Geez! It’s been a while. I’ve been very enveloped in #painting #smallpaintings #miniatures in #acrylic using an #abstract theme inspired by #nature. I’m beginning to put them into my #etsyshop. Stop by and take a peek at my etsy shop.
Tag: fine art
Society6 Venture
I started a new shop on Society6. They have an interesting array of possible formats for 2D art. This is fun and fresh to my eye. Making art. Having fun getting it out into the world.
https://society6.com/lovebirddesigns
Relaxing Creatively
Recently, I have been exploring organic forms, especially orchids. I have also been investigating new art materials and techniques. Here is a day I recorded, of my afternoon of watercolor painting, after my new set of watercolors arrived. It focuses around an orchid I received for Valentine’s Day.
As you can see, it starts with a relaxing combination of teas–sipped throughout the process. Then relishing my lovely new watercolor set. (I love to play with new art materials!) Followed by a sepia-toned sketch. Next, layering-in colors lightly and then finally, full color. All in my handmade paper sketchbook. Then, I went to mixed media board and did a dissection of the petals, using the watercolors, some inks and charcoal (featured image).
New Spring-Inspired Abstracts
This is a sampling of my newest work, inspired by spring, the Cubists, and Looney Tune cartoons. From left to right “Crazy Kitty,” “Largess” bottom image is titled “Imagine.” The top image is called “Hum” and is acrylic on linen. Other images are mixed media on paper.
Spring Cleaning
Since our weather is incredibly mild for February, I’ve gotten spring on the mind. I’m cleaning my studio today, thoroughly. Getting it ready for a fresh new body of work, starting tomorrow. I’m thinking it’s time to give the flowers and still life a rest. Time for something new:
Conceptual Art using Portraiture. A series potentially called Specimens of a Negro.
Will be back to share, as the process develops.
Shell Studies
This is the start of a new still life series, featuring oysters, clams and abalone. It began as sketches for a potential commission for a seafood restaurant. Many of these are finalists in the selection, but there is a great deal of competition. Fingers crossed it will go through and my work will be selected. If so, I will be painting some of these on a very large-scale to face off to the street, through a window.
Several of these are done on painted paper, that was relatively difficult to use, as it had no texture to grab onto the pastels. The others done using a textured watercolor paper, with an array of pastel colors.
Back to the studio today to do more. Will share again, as things develop.
Exploring Sea Creatures
I have been working on a series of still lives, drawn from oysters and clams. I’ve always enjoyed working from life, and drawing live creatures. The image above is the merging and abstraction of the interior of a single oyster shell. It is done entirely using chalk pastels, which I love, with an eraser used as well, as a drawing tool.
Ode to Spring Exhibition
Here’s a sneak peak of my new exhibition, that I just mounted yesterday with the help of my daughter Olivia. I call it “Ode to Spring.” The paintings were done last spring and summer and they are warming to see in this cold weather.
They are exhibited locally. Our movie theatre, of all places, has started exhibiting artist’s works in an annex space.
Funny to see Angry Birds, the movie, advertised in front of the space where my paintings are showing, especially since my studio is called Love Bird Designs.
If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll stop by to see the work, even if it is coming or going to see a film 😉
Wall of Blackberry
Having fun with my magnifying light, “Wall of Blackberry” is a rendition of a gigantic blackberry that is magnified further, exploring shape and form. Will begin to get into more value and volume today and am looking forward to the outcome.
Labors of Love
I am finally getting somewhere with my floral theme and orchids in particular. Here is the first full painting that came as a result of the series of small scale mixed media works on paper. I’m quite surprised by how sculptural it turned out because the mixed media works rely more on line quality, shape and color. This piece is oil on canvas, done with impasto technique, featuring an emphasis on negative and positive relationships and textural study.
Stephanie Rose Bird 