"Moon" - Art Elements Theme Challenge

This month's theme for our montly Art Elements challenge was "Moon" chosen by Lindsay. It was a wonderful theme for me mainly for one reason (and yes, you can laugh ;) ) - A moon is round. A circle... and circles are an elementary part of my work, especially my abstract mixed media work.

I am still trying to recover from the bad cold I got during christmas. The coughing is still bad and my lung is hurting. Don't worry, I went for a check to the doctor, got a lot of strong drugs and still waiting for the test results because my doctor just let them test... everything?

At least a lot since it seems that I have an atypical version which can untreated end bad. I am taking it slow, take the tram and bus instead going by bike, don't carry anything heavy, and at work I am mainly sitting at the computer.

But I am so thankful for the strong drugs so I won't cough as hard and the pain goes down. It could also be that I am not a good patient... being ill annoys me way too much!

So I also took it slow with the theme challenge.

I had a lot of ideas for earrings and monoprints using a resist technique and vintage moon motives... but I didn't stress myself, I can always come back to these ideas.

I enjoyed playing with different techniques and materials, being abstract as well as whimsical or simply playing with paint.

With every single sketch I learn a little bit more. On my to-do list is to create big, really big abstract paintings one day. It won't be anywhere soon, but the desire is there.

I will need more training before, to better find the balance between complexity,  depth, and simplicity. It is already there in parts in some of my work but I am still not there.

I don't know why but there are abstract paintings that stop me right there. That I could look at for hours without tiring. Where paint and structure, color and composition evokes some feeling inside me.

Once in a gallery tour I saw a painting that felt so alive, I almost could smell it. Cool and rich, earthy... Sadly I never wrote the artist name down and one of the times where I really would have loved to be rich, so I could have bought it.

I love painting animals and flowers and hopefully in the future also more people, it is what I enjoy... but my abstract work is more personal, you will find me in there, it is what I need to create.

And there will be a giant painting... with a circle! ;)

Thank you for joining us! Please have a look at all the wonderful creations :)

Guests:

Jenny

Melissa

Kathy

Sarajo

Hope

Sarah

Rebecca

Divya

Anita

Rosantia

Raven

Cat

Evia

Alysen

Beth

Tammy

Art Elements Crew:

Claire

Laney

Caroline

Cathy

Sue 

Niky

Jenny

Jen

Nests - Theme of the month at Art Elements

The theme of the month over at Art Elements was "Nests". Cathy chose the topic and also showed a wonderful collection of inspiration images and shared ideas how the theme could be interpreted. I loved the theme instantly!

But somehow my brain didn't cooperate. It seems that it really seems to work best when it is challenged. So what to do with a wonderful theme that speaks to me and a brain that says:Nope?

The days went by and I realized that maybe, just maybe, I pressured myself too much. Oh yes, my brain loves challenges.

My best ideas and methods in research were created due to challenges even though they may stress me at the same time. But there is something alluring in having to fully concentrate on a topic.

So back to the theme "nests" - if it is not a challenge, how about just starting? Without pressure, just playing?

So I didn't create something new or extra ordinary. I just created some sketches as exercises and to maybe expand my repertoire.

Even though I know that training is everything with any art and craft, I should do it more often.

Sitting there sketching I thought about the shape of a nest and the idea came for a simplified version for a stencil.

Simple silhouettes are wonderful for monoprinting where the color and pattern can add the complexity. I sketched a rough nest outline with eggs inside and then just cut out shapes and outlines freehand.

I often simply use normal paper for my stencils to be used for monoprinting. The first time the paper comes in contact with acrylic paint one has to be really careful if the stencil has very thin parts. The paint wets the paper and it becomes more fragile. But the more often the paper stencil is used, the more layers of acrylic paint add up, and the more stable it becomes!

I need to play more with the color combinations but I really love the simplified nest shape!

The real challenge this time? Not to overthink everything and just start.

Thank you Cathy for this theme! In the end it was a challenge and one I learned a lot! Please have a look what everyone else made! I can't wait to see all the creations!

Guest Participants:
Alysen
Anita
Divya
Kathy
Kym
Mona
Rosantia
Sarajo
Tammy
 
AE team members:
Caroline
Cathy
Claire (you are here)
Jenny
Laney
Leslie
Lindsay
Marsha
Niky