Synthetic Paint Brushes

Passing Through work in progress  ©2011 Katherine Kean

24 x 36" oil on linen on panel

Since removing animal products from my diet, I've learned more about all the ways that animals are used and abused to make not only food, but cosmetics, clothing, shoes, furniture, and even art supplies, As I wrote about here, I started to research new products to replace the non-vegan supplies I've come to rely on all these years. I'd been taught that the best brush for an artists must be a natural bristle brush, preferably a sable. No longer willing to buy and use a brush derived from killing animals, not to mention abhoring the cruel trapping and farming practices, I started looking for a synthetic substitute.

The first brushes I tried out were okay, far better then the ones made years ago, but just not quite as responsive as the natural bristles I've become used to. I've wondered if I would have to learn to make do and adjust my painting style accordingly. Whenever I'm in an art store I look at what they are offering in the synthetic bristle category and recently while browsing in a Utrecht store, I picked up a synthetic mongoose brush made by the Princeton Art & Brush Company. I didn't have high expectations and didn't even try it out for some time. It just sat there on the easel shelf, all clean and new.

Then the other day when I was about to begin painting the numerous twisty branches in the painting started above I decided to try it out and what do you know - it was fantastic! It did everything I would expect from a natural bristle brush. It carried a good load of paint, so I could start out on a long, broad stroke, follow through all the twists and turns and end with a fine point.

This one was a number 6 round. What a joy to paint with. The next time I'm buying brushes I plan on getting some more.

New Work

I've updated my website with new paintings. I finally got the "stay inside" weather I needed, just not in the form I expected. This year we had a spectacular spring with regular rain and a nice mixture of sunny and overcast days, not too hot, not too cold. The garden displayed a sequence of color for the entire season, daffodils, hyacinths, foxglove, amaryllis, allium, jasmine, hydrangeas, gardenias, and roses. A nice treat considering how many seasons past the flowers have come out only to be withered and blown away by Santa Anas. But not this year. This year it was just too nice to be inside and working on websites when the weather was so perfect for digging and trimming and mulching (and sneezing). It finally came to an end, right on schedule by the calendar, with a heat wave - just too hot to garden or hike, but perfect for staying inside and working on websites.

When the weather is fine

Marsh Path sketch ©2011 Katherine Kean 6 x 6"

I find this time of year the best for painting. The days are long and there is plenty of light.On warm days my studio is always cool and inviting and I have a freshly stretched 48 x 48" linen ready to paint.

The drawing above combines a typical view of the sky from my house together with a marsh field from Cape Cod. These elements together male a place that doesn't exist, but could be almost anywhere.

You can still see raindrops...

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What Do you Listen to While You're Working?

What do you listen to while you're making artwork? Is it music, the TV, the radio, your pet snoring, or maybe silence? I've learned that for me it's often helpful to have something in the background to keep my left brain occupied.

I have a television in my studio. It's placed slightly behind me, not to watch, but to hear. Too often it's tuned to news channels. I find the news compelling during natural disasters, but close to unwatchable during election years. Too often it's too depressing to leave on for very long.

I've recently rediscovered audible books. I've had books on tape in the past and now get books from Audible.com to listen to on a Kindle. I'm currently listening to The Time Traveler's Wife. Even though I've seen the movie version it's fun to hear it read aloud by Fred Berman and Phoebe Strole. Having two voices reading from the two perspectives of the story keeps it fresh and makes it more entertaining. I find it interesting also to notice the words that are chosen; how the words that are describing scenes that I can see in my head as a result of the movie differs from the words that
I'd use - and how the images in my head change as a result of these other words, even though it is the same story. This process reminds me of how large a part choices play in all art forms and how often what is left out may be as important as what is included.

 

Energy and Art:Part Two



Separation Anxiety work in progress  ©2011 Katherine Kean  Private Collection
oil on linen triptych 18 x 42" overall

With a little time, listening, to music, watching a movie, or reading a book can change your mood. Artwork can also effect your mood, often instantly - something to keep in mind when choosing art and considering where to place it.

There may be places in your home that you want to maintain as a soothing sanctuary, so you might want to hang art there that conveys tranquility and calm. Places where you entertain or create may call for something that sparkles or energizes. In places where you do business you might want artwork that reminds you of abundance. A traditional Feng Shui choice might be images of birds – the birds representing opportunities and good news, and the more of them the better.

Color as well as content play a role as well and the effects these have will vary from person to person. What may be a soothing sage green to me, or an uplifting red, may seem a sickly or irritating shade to another. We all see color differently, so let how it makes you feel be a determining factor.

I believe that there is no value in adopting a belief unless it serves you well to believe it. Symbols may have cultural meaning as well, whether you consider a dragon lucky or threatening may depend on beliefs you were brought up with and haven't changed as well as experiences you've had. There is no need to change what you already consider auspicious – it’s easier to go with the flow. Just consider whether you are attracting or repelling energy, even, or especially, if it is on a subconscious level.

Summer Show: Tell Us a Story

 

Counting Raindrops © 2010 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 12 x 16"

I'm pleased to say that Counting Raindrops has been included in Segil Fine Art Source's Summer Show "Tell Us a Story". The premise of the exhibition is that each painting, whether whimsical, emotional, or purely narrative, should tell a story. The story must be original, but may be either real or imagined. The story, in 100 words or less, will be displayed alongside the painting.

The show runs from June 18 through August 20, 2011, with a reception on Saturday, June 18 from 5-7pm. Segil Fine Art is located at 110 West Lime Avenue, Old Town Monrovia, California 91016. The gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 -6:00 pm.