Welcome to My Madness

I think it's important to establish right from the beginning that this blog pertains more to what happens before the art is created. I understand your curiosity about my methods and I promise to discuss it from time to time, but quite frankly, talking about my art bores me to tears. Maybe it's not so much that I'm bored, maybe it's more that truth be told, I don't completely understand the process myself. Once the first paint hits the canvas the methods are mostly out of my control. We'll talk about that another time.

What I can tell you about my art is that it's always a manifestation of my life. My thoughts, my emotions, my faith, my interactions with others - these things tell the story of who I am and are integral to my creativity and what you ultimately view on the canvas and in the journals. I'm honored that you've stopped by for a glance and I hope you'll return.  Maybe you'll even be able to leave me with some insights - I'd be honored to hear from you.

Commission: Pair on a Pear

Once again, I was given free reign on this Christmas gift commission.  The order: "A pear to hang in the kitchen".  I'm happy to announce that the gifter said "I'm a rock star!".  His wife phoned to tell me how much she loves it.  Her only problem now - If she's going to buy the purple sofa or the orange one!  I love these client friends and their spirit of joyful abandonment when it comes to decorating their new home!

"Pair on a Pear" 30" x 40" acrylic on canvas

I can't wait to see this painting in it's new home, and I can't wait to see which sofa gets added to the adjoining living room!

Commission Completed!

It's been a few months since I've posted here, but I really have been painting! I just completed this 3 commission set of 36" x 48" acrylic paintings.  These are my take on an old subject.

"See No Evil"

"Speak No Evil"

"Hear No Evil"

The happy owners proudly hung their new paintings in the foyer, and they look marvelous!  It was a real pleasure to complete these - on to the next paintings!

I've also been busy with my art journals and journaling blog.  Have you seen that blog?  Stop on over here, I'd love to see you there!

"The Coming"

Please enjoy my first art video!

New Basquiat Documentary!

Jean-Michel Basquiat's energetic, graffiti style art has had a definite influence in my work.  I'm excited to see a new documentary is out that contains information I'm unfamiliar with.  I'm looking forward to seeing this film!

See another clip and read the article here.

This is my tribute to Basquiat from my banner, "A Tribute to Artists"

"Unity"

This is my newest painting,    "Unity".       "Unity" was created as a direct result of many conver-sations I had with  Mr. Angel Tenes, Executive Director of   Unity Corps.  Unity Corps is a progressive non-profit organization promoting the oneness of humanity.  Their mission as stated is, "to seek out those individuals and groups who support the aims of racial (ethnic), religious (spiritual), and sexual non-discrimination, and to provide for the peaceful promotion of human unity via the arts, assemblage, literature, media, and other means of goodwill."  I was honored to design "Unity" in support of the unity movement.
"Unity" is rich in color and symbolism. Among other symbols, the painting includes hummingbirds (messengers of hope and jubilation), ivy (connections and friendships), and Morning Glories (affection).  More obvious symbolism includes the hand gesture of peace and the opposing hand gesture which is the sign of unity.  My trademark dual face, butterfly and pendant are other integral symbols in this painting.

Visit the Unity Corps Website

Angelia Goes Abstract

This post was still living in my drafts, but I thought even though January is long gone, I would share what I did with the first 30 days of 2010!

"Perception of Power"

I love January. January is about new beginnings and new possibilities. This January, I discovered new possibilities in going abstract!

I made a trip to my local Pat Catan's craft store and bought a 11" x 15" Canson 90lb watercolor pad, a couple tubes of acrylic in lucsious colors I couldn't resist, and a couple canvases. I could hardly wait to get home to pull my treasures out the bag and get

started.
There's something to be said for even the ritual of preparing to paint. My winter painting area is actually in my living room. ( I have a beautiful studio but can't afford to heat it in the winter - but that's another blog post.) I carefully cover my work service - a large, walnut writing desk purchased years ago at an antique shop, with a plastic tablecloth and begin gathering the essentials for a successful session. These items include a mug of rinse water, assorted brushes, a bottled water and a mug of coffee, and my cell phone.

Having gathered all the necessities, I'm ready to find something interesting to listen to via my laptop. Usually it's music although sometimes I will listen to lectures. After I finish with that, I address my blank support. I rub my hands across the surface in a subconscious effort to "connect" with the paper. Then I look through my paint and the 3 or 4 colors that "speak to me" are pulled from the group and placed on the table.

                                                                                                                                 "Sins of the Father"

Something exciting happened this year, though.

Instead of taking the usual route of selecting a brush, I dipped the fingertips of both hands into my water and gently began moving them around my paper to moisten the surface. Before I knew it, I was compelled to put paint directly onto my fingers and paper and let art totally create itself from my subconscious. 

Using this method to paint is extremely satisfying  and I highly recommend giving it a try.  It's much like finger painting and is a great way to reawaken the
imagination and get out of a rut.  I think you might be surprised at the spectacular images living just inside your subconsious mind.