"All These Thoughts"

I finished the first in a new batch of the small mixed media distressed paintings yesterday. All of these little works (part of a larger body of mixed media distressed paintings) are 8 x 8 inch squares. Hopefully many people will be able to purchase these inexpensive artworks. I so enjoy the process of working on the distressed paintings because of their accidental nature. It is so difficult to predict what will happen in each layer of the painting, and I maintain control over that through hard-lined division of space based on the American Precisionist paintings of people like Charles Demuth. This batch of paintings is part of the "Waterworks," all art about WATER in capital letters, the ocean, fresh water lakes, rivers! Because I live near two beaches and coastal water systems I have become supremely aware of the threat our litter and use of dirty energy poses to water, to all aquatic life, and by extension to all life on earth, including each and every human being. My hope is that everyone becomes more aware of the necessity of unpolluted water to their very existence on this earth!

Safe Beach

John Bittinger Klomp, "Safe Beach" (12" x 14")

This is the first frame I have sculpted. I made it as part of a lesson in Mixed Media taught at Lighthouse Art Center. There are many connections with other artists that build/make their own frames or containers for their artwork. Joseph Cornell's assemblage provides wonderful historical examples of constructed containers/boxes.

Joseph Cornell, "Unititled (Tilly Losch)" 1935-38*

Instead of starting from scratch, I bought a small raw wood frame and sculpted with craft clay over top. I glued actual beach sand and shells to the clay, gilded and stained the finished product. I'm pleased with the results, but want to take this further. In the future I will do more of these frames and boxes with found objects, gild and distress them in ways similar to the paintings that will go in them.




*Joseph Cornell (American, 1903-1972). Untitled (Tilly Losch), ca. 1935–38. Box construction. 10 x 9 1/4 x 2 1/8 in. (25.4 x 23.5 x 5.4 cm). Found at About.com, http://arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibitions/ig/jcsfmoma_1107/jcni_02.htm. The Robert Lehrman Art Trust, Courtesy Aimee and Robert Lehrman, Washington, D.C. Photo: Mark Gulezian/Quicksilver. © The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation / Licensed by VAGA, New York. It is known that use of copyrighted images for one time scholarly porposes is lawful under USA copyright.

Waterworks, April 11, 2011

The latest in this body of work is titled "Water Sports." It is larger than the other most recent mixed media distressed paintings,16 inches x 16 inches.

Waterworks, April 6, 2011

Safe H20 #2

Another of 4 small mixed media distressed paintings (8" x 8") - I worked back and forth on this one, photographing the image, adding type to the photographed image, printing it out, cutting, and laminating pieces into the original. Using more distressed paint, shooting, printing, cutting and laminating.

Waterworks, April 1, 2011

Such beautiful water. The color was overwhelming. It is clean, clear, aqua. Will we be able to keep it that way? The distressing indicates the possibility of decay because we make layers of garbage, trash and poisons. The gold is for the richness we have now.

Safe H2O (8” x 8”)

The latest of the “Waterworks” - one of five different small mixed media distressed paintings plus one 20” x 20” painting - I’ve also decided to make prints of some of these images. These new paintings are central balanced designs, and the next four will be asymmetrical balance.

Sold at Arts United Art Exhibit in Fort Lauderdale

Waterworks #5

It’s south Florida water at its best, part of “The Waterworks,” this mixed media distressed painting sold last night at the "Art Explosion" opening on Sunrise.

Let’s all work to keep our water and air clean and clear!