Making jewelry - a new endeavour

Since making the star ornaments as Christmas presents, I have been working with sculpted design in polymer clay. I found that it lends itself beautifully to jewelry design.
I have made several pendants that have my original designs impressed into them. I have developed some techniques on my own for this branching off from ideas that I have read in books and/or online.

Here are some samples:













The one above "Bronzed Pendant" is for sale at ArtBoost

Making it!

Gifts should be from the heart and in that mode, I have chosen to make everything I give at work this year. I made these star ornaments with polymer clay, beads, wire and acrylic paint.
I think they are a lovely token gift for my co-workers.




I hope you like them. I highly recommend gifts that you make yourself. Put some love into them and share your artistic side. (Hey, even baking a cake is a creative endeavour.)

The Art of Writing

Writing is not the art form I am most passionate about as a creator. I honestly wish I were a writer. I love a good book. Crafting a story that keeps a person's interest is truly an art.

So...."why is he telling us this?, you say to your monitor.

Let me tell you why. My friend, via the internet, Becky Cochrane has a new book out. The title is "A Coventry Christmas." I started reading it this evening and have only just put it down because I wanted to tell you about it. All I am saying is this: Get it, read it and put some Magic in your Christmas season. I haven't finished it yet, but if it doesn't end well this post will self destruct! I should be finished sometime tomorrow (since tomorrow starts in 15 minutes.) I RARELY stay up this late so obviously the book captured me.

The big mystery is this: Will I go brush my teeth and go to bed? OR Will I brush my teeth and take the book and finish it before I go to sleep. If my eyelids don't snap shut, I will most likely finish the book tonite.

(Edited the next morning to add)
I finished the book after telling myself several times that I would put it down at the end of "this chapter." About 1:15 this morning I finished "A Coventry Christmas," sighed a contented sigh, and drifted off to a pleasant sleep. If you love a little romance, a little fun and a lot of good storytelling get this book. It will be great to read after the festivities die down and you need something to relax you.

Thanks Becky for a lovely story. I really enjoyed the ride.

Blues --- A new painting

I have been working on a new painting for several days/nights--in whatever spare time I have to paint. It is a full sheet of watercolor paper, (22 by 30 inches in case you didn't know)but I am thinking that a crop could improve the painting. I would love some opinions.
You can click on them to see them on the Flickr site.
Here is the full sheet (there is a slight glare on the upper right)

and this is the crop I am considering



So...let the opinions roll. Should I leave it full sheet? Should I crop it? (Should I just paint over it altogether?)

Gallery Opening- The event

The Gallery opened last night and was very interesting and fun. I have posted the pics on my Flickr stream in a set. I am trying to find the Flickr toy that lets me make a collage of them. Meantime you can go to my Flickr account and see the set. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebandit/sets/72157594413543156/

I left before the opening was over as it was a LONG drive home. I was very tired. I hope sales were good.

Okay I did my own collage. Click on it to go to my Flickr Photo Stream

Opening Tonight

Tonight is the opening of Rosetta Stone Gallery in Florence, Alabama. I have ten pieces that should be on display. I am excited about the opening and I am hoping for both the gallery to be sucessful and for my art to sell. Some of the works I have there are things I am very proud to have created.

I will hopefully have pictures of the gallery to post with news of the opening within the next week.

Delivered

It is a reality. I have delivered ten paintings to the Rosetta Stone Gallery in Florence, Alabama. We went yesterday to deliver them and saw the gallery for the first time. The inside walls are old (really old) brick. The gallery is installing a hanging system rather than risk damaging the brick or having it crumble and damage the art. The ceiling is exposed beam that has been painted black. The floors are a scored cement that resembles marble. It looks like a great gallery space.

The owner of the gallery has contacts on the west coast (think Hollywood, LA, etc) and says that they will be some of her major clients. I know that my website has seen an increase in "hits" in the past week. I am hoping that my work is being considered by the rich and famous. Ha ha.

The gallery opening is Friday December 9th. I will be there to represent my work and chat with potential buyers and anyone else who wishes to chat with me.

Peace
Gene

Gallery --A new opportunity

Today I got a big surprise in my email. The web response form on my website was used by a gallery owner to ask if I would like to exhibit some work in their gallery. I did research to be sure they are legitimate and to the best of my detecting ability-they are. The gallery will open on December 9th. It is rather short notice but I think I can manage. The gallery owner particularly likes my abstract/non-representational work.
I have put together six pieces that are representative of my abstract/non-representational work as an offering. I am waiting on a response by email. I will call tomorrow to finalize some details. I am needless to say excited by this opportunity. I honestly wish that I had the time to frame a few of the pieces that I have in shrink-wrap. But for now and on short notice the already framed work is my offering.

Peace
Gene

I met someone new - online

I had a great experience due to my art. A nice lady who happens to be an author saw one of my pieces on Flickr and left a comment. I followed up and we started emailing. Surprise, she grew up in the area I live in and went to Alabama University. She now lives in Houston, Texas. She also paints. I love finding connections with people and making friends.

Thanksgiving Painting

For this Thanksgiving morning I decided to try a method I had read about for starting a painting. I started by choosing 3 colors. I had a friend make 3 marks on the paper. I gave him 3 brushes (two different sized rounds and a flat)and the palette with my three acrylic colors. He took each brush in turn and used a different color with each brush. He made 3 calligraphic marks. Then the fun began!

I took the piece and sat it on my easel. I normally paint acrylics on a flat table-so this was also a change to my procedure. I used the same 3 colors and a bit of carbon black (to make shades) and went to work. I allowed runs and blossoms in the paint to give it a spontaneous excitement. I don't think it is finished but so far I am really liking this piece.

Here it is for your viewing pleasure:


Opinions? Ideas for finishing it? Your comments as always are appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving
Gene

Painting In Layers - VERY BASIC instruction

BlueJude asked for more information - so I am going to share.

First of all when you paint in layers use liquid acrylics (I use Golden brand because they are mostly transparent) The transparency of the paint is important to the depth both of color and perceived dimension. I also thin these with water and Acrylic Glazing Liquid.

Each layer must be allowed to dry before adding the next layer. Otherwise the colors will mix rather than glaze. With each new layer you can also add or remove texturing materials OR paint around shapes (as in the bottles)

With the bottles I draw them with chalk (which washes away easily) then paint negatively around them. ON the next layer I add more shapes and paint around the new AND the previous shapes.

Remember, let each layer dry completely before adding another paint layer. Otherwise you MAY get muddy colors.

Fun paintings - different but still in layers

On Wednesday night of last week, our instructor did a demo for the entire group. (all three classes) Before the demo, in our class, she said "Pay attention, this is one of your lessons for tomorrow."

WOW what a great lesson and lots of fun. So I painted two of them tonight. Okay, I had a start on them already-because you have to have a "backgound" to paint on. It is best if it is a visually textured piece. This one had me stymied - so I did bottles on it. I loved the results. What do you think of my bottles?

Painting in Layers

My week painting in the woods at the McDowell Watercolor workshops was wonderful. Marie Cummings, the instructor now lives in Treadwell, NY on the edge of the Catskill Mountains. In our class we learned to use liquid acrylic paints to paint in glazed layers to create paintings with depth and mystery. Since the class was "non-representational" the mystery is increased. Here is a picture of my first painting. If you click on the picture you will be taken to my Flickr site where you can see a larger version.

We also learned many other techniques and ideas in this class. Now I need a few weeks off work to put them all into practice.

Workshop Update

I am finished with the workshop and had a wonderful time. I am completely exhausted right now but I will be posting new works that I painted and sharing my experience with the workshop.

I even sold a painting to another student before I left the workshop. (I hope I took a photo of it to share with you.)

peace
Gene

Getting Ready

I am going to a workshop next week and have been eagerly preparing. I will be studying under award winning artist, Marie Cummings of Clearwater Florida. Her work in Experimental Watermedia is bold, intense and vibrant. I love vibrant colors so I already feel a kinship with Ms Cummings.

A newsletter that I get from Ms Cummings provided the spark that led to painting "Enchanted Path"




Yes this looks like a class that will really kick my muse into high gear.

Art by the Card

Hi everyone. As a form of enforced creativity, I am doing a challenge called Sharpie Art by the Card. Our group is making ATCs (artist trading cards) during the month of October. I have signed up to create 90 cards (roughly three a day.)

What I have discovered is that I can find time to make the cards even when I don't want to do it. I also am trying new ideas and formats. There is no promise that every card will be "good art" BUT I have surprised myself more than once.

My cards are on my Flickr account at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebandit/sets/72157594313214513/

Take a look. Grab some Sharpies (or pens or pencils of your choice) and cut some cardstock into 2.5 x 3.5 inch pieces and give it a try.

Set your own challenge. Have fun & CREATE!

Announcement

I am very happy to announce that giclee's of my work - including "Daughter of the Moon- Finding Glory" are available at American Frame

Please take a look...and by all means buy a piece of art.
Gene

Selling it

I have joined an online gallery called Art Boost The link takes you to my store. I have some items for sale there.
If you have work to sell also, you can join and sell your work at ArtBoost. There is no charge to join and only a small commission for each work sold.

Peace
Gene

Daughter of the Moon- Finding Glory

I almost never purposely put a person in my paintings. I am "afraid" to paint people. (too hard you know) The most curious thing is that they continue to show up there and beg my attention. That is how Daughter of the Moon came about.

I had painted a very non-representational painting. (meaning it wasn't supposed to "look like" anything. ) I was showing it to my parents. We were trying to decide what to call it and which end went up. Yes, it is true, I make no claims to understand what I paint.

Mom and I were turning it and chatting saying what elements we were seeing. (I should mention that neither of my parents are artists nor are they educated in art. I still consider their opinions highly valid.)

This is what mom and I were looking at. Dad said, "Hey, come over here. Don' t you see that woman sitting down?

And there she was...up close she was just blobs....but ....
Now I knew she was there and I had permission from the muse to paint her.

This is the finished (maybe?) work. Dad saw the magic in the picture and made me see it.
Mom had been seeing creatures in the ocean until we all saw the woman. So
Mom gave it me the idea for the name...she said - maybe it is Hiawatha* and I said, yes....by the shining big sea water. (I do know that Hiawatha was the son of Nokomis..but I did not correct her)

Here is an excerpt.
*By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
Bright before it beat the water,
Beat the clear and sunny water,
Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water.

Painting - Enchanted Path

I received an email from Creative Space. In the text, Marie Cummings, artist and teacher, said that you can take a colorful painting (in my case-one that I didn't love) and coat it with gel medium. (I used gloss medium) After that dries, take a dark color, diluted with glazing medium and coat the entire painting. Then lift the dark paint in places with whatever, I used a bristle brush and paper towels. After I let that dry I added a few bits of light into some of the darker areas.
Here it is:

You can find Marie Cummings online at http://www.mariecummings.net
Be sure to sign up for the Creative Space emails if you want some inspiration.

Yes, I did it again!

I have carved yet another self-portrait stamp. This time without the glasses. I am having such fun carving the faces. I am just happy that they look human....but surprised --no DELIGHTED that they actually look like me.

Here is number 2:

Stamp Carving

I am in a group that decided to do self-portraits. I couldn't figure out what to do. WELL I got all inspired- took a pic I had of me on the PC and did a "cut-out" in Photoshop Elements.
Then I carved a stamp..yes ***I*** carved a self-portrait stamp.
I used the stamp on ATC sized cardstock and then added sharpie colors. It is quite fun. I feel like I did an amazing job for a first portrait stamp.


I hope to try another self-portrait stamp in the future. And perhaps I will even paint a self-portrait.

Mixed Media

I am working on a mixed media "painting"

I think that it is not finished. Perhaps your input could make a difference. What things do you find distracting, or perhaps just and addition of ??? would make it better. Let me know what you think.
Gene
oh...here it is.



It now has a name: Metaphysical Continuance and it is entered in an exhibit. (edited to add) The name was later changed back to Jadia Mazan. I just liked this name better and well...I was wishy-washy about it. LOL

Stem Cell

While this isn't about art, it is about life and making the world a better place. I think a grave injustice has been done. This editorial from our local paper says it well.

Stem cell veto saves no lives

At his first-ever veto ceremony, rejecting a bill that would have allowed more funding for stem cell research, President Bush surrounded himself with children who were adopted while still embryos.
But the bill Bush rejected wouldn’t have prevented a single one of those babies from being born. The bill was very specific and allowed federal money to be used only for embryos that would otherwise be destroyed, not adopted.

By opposing this medical research, Republicans are handing the lead in an important 21st-century industry to other countries. Second, and more important, their actions are delaying the kinds of breakthroughs that could stop pain, suffering and death for you or someone you love.

Why does the Republican Party think it’s better to throw away microscopic cells than to use them to save you or your loved ones from nightmares like those of Ronald Reagan, Michael J. Fox or Christopher Reeve?

The president’s veto won’t save a single life, but it may cost many lives and cause much needless suffering.

Alan L. Light
Iowa City, Iowa

Ah the palette knife

One of my dear friends that I normally only get to visit by email told me that she is playing with palette knife paintings. I saw that as a nice challenge. I took out an old start. Got some paint on the palette and grabbed a knife. FUN! I got paint on the painting, on me, I think maybe even on the wall. I started to listen to the painting and got a brush and some semi-opaque paints and made some quiet areas. This morning I liked it but it seemed off kilter.
I emailed it to my friend who looked it over and sent advice.

BINGO. It needed a rotate and crop. Suddenly there was this landscape that had been hiding from me.
Well you look! I call it "Blowing Off Steam"

Thanks Nanette!

Synchronicity

I love when things happen that are amazing and unexplainable. Two women who are members of a web-group decided to meet. My little town is "about halfway" between them. They came to Anniston and said lets go in this gallery. One of them was attracted to some of my art. She saw the name and said "Could that be the Gene Black that is in our Try It Tuesday group?" The gallery owner told them that "yes it is" So one of them emailed me. I thought it was nice that they saw my work in the gallery and decided to email me and say hello.

Somehow, I didn't comprehend that they were in the group. It was there, in black and white right on my computer screen. But it was early morning when I read it...and well, I am not totally alert first thing in the morning.

Today I got an email from Experimental Artists of America (formerly Experimental Artists of Alabama) Two new members have joined the group. Nanette the head of EAA told me that they found out about EAA from my bio.

Guess who! Yes the same two ladies from the gallery. I re-read the first email and then replied (I had been waiting until I was fully functional anyway)

Now I have two new friends who just may (if schedules permit) go to an art workshop with me in October. I love the amazing things that happen just from getting my work out there.

Synchronicity - when two or more coincidental things happen that seem related but are not easily explained by normal cause and effect.
Cool!

Transfer Madness

I have been attempting to do a transfer method using inkjet transparency sheets. According to the directions you paint gel medium where you want the transfer. Then you place the transparency (ink side down) on the medium, burnish, and wait 15 minutes.
The plastic is supposed to peel up and leave the image behind.

This did NOT happen for me. Either one of two things happened: the ink stayed on the transfer, OR the plastic peeled up part of the surface with the plastic sheet.

Color me disgusted with this technique.

Let's PAINT instead!

Peaceful Weekend

Sometimes a peaceful weekend is what you need to refresh your soul and kick your muse into action.

This morning I sat on the deck and looked at , I mean REALLY LOOKED at the poplar tree. I have "seen" the poplar many times. I had never noticed the growth pattern of the leaves. The poplar has leaves that grow in a radial pattern and make circular patterns.

I don't expect to paint a poplar tree anytime soom but sitting peacefully just really observing the common...the things you DON'T really look at can soothe the soul.

Go and soothe your soul
Peace
Gene

A quiet time

I am experiencing a quiet time in my creative life. The weather has been so hot and humid that all I want to do is curl up in the recliner and read whilst enjoying the airconditioning.

Yesterday my creativity was used to cut a friend's hair. (just one of my past professions) Since she is an artist also we discussed how design is design whether you are drawing, painting or cutting hair. I remembered a certain "hair artist" onstage at an event I attended saying this: "I would rather have someone who is artistic cut my hair than someone who has perfect technical skills but is not artistic" What a testament to art and artistic vision. Somehow that morsel of wisdom has stayed with me for over twenty years.

The Quiet times are for reflection and internal growth. They are not "wasted time" no, they are treasures.

Peace :) Gene

Tagged by Jolene

Jolene tagged me so here goes.

The rules are as follows:

(1) You must name where you live.

(2) You must include at least one and no more than six photos. The photos must show things within a 20 minute walk of your home. Also the photos must have been taken specifically for the meme.

(3) You must tag at least one person.
____________________________________________

I live in Anniston, Alabama. It is "the city" but it is rural. All of Alabama is considered rural.

I am cheating I will post 7 pictures...so sue me!

In the planter by my front steps I have hostas.

They are blooming. Aren't the blooms lovely?

In the same planter I have frogs and dark purple oxalis

Look, there on the back gate, sitting on the post is a "june bug"

Out the back gate is Gary and Alice's Garden.

The corn is not doing so well.

it has been dry and it is hard.

The tomatoes are yummy! Here are a couple that are almost ripe!

Look, Gary is out on the tractor working the land.

That building was at one time "apartments."

They burned when a woman left a little girl on the bed,

playing with a cigarette lighter.

At Gary and Alice's back door is Nick the bird.

Nick can bark like a dog, say a few phrases and

laugh madly.

Nick says "Hi ya'll"

Now, I tag Jill

I just wonder what she will come up with!

Painted Lands

I mentioned that I had done some "starts" over the past few days. This was one of those starts.

This painting started with a sprinkle of powered charcoal. Water was poured to create patterns in the charcoal. After this dried, the remainder was painted with watercolor.

Please comment, I would like opinions, suggestions etc. Should I change anything on this? Should I crop it?

Busy-ness and Creation

I have been busy lately doing little odds and ends. I have some paintings started using some experimental techniques. Making starts is a fun thing to do. The work comes in making them into finished pieces. The great thing is that when you have a passion for something even the work part of it can be fun.
I am excited about my "starts" so turning them into real art will be a joy. I do have a passion for painting. Thus the work is fun, joyful and sometimes ecstacy. But to be true and fair, I must say that sometimes it is agony and frustration. The secret is that out of the agony and frustration comes glory. Why? Because when we create we become more than we are. We become one with the universe and the creator (or forces of creation, if you choose.) Personally, I believe in a Creator. That is my belief and I am not ashamed of it. When I am one with the Creator, I have joy.

Whatever you believe, I hope that when you create joy is yours also.

Peace
Gene

Try it Tuesdays

I have been doing an art challenge/learning experience since the inception. It is called "Try It Tuesdays." Each week brings an exciting new technique to try. They are posted on Tuesdays (imagine that!) EVEN better, there are prizes. The prizes are totally random. The only requirements are that you:
a. do the technique
b. post a picture of it on Flickr or your blog
c. Register on the website that you have posted the picture.

This week I am the winner. I did the torn paper technique on a piece of mat board.

I will use it later as a background for a collage.

Try it Tuesdays
The prize this week was from Covet Me

Playing with Paint

A wonderful friend, Jolene, noticed that I used the phrase "play with my paint" To me that is the natural process of making art. We so often call it a "work" of art. When art becomes WORK for me, then I may no longer make art.

As in all of life, your vocation should be something that feels like "play" rather than drudgery (work). This does not mean that you can't be intense about the art. I doesn't mean that you can't be focused strongly. It means that it should be a joy and something that you "don't want to stop."

Watch children playing (or if you can remember your own childhood, as I can) and notice that they are very focused, intent and in the moment. The act of play is all they know and all that matters. The ordinary rules are suspended (unless mom yells "I TOLD you not to play ___ in the house!") The child has stepped out of ordinary time into that magical realm where time changes and hours seem like minutes. The adults say "look at them in their own little world." BUT that world is large, sometimes larger than the world those adults inhabit. This is where I go when I paint. My child returns and I am freed from the bonds of reality and my inner world comes out in paint and collage. It is an imperfect rendition, true. It is also more real than the desk I sit at 8 hours a day in my "real" job.

Let the children play. Those children that you have repressed and oppressed in your "grown-up" body, let them out to play. You are an artist.

Blue Fall Reflections

I love the intensity of this painting. The trees were formed by applying paint then pressing another piece of watercolor paper to the surface to "smoosh" the paint. This created texture lines which became the lighter tree branches. Then the other parts of the painting were done in a traditional manner.
I love to play with my paint and see what magic will happen. I think this one made a nice magic.

Morning Magic

The original is also available for sale. The image is approximately 21" wide by 14" high.
Please contact me for pricing details.

I painted this piece over several days. Then I let it sit. I do this so that I can see if I still love it after the love affair while painting it has gone.
After a couple of weeks, I decided that nothing I could do to it would improve it. While this is an abstract work, I see an amazing "picture" here. There is a brilliant fiery sunrise in the background with a couple of tree branches crossing the view. Hiding among the leaves of the tree are bluebirds. These birds are singing and rejoicing in a perfect sunrise. It is a new day. Rejoice.

Music to Inspire the Art

Last night we went to Music at McClellan. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra played, joined by TWO of Broadway's best. Michael Maguire (who was Enjolras in Les Miserables on Broadway) and Debbie Gravitte who won the TONY AWARD for Best Featured Actress In A Musical for JEROME ROBBIN'S BROADWAY sang the night away.

WOW ...I had a difficult time sleeping when I got in -way after my bedtime. The songs are still running in my head. Probably the best songs of the night were - Bring Him Home -Maguire and Defying Gravity (from Wicked!) -Gravitte.

I was thrilled and amazed at Ms Gravitte's performances and stage presence. She spoke briefly about the song "If He Walked Into My Life" from Mame, before she sang it. She revealed that she has a son who is going from boyhood to manhood. She said that the songs means so much more to her now. Then she sang it with full emotion as only someone who has lived it can.

Michael Maguire, before he sang "Bring Him Home" spoke of the time in which the musical is set. The time was turbulent, and we live in turbulent times also. He said that if you don't know the play, compare the song to the wishes for our soldiers. BRING THEM Home. Regardless of how you feel about the war, we all want to see the boys home safely. I cried for both reasons....the play and the soldiers.

The most FUN part of the evening was a medley from a favorite of mine- Little Shop of Horrors. Debbie Gravitte sang "Somewhere that's Green" as part of it...then it finished on Suddenly Seymour. And how could I possibly fail to mention - Michael Maguire sang Music of the Night with a brief but pleasing cameo by Ms Gravitte. Several Standing Ovations were the order of the night.

I refuse to end without mentioning the Glorious Alabama Symphony Orchestra. WOW!!! Wow! Such a wonderful treasure.

Thanks to some suggestions from a wonderful and giving artist friend -Nanette Jones- I have named the painting. You know, that painting I am donating to the American Cancer Society auction. The title is Shadows on Sunset. I love it

Visit Nanette at http://www.nanettejones.com

Art Donation Request

The local chapter of the American Cancer Society has asked that I donate art for their silent auction. I have chosen a piece that I am considering. This is a small piece but I think that it is a real gem. The size is 5 inches by 5 inches. I will frame it in an 11 inch square frame with a cream mat.
I am having a difficult time naming it.
Here it the piece, if your muse has a name for this , please let me know.


Thanks for looking
Gene

Delivered work

Today I delivered two pieces of my art to the Visual Arts Society of Jacksonville State University. These art works will be in the Members show which opens June 15th.

One of the pieces is Paradox of Dreams shown here.

The other is Celestial Season:

I hope that these works are well received. I would love to see them sell at this show.

Peace
Gene

Art by Gene Black

This will be the place to read about my artistic journey. I will share my art work here and also my experiments in art.

My website is located at http://www.geneblack.com

My Flickr photostream is at www.flickr.com/photos/ebandit

Welcome to my world.