A CLUTTER OF CHAIRS
Lately I have been immersed in figure painting using acrylics. It has been a wonderful run of artistic creativity but I find that I am tapped out and when that happens I need to change media, change subject matter or go to my non-objective abstracts with some mixed media work thrown in. For me it is like washing the dishes, getting the laundry done or straighten up the house; in other words, just plain get reorganized. Some times a sewing project works to clear my mind but top on my list to re-prime my creative well is to reorganize my studio. I'm always telling my husband let's get rid of stuff that we don't use so I took my own advice with the removal of my long time old friend drafting table that weighs a ton to be donated to Goodwill. It is hard to part with something that has been with you for so many years but I analyzed how much I was really using it and found out it was only a flat surface to clutter up. Decision made. Back to my original premise; Lay off of acrylic paints for a while and drag out the watercolor paints until I paint a masterpiece or get inspired to go back to my acrylic media. I will keep you updated on my therapeutic process.
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I want to tell you a story, let me set the scene: Cup of tea in a Fiesta mug, a cookie in hand on a balmy 76 degree sunny day in Florida. It looked like perfection until one digs deeper into the state of things; the leading lady feels like poo and such a week she had! An Oy Vey type of week. Two weeks ago she was hit in the rear end of her van by a lady rushing to get into her vacated parking spot at the gym. That ended very well with everyone being very kind to the older woman who was having an "old lady moment". OK, she was a bit rattled but in that moment she realized that she was the old lady! Leading Lady and hubby get through having the van repaired and working with a loaner car that feels very strange with no key just a fob that you don’t dare lose, she doesn’t like change to her daily routine. The next day her husband wakes up one morning saying he needs to go to the Dr. that day. OK she agrees, he makes the appt.& heads out to his van only to find the battery is dead. OK, take my car and I will get road service to fix the battery. You never know what a day will bring and on with the Oy Vey story. Several Rx later the husband is feeling better but the leading lady is going down hill fast. Both sound like barking seals but the dog is quiet. The dear lady had to cancel yoga, open studio and an art demo on Sat. and two Cultural Council meeting. The newly diagnosed asthma kicks in but this time she has meds to stop the crud from killing her. Dear Lord may next week be better. Oh, I am not done. The dear husband takes off to do volunteer work and an errand. The sickly leading lady gets a call that his left front tire caught fire and he is being towed, could she meet him at our car repair guy.( he pulled into a home and used the garden hose to put out the fire.) OK, she drags her body out to save the day. Yesterday she gets an email from her daughter that brother- in- law Jeff’s dog drown in their swimming pool. The lady decides to stay home for fear of lightning will see her out and turn her into an electrified fulgurite. Permit me some drama. Both cars are repaired and both characters in the story are on the mend but the leading lady just found out today that she needs a root canal. Mary Ellen SKY HIGH 40”X42” ACRYLIC
I found a new hidden treasure fine art gallery in Sebastian just north of the Wabasso Beach Bridge ( Rt.510 ) that I wanted to share with you. Six of my paintings will be on exhibit for all the world to see at the Coral Mermaid Gallery for the next three months. Mary Ellen Coral Mermaid Gallery 8905 N US Hwy 1 Sebastian, FL 32958 coral mermaid.net (772) 559-8947 Tues.-Sat. 10am-2pm FEATURED PAINTING- PASTEL SUNRISE
With this landscape painting I was channeling my inner Anne O’Brian Gonzalez. I admire that she is a colorist and an expressionist. I have her book and three DVD’s that I watch and rewatch learning something new each time plus it is cool just to watch her paint. High key design is also on my bucket list and this time I managed to pull it off. Most of the time I start out with pastel intentions but end up with darks to punch up the value thereby loosing my high key intent. As I analyze what I just wrote I see an artist still coming into her own style or maybe just evolving her style over time. Mary Ellen One of the most delightful things to do is to take a bike ride quietly down a tree lined street with a friend.
Those special days when the weather is just perfect with blue skies and a canopy of trees overhead. On those few days you’re at peace in your world. http://www.koseroriginalart.com http://www.koseroriginalart.com
Ready Get Set…Go! Last week I joined in with a five day painting challenge with artist Mary Gilkerson. We were supposed to do a small painting each day for just 20 minutes, do you know how hard that is? Fortunately I am a fast and furious painter but this did push me to the edge. Mary always says: “Done is better than perfect”, so the end product wasn’t very important. I enjoy experimenting and have little fear of failure. First I gathered old small canvas’s to paint over, picked out 5 photos of figures that I wanted to paint and lastly I set up my work space with colors on the palette. Start the kitchen timer. My Friday open studio has invited participants who have painted the beautiful model, Christina, to exhibit at the newly opened Coral Mermaid Gallery. I have two paintings to show and the reception should be a lot of fun. Wish you all could join us. Mary Ellen https://originalartkoser.blogspot.com. http://www.koseroriginalart.com n ![]() The past six months I have been focusing on the human figure which I find fascinating. Here I was experimenting with black backgrounds to create a more dramatic feel. Below I painted on Yupo with watercolor adding color & marks with total abandon then painted the negative space around the model. I think it would read better if the background was totally black. My grand daughter at the beach. To the right an Art Deco thing going on and below a 1940’s model. It was great fun but what do you say; yes try some more or no move on? Mary Ellen Each Friday you can find me painting with a wonderful group of artists at the Museum of Art. The open studio has a new live model week and today it was Christina.
Christina is a beautiful young woman with the most gorgeous long red hair. As you see my style is very loose, I am happiest when I capture the essence of the person not their exact likeness. I think I am finding that painting the human figure is my passion so I will keep on honing my skills. Mary Ellen I would be a delight to hear your comments . |
Mary Ellen Koser
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