MRea Nasky Art

New beginnings: Guest artist and new series start up in the same week!

2012-02-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

2012 is getting off to a flying start! The entire body of original work from my Agave Series is on view and available for collection from Hill Design + Gallery in Georgetown, TX, through March 31, 2012. If you live in the Austin area treat yourself to a visit to this lovely hill country venue. If you are not in the area, you can view the series online. Each of the images is scanned and proofed for high resolution giclee prints. Visit my site link for more information on prints.
I also have a wonderful guest artist, Marilyn Fenn, in my studio at Austin Art Space Gallery and Studios, Austin, TX for the 7th Annual "For the Love of Art" Exhibition and Sale.
I love the excitement and energy that a guest artist brings to my space. Of course, that means that I have to remove some of my work to make room for my guest, but this seems to me to be a useful tool in the process of new beginnings. It always inspires me to get back into process, which is where the magic happens.

New work from guest artist, Marilyn Fenn

New Beginnings for Tree Series

I worked for several hours in my home studio today putting colored gesso on 17 substrates, 16 x 20", and 24 x 30 x 1.25". This application process is a new concept for me and I am excited to continue with the process. I will be adding an additional 5, 24 x 24 x 1.25" canvases to the "batch" this weekend. For me, this is an exciting step, when each canvas has wide open possibilities and potential. I am continuing with my series based on tree imagery from the Rockies to Central Texas. At this point, the canvases and boards are color fields, but as I view them now I see that each one has a personality. I will post images as they evolve.
Meanwhile, here's to new beginnings!

Hill Country Funk Artist's Reception

2012-01-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

What could be more fun than seeing others view your work, getting direct feedback from viewers/collectors, meeting other artists, and enjoying the "fruit" of long days spent in the studio working? This direct interaction between the viewer and the artist/artwork is, to me, the heart of creative work. Creative work is a circle that completes when the artist shows the work, gets the feedback that only direct viewers of the work can give. My heartfelt thanks to all who came out last night to share in the process!

Now it's back to the studio for the next "batch" of creative work.

Meanwhile, enjoy these photos from Hill Design + Gallery in the heart of the beautiful Hill Country of Central Texas. Visit my website to see the body of original work from my Agave Series, now on view. The work will be available from this venue through March 31, 2012. Happy 2012 to all!

Art and Music: Hill Country Funk at Hill Design+Gallery | Design Guide

2012-01-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

An excellent online editorial for the upcoming show at which all work from my Agave Series will be featured in one gallery for the first time!

Pictured is the painting that I worked on today, one of four new Agave paintings, entitled "Agave Oceanic". See my previous post for more background on how I found the theme for this new work.

I am working with oils on a substrate that I prepared

myself in order to create a textured surface. A few more strokes and this painting will be complete. See the completed originals at Hill Design + Gallery. Meanwhile, happy painting!

True confessions: Keeping a "side kick" painting

2012-01-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

(A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he (it) accompanies-definition from wikipedia)

side kick in progress

As is my habit, I keep what I call a "sidekick" painting(s) going while I work. This gives me something totally unplanned and spontaneous to work with at the end of a session. In this case I was practicing glazing with oils, using what was left on the palette at the end of my session with four new Agave Series pieces to be shown at Hill Design + Gallery.
I had three low horizon landscapes that I wanted to pull together so using the abstract pattern of an Agave over the pieces I glazed in what feels like currents and looks somewhat like wings, waves, light currents...and captures the three places that I have lived and loved from a sort of celestial view.
Happy Painting to all!

Rainy day blues, things oceanic, and solitude

2012-01-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

The holidays are officially over now. Our "children", now young adults, have gone back to their lives, the house is empty of all distraction this morning, and it is raining. The perfect day to paint. Yet, getting back into the groove of solitude is not so easy. Visual artists, even if they work others at times, must make peace with the solitary pursuit of creative work. I have spent time this morning doing yoga, planning my next workshop, and looking at travel packages online...casting about to find a way out of facing the inevitable solitude that is both friend and foe.

During the past month I have been working on formulating a unique oil painting surface, doing the work in segments over the holidays and am coming down to the wire on my deadline for an upcoming show at Hill Design + Gallery in which all of my Agave Series will be featured together for the first time. It is exciting that all of these original paintings will be shown together. I feel as though they are children of sorts who have been sent out into the world without the pleasure of the company of family. Some of them have found homes and some have returned from a variety of venues. I worked on the four new paintings in this series when it was rainy. I felt the call of Hawaii where we lived previous to our move to the Austin area. I wanted to capture the feeling of the ocean that was crashing on the shores of my artist's memory. I didn't have to work hard to get the feeling on to the canvas. In fact, there seemed to be no getting away from it. Although intense color is one of my artist "trademarks", the cool muted tones of the new work describe things oceanic.
I think I just heard the faint rustle of wings... my muse settling in for the day? Happy painting to all.

Happy New Year, resolutions kept , and time to paint

2012-01-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

One of my 2012 resolutions is to use my time to paint. Even if it is only 2 hours at the start of the day, or 3 hours after everyone else in the house is out, or asleep. It's as though I have to trick myself into the studio by sneaking off from the self imposed duty of "chief cook and bottle washer". In keeping with this promise to myself, I got up at 7AM today, and started implementing the use of my time in the studio. The kitchen needed my attention, and the house was calling to be straightened for the company later today...there was cooking to do. But, I went into the studio with my freshly brewed coffee, and stayed here until I had accomplished my goal of adding a layer of black gesso to my 4 new Agave pieces. I have discovered a unique painting surface which I love. Ampersand board which I gesso myself in 8-10 textured layers. My secret ingredient for today's session is Golden Flow Release. I applied my gesso wet into wet in juicy washes which got increasingly loose as I realized that I had been painting for 4 hours!
Pictured are detail shots that show off one of my favorite design elements: texture! More later! Meanwhile, Happy New Year, Happy painting, and here's to letting the dishes rot in the sink.

Ringing in the new year with abstraction

2011-12-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

Ghost images for 4 new works

It takes a nudge for me to get back into the studio after a holiday. Over the past couple of weeks I spent an hour or two working whenever family was elsewhere, and the distractions were easily ignored. I managed to get my canvases and other substrates gessoed in the between hours. I am working on Ampersand board to which I applied layers of gesso in various tones of blue with a textured surface.

Join us at this lovely Hill country venue!

Yesterday had a full 5 hour session to sketch in my "ghost" images for 4 new pieces. I had spent hours getting each image narrowed down to the best abstract composition by reducing the size of the image. I placed the 4 boards in various configurations to check for composition based on abstraction. Now for the fun part! Layers of acrylic with a final glaze of oils.
These new works will be part of an upcoming exhibit of my Agave Series at Hill Design + Gallery

"Red Oak Winter" Limited Edition Prints Available

2011-12-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

December in Central Texas is the season of the Red Oak! Last year due to the ongoing drought and cold winter weather the Red Oaks turned a blazing array of reds. I painted "Red Oak Winter" from sketches of a tree that resides out my studio window. The original was purchased from ABIA, Austin ArtSpace Gallery venue this fall. I had so many inquiries about the piece that I am now offering it as a limited edition print on gallery wrap canvas. The original painting was scanned and color proofed with my approval. Each print is inspected and hand initialed by me before it is shipped. Payment can be made through paypal. Please visit my contact page for pricing information.
Prints sizes:
36 x 48 x 1.25/2.00" Edition 15 at this size on gallery wrap canvas, 12 available
18 x 24 x 1.25/2.00" Edition 30 at this size on gallery wrap canvas, 29 available
Prints are shipped UPS Ground with tracking number, within 5-7 business days after payment thru paypal. Shipping included on orders within the continental USA.

Vein and Vine I, II , III

2011-11-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

Vein and Vine I © Marilyn Rea Nasky, 12x12x.75 Oil

Vein and Vine II © Marilyn Rea Nasky 12x12x.75 Oil

Vein and Vine III © Marilyn Rea Nasky12x12x.75 Oil

You know the process from my previous post. Here are the finished pieces available for collection.

Purchase directly from my website in the abstract gallery page or visit Austin Art Space Gallery to see the new work "in the flesh."

AVAA and Austin Art Space 7th Annual 12buy12 Show and Reception

AVAA & Austin Art Space present the 7th Annual 12BUY12 Holiday Show and Sale

December 1, 2011-January 7, 2011 at Austin Art Space Gallery, 7739 Northcross Dr., 78757

Opening Reception: Thursday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m

Hope to see you there

or read your comments!

"...true art lies in a reality that is felt." ~ Odilon Redon

2011-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

One of the important lessons I learned from, John Hulsey, at my plein air workshop in RMNP was to mix a lot of paint, so as not to run out of a color mid painting. Great advice! Since I am not as adept at knowing how much to mix I often end up with extra paint. Now that I am painting in my studio again I have the opportunity to use the extra paint on at the end of my session. I keep several small format pieces in the studio for this purpose. I find this exercise at the end of a session to be a great lesson in creative thinking. These paintings which I have dubbed "side kicks" differ in "style" which often surprise me with new concepts.

I applied "left over" H2Oils in horizontal strokes over blue gessoed canvases, then scraped through the strokes to create some additional lines with texture. I had no notion about what I was painting, except that some of the lines reminded me of landscape. These are purely process paintings, so I allow myself to play without any concern about what the painting will look like when finished.

Yesterday, after working on a large commission piece for several hours, I had light yellows left on my pallette. I rotated the landscape motif canvases, which had been painted 6 weeks ago, to a vertical placement and painted an organic pattern. I didn't use any references or have any idea about the finished product, but I wanted the conversation to be about things growing and patterns found in nature. Since these pieces are 12 x 12" I will show them, when finished in one of the many upcoming 12 x 12 venues in the Austin TX area, and at Austin ArtSpace Gallery

I hope you will enjoy seeing them come to completion.

While I recognize the necessity for a basis of observed reality - true art lies in a reality that is felt. ~ Odilon Redon

Plein Air Painting in RMNP

2011-10-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful and refreshing course of study with Kansas artists John Hulsey and Ann Trusty of Perspectives from the Artist's Road http://www.theartistsroad.net/categories/perspectivesweeklypostcard

in RMNP http://rockymountainnationalpark.com/ above Estes, Colorado.

I have walked through the park with my camera, but not until I stopped to paint it, did I really see what was there. It was an interesting experience because folks stopped by our group of painters to take pics of us painting. Deer wandered through our set up locations, and a mother bear with cubs passed by us as we set up by a creek to paint.

I have a new appreciation for what it means to be a plein air painter now. It is work packing all that gear into a set up spot. Then you have to narrow the incredibly beautiful and huge landscape before your eyes into a small viewfinder and thumbnail sketch. Next set up the tripod, palette, and various tools.Then comes the fun part. For me the process of painting "plein air" became a sort of bliss like state in which time ceased to exist.

I agree with John, "a day painting outdoors is worth a week in the studio..." , and I eagerly await my next plein air paint out!

Happy painting to all wherever you are!

Put the creative back into the process

2011-09-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

"Brushes" digital image by Marlyn Rea Nasky

This past week I have continued my exploration of a mixed medium approach with acrylics and H2Oils. In keeping with my 2011 artist's resolution to use all of the materials in my home studio and at Austin Art Space Gallery and Studios . I began painting with H2Oils again since I had a number of tubes. These were Van Gogh H2Oils, a now extinct product line. Since I was missing a few colors from my split primary palette I experimented with a couple other types of H2Oil. My favorite is the Lukas Berlin line.

Earth Imprint II, new work in progress

My last post showed the results of work done with this medium over textured acrylic gesso with washes of Golden Fluids. The Golden Fluids seal the surface of the gesso to create a wonderful painting surface. I mix them with water and use them as a wash.

At the end of a long painting session yesterday, I still had paint on my palette. Usually, I would cover it and paint from the remnants later, but yesterday the I was abducted by my muse and proceeded to experiment by slapping the leftover pigment on small canvases with a large brush, and using a shaper tool, chopstick, fork..you get the idea...to draw into the paint surface. What fun! The pigments became more and more neutral as I worked.

I began to see the ocean, the desert Southwest, and Texas Sunsets all in a few strokes. Since I still have several of these 6 x 12" canvases here I will continue with this concept of play time at the end of the "work" session. Happy painting to all!

Lake Travis Mystical

2011-08-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

lake Travis Mystical, 10 x 10 x 1.25

We are now at 70 days of 100+ heat, and I have been working on several images of Lake Travis, Austin TX area for a commission. I wanted my collector to have a choice of several images. Lake Travis is now 30 feet below "normal" due to the ongoing drought in Texas. I have had fun imagining the lake full again and have taken a bit o artistic license with color, although the Texas sunsets are not too far from my imagination. The new lake paintings will be shown at Austin Art Space Gallery in Sept. 2011. HAPPY PAINTING TO ALL!

Start painting and the ideas will come!

2011-08-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

68 consecutive days of 100+ degree heat =

lots of time in the studio.

I have been working on a batch of 12 small format Lake images using photos and sketches of Lake Travis, outside of Austin TX, from 5 years ago. These miraculously appeared on my old Sony memory stick one day after cleaning out my studio closet. I knew I had the references, but I had to do some digging to find them.

Since I have a commission having to do with this subject, I decided to continue experimenting with H2Oils over an acrylic underpainting to bring the project to completion.

I began on canvas which had been gessoed with a blue tint. You can see bits peeking through. I have to say that the H2Oils are "easy" compared to the acrylics. They go on over the top of the acrylic under painting like butter if combined with a suitable medium. The down side, of course, is the drying time. I use an H2Oil linseed oil and a bit of Liquin.

The painting pictured here is roughly 87% complete. I'll post it again once complete.


10 x 10 x 1.25" Original mixed medium on canvas

12 x 6 x .75" Original mixed medium on canvas

I had several 6 x 12 x .75" canvases laying around so after I finished up and my palette was a wreck, I mixed the leftovers into a nice grey blend and painted in loose mid tone sketches. We haven't seen anything resembling rainclouds this summer, so these are my rain prayer paintings.

Happy Painting to all!

Best of both worlds

2011-08-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

I have been working with a new "experiment" of mixed medium painting which comes form years of working with watercolors, acrylics, H2Oils, and now Oils. I started with 4 x 4" canvas panels and moved on to larger formats for a commission piece. My motivation is to use ALL of the art materials in my studio by the end of 2011. The new work will be shown at Austin Art Space Gallery this fall, where I will be available for small group lessons this fall. If you are interested contact me through my website.
My exploration include comparing the various H2Oils on the market and after a couple weeks I found a medium that is not sticky and dries in about 4 days. I have also used the old stand by, Liquin, as a quick dry in the final layer.
Images are works in process...working my way around a split primary color wheel from dark cool to light warm, starting with acrylic washes, over textured acrylic gesso, the moving on to transparent layers of H2Oils. No fumes, no messy clean up. The best of both worlds! Next the warm tones.

Roots in the Southwestern USA

2011-08-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

In keeping with my resolution to use ALL of the materials in my studio I began work on 2, 8 x 10 x .75" collage pieces today. When I had gotten to a drying point I experimented with digital filters and use of an containment border.
The finished collage pieces on view and available for collection at the upcoming AVAA Show Austin TX.

Bucking the Texan Myth

A Contemporary Redefinition of Who We Are

Juried by Bob Coffee

at Austin Art Space Gallery & Studios

Exhibition Dates: August 12 - Sept 10, 2011

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 13, 2011, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Digital image of original, giclee prints available

My roots to the Southwestern United States came through in these two collage pieces, and that is why I love to set a side a week every once in a while to work without a preconceived concept in mind. Once I began to see a sort of blanket image in the work I added hues based on the Navajo colors for the cardinal directions. This type of work is like a bridge for me to get from one idea to the next. How do you make the transition?

Studio time: 21 Daze of 100+ degrees

2011-08-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

I recently cleaned and organized my studio and was astounded at the amount of materials I had amassed. My path is clear. I gotta make ART our of all this stuff. OK-Its too hot to even consider going outside. Permission to Play time!

I had serious intentions of serious painting when I was seized by the irresistible urge to do some experimental collage pieces. One thing led to another. When my feet and back started complaining, I looked at options for digital images, in the quest for composition. Companion pieces started coming our of the woodwork! It is amazing what can happen once we begin!

I had several small square canvases and a bunch of collage paper which has been calling to me from my bulletin board. I laid them out and began looking at various ways of connecting the images to communicate my concept. "Three Moons Ago" is a triptych that looks back in time in my life, and the various places that I have lived: desert, mountains, ocean.

I also began another Aspen image on Ampersand board with H2Oils, and found a companion piece for my Austin Bill Boards entry.

The new work will be shown at Austin Art Space Gallery in my space in the next couple of weeks. Visit our website for more information. Stay cool, and if you are not in the heat wave send us some rainy thoughts. Happy playing!

Lovely companions

2011-07-31T17:07:00.000-07:00

"Prickly Profusion" © Marilyn Rea Nasky 30 x 30 x 2.5 Mixed Medium on canvas

Sometimes paintings seems to belong to each other, as with the two I just finished today. I applied a layer of H2Oils to "Prickly Profusion", and added a transparent layer of acrylics to "Wolf Moon Rising". I don't know why I jumped into the acrylic layer of "Prickly Profusion" with the H2Oils...but once I started I could hardly go back. I had wanted to work a bit more on "Wolf Moon Rising", and after the oils this seemed like a piece of cake. Here is my contribution to the world today.

"Wolf Moon Rising" © Marilyn Rea Nasky 36 x 18 x .75 Acrylic on Board

I hope you enjoy the view. Both pieces will be part of a 4 woman exhibit at North Hills Gallery, 7050 Village Center Drive, Austin TX 78731, entitled It's Hot and It's Art, August 3-28, 2011, Reception August 7, 2011 12:30-1:30PM

My 3 yellows and the Magic Forest

2011-07-31T10:49:00.000-07:00

Detail of "Magic Forest"

The drought continues, and our little patch of Texas Hill country is parched. It is way to hot to be outside so I have been in the studio working with the application of H2Oils over acrylic under paintings in keeping with a resolution to use ALL of the materials in my studio. I haven't worked with H2Oils for several months, since I have been painting with Chroma Interactive Acrylics and love this product, but I seem to be too much of an explorer to stick with the same process without a little break now and then. I have discovered that the two products are quite compatible and that the glaze of H2Oils, if applied with the right alkyd resin, is a great combo. It is the best of both worlds and offers and opportunity to put the "icing on the cake".

I began this experiment with yellow pigments, comparing different brands of the product, then moved onto a collage that I had going, entitled "Magic Forest". This acrylic collage is based purely in imagination, and as I realized this morning, is an interpretation of the forest that surrounds our home, filled with songbirds, deer and various other critters. The next time you see it, it may have
birds in the branches or dragonflies hovering at the top. Isn't artistic
a wonderful thing? Happy creating to all!

20 x 16 x .75 with gold metal frame

"Magic Forest" will be offered for viewing and collection in an upcoming show,

"It's Hot and It's Art" at North Hills Gallery, 7050 Village Center Drive, Austin TX 78731, Aug. 3-28, 2011, Reception Aug. 7, 12:30-1:30PM

Small formats/big results

2011-07-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

I painted over the varnished sketch as quickly as possible

Recently I organized my studio (again!) While in this process I came across a box of H2Oils that I had worked with previous to becoming a Chroma Teaching Artist. I had enjoyed working with the Van Gogh brand, which has now been discontinued. I loved the creamy consistency, and the fact that they were inexpensive and had alot of medium right in the tube so I didn't have to add.

During this time I also tried several other brands and since I had run out of few colors I began to research by purchasing a few different tubes (on sale). Of the three brands I tried I like the Lukas Berlin best. The others are stiff and difficult to blend. As to the various mediums, my advice is to use liquin sparingly with a bit of H2Oil linseed oil added to the pigment. It takes about 4 days for the H2Oils to dry if used with liquin. Beware, liquin does produce vapors that aren't the best for health. Use with proper ventilation!

Why H2Oils? Easy clean up, and they are compatible with acrylics as a final glaze, but mostly I have them here. (Is it just me or do all artists accumulate massive amounts of materials?)
The best resource book for this medium is "Painting with Water Soluable Oils" by Sean Dye.

Let me know what materials you are playing with in your studio, and happy painting/creating!!

I began with 4, 4 x 4" canvas panel with a value sketch on each.


Next I glazed and varnished the panels.

Take the Plunge!

2011-07-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

We are in our 25th day of 100+ heat and it is drier than (I'll let you fill in the metaphor). Great studio weather!

Nothing better than cranking up the classical and painting with abandon. The inspiration for this 36 x 48 x 2.5 original acrylic came from the flame red of the drought stricken Red Oaks that reside on our little patch of Central TX Hill Country. The winter was cold by TX standards, so the colors really popped. I had done a first version which I brought home from 2 shows and stuck on the wall. After looking at the image for a while, the muse gave me a shove and I decided to add another layer which restructured the "sky holes". Goddess bless gesso, and acrylic paint, particularly, Chroma Interactives. Before I knew it, I had completed my first officially impasto work. Being a watercolorist with an impulsive nature, I had before painted in layers, building up value as I went. I soon discovered that this medium was totally forgiving and I found myself in a watercolorist's paradise, having the best of both worlds.
The painting is on its way to an Austin Art Space Gallery Show at ABIA in Austin TX, where it will dwell in a glass display case from July 18- Oct. 4, 2011. Fun to think about travelers passing by and not being able to resist taking a peek, or perhaps standing in front of the case gazing at the image for a few seconds, and best of all collecting and taking it home!

Red Oak Winter © Marilyn Rea Nasky 36 x 48 x 2.5" available for collection

It began with "A Thing as Lovely as a Tree" a poem from childhood which in this drought comes wafting back to conjure images of shade, sustenence, and comfort.

Mother Earth and Father Sky.

The 100% image will be posted on my website soon

Please visit!

Cool Colorado

2011-05-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

It has been incredibly HOT here in Austin TX this "spring", and for some reason, which only the muse could explain, this motivates me to paint images of cool Colorado, my home state, and the desert Southwest in the Four Corners region of the United States. The three images below are available for collection now. To purchase, visit my website contact page,
send me the name of the piece that you wish to collect with your email address and I will contact you regarding the price of the painting.

Diamonds and Rust, 24 x 18 x 1.25" Acrylic


Night Opening, 14 x 11 x 1.25 Acrylic Collage with frame Giclee prints available


High Country Gold, 24 x 18 x 1.25"Acrylic

"Choose only one master~Nature"-Rembrandt

With this thought in mind I wish you happy painting!

Available for collection

2011-05-27T08:53:00.000-07:00


"Edge of Evening © Marilyn Rea Nasky

This 36 x 48 x 2.50" original acrylic on canvas is available for collection and can be viewed in the flesh at Austin Art Space Gallery, Austin TX. Contact me through via contact page on my website for pricing information, and arrange payment by paypal. High quality giclee prints are available in proportional sizes on paper and gallery wrap canvas.

The painting in it's early stages is pictured above in the context of my studio entrance.

New Online Gallery page for Marilyn Rea Nasky Art

2011-05-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Spent my day so far setting up an online gallery page with Painter's Showcase.
The link is also posted on my website. My goal is to research as many online galleries as possible and test the theory that there really are reputable sites from which to sell fine art. If anyone has any ideas about online galleries please comment.

Marilyn Rea Nasky at work in her studio at Austin Art Space Gallery, Austin TX

"Edge of Evening" and lessons learned

2011-04-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

"Edge of Evening" 36 x 48 x 1.25 Acrylic Available for Collection

This morning I got up early and spent several hours adjusting the blues my latest effort pictured here. The application of another layer of blue was great fun as it allowed me to negative space paint in details, but the reason for adjustment was that the blues needed to brought up a value.
I used a tool invented by an artist friend of mine
to assess the values.

Color can be so seductive, but value is much more important.
There is a saying that value does all the work and color gets all the credit. Amen to that!

The painting will be be shown at my studio space at Austin Art Space Gallery,

Austin TX, and is available for collection. Please contact me through my website to arrange for payment via paypal.

My next blue destination! Happy painting to all.

Deeper into Blue Through Orange

2011-04-16T13:05:00.000-07:00


“Edge of Evening” © Marilyn Rea Nasky

"Edge of Evening" on studio wall entrance

Continued progress on current 36 x 48 x 1.25" original acrylic entitled "Edge of Evening" by Marilyn Rea Nasky. It has been fun adding the orange color that attracted me to the image in the first place. As the sun set the top of the Live Oak caught the glow of the early spring light. I did several visual edits on the complicated structure of the tree, and now have to indicate the early spring foliage: the tender bright green of spring impossible to describe in words. I'll post the finished piece tomorrow. Meanwhile, happy painting to all!

Start painting and the ideas will come!

2011-04-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

After I finished up in the studio yesterday, I hung the value study of the my latest painting entitled "Edge of Evening" in my studio entry to see what it looks like on a wall. Seeing the piece hung on a wall is a good way to get a feel for what the finished piece will require. Today after adding a yellow tone to the painting I picked up a couple of dyptych pieces also started on blue gessoed canvas. I think of these as paintings in the same batch, but they are all totally different, as though just beginning one painting brings forth a flow of other concepts. I've been at it long enough to know I must take advantage of the flow of ideas, as the "muse" seems to be quite fickle. One in particular is interesting to me as it is so different from the tree images I have been painting. "Earth Imprint" is about spring snow, and the desert Southwest of the USA, where I once lived. I have no idea where the concept for this painting came from except it fits into my Sacred Earth Series.

I will post the finished paintings on my website, which I hope you will visit soon. Happy creating to all!

"Edge of Evening" 5 hours of painting bliss

2011-04-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

I began applying my gesso mixture to my 36 x 48 x 2.5 image entitled "Edge of Evening" at 8AM and finished at 1PM. This time I got the ratios right so the application was managable but spontaneous. Using an indirect application process I painted wet into wet and allowed the gesso to float around on its own, then applied various textures as the solution dried up on the canvas surface. Next up, the addition of pigments. I am using Chroma Interactives. I love the versatility of the product, in conjunction with other product lines. Hope you enjoy the process with me. The finished work will be shown at Austin Art Space Gallery and Studios in Austin TX, where I am a resident. Happy Painting!

Expect the unexpected!

2011-04-12T16:36:00.000-07:00

What fun to be an artist, especially if you tend towards the experimental as I do! Today I started a 36 x 48 x 1.25 image of a live oak that lives on our little piece of planet earth here in the hill country of Central Texas. I had caught the evening light playing on the tree in early spring when the light appears a sort of orange color, at least to my eye.
After numerous thumbnails, I settled on a composition and began the initial sketch in on canvas with a pastel pencil. This part of my process is pure fun, as I allow only one long contour line which I manipulate with a damp cloth. My next step would normally be to apply watered down black gesso, wet into wet, splattering and splashing as I go...a value sketch of sorts.

Today I decided to put a couple of drops of Golden Acrylic Flow Release into the mix. WOW! For future reference, one drop'll do ya!
Eventually I thought the better of my experiment and decided to upend the canvas so that the pigment could run off of one corner. With a canvas this size, this is no neat task. I had a large puddle of pigment on my table and eventually dripping onto the floor before I was done. Still not in love with the resulting surface, I wiped the rest off with a damp cloth. To my surprise, the lift brought up some of the blue gesso also, but left the texture I had applied into the gesso.

OK. Tomorrow I will go back into the painting with my traditional method, but I learned something useful. Now I have to keep going to see how this all works, or if any of you can explain it to me, please comment.

Please visit my website to view or purchase my work!

I never before knew the full value of trees. Under them I breakfast, dine, write, read and receive my company.-Thomas Jefferson

2011-02-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

Marilyn Rea Nasky "Red Oak Winter" 48 x 36 x 2.5" Acrylic on canvas

Welcome to one of my recent artistic investigations of nature.

This December was cool, dry, and clear here in Central TX. The Red Oaks turned an amazing flame red which invited long walks and a lot of observation. I had previously painted a series of Live Oaks using watercolors and was inspired to use acrylics to capture my feelings about the Red Oak trees that grow outside my studio window. After I hung this piece several viewers commented that the vantage point took them back to childhood...being small and looking up through trees overhead, and a feeling of wonder.

The painting is now being shown with other original works at the

J Gallery, JCC Dell Community Campus Center 7300 Hart Lane, Austin TX

March 8-April 14, Artist's Reception March 23

See my events post for more details

Get carried away!

2011-02-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

When I first posted the rough in of "Red Oak Winter" (48 x 36 x 2.5" acrylic) an artist friend of mine cautioned me not " to get carried away"...I started thinking about what it means to get carried away and I came up with some whimsical and amusing thoughts.

I decided that getting carried away, if by the right person, feeling, or inspiration is good. At any rate, I had been told this same thing by others as a child, and I felt my inner artist rebel.
I wanted to add a hint of light at the edges in this painting, but I find doing detail work with a small brush too tedious for me. I was going for emotional content rather than photo realism so I used a pipette and painted with abandon...creating an accent line by blotting off some of each application. With the music cranked up I got carried away and finished the detail in 2.5 hours. Let me know what you think. Meanwhile, my hope for all artists is that we get carried away with abandon by creative energy and inspiration.
To view more of my work please visit my website .

Detail of "Red Oak Winter"showing accent lines

A Thing as Lovely as a Tree

2011-01-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

A Thing as Lovely as a Tree.. one of the poems I was required to memorize in grade school.

I find echoes of it floating around in my mind as I go through my days as an artist.
I love to see works by other artists depicting trees. These images inspire me to become a better artist. My view is usually looking upward, and I would suggest that everyone stand under a tree and take a look upward once in a while...it is a comfort given to us by a transient moment in time.
Visit this link for some interesting current thoughts and images about trees
The paintings in progress will be shown in an exhibition entitled Nature: Inside Out at The Gallery at the J is located in the JCC on the Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731. The exhibition will run from March 8 - April 14, 2011. Artist Reception is Wednesday March 23, 2011 7-8:30PM in the JCC Community Hall and the Gallery. You are invited to visit this beautiful venue for an evening of art and community in Austin.


A Thing as Lovely as a Tree
Joyce Kilmer 1886-1918

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

The finish line!

2010-11-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

It began at studio2gallery in August, 2010 where I was the featured artist with a series of Aspen Images garnered from a trip to my home state of Colorado in July. During this trip home, my brother, singer song writer, Bob Rea, drove me up into the high country above Pagosa Springs, CO, and patiently waited while

I wandered the Aspen forest with a sketchbook and camera.

contact the artist for purchase

In early Oct. I made another trip to Colorado, this time to RMNP, in route to Golden, CO for my niece's wedding. Before I left I gessoed 10, 12 x 12 canvases for the upcoming 6th Annual Juried Show12buy12 at Austin Art Space Gallery, where I am a resident artist. My collaborative artist, Channe Felton, and I got to work immediately after my return from Colorado. Here are images of finished work... winning work can be viewed at the Austin Art Space Gallery preview. Here's to collaboration, inspiration, and completion!

Collaboration brings inspiration!

2010-10-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Rea Nasky and Channe Felton at "Poet Tree", studio2gallery, Austin TX

Recently I traveled to Denver, CO. and visited Rocky Mountain National Park where we hiked, sketched, took pics, and breathed wonderful mountain air. Next day we drove the route from Boulder to Keystone,
and up over Loveland Pass, stopping frequently to take pics and gather Aspen leaves which fell through the crisp autumn air. This reminded me of my childhood family camping trips to the Colorado high country when my siblings and I collected the Aspen leaves, pretending they were gold coins.
This time I collected the leaves for a collaboration with Texas based artist, Channe Felton. The concept for this collaboration began at studio2gallery where I was the featured artist in Aug. 2010. The finished work will be submitted to Austin Art Space Gallery for the upcoming 6th annual 12buy12 juried show. As I worked through my process with the collaborative journey in mind I stumbled upon new and exciting concepts and applications with Chroma Interactive Acrylics
Hope you will enjoy this visual journal which proves that when you go into the studio to work, the muse shows up and new ideas begin to flow. Can't wait to see the final product after Channe works her magic!

Image begins to emerge


Added pigment


9, 12 x 12" images in black and white

Step one = gesso

Happy painting and may the muse be with you!

Texas Still Scapes: Prickly Pears Paintings Available for Collection

2010-09-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

Prickly Profusion 30 x 30 x 1.25" Gallery wrap canvas

Spring Sprung 30 x 30 x 1.25" Gallery wrap canvas

Spring Green 30 x 30 x 1.25" Gallery wrap canvas

These beautiful acrylic on canvas originals are available for purchase direct from my studio for a short time

until they are placed in another venue. These images are also available as high quality

giclee prints on gallery wrap canvas in a variety of sizes.

Please contact me through my website contact page for information on pricing, payment, and shipping.

SOLD separately or as a triptych with 10% discount.

To view more of my work visit my website

Happy collecting!

Colorado calling!

2010-08-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a "cold front" came down, bringing a cooling rain, and our temps here in Austin, TX dropped from 107 to 92 degrees. This "tinge of autumn" in the air makes me yearn for my home state of Colorado. Lucky for me, I am doing a commission for Colorado based fabric artist, Lisa Rea, as a barter. The painting is based on references that I gathered during my visit to Colorado this summer. Since I grew up and went to college in Durango, CO. I have sensory memories of the Rocky Mountains etched into my my brain. Wherever I have lived since I moved from Colorado, I have always felt the coming of autumn there. So it's not difficult to "climb into the canvas", which I coated with yellow gesso last week, and allowed to cure for a few days.

Hand crafted 36 x 48 x 2.5" canvas


12 x 9" color comp on canvas

Meanwhile, I have been sketching and doing color comps to make sure I capture the feeling of autumn in CO. A few more preparation sketches, and it will time to take a deep breath, and work directly on the 36 x 48 x 2.5" canvas. That is the moment I live for as an artist! Exciting!

I will have an opportunity to plein air sketch in Rocky Mountain National Park in end of Sept.
I am sure to retrieve imagery for my ongoing Aspen Series which is now on view at studio2gallery in Austin, TX. Here's to the change of seasons!

"Equinox"

2010-08-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Contact the artist for purchase information

This acrylic collage diptych entitled "Equinox" consists of 2, 16 x 20" canvases which are adhered to acid free foam core and will be framed separately for the upcoming residents' show at Austin Art Space Gallery, Sept.16-26, 2010.

I have placed these images in my Sacred Earth Series because they combine elemental motifs from earth, ocean, and sky in a somewhat tumultuous horizontal composition.

The blue lines at the center seem to suggest ocean waves giving the eye a resting place in the intense color and visual movement. Since I had no preconceived idea about either painting, I'm happy with the finished product. When I look at them I see bright sunsets, mountains, mesas, ocean waves, clouds, falling stars...

What do you see?

"Your growth as an artist is a growth toward fully realizable works-works that become real in full illumination of all that you know. Including all that you know about yourself"-Art and Fear, Bayles and Orland

Poet Tree

2010-08-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

"Equinox" and going with the flow

2010-07-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

As you know I've been working on 3, 24 x 24 x 1.25" canvases with tree images for an upcoming show at studio2gallery in Austin TX. Two of them are 90% finished and this is when I like to put them on view at home and look for small compositional errors, then it's time for the final layer: a fun spontaneous indirect application which for me has to be done early in the morning when my energy is "clean".
Meanwhile, as always, the current keeps flowing and I've found myself drawn to abstract earth images which I am including in my Sacred Earth Series.

If these 2, 16 x 20" acrylic collage on canvas could speak they would tell quite a tale. They began in a workshop a couple of years ago, then went to another course of instruction with me and finally I completed them in my studio. Not sure where they fit in to my body of work, I rolled them up and tucked them away in my studio closet. As it turns out they are perfect for an upcoming resident's how at Austin Art Space Gallery. They have inspired me to continue with this application to create more similar images which contain aspects of earth and ocean, the intense colors of the Southwestern USA and cool hues of the Pacific.
Here's to finding unexpected inspiration tucked away in the studio closet. "...the seed for your next work lies embedded in the (perceived) imperfections of your current work...your guides...It is precisely this interaction between the ideal and the real that locks your art in the real world and gives meaning to both"-Art and Fear, Bayles and Orland

"Poet Tree" progression Focal point

2010-07-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

As I have gone through the process of completing my 3, 24 x 24" canvases for "Poet Tree" at studio2gallery, where I am the featured artist in August 2010, I have thought about what Bob had to say regarding focal point.
One afternoon as my teenage son looked at the paintings with me, he said, "My eye doesn't know where to look."

Hmmm...time to create a focal point.
Take a look at the progression of the painting Aspen Series: Cathedral I, which is nearing completion. This image is the most recent, and comes closest to capturing my feeling about being in the high country of Colorado.
Focal point! Thanks Bob!

When in doubt create a focal point!

2010-07-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

I once took a course of study with Robert Burridge. He asked if anyone in the class had a piece that they would allow him to work on. It was supposed to be a painting that seemingly had no solutions...what I call "a problem child". Of course every artist in the room was interested, including myself. The canvas I gave Bob to work on was a 16 x 20" imaginary landscape: very pretty but lacking one thing. Take a look at what Bob did with it!

I've included a pic of our signatures on the piece,
as Bob also advised me in the art of signing a painting.

What is the point here? See my next blog!

"Poet Tree" progression

2010-07-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those wonderful painting days when I am excited to wake up, and can't wait to get into the studio!

After gessoing 3, 24 x 24" canvases, roughing in a "sketch", applying an isolation layer, and allowing the surface to "cure" it was time to apply paint!

I began with a tint of blue and, at first, was very controlled. But, as I painted, I moved to a larger brush and switched to right brain, laying in strokes of blue with varying tints, allowing the orange back gesso to show through the blue, using various yellows to tone the image.
To me there is nothing like the feeling that results when the image takes on a life of it's own. I think of it as catching a wave of energy of some sort.
When it happens it is a mental space where time doesn't exist, and the artist has confidence in every stroke!

Here's to catching the wave!

Painting "Poet Tree"

2010-07-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ever since I took a course of study with incredible artist and instructor, Robert Burridge, I have painted in a series. Instead of doing one, I paint 3-6. I love the process of applying grounds and gesso to each canvas. I use the biggest, scrubbiest brush I can dig out and paint with huge, messy strokes! The image is drawn on a compose it grid, an invention of artist friend, Cindy Debold, and then transferred to the canvas. Good drawing practice...I can feel my left brain letting go as I draw with contour line. Remember, try not to come off the line on the substrate surface. Keep it loose and don't correct anything. FUN! Pictured are my 3 ongoing images for "Poet Tree" at studio2gallery, where I am the featured artist in August. I may be hot and humid here in Austin, TX, but my mind resides in the cool Aspen fluttery air of Colorado. Pictured are images from my ongoing Aspen Series. These are 24 x 24 x 2.5" acrylic on canvas. I'm using Chroma Interactives for the finish out...see my teacher's page for other works done with this fantastic product!

My process steps for painting the Aspen trees for "Poet Tree"

2010-07-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend asked me to describe my painting process for the Aspen Series which will be featured at studio2gallery in Austin, TX

Hmmm... I had to think about it.
It is more than just painting an image. It is the search for the image, the inspiration for the image, the motivation to keep the inspiration tucked away from the daily routine, and finally the actual physical application. So here is my process as it applies to the current Aspen Series paintings.

1-Buy plane ticket to Albuquerque, NM and rent a car.

2-Drive US HWY 550 to Durango, CO (which in my case is my home town so I get to visit family too!)

3-Be so lucky as to have a family member(s) who will drive you up into the high country of CO.

4-Lie down on your back in the middle of the forest and shoot hundreds of pics from every angle

5-Close your eyes and breath. Listen.

6-Repeat steps 3-5

7-Drive US HWY 550 back to Albuquerque, NM (which in my case is also home to friends that I can visit)

8-Sketch from memory and pics in airport.

9-Choose images and canvas size

10-Choose a color and gesso the canvas

11-Using references, apply initial sketch

All of these steps are interspersed with the multitude of other events in my daily routine of life, but it's the artistic process that gives my life purpose and excitement!
What is your process? How do you gather your inspiration and imagery?

Happy trails!

Orange is the color of energy!

2010-07-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was home in the studio on a rainy Central Texas day, preparing my canvas for the next Aspen images to be featured in the upcoming show "Poet Tree" at studio2gallery in Austin, TX.

While I was in Colorado, my brother, musician and songwriter,
Bob Rea , drove me up into the high country to gather aspen images and sketches. I wanted to reconnect with my remembered feelings about Colorado, and recharge my visual memory with sensory perception. As I lay in the Aspen grove looking up into the canopy ovehead, listening to the quiet rustle of Aspen trees in the cool, Colorado air, I rested my eyes and saw a bright orange "negative" image created by the light filtered though closed eyes. As I drove from Durango, CO, back to Albuquerque NM, this image kept reappearing, and I began to think about how I would paint this fleeting memory. The process of keeping a feeling alive until it can be put on canvas is an artist's challenge.

After recalling the image, thinking about it, looking at the Aspen pics/ sketches several times a day and playing with various hues during the week, I decided on three 24 x 24 x 2.5" canvases which I have painted a slightly muted orange. To me, this part of the process is pure fun, and I often paint other canvases with any gesso left on my brush at the end of the process. Now to move forward into the cool hues and recapture a moment in time. Happy Painting to all!

"What Texas Means to Me" at Austin Art Space Gallery, Austin TX

2010-07-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

You are invited to an artist's reception by Austin Art Space Resident, Marilyn Rea Nasky. Please visit the Austin Art Space website link to preview work accepted into this international juried show. Included is my painting of the prickly pear cactus entitled "High Noon". These Texas tough cacti grow wild on the curb sides, and open spaces of Austin, TX, and surrounding area.
I love the complex botanical form. Add the intense light of Texas and you have a botanical artist's dream of line, shape, form, color, value and texture, a favorite design element.
I've also noticed alot of these little "critters" poppin' up on our 3 acres in the wilds of TX.
Prickly is the key word here!

See more of my Texas Still Scapes on my website.

Search for "Poet Tree"

2010-06-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I left Colorado and made the 4 hour road trip back to Albuquerque, NM, to visit friends on my way back to Austin. US HWY 550 South opens into the vast wilderness of distant mesas and wide open spaces that can only be found in the Southwest of the USA. Just set the cruise and roll!
Even though I am home now, my mind is still in Colorado. I went to my home town of Durango, CO to visit family and to get a fresh feel for the Aspen trees that are so much a part of my childhood memories.
I am the featured artist at "Poet Tree" studio2gallery in Austin, TX this August. Since I paint only from my own references and sketches, seen and felt firsthand, I had the perfect excuse for a trip to the mountains!

My brother and musician, Bob Rea, was kind enough to drive me up into the high country in search of Aspen images for a second time the day before I left. He sat patiently in his truck while I wandered the Aspen groves, laying down, and shooting straight up so as to get a fish eye view of the trees overhead. Listening to the gentle flutter of the leaves overhead, and taking in as much of the high country air as possible, I felt renewed. I'm posting two digital images which capture my excitement about the journey to Colorado. Aspen sketches next!

Fine Art for barter

2010-06-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

I'm in Durango CO, my home town for my summer recharge and the air smells absolutley wonderful!
It is 85 degrees in the day and mid 40's at night ...gorgeous!
Two years ago I agreed to a barter with Colorado based fabric artist , Lisa Rea. The deal was a king size quilt, now titled "Hawaii", for a 36 x 48 x 2.5" original painting on hand strecthed canvas.
On my last visit we spent 4 hours in a local shop selecting fabric, which I must say was quite the process. I was like a kid in a candy shop, captivated by all of the beautiful patterns and colors. Fortunately, I had guidance from my daughter, Rosalyn Nasky and Lisa Rea in making the decisions.
The end result is stunning!
During this visit, Lisa and I visted the studio of Durango CO, quilter and artist, Faye Goddin, who is doing the long arm stitching on the piece. I have a new appreciation for fabric artistry! This time we selected thread colors, weights, and patterns for the top stitching.

Yesterday Lisa and I drove up US HWY 550 North towards Silverton CO, to nail down her painting content. I gathered reference photos and got sketches of the high country landscape. As we drove up into the high country of Colorado I spotted an Aspen grove and got fabulous fish eye view images. I'm excited to return to my studio and paint from this well spring of inspiration. Meanwhile, Happy trails!

Going home to Colorado!

2010-06-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

"Apache Land"

I am flying to Albuquerque, NM, and then driving HWY 55O to my hometown of Durango, CO tomorrow! I'll be soaking up inspiration for my Aspen Series, as well as the ongoing Sacred Earth Series. There is something so compelling about the wide open spaces of NM, and the ascent into the mountains of Southwestern Colorado. I'll post jpgs of my journey when I return.

"Apache Land" is one of the few paintings that I have taken into my private collection. Driving to Colorado in November, the late evening light slipped through the winter sky to create an incredible lighting effect that could only happen in the redrock desert of NM.

At one point I lived on the Navajo Reservation for a number of years.

The images in this post are paintings that are inspired by my roots in the Southwestern USA, and many road trips from Texas to Colorado.

"Distant Blue"

Both paintings are watercolors on Arches paper, and are available as giclee prints. "Distant Blue" is now on view at Austin Art Space with archival matt and frame.

To view this piece, or for purchase information please contact me.

To view more work from my Sacred Earth Series, visit my website. Here's to the excitement and inspiration that a road trip brings to life and art! Happy Trails!

Austin Art Space Gallery and Studios, Austin, TX USA

2010-06-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

I've been a resident artist at Austin Art Space Gallery since it opened in Dec. 2008. The space has 10 resident artists and has been a great spring broad for artistic inspiration and a wonderful motivator for production. The gallery presents two juried shows annually, and I am happy to announce that one of my paintings was accepted into "What Texas Means to Me". With work submitted from as far away as South Africa, this is an international juried event which will be featured online soon.
To view more of my work visit lightwithinstudios

Thanks to all for your support and positive feedback!

Thoughts on the "dry spells" of artistic creation

2010-06-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

"For every artist who has developed a mature vision with grace and speed, countless others have laboriously nurtured their art through fertile periods and dry spells, through false starts and breakaway bursts...artists get better by learning to work, and from learning from their work." -ART and FEAR by David Bayles and Ted Orlando

I think of the dry spells of artistic creation as "incubation" periods...where new ideas form and finally end up on a canvas. I've spent some time photographing things around our home in the wild west of Texas, which, of course, look like I spent a week in Santa Fe. I take hundreds of photos during "dry spells"...photography is my life line when I have no clear direction. It is my way of seeing new paintings in the world. Hope you enjoy the images!
Now on to the work of painting and process to learn what comes next!

A reason to paint on the yellow canvas!

2010-05-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

From the album: Wall Photos

By studio2gallery

"Poet-Tree" a juried call for entries
exhibit: August 14-September 18, 2010
artists' reception: Saturday, August 14, 6:30-8:30pm

For this exhibit, studio2gallery is looking for artworks inspired by the seasons to compliment the paintings of feature artist, Marilyn Rea Nasky and her color rich Aspen series. Juror and owner, Tina Weitz, seeks the artist's vision of the imagery the seasons bring forth, as well as works relating to or containing poetry/text sprung from summer, spring, winter and fall.

Marilyn Rea Nasky creates visual images that communicate the mystery and transient beauty of our planet. She relies on visual memory, dreams and feelings for these images of landscape and natural organic forms. Though based on reality, her paintings focus on her feelings about the natural world. Marilyn is a Central Texas artist whose rich and varied life experience contributes to her work. Her home state of Colorado is the inspiration for the Aspen Series. She is also a Chroma Teaching Artist, working in Atelier Interactive Acrylics and Archival Oils.

See our web site at www.studio2gallery for an entry form.

New Updated Website!

2010-05-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

"One should not pursue goals that are easily achieved. One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through one's greatest efforts."-Albert Einstein

After several days of sorting paper files, jpg images, show catalogs, and trips down memory lane I have a new and updated version of Light Within Studios, thanks to the help of artist/web designer, Marilyn Fenn. Please visit and let me know what you think.
This afternoon, I am taking a marketing workshop here in Austin, TX with Jason Horejs from Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdate, AZ. I took this same workshop a couple of years back and that is what inspired me to paint in a series. I am excited to see what will come out of this workshop! Since I will be working on the Aspen Series next, I am sharing a digital inspiration for the work. Happy organizing and even happier painting!

Where the Prickly Pears Reside

2010-05-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

I've been bloggin about my 3, 30 x 30 x 1.25" prickly pears for a few weeks so I wanted to show all of you where they will be hanging, and hopefully purchased, until mid summer. This is a good temporary home for them because they will be seen by thousands of folks going to the Bass Concert Hall, UT Campus, Austin TX, for various performances. Quietly they hang on the wall and speak of my efforts as an artist. Viewers see the product, but only other artists understand the process.

I hope that those who view my work will for a moment be drawn into the beautiful world of natural form that I seek to portray. Pictured here, "Wolf Moon Rising" 36 x 18 x .75" acrylic on board now on view at Austin Art Space Gallery, Austin TX

To see far is one thing: going there is another-Brancusi

2010-04-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

The title quote is from my "Art and Fear" David Bayles and Ted Orlando. It seems to say it all about making art, getting it out the door to the public eye, and having the tenacity to get back into process.

Whenever I finish a large painting or group of paintings, there is an uncomfortable lull in the process...I spend time puttering about in the studio, looking at images I've gathered, sketching, thinking, walking, get out and take a look at other art work, etc. etc... "incubating" the next set of images, all the while feeling a bit let down and lost. Of course, if every time I finished a painting, it sold immediately, I'm sure I would be painting right now.
It's not as painful as it used to be, and the time I spend in the lull is less, so my question is, how do all of you get back into process once the previous process has become product?

"Artists don't get back to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working."-Stephen DeStaebler

Onward into the yellow!

My Three Prickly Pears finshied and hung in Austin Art Space Gallery!

2010-04-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

There is something so wonderful about putting the signature on a finished painting and hanging in the public view.

I have known artists who form emotional attachments to their work, and don't really want to sell them, but since I recently stepped over the "100 paintings" mark, (some wise artist once told me that you couldn't complain about not selling until you had completed 100 paintings...but we certainly don't want over a 100 paintings hanging around the house do we?) my next task is to find galleries and a good art rep.

So once a painting is properly documented, I will happily send it out into the world, hopefully to find a good home. All of my work from the past year has begun it's life in the world, at Austin Art Space Gallery, in Austin,TX. From there they circulate around a number of venues, including a couple of area galleries. Enough of my work was purchased this past year to pay the rent and give me a reason to keep making more, but as all artists must, I have to expand. Any ideas, hints, tips, words of wisdom on how to get the product to the market more effectivley?

When the deadline is away the muse will play!

2010-04-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gone into your studio to finish a large project which has to be completed and found yourself drawn to other smaller projects: pulled away from product to process...

I recently viewed an interview by Bill Moyers on PBS with Louise Erdrich, one of my favorite authors. She spoke of the need to be in her writer's room with her notebooks, scraps, scribblings, pencil nubs, etc...more as a place to play and allow than to produce "things". When I found out this AM that one of my deadlines had been extended, I first felt scattered, like a child who gets to go out to recess on a whimsy. Slowly, I began to circle around unfinished parts and pieces...to take time to see what surrounded me. And here I've been all day.

Pictured are two of the images I completed.

These are 5 x 7" oils on gesso board.

My Three Prickly Pears

2010-04-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

These 3, 30 x 30" paintings have been part of life for 6 weeks and I am now at 95% finished. I started them with great enthusiasm and energy, then got the flu, had our son home for Spring Break...I went at them in shifts, experimenting with Chroma Interactive pigments and mediums. I have noticed that my work is influenced by the weather and often what is going on in Colorado where I grew up. Even though I am here in Central TX, I still feel the seasons in the high country. I also sometimes project memories from my years in Hawaii, and I see that influence in "Riots of Spring"..it looks like a cross between a snow storm and an ocean. "Prickly Profusion" came to fruition when the sun was out here and the cold Colorado wind was blowing in a new season. "Spring Greens" has the feel of the rain which is coming to us today, pushed by a cold front from the mountains in the SW. The paintings are finished well in front of the due date so I am going to set them aside for a couple of days to allow the pigments to cure, then finish out with Chroma unlocking fluid.

These paintings will be on view at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin TX starting April 26, 2010

Check out my new demo using Chroma Interactives

2010-04-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Maria Gatling of Austin-artists.com for creating this video. Become a fan at www.austin-artists.com , and visit my Chroma Teacher's Page for more information on classes and demonstrations.

Bluebonnet envy in Central TX

2010-04-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

Ever since we moved here 14 years ago, I have tried to grow bluebonnets, which for those of you who don't live in Takes-us, is the state flower. Last year there were a few in my front yard, but nothing to write home about. This year they took off and filled up the front courtyard. Another patch sprouted up by our driveway and grew by twice this spring. I was so proud of my crop of my lovely lupine until I looked across the road an saw my neighbor's hillside. That's when the bluebonnet envy struck! Hopefully some of the seed from his field will travel our way, meanwhile I am pleased to have a neighbor who plants native, and I will get even, no doubt!

I've thrown in a couple other pics from my walk with Lilo, the wonder mutt, today when the sun peaked out for about 10 minutes. This is truly the most incredible spring I've experienced here...I'm a Colorado gal so it takes a lot to impress me. the wildbirds are all back, including the Scott's oriel (sp)
and all the geckos are poppin out...and best of all few bugs so far.

White gesso and thunderstorms

2010-04-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

Today I am working in my home studio for a deadline that is approaching and to tell the truth, if I didn't have the deadline, I wouldn't paint today. I think I would curl up on the couch with a good book or just play with collage or something, instead of finishing these paintings that I started about a month ago. In the course of things, our son came home for Springbreak, I had a bout with flu...you know the drill.

At this point, the energy I felt for these 3 beauties is a month back. I had to get it back somehow, and since it so dark here today, my natural instinct is to add contrast and light. Being a child of the moon I went straight for the white gesso. This is what I love about acrylics...they fit my impulsive nature by the forgiving nature of the paint, especially Chroma Interactives.
Pictured is the result and I think from viewing "my 3 prickly pears" that the two on the right are finished, but for very small corrections. The one on the left is my project for the day, and it may be quite different at the end of the day because I have the urge to get in there with a mural brush and really mix it up.
Happy painting to all!

When the muse has flown...draw your way back into the energy

2010-04-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

A question that has been floating among my circle of artist friends this week is "How do you recharge when the "muse has flown"? You know, that gut level excitement that makes us want to get up early and get into the studio...well sometimes it's not there.

What to do? This is when I grab my pastel pencils and draw my way back into the fun. I use contour line applied directly to the canvas surface. After a few layers of Chroma Interactives, there's a toothy, yet forgiving surface. I love to practice not picking the line up, and just focus on the process. I also "color code" my land/sky scapes with pastels when I'm not sure what to do next. After the energy intensive process of big brush painting on large canvas, the drawing in process is soothing and lays a path for the next layer of paint. You can see how the second image has a bit more "magic". Since pastel is pure pigment it will melt into my next paint layer.
Please share with me your ways of getting back into the flow! Meanwhile, Happy painting!

Spring in Central Texas Hill Country

2010-03-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

I've just come back from my walk with Lilo, our little border collie, on our 3 acres in Central TX. Lilo is always on the look out for the deer, squirrels, and other indigenous critters that live here with us. She even barks at the turkey vultures that ride the currents above. The wild birds have returned and are singin like there's no tomorrow, and the sun is out after a 1.5" rain last night, complete with thunderstorms. I take 100's of photos with my clunker Sony digital. This is my way of seeing the natural world. Enjoy, and here's to spring, sunshine, and the circle of life!

Reflections on reflections

2010-03-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

This morning as I viewed all of the paintings in my studio in various stages of completion, I gave up a preconceived notion based on the idea that I would paint 3, 30 x 10" Texas skyscapes. I always begin a studio session by looking at each piece through the lens of my camera, and rotating each image. Reducing and rotating the image gives new insights, and can assist with correcting composition. I had one sky scape that was very soft and when I turned it upside down and placed it under one of the other 3
skyscapes it made a gorgeous reflection of the sky and water. Now I have a diptych and one piece is finished. Today's little gem of wisdom, which is much easier to say than to do, at least for me: Always be willing to give up the "plan" and let the painting take on a life of it's own. Another, for me, would be get off the computer and paint so that is what I'm doing now. Happy painting!

The soothing process of unlocking layers of pigment for gorgeous blends

2010-03-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

I was out most of the day, so when I got back to the studio I needed something easy, simple, and soothing. That's why Chroma invented "unlocking formula". This medium is perfect for my watercolorist at heart, and I love it when I get to this part of the process. My only choice with traditional acrylics would be to paint over, but since I am a gal who changes her mind (it's the moon sign thing) I like to keep my options open. Next step is to add orange and then work my way up to yellow + tints. I hope these sky scapes say "relax" to you as I found them relaxing to paint.

Check out my Chroma Teaching Artist's Page for more information on my work Chroma Interactives and mediums. I'll post the finished paintings soon!

Upcoming ART EVENT!!

2010-03-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

Take a drive through the Texas Hill Country in bloom to the Rainbird Gallery in Blanco, TX! Meet the artists 3/27, 1-4PM. The gallery is truly unique with hundreds of gorgeous works from area artists, myself included.

Organzation for the creative mind?

2010-03-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

After a couple of days out and about, I've returned to my studio to find myself surrounded by paintings in various stages of completion. Many of these were started at demonstrations, and some for upcoming shows.

First I have to "clear the decks" so I can find my way into the space. I call this the puttering phase of the process. I would really like to have an art slave to do this for me..perhaps a muse of sorts.

The Texas skyscapes will be the first ones to get my attention...something so soothing about blending with Chroma Interacitves pigments and mediums. One thing for sure-I'm never lacking in ideas and inspiration for subject matter. I like to keep a lot of "irons in the fire" so if one goes cold I can roll onto the next. I'll post each painting as it completes.
Visit my website to view more work and link to my events blog.

Painting Texas Skyscapes with Chroma Interactives

2010-03-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

I recently gave a demonstration on my process for painting a Texas skyscape with an intense palette for Highland Art Guild in Marble Falls, TX. The concept is based on a split primary palette working from blue back to red. The images above are painted on 30 x10x 1.25" canvas. I'll post the finished products soon.
Visit my Chroma Teacher page for more information on demonstrations, workshops, and small group lessons.