a big area. Watercolor paintings on paper need to be preserved and framed. Glass, mat board and frame increase the selling price a lot.
My set-up is visible in the background
Avoiding necessity to frame art
My goal is to paint on any surface combining any mediums so that I don’t have to frame my paintings. To be honest, good frames look fantastic. However, framing many hundreds of paintings is very expensive and time-consuming. It is almost impossible at this point since there are too many paintings. Art buyers actually like paintings without frames. That allows them framing or not framing later, and using frames they prefer to.
Such art doesn’t require frame and can be used without it
Paintings in progress
None of these paintings is finished yet, but I like how they are coming out. I’m experimenting so far, but I will see soon 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 is also the way I like it. Update: please, see newer articles for all finished paintings.
How to send greetings on Mother’s Day across the ocean? I’m on one side of this globe, my mom is on the other. We talk on the phone, and we meet in person every two years. The distance does not scare me as long as I know, I will hear her happy voice on the other end when calling. The best thing is to know that my mom simply is and exists. She is going to be 82 this fall, and I hope to meet her around that time.
We have one celebration in Latvia, that I’m missing here, in Canada. This day is called Angel’s day or Name’s day. My mom’s name is Irena, and her Name’s day falls together with Mother’s day this year. This is a nice reason to send her double greetings.
The older I’m getting, the more I have started to understand and appreciate my mother and everything she has done for me. I notice more and more features we have in common. I sometimes catch myself acting exactly the way she always is.
There are 2 grandmothers, 3 mothers, 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren in this family. How many do you think we are? (Answer at the end)
Too bad, we are never expressing and showing enough love, respect and appreciation to some person while that person is still around. I am never regretting things I have done, things I haven’t done, money I have spent, time I have wasted, but I will always regret I did not say my dad how much I cared about him and how much I loved him while it was still possible. He has passed away now, and there won’t be any more opportunities to do that.
That’s why I’m calling my mom as often as I can, I’m saying her all the best words I am able to find, and I’m showing her how much I care.
White lilies are my mom’s most favorite flowers. I was painting this pastel, and many memories came to my mind, and many good thoughts were implemented in this painting.
This is for you, mom! Happy Mother’s day!
I wish, every mother on this planet experienced how much-loved, appreciated and honored she is.
Happy Mother’s day to all Mothers!
Answer to question: We are 5: my mom, me, my daughter, and 2 grandchildren
Summer is a great time to engage in plein-air painting.
I recently painted a garden scene called “Take a Rest” with some flowers and garden tools.
I use real scenes and real set-ups to create my paintings, I somehow cannot paint using photos, I just can’t.
First, I do a freehand drawing. The weather was very good for a while, so, I could paint every day outdoors. I had set up the exact items in my backyard, and it was a double pleasure to paint there.
The other painting is a still life called “Kitchen Symphony”.
I had set up all items in my art studio where I have a good light. For my paintings, daylight is extremely important because of color adjustment. Any artificial light changes color.
I think, both paintings came out quite nicely, however, it was very late when I took a photo of my garden scene, so the light might be not that perfect.
Part of the farmer’s market painting
I would love to also mention the Farmer’s market painting which is as large as the previous paintings – full sheet watercolor, 29 x 22″. All paintings are created using heavy, cold press Arches watercolor paper. The look really impressive when you see them full-size and in person. Well, size matters.
