Acrylic Painting Process and Work in Progress

Still life. The staple of classical painting exercises.  Bottles and grapes being some of the most cliche and yet the simplicity of the forms still tempts the painter's eye. And I have lots of bottles and fake grapes hanging around for just such a purpose.

I don't know if I will make a lighter colored background or not, I like painting on gold usually, but this lighter scheme is nice too.


First, I set up my stuff with white canvases as a photo-booth like i usually do, and took a picture.



Then I desaturated the picture and took the color out of it, partially to see the values more clearly, and partly because I have no color ink.

I drew a grid on the black and white print out, dividing it in half about two or three times. Then I taped string across the canvas in the same pattern to transfer the picture. I used charcoal, and wish I had taken a picture of that process, but didn't know if I was going to blog it or not.



Here is what I have so far! It's on a gold ground, of course.

So Many Projects And Jobs Time Management

God has given me many opportunities and ideas lately. This just happens to coincide with having two jobs. But if God wants it done, we will make the time.

Writing a book for visual christian artists. An art show that wants 40-50 seasonal pictures. ( I may have stepped into that one, but I'm looking for people to share it with me.) and two jobs. And preparing for a move, and the portfolio to get me a job when I'm moved. And a reiteration on protestant prayer beads, which requires a booklet as well.

So in the meantime, I am praying and fasting to get confirmation on all of these things.  I see the need for the book, even all the wild and crazy ideas I have for it. I would even love to take a lot of time off to work on it. And I want to paint.

The idea of moving still feels pretty sure, but what my career out there will be once I get there is still pretty open. Originally, I thought it was games, digital computer and video game art. Now, I feel like my passion is elsewhere, but it could also be because that's what has been in my brain lately. These jobs and projects are what I have been feeding into my brain, and those are the ideas it's producing. I don't have too many complaints, but I do feel wishy- washy about my career.

My ministry wasn't going to be tied to my career, that's what I thought I heard. Maybe it's changed or I didn't hear right, I don't know.

So if you have the inkling, drop a word in with God for me to get these thing sorted out.


There are so many art projects I want to do.

Lots of great ideas, only one life.

Why the World Needs Your Art

                        

  In this world there are 8 billion of us and counting; inundated with countless mediocre artworks that drown in a sea of social media and overpriced galleries. And yet the few and brave of us admit that we want to create even more. 


And this short article is why you really need to create, even with everything else that's similar to your idea, even with the people saying you won't be successful, and especially when you don't think your idea is very good.


           Have you seen the world lately? It kinda sucks. 

          Each thing that you create will 1) relieve you of the tedium and 2) give someone a redeeming quality to this world. 



         When you create artwork with a message of any kind, you speak it in your own language, and it might just be the language that a person needs. Maybe the same message through a different perspective never really got through to them. That's why we need you. And with 8 billion people, that's a lot of languages, visually and verbally. 

         What if "they" say you can't create? Time is going by without you, and unless you start, you won't get better. Art is funny that way, just by attempting it, and by multiple attempts alone makes you an artist. Just do it, there really is no excuse, and time is passing anyway, whether you did even a single line more today or not. Baby steps. Even one line, one sentence written today is more than the person who has nothing. 

Persistence in trying is what makes you an artist, and the subjective judgement of customers that makes you a living. 

The world needs your art, and not as a product, but as a tool for coping with the world. Maybe a tool for enjoying the world and appreciating it. 

There's power in stories: borrowing strength from fiction to fight monsters in reality.

And until you write that story, and until someone SEES it, they may be lacking the sword they need to slay their dragon. 

So don't be afraid to show your artwork. We need your art. Enjoy it, and make the world a better place.  


Peace out.

Anna.


  I've been thinking more about the purposes for making art.