"PARKVIEW 3", contemoprary mixed media tree forest series © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Parkview 3

 

This is another in my Forest Series.  "Tangerine" is supposed to be the IN color this year.  That's right up my alley, since I seem to get some tone of orange into just about everything.

In this painting, I used several different papers and papyrus. Below are progress photos.

Here I've toned the canvas and started to add collage papers.

Adding the large tree trunks made from papyrus.  Darkened the left side to balance the dark trunks and to prepare a dark background for lighter tree forms to come.

Now the tree forms are glued down and I can stand the painting up on my easel.  Several more glazes of color to come.

Branches are added and color is deepened.  I thought the large dark brown trunks were too severe, so added some blue to lighten them up.

For more information on this painting, click here to go to my website.

 

"MISCHIEF BROTHERS" 12028, commissioned dog portrait © Carol Nelson Fine Art

 

The owner told me these litter mates are very lively and full of mischief.  They sure look like it.  Their names are Joey and Jets.  A dog named Jets probably doesn't spend a lot of time lounging around. lol

This painting is sold.

"HIDDEN TREASURE" 12027, mixed media contemporary abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

 

 

 

I especially like the copper tacks on this multi-layered painting.
For more information, click here to go to my website.

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I had a wonderful week giving private lessons to a gal who, I guess,  would be my biggest fan in Australia. Since I don't have any workshops scheduled down under, Pam Altschwager flew all the way from Adelaide to Denver to spend a week in my studio.

Carol, Pam and Charles

Pam is a graphic designer who is determined to get her fingers dirty with mixed media. Pam taught me some valuable things about manipulating images on the computer, and also how to make pavlova, that delectable Aussie dessert.

Unfortunately, our pavlova experiment did not work too well at 5400 feet above sea level.

collapsed pav

 If you pavlova collapses, you can disguise the height deficiency with whipped cream.

pav with whipped cream and fruit

Although we spent the majority of our time down in my basement studio, Pam did manage to experience some things that were new to her like snow flakes, Colorado mountains, Walmart, a reuben sandwich, and a Dairy Queen blizzard.  Good times.

"GEMSTONE 3" 12026, mixed media contemporary abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Gemstone 3

 

Gemstone 3 is the third in this vibrantly colored series.  Above, you see all three mini abstracts in this series framed as a set.

Click here to see more information on my website.

"GEMSTONE 2" 12025, mixed media mini abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

THis is the second in my Gemstone series.  It is a vibrantly colored mini abstract.  For more information, click here to go to my website.

"DAILY RACES" 12022, mixed media abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Daily Races

I'm not sure how I feel about this painting.  It has a lot of mixed media materials in it - I'm just not sure if I've arranged them in a successful composition.

This painting is a perfect example of why abstract painting can be so difficult and frustrating.  When you don't know what the end result is SUPPOSED to look like, you can find yourself adrift on an endless sea of possibilities.

What if I try this? or that?  At one point this entire canvas was blue!  In good times, the painting takes on a life of it's own and TELLS the artist what direction to go in.

This painting was totally mute.  It didn't tell me anything.  It just sat there pouting and petulant.  Every step was a struggle.  It may have to sit in my studio for a while longer until it decides to talk to me.

For more information on this petulant painting, click here to go to my website.

Opening in Fort Collins this Friday, March 2, 2012

Forest Elements, 12x48

This painting just won the top spot in a collage competition on Fine Art America - woo hoo!  Today, I delivered this one, and 9 other paintings, to the gallery in Fort Collins, Colorado, (Old Town ART & Framery) where my work will be featured with a reception from 6pm to 9pm this Friday.

I had never seen the gallery before and I was very pleasantly surprised. The back of the space houses a complete frame shop, and the front is a lovely gallery space with exposed brick walls, and the warm, stylish decorating of Jim Benest, the Art Czar.

Jim has collected a group of artists that definitely reflects his
contemporary taste.  I was worried my work would be a little too
abstract, but it fit right in with the vibe of this vibrant gallery in the heart of Fort Collins' Old Town gallery district.

"GEMSTONE" 12021, mixed media contemporary abstract, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

This is another of my foam palette plate abstracts.  Love those intense colors.  For more information on this painting, click here to go to my website.

"DREAM REMNANTS" 12020, contemporary mixed media 3D abstract, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Dream Remnants

detail

This painting is exciting (to me).  I love the color harmony. It's a new technique I discovered by accident - I'm always experimenting you know. Usually I'm very open about my techniques, but I'm going to be stingy about this one.

I might present it to my workshop artists.  Right now I'm too enthralled with it to share.

For more information about this painting, click here to go to my website.

I noticed that on my iPad, the image at the top of this post looked too dark. Above is a lighter version.  Variations in monitors makes it hard to judge how much light/dark to have on the photo.

Opening in Fort Collins next Friday, April 2, 2012