"Circular Divisions" abstract geometric abstraction © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Circular Divisions

This triptych painting is a simple pattern of lines and circles.  It's really more of a color study than anything else.  The top section is cool palette which gets warmer towards the bottom of each canvas.

Heavy application of modeling compound prior to painting gives the mottled look because the modeling compound absorbs color differently than primed canvas.  I like the variation that occurs naturally.

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

"Blue Invasion" abstract textured triptych © Carol Nelson Fine Art

This is a three panel triptych.  Each canvas measures 12 x 12 inches.  It can be displayed in multiple ways.  I textured the canvases heavily with stucco patch, which has a thick, gritty texture.

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

"Beach Patterns" mixed media abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Beach Patterns"

This is another demo I did at a workshop last week.  It's a variation on my foam plate abstract Gemstone series. 
It has mica flakes, texture paste, and epoxy resin over all.
Love that stuff.

For more information, 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.

"POPPY FIRE" 12064, mixed media textured floral painting © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Poppy Fire

This 6x8 inch painting is mounted on a black 8x10 panel suitable for standard framing.  I hope you can see the dramatic texture of the petals and bud pods.  I collaged a variety of papers on to the surface to complete the textured look.

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

This painting is also available as large reproductions through my Fine Art America site at very reasonable prices.

"MESABI" 12056, mixed media contemporary abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

 

"MESABI"

Mesabi detail

If this looks familiar, it's because it is a revision of a painting I did last year.  I walked by it the other day, and knew what I had to do to spiff it up a bit.

I love many of the details about this piece.  It is very textural, and, with the three separate components, is an interesting composition.

For more information, click here to go to my website.
This painting will be at the SUMMER ART MARKET this weekend.  Look for me in booth 169.

"TUCSON" 12054 mixed media desert abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Tucson"

 

This painting, with it's copper, turquoise, purple and sienna tones embodies the colors of the Southwest.  They are my favorite colors and they show up over and over again in my work.  Fortunately, for me, lots of other people collect art in these desert hues.

The detail above shows the cube forms made with acrylic medium.  I like lots of texture in my work and this painting begs to be touched.
I signed the painting on the back, but not on the front because it can be hung horizontally or vertically.

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

"ORANGE DREAM" 12053, mixed media flowers red poppies © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Orange Dream

What fun I had with this vibrant floral painting.  The flowers, vase and some other areas are made from used paper towels that I had cleaned my brush on.

The diagonals in the piece give an edgy quality that adds to the drama of the piece.  The closeup shows the texture of the paper towel (I use Viva) that closely resembles the weave of the canvas.
How cool is that?!

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

"OPERETTA" 12017 mixed media contemporary textured abstract painting © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Operetta

detail

wall view

This painting gets it's name from the musical symbols printed in the piece.  Unlike grand opera, which is always tragic, operettas are kind of like the chick flick of opera.  There is romance, music and dancing and more of a light humorous approach.

This painting reminded me of a playbill pasted on a wall somewhere.  It has textural elements such as Egyptian papyrus paper, printed papers, and strips of painted watercolor paper.

The close color harmony of the palette, primarily metallic tones of copper and bronze, with a touch of lavender and red oxide, makes this painting soothing.  The dramatic value (dark vs. light) shifts make it a dynamic piece.

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

"HEADLINES" 12016, contemporary mixed media collage abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Headlines

detail

I am excited about this piece.  I consider it a keystone painting, in that I have never successfully done anything quite like this before. It could signal a new direction I may want to pursue.

It does not fit into my current series of geologic abstracts or forest abstracts.  It is totally nonrepresentational. 

I would say it is a celebration of texture, somewhat muted color, and composition.  Creating a painting like this somewhat like a Japanese Zen garden, where every stone, every plant, is carefully placed to create a harmonious environment.

As I worked on this painting, it was a matter of placing the various patterns and texture elements, then building up layers until it looked harmonious, or Zen-like, to me. There were several points during which I had to step away and do something else, so that when I came back to the painting again, I saw it with fresh eyes.

As with all abstracts, I did not have a vision in my mind of the completed painting.  Instead, the painting evolved as it was being created.

Surprisingly, my husband did not say YUK when he saw it - he's not a fan of abstract.  He even came up with the title, which I kind of like because of the lettering and the complexity of the piece.

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

"TOUCH MY HEART" 12008, contemporary modern textured heart valentine © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Touch My Heart

Here's a REALLY textured piece.  I tried very hard to get the shiny copper metal to show in a photo, but had not luck.  As you can see, this one has copper metal, brads, beads, corrugated art paper, and cubes of acrylic medium.

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

"MIDAS TOUCH" 12003, metallic mixed media geologic abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Midas Touch

 

I love everything about this painting.  If you've been following my work at all, you know how fond I am of this color palette.  It has other things I love too such as metal leaf and texture.

In this extreme close up, you can see the blue and turquoise notes that are not very evident in the above photos.  I just LOVE adding those little complimentary touches toward the end of a painting.

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

______________________________________

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENTS:  I have posted several workshops I will be conducting in the coming months on my website.  Take a look at what's coming up - you might find the perfect workshop to jump start your creativity.

"BOOGIE WOOGIE" 12001, textured geometric abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Boogie Woogie

close up detail

 

I had fun painting this geometric abstract.  I didn't have anything in particular in mind other than I wanted to use some little wood squares as a surface treatment.  I am partial to squares for some unknown reason.  

The surface of the panel is heavily textured.  Once I embedded the squares on to the surface, I covered them with gold metallic origami foil.  They really glow and catch the light.

I was very loose with the pattern layout and did not use a ruler.  I didn't want it to be so precise that it looked machine-made.

When I was trying to think of a suitable title, I was reminded of Mondrian's Broadway Boogie Woogie because of it's busy little squares.  

Mondrian painted this abstract after the Boogie Woogie dance form became famous in the 30's.  I would buy this painting for the name alone - it makes you happy.

For more information on this painting, 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.

"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.

   _________________________________________________

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. 

     _________________________________________________

"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.

__________________________________________________

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.