"ENCHANTED" 11065 daily painter mixed media tree abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"ENCHANTED"

 

 

I'm continuing with my forest series.  This one is on 30x18 inch canvas and is covered with a layer of clear epoxy resin.  I got the idea for this painting while I was sitting my booth at an art show.

I noticed a painting I had on display had two areas of metallic corrugated paper with the grooves going both vertical and horizontal.  It was exciting how the light reacted so differently depending on the orientation of the grooves.

early stage

Using the corrugated paper, and several other art papers, I came up with a fanciful tree design.  This painting can only be appreciated in person so you can see the light dance.

For more information, please click here to go to my website.

"RED CONNECTION" 11064 daily painter mixed media tree forest © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"RED CONNECTION"

 

This is the second in my new Forest Abstract series.  Like the first one, FOREST ELEMENTS, it has several collaged papers, foils, and acrylic mediums. 
I painted this on a birch panel measuring 12x48.  I had both of these paintings at an art show over the weekend, and they were a hit.  I've already started a third one which will be a vertical on a 30x18 canvas.

There's nothing like a new project to jump start your creative muse.  For more information on this painting, click here to go to my website.

"TANGLED" 11063, daily painter mixed media metal leaf forest abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"TANGLED" 11063

The above photo was taken in direct sunlight because I wanted the shadows to show the embossed bas relief effect.  The tree forms are gilded with gold metal leaf.

For more information on this 7x5 inch forest abstract, click here to go to my website.

"FOREST ELEMENTS" 11062, daily painter textured forest collage © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"FOREST ELEMENTS"

 

Yesterday I brought the previous version of this painting upstairs to show to my husband.  I told him it was the worst painting I had ever done. He agreed. This morning, knowing I couldn't make it any worse, I attacked it mercilessly.

detail - you can see remants I couldn't tear off

I tore off all the collaged papers that WOULD come off (some wouldn't.)  Originally, it was all in neutral tones of black, beige, gold, white.  When in distress, I often retreat to the sanctity of my Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold.

I should tell you that the whole panel was primed with Daniel Smith's gold gesso.  I first learned about that product when teaching a workshop in Texas.  Lovely stuff - you can see it on the right hand side of the painting.

When I'm in the palace of Nickel Azo Gold, as you might imagine, Dioxazine Purple is just around the corner, as is Indian Yellow and Quin Magenta.  These are Golden Fluid acrylics I use all the time.

So, after messing around all morning, it eventually came out of the "ugly duckling" stage, and now I'm very happy with it.  So happy, in fact, I think this is the start of a new series.  After about 30 paintings in my Geologic Abstract series, I'm ready to try a Forest Abstract series.

For more information on this 12x40 inch painting, click here to go to my website.

Another Chinese copy of my original

 Chinese rip off artists are at it again.  This painting is offered for sale on ArtOrient Trade Company, Ltd.  It's a direct copy of my original triptych poppy painting I did in 2008.

You can see they photoshopped out the spaces between the three canvases, cropped it a little, and painted it on one canvas.

Anyone who buys these "original" paintings originating in China should know they are probably supporting a company that sells rip offs of original work done by American (and probably others) artists.

This is a good blog to read about copyright infringement on a larger scale than my one painting:

http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/blog3/

I have to brag a little...

 

 

Can you believe this size of this epicactus flower?  It's the size of a dinner plate!  The plant is kind of ugly - a long gawky thing with fleshy, cactus-like leaves/stems.  But OMG, when those blossoms open - what a show!  The flower only lasts a couple days, then it's wait 'til next year.

"GOLD VEIN" 11061, textured abstract with gold foil © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"GOID VEIN"

This 24x24 inch textured abstract features gold foil in the "vein."  That's the only thing about this painting that's flashy.  The rest is in subtle tones of gray, taupe, amber, with subtle hints of slate blue, and green.
For more information, click here to go to my website.

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Booth shot

Over the weekend, I did an outdoor show called "The Taste of Lone Tree."  The show featured both artists and restaurant booths.  Restaurants from the area were doing a brisk business selling samples of their delicious food.

Artists, on the other hand, were not doing very well.  People were more interested in the food than the art.  Usually, for a two day show, in addition to sales, I will get a page and a half of people signing up for my newsletter because they're INTERESTED in what I do.  During this show, ONE person signed up.

Note to self:  If you're selling fine art, do not try to do it in any show that is not strictly a fine art show. 

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REGISTRATION GOING ON NOW

If you live in the Denver area, registration for membership, workshops and classes is going on NOW at the
Park Hill Art Club.
This art organization offers workshops, classes, meeting demos and biannual art shows for members only.  Annual membership fee is $30.

The deadline for registration is August 22, 2011.  Call membership chairperson, Marcia Williams, for a class schedule.  303-755-4686 or marlwilli@earthlink.net.  There are 4 workshops and 12 classes to choose from on the fall schedule.

I will be teaching a class (EXPERIMENTAL ACRYLICS) on Thursdays from 9am to 4pm.  Please see my website for more information.

Class 12B: Experimental Acrylics Carol Nelson

Acrylics are the only fine art medium in which there is seemingly no limit to the number of textural effects you can achieve. In this class will you will experiment with several different acrylic textures, with an emphasis on abstract design and collage. We will review materials that can be added to acrylic paint to create interesting and unique effects. You will be making your own collage papers and experimenting with different metal foils.
This class will include color theory and abstract design.  My "Grab Bag" painting method will take the mystery out of abstract composition.  With this technique, you can be working on several paintings simultaneously, each at a different level of completion, and still keep your head on! See Carol' Work at www.carolnelsonfineart.com.
All skill levels $74

  Remember, you must register
    by August 22, 2011.

"JIGSAW 2" 11060, daily painter geometric abstract quadtych © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"JIGSAW 2"

This quadtych four panel painting was a nightmare to photograph.  Each 12x12 inch panel is framed in a black floater frame with gold trim, which I felt compelled to show in the photo.  When you show framing, however, it makes it difficult to crop the image to a true square.
The composition of any painting is critical to its success.  I like to start students in my mixed media workshops out with the composition pattern of "two lines, two circles". This painting shows how you can expand on that simple pattern into a more complex painting. 
For more information, please click here to go to my website.

"RADIANT" 11059, daily painter mixed media aluminum abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"RADIANT"

 

 

When the light hits this painting, the aluminum substrate beneath the red areas has a radiant glow the is stunning.  I know the photo doesn't show that, so you'll just have to take my word on that.
It took me several days to complete this piece because of all the layers of texture and color. There wasn't even the usual "ugly duckling" stage with this painting. It just kept getting better and better as I added more layers of color. I'm very happy with the final result.
For more information on this painting, click here to go to my website.

"IN THE GROOVE" 11058 daily painter textured copper abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"IN THE GROOVE"

If I were Donald Trump, I would have said "You're fired" to me.
THis is a complex painting with two parts, separated by a thin gap, covered with clear resin, and mounted on a larger board.

The last step in assembly of this piece is to glue the two painting panels on to the mounting board.  I use Gorilla glue for this process.

I applied the glue, carefully positioned the two pieces, and put something heavy on each piece.  I KNOW that as Gorilla glue creates the bond, it bubbles and expands a bit. 

You have to keep a close eye on your painting to make sure it stays where you want it.  Even with weight on it, it can move.

After I had it all weighted down, I went to check my email FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES.  (Here's where I fire myself)  I got too involved reading email, and when I came back to check this painting, both the top and bottom parts had moved 1/2 inch to the right and were now immovable.

I couldn't BELIEVE it.  I tried to reposition them, but it was no use.  The only solution was to cut 1/2 inch off the wider side.  This is not easy to do with a ancient radial arm saw.

I was oh so careful in measuring and cutting off that 1/2 inch. I had the resin coated parts wrapped in plastic wrap to protect them.  Fortunately, it turned out great.  What makes me mad is that I KNOW BETTER!!

For more information, please click here to go to my website.

So now my new rule for myself is to set a timer to check on paintings being glued.  The other rule I have, which I learned the hard (and expensive) way, is to never back my minivan up to the garage entrance.  If the tail gate is up and someone (like me, for example) hits the button to lower the garage door instead of the button to lower the tail gate, bad things happen.

"BREAKWATER 2" daily painter textured abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

 

This textured waterscape is finished with a coating of epoxy resin, and mounted on a black panel.  These photos do not show the richness and depth of color.

For more information, please click here to go to my website.

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Today is Precious' birthday.  She is 14.  To celebrate her birthday, we loaded Precious and her brothers, Charlie and Mo, into the van and drove to Dairy Queen.  They each had a small vanilla cone.  They get the same treat every year on her birthday and boy do they love it.