Taking Time to Look...

Color Study for Red & White, detail from 18 x 24 oil on canvas

Careful observation makes a difference as we work. For me each time I commit line or mass to blank paper/canvas, it must come from my gut; otherwise, I may never do anything. Whatever our work or process, that first step often requires some degree of courage. This said, a more successful drawing or painting usually begins before my pencil or brush touches the surface.

A full minute or two looking before making that initial mark helps me form a visual opinion. Thoughts come to mind and I work through ideas, color choices, usage of line, volume and composition - maybe not all at once mind you, but I become more aware of what interests me enough to keep moving forward. This is a real advantage because if things need change, I can do this. After all, to realize what doesn't seem to work is just as important to me as understanding what feels right.

I save time by setting up and understanding patterns that may not seem so clear in the very beginning. The structure and true beauty of objects begins to show. In other words, it's like discovery and I learn...for this I'm most grateful. ;)

Study for Gathering, 8 x 10 oil on canvas

Stretch, gesture study - charcoal on paper

I found ten tips featured below at www.FineArtTips.com and thought I'd pass them along...
Thanks for looking and I welcome you to visit me a donnashiver.com. Have a great day and a better weekend. Peace and Health all - 

In the Details...

With Friends, 12 x 12 oil on canvas

For me, details are a matter of how an
individual sees things. This is why I often find it difficult to respond to those who ask if I'm concerned with the specifics of an object. My answer is yes and no because I largely rely upon mass and the space that surrounds objects as direction when I draw or paint. I love line, but it is those patterns of light and shadow, plus volume and form that go such a long way toward helping me figure out the object before me.

In painting, I strive to create accurate color notes over recreating every detail. Although I don't always get there, that is my intent. Plane changes often mean a color change, and if I see a color change, it prompts me to look for a plane change. To my mind, one sort of informs the other; a good thing. :)


This study for Red Bowl was a fun challenge. I had an unexpected interruption about half way through, and it was hard getting back to my original process; one reason, I prefer to work straight through a study if possible. The characteristics of the markings on the bowl were my focus, but as it turned out I really enjoyed those garlic bulbs. All this said, I'll work another study and be more aware of what detail is necessary, and what can be left out because of this practice. After all life happens and that's okay. These daily works are often about bits of my day and include leftover food items from breakfast, or things I'm looking to use for dinner.

Study for Red Bowl, 12 x 16 oil on canvas

From my sketch book; charcoals on paper. I love the form and movement that is dance...

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the day. I welcome you to visit me at donnashiver.com          
Peace and Health all -

 

Changing up Space...

Study with Pitcher and Apple, 9 x 12 oil on canvas

I'm putting together small studies in preparation for larger commission works I've been asked to do recently. I feel fortunate that those doing the asking have provided notes, and still given me a lot of space with regard to the finished pieces. This has given me wiggle room, and the liberty to just get something on my painting surface, along with a few other ideas to bring a fresh eye to things.

Yesterday I decided to play around with locations...other areas to set up and paint from; studio space I have in our home versus other rooms that would change my perspective.

Here are shots I took of my set up while working from our downstairs basement area. I do like the mood here, but the lighting is also easier for me to control because I use a single direct light source instead of the lighting from my northern facing window in studio. That said, I like using this northern lighting, it's more constant - not 100%, but more constant.  It prompts me to work faster due to changing light conditions, so I don't think too much...that always sounds funny, but overthinking things can block spontaneity. Using this northern facing window for a set up is a little like being out on location. After an hour in a half, I move on. :) 

Set up with varied lighting

Set up with varied lighting

And here's a view of my studio space at the end of a quick paint session. At times an hour is all I have to work with before the lighting becomes too bright for my painting surface.

At the end of a quick hour session with 9 x 12 canvas

Here are a couple of pieces from a recent sketch night. Fun things to translate to canvas...
Thanks very much for stopping by and have a great day. I invite you to visit me at donnashiver.com

Peace and Health all - 

Flamenco and Guitar, ink on paper

Flamenco, ink and charcoal on paper

Organizing and Preparing Materials...

 

Before the Jam, 8 x 10 oil on canvas

 The concept of organization is a tough one at times. Whether it's my materials for a day out with classes, or personal studio space, the act of experimentation and making art often takes precedence over the active response to the nest of things that wind up all over the place. Suddenly it's midnight and I'm too beat for cleaning up anything more than my brushes. This is another selling point for palette knives...a wipe of my rag and they're done.


Today is Monday and coming off the weekend, I'm looking forward to an afternoon of doing...with paint that is. So early this morning I worked to better prepare my space and get things put back where they belong - at least for now.

It's the same for me as when I get items ready to cook. There is produce to wash and cut up, or prep for stewing, braising and overall good eating. Before the Jam shows a few leftover pieces from ingredients I used for jam. Grapes and Apples so ripe, they smell sweet enough to leave off the sugar. Truth is I don't use much anyway, but it's the same with over ripe plums - they give something extra to the batch. Organizing these things makes my time in the kitchen short
and sweet. :)

In studio, if I spend too much time looking for something, that's time away from my canvas or paper. A little bit of catch up time today will save me the frustration of wondering what I did with my favorite palette knife, or where I laid my blades and sandpaper for sharpening charcoal. It's an exchange that I have to just do from time to time. Actually, for me I think it's often that good break that is needed. A few minutes to brew a cup of tea, and twenty minutes or so of straightening up goes a long way toward keeping me on track and feeling good about my tools.


Today's quick sketch in progress - short of color adjustments, I'm looking at areas to develop versus those to leave be... 

Quick Sketch on 9 x 12 canvas

Quick Sketch - focus on this lovely blue vase

Portrait Study, charcoal on paper

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the day. Peace and Health all...

Finding A Way...

Red Onion, 6 x 6 oil on canvas

It' been a while since I've posted. Work has been my focus...that and trying to find my way through methods to teach others and myself. Classes have started back for me and my students and I could not be happier. They may never know how much their desire to pick up charcoal and a brush lift my spirits. 

As I strive to find ways to communicate practices to each of them, I'm reminded of things that I work to improve my skill set. Not only that, but every session pushes my communication skills and gives me insight into teaching, or sharing ideas.






Red Onion was a fun morning sketch and taught me more than I can say...this small work pushed me. I hit a wall or three and am better for it. I've posted this on Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge for today - I'm behind here as well. More information on all the artists participating here http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/

Here's my set up by my usual window in my home studio, plus the brief color chart I did half way through my struggle to figure out the fresh colors I was looking for. The time was well spent and I came back with a fresh eye and new perspective. Breaks mixed with persistence work well toward helping me find my way. May you all find yours today. Thanks for stopping by and I welcome you to visit me at donnashiver.com
Peace and Health All - 

Red Onion Set Up

Tinting Chart

Blue & White Umbrella

On Point, Gesture Sketch in ink

 

Morning Stretch...and Sketch

This past Saturday was the start up class for charcoal instruction I do at the Cobb Marietta Museum in Marietta GA. I enjoy these sessions and learn so much from everyone. Being in my own head as I work is one thing, but trying to explain a thought process is an entirely different skill set - one that I'm learning step by step, and set up by set up.

One of the new students explained to the group that she went to school for Art, but as student loans kicked in, she turned to the corporate world to help pay down debt. I can understand the need for this, and fully appreciate the idea of making money to cover bills. This student went on to say that she felt she has lost all ability to create drawings or paintings. To my mind, her skill is not lost. It just requires exercise...much like our muscles need daily work to stay fit and ready to move, lift and stretch, our capacity to paint and draw benefits from practice and challenge; or going beyond what we have done before.

Morning Set Up for Twenty Minute Sketch

Morning Stretch and Sketch

Previous Morning Stretch and Sketch

Fifteen Minute Sketch

Thirty Minute Sketch

My daily painting as I continue my series of Rainy Night Scenes. This is also my post for Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days. More information here http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/

Thanks for looking..have a wonderful day and I welcome you to visit me at http://www.donnashiver.com/

 

Light Rain and Cafe

Back to Work...Sketches in Oil

Rainy Night Sketch, 6 x 6 oil on canva

My time has been somewhat diverted the past week, or three months. I was honored to curate and show with four very thoughtful artists this past Friday night at OTP Gallery in Marietta GA. What a gift...because first of all I've never curated a show before, so the knowledge I gained from this experience is invaluable. In addition to this, the four other artists featured in this show are not only skilled, their work really moves me. It was a delight to explore process with them and learn from their ideas.

Which leads me to my desire to create a series of night scenes that features rain, mist, fog and all other wet climates. :)

I've been doing these for a few months now. I live by a peninsula of Lake Allatoona in Northwest GA. According to conversation I've had with some lately, I've become the woman who paints from the back of her car. Little do these folks realize, I've always been this...:) The painting shown above should correlate with day seventeen of Leslie Saeta's 30 n 30 challenge. I'm behind with this one, but enjoying the posting process when I have time. More information here http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

We artists just find a way to paint; no matter the space, climate or time of day. I know that for me, it is a necessary action or reaction to daily life. Whether they get posted everyday, three times a week, or whatever, painting and drawing is very much an integral part of my regimen. Yesterday was great because my charcoal sessions started back at the museum in Marietta. I love this time with other minds...the activity, conversation, exchange of ideas...it's great because I live in a bubble much of the time. In truth, I learn so much. :)

Here, at work, are the artists that I asked to participate in the show that opened Friday night. We each worked very hard to make this happen. I did share this process on Facebook, but it bears repeating here. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I took pleasure in coordinating this show. When everything was hung, it was such a proud moment for each of us.

April Marten in studio

DeAnna Headrick at work in studio

Gabrielle Perry at work in studio

Jessica Killpack at work in studio

all for today - please visit me at http://www.donnashiver.com/

Thanks so much for looking and hope your day is full of opportunities...
Peace and Health all -