"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.

"Tapestry", mixed media contemporary geologic abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Tapestry

 

 

detail

detail

with frame

I love how this painting turned out.  It has so many different materials in it - a virtual mixed media smorgasbord (copper, aluminum, pewter, crackle paste, stucco mix, etc.)

Want to know a little secret about this painting?  It's a redo.

I did the first version (above) in 2009.  My goal then was to incorporate a number of metals in an analogous color scheme abstract.  I guess it was so analogous that it was boring.  So I added more texture and beefed up the contrast - does that sound familiar?

For more information on this 40x30 painting, click here to go to my website.

"BURNISHED" 12006, acrylic copper geologic abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Burnished

This geologic abstract has a mat that I painted with two shades of copper acrylic.  Since there is copper and gold paint in the painting, I thought it really enhanced the work.

The bevel on the mat was white.  I painted the bevel black and let the paint smudge out on to the mat a bit. It looks very much like the mat is made from copper metal.

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

"MONDRIAN - ZORN 3" 11040, daily painter mixed media abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Mondrian Zorn 3"

This is the third in the series of mini abstracts featuring the
Mondrian design and the Zorn palette.  Once again there is a slight distortion from the camera.

This one is different because instead of drawing the geometric lines, it is actually three different panels.  I really had fun doing this one.  Look at those little copper nails.

The swirls are acrylic medium that I used a texture tool on to make the lines.  For more information about this painting, click here to go to my website.

PEACOCK RIDGE, 9077, mixed media geologic abstract with copper metal accents

When I was at my last outdoor art festival a customer asked me if I could do another version of an abstract I had for sale, but in a smaller format. The painting he was looking at was RAINBOW BLUFF, 9073. Scroll down and see my post from 9/9/09. I didn't/couldn't copy that painting exactly, but you can see that PEACOCK RIDGE (16x20), has many of the same design characteristics, which is what my customer was after.
Due to the metal and metallic paints, photographing the piece was a problem. The top picture was taken outside in the shade, the side view was taken inside my studio with artificial light. The blue tones in the outside shot are a little exaggerated, while they are minimized in the inside shot. Reality lies somewhere in between.
SOLD

METAL LINKS 2, 9074, mixed media abstract

This is a companion piece of Metal Links 1, 9071.

Home Depot for Art Supplies - Construction 2

This little abstract features Tyvek, a paper-like product made by Dupont. In the building industry, it is used to wrap foundations for a vapor barrier. It has many other uses because of it's strength and light weight. FedEx uses large envelopes made of Tyvek for shipping.

The cool thing about using Tyvek for artistic purposes is the unusual transformation that takes place when you apply heat from an iron to the paper/fabric. It shrinks and bubbles and melts, leaving you with a very unusual surface. I usually paint the paper before I shrink it. That adds to an element of unpredictablility that I love.

I also used copper tacks and copper wire on this one. SOLD

Home Depot for Art Supplies - Construction 1

I love creative challenges. I've been asked to do a workshop on abstract painting, specifically covering the use of metals. I have used metals in some of my works and I find a lot of my supplies in big box hardware stores.

It is fun to wander around these stores looking at building supplies and thinking outside the box. When asked if I need help, I usually say no thanks because I don't know what I'm looking for, but I'll know it when I see it.

I worked up 3 small demo pieces, each 5x7, using a variety of materials. They are all on MDF board painted black. This one features copper (sold as copper flashing), burlap, copper tacks, and quarter inch wood trim. SOLD

SERENDIPITY, 03908, mixed media triptych

This triptych uses a varity of materials including leather pieces, copper tacks, metal leaf, and acrylic paints. The various reflective elements pick up the light making for a visually pleasing composition.

Each 5x5 piece is separately framed in a deep, black wood frame. The three pieces can be arranged in multiple patterns.

SOLD

COPPER ILLUSION, 24x48 mixed media abstract

This abstract has a geological feel to it, as many of my abstracts do. I used acrylic modeling paste to build up the copper colored elements and create additional surface texture on the canvas.

The first photo shows the canvas with the modeling compound applied. I like to add color to the modeling compound so I can see it better against the white canvas. There is also a small concept sketch where I was working out the composition. It's surprising to me how much the finished painting looks like the sketch.

The copper areas have metal leaf applied. The copper leaf was then carefully treated with copper sulfate solution to create an authentic black patina on the metal. The rest of the painting was done with artist quality acrylic paint (Golden brand) on gallery wrap canvas.

SOLD

Mineshaft, mixed media abstract diptych

This is another in my geologic series and is my largest piece to date. It is painted on cradled birch panel and is quite heavy.

After tearing my hair out a couple times, I finally got this one to where I like it. Sometimes abstract work can be SO FRUSTRATING. I had some textured papers on here at first, then ended up ripping them off. This painting is done with acrylic modeling compound, acrylic and metallic paints, copper and aluminum.

I bought the metals at Home Depot, where they are sold as flashing. The copper tacks and square metal brads, I got at a scrapbooking store. I actually enjoy walking through hardware stores and thinking of artistic uses for various things I find there.

For purchase information, please see www.carolnelsonfineart.com, click on "works," then "abstracts."

SOLD

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Copper and Clay 2, 11x14 oil

This is another larger version of my previous post of Copper and Clay. I really like painting these reflective surfaces. They look like they're difficult to paint, but it just takes careful observation. Paint what you see, not what your mind thinks a copper pot looks like.

Copper and Clay, 5x7 oil

This old watering can was a mess when I bought it at a thrift store. A little polish made it gleam like new again. Reflective surfaces are fun and challenging. SOLD