Vases With Faces and Hats

 

So this is how I've spent my summer so far!  No painting and totally consumed by my hand built ceramic class.  The workshop ended with still two pieces, tiles, yet to be fired.  Before the workshop began I planned out six pieces in color then stressed out trying to complete all of them.  The little textured vase was unplanned using up leftover scraps. Take away #1, don't give yourself unreasonable goals.   Once you have everything built, which is no small task, then you have to figure out the underglazes or glazes which ever you plan to use.  Yes there is a difference, I won't bore you with the details.  I could write a book on using underglazes.  Take away #2, the colors usually never turn out the way you planned.  I learned a ton in this eightweek workshop at the Rumriver Art Center, so eight classes in all but just as many open studio days.  While I was working on my seven pieces the other students were slamming out pots right and left and some really cool stuff.  It was overwhelming at first and it didn't help with my anxiety.  Take away #3, which I try to teach my drawing students, DON'T COMPARE, good advice for myself.  I'm super happy with my little pieces, maybe especially because they aren't perfect and highly recommend Rumriver Art Center and all their many wonderful art workshops and classes. 

https://rumriverart.com

I'll be teaching another virtual drawing class through Rumriver Art Center starting the end of September, more on that later.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Spring Hangin

 

Click Here For More Information - 6x6 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord

This is another painting in my Hangin series, it must be nostalgia that keeps me coming back for more.  It's also the colors and patterns that attract me, like flags stretched and fluttering in the wind.  For me there seems to be a story in this painting, the joy of early spring, finally airing out the house and bed linens after a long winter.  

We are just starting our long winter but there is hope and joy of the spring to come which has a double meaning this year.  Winter for me is a time to focus on painting, maybe some experimenting with other mediums, read books, rest.  I have to remind myself it's a good time.

My acrylic paintings are protected by an acrylic satin varnish and I use professional acrylic paints: Winsor Newton, Liquitex and Utrecht.  The Ampersand gessobord's are 1/8" thickness, a museum series panel which are acid free, archival.  All my paintings are signed, dated with the paintings information on the back.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright