Painting #3

Into Painting 3 of the series, and I am liking where it is going.  I think I am going to sketch the next painting and come back to this one.  This semester has been so jam packed.  I feel things are starting to slow down, but they will soon speed up again.  I plan to take this week to focus on the series more.

Still need to add the last finishing touches to Painting 2.

Painting #3

acrylic 24 x 48 inches

I plan to have my show the last weekend of January. I have all of Christmas break to work on the pieces.  I am considering adding some graphic pieces.  And definitely several watercolor.  I plan to work on those more during the break.

-Jessie

Painting 2 continued/Started Painting 3 and MAEA

Another session spent on the second painting.  I'm afraid I have lost the audience in the background.  I think I may need to change her outfit too??  

hmmmm.....

Started the 3rd painting.  This went quick. Drawing, maybe 30 minutes, and the painting, maybe another  45.  

 Some recent inspiration

I attended the MAEA conference with a good friend this last weekend.  Soooo much fun!

A bunch of Art teachers collaborating and creating.

 I borrowed these pictures from the MAEA facebook page.

The center piece I painted and                                                             the banner my friend, Lana, and I painted.

MAEA auctions off the banner and centerpieces at the Spring conference to fund scholarships.

                                                              -Jessie

Painting 1 finished and started #2

Finally finished this piece (first in the series)!

It wasn't exactly what I was envisioning, but definitely works.

Acrylic 

____________________________________________________________________

 I have a Jewelry class this semester.

Thought I would include some of my pieces 

from that class.

All of my art influences one another.

I also draw influence from

watching other artists work.

The creativity that happens from collaboration

is sometimes mind-boggling 

and very rewarding :) 

________________________________________________________________

This is the next piece.  Also, acrylic. I like where it is going so far.  I've been swamped with so many hours (6 classes) this semester and trying to prepare for student teaching next semester.

I also have a family (3 kids and a hubby).  I am definitely feeling the burn now.

It will all be worth it...

I get to be in the classroom every Tuesday (teaching art).  Those days get me through :)

                                 

 -Jessie

My Model and more process

 I have been working on this acrylic for a while. Longer than I meant to. I have been allowing things to distract me. Not just random things, but things that DO need attention. (I take several other classes And have a family).

 Every time I go to this painting, I just wouldn't feel it.  Here is the last session:

Today I attempted again.  Actually felt closer to it.  I think I have the concept so wrapped up in my head and all the other paintings (still to come), that it is hard to focus on just the one.

I used a lot of yellow today.  I must have been in a good mood, lol.

Still have a couple of more layers (flowers and misc), but tomorrow I think I'm going to lay out the next painting. I have the canvas ready.  My fear: the next one kind of feels like this one....  

 This is my model :)  I didn't notice the finger until I printed the picture. hehehehe...

I have lots of other pictures that I have been using.  Looking at this one now, the shadows are way better.  It's the wrong angle, but I think I will use it.  Picking his nose may even fit the concept.. no, too much, lol.

Painting: I chose to paint noisy in the background and keep the subject clearer.  If you could see the painting in person, you could see what I am saying easier.  I don't normally paint with black, but have chosen to use it in the backgrounds only of this series. I think it will add to the mood.

First Watercolor in the Series and some Inspiration

    I've been working on developing my concept further and choosing subjects this week.  I pull inspiration from the people around me, specifically ones I love. 

    I taught a beginners Acrylic class at the local gallery ("Essence of Georgia O'Keefe").  They brought in a picture of a favorite flower and they learned basic color mixing and brush strokes.  It was a great time and a good pick-me-up for me.  I love watching peoples' art process.

   

This is my mom. And this was her very first painting, and I got to teach her!  :) 

 My mom is definitely an inspiration and she continues to teach me. And, she is honest and patient with me.  lol, I need that most of the time!

We took our kids camping this weekend, and I picked wildflowers for my paintings and took pictures (because they will be gone before I get to paint them).

I finished a watercolor in my series this week.  "Teen Beauty"

The colors got a little muddier than I wanted, But, that kind of works with the series, so I didn't mind.

                                                                                                                         -Jessie B

Chasing Butterflies

My biggest flaw is what I like to call "chasing butterflies." Basically, it is getting distracted.  I have so many thoughts and ideas running through my mind, that I get distracted by them easily. When I'm teaching, I have to watch myself.  If an interesting topic gets brought up ("a butterfly") I chase it.  Sometimes it is a teachable moment (of course, every moment can be a teachable moment, right!? ;).
I've been chasing butterflies trying to pick a solid concept for my painting series. So many great ideas.  Every time I pick one, other "butterflies" keep flying in my path.  I think I finally caught one though and am going to focus.  Of course, I've thought that 3 times now...  NO, going to focus.

I painted the under of the subject on the acrylic and started a watercolor this week.

Also, I finally got some money to replenish all of my supplies. Yay!!

I was thinking about moving the backpack to his other side, but now I think I'm going to rotate his hips and put his other foot on top.  That way it brings his hand forward more.

I also need to decide what I'm going to do with that background. Normally, there are houses there, but I don't want all that noise.  Probably just trees. 

I always do skin first, but this time I went straight to the hair. What was I thinking, lol.  I'll make it work.

Painting 1 of series: First layer

I paint in layers.  It can be fairly systematic, but I strive for it not to be.  The first layer is the first layer of the background.  I work from background to foreground. A typical painting, for me, has 6 layers.
My color usage really depends on my mood and what my palette gives me.  I can make any color by seeing it (or thinking of it) and just adding colors until I make it. While mixing, I use as few of colors as possible, to keep the colors more pure.

Here is the first painting session after drawing the initial outline:

The painting is 36in/48in.

The kid is almost life-size.

Harnessing Creativity

Creativity is not something that only a special few are blessed with.  It's a process that can be created and harnessed and COMPLETELY squashed.....
That being said, I'm having some difficulties getting beyond my own thoughts...  and the establishment...  Grasping that concept that means something.  ..... the beginning of every new semester brings this battle with over-analyzing everything, organizing, setting goals, and professionalism, professionalism, professionalism...
Creating is a battle that is messy and full of self-loathing.  It must be fought though, because the process is rewarding. A reward I find intriguing.
I have my concept, now to the first painting...

 My inspiration

Fears

I'm a nontraditional student, meaning: I am the "old guy" sitting in the classroom. The "mama" of the group.  A title I've apparently always worn, according to my closest friends.  
I remember one particular young face from when I first started this grand educational adventure (longer ago than I like to admit).  She was arrogant, mean and knew nothing of the real world.  Every encounter with her was... just dreadful. She had talent and a spirit about her, but it was masked with an ugly demeanor. 
To this day I remember one of her painting series.  It was on nightmares. Her nightmares. I can recall the colors so vividly. They were bold, warm colors swirling around the canvas. The "creature" found within gave off a fiery tone but didn't evoke fear per say.  I couldn't relate to her "fears."
As I'm planning my next series, my mind keeps going back to her's.  Mine will embody some of my greatest fears, but in a whole different manner.  I've been told I paint "happy little paintings."  They are layered with vibrant color.  But, if you look closely....

I'm a little afraid of this series...that's good, right?

My Brain Hurts

What has been created can be appreciated but also destroyed.  What is learned and brought forward can last forever.

-Jessie Bayless

The battle continues with process vs. product.

The blankness of my sketch paper taunts me. The beginning of the Fall semester is bitter sweet with the influx of fresh ideas and the sluggish summer brain that refuses to work.

I have Advanced Tech in Art this semester.  One of my last art classes until graduation (also taking jewelry, figure painting, and digital imaging).  I plan to student teach in the Spring semester and graduate with my BS in Art Education with a Middle Endorsement. 

I have to decide what I am going to paint.  Preferably, something meaningful.... I have several not-well-thoughtout ideas... I will collect them and it will come.  Creativity is easily squashed... Don't rush the process.... at least right now.

Me sitting in the coffee shop, desperately trying not to squash the process... need more coffee...