Expressions of Local Art, Melbourne Beach, Florida



Art Meets Local Color



 

Boats and Deep Sky
7 1/4" x 10 1/4" x 1/4"
oil on masonite
© 2014 by julie susanne

Central Florida's newest art venue promises to be "something a little different," according to Billie and Bruce Black, the proprietors; Think: art gallery meets beach casual. Steps from the ocean at Melbourne Beach, Expressions of Local Art has invited local artists to display their beach themed work in this venue on Ocean Avenue. Approximately 20 artists will have original work for sale at various price points. There are paintings, sculpture, furniture, jewelry, garden art and more. The Grand Opening Night where you can Meet and Greet the Artists will be December 19, 2013 from 7pm to 9pm. Stop in and see my latest work from the series: Old Florida!

Wedding Party Painting Progresses

The Narrative Unfolds

Painting a Narrative for me is painting a story in pictures.  It unfolds and twists an turns as I paint.

Below is the process.
After the new pile of rocks was blocked in,next came...
what is there?
people.
women in dresses.
long dresses.
lots of fabric.
pastel colored.
reaching? waving?
reaching.
for what? something from other side of diptych;
something being dropped, thrown?
tossed.

Second half of diptych blocked in before additions above:

As these parts were being painted in, elements from the other side emerged. Those will be discussed next post.
See first half of painting here.

Wedding Party- a new painting

This diptych was started this summer. This shows something of my process when painting these narratives. A painting is started with a simple idea or character.

It may be

"rocks" and

"water."

As I begin to paint these I see other elements emerge and I paint them:

"ocean,"

"person on rocks,"

"balancing on one foot." 

It continues from there...

"rough waves,"

"stormy clouds, but bright sunlight."

In this case, the painting was fairly well developed when the story continued to unfold and another panel was started:

"more rocks,"

"same rock pile or separate pile?"

"same pile but separation of ...." "of what?"

I did not know. See what came into the story next post!

Highest Quality Oil Paint for Pennies

Save Money by Tubing Paint

High quality oil paint does not have to be expensive.  Purchasing paint in bulk can save a bundle;  Get paint in jars and tubs and use it directly from the container or tube it yourself. 

Empty 40 mL paint tubes

I don't use it fast enough to prevent paint from drying out in a wide mouth container, so I like to order paint in large quantities and tube it into 40mL or 125mL tubes.

Bulk Professional Oil Paints

Previously I discussed the content of various brands of oil paints.  Another brand I like to paint with is RGH.  These american made paints do not use extenders and contain only pigments and alkalai refined linseed oil.  They can also be custom made with safflower or walnut oil. 

RGH sells paint in tubes, jars and cans in sizes from 37, 63, 125 and 250 mL or 1/8,1/4, 1/2 and full pints to a quart, 1/2 gallon and gallon!


See the RGH pigment identification chart here.

How to Tube Oil Paint

See Stapleton Kearns' Tubing Paint for a thorough tutorial.

Post Your Comment Below:

Going to the Chapel- A work in progress

Oil Painting Using Glaze Technique

Going to the Chapel
10" x 30" x 1"
oil on canvas

© 2013 by juliesusanne

Painting is nearly complete.  Again, this was painted with many layers of glaze and the narrative emerged as the painting was being created.

Selfish Artist?

A question in a recent discussion on Art Biz Blog about whether being an artist is selfish got me thinking. 
Some said yes.  I disagree.
My response below:

"My ego is what tells me I'm being selfish doing my art.

My Divine Self guides me along the right path.

Self-fulfillment is different than ego-fullfillment.

Fulfilling the ego is selfish.

Fulfilling the Self is Self-full. "

Spin Cycle- a new painting

The beginning of a new painting:

Green Artist Tip: 4 Steps to Turpentine Recycling

Use Turpentine To Clean Oil Paint Brushes

Read post about Cleaning Brushes here.

How To Save and Re-use Turpentine:

You will need two jars with lids and a rag /paper towel

1. Swirl Dirty Brush in Clean Turpentine in Jar #1
2. Let Paint Settle to Bottom of Jar #1
3. Pour Turpentine from Jar #1 to Jar #2- Put lid on jar #2 and store recycled turpentine.
4. Wipe Out Jar #1 (while paint is still wet) and reuse jar later.




Swirl Dirty Brush in Turpentine

  

Let Paint Settle to Bottom

 

It takes several hours for paint to settle.  Just put a lid on it and go back to it later.

 

Carefully Pour Clean Turpentine from Jar #1 to Jar #2

Once paint has settled, be careful not to agitate jar.  Pour clean turp into clean empty jar.





Jar #2 Containing Recycled Turp



       

Clean Turp in jar #2 can be stored for later use. Store with tight fitting lid.



Wipe Out Paint from Jar #1 to Re-use Jar

Wipe out jar #1- this now becomes your empty clean jar for next time.  Let rag or paper towel dry and then throw in trash.