- Learn techniques for working with vibrant color and avoiding mud.
- Make rich and varied marks with a variety of unexpected tools.
- Break compositional rules.
- Embrace nonattachment as a way to keep exploring.
- Work with what's working to let go of struggle.
Product Description
-------------------
Adopt a spontaneous, bold, and fearless approach to painting as
a process of discovery-one that results in lush and colorful
finished works that will beg to be displayed. This inspiring and
encouraging book for both novice and experienced painters teaches
how to create colorful, exciting, expressive paintings through a
variety of techniques, combining basic, practical painting
principles with innovative personal selfexpression. Flora S.
ey's fun and forgiving approach to painting is based on the
notion that "You don't begin with a preconceived painting in
mind; you allow the painting to unfold" Illustrating how to work
in layers, Flora gives you the freedom to cover up, restart, wipe
away, and change courses many times along the way. Unexpected and
unique compositions, color combinations, and subject matter
appear as you allow your paintings to emerge in an ,
unplanned way while working from a place of curiosity and letting
go of fear. -Learn techniques for working with vibrant color and
avoiding mud. -Make rich and varied marks with a variety of
unexpected tools. -Break compositional rules. -Embrace
nonattachment as a way to keep exploring. -Keep momentum by
moving your body and staying positive. -Work with what's working
to let go of struggle. -Connect more deeply to the world around
you to stay inspired. -Embrace layers to create rich complex
paintings. -Find rhythm by spiraling between chaos and order.
About the Author
----------------
Flora S. ey’s paintings on canvas and smaller works on
bamboo are easily recognized and admired by galleries and art
lovers across the U.S. She lives and works full-time as a painter
in Portland, Oregon, where she is inspired by magical forests,
abundant gardens and a vibrant community of fellow artists.
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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
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Getting Perspective and Working with What's Working
We often look at the world through a critical lens. Traditional
art school critiques encourage us to find what is not working in
order to learn from these "mistakes." What I am presenting here
is a new approach. I am kindly asking you to reprogram your
response style; instead of focusing on what is not working, ask
yourself, "What is working?" This is an extremely important step
in this process. It keeps you focused on the positive aspects of
your work and offers you a starting point or a portal back into
your painting. "Working with what is working" is especially
useful when you are feeling stuck or uninspired.
What is Working?
After you have built up a few layers with a variety of marks and
colors, spiral out by moving to the site side of the room, or
to an entirely different room. Now soften your eyes and take a
fresh look at your painting. Ask yourself, "What is working?"
What is the first thing you notice? It can be anything. It may be
one square inch of your canvas where the colors blend together in
a certain beautiful way. It may be one interesting shape, a small
area of etching, a dynamic line, or the way two colors vibrantly
react next to each other. I also encourage you to ask yourself,
"What has been the most enjoyable or interesting part of this
process?" You may find that you really love spraying water, using
your fingers, rendering certain images, or dragging your rag
through wet paint. Pay close attention to these joyful moments...
they are an essential part of "what is working" no matter what
your painting looks like.
Be easy on yourself at this point. You are deep in the process of
creating. Your paintings are not finished. They may feel ugly,
chaotic, or overwhelming to you, but remember each and every mark
is simply an rtunity. Most new creations go through an
"awkward teenager" phase as they mature and figure out who they
want to be. Don’t judge them. Support them. Be patient with their
process, and remember there are no mistakes. Growing up takes
time.
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