Sunday, February 22, 2009

Rediscovering acrylics

I don't think I've ever tried to paint with acrylics before. I have used them for posters and art projects for my kids but I don't ever recall using them to make fine art.

My high school friend, Hellenne Vermillion knows I'm kind of strapped for cash. She's not rolling in the dough either but she found it in her heart to send me a starter kit of acrylic paints that includes tubes of paint, a palette, brushes, palette knife , pencil and portable easel! It was like Christmas in February. She thought I could "whip" out some paintings in order to hopefully sell some.
These new acrylics are amazing. Not at all the poster paint consistancy I recall from years past. I'm still learning how to blend and manage them so last night I did a couple of experimental pieces.

The top one [both are 5x7"] I did first and I guess you can call it an 'intuitive' piece. I just call it doing what comes to mind without planning.

The second, just started with a silhouette of a face and then evolved to what you see.

So thanks to Hellenne, I'm off and running with a new medium. Please check out her work. She is primarily a silk artist [which she teaches] but she also does fantastic clay work and is going to be exhibiting some of her paintings at a local gallery. I always thought she was our High School teacher's pet because her art work was so unique, colorful and avant garde. Thanks Hellene!

20 comments:

Cynthia Pittmann said...

The intutive piece looks like reflections on the water from a pier view...looking down. I posted some animal photos today at Oasis...my own "rescues". I'm glad you have some new paints to work with! <3

m1 Designs said...

Hi Sheila, thanks for visiting me at my blog and hugs right back at you. I would love to give acrylic or oil a try some day. I have always loved the look of them on canvas.

Kate Merriman said...

I really love the intuitive piece. Gorgeous!! I'd love to see more!

Carrie Griesemer said...

Yes, it does look like a water reflection. You've got some really nice affects with the acrylics, have fun!

James Parker said...

Me too, Me too...I think it looks like a water reflection...and a nice one at that. Sheila, I thought you WERE using acrylics. That's all I use, although I have a full set of oils. I was surprised that you can get a photo-realistic effect from acrylics. But you sure can. I use Cantilan (made in Costa Rica)in plastic 350 ml bottles and Pebeo (made in China) not only for their price but their quality and variety of colors. I have used a lot of Liquitex and Windsor/Newton, but find Cantilan and Pebeo superior. You will love acrylics.

Kim VanDerHoek said...

You've reminded me that I haven't worked with acrylics in a while either.

It looks like you were enjoying yourself while you were trying them out. The intuitive painting has a nice balance between vertical and horizontal elements. And the profile has a bold design to it. For warm up paintings they look like you've been working in acrylics for a while. Nice job!

Unknown said...

Great paintings!!

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Both are wonderful! I mostly use acrylics as oils give me a headache! I have found that some are more fluid than others and I enjoy the fact that they dry quickly.

adebanji said...

Acrylic is a great medium and I use them more when working from home because they have no health hazards. Discover, experiment and enjoy-welcome to the acrylic painters world!

Nice paintings too, especially the abstract!

Stephen Dell'Aria said...

I love the abstract piece. Reminds me in color and feel of some of de Kooning's landscape abstract paintings.

Dharma Designs said...

Sheila - I just received the Monk - he's GORGEOUS!!! I love how all your paintings have so much of your soul. Nice work! HUGS!!!

3ashig said...

Very nice work!

artbyakiko said...

How do you like acrylic? It's my choice of medium most of the time because the drying time is short and I don't have to deal with turp or oils.

Michael said...

Hello Sheila, I like your painting, I hope to see more and better new works

dominique eichi said...

Sheila, Yea , I love presents and yours is great too. I work in acrylics because it's water soluble but mainly because they dry so fast and it forces me to work fast no time to think too much just do. It keeps it fresher that way, for me ! I love your abstract one there's great life in it. Do a series like that.

NEEDLEWINGS said...

Wonderful work!

David Larson Evans said...

About the acrylics...More More. Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

OMG, I LOVE the top one! Such happy and pleasing colors.

Mary Paquet said...

Both of these pieces are wonderful and I especially like the intuitive piece. Obviously, all that intuition you used during your days on the police force adds up to one fine art piece. I hope you do more acryllics!

artpaw said...

Love the abstract piece, yummy colors and movement