The Painting Spectrum - Expanding Your Horizons Part Two

   Mine was a week marked with some anxiety, mixed doubt, a little fear, a turn-around surprise, and terrific success. With my perceptions at times, if I don't have a problem - I can create one in my mind. I began last week thinking I would only get one day and maybe an additional hour somewhere to work on the ocean sunrise mural I've been commissioned to do, as my client's schedule and mine did not coincide. I imagined all sorts of chaos and fiasco's that could happen (but didn't) like spilling large jars of paint all over the floor and not having enough cleaning supplies to take care of the mess.

   As the days passed, I visualized the colors I was going to paint and had a decent, clear idea of what I wanted as an end result. By Thursday, the day before I was due at my clients house again, my frustrations were mounting. I usually allow myself at least a 4-5 hour block to paint; whether it be a large canvas or a large wall. I also imagined (there's that word again) only getting a fraction done of what I wanted to accomplish. By Thursday evening however, things started turning around. My Friday morning appointment with another client postponed a week, and my husband Dave carpooled with a co-worker so I could have the car all day. That made things much easier. I finally broached the time block subject with my client and we resolved that issue that was spinning around in my head.

   Friday came, I gathered my supplies and headed over to my clients house. I can be so OCD at times and this was one of them; I had packed my painting supplies days before, so I could just grab and go. As I was heading out the door, I was still double checking that I had everything I needed.

   After I set up my work area and laid down my drop cloth to catch any of those spills my mind was determined I would make, I began at the top of the wall lettering in the words: "EACH DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING". So far so good. I then mixed up a batch of color that consisted of brown, white and yellow, painted in a bunch of dunes and rolled it across the bottom. I effectively covered up the last of the Caribbean Blue color.

   Next I was going to paint on a pale Cobalt Blue for the sky, but I couldn't find in either of my painting bags. I was positive that I packed it - but it wasn't here! I was frantic. Now what do I do? I paused, prayed and reflected. The idea to use a different shade of purple came to me. I mixed another batch of purple and white that resulted in a rich lavender and rolled it on the sides of what hadn't painted over yet. Afterwards, I was pleased with this improvisation. I then speckled it throughout the top of the mural going over my guidelines for the lettering. Moving forward, I went back to the yellow, mixed in white, and went over the sun. I wasn't happy with the yellow - I could still see the Caribbean Blue through it. I also painted on the sparkles of the glistening water.

   I stood back, pulled out a chair, and sat down - looking over my mural contemplating my next move. My next idea that came to me actually crossed my mind two weeks ago; to paint in the pink clouds with crumpled paper towels. I felt a small wave of fear course through me, but then it passed. I boldly stood up, mixed red and white paint into a pretty pink, dunked the paper towel in it and smeared the wall with it. When I relaxed, the fun began. That's one thing my husband always tells me to do when I paint - above all, have fun! I danced the paint on the wall as well as covered myself with it. I had a blast! I redid the lettering with a glaze of yellow and then redid the sun yet again. Lastly, I paper toweled in some orange in the clouds.

   Realizing I was entering the home stretch, I painted in the walkway and the details with the dunes. For a moment, I exited my painter zone and realized there had been noises outside, but I never registered what was going on. My plan was now that the dunes were done, I was going to sit down and appreciate how the mural finally came together, but I ended up going to a window instead. That's when I saw some large front-loader tractors clearing the streets of snow. Once again, my brain kicked into gear and I thought that they might have my car towed. I hurried to my painting area, took a picture of the mural, hustled the clean up process, and ended up leaving an hour before I had planned. And no, my car did not get towed...

   I felt so alive and exuberant. Satisfied at a job well done! It feels good that I can still produce a type of art work that I hadn't done in a long time. I am ready for my next wall. Please feel free to contact me for a free consultation.

Until next time,
The Happy Painter,
Jill

The Painting Spectrum - Expand Your Horizons Part One

   As I write this latest entry, I occasionally glance out the window and watch the falling snow. It has been a mild winter so far here in coastal Maine and this storm is no exception; the snow has been mixing with sleet as well as rain. I'm reminded of the quote; "In the depths of winter, I learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." - Albert Camus.

   My husband Dave and I performed all our usual Saturday errands earlier and a little more hurried this morning in order to be back home before the roads became too slick. I purchased a few magazines with the intention of spending a dreamy afternoon making collages. At this juncture, I have already flipped through the somewhat similar pages - for some reason, they all depict winter getaways to Caribbean locales. The pictures are indeed warm and inviting on a bleak January day. After I finish posting today's blog, I will embark on making said collages.

   The colors of the Caribbean and summer in general reminded me of one of my other winter projects; I am currently painting a mural of a sunrise over the ocean. This project began as a conversation around Thanksgiving after I began working on a series ocean sunrises and sunsets all done in oil. My then future client gravitated towards one work that was already sold. My first thought was, "Great! When can I start?" But the more I thought about it, the more nervous I became.

   First off, this would be an indoor mural painted in the dead of winter. That means an acrylic paint would have to be used (no smell) as there would not be proper ventilation for oil paint. Remember - this is in a persons house... not my studio. I love the smell of paint! They, on the other hand, may not be a huge fan of the odor regardless of how beautiful the mural looks! Using acrylic paint also requires a different process than working in oils and the colors are limited. Mixing these colors in order to get the exact shade one wants can be a time consuming endeavor.

   Nothing more was mentioned about the mural until early January. I was then shown the wall where my client wanted the finished work. Challenge number two reared its ugly head - most of the wall is slanted. Nervousness turned into a pang of fear. How am I going to pull this off? I discussed my concern afterwards with another experienced artist and he told me to paint the sun (and horizon line) below eye level where the wall was vertical.

   Okay, I thought. That sounds right. However, I was unsure if there would be enough room for the beach, dunes, and small boardwalk / walkway leading out to the water that the client was hoping to add to the mural. I must admit, this project has taught me some valuable lessons:
 - When in business as a professional artist, one must have a written contract. Since my client was also my friend, we only had a verbal agreement. While that was fine with this particular arrangement, I would not be able to do this with a total stranger.
 - While I did this second aspect after I started, I should have included a printout of a picture that would be a close rendering of the finished work from the get-go. By having both of these articles, it allows both partners to have input on what is expected. While the expression, "...just use your best judgement.", can be a huge ego boost, I cannot utilize it as a plan.
 - Make sure we both know and remember when I plan to come over and paint. Even though we have calendars on our walls as well as in our phones (complete with reminder tones), people still forget or mistake days and/or times. One thing I found is I need to make my intent more clear and it is my responsibility to confirm all my appointments.
 - One of my favorite colors is not necessarily one of your favorite colors! One example was an acrylic paint bottle I used that showed a pale Caribbean blue - perfect for the sky. However, when I finished that portion of the mural, the color looked darker than I anticipated. I thought it might be because the room was getting dark and it would look great in the morning when the sun lit up the room. Nope! The color remained too dark and too powerful. I still liked it, but my client didn't.
 - I have to remember that not everyone is going to like what I like. I'm not the one who has to live with it - they are! If I use colors my client likes, I will have a satisfied customer (as well as a treasured friend).

   After we talked about what direction she wanted to go in, it was on to operation redo: painting over almost all of that too powerful blue. In a project of this size, I'm also finding that a small paint roller can be a huge blessing. It is a massive time saver especially on a wall this size. Other blessings include the use of drop cloths (I can thank my husband for that... um... suggestion). Again, I have to remember I am in someones private home, not my studio. It is not artistic license to trash the place in the name of fine art.

   After a good portion of the re-painting was done and some solid design was put down, I was chatting with another good friend of mine who mentioned "... I was expanding my horizons." I laughed out loud although she did not get her unintended pun at first. Nothing like a good friend to keep you grounded and out of your head. And nothing like a winter project to make summer dreams come true. While I have yet to complete this work, I will be available in a few weeks during the month of February to paint a mural on your wall, be it home or work place. Please visit my website http://artscapedesignstudio.wix.com/jadl or my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Artscape-Studio-119342494755215/. You can contact me through either one of those sites.

Until next time,
The Happy Painter,
Jill