This is Wall #1, a mixed media/acrylic painting on paper, 15" square. There are two more similar ones, in a series--I've been working on these and other mixed media paintings from time to time, now that I have more space in my studio...and I continue to enjoy this diversion from my regular oil/wax process. Because of the quick drying time, it seems more spontaneous--though I am frequently frustrated by the being unable to wipe away layers as I do with the oils. That means adding more and more layers, and as a result the texture does develop nicely.
I have dates and location now for my next workshop--it will be held at Gallery 2611 in Redwood City, CA on July 17-19. Registration is limited and must be completed by June 22, so please let me know if you are interested! (www.crowellart.com) I'm really looking forward to this. It will be three days--a day longer than my previous workshop, and day #3 will be appreciated. Although we packed a lot into the 2-day workshop, there were things I never got around to sharing with the group.
I just received this really nice endorsement from Kathryn Bevier, who was my host and the person who invited me when I did the workshop in Rochester NY last month:
I found Rebecca Crowell's workshop to be very liberating, in that the idea was not to produce, but to be with the process of exploration. Rebecca showed us many techniques and applications throughout the 2 day workshop, each one building on the preceding one. Often, the painting demonstrations were complimented by a brief power point presentation or other visual aids that reinforced what she was sharing. Rebecca ran the workshop with effortless ease, allowing the participants plenty of time to be in touch with their own creative process. What seemed so unique about the whole workshop was that everyone seemed to truly embrace the process oriented approach without the idea of "right and wrong". It was as if we left our egos at the door. Very refreshing!
Thanks, Kathryn--it was definitely enjoyable for me too. If this sounds good to anyone out there, please consider joining me in Redwood City in July!
I use alcohol to lift the acrylic back a bit; spray on, wait a little moment and wipe off. Or remove in other ways too, scrape, use a textured fabric....
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm running out of new panels, I am forcing myself to use the oil/wax combo on canvases that I have stashed away. I got some galkyd to add to the mix, which is supposed to make the oil/wax more flexible so that it will move with the canvas and not flake off.
ReplyDeleteYour new painting retains all the beautiful qualities of your oil/wax work, Rebecca.
Yes, it means adjusting to the characteristics of acrylic,and it's somewhat frustrating, but it's good to be using up my acrylics. Thanks for the tips, Leslie.
It's funny - your workshops seem to be tracing my life. Your last one was in Rochester, where my parents live, and now Redwood City, where I used to live!
ReplyDeletewell that is weird indeed, Daniel! Any connection with Door County, WI (my next scheduled workshop)?
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip, Leslie, I am kind of new at the acrylic thing--
and Barb let me know how that works out-and I saw your new work on your website, looks great!
Those are indeed the fun and frustration of acrylics, drying time and built up texture...
ReplyDeleteProceed has a lot of fun textures to play with too...though I may be twisted 'round in my process in that I am way messier with acrylics than oils...fast and careless and slow and methodical (or my version of it I call manic menthodical...)