Mixed Media Botanical Painting, "Fading Leaves" © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Fading Leaves", 4x6 mixed media by Carol Nelson

There are many things about this painting that make it very unusual. First, the substrate was covered with silver mylar for a bright shiny look.

 Next, the leaves themselves are made of styrofoam that was partially melted to give the leaves a worn, torn look. Rocks were added to give the appearance of a stream bed.

Finally, the entire piece was covered with epoxy resin to hold the leaves in place and give them strength. Between the shine of the resin and the shine of the silver mylar, this piece was impossible to photograph accurately.

  4"x6"x1" Mixed Media on Cradled Panel/Available

  Click HERE for pricing.

  View more of my work at http://carolnelsonfineart.com

  Learn about my special Canvas Minis HERE

  Sign up for my quarterly newsletter HERE

  View my WORKSHOP SCHEDULE  Here

  View my available BOOKS Here

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My new VIDEO is out…..

"New Approaches to Mixed Media Materials,"

If you want to see what all the hoopla is about, click this link:

www.craftsy.com/ext/CarolNelson_10658_D

STUDY WITH CAROL IN SEPTEMBER AT DILLMAN'S RESORT.....

Click HERE for more info.

Mixed Media Botanical Painting, "Fading Leaves" © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Fading Leaves", 4x6 mixed media by Carol Nelson

There are many things about this painting that make it very unusual. First, the substrate was covered with silver mylar for a bright shiny look.

 Next, the leaves themselves are made of styrofoam that was partially melted to give the leaves a worn, torn look. Rocks were added to give the appearance of a stream bed.

Finally, the entire piece was covered with epoxy resin to hold the leaves in place and give them strength. Between the shine of the resin and the shine of the silver mylar, this piece was impossible to photograph accurately.

  4"x6"x1" Mixed Media on Cradled Panel/Available

  Click HERE for pricing.

  View more of my work at http://carolnelsonfineart.com

  Learn about my special Canvas Minis HERE

  Sign up for my quarterly newsletter HERE

  View my WORKSHOP SCHEDULE  Here

  View my available BOOKS Here

Mixed Media Botanical Painting, "Fading Leaves" © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Fading Leaves", 4x6 mixed media by Carol Nelson

There are many things about this painting that make it very unusual. First, the substrate was covered with silver mylar for a bright shiny look.

 Next, the leaves themselves are made of styrofoam that was partially melted to give the leaves a worn, torn look. Rocks were added to give the appearance of a stream bed.

Finally, the entire piece was covered with epoxy resin to hold the leaves in place and give them strength. Between the shine of the resin and the shine of the silver mylar, this piece was impossible to photograph accurately.

  4"x6"x1" Mixed Media on Cradled Panel/Available

  Click HERE for pricing.

  View more of my work at http://carolnelsonfineart.com

  Learn about my special Canvas Minis HERE

  Sign up for my quarterly newsletter HERE

  View my WORKSHOP SCHEDULE  Here

  View my available BOOKS Here

Mixed Media Botanical Painting, "Fading Leaves" © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Fading Leaves", 4x6 mixed media by Carol Nelson

There are many things about this painting that make it very unusual. First, the substrate was covered with silver mylar for a bright shiny look.

 Next, the leaves themselves are made of styrofoam that was partially melted to give the leaves a worn, torn look. Rocks were added to give the appearance of a stream bed.

Finally, the entire piece was covered with epoxy resin to hold the leaves in place and give them strength. Between the shine of the resin and the shine of the silver mylar, this piece was impossible to photograph accurately.

  4"x6"x1" Mixed Media on Cradled Panel/Available

  Click HERE for pricing.

  View more of my work at http://carolnelsonfineart.com

  Learn about my special Canvas Minis HERE

  Sign up for my quarterly newsletter HERE

  View my WORKSHOP SCHEDULE  Here

  View my available BOOKS Here

Mixed Media Aspen Leaf Collage Art Painting "Pond Series" by Colorado Mixed Media Abstract Artist Carol Nelson

 This collage of painted paper aspen leaves is covered with a final coat of crystal clear epoxy.

 10"x10" Acrylic on Canvas/SOLD

 View more of my work at http://carolnelsonfineart.com

 Learn about my special Canvas Minis HERE

 Sign up for my quarterly newsletter HERE

 View my WORKSHOP SCHEDULE  Here

 View my available BOOKS Here

"Autumn Elegy" 13034, mixed media aspen leaf copper abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Autumn Elegy

I did this painting last year, but I just got it back from a gallery (where it didn't sell).  It was like I was seeing it for the first time with new eyes.

I took it out of the frame and did some touching up - nothing major.  Mostly, I put a glaze of transparent red oxide over the top most section because it was looking too pink.  The colors are more harmonious now.

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

"GREEN AND BLUE LEAVES" 12024, contemporary mixed media aspen leaves © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Green and Blue Leaves

These are not real leaves (people always ask me if they are.)  They are made from painted watercolor paper and mounted on a textured board.

I have done several leaf paintings this way.  It's fun to play with the colors.  I know it would be hard to find blue aspen leaves, but I thought they looked nice, so here they are.

The theme is reminiscent of the violin I decorated for the Denver Young Artists Orchestra fundraiser.  The auction Gala is coming up soon - I hope my violin sells for a lot.  That's mine on the invitation - woo-hoo!

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

"AUTUMN SONG," 10163

"AUTUMN SONG"

side

detail

This piece is a true mixed media painting.  It has suede leather, aluminum foil, patterned felt, wc paper, and burlap on a textured panel.  I worked on this painting on and off all last week.  There were several points where I applied some part and then had to wait overnight for the gel medium to dry.

Originally, I was playing around using real aspen twigs in the piece.  I collected several twigs from the yard and tried to incorporate them into the design.  Aspen branches do not grow flat! I could have overcome that problem, but my biggest concern was what would happen to them over time - would they deteriorate?  I coated some with gel medium and they looked great, but I still was worried about the longevity. If anyone out there has any experience with using real tree branches in artwork, I would like to know about it.

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

"ASPEN LEAF SERIES 11 ," 10147, daily painter acrylic collage © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"ASPEN LEAF SERIES 11," 10147

 

The leaves are turning here in Colorado.  It's our annual reminder that winter is around the corner.  For almost everyone I know who lives here, it is their favorite time of year with cool air, warm sun, and brilliant colors - Nature at her best. 

This is a smaller version of my recent aspen leaf collages.  This one measures 8.75 inches high by 5 inches wide.  For purchase information, please click here to go to my website.

"ASPEN LEAF SERIES 10 ," 10146 daily painter leaf collage © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"ASPEN LEAF SERIES 10"

life size detail

This is another in the aspen leaf series.  I took the photo before I put on the clear epoxy resin layer because it is easier to photograph without the shine of the epoxy.
Click here to go to my website for purchase information.

"ASPEN LEAF SERIES 8 & 9," 10140, 10141 daily painter metallic leaf collage © Carol Nelson Fine Art

These two are the latest in my leaf series.  Each one is on a mounted board measuring 24x5.5 inches.  The leaves are cut from painted water color paper with the edges slightly curled to increase the depth.  The background on both paintings has a mixture of metallic paints giving each piece a soft glow.

The entire surface is coated with a thick layer of crystal clear epoxy resin which enhances the saturation of color, secures the leaves in place, and protects the painting.

I love doing these leaf collages because I can go wild with the colors.  Blue and purple leaves???  I've never seen blue or purple aspen leaves, but maybe I just haven't seen those particular trees...

For purchase information, please see my website by clicking here.

"GOLDEN DAYS," 10127, daily painter original landscape © Carol Nelson Fine Art

We are creeping up on my favorite time of year. Who doesn't love autumn with the warm sunshine, crisp air, and the glorious colors?

This painting is from a photo I took on a misty, cloudy day. It almost seems like the yellow aspen foliage is even brighter on cloudy days - maybe it's because there is more contrast with the darker trees.

Once again I started with a red oxide toned panel. I like letting that show here and there.

For purchase information of this 6x6 original oil painting for $100, please click here to go to my website.

Pond Series 15, 1074, aspen leaf acrylic collage © Carol Nelson Fine Art

This painting is a layering of painted paper aspen leaves on a free flowing acrylic background with metal leaf accents on canvas. Whew - got all that? Then I poured epoxy over the whole thing, curling the leaves a little so they are not lying flat on the canvas. The epoxy makes a thick crystal clear coating over the entire surface. I swear, anything you put the epoxy coating on looks really cool. I especially like to finish collage works that have lots of little pieces with epoxy because it seals all those loose edges.
I have done a number of paintings in the Pond Series, but this is the first one utilizing epoxy as a finishing technique. For purchase information, please see my website.

AUTUMN BEAUTY 3, 9084, sunken relief of aspen leaves

This is similar to Autumn Beauty 1 & 2 in concept. The size of this one is 7.5 x 7.5 inches. For purchase information, please see my website or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

Leaves 6, 9061, metal leaf abstract

Another example of my leaf series. The leaves themselves were cut out of gold embossing metal - I think it's aluminum- that I got at an art supply store. The cool thing is that the metal is gold on one side and silver on the other. The background is highly textured and the whole piece is covered with resin which gives it an "under glass" look.
I'm sorry that these photos just don't show the details very well. If I give it enough light to show the background well, the shiny leaves are overexposed.

Vacation

I'm in Breckenridge, CO, at our condo at 11,000 feet. You flatlanders would be a little short of breath up here. I won't be posting any paintings until next weekend, but that does not mean I'm not painting! I just can't upload from my camera to my husband's laptop - have to wait 'til I get home.
Yesterday it rained all day long so I got THREE small paintings done. They were specifically created for my show up here in Breck over the fourth of July. They have an aspen leaf theme. The aspens, by the way, are so beautiful right now. Their leaves are new and bright green. They flutter and tremble on the slightest breeze.

Well, gotta go take my coffee out on the deck, and drink in the incredible view.

Aspen Dream, 9054, mixed media abstract triptych

This painting is a triptych on panels. I had trouble with the photo. The panels are not that dark on the bottom. If I lightened the bottom, the top was over exposed - AAARRRRGGHH. I cut out the leaf forms from thin metal and then nailed them to the panels.

My next outdoor show is over July 4th in Breckenridge, CO. Artwork with an aspen theme sells well in the mountains - especially to Texas tourists who want to take a little Colorado home with them. For purchase information, please see my website.
SOLD

POND SERIES VII, textured acrylic of golden aspen leaves

This is a revision of an earlier painting. The whole Pond Series featured flowing free-form backgrounds with sculpted aspen leaves "floating" on the surface. Previously, the background on the upper left was very dark. I wanted to keep it rich looking, but lightened it up with some more purple/green. I also toned down the orange. The leaves are sculpted with acrylic medium and then painted with metallic gold and bronze.

For purchase information, please see my website:

http://data.fineartstudioonline.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=3851&subkeyvalue=186622&page=WorksDetail

Aspen View, 24x48 oil painting of Colorado high country

Here are several close up views of this large landscape. The lower picture is the entire 24x48 oil painting.

These aspens are on the road to Cottonwood Pass, west of Buena Vista, CO. In the spring and early summer, the leaves are a vibrant yellow-green. The contrast against the dark conifers is beautiful. Aspen trunks have chlorophyll in them, giving them a greenish hue. In the fall, as the trees prepare for winter, the trunks are more golden.

For purchase information, please see my website http://carolnelsonfineart.com/works/177579

Summer Aspens, 36x48 oil of aspen leaves

I'm not calling this the final version, but it's close. There will be small tweeks I will do in the next few weeks as it drys. After all this work, I'm not sure how I feel about this painting. It definately needs to be viewed from at least 15 feet away. To view this painting in a room, please click on this link, http://www.boundlessgallery.com/artist/9472.art, select the painting, and click "view in a room."