Soul Search

Nectarines & Shells, 2005
Original, color pencil on paper
Framed size: 16" x 18"
To purchase, contact the
Rose Gallery of Fine Art , 417.782.7177

A couple of weeks ago when I posted the "Practice Palm" painting, an Albuquerque friend emailed me: "So, what did you learn from the exercise other than that trying something new doesn't always work out?" Her question made me stop and review my intentions for doing those palm tree paintings.

1) Use a palette knife rather than brushes to put the paint on.
2) Brighten the colors to create a sunny feeling.
3) Paint greens that felt "real" and natural.
4) Capture the essence of a palm tree.

I was inspired to set forth these goals by North Carolina plein air painter Mike Rooney. I came across his blog and several YouTube videos where he demonstrates some of his techniques and methods. He paints bright and sunny seashore scenes, beach houses, seaside towns, often with palm trees, and using a palette knife. He makes painting color and light look easy and seems to have a lot of fun doing so!

After spending almost two weeks trying out some of Mike's painting approaches on my palm tree paintings, I must admit I was discouraged. I just wasn't getting the results I wanted. And I was frustrated...I mean, how hard can it be to paint a palm tree and some grass? Evidently, harder than than I thought; and I certainly wasn't having any fun!

Just as I was about to sand the paint off those canvas panels, I decided to give it all another try. So, my three palm tree paintings are back in the studio being reworked. (By the way, if you'd like to check out Mike Rooney's artwork, here's the link to his blog: http://mikerooneystudios.blogspot.com)

In the meantime, here's the second color pencil drawing I shipped off to the Rose Gallery. I did this piece in Joplin, too, while working on the lilies in Sunlit Moment. Ironically, everyone thinks that the lace doily was hard to do. Actually it was the easiest part. Getting the nectarines to sit on the tabletop (getting the shadow right) took more effort.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.

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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

New Gallery

Sunfilled Moment, 2005

Original: Color pencil
Framed size: 17 x 18" • $525
To purchase contact Artist

A few weeks ago, Tricia Courtney, an artist-friend of mine in Joplin, Missouri, called and invited me to exhibit work at a new gallery that she and her sister are opening, the Rose Gallery of Fine Art.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you may recall that I lived in that area a few years ago, and last summer returned to Joplin for my a one-person exhibit at Spiva Center for the Arts. The folks in Joplin—including all my dear relatives in the area—have always been supportive of me, and I was especially fortunate to meet many dedicated and talented artists like Tricia and the artists who will be showing in the gallery.

So I am very happy to be included in this new commercial venture, which just open to public last week. Sunfilled Moment, posted above, is one of the four pieces I shipped to Joplin. It's a color pencil drawing I did a few years ago while living in Missouri.

The gallery is located at 508 N. Range Line Road (just north of the mall, if you're familiar with Joplin), and the phone number of 417.782.7177. Drop in and see the new place.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Floral Fantasy

Floral Fantasy, 2004/2008

Original: Color Pencil, Monotype
Image size: 5" x 7.75"
$75 (+ S&H)
Contact Artist to purchase.

When I find myself getting too tight (or uptight) with painting realism, I often turn to making monotype prints, which is a fun way for me to loosen up and give free rein to my imagination.

Monotype prints are made by drawing or painting directly on a "plate" made of glass, plexiglass, metal, or hardboard. You then lay a sheet of paper over the plate. By either rubbing, pressing, or running the plate and paper through a press, the image on the plate is transferred to the paper, making the monotype print.

Unlike traditional printmaking methods where the image is permanently engraved, etched, or fixed to the plate to produce the same image multiple times, monotype printing gives you only one image (since nearly all the paints/inks are transferred to the paper). There are many variables in the process and far less control; so the resulting prints are quite spontaneous looking and loose--often looking like nothing at all!

Today's image began as a monotype print I did back in 2004. I had worked back into the image with color pencil, strengthening the colors and adding textures, while "making something more" out of the forms.

A few days ago, I came across this little piece--sort of a fantastic flowering cactus--and added some touches and further refined the image. Thus the dates noted on the print: 2004/2008.

Thanks for taking a moment to look at today's post. Have an easy week. See you Thursday!
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Text and photo ©Carol Adamec 2008. All rights reserved.