Sunday, September 19, 2010

Henry Darger


Have you ever seen any of Henry Darger's work? Are you intrigued by this work as I am? Where it comes from? who this Darger guy is? If so, don't miss "In the realms of the unreal" a documentary of Darger's life and work.


I was so pleased to be able to see this documentary on netflix this summer! Here is a trailer:

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Picasso project


The On-line Picasso Project is a must know web-based ressource of picasso's work. I am gratefull and in awe to this cataloguing ressource of Picasso's work. Reminding me how extremely creative and productive this iconic artist was. To me, Picasso has always modeled the artistic freedom from any stylistic identification. A concept I am presently struggling with.

A few quotes from the master:
"Inspiration exists but it must find us working" - Picasso

"Action is the foundational key to all success"- Picasso

"Je suis le cahier" - Picasso ( in answer to: Do you have any sketchbooks ? )


Monday, September 13, 2010

Tomaselli's ecstasy

Tomaselli's collages are definitely big scale works of collecting.

I wish I could of seen this exhibit! Meanwhile we all get to watch him explain his process in this exquisite video of him preparing his ecstasy exhibit.



Fred Tomaselli encapsulates his collages in epoxy resin. As he says: " to encapsulate and stabilize ephemera with a seductive finish used for vehicles that transport you to other places." That is true respect and understanding of the resin medium.

Resin is a must try techique on my short list in the coming months. I will refer to this how to video ( and this one ) when I will be ready to get my hands sticky!

Tomaselli paints over his resin layer. With what? acrylic paints? anybody knows?

Here's a close-up of one of Fred's paint work over resin and collage.

Milhazes acrylic paint collage technique

Fabulous work by brazilian artist Milhazes shows us in this video how she does her acrylic paint transfers.
I had a try at this amazingly simple technique this summer. It works! Now lets see when and especially on what will I use this technique?
Meanwhile enjoy the warmth of Beatriz Milhazes at work in her studio in Rio.

2 other recent paintings

Here a two more paintings using the colour versus black and white contrast in their composition.

The play of time. Is what this series of painting should be called.

The blue desk bellow was inspired by a visit to a dear dear elderly aunt. Aunt Cecile, who has lead a steady and serene life dressed in blue. When I was young aunt Cecile at partys would read tea leave patterns left after drinking at the bottom of tea cups. I see a trip, soon,...

blue desk , oil 20 x 24 inches


Jumping in the fields,oil ( 20 x 24 inches)

Jumping in the fields is based on one of my favorite pictures taken in my youth. I am jumping, as free as one can be, on a trampoline at the age of four!


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Contact paper in mixed media

After trying-out a transfer technique with contact paper*. I set-out to do 2 mixed media collage pieces with the intention of being true to the value of sensitivity.

* It's got to be the easiest transfer technique. It got me thinking in a whole diferent way about the use of contact paper ( the stuff anciently used by uber housewives to line their kitchen drawers ). The large beige cut-out shapes in these 2 pieces were cut-out from faux wood contact paper.


Anatomy 3, mixed media on masonite (18 x 20 inches)


Anatomy b2, mixed media on masonite (18 x 20 inches)

Monday, September 6, 2010

Painting to a little music

Here's a real juicy creative video of Jonas Gerard doing his thing!
Enjoy!




Listen to Gerard's point of view :



You've heard Gerard:
"Give up results. Give up planning. Give up worry, and a big one, a big big one: Give up Fear."

Family portraits

Here are a few paintings I have been working on :


Sylvia's picnic ( oil 20 x 24 inch.)



Me and the frog (oil 20 x 24 inch. )


They are compositional paintings based on cherished photographs taken by my dad when we were growing up.


Here's my sister Sylvia:



and me: Elise


Yep! these are real adorable pics of Sylvia and I.