Coffee And Paint Drips Blog - Page 5 of 79

Painting and Knitting

What’s new in the art world, here in my little studio? Lots of daydreaming, some process painting, more daydreaming, and now that the weather is changing knitting could happen soon.

Before I talk about knitting, let me show you the latest watercolor painting. Try to remember I’m working on the process, ok? That’s what I keep telling myself. Ahem.

Tractor, 8x10 Watercolor, Arches paper — Tractor, 8×10 Watercolor, Arches paper

I already worked this in the hated acrylic paints, but decided to revisit the scene using old school Maribu watercolors. Why not? I really enjoyed this day of plein air painting with a new/old friend I made online and finally met in person this day, so it was special. As we were leaving the flower nursery we were at we found these great tractors and took photos to paint from later on.

Now, about the knitting. Wintry weather makes me want to knit wooly and warm things so I’ve been looking over my yarn stash, and hunting for patterns. That’s the daydreaming part.

We now have a 4 month old grandson to knit for. Thrills!

Beyond knitting baby items I found this article on how knitting is healthy to do titled “5 Reasons Knitting is Good for You.” Perfect! That’s just what I need to hear, so I can keep on buying, oops, knitting with yarn.

Did you know that an hour of knitting burns 55 calories? Yes!

Knitting helps keep dementia at bay? Perfect!

Want to tamp down that ‘fight or flight’ response? Yep, knitting can do that.

Now if I could paint and knit simultaneously that’d be a great thing.

Resistance and the Challenge

Resistance is a real kicker. One day you’re cranking out the work, nothing can stop you. Absolutely nothing.

Suddenly, BOOM! Everything comes to a stand still. And yet, you fully expect the next day to be productive.

What happens next? Nothing.

However, some good things happened in the process, in the work that is art.

Hating the acrylic paints I picked up a while ago, expecting to like them but totally Not Liking, I vowed to use them and empty each and every little tube of it’s contents creating whatever seemed to move me.

Completing 30 works in the 30/30 Painting Challenge eluded me, but the process was there.

Let’s just say it was there on most days during the month long challenge.

17 paintings in the 30/30 Challenge — 17 Paintings in the 30/30 Challenge

Let’s also admit that creating 17 works of art, however I like the outcome, is nothing to sneeze at. It takes commitment to painting as the work that must get done, no matter what else is on the list of to-do’s around here.

13 Years Later It’s Still Painful

Thirteen years after the horrible events of that day and there we are. The raw feelings are still there under the surface.

It just doesn’t feel right to post anything really “up” but I will leave a link to a post from the past on September 11.

https://www.dsislianthemelis.com/photo-for-friday-and-sept-11/

Daily Paintings 4 and 5 The Challenge Continues

The 30/30 Painting Challenge continues with these two works for Day 4 and Day 5. As you can tell, I’m trying to keep up. Posting to the blog and where ever has been a bigger challenge than the painting.

Day 4

Day 4 SeaShells, 8×10 Acrylic on stretched canvas ©2014 Dora Sislian Themelis

This acrylic was done from direct observation of the shells I’ve collected from the local beach. I love looking at them so it was a natural thing to paint them. I’m still not thrilled with acrylic paints.

Day 5

And here, my lovelies, is a little plein air sketch done at the actual beach. I collected a few of these interesting shells, put them together to paint. I did sketch with a Micron pen first, then went to color. I don’t know why I love it so much. Maybe it was being at the beach with the quiet waves, the warm sun, the peacefulness of the place.

I know I’m behind in posting my additions to the challenge, but I am working at it, rest assured.

Daily Paintings 2 and 3

Today I’m presenting days 2 and 3 of the 30/30 Painting Challenge on the blog. I am still working in acrylic paints, trying to finish them because I am not thrilled by the way they work.

Sunflower, 8x10 Acrylic, ©2014 Dora Sislian Themelis — Day 2- Sunflower, 8×10 Acrylic, ©2014 Dora Sislian Themelis

These acrylics are not as creamy as the oils I’ve used in the past. They don’t cover the canvas as I like, but there is a certain quality about how this looks. Somewhat creamy and transparent at the same time.

Maybe it’s my brush?

I painted this sunflower before, in watercolor and that was kind of tightly worked while this is freer.

This fast and loose style is interesting. It has movement, and feels good to me.

PatmosBoat — Day 3- Patmos Boat, 8×10 Acrylic, ©2014 Dora Sislian Themelis

Now look at this seascape. Same size canvas, same brush and the acrylic paint, but tighter brush strokes. Ok, I’m interested, but I’m not that happy with how the paint lays on the surface this time. I wanted to get a smooth brush of paint, but nothing I did would work, in my opinion at least.

When I used oils I don’t remember them being so hard to get color on the canvas. It kept blending with the paint already down when I didn’t want that to happen. Maybe it’s the quality of these acrylics, could be a student’s grade.

The idea is to finish these and continue on with something else.

The daily painting process is the priority.

September is 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Welcome to September, friends! I am back and busy, painting new work in my usual twenty minute segments of time to stay alive in the process and keep Mr. Resistance away. Enter the 30/30 Challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta on her blog. (Do go take a look at all the artists signed up. It’s over 700!)

I am ready! Process!

Amorgos Boats, 8x10 Acrylic ©2014 Dora Sislian Themelis — Amorgos Boats, 8×10 Acrylic ©2014 Dora Sislian Themelis

Acrylic paint has never been something I wanted to bother with being primarily an oil painter.

I had a set of colors I thought maybe it was time to put them to the test. Other artists I know love them. I wasn’t so sure I would.

This first work for the 30/30 Challenge was done in twenty minutes with a fairly large brush and a small 8×10 stretched canvas. It’s a scene I’d already painted in watercolors.

My goal was to see how I liked using the acrylics, and if my painting style and techniques would be different.

Honestly, I don’t think the style is very different than my watercolor painting. I worked a little faster because these paints allowed some mixing on the canvas and I used the large brush.

Let’s say I’m not in love. The work got done, so that’s a plus.

A Successful Art Event

The Greek Artists Guild Art Show/Sale was a success, for me at least. It’s been helpful to break the ice, so to speak, getting my work in front of people. I get a chance to talk to people about my process, get feedback, socialize a little with people I don’t know, and become more experienced at showing my artwork.

Participating in these low-key events is great. There’s no pressure, everyone is relaxed, the artists get a chance to met each other and discuss our work.

Another great thing is that it’s sponsored by the Federation of Hellenic Societies, a community organization in Astoria, New York, so there is no fee to show.

My table at the event with art and jewelry

I brought plenty of work, too. Whenever I attend these events I never know what to bring as everyone has different tastes. One person may like landscape, another is drawn to still life work. So I bring everything!

Some work I matted, others I left flat. Nothing is framed. If I did that I wouldn’t be able to carry much with me. Like this I manage to fit it all in my portfolio case. Nice and easy.

It’s even more fun if a browser becomes a collector! I’m proud to say I sold a couple of works to some lovely shoppers.

Next post I’ll show you the works I sold and the stories behind them. A lot of fun for sure!

Spring Art Exhibition and Sale

It’s that time of the year again, friends. I’ll be participating in this latest art exhibition and sale in the area.

Please stop by and say Hello! I’d love to meet you in person.

Greek Artist's Guild Exhibition and Sale — Greek Artist’s Guild Exhibition and Sale

Thought for Thursday

Some People Just Don’t Get Art but That’s OK by Lauren Purje at Hyperallergic

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A Productive Painting Morning

This was the most productive morning I have had in quite a long while. Working at my art making had taken a back seat to the mundane, every day stuff of life. What else is new?

Today you can pat me on the back because I beat Mr. Resistance at his game!

Making the most of a pretty wide open morning, I made my way to the studio space and worked on the latest larger piece. I had been putting it off, painting some small still life works, and ignoring this one.

At 18×24 it’s large for a watercolor painting, but the small pieces were 7×10.

Big difference in working space.

Laying in some nice darks on this 18x24 watercolor — Laying in some nice darks on this 18×24 watercolor

Twenty minutes and I had some really nice darks going on with a lot of color for interest. There’s some things I’m not so sure I like, but overall this work is coming together nicely.

Another art event is soon approaching on Memorial Day weekend, and I hope to have fresh, new work to show. Updates will be forthcoming, unless Mr. Resistance shows up and drags me out of the studio by my feet.

It could get ugly.