I really enjoyed painting this piece focusing on the composition of the tattered leaves of the Bird of Paradise. Using lots of bold colors to represent the tropical environment, I replaced almost all the greens with teal, reds and pinks. I also incorporated collage, with my hand-painted patterned papers applied to some of the leaves.
Work is underway for my solo-exhibition. I was originally scheduled for October 2022, but due to delays and obstacles… it will happen next year. I’m happy for the additional time to explore and enjoy the process. I’ll be working in acrylics and mixed media collage, sharing my love for all things southern, even alligators. Stay Tuned!
I probably start most of my blog post the same way. I talk about how it’s been so long since my previous post and how busy I get and I’m going to try to do better! It’s all true.
I had a show in February with two artist friends at Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, in Melbourne, Florida entitled Open for Interpretation. The three of us, each submitted three words and all of us had to “interpret“ all nine words. So the show consisted of 27 artworks. The nine words were: tree, oyster, spicy, sunflower, honeybee, fishing, collection, vintage and origami. The three of us have very different styles and mediums that we work in. I am a mixed media artist, my friend Lori is a watercolorist and my friend Barbara is currently working with digital ink transfers. As I sometimes do, I didn’t get started on the project as early as I should have and in the end worked feverishly to get all my pieces finished. But I did enjoy the process and I like the playfulness and directness of my finished work for the show.
It’s taken some time, but I’ve learned that creating art intuitively is the very best approach for me. Not to say that it takes less effort or discipline, but the overall process is more enjoyable! Listening to my inner art voice is usually smart. Sometimes it guides me to trust myself… go in a different direction or be brave in my choices. The “process” of art making is why I make art after-all, if it’s not enjoyable, then I’m doing something wrong. These 2 turtles are a good example of starting a new piece intuitively. In the midst of playing with a very bold palette they appeared 😊. They are on their way… lots of collage and paint to come.
Things are gearing back up, I’m happy to say. Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, the artist co-op I’m part of is re-opening next week. I’m back to teaching my painting class (following safe distancing guidelines). I’m finding less time to be in the studio… which is the downside to returning to “normal”. I’ve been so inspired lately with lots of time for reflection and to take a creative deep breath. Since January I’ve started 9 new painting; some with lots of collage and others that are mostly paint. It’s exciting to get to the studio and explore the progress, then choose what I will work on that day.
This mangrove piece is from a photo I took while on a boat ride down the Indian River. I manipulated the colors on my computer till I had an exciting palette then used that image as a reference. I’m hoping to finish this one up within the next couple of visits.
Thanks for taking a look!
Many years ago… before I painted things like turtles and fish, coral reefs and octopus, I was primarily painting the tropical landscape. I had a commission to paint a piece with bananas and big tropical foliage. I started the piece as I start most any painting… with big areas of color, followed by more layers of overlapping color. I was working at a studio on the piece when a friend strolled by and innocently stated that the big shape in the middle “looked like a turtle”. “It’s going to be pink bananas”, I replied. I took the piece home and leaned against a wall to observe for the next few days until I could get back to it, but every time I looked at it, all I could see was that big turtle shape. I planned to continue on painting it as bananas, but in an attempt to be a more intuitive artist, I started the pink bananas on another canvas and finished the original piece as the turtle it was meant to be :)
I’ve learned to listen to my heart a little more… and voices, creative voices of my own and those of my friends, now and then.
I paint turtles… thank goodness. The ocean is a mighty mysterious place. Just as in every other part of creation, it’s design is amazingly beautiful and mesmerizing. I’m working on two commissions of underwater scenes right now at my studio and thought I would share some of the progress.
November is always a busy month for art show preparation… then comes December when Christmas is the focus of my time and energy. January means organization, creative focus, super productivity, sort of… and always that feeling that “I’ve got all month to get caught up on lots of artwork that needs finishing.” I have absolutely been working steadily since the new year began, and loving being back in my studio… but I’m still trying to get a few pieces ready for this weekend. I’ll be in IMAGES, a festival of the Arts in New Smyrna Beach this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Booth 21). It is always a really nice show with wonderful patrons and visitors. If you decide to come, stop by and say hello. I will (if progress continues as planned) have a new LARGE mixed-media piece to debut. It is a diptych (2 panels) over 6 feet long of an underwater reef with 3 turtles, a shark, jellyfish and lots of little fishes. I am using both hand-painted paper collage and acrylic paint on textured cradled wood panels. Don’t forget… BOOTH 21
Work in Progress:
It’s great…wonderful and exciting to be back at the studio. I have finally moved all the art materials that my family brought home for me when I was laid up with my broken leg, back down to my studio. I am also managing to make it down there regularly and get busy working… I know it’s art and I love making art and it may not seem like “work”… but while I could happily paint, collage, collect stuff, read… dream 24-7, to make it each day’s priority is work. Planning around other commitments, responsibilities and chores, takes lots of creative strategizing :) My 2015 goal is to be super creative and productive.
I am trying my best to “go with the flow” and find that I’m happiest with the pieces where I trust my instincts and enjoy the process of art-making. Several of the pieces “on the table”, or easel, depending on the size of the piece, are moving toward completion and I’m hoping to have them at my next show in a few weeks.
This week I realized I was running low on the painted papers I collage with… so, I took a day and painted paper. It’s a part of my process that I LOVE. A large artwork that is primarily collage, requires a lot of paper inspiration. One portion of a painted paper can also lead to a brand new artwork…
Here are some of this week’s work:
RENEE DECATOR, life stories 