This month's crusade is about learning: Check it out here and join us if you can.
It doesn't have to be about art, but mine is: The title is 'Focus' and I need to warn you this is a long post, so here goes: For years I've had a box in the corner of my studio where I put half finished paintings and other designs or snippets that are too nice to pitch but not (it seemed) frame worthy. In another corner I have a bag of mattes without frames, frames without mattes and other mis-fit items. A few weeks ago I was cleaning my studio and I pored over these areas and decided: I'm going to DO it! These pieces will get finished, framed, sold, given away or hung up! I spent several (tedious) hours figuring out which pieces will fit into the mattes and frames I already had and what I would need to buy for the others. Fortunately, I have JoAnne, Hobby Lobby and Michaels' nearby so I was able to get all items 40 or 50% off. Also, HL was kind enough to add the paper backing and wire frame thingYs for no charge!
I placed a matte around this half-finished painting of our house and realized it looked pretty good. I did some touch ups and now ta-da-it's hanging in the foyer.
This flower was an experiment that didn't turn out as I had planned and almost landed in the trash but I decided it has it's own 'charm' so now it's hanging in my office.
An imperfect sketch but I love the colors - now hanging in the Living room.
Pears-another experiment that looked better after I cropped it. I usually stay with standard rectangle mattes but I had this square left over from a workshop last year, so it was a 'freebie'.
Journal page that looks nice in the frame. There are three more items which can't be shown yet they are gifts for some up-coming birthdays, but you get the idea: It took time and focus and it was such a confidence boost. What I learned: Never underestimate the power of a good matte! LOL. The best news: I took five more pieces to a local gallery and they were accepted: woohoo!My studio is clean (for the moment) just in time, class starts Wednesday!
16 comments:
Life is one big long learning experience...we never stop being students...and isn't that wonderful?? Beautiful art -- as always!
So glad you didn't throw any of these away as it's obvious they were all keepers!!
You are right, a matte can really help finish off a piece. I'm working on a painting & it's far enough along to know what frame to get & it's helping me see what needs to be done on the painting... I also see that I am getting close to the finish.
I like what you have done very much & I'm not sure if I like the journal page or the pears best.
Jane - some time ago I taught a class called *under glass* and it was a lesson in seeing the potential in our own artwork. As part of the experiment we each took our paintings from that afternoon and tried them under different mattes and frames. It was so rewarding to see how each artist changed their attitude about their work after seeing it properly framed. Thanks for sharing this *learning* project with the team....hopefully it will inspire more to try it. Bravo for cleaning those corners and putting stuff on the wall!
beautiful sketches, i really like the "imperfect sketch"
Beautiful! I love all of them and so happy to didn't ditch them. Thanks for sharing your process!
~Nina in San Diego~
Lovely paintings, All! I particularly love those pears - the line quality is stunning.
All keepers for sure and I think they are beautiful. Your sketching is incredible; you are very talented! I now have my own computer back and am looking forward to getting back to blogging myself. Best always - Marilyn
Wow! How fortunate that you didn't just turf them out. They all look terrific in their new mattes and frames.
Hi Jane,
How is your love, feeling better these days?
Thank you for your nice comment on my blog, as always!
Regina
It is amazing what a good matt will do! My post shows my first attempt at Chinese brush painting. I wasn't too keen on it but once the red stamp and matt went on it looked better. Pulling it out the next day also improved my liking to it. It also helped not having it next to my master teacher's work. It can stand on its own. Now you have quite a collection of fine images here -- making for some great gifts! There will be some lucky recipients! I particularly like the flower that you now have hanging in your office. It is simple yet the colors really hold my interest. The sketch for your living room is also intriguing. Great textures in it!
Your art works are amazing. I so love them. It does feel good to set a goal, do it, and look back on it. The mats are wonderful. I love the flower. Thanks for stopping by the Honeysuckles! : )
These are wonderful paintings. So glad you rescued and gave them a second chance.
WOW Jane...all of these look fantastic! This is a motivational post for me!
Have a great weekend!
xo
Hey Jane! Congratulations on a. cleaning your studio, b. making such beautiful art, and c. having your art in a gallery!!! You have inspired me to get busier! Your watercolors are to die for, really beautiful... and your comment re: a good matte around a painting is so true... it helps pretty much anything, I've found... years ago, when I did a lot of cross stitch, I learned things "popped" if they were outlined with black thread... and I always try to put a black outline around the photos I post (I don't always remember to do that, but I try)... you're right, it really helps! Hope all is well with you, thank you again for all of your supportiveness, I really appreciate it! xoxo, K.
Guess what ! I particularly love your 3rd painting which you called it imperfect sketch :)
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