A Routine in Less is More

Routine is good for me. But it's hard to stay on task in the summer.

'Buddy' (garden sculpture) hanging out     ©robinrkent

Routine is not so good when used to describe how I paint. Autopilot in art is questionable, even as a result of years of practice.
When painting in a 'semi-serious' mode (usually identified by pinched brow and pursed lips and rarely discussed here), my future goal will be to edit more - making the abstract stronger. Volume, composition, and flatten spaces are important in everything I paint or assemble. I don't care much for line, perspective, or rigidity. (wood being the exception)
I painted 'Reading to the Dog' (above) a while ago when dabbling in a 'semi-serious' mode.
I now see things I'd like to change. Editing choices escaped me when gripping the brush.
It's a challenge to explore another style: different ways of seeing, different decisions. I'd like to visit this niche more. After summer. The art world is such a big place.

The summer of the chicken

This is the summer of the chicken. I mentioned working on this topic in early spring for our town's 'What's Hatching in Brandon?' event. Now I'm working on a chicken sculpture for the Framers Market gallery show opening next week. (I also made a farmer on a tractor to mix it up a bit.)  This summer is just flying by. PZGJTBEDD679

Chicken made from scratch  ©robinrkent

Chicken with makeup     ©robinrkent

Bastille Day and much more

This day is not only important to France and Francophiles, in my smaller world, it's my cousin's birthday also.

'Frenchy'         assemblage        ©robinrkent     

Many friends and relatives were born on similarly significant days. I wonder if others, like me, think such a high percentage unusual.

My birthday was just an ordinary day. But it still could become noteworthy.
Maybe in the future, it will mark the day we're able to view all the colors in the spectrum. Or fly under our own physical power. Or communicate telepathically.
Perhaps it will mark another occasion the whole world celebrates. (I already have a friend born January 1st).

Can you add an additional note to the day you were born? (Not that it isn't already special enough...)

Happy birthday, Jim.

Folk Art Diary: The Texture Behind The Paint

This is the third Folk Art Diary post on 'Robin's Elements of Art'

I like what texture does. It gives both a tactile and visual thrill. The tactile sense is a side benefit while creating the visual. Most classical painters enjoy the 'bouncy give' between brush and canvas. Feeling brush vibrations while scumbling (scrubbing for you folk art types) as I paint over rough cut planks is an additional sensation. Sometimes the process emits a sound if a really rough board (think jug band washboard effect). 

'Tumble Home'      Acrylic on Rough Wood          ©robin r kent

The visual effect on a layered surface is somewhat harder to  control. And a good thing it is. Especially when allowing an under-painted color to show through, blending and altering the top layer. Pretty amazing stuff, even for the painter. The  more you try this, of course, the more control over the outcome.
Pastel artists, when painting on sandpaper, use the tactile/texture theory in smaller scale (manicure multitasking?). Graffiti artists, I imagine, must love seeing a stucco building.