Created With Love

I am often asked about the materials in my work so I thought I’d share a bit about my process. I am an intuitive painter and as such I have no idea of what my end painting will be like.  

First I either pick a substrate, a fancy word for what I will paint upon, 

• Paper

• Stretched canvas - I purchase my canvas already stretched over the painting’s supports

• Wood panel if I choose a wood panel I first seal it on all sides. This will keep the wood from warping from any moisture.

Or, I first pick the colors that are just begging me to play with them. It is always one of these two, substrate or colors. Well, if I am honest it is sometimes a piece of collage I just have to play with, now!

Straight  lines and/or scribbling are what I usually first apply to the substrate but it can change. This breaks the blank substrate and is the first “call to action”.  I view my process as call and response.  Each mark, paint stroke, collage piece, or even a sanding back prompts the next action I take on the piece. 

I work with acrylic paints and mediums.

The mediums are thick or thin, textured or smooth. Many are clear but not all by any means as they can be pigmented or  have texture elements added. The other mediums I use are graphite, oil pastels, crayons and inks. I often use collage in my work.

Collage elements are made from found papers, magazine pages or papers that I make myself. I sometimes add embellishments that I have made from various supplies like thin wire, plaster, tyvek, acrylic mediums, beads, or just about any item that catches my fancy and I believe belongs in the painting.  

My work is multi-layered as paint or fixative must dry or the sanding back must be done before I can respond again. Each piece I make is often made over many days so each day's work is also a layer. I find the layers continue to add depth and intrigue to a work.  I want your eye to be led all over the surface, taken on an adventure, a mini journey, as you enjoy the work and as details are discovered.

The finishing steps

When I am happy with the work and know the creation is done I move on to the finishing steps which are different for different substrates. A painting on stretched canvas or wood panel is sealed with another acrylic medium while work on paper may only require a fixative.   Stretched canvas and wood are given a protective UV blocking coating with varnish. I sometimes finish a piece with a cold wax finish.  

Each piece is labeled with the final finish and cleaning instructions.