experimenting with gesso grounds

9x12 oil on wood

I have been playing around with different types of gesso. Prior to my experimenting my favorite was made by Art Board. Great stuff! It's an acrylic gesso that is absorbent and can go on smooth as glass. It's easy to use since it dries quickly.
Recently I decided to try Gamblin's Traditional Gesso. I read that is was made with gypsum, rabbit skin glue, marble dust, titanium  dioxide and water, it claimed to make a luminous surface. Let me tell you, IT DOES! I love it. The study above was done on a birch, coated in 4 thin layers. You can't tell by this photo but the sky glows. (I will try to retake the photo tomorrow.) This gesso dries much more slowly but is worth the wait. One thing to remember you must use it on a rigid surface, not stretched canvas or linen.
Maybe someday I will cook up my own on the stove like I learned to do long ago at school. Right now I don't see that in my future and with this stuff I don't feel I have to!
Does anyone else have a favorite gesso they would care to share?

the studio and the constable closet

my beautiful new constable closet

Finally we have made it. On Saturday evening we (Agne, Arminas, Coba (they are above), Paul and I) moved my stuff into the studio. Above you see my "constable closet," the ultimate organizer. My Dad built it for me. It has a place for everything and thankfully it's not even 1/2 full.

Speaking of thankful...I will have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. First, my Dad, who long ago labeled the building of my studio-project hope, has been behind me the whole time. I couldn't have done it without his expertise and the fact that he took 6 weeks out of his life to travel here (from California) and build (and monitor the rest of us.) Next my husband, who has believed in me always and added his sweat and tears to this structure. He has endured the process since it's infancy. My sister Toni and her family are awesome too. Toni provided food for everyone for weeks! Lasagnas, sandwiches, soups and all important cookies and biscotties- all home made! Joel (my brother-in-law) constantly made time to help us every step of the way. Nothing stops him!  Of course- the strong arms- Agne, Arminas and Coba, who did lots of the heavy work. And last but not least, Rhegina who constantly stopped by and would pick up and job- finish it then whiz off to work. She also kept my spirits high. Amazing, eh? I feel blessed to be surrounded by such a great group of people.

I will post more pics later. Right now I  have to go clean and organize so that I can begin painting here by Wednesday. I can't wait to get back to normal.

color and albers

"In order to use color effectively, it is necessary to realize that color deceives continually." Josef Albers.  To me, that's another way of saying- color doesn't define its "colorness" until it is next to something else. A ripe tangerine orange looks stunning next to a darker, grayer blue. The same tangerine sits much more quietly when placed next to a light value of blue. These four paintings are all painted from the exact same place and all use the exact same palette of 6 colors and white.  Each one has a different feeling and vibration.This effect can also be seen in lightly layered paint (or pastel.)

the passion of plein air

Sunrise, November 3, pastel on Uart, 5x10

 Plein air painting is still the most important part of my work. What's funny is that at least 95% of these paintings will never be shown and are simply for "process." The other day, when I explained this to a friend, she asked, why is it I continue to rise each morning before the sun (especially now that the weather is so cold) and paint? It made me wonder why any plein air painter does this. For me, it's not about producing a finished "product." Each painting now sits in my head and informs everything I do.  I love the challenge, the struggle and  "being there." Looking at one scene and its changing light and shapes with the purpose of creating one painting is daunting and thrilling. It makes me try to nail that vision despite all the confusing factors. It's an adrenaline rush.  Especially sunrise. Sunrise lasts only minutes. It's my favorite time to paint...so off I go.
Before I leave...why do YOU paint outdoors?

November 2 sky, 7x14 pastel

sunrise, November 4, 5x10 pastel