New Beginnings

This is my first attempt at blogging and there's no better place to start than the beginning. I am a member of the Loft Artists Association and I also rent studio space at the LAA lofts in Stamford CT. My goal for the past few years has been to build a body of work for a solo exhibition. However, during the last four years, I've watched my body of work grow and shrink at the same time. I'm currently exploring a very detailed style of painting that includes relief sculpting. This technique requires painting, building, drying, and much more time than applying paint directly on the canvas. So the process, while very rewarding, takes a lot more time than just applying paint on the canvas. In addition, I've had the "good" problem of selling about a third of my inventory at LAA open houses and members shows. Most people would say that the logical solution is to work faster but I'm finding that easier said than done and I don't want to sacrifice creativity for quantity. In an  effort to find the right balance, I've discovered, almost by accident, some new tools that have helped me move forward toward my goal. In a nutshell, I'm learning to live in the moment and to take risks not fearing the outcome. For example, I applied and receive a two week Returning Residency in Cape Cod at the Fine Arts Center. While blissfully painting in a studio there, I befriended another resident artist, who introduced me to a gallery owner, who liked my work and extended an invitation to exhibit in the 6th Annual Artists Invitational at the Cortile Gallery in Provincetown, MA, on September 2, 2016. I feel fortunate, honored and blessed even though it may mean I may have to postpone my goal a little longer.

 

What Next?

Interestingly enough, someone, actually several people, read my first blog! I also received some great feedback from a good friend. One of her comments was that I needed to document my creative process via photos and captions. This made sense as it's a can be a little difficult for people viewing my website to see the sculpting aspect of my work. So, I will attempt to demonstrate the process in the following photos:

      preliminary sketch          underpainting          sculpting the leg        sculpting the hands     painting the relief      final painting w/paper

    

      

Princess Cureton1 Comment