The Push and the Pull

Visual art can express an inherent energy that flows from a harmonious balance of contrasts. Opposites push and pull, and an artist must learn to direct that push and pull. This contrast can apply to every element of art, from value to color to line to form.

It can bridge the drawing to the painting; it can resolve the difference between the abstraction and representational.

What is it that makes this photo of clouds dynamic? Is it not the push and pull, the contrast of the deep shadows of the cloud mass to the bright airy sunlit edge of the cloud?

If you were to trace the dark outline of the cloud mass with your finger, and then do the same with the outline of the lighter cloud, the two lines would be very similar. Similar but different. Imagine if the two outlines were identical! Yuck! Our heavenly Father would never do something so monotonous in His visual artistry! Because the two lines are similar but different, they create a contrast, a visual push and pull that is pleasing and even dramatic to the senses.

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Winter Work

Now that my show season is over, it's time for what I lovingly call winter work. Winter work is studio time. It's when I light the fire in the wood stove and sit down at the drawing table and/or easel, both of which are pulled close to the wood stove. It's winter work because when the weather cools off and the leaves fall, the studio is the most inviting place in my life. The warmth of the fire and the smell of the wood and the blank slate on the easel are what inspire and motivate me to work. At one of my shows I bought this glorious coffee mug from Paige @rockbottomceramics. It sits on top of the woodstove and keeps the coffee warm for hours. It's a studio staple. There is purposely a blank canvas on the easel, or in this case, a smooth panel which will eventually be gessoed and painted with an expression of light through leaves. The blank canvas is self care. It's a sign of hope for my future. What will go on ...

Show Season preparations begin

It's March, and that means one thing: TIME TO PREPARE FOR SHOW SEASON! That's right, it's about to get crazy around here. And I mean that in a good way. I've been waiting for show season to start ever since it ended back in November. Even with all the work, all the energy, all the artistic endeavors, all the money and time invested, and all the headaches that come along with it, I am nonetheless excited and ready. So call me crazy, I can take it. And please come see me and hopefully add to your collection of my work. Here's my booth in the process of getting set up in my yard. I know it's only March 13th, and my first show isn't for two months. But here's the deal. Right now it's a gorgeous sunny and 70 degrees here in Indiana, so I absolutely HAVE TO be outside. It's been a long winter, and even though this is only "fake spring," I'll take it. Also, I have intended to give my booth an update and take care of...

Outa the Woods and on the Road Again!

After literally being in the woods in my studio all winter, I'm now ready to take it on the road with my mixed media collage pieces, aptly entitled "Of the Woods". This weekend, to kick off the show season, is one of my favorite shows. It is the Broad Ripple Art Fair, at the Indianapolis Art Center. I will be in booth #53 in the field, unless some last-minute begging on my part results in getting the shady spot next to the Art Center, where I was last year. My booth has evolved over the years, but is still sage green with flowy curtains and dappled light. This year has been one of great learning and experimentation with new techniques and materials. Light through leaves remains a strong theme of my work. I continue to seek that place of solace in the woods. My palette is still muted and earthy, but with vibrant pops of color. I am a lover of coneflowers, ferns, and all the rich textures and layers of flor...

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