Continuing with textured surfaces

Never get dictated by former plans!

I am absolutely loving this #5 canvas.  The process of construction and deconstruction thrilled me once again!  Can't help but give myself a "like" for the courage I took to deconstruct, just to find that moment of satisfaction - a guide I use to complete a painting made out of imagination.

First deconstruction happened when an overworked surface was totally ruined, no way to be revived.  I had to stretch a new canvas on the stretchers which I specifically ordered from my framer.  I was happier to use my own familiar canvas which has the durability for the mixed media.

Again, I overworked the background by putting in too much paints too carelessly.  It was quicker to give it a shower, but gosh! some gels were rubbed off which freaked me out.  To my surprise though, when it was dried overnight, some amazing marks appeared with the residual paints! 

The "circle flowers" in my mind did not come out quite right.  They were shutting one another out.  And I remembered I wanted a lighter tone for this piece.

Lightened the background, also lightened the middle patch which took on a new look.  Also gave a good wash off the green on the one at the edge under the running tap.  But still the background was not alright.  

I took the risk to construct another textured area to create a visual link, but I felt I was creating a new distance.

Added a new circle to get them closer.  But something wrong with the big circle ...

The painting continues.  

Smoothness on textures - continues

The challenge of adopting the "making big' mindset of working from a 6"x6" paper to a 3'x4' canvas continued.  To know, but not exactly knowing what I was making, I simply had to let go.  "Eliza go for it!"  Within half hour of quick layering some paints and gels, the ground work was done.  Adding in the colors gave a first definition of the painting.

... Came back to studio the morning, the WIP I did the night before caught my eyes. It's like a girl waving at me. Bliss!

I had to move fast to transfer the impression I had in mind onto the canvas, or else I would be trapped by the textures!  To opt for a balance in pictorial elements, I had to draw textures on smooth planes and smoothness on textured paints.  I finally overcame the pyschological hurdle that could've dictated the subject - yay!!

Must I make something new for the new year?

Happily dived in Phuket and saw some most beautiful life in the sea. 

Will I continue to make them, or will I make something new? 

I was drawn to the various natural colors.  I was attracted to the fascinating shapes, and movements, and life ...  but I still want to have the same thing happen: spontaneity.

2012 was a very fulfilling year for me as though my voice was heard.  I will have to see what happens next ... with the same dosage of courage if not more.

... fearfully and wonderfully made

Such is the beauty of making abstract art - I plan as much on the picture plane as I can, sort of know what I am doing, but I can never expect the outcome. 

"Dive-in_4" came alive when paints and mediums were cleaned up, revealing a kind of raw and honest colors that coat the textured surface.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It was just perfect for the next step, hopefully a finishing one. 

I showed the client the work at a very early stage.  I knew she was concerned about the light tone, but I believed my eyes so I stubbornly assured her that all was good.  Mid-week I sent her a quick WIP image by phone, but there was no feedback.  Yesterday when she saw this, she smiled. 

Eliza's exhibition with Artists Abroad

Artists Abroad 18th Annual Exhibition - "Journey" 2012

In "Journey" - the theme of this Annual Exhibition, my exhibits (mostly sculpted paintings on canvas blocks) are technical experimentation and narrative exploration using various mediums - putting 3D bubbles (an extension of the “Otherworldly” series) into the context of an existing contemporary realism series.

Solo Exhibition: 3 Sep - 20 Oct 2012

Some shots at the exhibition gallery.

Solo Exhibition at SR Gallery 2012

Anxiety ceased as my solo exhibition has started, finally! I'm showing 43 pieces/series of art altogether. It will run for 7 weeks. Sep 3 - Oct 20. Please visit and view my work, write to me too. It was great to meet some lovely friends there yesterday, and I made a new friend who is very resourceful :) Simply makes me smile all the more!

Happily Bubbling Away - solo show

"Happily Bubbling Away" my solo show - 27 pieces/series covering two major bodies of work will be shown at SR Gallery at 3/F Cubus, the chic area in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, for the whole month of September 2012. Will post details when ready. Stay tuned :)

Small blocks filled with textured bubbles

 

These canvas blocks have been wanting my attention, I know, but what next?   Marks and textures look quite full, but they certainly are not done.   Why the same old anxiety and puzzle when I should know once paints are put out, digital gadgets put away, solution will appear?!

Schedule for second half of 2012 is packed; I can't afford to hesitate.  Now that the exhibition was over, travel was done (oh how lovely holiday with so beautiful people!) I'd better hurry before the long trip, and another exhibition, and now may be one more, take place.

Travel ... the Shunde trip made me want to paint something Chinese, but, one thing at a time!

Bubbles in a context

Still playing, but I managed to make some constructed play with the 3D bubbles.  Really happy with the outcome so far.  Next step is to put together a meaningful body of work, fingers crossed, so bubbles are not mere effects but elements of painting.

Is it still unsightly?  If someone wants to touch it, I guess it's not too bad.

3D bubbles

After some experiments on mediums and procedures, I'm finally getting somewhere.  Not easy, but good investment of time.  Now I'll have something really fun to play with during the Easter holiday, and in my new open air studio :)

very exciting to see these appear!

"unslightly", but they're not meant to be pretty anyway.

not the right palette that I was hoping to get, but I love the marks!