Sea and Shore from the series, “On the Verge”

“On the Verge Series” 

Using a mix of paintings and sculpture, I will explore change and transformation both physical and mental. I will draw on the Platonic theories of the ability of the four elements to transmute into each other.  Exploring how while dissimilar they are capable of arising out of another’s disintegration.

My method for the paintings will involve examining photographs where change or transformation is occurring and distilling this down into key elements of change or the point of transformation.  The sculptural items will be based on ideas of color theory and the traditional association of the platonic shapes.  The shapes will be displayed as a cascade, with color and patterns drawn from the paintings being used to symbolize the mental transformations.

On the Verge will be on display in the Poon Family gallery at Trinity College from April 4th -9th. An opening reception will be held on Thursday April 14th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Sea and Shore Acrylic on Canvas 24″ x 38″ The transition between water and air in conjunction with rocks

Sea and Shore captures the point at which the water meets the shore and becomes spray in the air.

Work in Progress: Faelands

Let’s start at the very beginning

http://www.rennatatropeano.com/growingunique/2012/09/23/lets-start-at-the-very-beginning/

Whenever I ask myself “Where to start?” I think of the song from the Sound of Music.

“Let’s start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with A-B-C”

She then goes on to explain the basics of singing.  After they get the basics,

“are only the tools we use to build a song.
Once you have these notes in your heads,
you can sing a million different tunes by mixing them up.”

Which is true of most things. Once you have learned the basics, you can mix them up and do most anything with them.

This blog is all about my journey to becoming an Artist, and  I started with the basics of art a long time ago.  This morning I found myself saying where to start, and realized that I need to better define my goal so I know where to start.  How will I know if I am on the right path if I am not sure where I am going. Do I want to teach art and creativity? Do I want to make a living by selling art? Do I want that art to be production pieces or do I want to be the type of artist who is hung in major museums?  All of these appeal to me, but if I want one of them to be the final goal, I need to chart a part to it that includes the other destinations on the way.  It is very similar to saying I want to be in the mountains.  When I say that I mean that I want to be in the Rocky Mountains, specifically in Colorado.  It is very different from being in the Swiss Alps or on Mount Fuji, just to name two other mountain destinations that would make me happy, but are not what I am envisioning.

My goal of being an artist is a bit like this start of a painting. It is a mono print that we created in a watercolor class that I am taking with Marie Flahive. Everyone looked at it and said, what a great tree line, you have a great start. I was a loss for what they were talking about.  They were all on the other side of the table and were looking at it upside down.   Once I had looked at it from their point of view I knew I was the one looking at it upside down, but even then, I know this painting could go any number of ways.  I putthis post in the business of Art, because as I been trying to pick up a new set of basic tools for a while, the tool set for being able to  make my income as an artist.  I have reached the point where I regularly get introduced as an artist, and not as a mother or paralegal.  This is a great feeling, but I know that I do not want to be the starving artist. This means I have a choice, stay where I am, doing what I do and hope that someone discovers me, or learn how to promote myself as an artist.Everything I have read starts with having a plan, and knowing your long-term goals.  This is both  traditional business books and books on how to make it as an artist.  The place to start then is “Where do I want to go?”

It is a good question. I need to take some time and listen for an answer to this question.  Where do you want to go with your Creative Journey?

The Plane, The Plane!

The planes are finally starting to arrive.  Carol and I are going to be painting our planes at The Gaslight Gallery.  Our planes should be landing sometime tonight or tomorrow morning.  If you have ever wondered how those large painted items were created, drop by in the next couple of weeks and see the process in action.

For more information on the planes, http://www.chicopeema.gov/news.php?news=365

Purple Mountains and trees

This is the latest work in progress on the painting with the working title of Purple Mountains. Previous images can be found:

https://rennata.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/painting-pictures-purple-mountains/

I decided that the mountain were a little too bright and sharp for the distance, so I put in a hazy glaze in over the mountains and into the grass at the background. I blended it into the lower portion of the sky. In this painting, I wanted to create the appearance of a large field with the small pond. In order to help show the scale, I decided to add a grouping of trees. I was very pleased with how the trunks of the trees came out, I was looking at different ways of creating the appearance of texture. I usually try and paint more detail than would be noticeable from a distance so that I then end up smoothing it out and the trees seem flat.  Part of the process is learning to see not what you know is there, but what you actually see.

Ceramic Tile

Almost halfway through the month, I am full of new projects to try. This is my first attempt at making a coast from a ceramic tile.  I saw some at a arts fair recently, but they were a bit out of my price range. The Artist said that she used paint pens to create the images, but clearly a different type paint pen than I use.

The great thing about work on these. I can make a bunch trying to get the effect I want, and they do not cost much at all, so I feel free to try and if I do not like it, well  it is not a big deal.  Off to take my husband for a birthday dinner.

Autumn Glitter

Autumn Glitter

Originally uploaded by Rennata

This morning I am trying out a post directly from Flickr.
I had seen several posts of artwork that included leaves and iridescent paint. Last night in the studio I hit a point where everything I was working on was drying, as I paint in layers working on multiple pieces at once. Not having any iridescent paint or leaves, ( I am not sure what I was thinking, there were several million just outside the studio door, I am in New England in the fall after all) I decided to play with paint and glitter. I am thrilled with the outcome. I had every intention of giving credit here to the artists who inspired this piece, but this morning I can not seem to find their original posts. I will keep trying to find them and add them.
I found this image on the flickr group, but not the blog link
I am so glad that I decided to participate in this AEDC challenge, there has been so much creativity and encouragement.

Speaking of challenges. I noticed yesterday that my Nanowrimo progress bar finally started working. I need to get going on that challenge, so that is it for today.