Going Primitive With Mindy!

"finding my way"

12x12 mixed media on cardboard

I have long been a fan of Mindy Lacefield's lovely artwork especially her primitive faces.  Recently I signed up for her Primative Portraits classes and am really enjoying learning from her! She is super sweet and its a joy to watch her create.  

Letting loose and working intuitively continues to be something I struggle with in my artwork.  I enjoy sketching faces but when it comes to painting them I for some reason just don't like it probably because I tighten up so much and try to be perfect that I end up with a stiff neck when I am done!  lol These classes are so inspiring as well as opening me up to a new loose way of creating a face.  

The above piece was created on cardboard.  I also had some pieces of paper towel laying around on my art table that I added to the board for really cool texture.  I found this girl's face in the background trying loosely to bring her out.  The quicker I work when I create the less critical I am of myself.  Any of you feel the same way??

If you haven't discovered Mindy's lovely work already 

check out her website HERE!

She is offering the third installment of her Primitive Portraits class series 

with Primitive Portraits 3 which I am excited about!  For details on this class and a 

chance to win a spot click HERE!!

xo

Channeling The Horror . . .

9x12 mixed media on watercolor paper

I planned on painting Friday.  I had a failed image transfer on a piece of hot press watercolor paper from the day before waiting for me.   I would use a limited palette of payne's gray and titanium white.  And I wanted to use my scraper again since I enjoyed it so much creating the painting in my last post.  

I already heard the horrible news out of Newtown CT, a mere 20 miles away, before I began this piece.  I wanted to paint to try to shake off how disturbed and upset I was about what had happened.  What I did not expect when I stepped back were the figures that showed up along the bottom.  

I paint pieces like these intuitively.  I used my scraper very randomly smearing and scraping the paint around the paper.  I keep at it working very quickly (because if I stop and think my inner perfectionist comes out)  not paying much attention to what is happening.  The only specific work I did on purpose was the face of the woman. 

The tears were added to her face before I even noticed the figures below her.  Now I know why the tears were necessary.  

I continue to send prayers and peace to those lost and those left behind

xo