I love the energy in spring, something in the air that calls us to rearrange, clean our spaces, and take on new projects (more on this later). The green fog of pollen must work in a similar way to the oxygen pumped into the casinos in Vegas, alerting our senses. So with this "energy", this week I gave in to urge to rearrange the furniture in my studio at Liberty Town.
Above is a photo of Studio #3 at Liberty Town Arts in downtown Fredericksburg...my space, my solace, where some of my work gets done, and I teach a few workshops throughout the year. Over the past few years, I attribute my success and growth as an artist, in no small way, to the support, camaraderie and creative energy of the artists and mentors at Liberty Town. In May, Dan Finnegan, the founder is hosting Liberty Town's Annual "Patron's Show". Local artists come together to donate paintings in support of the arts and vision of LibertyTown, and to celebrate it's anniversary. The concept for the "Patron's Show", simple: buy a ticket, take home an amazing piece of art... and enjoy the company of the colorful community of artists and patrons in Fredericksburg. Tickets for the event go on sale "First Friday" May 7th. Visit the website for more information. www.libertytownarts.com 
Another love to share this week...watercolor sketching (long overdue)... simplified, loose, and rich in color. Doing small sketches, I can explore a concept, test a composition, plan a color scheme and structure without having to commit. If a design doesn't "work" as a sketch, it won't work when enlarged to a finished painting. Only, I won't have invested so much time to the idea and therefore feel compelled to persist. I also avoid that uncomfortable middle ground in a painting, full of self-dought, when I am not sure if I can pull it all together. "Energy" takes on many forms.
A few sketches, soon to become paintings.
5 comments:
Ariel,
These sketches are wonderful little gems as they are so I can hardly wait to see what you do with them as full-blown paintings!
I have turned in my jewelry piece for the Ptron's Show and I am looking forward to May's First Friday!! Love the clothesline with birds- hope that they don't decorate the hand dyed fabrics, wink* wink!!! Might you be selling one or two of the sketches???? can't wiat to see the finished works! Love the new studio arraingment- I popped by the other day when no one was there! See you soon , I hope!
Thank you Sandy and Elizabeth for our comments. I can't wait to start on the paintings as well.
Elizabeth: As of now, I hadn't planned on selling the sketches. Some things I keep just for me. But thank you for asking. Maybe after I "live" with them for a while I will consider it.
Ariel,
Your comment about saving your work for yourself. I have read and heard comments by authors, artists, musicians that they never thought of public sale or display for some works that turn out to be the most well received.
DAF
Your sketches are wonderful! I think, in general, sketchbook drawing has lots of energy because we're more relaxed and moving quickly. Lots of times we think too much!
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