Après la pluie, le beau temps

Acrylics on board - 10 x 10 in.

This was a really fun yet challenging piece to create. I had worked on placing several layers of paint, and when I laid the whiter one, this humanoid appeared. I could have modified it with the stroke of a brush but I might have felt guilty to take its life away. Thus, it stayed. It was not easy to make the rest happen, but working carefully and taking my time tied it all together. The hardest part was looking at it from different angles and try NOT to see a human shape in order not to be too attached to it so that I would be able to change anything, even it, if necessary. 

I work on several pieces at once. This way, when I feel bored or running out of options, I go to another. These days, I have mostly larger works going on, but still finishing those smaller ones that demand attention.

A Primary World

Acrylics on illustration board - 15 x 20 in

I first created the background with much spontaneity, having decided I would mainly use primary colors to see how I could balance them all. Searching for shapes and creating them is a lengthy part that demands constant reassessment of what I am looking at. Nothing is inconsequential, although, with acrylics, it is easy to fix. But I may never be able to reproduce something I liked so my modifications have to be careful. At times, they are a leap of faith, and it either pays off or not.
This particular piece amuses me, probably because of its varied shapes that remind me of creatures. The human mind needing to associate what we see with something familiar, I think it is easy to do so here and have fun.
This is my last piece on illustration board. I have tried this support enough and am not happy with it. From now on, I am working on wooden panels.

Field Day

Acrylics on illustration board - 15 x 15 in

With all the rain that has fallen, nature is green as can be. It had to show in my work! I spent some time in South Park, observing all I could, and was, as always, amazed at the variety, of greens, this time. Nature being my church, I can never tire of what I find in it for inspiration. 

I am also in constant search of a new shape, something not seen before, with the right arrangement, and the right hues. 

I created this piece on illustration board, which I'm not a fan of. I managed to push its limits using a medium for texture and more support. 

I am happy with the result, though.

Auspicious Moons

Acrylics on board 10 x 10 in. (25 x 25 cm)

"Auspicious Moons" - I worked spontaneously on this one. Once again the process is about pushing the piece as far as I think it can go, without being too much. It is not easy to achieve the right balance yet it remains a fascinating search for harmony of the big principles, hues, values, line, color, shape, and space.
In Europe I've seen so much art work adorned with gold leaf, it was the right use of it on the upper moon. It adds a note of sacredness, a concept that is a little frayed nowadays, without necessarily being linked to religion. To me, gold is magnificent, and sacred, yes, for it remains a rare metal after all.
I will keep doing 10x10s as they allow me to work faster and I like the format, but I am working on some larger pieces, which take longer, indeed. Drum roll...