What Now?

Time to come up with some new painting ideas.  This is that in-between time where I'm working but not producing.  Because I'm still excited about painting on black gesso I prepared some of my Ampersand Gessobords with black gesso today.  The Ampersand Gessobords that I use are thin wood panels (1/8") with a museum quality surface prepared and ready for paint by the manufacturer, they are white.  So in the photos you see the bottle of black gesso I use and paint on the little panels.  After thats done its time to look for inspiration.  If I'm at a total loss, looking at other artist's work or interesting photos can recharge the batteries.  This is the hard part but I've been thinking about ideas using some of my old family photos and working them into a composition.

Something else I needed to work on for my upcoming live video drawing class has kept me busy.  I try planning a drawing that is not to difficult for beginners, usually one object.  I've just started doing these little one hour drawing classes through my art center, this is actually my second exercise.  I'm hoping to include more complicated compositions in the future....maybe.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Flower Dancer

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, 6x6 inches, acrylic on museum gessobord

It's not always easy coming up with a title for paintings.  But I'm particularly fond of this title since bees always look like they are doing a little dance on top the flower to get at the pollen.  The little busy dancers covered in speckles of pollen are one of summers pleasures.  When I see a bee I feel like all things are right in the world.  Size has nothing to do with importance.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Goldfish Garden

Click Here To Buy It Now - $200, 8x8 inches, acrylic on museum gessobord panel

I love bright colors so painting goldfish in a dark blue environment is a lot of fun.  The original photo had a black background so I played around with some different ideas for the underwater garden.  The subject matter was made for painting on a black gesso ground.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Beached

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, 5x7 inches, acrylic on museum gessobord panel

The colors in this reference photo drew me in and I love color.  This is another painting on a black gesso ground.

Deborah A. Kirkeeide copyright

Moments Of Reflection

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, 6x6 inches, acrylic on museum gessobord panel

So many artists inspire me to try different compositions and images.  I've been mesmerized by paintings with interesting reflections so this is my attempt.  It was very challenging but challenge is good!

Be safe.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Fishy Business

Click Here To Buy It Now $100 - 5x7 inches, acrylic on museum gessobord panel

This is my fourth painting on black gesso, still inspired and still loving it.  The photo reference is from Pixabay where you can find royalty free photos.  I changed the background from black to this color version with the help of ideas from Photoshop.  So many great things out there to help visual artists.  And where would I be without my iPhone camera?

I hope you are all staying safe, be well.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

No Place Like Home

Click Here To Buy It Now $200 - 6x6 inches, acrylic on museum gessobord panel

I hope you remember Dorothy from the Wizard Of Oz, these are the grown up version of her shoes she clicked three times to take her home.  And really home is where you want to be right now keeping yourself and others safe from this virus if you aren't on the front line.  A BIG thank you to all of you who are frontline fighters and essential workers!

This is my second painting of these red shoes, I love them both but this is a more accurate drawing than the first.  Just like they say, the more you draw something the better it gets.  Being away from painting for so long (7 months) I needed something to jump-start painting and inspire me.  Black gesso was that inspiration, this is my third painting on black gesso and I'm having a great time.  The photos below show you a little of the process; using the green outline was chosen due to being a complimentary color of the red shoes and leaving bits showing through would be interesting.  You can see the panel holder I use for these small paintings, it helps to steady them on an easel.

 Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Remember Dancing?

Another painting on black gesso and Canva paper.  I've been wanting to paint these red shoes for awhile and the black gesso inspired me to try.  The black gesso seems to be helping with painting values and I'm loving it.  These red shoes came from the Goodwill where I purchase many interesting things for still life compositions.  I'm so happy with these shoes I'm going to try painting them again on gessobord.  I've been told that every time you paint the same subject it continues to get better and it's true but it's boring for me, except for maybe these red shoes.  The last time I had a pair of red high heel shoes was college, a really long time ago.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Stripes and Tea

Paint fun this morning working on paper with a black gesso ground.  The paper is made by Canson and called Canva-paper, it has a bit of a canvas texture.  It's good paper to work on as it's a nice weight and holds up well.  I use it all the time for mixed media.  This is a nice way to break into painting in a loose painterly style again.  I don't worry about screwing up since it's paper which takes the stress off and let's me just enjoy.  Painting on black gesso is good value practice, values are just your lights and darks for any non-painters out there.  Values have always been difficult for me.

Stay positive!  Get out and go for a walk or bike ride and enjoy spring, if you can't do that then just sit in the sun.  Hooray for spring!

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright