marydunn-artist.com

Pittsburgh Artist

It seems that devoting time to my artwork has been a little sporadic over the months.  Last year with my mom’s illnesses and then with my daughter’s near death, art endeavors were on hold. 

However, I still keep reading art books that discuss various techniques and there are many good DVDs available where one can have a private lesson by the likes of people like Daniel Greene. 

Not only are these methods helpful, there are the occassional workshops that can be taken and those are truly wonderful experiences for an artist.

Last year, I began a painting for my grandson.  I started this painting at the beginning of summer.  I wanted to keep with my daughter’s nursery theme…fish, so that is exactly what I did.  I comprised the painting of 3 canvas panels that I purchased about 4 years ago.  I had ideas for those panel, but never was able to put the ideas down.

I searched for various fish that might be interesting and I was able to find several including dolphins. Dolphins are a favorite of  both daughters so Little Liam should like them as well.

For the medium, I felt acrylic would be a nice touch.  I found bright colors and thought that would be a nice touch on a dark blue water scene.

Needless to say, after months of sporadic painting…I have completed the painting.

Liam's Fantasy

 And, during that time I attended a workshop in which I did this painting on Wallis sanded paper.  I used an underpainting with pastel and I like the effect from the underpainting.

Sunflowers

Hopefully, my creativity will continue and I can bring more to you in the coming months.

I can certainly say that 2009 was quite eventful for me in my art endeavors.  I have learned quite a bit on trusting people and not trusting people.

One of the most important lessons I learned is some people just take advantage of one’s trust.  What could be so untrusting?  Well, an art gallery can!  I was at least I though I was being represented by an art gallery.  I took several of my painting to the gallery and left them. 

After a month or so, I contacted the gallery owner.  The owner said he was moving to a new building.  I wanted to pick up my artwork because the distance was further for me to travel and after a month without a sale, I figured it just might not be suitable for my paintings.

Since I made the decision, I contacted the owner again, and he said he had moved and I could meet him at his new gallery to pick up my paintings.  We set a date and time.  Well, I showed up, but the gallery owner went missing.  I tried calling several times without success.

Apparently, I now have a delema on my hands.  I don’t know what to do about my painting.  Lesson learned.

The most exciting aspect of this year are several classes I attended one of which really opened my eyes in a different light.  The light came through an age old art custom, the Golden Mean.  Let me tell you, if you aren’t using the Golden Mean, you should be.  If you are using this formula, then your paintings are going to be or are compositionally sound.  This class out of all the classes I have had, even in college, was the epiphany.  This is the work I did while in the class.

Have you ever had an epiphany?  It is one of the most exiting aspects of life.  When the lightbulb finally lights.  That was my experience.  

Since then, I have been working on several art pieces.  One of which will be presented to my new grandson. 

If you have had an experience in the art world that turned on the light bulb, please discuss that experience with me.  I certainly would like to hear the story.