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.

Expanding My List of Influences



Slow Release of the Day © 2009 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 18 x 36"

A couple of years ago I posted a list of the top eleven artists that I felt had the biggest influence on my work. A top ten list would be a much rounder number I know, but I just coldn't narrow it down that far. Now, I'd like to expand on that list with some additional artists that I've been looking at more carefully over the past few months, and add these seven to the first eleven. Some of these artists' works relate to each other and some do not, so, in no particular order:

Dwight Tryon Graceful, and simultaneously ethereal and grounded.

George Innes Rich and mysterious, his paintings allow your mind to create what isn't painted, while hinting at more.

Andrew Wyeth Beautiful browns that are almost monochromatic - images are stark in composition, yet rendered in detail, and have the ability to draw you into their story.

Lawren S. Harris Harris's paintings seem to seek out a spiritual essence in nature, allowing anything extraneous to this experience to seem to drop away.

Emily Carr I should have realized earlier that I couldn't have Goergia O'Keeffe and Agnes Pelton without adding Emily Carr. Her work also seems related to Charles Burchfield's. She seems to paint the wind.

Frederick Judd Waugh Known Best as a marine painter, he understands the physicality of the sea and powerfully conveys the experience of it.

Kaii Higashiyama Simulataneously grand and simple, his paintings are bold while holding a profound sense of quiet.

In looking over both lists I can see certain characteristics held in common. A strong affinity for nature is apparent, as well as the sense of mood. Technically, all of these artists combine softness and gradations with bold contrasts, shapes and composition. Values are key and so is a feeling for drama, even when it's a quiet grandeur.

New Painting: Between the Drops

Between the Drops  ©2011 Katherine Kean

12 x 16" oil on linen

This is third in the series that includes Counting Raindrops, and Connect the Drops. I was drawn to paint the subtle geometric patterns left by the drops as they fell and reformed again after being swiped by the wiper blades. Just when I think I'm done with raindrops - bet then they are a lot of fun to paint.

The sequence below depicts the progression of this painting from under painting to conclusion.

The under painting in warm colors to show through behind the cooler top layers. Approximate values and drawing are layed in. The first color layer - still plenty of under painting showing through. The values are well established.

An additional color layer using cooler colors and more grays. Also starting to define the pathways the drops will follow. The drops are the last to paint. Oddly enough I don't have a preconceived way of approaching them. Sometimes I make a dark spot and then add highlights, other times I make a bright spot and then outline it with the dark. 

Holding it Together on a Diptych, Triptych, or Modular Painting

On the Edge

©1991 Katherine Kean

oil on two canvases

42  x 12"

A diptych in art consists of any two panels presented side by side. Traditionally these two pieces would be hinged together. In contemporary art it's not uncommon to see the panels simply hanging side by side, sometimes with a bit of space between. A triptych is made up of three panels, side by side by side.

When there are panels placed one above the other, or in larger, more complex groupings, it is then called modular art. In some works, pieces can be added or removed, or rearranged, to create a new piece of artwork.

There is an advantage to modular work. The smaller sections that make up a large piece can be transported more easily than a single large painting.

When I'm working on a diptych, a triptych, or a modular piece I use C-Clampsto connect the panels. This way I can easily move around the multiple panels that make up one work as an entire unit, making it easy to take off the easel during drying time.

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