Well, I'm three paintings in on The Acrylic Project. I actually have a book on acrylic but as with any medium, it's the easel time put in that really counts. Follow me and The Acrylic Project on Instagram.
Every couple years I return to acrylic in an attempt to bond with that medium (no pun intended). I know the problem isn't the medium, it's me.
This time around, I am giving acrylics more respect. I have set up a separate work station just for them I have given them recognition as The Acrylic Project 2021.
Here is Number 1, title "So I Changed My Attitude." I have to say I am very pleasantly surprised about what a difference a change of attitude makes! I enjoyed the process and am pleased with the result.
Life is getting back to the normal of a few years ago for me. With more opportunities to show work in places other than online, and because I've had a great year selling larger paintings, I have been re-thinking the direction of my work for the coming year. I will be painting larger for the foreseeable future.
In small-format, I will offer prints of original art on DailyPaintworks and on Etsy.
Summer is here! Happy summer everyone.
I have been getting many inquiries lately about prices of my paintings and also am learning that there seems to be a demand for prints of my work (again). I used to sell prints but at some point I ran out of inventory and didn't go there again. Until today. Offering my first new print in my new "store" (BBNewton DPW Store) on my DPW Gallery website.
Look what I found tucked behind my pastel easel. Arboretum Winter Color painted in 2013. It got as far as framing but then I unframed it to have it photographed for one of my print publishers. Because it was quite large, I tucked it safely away against the wall, unframed, and forgot about it. When I came across it last week, it begged to be reworked.
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| Arboretum, Winter Color, pastel, 24x24 inches, 2013. Painted using the same scene as the reference photo. |
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| Arboretum, Winter Color, pastel, 24x24 inches, ©2021 Barbara Benedetti Newton |
Ahh...things are beginning to get back to normal for artists. There are opportunities to show art in-person in addition to online. Because of that, I've been framing work for "Small Packages" at Women Painters of Washington (WPW) Gallery and for the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists (PSG) Summer Sale.
If you aren't following me on Instagram and would like to see the finished and progress photos of this painting, go here.
Hahaha...
Today Pinterest brought up a tiny thumbnail of a gorgeous painting. I clicked on it to see who painted it and was surprised to see that I did! It was from March of 2016, titled "Wild," and sold to Sandy D.
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| "Wild," 5x7 pastel sold |
This month I have been working in pastel again after more than a year working in oil. I'm painting for my annual Super Summer Sale and also to enter a few upcoming shows. Once again, I'm striving to paint with abandon and because of that I was interested to read my text from 2016 when I posted "Wild" on my blog.
"Sometimes I push a pastel painting past the point of no return. When the words "labored, contrived, sweet, pretty and cute" come to mind, it is time for me to hose it off (Wallis paper), brush it off (most other papers) or get the baking soda out (Pastelmat).
This painting was a big mess (well, as big a mess as a 5x7 can be). I finally took most of the pastel off and began again with ABANDON. Yay! I'm happy with it now." |
| "Bliss," pastel 10x8 inches P-2021-6-16 |
I'm working 3-up. One done, two to go. "Overachiever," pastel, 8x8 inches. See the progress steps below.
Happy Saturday to you, hope you're having a good one. I spent today weeding the garden, followed by an ice pack.
It's that time of year when I have to return to pastel if I want to have my annual Super Summer Sale. This year I'll be adding small oil paintings done on paper. They actually look like pastels if I substitute my usual 50/50 linseed/OMS (odorless mineral spirits) medium with cold wax. Watch for these in July through my DailyPaintworks Gallery. Select Category view and there will be a special category called Annual Super Summer Sale. This annual event usually sells out.
In one of my recent posts I mentioned that I am returning to mentoring. For now, it will be online only. To begin I'll advise you how to improve your paintings via email. Later in the year, I may add Zoom mentoring and eventually may return to the in-Studio private sessions of the past. I'm getting additional track lighting in the studio this week for more options about how to use the space.
1. Tell me your primary goals (I want to work looser, I want more light in my work) and send jpgs of your paintings and the reference photo for each.
2. I'll copy the image of your painting, rework using PhotoShop, add text to explain what and why and send it back to you beside your work so you can compare and easily see the suggestions.
Email me if you're interested. barbaranewton@comcast.net
On the easel today is an 18x18 inch pastel rework on sanded paper. After brushing off most of the old pastel painting I used a grayscale photo as my reference to apply thin oil paint with OMS as the medium for the foundation. You may remember me referring to this as an oil-wash but when I say that I get lots of inquiries asking what an oil wash is.
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| "Verve," oil, 24x24 ©2021 Barbara Benedetti Newton |
ON THE EASEL
If you remember my post of April 13th, here is what happened to that painting since then. I'm still working with the bowl scraper instead of a brush. Sometimes I add cold wax medium, sometimes I don't. For this one I'm using a 50/50 mix of OMS and linseed oil as the medium. I'm letting this dry a little; thinking about what comes next.
MENTORING: I have mentored some of you, both online and in person. With the onset of the pandemic, I put mentoring on hold. I guess I'm back, in some form, due to this great opportunity for you. Note: I'm not the only mentor is this offer! There are others to choose from.
I’m writing to let you know of a great opportunity through Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists (PSG). Last month, the membership requirements in this prestigious organization (founded in 1928) were revamped. Membership is now open without a rigorous jury process. PSG meetings are currently by Zoom, we have an online gallery - SAVOR, an upcoming online Summer Sale and our Great Annual NW Art Exhibit in September 2021.
"Treasures" is on stretched canvas - an unusual ground for me but one most oil painters prefer. I'm offering Treasures for my May Auction at crazy-low pricing in an effort to Spring clean my studio! Please consider it as an addition to your collection.
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| "Treasures," Oil, 10x8 inches, unframed See the Auction |
Thanks to all who have confirmed their name on my email art news list (you would have received an email saying "You are subscribed to Barbara Benedetti Newton Fine Art News"). If you didn't receive that email, send me an email and ask me to put you on the list barbaranewton@comcast.net. When I have a request from you, I can add your name manually without a need for another response from you. I usually sent out an art news email only once a month.
A little recap today of what I've been doing in case you don't follow me on Instagram.
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| This is "Promises, Promises," pastel, 11.5 x 18 inches. |
See a short video of the backstory.
I'm still playing with oil and cold wax medium, this time on oil paper in small format.
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| Reference photo |
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| Lime with Apple 7- day Auction |
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| Seven matted mini-prints Purchase on Etsy Sold, but wait! I found more in my Studio storage as well as 4 new images. I'll be making more little packets for Etsy soon. |
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| "Fall Color," oil on Yupo paper, 9x12 inches |
I've been thinking about having a Spring Sale. Today, before I knew what was happening, I put this one on a DPW auction at $45. This was an interesting experiment and was painted after my online workshop with Dutch painter, Roos Schurring. So much fun to paint! It is a textured oil and is ready for a 9x12 inch frame (no glass needed). I found the process so interesting that I took progression photos.
Please help me clean my Studio by considering this for your Collection. Take a look at the auction here.
