Learning to paint the human figure is hard work, but I’m up for the challenge
Lin Lisberger. Carver of wood
I think Lin Lisberger’s sculptures are mesmerizing. They draw me in and invite me to stay a while. One, in particular, wouldn’t loosen its grip. Letting Go is one of a series of hands Lin sculpted about the time my daughters were in high school. It symbolized feelings I was struggling with then. My babies had grown […]
Where two colors meet: That’s where all the action is
Our assignment: Make two identical compositions, each at least 10″ x 12″. Use the exact same colors in both compositions. You want to have clear foreground shapes and clear background shape. In composition A, you will create normal interactions between the foreground shapes/colors and the background shapes/colors. In composition B, the foreground shapes will be […]
Kevin Mizner. Inspired by Norman Rockwell
Every time I post another profile of a Maine artist, I learn something new. From Kevin Mizner, who lives in Pittston, I learned about patience. This from a man who says he has “the patience of a toddler.” It is Kevin’s inclination to dive right into a painting without thinking things through. It is his practice […]
I never realized how much influence one color could have over others
I’m learning so much in the Color Theory class I’m taking this semester. The instructor is Jim Flahaven at the University of Southern Maine. These images are from an assignment designed to help us better understand simultaneous contrast. I won’t take it for granted that you all know what simultaneous contrast is because I didn’t know. […]
Mary Brooking. An artist who finds inspiration in the natural beauty of Maine
Mary Brooking says she enjoys testing the balance between reality and abstraction. She prefers to paint with acrylics, but her work is often mistaken for oil paintings because of their softness and tonal depth. Mary also teaches acrylic painting in a wonderful space in Westbrook, Maine — Continuum for Creativity. Read more about what motivates […]
84 shades of gray: Exciting, beautiful, rich and yes, lusty shades of gray!
I spent a lazy Sunday mixing shades of gray. And you thought this was going to be an erotic post! There is something sensual about playing with paint, I think. And there is something exciting about mixing colors. I remember the first time I mixed a gray instead of using one straight from the tube. […]
Dorette Amell, Maine Artist. Be prepared to be inspired
Work hard, says Maine artist Dorette Amell. She knows what she’s talking about. She worked hard to find her voice and to become the fine artist she is today. A woman who practices what she preaches. Read more to find out what inspires Dorette to create art. Cautionary Tale (Bitterness) 2015 Casein on Birch Panel […]
The final drawings: Building on our own momentum
As usual, it’s hard to believe another semester has whizzed by. We exhibited our final drawing projects at an open studio reception, which was fun. I was blown away by the work my fellow students did, so decided to focus on some of their projects instead of mine. These are images from the reception and […]